leading another horse

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polopony

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As many of you will probably have heard before, my horse is partial to rearing, bucking and any other sort of napping and we are yet to find the cause. I've been wondering if i rode our legend 32yo mare and had problem pony at the side on a lead rope to get him used to the idea of hacking - I'm asking as I have never done this before so do not know how he would react, is it likely a fizzy horse would be silly and try and get away from me? I really am running out of options! :(
 
Erk! I wouldn't try it! If it worked you'd be fine but what if it didn't? You'd suddenly find yourself on a sweet but elderly ned trying to control a frantic and possibly panicking horse at the same time. He could frighten the life out of your elderly mare and then you'd have 2 panicking horses. And if you were on the road I shudder to think what could happen. Another thought is you probably wouldn't be covered by your insurance if you deliberately took a problem horse out and someone got hurt. I'd try walking Problem Ned in hand with someone else walking Sweet Ned alongside. But I guess the root of the matter is finding out why Problem Ned is so upset all the time.
 
Agree with Box of Frogs, though I see your reasoning. The cons outwiegh the pros. The only way might be if you had something like a cul-de-sac farm track, but then if Problem Ned (like the name) got away from you he might well jump out of lane. How attached is Problem Ned to Sweet Ned (or Nedine)? I'd never normally advocate exercising a horse on his home fields, but if they have a close bond it could be worth giving it a try there - but with someone on foot close at hand. And, if you did try it, do wear gloves, as Problem Ned playing up and backing off could give you bad rope burn. Just have a short lead rope and if he pulls it out of your hand he won't have yards of it to fall over. I've missed previous episodes of this! Will he not hack out folloowing someone on a horse, or on a bike?
 
As you have yet to find the cause, I take it that the physical factors have been checked and eliminated. ie. back, tack, teeth etc.

The solution in many cases is plenty of groundwork to establish yourself as leader and decision maker.

We can lead our horses safely, one ridden one leading and interchange their roles, but this is on trained horses, where there is not a problem one.
 
Thanks for your replies; I am now not going to do this!

Our problem is that mine and the old lady are the only two on our yard, we don't have a school and it's unfair to ask anyone else to come hacking with us until the problem is sorted, as nobody really wants to ride out with the bucking bronco!

We have cover all area's in the hope of trying to find out what's wrong and all i can pin it on is him not liking/being used to hacking - if I use a small piece of concrete where I mount to do some simple things like figure of eights, serpentines etc he's an absolute sweetheart and aims to please, but as soon as I move him onto to the yard doors and out onto the road the fizzy ned is back! :confused:
 
Hi

Not related to your q! But my sister used to own a horse called legend from Nottingham was wondering if it's the same one? She was a bay about 15,2 With a grey/silver mane? Was a fab dressage horse and taught my sister loads!

Just wondered? Would be nice to think she was still around :)
 
Sounds like anxiety/panic.
Is there noone that could ride your little oldie while your on the fizzy pony?
My last mare (RIP) would not hack on her own. She would buck rear spin canter in little circles. Anything to go home. Out in company she was MUCH better. Still the odd nap but nowhere near as bad as she was on her own.
 
Try and sort the younger horse out first.

Have you tried to give him an instant calmer like Magic about half an hour before you ride. i give one to one of mine just before we start to compete as it just takes the edge off him.

It is worth trying. Do you long rein him or lunge.

I pony my lot on a regular bases as having 4 to get and keep fit I find that it is easier. We will often go off and do 10 or 15 miles through the forest or round the village. I do have one (My 21 yr old Arab mare) who can get a bit frisky but I have been ponying for years.
 
I'd suggest doing very small in hand walks out with your horse to begin with, gradually increasing how far you go until he starts to realise that going out into the wide world isn't quite as bad as he thinks. And also realises he will always come home. If all the physical checks have been done it sounds like insecurity to me.

Then when you do start to ride him could you have someone else ride your mare out with you both maybe? Or get some friends with mega safe horses to box over to hack out.

It will take some time and patience but you will get there.
 
could you take him to lessons away from home? doing this with my youngster then hacking out with older mare and at end of hack taking youngster a little way on her own, hanging on to saddle strap and firmness turning her if necessary, got her good in lessons now getting there on hacks, and she is 16.3 ISH not yet 6. good luck.
 
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