Napping, long reining, bucking

[poiuytrewq]

That’s the horse, I’m tired aching sweating ?

Daughter has a 5 yr old TB. Raced a few times in 2017/8 then retired and has been turned away.
First few rides (he was at a livery yard so I’ve not seen or had much to do with any of this) were great. Then lockdown, restrictions to the yard, no hacking companions etc he started napping quite violently and had her off once and once fell backwards into a ditch.
Since loosing mine and having a stable free she brought him home. I’ve been long reining him because I think it’s a great way of dealing with this kind of thing without getting smashed up myself ?
I’ve been pretty pleased with him. He now comes straight out of his stable, off the yard without so much as a backward glance and walks out nicely.
The original issue was he’d suddenly drop a shoulder whip round then rear/threaten (I’ve not seen him go up, apparently he has... I feel this may be an exaggeration ?‍)
I got over this simply by being very quick at getting behind him (if on a circle) or just sending him forward at the slightest hint of the shoulder going. I * thought I’d get on him this weekend. However, latest tantrum!
The first time I think he tried to nap to a gate, I chased him forward and he tried to p off so got him on a circle to ensure keeping him and he had bit of a buck and kick instead. Ignored carried on and got over it.
However he had several more episodes like this and I realised it was when the horse at home (who had other company) was shouting. This one is calling back then flipping out. So annoying as it feels a real step back. That said it is very early days but seemed to be going so well!
I thought about ear plugs? Or some kind of acoustic hood?
(alternative idea is a voice box removal for the idiot at home!)
Horse at home has always done this but my last ridden horse just didn’t care so it was never a problem to me!

 

[Parrotperson]

have you done the usual checks? Teeth, back, saddle fitting? And what are you feeing him? I'd hope nothing but grass?

I think you're going in the right direction and you just need to be quick and very confident with him. Any messing about he's sent forward. Just keep doing it. He's got to learn to ignore the screamer!

 

[poiuytrewq]

He gets a handful of chaff to put some magnesium and salt in. Then hay and grass.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Sorry yes to the above, bar the saddle which was one of a pile we tried with the help of an experienced person but not a qualified saddler. It’s a good fit but in all honesty I don’t want to spend a fortune on a new saddle when 1- he’s going to change massively and 2- I think my daughter is already backing out of him at this point.
It definitely fits well enough for now.

 

[Roxylola]

I'd try a set of acoustic ears, but make sure your bridle is well secured!

 

[poiuytrewq]

I'd try a set of acoustic ears, but make sure your bridle is well secured!

Why?! ? I’ve never used them, I absolutely can not afford for my bridle to come off right now (it it likely?) ? I feel that would be a huge disaster!

 

[TPO]

Might be worth watching some of the Warwick Schiller videos on YouTube dealing with separation anxiety.

TRT might also have similar but I'm not familar with that method at all

 

[Gloi]

Why?! ? I’ve never used them, I absolutely can not afford for my bridle to come off right now (it it likely?) ? I feel that would be a huge disaster!

You can do what those of us with natives with tiny ears and thick manes do - plait the mane over the headpiece of the bridle if you have enough of it so it won't come off.

 

[Parrotperson]

He gets a handful of chaff to put some magnesium and salt in. Then hay and grass.

well its no over feeding then! ?

 

[Parrotperson]

if you're daughter is backing out then now's the time to get him sold and get something more suitable tbh.

 

[doodle]

Soli could shake his bridle off with ears on in about 3 shakes. Luckily he only ever did it once we had finished riding but I’m not sure I would use them again!

 

[Roxylola]

Why?! ? I’ve never used them, I absolutely can not afford for my bridle to come off right now (it it likely?) ? I feel that would be a huge disaster!

Basically, yes. They're quite thick! I reckon if you had something micklem style they might be ok as the throat lash is tight but otherwise plait your bridle in

 

[DabDab]

A friend has a horse who used to be very silly to hack, not nappy really, just spooky silly, particularly if she could hear horses or dogs anywhere. Friend bought some acoustic ears (lemieux I think) and they seemed to make a massive difference. After a while she stopped using them and mare continued with the good behaviour, so it seemed to just help with reprogramming her hacking tendencies iyswim. Worth a try I'd say.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Could they be fitted over the bridle?
Anyone tried earplugs? Something like Pomms or cashel?

 

[poiuytrewq]

A friend has a horse who used to be very silly to hack, not nappy really, just spooky silly, particularly if she could hear horses or dogs anywhere. Friend bought some acoustic ears (lemieux I think) and they seemed to make a massive difference. After a while she stopped using them and mare continued with the good behaviour, so it seemed to just help with reprogramming her hacking tendencies iyswim. Worth a try I'd say.

That sounds really hopeful! Thanks

 

[Roxylola]

I guess you could put them over a bridle, but then how do you secure the ears themselves.
I haven't personally used ear plugs but I've heard people having success with them

 

[DabDab]

I think the only reason for acoustic ears is that earplugs can be hard to get in, dependent on how amenable and/ large your horse is.

 

[poiuytrewq]

if you're daughter is backing out then now's the time to get him sold and get something more suitable tbh.

Having lost my two I’m bored and missing a horse to do stuff with. I’m quite enjoying it and figure I either get him to a point she wants to take over, get him to a point that maybe I’ll just have him as mine OR he can go back to the trainer.
I may as well give it a bash while the weather and ground it good.

nb- daughters an adult, horse was free

 

[poiuytrewq]

I think the only reason for acoustic ears is that earplugs can be hard to get in, dependent on how amenable and/ large your horse is.

He’s fairly big, I’m a bit short! He’s quite easy on the ground though. I may do some ear fiddling tomorrow and see if it’s a possibility

 

[Antw23uk]

Blimey I could have written that behaviour with my new horse I threw so much at her so quickly i cant tell you which worked (i assume all of it as she's pretty amazing 12 weeks on) but the saddle wasnt right and she is extremely sensitive to that and my being unbalanced ... I do try to explain to her that dropping her shoulder and disappearing from under me within a nano second doesnt help with the balance issue but alas shes a mare so doesnt listen

Honestly though i think keep going and doing what your doing. I got in a guy who does natural horsemanship/ TRT method (he's also a stunt rider) and his input with inhand work was absolutely invaluable and if it wasnt for him she'd be gone by now she was that horrific. She lacks education and confidence, her go to is to spook, throw a tantrum and basically put a massive amount of effort into getting out of the smallest bit of work ... believe it or not she is exceptionally lazy and wants the easy life and she has worked out maximum tantrum effort means no further work or effort required (she realises now that's not an option bless her, i almost felt sorry for her when that penny dropped!)

There is nothing worse than sitting on something sharp and spooky and some idiot neighbours pony screams its head off as you are going or heading back home ... it scares the life out of me and was setting her off like a blooming rocket and if i tried to do anything in response to that all hell broke lose so i sit it quietly and hold on. Key to mine in general is a good contact and leg on (and hold on for dear life if oyur hacking alone at the moment!) and kick on.

I cannot bully this mare, she is so sensitive but thanks to the help i got i now give her two options ... option one is spin tightly forever and ever .. option 2 is to go forward ... pretty simple, she will try option one but very quickly now realises that its option two she wants. Oh and as of the weekend the pony in question is over her infatuation and my mare doesnt call or call much now anyway thank god.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Might be worth watching some of the Warwick Schiller videos on YouTube dealing with separation anxiety.

TRT might also have similar but I'm not familar with that method at all

Will do thanks. Retired Coblet at home is so annoying! I had a horse here overnight from my work being collected by another yard the following day and he shrieked when that left ?‍
He does have ponies but things under 14.2 are not company!

 

[poiuytrewq]

Blimey I could have written that behaviour with my new horse I threw so much at her so quickly i cant tell you which worked (i assume all of it as she's pretty amazing 12 weeks on) but the saddle wasnt right and she is extremely sensitive to that and my being unbalanced ... I do try to explain to her that dropping her shoulder and disappearing from under me within a nano second doesnt help with the balance issue but alas shes a mare so doesnt listen

Honestly though i think keep going and doing what your doing. I got in a guy who does natural horsemanship/ TRT method (he's also a stunt rider) and his input with inhand work was absolutely invaluable and if it wasnt for him she'd be gone by now she was that horrific. She lacks education and confidence, her go to is to spook, throw a tantrum and basically put a massive amount of effort into getting out of the smallest bit of work ... believe it or not she is exceptionally lazy and wants the easy life and she has worked out maximum tantrum effort means no further work or effort required (she realises now that's not an option bless her, i almost felt sorry for her when that penny dropped!)

There is nothing worse than sitting on something sharp and spooky and some idiot neighbours pony screams its head off as you are going or heading back home ... it scares the life out of me and was setting her off like a blooming rocket and if i tried to do anything in response to that all hell broke lose so i sit it quietly and hold on. Key to mine in general is a good contact and leg on (and hold on for dear life if oyur hacking alone at the moment!) and kick on.

I cannot bully this mare, she is so sensitive but thanks to the help i got i now give her two options ... option one is spin tightly forever and ever .. option 2 is to go forward ... pretty simple, she will try option one but very quickly now realises that its option two she wants. Oh and as of the weekend the pony in question is over her infatuation and my mare doesnt call or call much now anyway thank god.

Well done! Hope you continue on the up, at least this is a gelding so a little more pliable!

 

[Antw23uk]

Well done! Hope you continue on the up, at least this is a gelding so a little more pliable!

Thanks, honestly she is awesome i am so happy and pleased I persevered. Good luck and stay safe, i bet he turns out super

 

[poiuytrewq]

Thanks, honestly she is awesome i am so happy and pleased I persevered. Good luck and stay safe, i bet he turns out super

Thank you! Staying safe is my main concern, I think my ridden confidence would be quite easily dented. On the ground they can do pretty much whatever.
It has to be a more satisfying end result if, like you you’ve had to put some effort in hasn’t it.

 

[Parrotperson]

Having lost my two I’m bored and missing a horse to do stuff with. I’m quite enjoying it and figure I either get him to a point she wants to take over, get him to a point that maybe I’ll just have him as mine OR he can go back to the trainer.
I may as well give it a bash while the weather and ground it good.

nb- daughters an adult, horse was free

fair enough! A free horse makes the decision easier. Why was he free if you don't mind me asking?!

 

[poiuytrewq]

fair enough! A free horse makes the decision easier. Why was he free if you don't mind me asking?!

Directly from the trainer. He was going to the sales but both myself and daughter work there pt and he was her favourite