Running out issues

[153]

Hi, I'm at my wits end.
Bought my son a new pony 8 months ago, due to his older pony needing to be retired. Viewed pony, and seen it run out with rider, but gave the pony, the benefit of the doubt, as rider rushed at jumps and took dodgy lines (on hindsight, maybe this was a tactic/technique required). Son got on well with pony. Bit too forward when jumping, to what we were used to...But pony was chilled in a new environment and sweet natured. It was clear the pony had great talent, so we thought this could be worked on and worth the work.
The running out had been gradually improving, but still very inconsistent. She has developed a talent for it and can lock the neck. Got teeth done and had booked bit consultation, as still felt pony could be a bit strong at time. By the time we got appointment, I was happy with bit we were using but honoured the appointment. Tried the advised new bit, but she bolted on a hack, which never happened before, so went back to old bit. And things settled again. Got physo done and she said pony was completely sound. My son was getting a little defeated with 4/8 faults every round. Hadnt had a clear round since before bit consultation. So got remote reiki done...feeling it must be something deeper. First session, pony bucked quite a bit, which is out of character. Reiki said it was due to releasing tension. OK 2 nights later with flatwork. Followed advice but bucking continued. 4th session back at a show, bucking was constant, which was maybe due to a bit of freshness, ironically went clear... settled for next round, but went back to running out. Only did 4 out of the 6 sessions with reiki and was refunded. That was 2 weeks ago and the running out has got worse. Nastier and more unexpected. Bucking has improved, but have started to lunge before rides which seems to help. Has anyone had a similar sh*t experience? Advice please?
Rider is talking about quitting and I don't want it to be like this. At the start, I seen more rider errors but now, I don't think he deserves the run outs he getting. Pony is smart, 8 years old and has more experience with competitive showjumping. I'm blaming myself for interfering with training/bonding process now.

 

[Apizz2019]

If everything else has been checked, saddle, teeth etc, I think it's time for the vet.

 

[HopOnTrot]

Vet. Vet. Vet.

Also, remote reiki?

 

[TheMule]

You need a vet, the pony has been making that point pretty loud and clear for a while now

 

[Alibear]

A vet and a loss of performance workup. Explain the stopping and bucking issues to the vet so they know what you're trying to solve. Also, I don't see mention of a saddle fit check; that could be useful as well, but not instead of the vet.

 

[153]

Local vet watched pony compete and just said get a bigger rider on her. Professional instructors all say she's very sound pony and don't think she's in pain. But that's the next/only option now.
Thanks

 

[Equi]

I’m afraid you have fallen into the trap of “it’s everything else but it’s not pain” and have inadvertently spent more money on quick fixes than a vet consultation would have cost. Vet should always be the first stop, then you work on the rest. Good luck, I hope you can find something to fix.

 

[dottylottie]

for the sake of an £80 call out, get the vet to see it trot up and go from there. definitely sounds like pain somewhere, the longer it’s ignored the worse it’ll get, and the poor pony suffers longer too.

 

[Identityincrisis]

This pony has been telling humans for a long time something is wrong but the humans have opted to ignore it until the pony needs to resort to extreme tactics

 

[MagicMelon]

Vet. But also how often does he jump the pony? I see some people especially kids jumping their ponies most days at home and I honestly think so many just get sick of it. I rarely would jump my horses at home and it kept them really sweet and willing to jump at competitions as a result.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Another saying get a proper vet opinion. And I wouldn't ask the vet who said 'get a bigger rider". Unless, of course, s/he has x-ray eyes!

 

[maya2008]

Vet. To add to the general voice recommending that! If you are fully insured, I would go for a loss of performance work up at a vet hospital. It’s cheaper in the long run often to get things done by the experts - leaves more money for the actual treatment.

The only thing that would make me not rush off and do the above would be if it’s a filler thing, or only with one rider, or if you haven’t had a second (or third) opinion on saddle fit.

 

[Birker2020]

But also how often does he jump the pony?

I rarely would jump my horses at home and it kept them really sweet and willing to jump at competitions as a result.

Yep me too. Once a week usually two or three times over a grid and that was it.

It could be stale.

 

[LEC]

In your shoes I would bute for 2 weeks and see if the behaviour changed at all. If it did for the better then you need to start investigating. I would Bute because you are at that tricky place where behaviour has deteriorated but it’s also never been quite 100% for you to definitely say it’s behaviour/pain and you probably need a little bit more evidence for the vet otherwise it’s a needle in a haystack of where to begin.
While on bute I would get all the basics done properly. Physio to go over back in particular, teeth with proper sedation to check absolutely no issues. Let’s be honest distance Reikki is a load of bullshit and is not going to solve sore muscles.
While on Bute I would lunge over jumps to see if they were erratic in what they did or whether they were a lot happier with no jockey on.
I would also likely get back/neck x rays done pretty quickly as to me it’s the obvious place to start. No obvious signs of lameness but an unhappy pony.

 

[CJoe]

1) vet....proper workup etc
2) break from jumping, sounds like if not physical its really SOUR!
3) if you have to take it out jumping having been told by a vet its fine, stick to one class each time until you have got a decent routine going
3) don't ever jump at home, literally take it out for it's class, ponies can get really fed up of jumping all the time, may have mild pain exacerbated by jumping!