stubborn polish warmblood

[soniahayles]

I love my new horse but he is a polish import, I think we have a small language barrier. Such as stop , and go and walk on not backwards. I wondered if anyone else had a polish warmblood and could give me some hints on temprement and character or if anyone else had issues getting an imported horse to understand english. He is Quite nappy and just like to stand and gaze at the scenery, somedays we hack out others we just stay in the yard. It seems we do what he wants when he wants and there is nothing I can do to change his mind, if he doesn't want to do it he won,t. any ideas?

 

[plough0_0]

Hi , I have a polish warmblood cross konik , he too has a mind of his own! was very nappy when we first got him , now will only hack out or be turned out with my mare (got them both on box rest at the moment as she has a puntured sole and he tried to come over the gate to get back to her!) He will only go in front when hacking spooks easily and in a big way , Oh and had obviously had never seen road markings until he got to england - last bad bit , puts in some very scary stops when he doesn't feel like jumping . So why do I still have him? He is incredibly easy to look after one of the best looking horses i have ever met , oozes character , and the most fun you can have with your clothes on! This probably doesn't help your query as to whether his attitude is down to his breeding but if you love him persevere

 

[soniahayles]

mine is a stunner 17 3 skewbald and 100% to do and handle in every way I set my self little goals, today we managed a small hack out with us in front and even a canter( which he only does if he wants to). I found a flash has almost stopped the spinning, not sure what to do about the stupid bunny hops. he just doesn't seem to get how nice his life would be if he hacked out alone!

 

[jumpthemoon]

I've got a dutch WB and he's a stubborn g*t as well! We've got over the napping in the school, but I need to work on the hacking, as he spooks (not just 'agh'....more AAAAARRRRRGGHHHHHHH!!!! lol) and also naps. Having now had him for a year, I believe his napping is not so much stubborness, as a kind of panic attack that he doesn't know what he's supposed to be doing and it's all a bit much.

I find introducing things gently and being patient and calm is the best approach. Stick with it and you'll get there in the end

 

[muddy_grey]

I had a dutch warmblood x who as scared of changes in road surface. Even after 3 years of the change near the yard that had to be crossed for every hack his leg would shake as he stepped on it. He was never spooky on his own, but in company would pretend to be scared and snort and prance past things. I think he thought he looked cool or something.

 

[Parkranger]

Yepp my german warmblood is a donkey in a horses clothing! He's a nappy sod out but I think alot of us need to bear in mind that the majority of our horses would have been schooled, schooled, jumped and schooled thus not hacking out that often!

Oh the joys of having a warmblood!

 

[MDJO]

I once had a stubborn polish warmblood (wielkapoliski) and it was exactly as you described!!! - would only hack out with others and if he went on his own, would just grind to a halt and gaze into the distance - couldn't get him to go forwards / back / sideways ...anything. He wasn't tense or spooky - just stopped and gazed into the far distance. Contacted the previous owners and they had the same problem, but resolved it with much use of carrots. Very strange! Other than that quite a pleasant chap. Sorry can't help with any suggestions - I sold him after a couple of years
PS - he's not a 16.1hh chestnut with quite unusual brandings is he?

 

[clipclop]

My friend has a complex Polish warmblood.
He doesn't go to shows, he doesn't go hacking but he is a total legend in the School.
A fantastic teacher as he meets you half way every time.
May have nothing at all to do with his breeding but he is polish and he is quirky. LOL

He is also a god!

 

[soniahayles]

not chestnut, skewbald .am so pleased it's not just me. I wanted a nice safe sensible plod to hack about on . in company he is a complete donkey I have had rabbits running through his legs and doesn't care. but on his own he is daft. tried to ride and lead a confident shetland today..... need I explain we spent an hour trying to get down the lane as neither could cope going in front with out the other. was quite comical.

 

[OllieO]

Hi, are you still hanging on with your Polish Warmblood?
I have a 19.1hands Polish Warmblood, 9 yrs old. He can be very stubborn but is very kind and I am just learning the best ways to handle such a lump of a horse!
He is a fantastic mover and I am working him well on the flat, but we are still new to each other at this point. I have only had him for 2 months after he has been in a field for 2 years but I have him on loan from the owner who has had him since he was 2 years old so between us we are getting there with him!
overall he is great but quite stubborn, will be great to see how you have got on with your stubborn boy as well.
I cannot find much about the breed on the web or in books so would love to have more info. I am contacting the stud via his markings as well.