Spinning!

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heyeasytiger

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I have bought a rising 5 ISH, and have started hacking him out.
The first ride went well (was accompanied on foot by my mother) and although was very interested in everything, he did really well. Since then we have hacked out alone, and what started as a couple of spins has now started to happen very often, and today, total refusal to go forward despite trying everything. So much so, he reared a little. Tack, teeth, back all fine...
What should I do next to stop this habit? Help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
 
I think really it's just a confidence thing and it will come eventually - you just have to perservere and give him confidence. My sister's horse did this quite often when we got him as a 4 yo. He was only used to plodding along behind another horse so, seeing the 'world' in front of a horse's bottom was pretty scary!! We would hack him out with other horses and get him leading for certain periods and lengthen those periods until eventually he was happy and confident going it alone. Don't get me wrong, he'll still throw the odd spin/spook in on occasion (he's 11 now) but that's more high jinks than anything else.

I would maybe try hack with someone else until YOU feels confident and then start to lead the ride and eventually hack on your own. IF you don't have anyone else to ride with then you will just have to keep working at it. Just remember he's not being naughty or nasty, he is just lacking confidence - everything's new, he doesn't really know you etc etc. Just try be calm but firm and keep him going. It will come eventually, it just may be hard work for a while!
 
The way I stopped my boy spinning was simply to learn to sit it.. he used to spin and get me off everytime I rode him. I learnt that if I sat with an adjusted seat he couldn't get me off!!! I was young and foolish back then so not sure otherwise!
 
My 10 year old WB rears and spins All The Time when hacking alone...

It's insecurity I think, he needs to trust you will keep him out of trouble.

As this is a new partnership perhaps keep on with a foot companion [mums are great :)]

Later on just push him on just a few steps at a time, reward him hugely then let him go home, next day a bit more, then a bit more etc...

Or, you could do what I did [which I wouldn't recommend with a new, young horse] which is to keep on at him pony club style with little kicks and taps with a stick, keep him going in trot so he doesn't have a chance to think too much as he is active - this kind of thing is prob better for an older horse though

Or [feel free to correct me] you could fit a standing martingale to limit his ability to rear fully with you which might give you the confidence to push him on
 
Frumpoon said:
Or [feel free to correct me] you could fit a standing martingale to limit his ability to rear fully with you which might give you the confidence to push him on
Click to expand...

Oh I forgot - we actually did do this and it helped. Just stops them throwing their head up to spin. Don't use a running martingaly as this just puts pressure on their mouth but the standing does help in the initial stages.
 
Thanks for your help everyone...
This morning I went out for a quick hack around the block on the lead-rope, and only two attempts a spinning , but we walked on eventually.
This evening we went for a second hack, and nothing! Very good boy, and at times we were off the lead-rope too...
So steadily steadily, we are making progress!
 
Im glad u have put this post up as i have been having problems with my horse to, I know it's confidence with him as I'm bringing him back into work after some time off, and if he sees something a little bit scary he shoots back, spins round and does a little rear, if I turn him back to try again he just rears up higher and higher every time to the point where I have to turn round and try a different route, I never go straight home though as I know this will make him think he has won, was not sure how to overcome this but a standing martingale might come in handy as this stops me from pushing him on as I know he will rear vertical
 
I have now started walking him out with a bridle on on foot, to install his confidence in me, that I will not take him to scary places or scary things... going to do this for a little while, and then attempt to ride out again once he has learnt to trust me.
On the positive side, we had his first shoeing in this country yesterday (he can be a little handy with his back feet and has only been shod on front (a normal Irish procedure) and he was brilliant. New shoes on front and trim on back, so next time shoes on back too! woohoo!
So now, just the spinning!
 
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