Ponies that 'plant'

To me your problem shout lack of confidance and i would not hack out on your own for a while. He's very young and just because he was easy doesn't mean he's not worried about things. Going first into the big wide world is a big ask of any pony.
Getting off and walking is also not giving in but helping him. If you keep being consistant he will gain confidance and begin to enjoy all of his hack.
Remember his eyes sight/ hearing and smell are very differant to ours. He could have heard of smelt something that worries him. Be confidant and consistant and it will get better.
Just don't be in a hurry to cure it all ponies are differant just like humans.:)
 
Do you have anyone that would come out with you on foot? Mine had a brief phase of planting when being lead and the best thing to get her going was an arm round her bum and a bit of a push.
 
Try leading in hand first of all. Then progress to Long reining. Then try riding again.

I've been leading my girl out on hacks as I have no saddle. She occasionaly naps and plants, this is not due to lack of confidence though (she never ever does this ridden) she just takes the mick. I do carry a crop with me and give her a tap with it. ALways works.
 
You'll be able to tell by his mannerisms if it's lack of confidence or stubborness. Does he look into the distance with his ears pricked/flicking, perhaps quivering? Or is he dis-interested and not listening to you?

For both company can help, but it's not really neccessary for the stuborn ones, as they will probably be just as bad.

If it is stobborness, you need to make going forwards the easy option. I'm afarid if this was me I'd be carrying a 'proper' stick until he's gotten out of the habit. Instead of immediately trying to go forwards in a straight line, turn him, if he doesn't respond to usual aids use the whip on his shoulder, either a tap or pressing it to move that leg, then as he's taking that step get your legs on, and go forwards, you can then turn him so he's going in the right direction. Use your voice constantly, 'walk on'. clicking, chirping, try them all, be firm but encpuraging, as soon as he's going forward you MUST reward him and take the pressure off, talk in a soothing manner and give him a pat or something, going forwards must be associated with nice things.

I'm afarid if I thought it was just plain old muleishness, and the above failed, it would be a sharp crack on the backside!
 
Personally as he s not yet 4 think your expecting too much of him, I'd give him some time off over the winter & bring him back into work in the spring going right back to basics for a week or 2 to start.
My NF is 4 & is just the same, he's very laid back & nothing worries him including schooling whip etc. I put it down to him being 'forest bred' & exposed to all sorts of things as a baby with his Mum. I hope as he bcomes more experienced in life he will start to think forwards.
 
Will reply properly later as on phone! Thanks for all replies! I can assure you its not fear. I've known this boy since he was tiny and can read him well. Just as smiggy says its almost like him saying I've done enough thanks. Will have another hack on my own before giving him his holiday to see if I actually bother to ride him properly if it makes a difference.
 
Just to say our (now retired) TB used to plant like nothing else - total b*gger - he was about 25 the last time he was ridden. But for him, it seemed to be if you annoyed him by doing something - he'd just stop and that was it. Brilliant! :D

I know thats not helpful though lol
 
i found when taz planted that if i swung his head to my knee and then around to the other knee and keep doing it until he took a step and then put my leg on then he would move it was just getting him out of stop mode and get them thinking forward again :) i dont know if it just works with taz but it didnt take long and it didnt wear me out either :)
 
smiggy said:
I have a similar age and I suspect similar temperament highland. She was professionally backed and ridden away and came home a few weeks ago. I want to just keep her ticking over during the winter, literally working twice a week, once ground work and once short hack.
She does exactly as your boy does, strides out really happily, past any multitude of scarey things then for no apparent reason will just plant. Not scared of anything just "actually thats far enough now".
I cant give you an answer though-sorry! just wanted you to know not alone :)
I basically just wait a bit (you could kick till you were blue in the face so pointless), then try to unstick her feet by asking for a bit of movement in any direction. once you get that tiny bit of movement then legs will help.
I dont take her in the school as we both lose the will to live as she is so backwards thinking. Once she moves on hacks she is actually forward going and enjoys it.
I do try to hack in company in which case she is fine and often wants to take the lead, but not always practical.
I dont see it as an issue in "learning bad habits" tbh, as long as you always win, regardless if that entails getting off. think they are more likely to learn that planting doesnt work :confused:
Click to expand...
Interesting! Thank you for your reply, its good to know that I'm not the only one! Just got to figure out how to sort it.
 
foxy1 said:
I think you need to go back to groundwork with him, teach him to move when asked, then try again.
Click to expand...
I will try but I honestly dont think this is the problem- he's 100% with groundwork- moves from the lightest touch, impecable on the ground- he has to be for inhand showing.

He also long reins out and about on his own so I dont think he's worried about being out and about on his own as he's use to it.

I personally am of the belief that he's testing me but I am looking to sort out what to do about it.

I will try again but really riding him - as I have stupidly been treating him as an older boy because he's so easy peasy. So i'd hack out on a relaxed rein, not really thinking about how I was riding him- I need to remember hes only little and needs riding forwards!

I will then ride out with a buddy and then leave him for the winter. :)
 
alma said:
Having a horse that still plants himself on a ride after 2 years I cant help Im afraid ! Good luck with yours, patience sometimes pays off, waiting him out. But he is still v young isnt he so hopefully a phase.
However, have just ridden another horse out for the first time and I went round the block so fast my eyes were watering !
Click to expand...
My boy was well renowned for " marching" and I eventually realised it was because he was scared, and the faster he went the scarier life got. I was jet propelled four times [instant halt and quick as a flash turn], before we came to an agreement that his paces could be moderated.
 
People that frequent CR may remember I had this planting going on last winter/spring. Attempts to insist/argue got fast backward motion in response. Tried riding him backwards in the direction I wanted to go: no such luck; as soon as I tried turning around, he'd just continue backwards, the way we had come. RI suggested turning the saddle around, so at least I was facing the way we were going... :p

What finally worked was simply:
1. Never ride unless I have the time to implement step 2.
2. Wait him out. He wasn't allowed to turn away from the direction he was meant to go, or anything except go forward. Not allowed to scratch his nose. We walked backwards in circles around trees, but always ended up facing the way he needed to go. I just sat there, and occasionally nagged. First time took about 40 mins. Then a few shorter plants, and next long plant was about 30 mins. Then one of maybe 20 mins, and now, he gives up rather quickly as soon as I start nagging (usually after a buck or two, but at least we're moving again!).

Now, this isn't a youngster; it's a growed-up horse that really should know better by now.
 
Suziq77 said:
That is interesting to hear. Sorry I misunderstood you :)
Click to expand...

thats ok, i proberly should of given a responce as to why it was a method that i had found worked well, and what the horses reaction was likely to be.

OP my comment was not a joke ive had one serious napper that didnt plant as such but would rear and leap about, kicking and hitting her was not an option (after cracking her on the arse ONCE and getting the responce of a rear.. leap fly buck and spin in one move:eek: i had to think of other ways)

right the idea.. a water pistol will create a feeling that the horse wont see coming its natural responce is to flee from that feeling, this is where i mentioned about the rider, as the horse shoots forward gravity will send the rider weight backwards, the other natural reaction is to pull the horse up, but as your wanting the forward movement you have to be ready to have NO contact (as this would tell the horse to stop again) and be ready to send the horse forward into its flee. the result is your horse is going forward.

having somebody on foot doesnt work as well, as horse associates person with security, get somebody to follow you in a car horse stops quick shot up the jacksie and your off again.

ok so not everyones way but rather than nagging, sitting it out for half hour etc it is a quick and non detremental way to get a horse moving.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top