no reason why... Advice please

E

express_75

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 July 2007
Messages
556
Location
Wales
Visit site
Out on a hack last weekend, a hack that we've done many times and my pony totally refused to go over a little bridle way style / low gate type thing that he's been over at least 7 times. Pony in front goes over then it's our turn..he says no and starts reversing, get in back ASAP does the same again & again:( I get off & try to lead him over.. Not a chance. In the end he had a one on the arse and to which he launched himself over as if it were 3ft!!
He did the same today and i have no idea why he has started doing this. No bad experience, no spook..nothing.

I have to use this style on this hack & want his refusing to stop as I'm not turning him around.

Any tips ..advice...anything please :)
 
Next time round ride him at it as if he has never misbehaved there before, don't let anything you are doing put it into his head that there is anything to worry about. If he stops at it tell him firmly once with your legs and voice that he is going over it and if he says no a second time give him the whack that gets him over it. Make sure that you haven't unconsciously shortened your reins to make it confusing for him. Tell him he's a good lad once he's on the other side and make him go back over the other way, praising him once he's across it, repeat until he is sensible and then take him that way again as soon as you can hack out again and repeat the above with the intention that he won't be silly about it.
 
Go on foot alone first and check nothing new in the undergrowth - friends horse started doing this at entrance to her field, turned out the electric fencing power cable ran under her gateway and the insulation covering had snapped, leaving live wires sending electricity up through the wet muddy earth. My friend in her rubber wellies hadn't felt it!
 
Thanks for the advice but I've tried the above - yesterday was the second time he's done this and the ground on the other side is just mud; his hacking buddy goes over it without a problem & my boy has too but the last two occasions, he's just been so silly & totally refused..it's a job to even lead him over.
Know this probably sounds trivial but if I go on this route then I have to go over this little fence, which he has stepped over easily every time since last weekend - I just can't understand why he's doing this:(. Going from being excellent to refusing to launching over whilst being led.
I give him his head, he sniffs it then reverses. I stay calm and ask again and he gets more and more of a pig and just plants.
I'm at a loss
 
As mm says try the other way... But check again. I've had a similar thing walking past a gate, not even through. Took several days working it out before we could hear a faint click, think was a mole trap? Some horses couldn't stand it others didn't notice.
If all okay then start riding through as hic says. I'd be inclined to sit it out if you have a friend who is happy to wait with you and wait til he realises that your going to go that way and not turning round however long it takes. Not ideal but does the trick on some sticking moments.
 
Jontydoggle said:
Go on foot alone first and check nothing new in the undergrowth - friends horse started doing this at entrance to her field, turned out the electric fencing power cable ran under her gateway and the insulation covering had snapped, leaving live wires sending electricity up through the wet muddy earth. My friend in her rubber wellies hadn't felt it!
Click to expand...
This^^^^^^.

Horses rarely do things for absolutely no reason at all.
 
Do you jump him at home? When b1 had a bad back she would step over a cross pole so if he isn't jumping nicely i'd check his back.
 
I don't jump him at home but I do need to get his back checked so will do that. Thanks

I haven't tried him the opposite yet but that's an idea.

Will keep you posted. Many thanks to all
X
 
I thyink a common sense approaCH IS TREQUIRED. iF OTHER HORSES ARE CROSSING THIS OBSTICLE OK THEN THERES NOTHING WRONG WITH IT OR THE GROUND. JUST KEEP TAKING YOUR HORSE OVER IT AND OVER IT UNTIL HE STIOPS JUMPIMG.
sorry caps lock on
.just keep going back and forth until he stops bothering about it. reward him with a bit of carrot ior something when he's good.
its not rocket science.
 
Horsesforever1 said:
I thyink a common sense approaCH IS TREQUIRED. iF OTHER HORSES ARE CROSSING THIS OBSTICLE OK THEN THERES NOTHING WRONG WITH IT OR THE GROUND. JUST KEEP TAKING YOUR HORSE OVER IT AND OVER IT UNTIL HE STIOPS JUMPIMG.
sorry caps lock on
.just keep going back and forth until he stops bothering about it. reward him with a bit of carrot ior something when he's good.
its not rocket science.
Click to expand...

He has walked over this countless times and then for no reason whatsoever refuses. He's reversing at quite a pace and unless I'm as fast as him, we'll end up on a busy main road.
I haven't got hours to spend coaxing him...the pony is being a pig and its quite frustrating as its never been a problem before. I appreciate what you're saying though
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top