Pony not behaving on loan

[true forever]

Hello everyone, i'm new to this forum but i thought i would pick all of your brains on something! My pony has just been returned to me from a loan as he wouldn't settle out hacking, and was instead jogging, throwing his head around, cantering sideways and generally being a nightmare! They tried going alone, in company and he was the same, and they kept him for 8 weeks with no improvement, so i got him back and he has since been perfect and hasn't put a foot wrong. I have had this pony for the last 6 years and he was a bombproof hack, with perfect manners. When i grew out of him, i sent him to what i thought was a very knowledgable racing family for their child, who have since also grown out of him, but i suspect that he was taken up the gallops on a regular basis whilst he was there and generally wound up. So, does anyone have any ideas how to get him back to his former self, as he really does need a new home! Back, teeth, saddle etc have all been checked and are all fine. Thank you, and sorry this has got a bit long!

 

[Cazza525]

I would say he has been 'conditioned' to a certain way of going whilst at racing yard. How long has he been back from there? Is he very fit?

If I were you,and you have the room,I would turn him away for a few weeks,to chill out. Then,bring him back into work really slowly yourself,and get him used to being laid back again.

Bit like a former racehorse!! And,that can take a long time!

 

[Angelbones]

Did you have the opportunity to go and hack with them to see for yourself what was going on?

I'd agree with the other post - give him some time off to chill, then bring him back into work slowly keeping everything low key until he learns its not all fun fun fun everytime he's tacked up.

We bought a hunting pony who was a nutter to hack out - jogging, head tossing etc. Ok we had other issues like pollen allergies etc but what he really need to learn was that not every ride was hunting day. He got it sorted in a few weeks and is now a joy. Patience and repetition and consistency I think.

 

[true forever]

Thanks for your replies! I got him back from the racing yard last june and had him back until he went out on loan a few months ago. When i got him back, he definitely thought that whenever he touched grass it meant canter but he stopped this after a couple of weeks. By the time he went on loan he was very chilled about life. At the moment, he is only being exercised about 4 times a week and he is mainly just hacking out on a loose rein, which he does no problems, but i will persevere and possibly see if i can take him to a new place to hack out.

 

[Ashf]

I would say that he was not happy at the loan yard with a new herd to fit in to, and that is why he played a game. It takes 6 months or more to settle a new horse in. I wouldn't expect any horse to show their true nature and be at ease with their new handlers and surrounding until at least this amount of time has passed.