Should I go back to the beginning?

[Hollyhorse]

My new horse I've had a week is proving to be really nappy. He's not just reluctant to go forward but seems to resent it. However when he's going forward on his own terms he really bounds along very happily and I actually have to steady him. When I start off he just stops like a rock - I've never felt anything like it! You can kick and click and he completely ignores you, but then he suddenly has enough and rears and stops again, or you smack him and he bucks and does a mini-rear/bounce and stops. He does the same thing in walk and a little in trot. Once you've managed to get him going for about 15 minutes he gives up and stops stopping and gets much more happily going forward and doesn't buck/bounce when you hit him - just goes forward. He's only 4 years old and it's been suggested that I should just stop riding him and do loads of long-reining and lunging him until he's really accepting a contact and moving forward and then start riding him. I already lunge him regularly and he goes really nicely on the lunge - he didn't before but now is really gd - completely different really to when he's being ridden.
Another person said I should just lunge him for 5 minutes before I ride him each time and once he's going forward on the lunge I can get on and he'll be fine - I have actually done this once (after a day off - to take off the edge) and it is true that he went the nicest he's ever gone. He doesn't like to have a contact - if you let him have his head he is happier to move forward but still is nappy/reluctant, however once he puts his head on the bit nicely he goes sweetly!
What should I do? Shall I lunge him for 5 minutes before I ride him each time and then ride him as usual once he's moving more forward? Or should I just give up riding him for the bit and concentrate on lunging for as many days/weeks as it takes? HELP PLEASE!!

 

[Butterbean]

Was he like this before you bought him? Perhaps he is trying it on a bit now he is a new home - seeing what he can get away with. But make sure his tack fits properly so you can rule out pain from that. Also if he is fussy in his mouth he may need his teeth checking especially as he is so young.

If the brief lunge before riding helps then do that. But I would also have lessons with an instructor & get their advice. He's only 4 so don't expect him to be too much "on the bit" yet.
Good luck!

 

[catnumber5]

It sounds to me as if he was rushed somewhere along the line in his schooling - and now he is saying no. Do you know much about his history?

First rule out the possibility of pain being caused by teeth/back/tack etc. I would continue lunging him until he is going forward well before riding each day - and at this stage would not worry too much about contact. When he is going forward well - he will "ask" for contact when the hind legs are engaging properly.

 

[Hollyhorse]

Unfortunately I don't know much about his history as bought him from a sale - didn't get to sit on him until he arrived! When he was ridden at the sale he did lots of 'bouncing' in the halt-walk and walk-trot transitions and also randomly in the walk - I just put that down to excitement. While the rider was wearing spurs he definitely seemed very forward going and not at all reluctant and resistant to go forward as he is now.
I am getting his teeth and back checked this wk to make sure there are no probs there. The saddle is also brand new and has been fitted so shouldn't be causing any pain.
At first I thought he could be trying it on cos new person and new place and excitement but I am now sure he's actually got a bit of an attitude and is plain nappy. He moves very happily forward on the lunge (tho a little lazy) and when ridden after a bit, the attitude seems to be when I ask him to move forward and he plain doesn't want to!
Thanks for your advice - will try lunging him lots using the pessoa so he learns to go forward into a contact and then shall get on and ride him for the last bit of the session so finish on a gd note!? I won't focus too much on outline but at the same time will need to a little so he doesn't hollow and learns to accept a contact without throwing his head up in the air!

 

[catnumber5]

Does sound like this is not new - if he displayed some of this behaviour at sale. I am sure with time you will get him right.

keep us posted.

 

[KatB]

He is ayoung horse in a completely different environment, and was probably broken not long before he went to the sales.

I brought my boy privately from Ireland, and basically restarted him, went completely back to stage one, did loads and loads of long reining to get him thinking forward, teaching him voice aids and letting him get to know me. Also once established to voice aids etc, loads and loads of hacking with sensible horse (after leading out on roads getting used to cars etc) to get him thinking forward and keep it interesting.

Youngsters arent phsically or mentally developed enough to do alot of schooling etc, so just short spells, and keep it all different and exciting. Mines 5 this year and hacking is still the major part of his work, as helps muscling up etc, but keeps him thinking forward and enjoying life!!

Have fun, and enjoy him, from the piccies I've seen he is gorgeous, and the more time you take getting trust and the basics established, the better he'll be in the long run

 

[Chills]

I agree with KatB. He is only a baby and you have only had him for a very short time. I think it is really important to try to create the bond with him, so lots of time spent with him in the stable is a good starting point. I have a very similar boy at home who I have owned for about 9 months now. Very similar to what you have described. My angle on it is not to present him with confrontation, try to work your way round things so he feels like he is doing good and then you can reward rather than reprimand, from this he will gain more confidence and trust in you. I definitely agree that lunging is one of the best ways you can work him, again it will help with the bonding and him learning to trust you. I still lunge my boy sometimes before I ride - I had been doing so in a pessoa, but to be honest he works very well from behind, so I have reverted back to loose side reins and he is seeking the contact far more as he does not feel pressurised into it. Every horse is different and you will have to keep very much trail and error. Good luck, and stick with it.