GrassChop
Well-Known Member
This is my thought too. I can't offer him the set up he needs and I do think it contributes to the problem.
I'm just trying to put everything into consideration so I know my decision is the right thing.
Needing some thoughts on youngster
- Thread starter GrassChop
- Start date
I'm just trying to put everything into consideration so I know my decision is the right thing.
dorsetladette
Well-Known Member
When he spins rather than pulling against it can you try and pull him all the way round?
ETA - just thinking that as he spins he'll set his neck one way so it will be easier to get him round the direction of travel rather than fighting against it. Try to bring him all the way round in a tight circle and then really get behind him just as he's facing the right way. It might shock him enough to break the cycle. A bit of a 'oh sh#t mum means business' moment.
Last edited:
JenJ
Well-Known Member
Sometimes, we can overthink decisions, when all we really need to do to make the "right" decision is go with our gut instinct xx
(there is no "right" decision or "wrong" decision - whatever you choose to do will be ok)
KikiDee
Well-Known Member
I can only tell you what works for mine though he's a bit different in he tends to do it when he see's something he's not keen on going past rather than just napping for home. The big thing I realised was I was 'leaving the back door open' for him to exit stage left at speed. When I felt him tense up at something, I'd also tense up and try to hold him as we went past it, what I was actually doing was making the most inviting option for him to go back the way we'd come. Instead now I ride him with wide low hands and a lot of leg whenever he's being hesitant or nappy about going past something, so I'm putting him between my leg and hand and saying the only option is forward. I don't really care if he shoots off forward or goes sideways past, but he has to go forward. Keeping my hands wide and low also means I can 'catch' the spin if he tries, and I'm quite firm about that. Even if all he does is argue for a minute about trying to spin and end up facing back the way we came that's fine, I'll praise him and give him a minute to relax and evaluate the situation then ask him to go forward again.
The biggest thing was just being very insistent that going back the way we'd come or running away from things he didn't like was never an option, I'd ask him to stand and look at something he was spooking at and reward him for standing calmly, then once his adrenaline had dropped I'd ask him again to walk past. And being very relaxed in myself making the whole thing a 'non event' so my tension didn't rise with his tension, always keeping the front door 'open' with a relaxed rein rather than tensing up and trying to hold him too much and rewarding him when he did go forward again.
maya2008
Well-Known Member
Based on my NF experience, on the ground… you’re doomed until you establish enough trust and boundaries in hand. They should relax because you are there and they respect you. I like the techniques in ‘Dancing with Horses’ by Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling for teaching ground manners/respect - quiet, easy, always work, don’t need fancy equipment or facilities.
On board you either need to be strong yourself and quick to catch it, or a little leverage completely changes the game. I switch from snaffle to universal and then back again when they grow up. I went hacking once with little NF in a snaffle when she was rising 5. Forgot to change it. All 12.3hh of her took a hold and WENT. Me…pulls on snaffle. Nothing. Pulls harder. Nothing. Both hands on the left rein and PULL. Stopped pony with head in my knee. Got off. Walked home. Next day - universal. Happy in control hack. Lesson learned!
GrassChop
Well-Known Member
I can't, I've tried, unfortunately.
Nasicus
Well-Known Member
GC, I have been in a similar position to you, a dearly beloved horse raised from weanling to 5yo, and whilst we had no issues on the ground, ridden she was foot perfect for everyone else, nothing but compliments and praise from them all, but started to play up for me. It just got worse and worse, and I called it a day when she bucked and then tanked off with me at speed across a stony carpark and through onto the yard, because a pony in a nearby paddock moved. I was convinced she wasn't going to stop and I remember looking at the sharp rocks on the ground and thinking that I was about to get seriously injured.
It broke my heart as she was lovely in all other aspects and I loved her to bits, but I just knew that we were no longer compatible and that I was never going to get on her again, because I just didn't have the skills, physical strength or courage to handle that kind of situation.
I sold her with full disclosure, and have had the pleasure of watching her grow and develop over these years into a wonderful all rounder for her owner. And I have never once regretted my decision, because I knew she would never have grown into that wonderful all rounder with me.
It broke my heart as she was lovely in all other aspects and I loved her to bits, but I just knew that we were no longer compatible and that I was never going to get on her again, because I just didn't have the skills, physical strength or courage to handle that kind of situation.
I sold her with full disclosure, and have had the pleasure of watching her grow and develop over these years into a wonderful all rounder for her owner. And I have never once regretted my decision, because I knew she would never have grown into that wonderful all rounder with me.