HELP! Pony turning for home when we're hacking!

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DreamerII

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Hello everyone! Haven't actually made a "help me" type post for a little while but today I need to make one!
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Have just started to hack Dreamer out alone at new yard as it's something I'd like him to be able to do (there isn't always someone there to hack with).

Took him out yesturday and he was fine until we got to the end of the first field and had to go through a gap to the next field (at which point he would not be able to see home). Next thing I knew he had his head down and was turning for home! I managed to get him to turn a full circle and walk a few steps and then he turned again. This time he got quite a firm smack
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and was made to walk on!

Walked along about 300 yards of the edge of next field and he put his head down again, pulled, turned and started to canter for home. I was actually quite worried at some point as he was so strong I thought we'd end up cantering right back onto the yard.
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Managed to stop him (aim him at a very high hedge more like) and decided to walk up the track and go round the field in the opposite direction (I know I should have made him walk back but at this time I was a bit shaken).
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He walked most of the way up the track and I could feel him turning to go again so I pushed him on and he just about carried on walking right the way round the field. Eventually he settled and we did manage a couple of little trots while we were out.

So my point is....is this just a case of repeat the same thing every time we go out and hope that he eventually gets it? (he does the turning thing a lot when we're out, alone or in company so it's not that he's away from the yard on his own).

He is so strong when he puts his head down (he really locks it so I can't pull him up) but I so badly want to be able to take him out more while the weather is nice!

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It sounds to me like he is taking the mickey and seeing what he can get away with! If he is turning and trying to tank, I would put something stronger in his mouth and possibly use a grakle noseband so he can't open his mouth so if he does go for it, you can stop him without pointing him at a huge hedge. I would carry a schooling whip and depending on how confident you are with spurs, pop a pair on as well. Then, at the first sign of him napping (which is what this effectively is) you can give him a tap with the schooling whip to remind him to go forwards and let him know that it isn't an option. If he plants his feet and won't move forwards, you can then use the spurs and schooling whip to insist that he walks forward.

The only way to get around a problem like this is to be firm so he knows he can't get away with it. You need to keep being persistant and if he does manage to turn, turn him straight back away from the direction he turned in. He won't like it and will probably keep trying it on until he realises he can't get away with it. Being firm and not letting him win is the most important thing to remember!
 
Thanks Panda.

He's quite sensitive in his mouth and I don't really want to put anything stronger in tbh. (he is in a full cheek snaffle atm)....would a flash do the trick? (I have a flash but don't have a grackle).

Not overly confident with spurs but I always ride with a whip to remind him! Does feel like he is taking the P tbh with you!

I shall just persist though, hoping that it will stop soon though...it's annoying!
 
Definitely try the flash and also carry a schooling whip if you don't want to use spurs. If you can give his bum a smack as you feel him starting to think about turning usually this will persuade him that it isn't such a good idea! You will need to be quick to catch him before he turns tho, also use a schooling whip so you don't have to take your hands off the reins as this will help if he does try to cart you. If he does turn, always turn him straight back and be tough with him!
 
I always just keep turning him round and make him go forward! Try very hard to catch him before he turns tho, it's not easy, as you say!

Will dig out the flash at the weekend and get out the schooling whip too.
 
It might be an idea to get your instructor to ride him once or twice, to make sure someone confidently tells him to pack it in. I don't mean thrash him or make him scared, but if you are a bit worried he will pick up on that and may test you. If you win the test fantastic! If not, there will be more trouble, so perhaps you can stack the odds in your favour by having someone who is more likely to get the better of him, so he is in a more co-operative mood when you get on (he might still try it on, but it might be less intense).
 
Booboos I don't have an instructor. YO (and his owner) thinks/knows full well that I am able to ride him so I doubt if she'll see that there is a problem.

I'd rather get this sorted myself aswell tbh, if I get her to ride him then he'll still do it with me and I'll still have to sort it (even if it is less intense)

Thanks though!

I guess I should also point out that it doesn't really worry me that he turns/runs but it was just one time that it shook me up as I worried we would end up going right back to the yard, but now I know I can stop him that's not an issue!
 
I've had a similar issue with Ellie and have ended up going in circles as she's wanted to go back and I haven't. Lol

She doesn't do it so much now unless she is tired as she knows I'll keep turning her back
 
Definitly sounds like a case for practise practise practise. Well done for not getting flustered and sorting out in your own way.

Never wprry what other people would have done, you managed to work through it and get a result in a way that suited the pair of you and thats all that matters.

Definitly take advantage of the summer and keep going hacking, just perhaps allow yourself plenty of time incase of these unexepected de-tours!
 
Ponies Eh!!!

Deffo keep at him and get a bit nasty if you have to - this is 100% appalling behavoiur - and he is taking the mick out of you - keep at him - I know its not nice as it can get very unerving when ponies act like this - my old pony used to do this - I eventually had to ride her quite aggressivley for the first 200 meters on hacking out - tons of leg and a tap of the whip if she even started to slow down or look at something - if you really are not confident then you must get someone to win the battle for you - get someone to take your pony out who will ride anything and is very good and winning the arguments, as soon as he starts to turn - a slap down the shoulder and leg him on for a good 100 meters - keep at him so much that he doesnt have time to think about turning round and stick to short rides to build your confidence- maybe make him just walk 300 metres oup the road three or four times so you know yolu are not far from home but have lots of confidence? You sound like you are going in the right direction so all the best but this really needs nipping in the bud asap - lol - not sure how long you have had him but if its not long maybe he was a kids pony before and was used to getting away with things? Good luck x
 
Polar_Bear Thank you!

I do tend to worry that I know other people would have made their horse walk back the way they had just come from...but I wanted to get round that certain field on way or the other and it was just easier to go the other way....he still went round it :>
 
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Thanks for your input! I'm confident with him so I don't think that is an issue! He has never been a kids pony (have known him almost 7 years only had him back on loan since November)....but he has had riders that have let him get away with things a bit more than I like!

Gonne keep pestering and working on it, make the most of the summer and get him sorted before the winter comes again!
 
Well you will be fine then - if you are confident just keep at him - but I would go for the more sharp and fast tactic - as soon as he remotley puts a foot out of place - he gets driven on and a smacked bum - I know all horses are different but he really is being very naughty turning round - afterall - im sure you dont work hard to keep him for him to mess about - lol. Just dont feel mean by giving him a right good telling off each time - plus he is a pony - he WILL GIVE in eventually - sounds like he already is if you can stop him so good luck xx
 
i would try this. when you take him out and he wants to return home turn him round in small circles then carry on, if he still wants to turn round and go home, let him go home, but when you get home , work him hard either lunge or school, then immediatly go straight out keeping nice and relaxed, going out is a nice thing, turning round and going home means hard work, if he still tries to turn round ,repeat the circles then if he still wants to go home, again let him go home but make him work, he will soon get that haching out is nice, and turning round to go home means work. go to www.horsetrainingandtips.com
 
That sounds good advice, best to make her decide it's good to hack out rather than something she's forced to do whether she wants to or not, and it's more fun for us when they're keen to go out.

Lucy Rees says that if she sees a nice piece of grass when she's out on a youngster then she'll get off for ten minutes and let them eat - then they always want to go out. It certainly works with my greedy ponies, they look upon a hack as going out to lunch, ha ha!!
 
Another tip would be for you to go out in company, but as lead file, and on the way home, split up from the other horse...
You could also long rein him...driven style...or even get off him and march him round...
As long as he doesn't get away with it, you'll be fine.
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