Stroppy Thoroughbred

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malibu211211

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Hi,
I have an Irish TB who I always considered as a reasonably good TB until the other night. He does have his strops, where he thinks he should canter and he leaps about abit but it doesn't unseat you. You just push him through it and tell him to get on with it.
We were having a bit of an explore and went up a track on the heath but had to turn around as it went up a steep hill. So we turned around and D threw a complete strop. It's almost as though he has been held back too much and the only way he can get his frustration out is to have these outbursts.
My friend said his bum disappeared underneath him, he reared (a foot or so off the ground) and then did what she can only describe as piaffe, until we got to a stretch where I can push him forwards.
I have found with him that if you can just push him forwards when he does this odd 'not going anywhere' thing he gets over it.
Probably all sounds a bit odd but anyone got any suggestions/advice as to whether I'm doing the right thing?
Probably should say no-one really knows what he is like when he is fit (he is pretty fit and well, had serious back problem sorted out too) as he has had health problems with past owner which prevented him from getting anywhere.
Sorry for the waffle
Thanks for reading
 
difficult to say without seeing him do it but sounds like your doing the right thing as far as the ridings concerned e.g. keeping him forwards. I would probably double check his physical stuff - like back and teeth and tack. Whats he being fed if anything at the mo? How often turned out? Just trying to get a picture. Does he give you warning that he's going to do it? Is it like a rearing napping thing or is it just a random mess about - he may have just got confused about what you wanted him to do. Which situations does he do it in?
 
Hi
Thanx for your reply.
Physically he is the healthiest he has ever been
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Foodwise, he was having 1/2 scoop Hi fi, 1/4 scoop D & H Leisure mix, Newmarket joint supplement and Buteless (has got a joint problem) but have recently cut out the leisure mix to see if that helps. He has been on some nice grass but it is getting low now.
He is out 24/7 at the mo
He does give warning, he does a funny head toss thing when he is about to throw a strop. He is a nappy sort of horse but we were out with my friend although we did turn to go home.
I also should say that I had a prob with him leading to and from the field, he would rear up in gateways. Had someone out to help and she thought he was quite an anxious horse and was looking for confidence. Have now over come this problem with her help.
Could they be connected?
 
I'd be interested in any other replies as well, so bouncing this. It sounds very similar to Spike when he has a tizz. When he gets wound up he does a kind of 'dancing' thing. He is okay when pushed forward but it is not always possible to do that! He does get anxious and impatient, and he hates gates - he hates having to stand still while they are opened, and hates being the last horse through them.
 
This sounds oh so familiar to me - both my TB mares, first I thought it was a chestnut mare TB thing, but then came along the second who is bay (wanted chesnut, but this bay one kind of found me) and she does these same hissy fit thingys. Sorry don't think theres a cure so as long as you know he's kind try to carry on as if nothings happened, and as he sounds sensitive (as TB are) try not to panic or shout at him. I've had my chectnut TB for 13 years... she can still have a divvy moment but I can generally stay on now, may not be in the same place or heading in same direction but we now remain together !!!, seriously this sounds like mine and brain work, making TB's think can help channel their energy.
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