CBJack
Active Member
I have a Welsh Section D gelding, who has just turned 7. I rescued him as a 3 year old so he has always been difficult to ride. He has also had several injuries from his bad start which over the years I have fixed. Typical behaviour for him when ridden (either pain related or just general naughtiness) is to slow down and then rear and run backwards into anything at all. The rears are small and easy to sit too. He is also easy to stop this if I just drop contact, sit still for a second and then ask again. It is like he just loses his mind for a second but then calms and is OK. If someone was on the floor he would never act up and would happily walk, trot, canter all day long.
In September, I decided to give him a few months off from ridden work although he was still lunged and long reined. and over the winter he completely changed. He grew up, calmed down and matured a lot. When the vet and the physio saw him in February they both agreed he was like a different pony. Less agitated and relaxed. Much stronger etc.
So in March I decided to bring him back into work. I had his saddle checked and then got on him. For 3-4 weeks he was like a changed horse, collected, relaxed and calm. I even started back with my lessons.
Then about 2 months ago, when walking around the arena, I asked for trot and he started stamping and pawing aggressively. I stopped, dropped contact as normal, waited and then asked again. He walked half the arena but then did the same again. I got off in case he was hurting but couldn't see anything.
I tried again a week later, the same again although he would move (grumpily) if following someone on foot.
A week later, we managed a couple of laps before this time he actually rolled over, there was no stopping him.
I tried a couple more times but then he started trying to roll even on concrete and I fell off and hurt myself badly.
A month later and today I tried to get back on for the first time since falling off. I lunged him first and he was trying to roll but I could pull him up and stop him. I then got on him and had someone that he trusts on the floor. I had no contact at all. He wouldn't even out one foot forward without rolling. Even rolling towards the person on the floor and she couldn't pull him up.
This is all happening in walk. He is stronger and fitter than ever, has no signs of lameness, heat or sweating anywhere and will happily move around the field/yard like a lunatic.His saddle and teeth have been checked.
Does anyone have any ideas why this could be or how to stop it? The more I try and pull him up, move him forward etc he just drops quicker. He si not stressed when being tacked up or anything.
In September, I decided to give him a few months off from ridden work although he was still lunged and long reined. and over the winter he completely changed. He grew up, calmed down and matured a lot. When the vet and the physio saw him in February they both agreed he was like a different pony. Less agitated and relaxed. Much stronger etc.
So in March I decided to bring him back into work. I had his saddle checked and then got on him. For 3-4 weeks he was like a changed horse, collected, relaxed and calm. I even started back with my lessons.
Then about 2 months ago, when walking around the arena, I asked for trot and he started stamping and pawing aggressively. I stopped, dropped contact as normal, waited and then asked again. He walked half the arena but then did the same again. I got off in case he was hurting but couldn't see anything.
I tried again a week later, the same again although he would move (grumpily) if following someone on foot.
A week later, we managed a couple of laps before this time he actually rolled over, there was no stopping him.
I tried a couple more times but then he started trying to roll even on concrete and I fell off and hurt myself badly.
A month later and today I tried to get back on for the first time since falling off. I lunged him first and he was trying to roll but I could pull him up and stop him. I then got on him and had someone that he trusts on the floor. I had no contact at all. He wouldn't even out one foot forward without rolling. Even rolling towards the person on the floor and she couldn't pull him up.
This is all happening in walk. He is stronger and fitter than ever, has no signs of lameness, heat or sweating anywhere and will happily move around the field/yard like a lunatic.His saddle and teeth have been checked.
Does anyone have any ideas why this could be or how to stop it? The more I try and pull him up, move him forward etc he just drops quicker. He si not stressed when being tacked up or anything.
.
He is stuck with me forever now even if no more work.