Pony shooting forward when I first get on him.

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Smallhorses

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Can anyone help me stop my Pony shooting forward (and sometimes attempting to bolt) when I first get on him? He calms down pretty much straight away after a bit of a hissy fit.

He started doing it when I got on him about a month ago awkwardly and he bolted forward and bucked me off. So I know potentially why is doing it (bad memory) just need to work out how to stop it.

I had the dentist out as a routine check on Monday, saddler has just left - all fine.
 
There was a pony that used to do that at our old riding school, but you just had to perserve and sit on him, and calm your body down and eventually just sit there, but this one persisted and unforntunately had to be sent away to 'get fixed'.
hopefully it's just a bad habit, how old is he/she?
 
Are you getting on him from the ground, or a mounting block?
I'd go for a mounting block if you aren't already.

Can you also get on him in a corner, so he can't shoot off?
Alternatively, have you tried holding the rein to your nearside shorter so his neck is bent towards you?
 
How long have you had the pony?

Has he maybe suffer some sort of strain/injury from when you mounted and he first bucked you off? Maybe a visit from the vet is needed to check him over.
 
mollyh said:
How long have you had the pony?

Has he maybe suffer some sort of strain/injury from when you mounted and he first bucked you off? Maybe a visit from the vet is needed to check him over.
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That was my first thought too. Check for any physical reason. Then, when you mount, have a couple of people to hold him until you have got mounted and sit quietly with a gentle check on the reins until he comes back to you. Once he realises you aren't going to haul him in, he maybe able to relax and settle comfortably. Having nothing to run from may take away the need to run.
 
Get somebody to hold him for a few days they need to be firm but quiet, get them to also hold your stirrup as the saddle may be moving a little and remain holding while you settle on him get your stirrups ,then walk the first few steps with you, give him a pat then let you walk on.
A few days of this, continuing until he is completely still and not moving off til you are ready he should soon be fine.
 
I would try to reverse him 1 or 2 steps, make him stand then walk on. We had a horse that you had to jump on as he was walking past the mounting block as he was so bad. I used to get someone to hold him and do the reverse steps, stand then walk on. Took a while but we got there. After ruling out all pain possibilites of course 1st.
 
When I first had my horse he wouldn't stand still for me to get on him but with lots of work and help from friends we've got there in the end! I'd go for getting someone to hold him as well - and once you're on and settled to give him a treat. Then progress to them just standing there and giving him a treat, then a few steps away, then hiding round the corner and appearing with a treat after a few seconds. Once he's doing that well, if you can reach and can trust him to let you lean forward, give him a treat yourself and progress to only giving the treat after you've got off. He'll soon learn that standing quietly means a treat comes eventually. I can now get off mine halfway round a ride to open gates etc which I couldn't do at first, which means I can go out on my own. I had to have people open gates for me before.
 
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annagain said:
When I first had my horse he wouldn't stand still for me to get on him but with lots of work and help from friends we've got there in the end! I'd go for getting someone to hold him as well - and once you're on and settled to give him a treat. Then progress to them just standing there and giving him a treat, then a few steps away, then hiding round the corner and appearing with a treat after a few seconds. Once he's doing that well, if you can reach and can trust him to let you lean forward, give him a treat yourself and progress to only giving the treat after you've got off. He'll soon learn that standing quietly means a treat comes eventually. I can now get off mine halfway round a ride to open gates etc which I couldn't do at first, which means I can go out on my own. I had to have people open gates for me before.
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This is good advice! I have people holding him all the time but he gets all fluttery. Once I sit calmly and walk him on chills out. Funny really. It must be from when I fell off that time.
 
Could he be cold backed or have any back pain?? Shooting forward can be a sign of this.. what is he like to tack up especially when girthing up??
 
Smallhorses said:
This is good advice! I have people holding him all the time but he gets all fluttery. Once I sit calmly and walk him on chills out. Funny really. It must be from when I fell off that time.
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My horse also used to be worse if people had a hold of him and stopped him moving forward from the mounting block. I did find a treat distraction worked best. I seem to remember this horse is quite new to you? He may just be taking advantage but before anything else just get him checked over.
 
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