Naughty pony advice

[Erow4945]

I have a 14.1h 6 year old Connie gelding. We have had him 18 months. My son rides him he has been near perfect up Now. He has always been a field bully with the others so I have to section him off. When my son goes to get him from the field he has started turning his bum towards him and bucking. Which has now resulted in my son losing his confidence around him. He tried it once with me and I made him run round the paddock until he came over to me and he hasn’t done it again. I’ve had his back checked recently and teeth done. He is fitter than he was and I feel he is just getting big for his boots. We hack out twice a week and have weekly lessons. Any tips or advice on how to deal with him. I have been strong and re-enforcing but my son has lost his confidence with him on the ground. Please no nasty comments.

 

[be positive]

If he is only being ridden 3 times a week and spending his time out alone he is probably bored, combine that with his age, the fact he is now physically stronger than he has ever been and you end up with a pony that is likely to become bolshy, or big for his boots.

I would try again turning him out with another pony, he may be less likely to bully since his isolation, introduce him to just one and give them enough space to move safely, ideally after they have been worked so they are tired and hungry, the other thing would be to increase the work, I would bring him in yourself for now and just let your son groom, tack up and turn out until he gains his confidence, or go with him, ponies can be cheeky, tell your son it is not personal just a stage the pony is going through and that he will get better, I would probably let him do a bit of basic groundwork with him, keep it simple and interesting for them both, but the main thing would be to work him harder so the pony is challenged more and hope he can get out with others in the field as that should really help.

 

[Shay]

I've a 7 year old Connie. In fairness he would not dream of behaving like this - but he is full of himself and needs managing. I also have an older cob who has and will chase a child catcher out of the feild.

BP is spot on. Turn him out in company so he can learn his manners. You've had him since he was 4 1/2 and kept him away from the herd. He has to learn that a herd won't tolerate his behaviour. Humans just can't teach horse behaviour the way a herd can. He's way behind his age in terms of learning how to behave.

Absolutely no children in the feild with him- ever. My cob is 29. Abouty 5 years ago a sharer taught him that he could get away without being caught if he charged. It had never happened before and he's never actually hurt anyone- but adults only who can shoo him away. Don't let him get the sense he can get out of work by being aggresive.

If he is on hard feed - stop. He doesn't need that at the moment. You can reasses in the winter. You don't say if he is out 24/7 atm or not. Regardless - perhaps get in the routine of bringng him for a rest. Not always to ride.

You might need to ride yourself or lunge / longline for a while. He's absolutely full of himself and you have to get on top of it before it becomes a habit. If you need help get a good instructor.