Pony Throwing Tantrums

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LauraElaineMorris

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I have a 4 year old welsh sec c who I've owned since Christmas. The first week he was great and would hack out happily everywhere. Since then he has become a nightmare and will not hack out on his own and plays up in company as well. Today I spent an hour in a ditch as he refused to go forwards as so went in every other direction (including vertical) but unfortunately does not look where he is going. I've also spent longer than I wish to remember in gorse bushes, barbed wire fences and gate posts. These tantrums can happen at any point on the hack and are getting more frequent. He is great in the school and is not spooky hacking out. I'm just at my wits end now. Any advice?
 
A bit more detail would be useful, like:
How experienced a rider are you?
What is the pony's history?
Does he only behave like this with you or with other riders?
What, if anything particular, triggers the tantrums?
 
The pony was broken in last summer and then not much was done with him until I bought him in December.

I'm a pretty good rider and am staying calm while he is prattling about - so far he hasn't managed to dislodge me. I've ridden young horses before but usually in arenas and worked on their jumping.

I sent the Tango away for some training over Easter as he was difficult to handle on the ground. They managed to work on this but said he was "scared of his own shadow" when hacking - a problem I haven't had. This is the only time someone else has been on him. There's no one else at the yard small enough to ride him.

Nothing in particular seems to spark the tantrums. They can happen anywhere at any time. We've even had some on the way back 100m from home.
 
Could be triggered by pain, especially if napping on the way home. Worth having him checked. Slight discomfort can increase with length of ride or gait used and provoke a sudden tantrum particularly in youngsters who have not yet learnt to put up with it.
 
I am no expert but some suggestions that I would challange myself if in your position:
1. He is 4yrs old - are you doing too much
2. At that age they change shape, have you checked saddle etc
3. Mouth - has dentist been recently, wolf teeth etc
4. Feet, if you are barefoot is he foot sore?

Good luck, it can be a slow process of elimination but if you love your pony I am sure it will be well worth it than just giving up.
 
Meandtheboys said:
I am no expert but some suggestions that I would challange myself if in your position:
1. He is 4yrs old - are you doing too much
2. At that age they change shape, have you checked saddle etc
3. Mouth - has dentist been recently, wolf teeth etc
4. Feet, if you are barefoot is he foot sore?

Good luck, it can be a slow process of elimination but if you love your pony I am sure it will be well worth it than just giving up.
Click to expand...

This is pretty much what I was about to say.
At 4yrs he is still a baby, and a welsh baby at that! Having had many many welshies they do not mature quickly, maybe its just too much for him at this age. My 3 yr old sec d I will lightly back this year but he is in no way ready for ridden work, my 7 yr old sec a having bred her I can look back and see that it was last year she really 'switched on' .
 
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