Strong, Bolshy and Bolting!!!!!!!

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mrsdickinson

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Hello all
I would like to ask for some advice if you can spare the time to answer please?
I have a very strong Clydesdale cross ( dont know what he is crossed with) he has a lovely nature but is often bolshy, he is only 5 years old.
He hacks alone or with his field mate, but in company he is utterly insane!!
He dances everywhere, wont let another horse pass him and explodes into gallop like a bullet from a gun
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He is currently in a Myler French Link snaffle and running martingale, I tried a Pelham but he was worse than ever.
Has anyone had this experience ?
Would a Dutch Gag or Waterford help matters? someone has also suggested a Bungee.
I know strong bits are not the answer but I need some brakes whilst i work on his behaviour.
Thanks in advance x
 
Hmm, tricky! Sounds a whole lot of fun that one! Lol
I think a gag could help as it would help you get his head up. I have had ponies in the past who just bugger off in pelhams as they get their head down and they're off!

A gag worked for them. My horse is similar in that he's heavy and can pull (although not to the extremes of yours) and he goes well in a gag. I have with a waterford type mouthpiece too so he cannot lean on it as much.

Does he need a martingale? If he evades by getting his head down i can't see the martingale will actually be doing anything at all and can actually be worse as can out more pressure on the mouth in certain situations as you pull on the reins. If he need as a martingale maybe use a standing instead?
 
Thanks for your reply LadyT. I have a martingale on him because he throws his head in the air so high that he almosts buts me!
I wondered if a Bungee would be better than a martingale but should i use a bungee with a Dutch Gag or Waterford?
He does not mean to be nasty, it seems he is over excited and showing off, but still, he leaves me unsafe.
Almost galloped me into a river over a bridge on Sunday, I only managed to stop him by turning him sharply and aiming him at a tree.
Very scary indeed.
 
That doesn't sound like fun!!

A few questions?

What is he like to handle on the ground?
Do you keep him in / out/
Is he on any hard feed?
What does he do: head up, head down, cat leaps....?
Is it just in larger groups and is it all the time or jsut when the pace is increased?
Does it just seem to be complete excitement due to other horses?

Have to ask (as it's standard) back, teeth and tack all ok?

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Thnks Walrus.
Right, here goes.

Only has Alpha A and garlic, cider vinegar and linseed oil, has 2 hay nets per day.
Stabled at night and out during the day.
He cat leaps, rushes forward into trot when not asked to, jogging and pulling and throwing his head around, bites other horses on thier bottoms if they try to get in front of him.

Hacks out fine alone or with his companion but an absolute terror with other horses.
Teeth checked in December but not had his back checked!

The problem is only when he is with other horses.
He is excellent on the ground, well mannered and friendly.
Both live at home with me and I have a good bond with him, I had him as a two year old and backed him myself.
Also, saddle is fine.
 
Sounds like a tricky one. IF you keep them at home does that mean that hacking in groups is not a regular occurance? It may just be a case of persevere until it's less of an excitment. Can you go in a school with other horses around you to get him used to having other horses working near him?
Maybe see if you can keep your hacks slow and steady - don't even attempt going faster for now - make it so it's not the most exciting thing in the world!

As for tack, we had a fell pony who used to bolt and pull like a train and he was in an american gag (yep, the big slidey one, it looked slightly extereme but I'm very much of the opinion if they are out of control on the road then sometimes needs must!) and we had another fell who could lean and get a bit strong and she went beautifully in a waterford as it stopped her leaning.
 
Alfa A sent my quiet little New Forest into a mini racehorse recently so he is only fed haylage now and has gone back to being a little saint.
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What about a trying a gag with two reins, use top rein normally but have the 2nd set on the lowest setting in case of emergency. It has worked for a couple of people I know.

The other thing to try is working him with strange horses in the school and see if he gets it out of his system that way.

Good luck
 
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