Really embarrassing ponio problem.

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Christmas_Kate

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Please please do not laugh!

Some may remember the other week we were chased on a bridleway bu a huge horse. ponio got very upset.

Well, since then we can't get him to hack out. He'll go as far as the t juction, but then will go neither way. He literally just plants himself. No matter what we do, he refuses to budge. Both ways lead round past this bridleway.. so I'm guessing this is fear. Today i led him in hand and we got to the t juction, and again he wouldnt move. I flicked him with the whip and growled at him and he just stood on his hind legs (he never does this with a rider though). He will bite, rear, kick, anything but go down either of these roads.
As there's nowhere else really safe to hack out (both roads lead to other hacking), I'm a bit stuck. I've ven got on him myself to try and get him going, but he just stands!

any advice please?
 
Any horses about you can follow? Just to give him confidence?
If not, he needs to trust that you are going to keep him safe, can you stand at the t junction safely enough for a period of time? Just stand there until he gets bored and takes one step, lots of praise and them go home. Do it again the next day and the next, and then do two step and then home. Until he realises its safe to go forward.
 
I reckon the above suggestion is good, it may take time, one of mine got kicked badly on a hack and he was very very wary to go past same spot for a while - Remember horses have a 7 year memory I was told!! Good luck
 
I had that for a while pickle hated the same spot after a group of chavs dog tried to bite his leg and got a small grip (no damage done) I just hacked him out with the same pony for about 4 weeks, never taking him with anyone else, he soon gained his confidence again.
 
Complain the the County Council that the horse is dangerous and should not be on a bridlepath. Do you have a witness?

Don't be put off by them, if the County Council don't take any action then complain to to your Councillor. Point out that it could have been a walker being chased, that should make them take notice.

I think that a bridlepath in a field with a horse living in it should be fenced off to make it safe for users of that bridlepath.

Luckily my County Council is quite good about this and there are a couple of bridlepaths where the land/horse owners have fenced the route, which makes it better for them and better for the users. (Get ready to hide from the flack about to come my way! )

As for your problem, I would either ride out with another quiet pony to get his confidence back, or even just someone walking to lead him.
 
I agree completely with IrishCobs suggestion - just stand there, take the pressure off him a bit and if he does take a step in the right direction give him a massive amount of praise. Don't forget to look really bored with the whole business yourself, and don't interact with him until he moves.
 
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