Help with just backed horse - not napping but "flying"

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olsagi

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Can anyone offer any suggestions? Backed my 6 yr old TB last week after bringing him over 6 months on the IH way - lots of longlining out and about on lanes, fields etc. Brilliant longlining.

Backed him with trepadation as I knew what he could be like when we got him - nutty, but no problems getting on or moving away. First few times out in the paddock were OK then decided he doesn't want to move away from his first love - little pony.

I've been thrown off three times now and I'm sore. He doesn't really nap in that he won't move forward - just leaps up and forward with no warning - doesn't lower his head, etc before he bucks etc. This morning, first he whinnied and then kangarooed across and finally dumped me on the left side when he spun right. This was well out of sight and sound of the little pony (a mile)

I don't want to give up and send him away - we've come so far but I can't go on falling off. Strange thing is he's OK out on the roads (on his own) - haven't been far but don't get any indication of silliness.

Any ideas - I'm going to get his teeth and back checked again - was done 4 months ago but you never know.
 
Teeth would be my guess.....I had a horse of about this age who did the same thing (cat leaping) even though he had been ridden quietly for a few years previously. Turned out to be a teeth issue.
 
sounds to me like he is napping back to his pony friend.Is there any way that you can keep them seperated for a while so as you can work through this?If not then you need to ensure that he doesn't go straight back out with his pony friend all the while he is naughty.I suggest that you make it harder for him when he is bad by asking more of him and then reward him by getting off when he is good.
 
Can't seperate them unfortunately - we've no school as I have to ride him in the field next door to the stables (I always stable her when I go out with him). It's strange as when I get back on (no matter how much I hurt!) he usually behaves and finish on a plus.
 
Any chance you can ride alongside the pony? The sudden leap sounds like a lack of confidence and walking alongside his mate may just alleviate that.
This isn't a quick fix solution, but you need to get over the ditching before you can do anything more with him.
I wouldn't go faster than a walk for ages, and be sure you have desensitised him re any flappy objects etc, I sometimes lunged with coats, bags etc tied to the saddle without a rider, you have to be sure he is happy with that type of thing other wise he will jump again when something scares him.
I would if I were you go back to basic lungeing and discipline for quite a few weeks until he is behaving perfectly again. That's always what to do if things don't go according to plan, back then slowly forwards again.
I think he is only showing you he isn't confident not being naughty.
 
You reallly need to get him out of this pronto before it becomes a mega habit. IMO once a young horse has learnt to throw you off, its not easy to break the cycle. Try and get someone to ride out with you and perhaps lead the pony, what ever you do you have to stop it now, before it becomes an issue.
I had a 4 year old who 80% of the time was great to get on, the other 10% he would with out any warning at all leap up in the air and bronc like a horse posessed as soon as you touched the saddle. So we found a way around it and fooled him out of it!!! Thank god!!!!
You maybe need to take him back a level to rebuild his confidence, maybe start long reininghim again so is is still going out and about but with out you on top!!!
 
I agree - I also wouldn't have a particular issue with small pony accompanying us in the school etc. If it gets you through the current issue then address the seperation issue when horse has more confidence and is more rideable.
I broke a horse in a couple of years ago who was coming on fabulously. Went back to owner & had a couple of bad experiences & started doing what you're describing. I effectively rebroke her straight away. Went back to basics and reestablished her, she was fine after that.
 
I'd get someone to lead pony out with you - as has already been suggested.
Theres no shame in a youngster needing a confidence boost to start with, and as has also been said - I'm so good at agreeing with others! - its really bad for him to learn that you can be disposed of when hes had enough.
Good luck!
smile.gif
 
Thank you all so much for the comments - it's good to "talk" things through with someone.

A friend has offered to ride the pony whilst we go out (my daughter is not experience enough if something goes wrong). So when my back has recovered I'll do that.

He's fine being longlined out but must admit in the field he can be alittle silly until relaxes and gets on with it. I was always brought up to take a youngster out alone to begin with so he doesn't lean on the older horse but perhaps I should change and let the pony lead us to start with - except we'll still have the old problem when shes not there - perhaps I'll just deal with that one when and if it comes.

Bellgave - what changed your pony from a Bronco?

CotswoldsSJ - have the neck strap on but no handle to grab - would love one! Possibly I could borrow one?
 
Is there anyway that you could get him onto a yard with enclosed school and experienced people to help. I wouldn't fancy backing and starting a young horse in a field, would much prefer to have a small area with decent surface and plenty of hands on the ground to lunge/help. If not I would go with HH's suggestion and have the pony with him to give him confidence, spend time desensitising him to the saddle and being ridden whilst he is at his most confident and then slowly take the pony away. Keeping schooling sessions short and fun and be consistent in what you ask of him and I'm sure you'll get through this. Good luck.
Can I ask why he wasn't backed till 6?
 
This horse was bred to race but was not handled, except to be gelded, until he was five. He was then beaten up when some idiot who tried to break him in. I took him on as he was due to go to the knackers yard - we've taken 6 months getting his confidence and has had a saddle on for 4 of those. We just knew he was going to be hard to do but I think he lulled me into a sense of false security when I finally got on and had no fireworks which we expected. It's down to time and patience with this one - I know we'll get there eventually. As for a schooling area - that's where I came off last time - in walk but "airs above the ground"!!
 
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CotswoldsSJ - have the neck strap on but no handle to grab - would love one! Possibly I could borrow one?

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Quick tip - use the flash from a flash noseband - thread it through the D rings by the pommel. Works a treat.
 
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