Nappy pony

[elzie18xx]

The pony I ride most is a absolute angel when I ride him on his own or when hes at the front of the ride (most of the time..) but put him behind other horses and he just won't stop. He won't halt until hes up the other ponies bums and sometimes I try to get him to stand towards a fence so we dont crash and he does but then immediatly turns around and runs into the other ponies bum. He works better on a loose rein than tight but a generally ride him on a mediumish contact. I honestly can say I feel no response when I give him a half halt aid or anything not a thing but on his sides and back he responds to the slightest movement in your position and hes excellent at turning exactly on the letter and things like that. But as soon as we go for a canter boom hes off and my instructors helping me keep him on his toes so what he expects to happen doesn't like instead if going for a csnter straight the way walking a circle then trotting one then cantering one then walking one changes of reins and stuff but its difficult in a group and generally if I have a different instructor they put him at the back to prevent him running off. I prefer riding him at the front but clearly that's ignoring the issue. But if im honest I got a slow trot out of him a few times and he genuinely couldn't keep uo with the ride. He behaves like this with every rider so its not just me but I always think possibly I tense my hands too much and need to relax more. But I really dont know how to stop him or slow him down so any bits of help would be deeply appreciated! Thanks xx

 

[indie999]

Can you try doing circles in opposite directions to another horse if that makes sense? So that you pass each other etc. I rode a horse that had no brakes and the only way to stop it was for a faster horse to cut us up! It was never funny, I tried all sorts and it was just dead to the aids. I even tried kicking it on but there was no one at home. Am sure someone with more experience will help. Good luck am intrigued as to what else can be suggested. Sounds like excitement.

 

[elzie18xx]

Can you try doing circles in opposite directions to another horse if that makes sense? So that you pass each other etc. I rode a horse that had no brakes and the only way to stop it was for a faster horse to cut us up! It was never funny, I tried all sorts and it was just dead to the aids. I even tried kicking it on but there was no one at home. Am sure someone with more experience will help. Good luck am intrigued as to what else can be suggested. Sounds like excitement.

hes completely responsive to the leg thanks for the idea ill try it if I have my usual instructor back im just scared its something I'm doing like being tense with my hands or giving off the wrong sorta vibe if you get me. Xxx

 

[Twinkley Lights]

Could be your position as when we are tense we can assume a fetal position almost crouching and this affects hands, knee grip and legs and is a go faster sign to the horse. You are much more in control sitting tall and relaxed (even if you don't feel that way pretend) Good luck

 

[elzie18xx]

Could be your position as when we are tense we can assume a fetal position almost crouching and this affects hands, knee grip and legs and is a go faster sign to the horse. You are much more in control sitting tall and relaxed (even if you don't feel that way pretend) Good luck

thank you I think (unless im about to fall off) I sit up tall and im generally quite relaxed. I think i need a instructor to tell me off and be perfectionist about me and make me do everything properly right. Xx

 

[indie999]

perhaps if your horse is worked to the aids in a school then you may feel a bit more secure and confident etc and hopefully in the company of other horses will learn to listen to you and not to what he wants to do. A horse up anothers backside is not very safe as you risk being kicked out at. My old horse could glue himself to other horses and its a blooming pain when they do it. Just pure excitement of the herd! Just thinking if you can have a lesson in the presence of a few others. Perhaps and then do the circle in opposite to another etc.?

 

[elzie18xx]

perhaps if your horse is worked to the aids in a school then you may feel a bit more secure and confident etc and hopefully in the company of other horses will learn to listen to you and not to what he wants to do. A horse up anothers backside is not very safe as you risk being kicked out at. My old horse could glue himself to other horses and its a blooming pain when they do it. Just pure excitement of the herd! Just thinking if you can have a lesson in the presence of a few others. Perhaps and then do the circle in opposite to another etc.?

I ride him in a school every week thru dont get nervous very often ive for it into my head if somethings gonna happen it'll happen so theres no point worrying;-) I know i always ask to go to the front of the ride because i fear that he'll get behind a mare sometime and get kicked and hes only 12.2hh bless him. There la generally only 4 more people max in the lesson. I dont want to turn away from the issue but finding a safe way to teach him not too is hard. Schooling session on our own he is the most responsive pony ive ever ridden.