Horse ‘Leaping’

[SophW1898]

Looking for some advice…

My 8 year old Connie has started ‘leaping’ when excited (a leap is probably the best way to describe it and I assume it’s excitement due to the scenarios in which he does it), he only does it out hacking when he’s wanting to go faster or when jumping. He was treated for ulcers last year and weirdly only started doing it since treated for the ulcers, I’m not sure if it’s now because he’s feeling too well?!
I’m contemplating having a more experienced rider ride him once or twice a week as I just don’t know what to do when he starts dancing around and throwing shapes, but not sure if anyone else has had anything similar and found anything in particular that helps?

 

[stangs]

There is a line of thinking that would say, based on your horse's previous behaviour, the ulcers were caused by pain elsewhere and that this pain is what's causing the behaviour now.

Presuming that it is a behavioural thing, having someone else ride him would be a good idea to see if the problem persists. Could be that you're expecting him to rush, therefore holding him tighter, and he's responding to that by leaping (which will put you off balance and therefore release the tension).

Depending on the shapes, and on your hacking, I've also found circling helpful in the past, and not reinforcing the behaviour - e.g., if he leaps before a canter strip, don't let him canter. What's he like throughout a hack/jumping session? If he's 'excited'/anxious/jogging/etc from the get-go, then worth training relaxation at that point to reduce the likelihood that the behaviour escalates to leaping.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

B used to do excited leaping, think of small caprioles. Often on a hacking track that she 'thought' we ought to be going up a gear or 2 on. Or perhaps at an exciting (to her) outing.
I firstly peeled off and went another way, I also applied leg on, pushing her into shoulder in, leg yielding, renvers etc, also never giving in but going at the speed I wanted to, not her choice, so walking or trotting etc. She needed her brain to work harder. If at an event then plenty of circle and collected work. If not immediately jumped on, the leaping would get bigger....

Took quite a while but she rarely ever does it now.

The other week she thought she'd throw an excited star jump as she wanted to chase the 3 deer ahead of us, (I do this occasionally, makes it fun instead of scarey when they pop out). Just a growl from me had her back on the bridle and ready to do as asked.

I will add, she's not had or got ulcers, no other issues, it was pure adrenalin or excitement.
I'm often asked to escort others out on new or baby horses or ponies, so I must be doing something right

 

[Sealine]

My horse used to fly leap in excited anticipation. Usually in the warm up or coming out of the start box at XC. I never really solved the problem but it didn't really bother me, once we got going he was fine.

 

[SophW1898]

There is a line of thinking that would say, based on your horse's previous behaviour, the ulcers were caused by pain elsewhere and that this pain is what's causing the behaviour now.

Presuming that it is a behavioural thing, having someone else ride him would be a good idea to see if the problem persists. Could be that you're expecting him to rush, therefore holding him tighter, and he's responding to that by leaping (which will put you off balance and therefore release the tension).

Depending on the shapes, and on your hacking, I've also found circling helpful in the past, and not reinforcing the behaviour - e.g., if he leaps before a canter strip, don't let him canter. What's he like throughout a hack/jumping session? If he's 'excited'/anxious/jogging/etc from the get-go, then worth training relaxation at that point to reduce the likelihood that the behaviour escalates to leaping.

Thank you! He’s perfectly fine when walking out hacking, and to school he’s also fine which I had thought if it was pain he’d do it no matter the scenario? Our hacking is all open fields and he has quite a busy brain so not sure if it’s just a lot for him to handle when he’s fresh especially.. I’ve been tempted to have him scoped again and investigate further but worried to put him through all that again

 

[SophW1898]

My horse used to fly leap in excited anticipation. Usually in the warm up or coming out of the start box at XC. I never really solved the problem but it didn't really bother me, once we got going he was fine.

Thank you! Yes once he gets cantering etc he’s fine and I don’t actually have much trouble stopping, I’m only concerned as our hacking now is massive open fields and if I come off it’s quite a big space for him to buggar off I am also the first to admit I’ve not had a horse before whos on the sharper side so don’t have much experience in what to do in those situations!

 

[SophW1898]

B used to do excited leaping, think of small caprioles. Often on a hacking track that she 'thought' we ought to be going up a gear or 2 on. Or perhaps at an exciting (to her) outing.
I firstly peeled off and went another way, I also applied leg on, pushing her into shoulder in, leg yielding, renvers etc, also never giving in but going at the speed I wanted to, not her choice, so walking or trotting etc. She needed her brain to work harder. If at an event then plenty of circle and collected work. If not immediately jumped on, the leaping would get bigger....

Took quite a while but she rarely ever does it now.

The other week she thought she'd throw an excited star jump as she wanted to chase the 3 deer ahead of us, (I do this occasionally, makes it fun instead of scarey when they pop out). Just a growl from me had her back on the bridle and ready to do as asked.

I will add, she's not had or got ulcers, no other issues, it was pure adrenalin or excitement.
I'm often asked to escort others out on new or baby horses or ponies, so I must be doing something right

Thank you! I'm sure someone that had more experience would know exactly what to do, I've just always had straight forward ponies who never got 'fresh'.. I'm hoping if I had a pro ride him once or twice a week they'd be able to get on top of it better than me!

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Thank you! Yes once he gets cantering etc he’s fine and I don’t actually have much trouble stopping, I’m only concerned as our hacking now is massive open fields and if I come off it’s quite a big space for him to buggar off I am also the first to admit I’ve not had a horse before whos on the sharper side so don’t have much experience in what to do in those situations!

Get in plenty of steady walk and trot work, if necessary ban any cantering for a little while when out, then introduce it for the equivalent of no more than a 20m circle distance but out hacking. Use the transitions up and down frequently, make his brain listen to you.
Good luck x

 

[sbloom]

I would say discomfort is still likely, it's just it can be hard to find, look to posture and movement patterns if you can't find anything obvious. Horses react differently to these things in different contexts - it could just be high spirits of course, but I'd want to be really sure.

I just posted this on another thread, there's some research into this showing it probably is a thing throughout a horse's body, much more so than we thought (but darned if I can find it) - https://www.facebook.com/cherokee87...ZSPoUMDQg94maoZQsGs6F3GRb7suymYD6fn5iyp44uCRl

 

[SophW1898]

I would say discomfort is still likely, it's just it can be hard to find, look to posture and movement patterns if you can't find anything obvious. Horses react differently to these things in different contexts - it could just be high spirits of course, but I'd want to be really sure.

I just posted this on another thread, there's some research into this showing it probably is a thing throughout a horse's body, much more so than we thought (but darned if I can find it) - https://www.facebook.com/cherokee87...ZSPoUMDQg94maoZQsGs6F3GRb7suymYD6fn5iyp44uCRl

Thank you! Yes I do want to make sure he's not in any type of pain and have contemplated getting an osteopath/physio/vet out to check him over but not sure what route to start with...

 

[sbloom]

So you have a regular bodyworker for him? When did he last see one? I find they vary a lot, I'd want to find one that does look at movement patterns and posture, some are more focused on treating a site of pain but don't necessarily look to how that pain developed. If you give your location here, or go into the regional boards, you could ask for a recommendation. If there is lameness then it has to be vet first, most bodyworkers will want vet permission to treat but not all and personally, knowing some exceptional ones that don't, it's not an issue to me, but it is to many.

 

[SophW1898]

So you have a regular bodyworker for him? When did he last see one? I find they vary a lot, I'd want to find one that does look at movement patterns and posture, some are more focused on treating a site of pain but don't necessarily look to how that pain developed. If you give your location here, or go into the regional boards, you could ask for a recommendation. If there is lameness then it has to be vet first, most bodyworkers will want vet permission to treat but not all and personally, knowing some exceptional ones that don't, it's not an issue to me, but it is to many.

He has regular physio/sports massage but I've struggled to find an osteopath in my area that's reliable.. I'm based in Rutland. He definitely is prone to tension in his shoulders especially but I wasn't sure if something like this could cause such behaviour that's only in certain scenarios like jumping or fast work?

 

[Horseysheepy]

Fuzzy Furry has given you some really fab advice there.

You could rule out pain, but he could be being a typical Connemara who gets a bit full of himself and needs to learn to reprogram his brain into thinking that life doesn't need to be exciting and a pantomime!

I've broken in and ridden many pure and part bred Connemaras for the past 38 years and they can be challenging as they are so strong willed, but oh so rewarding and fun!.

I suggest you get lessons, but with someone who understands the pony brain and how they think, but dosent overface them because they are incredibly generous little souls really.

Good luck and remember to keep safe and keep things simple until you are ready to step up a gear safely.

 

[SophW1898]

Fuzzy Furry has given you some really fab advice there.

You could rule out pain, but he could be being a typical Connemara who gets a bit full of himself and needs to learn to reprogram his brain into thinking that life doesn't need to be exciting and a pantomime!

I've broken in and ridden many pure and part bred Connemaras for the past 38 years and they can be challenging as they are so strong willed, but oh so rewarding and fun!.

I suggest you get lessons, but with someone who understands the pony brain and how they think, but dosent overface them because they are incredibly generous little souls really.

Good luck and remember to keep safe and keep things simple until you are ready to step up a gear safely.

Thank you so much for this! It's the first Connemara I've ever owned and he is definitely challenging, but when he gets it right he is so much fun! I don't think he does it to be nasty or naughty as on the ground he is so loving and kind, but maybe his brain is just in overload when faced with certain things.. I do now have regular lessons but typically when schooling he is absolutely fine, so when I explain what he does out hacking it's hard for instructors to understand which is why I'm tempted to have someone experienced hack him for me once or twice a week, it's hard to know what is best!

 

[Flowerofthefen]

My friend gad a fabulous pony but it used to leap when it wasn't allowed to go as fast as it wanted. Of course when we were younger it was fun!! Pony was fine, just leapt when frustrated.

 

[spotty_pony]

I know a Connie that used to do this too - it was excitement in his case. Maybe it’s a Connie thing?!

 

[SophW1898]

I know a Connie that used to do this too - it was excitement in his case. Maybe it’s a Connie thing?!

ah thank you! I think it might be, I might get him looked at the make sure he’s all okay but it seems a coincidence that it’s only when jumping or hacking in an open space when he wants to go faster and isn’t allowed hoping he might calm down once he’s out 24/7 and the weathers warmer!

 

[SophW1898]

My friend gad a fabulous pony but it used to leap when it wasn't allowed to go as fast as it wanted. Of course when we were younger it was fun!! Pony was fine, just leapt when frustrated.

thank you!! Did they do anything in particular that helped calm it down or find ways to deal with it?

 

[sbloom]

He has regular physio/sports massage but I've struggled to find an osteopath in my area that's reliable.. I'm based in Rutland. He definitely is prone to tension in his shoulders especially but I wasn't sure if something like this could cause such behaviour that's only in certain scenarios like jumping or fast work?

You might find it interesting to head over to Dan Wain Equestrian, he has the osteopathic vet there once a month or so, other bodyworkers too, and offers the sort of groundwork that might help unravel.those shoulders. Nerve fire in the shoulder girdle isn't seen as a thing by many but I'm becoming increasingly convinced it is!

 

[Merry neddy man]

Is he being fed to much food for the work he's getting?

 

[Horseysheepy]

Is he being fed to much food for the work he's getting?

That's a very good point!

 

[SophW1898]

Is he being fed to much food for the work he's getting?

He’s currently fed Speedibeet and Dengie Hi Fi Molasses free twice a day, not loads but he needs something to have his ulcer supplements in
I am also having to feed him haylage at the moment as he’s refusing to eat any kind of Hay and with his history of ulcers I can’t let him starve!
Not sure if any of the above would make him fizzier?
I will add our hacking is massive open fields and hills and I had given him the day off beforehand and he’d then been stabled all night, not an excuse but I possibly need to think about when I take him round there

 

[Flowerofthefen]

thank you!! Did they do anything in particular that helped calm it down or find ways to deal with it?

No because when we were young, 10 yo , it was fun to have the pony do it!! Usually once it had had a good gallop it was fine. Safe as houses in ever other way. The pony went on to live into its 30,s and was actually broken to drive later in life.

 

[Red-1]

I find it is with horses who brace in the mouth. Until schooling catches up, I would never allow him to be straight in any exciting situation. So, shoulder in, yielding, bending etc so always one side of the mouth is released.