Making a fuss when asked to work

[Gorgeous George]

George has been a little bit awkward lately; when I ride him (particularly in the school) he has been sticking his nose out, opening his mouth and generally acting like he is in a sulk. However, so long as I am firm and keep asking him to work within about 10 minutes he settles down and usually produces some nice work. Last night he was really trying my patience and I nearly got off as I didn’t want to lose my temper, but then I told him off with my voice and gave him a growl and he proceeded to produce a lovely trot and canter and we finished on a good note!

Before anyone asks he had his teeth checked a few weeks ago, and his back was done last week and all were well, and his saddle is all ok, also he doesn’t do this when he’s out hacking.

In the school he is ridden in a myler hanging cheek mullen mouth which has been a real breakthrough and a drop noseband. I have been asking him to do more difficult work lately i.e. lots more transitions and introducing a bit of counter canter.

So do you think he is just trying it on because he is being asked to work harder, or is something amiss?

Thanks all.

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

I'd guess he's trying to tell you something, though I haven't a clue what! Horses aren't "naughty" in the way humans are and if this is the first time you've seen this behaviour, then there will be something behind it. But you'll need your deer stalker because it could be something as simple as a field buddy moved or change in diet/bellyache or feeling off colour or a foot abscess just starting or new sheep 2 fields away or the field hedge recently cut and the world looks different. Just love him as you always do and stick to the normal stuff - routine will give him reassurance. But keep an eye out for any health problems that haven't quite hit your radar yet. Give him an extra hug from H&H Forum x

 

[Hovis_and_SidsMum]

If everything obviously has been checked then that rules that out.
Has he been off colour? Anything in his routine changed?
How much schooling are you doing? Is he objecting in the stable i.e. being diffcult to tack up, objecting to his saddle going on?

 

[Kenzo]

Horses that usually have a 'willing attitude' will only get narked off if they are either in pain, bored or don't fully understand something.

If you have had everything checked over and he does work in well after his disagreement then I'd put it down to either of the latter.

Variety is the spice of life in a horse providing each thing is within the horses capabilities and enjoyable, if he's getting cocky before you even start asking for the more challenging things my guess is he may be getting a bit sour, are you over doing your school work?

How's his weight/fitness? some horses when there full of the joys of spring and perhaps carrying a little more than they should, get lazy and grouchy in which case do not let him get have the last word, don't loose your patience but ensure that you make the decisions not him and be fair but firm! keep an eye on his fitness, is he fit enough for the amount of school work your doing? there is no excuse for naughty behaviour but at the same time if you over do it and he's finding it very hard work, then he'll remember and think sod this kind of thing before you even start.

When introducing new things in the school once you have worked them in and worked a little longer than usual, only ask once, if they do it right, leave it that, horses learn quicker that way and less likely to moan about it next time.

Just some food for thought.

 

[charlie55]

My boy is sometimes like this, he has been working gorgeous latley but the day we have a dressage lesson and i pay a fortune for it, he doesnt want to know. He has recently had everything checked too, i just leave it as he had a bad day, like we do sometimes.

If hes fine the next time you ride then id say he is ok, just a bit 'cant be bothered, or abit down about something' but if he does this every time you school him then maybe it's something more... What about hacking, does he hack out alot or not that offen? Maybe hes getting bored of schooling? Try adding trotting poles or something new. Good luck x

 

[SouthWestWhippet]

Hi, just a bit of food for thought.

I know that you and George have come a long way on together and I remember when you first got him you were quite a 'cautious' rider and not very confidence in your skills (appologies if this is untrue but this is how your posts came across to me).

it sounds now that you are feeling more confidence and starting to progress a lot more with George. could it be that this is the first time you have really started to push him out of his comfort zone to do things he actually finds challenging? It could be that previously you and he were working within his comfort zone whilst you worked on building confidence and developing a partnership, and now you are starting to really challenge him he is taking a bit of time to adjust to the idea that schooling is actually quite challenging phsyically and mentally. He may settle down once he gets used to this new routine.

Just a thought - best of luck.

 

[Gorgeous George]

Southwestwhippet you may have just banged the nail squarely on the head! I am still quite cautious and doubt my ability to ride, but in the last few weeks I have found the confidence to ride in the school without my body protector (what a difference, I can now keep my bum in the saddle!), and I have been trying new things with George i.e. the counter canter, cantering squares etc. and I have tried to be more consistent with him i.e. expecting him to work in the school unless I give him a loose rein (he probably hates me!)

Having said all this, we generally only school twice a week, hack two or three times, jump once and maybe have a lunging session or a play in the school (riding round blocks, through gaps, poles etc.) So I do try to keep things varied. He is also turned out all day with 4 other horses.

On the ground he has been his usual gorgeous self, happily opens his mouth for the bit every time, and never moves or flinches when the saddle appears

! Or when I appear come to that

!

 

[Quarrybank]

Me also thinks southwestwhippet has hit the nail on the head

George has a real variety of work & I think now you are working him consistantly he's seeing if he can go back to his slightly easy work life!
Give it a few weeks until he realises you mean business & he'll just get on with it. He's more than capable of working at a higher level..... you just need to convince him that the extra effort is worth it

 

[wench]

just a thought... how are you asking him to do counter canter? Asking for it? Or just cantering him across the school and making him go in the opposite direction? (if you get what I mean)

 

[Gorgeous George]

I am doing counter canter by just cantering shallow loops, and half 15m circles and then cantering back to the track and along the track for a few strides with the aim of improving his canter balance. I don't think I am up to asking for counter canter and I don't want to confuse him, especially as up until a few months back cantering on the correct leg was a challenge!

 

[smirnoff_ice07]

If teeth, back and saddle etc are all ok, I would probs give him a couple of days off and then do nothing but hack for a week or so, give him a break from schooling as he could just be bored.