Instructor suggestions for naughty horse - essex

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coen

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Hi I have a 16.2 6yr old holstein gelding who is very naughty when the mood takes him.
We have been through various stages most notably rearing - I got a handle on this by upping his workload turning him out practically 24/7 and just hanging on and riding through it. He did improve alot but he just seems to be the type of horse that will always test you.

I had restricted his turnout to daytime and stopped working him for a week as he had splints come up on his right front and hind. (probably from running around & jumping gates in the field) well this break has had a very bad effect on his behaviour.
Yesterday I took him for a walk in hand as I have done most days and on the way home he started napping and when I told him off he turned around and delibrately kicked me. Which needless to say is not acceptable in my book.

However I have to take some responsibility as I obviously haven't been tough enough on him and as a result he thinks he is the boss of me.
He has always had alot of personality but hasn't ever been vicious so I need some help to sort the whole situation out.

I was hoping to get some reccommendations of instructors in essex who have enough experience to be able to guide me through this stage he's going through.

p.s. not a thing wrong with the little git, teeth back saddle checked, only fed handful of alfa a oil to disguish vits & mins. And sorry for long post.
 
Hi
Sorry to hear you are having problems. We had similar problems with Cappy when we got him, testing boundaries and trying to be dominant. We took him back to basics. For example when we got him it took 4 people to lead him down the yard.Now he is a total gentleman to lead. He had other issues such as biting and being a g*t it tack up. So we decided to get one thing sorted at a time, so firstly we took him right back and started on his manners. In my honest opinion patience was the key.

I think perhaps you could try the same, back to basics and take time to ensure he understands what you require of him. It does take time and as I said lots of patience but in my honest opinion it is the only way. Also I would leave riding and concentrate on ground work, build his confidence in you as herd leader. That said Cappy was a nappy sod and will still nap occasionally, but no where near as badly as he used to.

As to the rearing,Capppy is a rearer, and to be honest I think once a rearer always a rearer. But it sounds like you have handled that well.

It is interesting to hear that you uppped your horse's work/fitness, we went the other way and lowered Cappy's, just goes to show that it really is horses for courses.

Have you looked at his diet? Maybe some temporary calmer to help get his attention?

I am sorry don't know any instructors down south but hopefully you'll get some good ideas from here.

Hope it works out for you and him.
FDC
 
Edie Neill - great remedial trainer and sorter out of interesting behaviour!

She has a fabulous sense of humour too - the only instructor who's ever ridden me in an arena lol!( No not as rude as it sounds!!)

Based in Rayne near Braintree, has great facilities and a lovely yard

http://www.edieneill.com/contact.htm
 
Where abouts are you ? Lisa Clarke-Spence is based in the East of Essex and is good with naughty horses. Richard Maxwell is also that way, but a lot more money !

Sally Newton is a great instructor and is based near Mersea/Colchester.
 
Hi fanyduchamp glad to see you have had an improvement with your horse. Mine is usually fine to handle on the ground and I worked on this often when he started rearing but I have obviously eased up on the groundwork a little lately and with his increased energy he has taken advantage. I agree that groundwork is key in ganing respect and I am hoping the right instrctor can help me with that as well as ridden work.

I had a quick look at Edie's website earlier but thought maybe she only took schooling livs, does she travel to do lessons aswell or do you have to go to her base?

I am based near Brentwood/Upminster. I would love to get Richard Maxwell out as I have never heard a abad report but unfortunately I have no chance of affording him. Have sent a email though so you never know he might pity me & throw a freebie - doubt it mind.:)
 
Sounds like a little monster! Edie is excellant and I would recommend her, she dealt with my friends pony. Sounds like you know what the problem is and what to do, so good luck!
 
Not from my own personnal experience, but a friend uses steve price (on here) and the change in both horse and rider are brill. I would use him for my naughty boy but dont have transport to get get there :( or funds for 2 instructors.
Hope you sort it soon, I've had similer problems with time. He reared up while we were out hacking and both of us hit the ground. I was pretty lucky my head just missed a rock. He was fine no damage, I on the other hand got a bad knee (couldn't ride for 2 weeks) and concussion. When i got back on him in the school he decided he didnt want to do anything and reared again and this time went through the school fence. Knocked my confidence big time but kept going telling myself I can do this.
After a few other things that happened I moved yards 3 months ago, he's alot calmer and I have a on site instructor who has given me the confidence to carry on and I only once last week has he reared on me. I did come of but I didnt feel scared this time. So will carry on.

Good Luck and keep us informed how you get on
 
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