Horse rears and jig jogs forward when out at new places

[Equine mads]

Hi, ive had my ex point to point mare for 3 months now and have been experiencing quite a few issues with her. 95% of the time she is an absolute angle but 5% especially in a new place she will completely ignore what im asking of her (normally just to walk nicely) which results in her either rearing or leaping then jig jogging forward. Any advice on what to do with her, shes had her teeth dont recently, saddle fitted to her aswell as physio and back checked.

 

[LEC]

It will be complete confusion about her new life. Rearing is a sign that you are not listening about extreme anxiety and you have ignored the signs so she is now shouting louder through the rearing in the hope you will listen. To be honest with an ex racer I have quite often skipped asking for walk and trot and just got cantering as quite often settles them on a loose rein going round the arena and then taking them back once settled. Essentially you are asking for a brand new set of skills being relaxed at new locations when as a racehorse it would have required high levels of adrenaline to perform which she doesn’t really understand now why you don’t want adrenaline and is far out of her comfort zone.

 

[Equine mads]

Thank you for your advice, that definitely makes sense thinking about it. They're required to be ready to race when they get to a new place normally in training

 

[Carrottom]

I usually try to trot figures of eight. Keeping moving forwards with changes of direction enables using leg aids not hand. Some ex racers can find canter s bitctoo exciting.

 

[claret09]

give her time.

 

[humblepie]

We used to hand walk ours round the lorry park for about half an hour - bit like the parade ring and it would relax him. He also benefitted from going to quiet riding club clinics with a sympathetic trainer and other attendees. He was never looking to do anything but it really helped him settle. My other half would also walk to the arena with us as I think they take huge reassurance from someone at their side. Very early days for yours and good luck.

 

[Dasher66]

We had a similar issue with our ex racer which we solved by putting him on a walker at the venue for half an hour before getting on. He was then super chilled and we didn’t have a problem again.

 

[Equine mads]

We used to hand walk ours round the lorry park for about half an hour - bit like the parade ring and it would relax him. He also benefitted from going to quiet riding club clinics with a sympathetic trainer and other attendees. He was never looking to do anything but it really helped him settle. My other half would also walk to the arena with us as I think they take huge reassurance from someone at their side. Very early days for yours and good luck.

Ive been talking her out quite alot inhand aswell where she behaves impeccably. She definitely does seem to need the confidence from someone on the ground. Might give walking her around a go before mounting her.

We had a similar issue with our ex racer which we solved by putting him on a walker at the venue for half an hour before getting on. He was then super chilled and we didn’t have a problem again.

Wish we had facilities like that where we are but they are very basic

 

[Orangehorse]

Mine wasn't an ex-racer (far from it!) but if he was hyper I used to make him work. Trot and large canter circles.

Although I think the replies above have probably given you better answers!