Horse difficult to manage returning from hack

[FlyingCircus]

Anyone had one who needs some tactical riding when returning from a hack?

Happens when going from the yard or after having travelled. We never turn around on ourselves, so not sure how he knows

He gets stressed, goes sideways, curls up, plunges, tries to jog. He doesn't actually go anywhere or buck/rear/anything like that...

We manage with lots of tactical riding, lots of yeilding and trying not to let him get too straight as then he has a tendency to bear down on the bit and lock his neck.

Same in company and alone.

Will happily walk straight past the yard and go out for another loop, so it doesn't feel like a nappy thing. More an anxious thing?

What would you be doing to help him zen?

 

[Barklands]

If I have one that gets ahead of themselves when they seem to know we’re coming to the end I either school in one of our fields close to home or a quick 10 mins in the arena - they sharp learn coming home isn’t quite so exciting after all!

 

[FlyingCircus]

If I have one that gets ahead of themselves when they seem to know we’re coming to the end I either school in one of our fields close to home or a quick 10 mins in the arena - they sharp learn coming home isn’t quite so exciting after all!

Hadn't thought of going in the arena. I'll give that a go!

 

[Peglo]

Do you have spots where you could stop and let him graze on the way back? Might not work for all but mine couldn’t care less about going home if she gets to eat.

 

[FlyingCircus]

Do you have spots where you could stop and let him graze on the way back? Might not work for all but mine couldn’t care less about going home if she gets to eat.

He won't eat at the minute and any stopping results in much backing up and throwing himself around Is almost as if he just has a one track mine all the way back to his stable.

 

[Caol Ila]

My old mare could be strong and stupid going home. I never fully quashed the habit, but I made it manageable by riding a “star,” where you ride home then go out again in a different direction, and/or taking her onto the arena for a quick and dirty schooling session.

 

[ihatework]

I’ve had a couple over the years (when I was younger). Both very buzzy types, sounds just like yours. Both were older and established in the behaviour when I started riding them. Never made a jot of difference whatever I did. We jogged, sideways, snatched our way round a hack, mostly when heading home!

 

[FlyingCircus]

My old mare could be strong and stupid going home. I never fully quashed the habit, but I made it manageable by riding a “star,” where you ride home then go out again in a different direction, and/or taking her onto the arena for a quick and dirty schooling session.

We've done the riding home then out again and he doesn't seem to change Happily goes past the yard and out in a different direction, but at speed

 

[FlyingCircus]

I’ve had a couple over the years (when I was younger). Both very buzzy types, sounds just like yours. Both were older and established in the behaviour when I started riding them. Never made a jot of difference whatever I did. We jogged, sideways, snatched our way round a hack, mostly when heading home!

I'm not sure my abs can take it! But yes, he's definitely buzzy!

He's only 5, so hopefully not too ingrained yet I'm not sure of his history hacking other than he has been called strong and I was told when I bought him that he needs a lot of convincing to hack alone.

 

[ihatework]

At 5 deffo worth trying to break that habit!
Will he pony off something and if so, does he stay more relaxed?
To avoid getting into a battle cycle, would it be worth hopping off as soon as he starts and leading until relaxed (caveat, if he is still wound up you might have less control on the ground)

 

[FlyingCircus]

At 5 deffo worth trying to break that habit!
Will he pony off something and if so, does he stay more relaxed?
To avoid getting into a battle cycle, would it be worth hopping off as soon as he starts and leading until relaxed (caveat, if he is still wound up you might have less control on the ground)

I haven't tried him ponying off another, but worth a go from my semi retired gelding. They're field buddies too, so possibly will keep him calmer!?

Sadly, he's just as wound up with someone on the ground. I've hopped off a couple of times but feels safer to stay on, as he has somewhere learned to lock his neck and try to tank off (even at a fast walk), if his head isn't tipped towards you the entire time when he's wound up. I find it much easier to manage and flex him from above as I'm a short arse and can't keep up with his huge strides Imagine that's personal preference though!

Thanks guys! This is all useful stuff to think through and give things a go.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

If I have one that gets ahead of themselves when they seem to know we’re coming to the end I either school in one of our fields close to home or a quick 10 mins in the arena - they sharp learn coming home isn’t quite so exciting after all!

Second the arena as a tactic, I had to do this with one of mine to nip this behaviour in the bud and it worked very well

 

[FlyingCircus]

Second the arena as a tactic, I had to do this with one of mine to nip this behaviour in the bud and it worked very well

This is positive!

Fingers crossed it has the same impact, as my muscles aren't what the used to be and they're not sure what is going on

 

[Caol Ila]

What about making being a tw-t a bit like hard work?

With aforesaid mare, we did a lot of ten meter circles, leg yield, shoulder in, reinback, anything I could think of to make walking along in a quiet and civilised way a lot easier than being a prat and yanking my arms off.

 

[Lois Lame]

Will happily walk straight past the yard and go out for another loop, so it doesn't feel like a nappy thing. More an anxious thing?

That's really interesting. I was sure he was just wanting to get back to the yard for his dinner.

What comes to my mind is that he just wants a longer outing. He's full of energy and wants to expend it. There's nothing like going on a really long walk when I'm full of beans (especially if I'm with a good friend and we can talk). Maybe your horse is feeling the same way? (Minus the talking.) He sounds like a great horse for those brave enough to ride him (you, not me).

 

[Peglo]

Have you tried going back the way you came when he starts playing up? If he settles again might be worth trying that to see if you can break the habit.

Depending on your hacking could you get him trotting before he starts playing up so he’s puffed and might want to walk for a bit before he gets home or do you think he’d still pull?

Probably not helpful but just thinking of ideas.

 

[Red-1]

I cured one of this. We did a very short hack. I'm talking one block. He wasn't allowed home when behaving such as this. I allowed 4 hours. Round and around the hack. Round and around. Only when he walked the entire block, with manners, did we go in.

Same next day.

Same next.

It took a while, but the later lessons were shorter.

Once the short hack was mannerly, we did slightly longer, but same, repeated it if he was excited. Round and around.

Didn't move onto a longer one until the previous one was right.

It was a right old ball-acher, but worth it as, over the winter, he learned that going home wasn't going home.

Many people pass the yard, but I repeated the whole hack.

Another horse, when I lived here, he was worse so we started with a 20m hack. That was all he could manage. Then a 50m hack. Then a 100m hack etc etc. So a circle in the road at first. Gradually increased.

 

[FlyingCircus]

Hadn't thought of repeating the hack. Will add that to my things to try also! Will also add more trot to try and encourage him that walking is far easier.

He's great fun, but a sales project so whilst I don't necessarily mind having to manage him as I do, I'd much rather he became a good citizen who has more options available to him when it does come time to find his perfect home. Either that or sell him to a mad teenager who wants to hoon everywhere at speed - he'd love that

 

[LadyGascoyne]

How much work is he doing on his hacks? Is he coming home tired? That was the only thing that worked with Lady Gascoyne. And even then we still jogged intermittently when everyone else’s horses were half dead

 

[poiuytrewq]

He won't eat at the minute and any stopping results in much backing up and throwing himself around Is almost as if he just has a one track mine all the way back to his stable.

Mine can be like this, I’m winter. It would be dangerous to even consider letting him get enough rein to graze.

 

[Alibear]

I had luck with the schooling when you get home trick. It too a few goes but gradually reduced the fizz on the way home

 

[WBGG]

My current ride was a total PITA on the way home from hacks to start with, especially as some of our routes have to be out and back. She used to be very similar to yours (curling up, jogging sideways and yanking the reins). I have cured her of it now by turning her round away from home when she starts, trotting her back briskly away from home, walking then turning back again. Repeat as many times as necessary! Lots of praise for walking steadily. She still walks faster on the way home, but no jogging or pulling anymore. Good luck