Chappie
Well-Known Member
Hi there, I dont have many people around me to ask for help so maybe you experienced folks will advise.
Had my cob on loan for nearly 3.5 years. He's rising 18 and considering I'm novice, have managed to get him hacking out alone, mostly happily.
Not done that much solo hacking over the winter due to weather conditions so join in on the organised hacks (our yard is livery and a riding school that mainly hacks). Mostly ride out on walk and trots but would like to join in on some of the smaller canter rides. Only try to join these rides when I'm happy with the other people and horses on them (unlikely high jinx) and the weather conditions (not strong wind). There simply isn't anyone else to ride out with and moving yards is not an option.
So as title says, he has an awful habit which is several strides into canter he screeches to a halt and flings his head down to eat grass.
After getting thrown off 3 times (very lucky to not get injured) a couple of years ago I completely stopped attempting canter rides and focused on hacking alone.
On these hacks I will sometimes get a short canter, and he doesn't try to eat grass. He's nappy and nervous so it takes a lot of effort and energy to get him hacking alone.
But in the right mood and right conditions he can be great!
It's also increasingly busy around the yard in terms of traffic and other countryside users so a lot to be aware of. Hacking out with others is a nice change sometimes, drivers etc often slow down better for a group.
I **NEVER** let him even attempt to eat while being ridden - however his owner (a man) only very occasionally rides, in walk mostly, occasional trot and has let him eat. I've said to him to never let him eat but he still does. His daughter (used to be her ride) apparently had the same problem as me. However she stopped riding altogether when she was 15 and was a very light girl who just clinged on! I'm 5 ft 6 and well under 9 stone the cob is 14.2hh.
Two weekends ago I took him on a short canter with a small number of riders and he was fine, a little fast and strong but totally under control. Today he was the same on the first canter of the ride, considering I don't canter him much in company he felt controllable. This made me feel calm and confident but still on alert for the second one. However he was a completed monster - few strides on and he slammed on the brakes - I managed to stay on and gathered him up and sent him to go after the others. He took off horribly fast and all along the track was trying to slam on the brakes and eat - there's NO grass just tussocks of slimey old grass! - I had my left rein very short and high to stop him going down and my right hand firmly on his neck with the right rein short. It took all my strength to stay on and keep him together. In the past I have roared NO at him and few hard whacks with a crop and booted him hard. He shoots off with this so I have to manage that too. Today I was too occupied with slowing down and staying on.
- Thought about trying grass or daisy reins. Concerned he might be angry and try and spin/buck me off. Also his mouth!
- Considering just never going on the canter rides.
BTW we always stay at the very back of the ride - he's naturally slow in walk & trot! He's done it when I've hacked out with one other person too so its not the group aspect.
Ok I managed to stay on today but feel its very risky.
Disappointed as thought our "relationship" had progressed - its like he had no respect for me!
He really is pretty much a suitable horse for me to be riding apart from this.
Tack is an eggbutt snaffle, drop noseband and running martingale.
I add he's not hungry - he's on plenty fibre - he's done it at 10am after finishing hay at 930 so I'm not concerned he's hungry.
He has limited turnout but I can't change that. He's been on the same yard for about 8 years.
Maybe I need to do more ground work or see if I can find a freelance instructor. He doesn't like working in the school!
Sorry this is very long but tried to give detail for the overall picture. Please don't be too harsh on me! I'm middle aged (!) and really have come quite far with him considering I don't have much support or help to call on! The experienced people I have asked just say try the grass reins so I guess I should get them ordered and give it a try at least
Had my cob on loan for nearly 3.5 years. He's rising 18 and considering I'm novice, have managed to get him hacking out alone, mostly happily.
Not done that much solo hacking over the winter due to weather conditions so join in on the organised hacks (our yard is livery and a riding school that mainly hacks). Mostly ride out on walk and trots but would like to join in on some of the smaller canter rides. Only try to join these rides when I'm happy with the other people and horses on them (unlikely high jinx) and the weather conditions (not strong wind). There simply isn't anyone else to ride out with and moving yards is not an option.
So as title says, he has an awful habit which is several strides into canter he screeches to a halt and flings his head down to eat grass.
After getting thrown off 3 times (very lucky to not get injured) a couple of years ago I completely stopped attempting canter rides and focused on hacking alone.
On these hacks I will sometimes get a short canter, and he doesn't try to eat grass. He's nappy and nervous so it takes a lot of effort and energy to get him hacking alone.
But in the right mood and right conditions he can be great!
It's also increasingly busy around the yard in terms of traffic and other countryside users so a lot to be aware of. Hacking out with others is a nice change sometimes, drivers etc often slow down better for a group.
I **NEVER** let him even attempt to eat while being ridden - however his owner (a man) only very occasionally rides, in walk mostly, occasional trot and has let him eat. I've said to him to never let him eat but he still does. His daughter (used to be her ride) apparently had the same problem as me. However she stopped riding altogether when she was 15 and was a very light girl who just clinged on! I'm 5 ft 6 and well under 9 stone the cob is 14.2hh.
Two weekends ago I took him on a short canter with a small number of riders and he was fine, a little fast and strong but totally under control. Today he was the same on the first canter of the ride, considering I don't canter him much in company he felt controllable. This made me feel calm and confident but still on alert for the second one. However he was a completed monster - few strides on and he slammed on the brakes - I managed to stay on and gathered him up and sent him to go after the others. He took off horribly fast and all along the track was trying to slam on the brakes and eat - there's NO grass just tussocks of slimey old grass! - I had my left rein very short and high to stop him going down and my right hand firmly on his neck with the right rein short. It took all my strength to stay on and keep him together. In the past I have roared NO at him and few hard whacks with a crop and booted him hard. He shoots off with this so I have to manage that too. Today I was too occupied with slowing down and staying on.
- Thought about trying grass or daisy reins. Concerned he might be angry and try and spin/buck me off. Also his mouth!
- Considering just never going on the canter rides.
BTW we always stay at the very back of the ride - he's naturally slow in walk & trot! He's done it when I've hacked out with one other person too so its not the group aspect.
Ok I managed to stay on today but feel its very risky.
Disappointed as thought our "relationship" had progressed - its like he had no respect for me!
He really is pretty much a suitable horse for me to be riding apart from this.
Tack is an eggbutt snaffle, drop noseband and running martingale.
I add he's not hungry - he's on plenty fibre - he's done it at 10am after finishing hay at 930 so I'm not concerned he's hungry.
He has limited turnout but I can't change that. He's been on the same yard for about 8 years.
Maybe I need to do more ground work or see if I can find a freelance instructor. He doesn't like working in the school!
Sorry this is very long but tried to give detail for the overall picture. Please don't be too harsh on me! I'm middle aged (!) and really have come quite far with him considering I don't have much support or help to call on! The experienced people I have asked just say try the grass reins so I guess I should get them ordered and give it a try at least