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weltonfino

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:mad: I've been schooling a 14hh cob now for about 3 months to iron out its serious behavioural issues. Whilst in the school he is becoming a real show horse hacking out is a whole other issue. When out with others he is perfect and 100 % safe, alone he is a completely different horse. He vertically rears, bronks, bucks, canters sideways, runs backwards and bolts. Although I've never come off i feel he is a real danger to himself. Ive been working with him like this for a while now consistently but this sort of behaviour still persists. He's had the vet, physio, back man and dentist out and he has no problems whatsoever, he doesn't appear scared i feel this truly is pure naughtiness. He is now 13 and any hope of him overcoming this is fading. If anyone has experienced anything like this before and has any suggestions on what we can try i would be grateful.

I have tried the nice way i.e treats and praise and I've put my foot down with him and neither has minimised this sort of behaviour. Cheers everyone :)
 
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Well if nothing else it sounds like a exciting ride.
It sounds to me like he is plain scared of being on his own.
My mare had seperation issues and you could feel her heart pounding in her chest if the other horse was more then a few feet away from her. Her issues was due to her eye sight going.
Horses are herd animals maybe he just lacks the confidence to go out on his own. Being "firm" with him may just increase his fear. Have you tried walking him out in hand. i am sure it is annoying not being able to saddle up and just go, even on your own.
That would be the end of my riding! Billy no mates me ;)
 
He is fine in hand doesn't look at a thing, its just when your on his back. And i carry on with the ride but it takes me around 1 1/2 hours to go on what should be a 1/2 an hour hack :/. I'd never turn him round as its pretty much rewarding him for doing bad but its getting ridiculous and just plain dangerous.
 
O.k,

First of all, i think you are very brave to stick it out for so long! and you must have a really good seat by now.

I would look at it two ways.

if this was the only pony I got to ride, than I would stick with it and ride with company.

If I could get another ride than i would go with that. From the way you wrote the other post i got the impression this was not your horse. (sorry if i am wrong) You health and safety is important, if this is not your horse it is not your problem. Do not put your self in danger, it is not worth it. It seems to be really ingrained behaviour
 
How about schooling him and then literally walking around the block to cool off and if he behaves build up the time?
 
I feel your pain!

I had a horse with serious behavioural issues when hacking alone, doesn't sound too different from yours. I'm very experienced and an AI and until this horse I'd never been beaten by anything nappy!
However - despite NEVER letting her get away with, building up over time, reassuring when she was scared and driving on firmly when she was just being an arse, it never improved. It was not until having this one that I ever thought there was anything that couldn't be cured :(

I'm not saying yours can't be cured! Just that I know how it feels when it's not improving :)

It's hard to suggest anything without seeing it. When he plays up how do you eventually get him going again?

Does he ever get turned out alone? How is he to handle on the ground?
If he's that age do you know his history? Has he always been like this or has it started recently?

I eventually did throw in the towel with mine as it was getting v dangerous. She had serious issues, and had to be PTS not long after when she injured herself badly through he behaviour.

Again I'm sure this won't happen with yours! :) but I know how it feels when you're at your wits end :)
 
If he's ok in-hand, have you tried long-reining? That way he would be progressing form having some-one to give him confidence at his head. What is he like at the front of a ride? Could you put him at the front and have him leave the ride on the way home? (or have the ride leave him)?
We are fortunate enough to have an alternative route home which only takes about 5 minutes, so is useful for teaching horses to go alone, I realise not every-one is so lucky.
 
I suppose if the behaviour is not improving perhaps a riding school etc and make sure whoever uses him is fully aware good as gold in company but not alone. I would personally need a horse to do both but then other people always ride in company, so it might suit someone(just not you). Sounds dangerous etc How annoying for you as sounds like you have tried everything.
 
I'd hack him infront with others, gradually increasing the distance & in time coming back a different way. Sounds like confidence not naughtiness. Think the longlining idea is good too.
 
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