Napping on way home? New horse

S

Shiraz

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 June 2004
Messages
393
Location
Scotland
Visit site
New horse had a bit of attitude to say the least...

Last night on the way home from a hack when I took a contact and asked him to soften he threw all his toys out of the pram and started pratting about (mini bucks, humping, piaffe, swinging his quarters out) and then when we got to the drive way he alternating between pratting about, also now including going backwards, and planting himself.

I used my voice, kicked him on (with a handful of mane) and turned him in a circle and only let him go forward. Just not sure how to ride it? Used to horses napping going out or racing/jogging home but have to admit this took me by surprise.

I don't carry a stick riding, could start, but TBH don't think I would have done much with it. He's a new horse (no excuse for no manners though) and bucks as it is, think I might have been eating dirt if he did get a smack.

He didn't get away with it, I eventually got him down the drive. Just wondering if anyone had any hints and tips to stop it happening again or how to deal with it better? With hindsight I prob should have ridden him up and down the drive way until he behaved and walked properly but I really think I would have ended up eating dirt (not a novice/nervous/inexperienced rider etc) so thought we would end on a "high" having gotten home alive and in one piece.

I try to keep him thinking when out hacking with leg yeilding etc but he's not very accommodating and if he doesn't want to do something on come the giraffe impressions and temper tantrums. I've only had him 3wks and been on 3 or 4 hacks and just starting him from scratch in the school but he hacked out etc with his previous owners.
 

This is a quick reply as just running off but if I were you I would not try and start to school him on the way home from a hack as you are kind of asking for an argument.

He sounds like he is very green (how old is he?) so asking for leg yield might be confusing him?
Since he is a new horse and you do not have a bond yet, I would work on his 'attitude' with him in the school - safer for you! and he can use hacking as relaxation time.

If he is naughty out on a hack then take him in the school afterwards but I wouldn't push him too much too soon.
 
If it was my mare (Who also naps, and has done on a driveway at my old yard) I would long rein her along it until she got over herself and moved, I have found that this worked very well as I was more confident and had more control on the long reins. Secondly do you have another horse that you could perhaps follow just until he gets over the fact that its a driveway and walks down it normally?
Hope this helps?
grin.gif
 
He's 7 next month

He doesn't walk through and is tense over his back/poll/jaw so I thought on the way home since he was walking forward that it would be a good time to ask him to soften. Live and learn!

Every hack is different, first hack he bucked his way round, second last hack he was a proper pain in the butt until he got to be in front, last night happy as larry at the back until we were heading home and even then he didn't care when the other two kept going and left him, he still planted.

It's not a "proper" leg yield, he's not supple or engaged enough (at all!) but just trying to get him to move off my leg and get some bend etc.

Any one want a horse? lol
 
Was thinking about that too, just worried as he bucks and kicks so don't want to be too close behind him (he has looooong legs - see pic gallery) but don't want to be too far back in case he starts his nonsense. Might ask a friend to walk at his head (but he bites too <rolling eyes>) to start with.

Thanks!
 
My new horse was fine at first but at 3 weeks he started napping which he hadn't done at all on his previous hacks (which were numerous) I think he was just trying it on, after a few weeks he stopped. I've only had him 9 weeks now and we're still getting to know each other.
It can be difficult when you get a new horse, everyone thinks you should be really happy but it can be a very testing time. I feel like it's a bit like an arranged marriage! You quite like the look of the horse and he seems ok but when you get them home you have to start getting to know them and find out what they're really like.
Just give him and yourself time. I've found doing lot's of long hacks have helped. I've schooled him a bit when I've been out but if he starts doing giraffe impressions I stop and just let him go on a long rein. He's responded well to this and the length of times he'll go in a contact now while out hacking has extended but I don't push him as this will only make him tense.
Good luck with your new horse. I know it can be very frustrating but don't put yourself under too much pressure, it does take time.
smile.gif
 
He is either taking the mickey, in which case he needs good positive riding, or he has probably always been like this, hence why they sold him... dont worry be determined and show him who's boss!
 
I assume you have checked his tack fits ok? My friend had a horse who was a bit funny on the way home but then we realised it would happen after about an hours riding regardless of where we were. It turned out that his saddle was slipping forward and pinching his withers so became very uncomfy for him.
Otherwise I would say as in a previous post, try to make hacks a relaxing time for him rather than nag him to work into a contact - it might wind him up too much.
 
Oh yes - of course - make sure saddle is a happy fit.

I would add that Thumper tried it on with me in week 3 of buying him....

Nothing major, and I didn't make an issue of it. But it's about the right time.
 
As Nicki68 says, check the saddle. My sister's new horse got very agitated on the way home from hacks when we first go thim (he was 4), shakig his head and really flicking his tail and then one day going down the hil towards aour filed (a steep hill) he threw a major paddy so my sister had to get off.

It was very out of character as he's a very calm horse (well he has his moments now cos he's a bolshy 7 nearly 8 year old!). Turned out his saddle was pinching and this was, after a hack out with the constant pressure, starting to cause him a lot of discomfort and when going down hill the saddle went forwards pinching the withers more. Eventually he'd had enough and that was his way of letting us know. We got him a new saddle and he's not done it since! Think he was too well mannered though to have thrown a complete wobbler but i think some horses may have done!
 
tack, back, mouth, everything has been checked so I don't *think* it's pain related...

I thought schooling on a hack would be better (more fun/less stress) for him than in the school? He throws tantrums but ride him through it. He's not dusted me (yet! touch wood!!) and I've never let him away with it but just don't want it getting any worse and wondered if I was missing anything obvious!
 
I know the feeling well... We have a new horse and he has an awful temper. He is an angel going away from home, superb in traffic etc..but as soon as we are heading toward home he jogs, if you ask for a halt he goes up. He reared the other week with my daughter, and his back legs went down the bank..(our only off road hacking are banks by rivers) he is a local horse so im sure hed of seen banks before. Anyway my daughter stayed on and got him back up the bank, when he got to the road he refused to wait again, and showed cars his belly button....scarey stuff.. He will not long line without rearing or trying to tank..but in all other ways is an angel to do..lol.. i went with my daughter on her last hack as she was going on the banks again. so i witnessed his temper and it wasnt funny, but with me on the ground he didnt go up just lots of spinning and mini bucks.. Our next plan of action is to trot him the whole way out and only let him walk when heading toward home..were hoping by that time he will be too tired to mess around...he too has had all the checks done and is rising 7yrs...This was supposed to be a safe hack..lol...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top