Riding an ex-racer on grass

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Sidalba

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Hi All,
Please could I get some opinions on the above?
I have a 9yr old ex pointer who's coming good in most ways but, for obvious reasons, he gets totally over excited on grass. Sometimes he's not too bad but he can get very dangerous and will bronk or rear if not allowed to run. If allowed to run he is difficult to bring back.
My question is:
Do I keep persevering and ride on grass as often as possible to get him used to it, even though this can be a scary experience, or:
Do I concentrate on other work like schooling / dressage so that he has another job to focus on which will hopefully help to change his mindset.

He jumps awesome so I'd love to do some show jumping and even eventing one day, but until we conquer the grass issue our options are quite limited.

As above ideas / opinions gratefully received.
Thanks.
 
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how long have you had him and is he recently out of racing? I would say keep to the school for now until you get your schooling spot on and know all his buttons to push etc, keep him steady and calm, work on transitions and when you feel ready, walk him on a small grass area, then increase the size, keep things calm and low key!
 
I had an ex racer similar to yours. Was fine on the road but as soon as there was a patch of grass his eyes went in stalks and he was off!

The only way i could control him was to leg yield him on the grassy areas as he then couldn't bog off.

I am a stubborn mule and could control him this way so continued to hack out :) he did get better after time but I wouldn't say he was cured of it.

Sorry, that prob doesn't help!
 
Hi thanks - I've had him for about 11 months but issue only came to light when we moved yards as the old yd was all woods but new yard is orchards and fields.
He last raced in 2009 so it's been a while but still fresh in his mind obviously!:p
 
Id just keep at it in little bursts being honest, he will come around eventually I think all horses should be as good to school on grass as in an arena, might mean less out of control people at grass shows with normally school fine ponies ;)
 
Good idea Footlights - I am going to ask the YO if it would be possible.
Beastie - that's exactly what I don't want to be at shows lol! We're going to do a bit of inhand on grass for now, it might help!
Trot-On - leg yielding was exactly what I was trying on Sat so he just bronked sideways and launched me instead:D
Thanks all.
 
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