Tense rushing horse

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Zipzop

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Many of you have heard our story along the way with my crazy sec d gelding. I posted recently asking if consistent active work helped people's horses as I thought his set up which is now field of three acres during the day and left out on a small yard with stable door open at night was enough exercise if I didn't ride him - I got a resounding no! from the forum!
Just to add he is not on ANY hard feed, hay and grass only and has been for many months which did have a big effect in a good way.

Problem is he has been like this for the ten years I have owned him, he is now 13. Tense rushy, these are his default things.

My question is as I have now tried everything, supplements, feeds, upping the work, out competing and then stopping all that and retraining properly, different living arrangements, all vet and physical checks, you name it we have tried it, I am asking if any of you have ever just pushed the horse past it and got results regarding the horse calming down?

I mean if I worked the horse hard, not fast just hard, so, long hacks etc and kept doing it continuously would he eventually tire out and calm down or would he just end up tense and rushy and extra fit so he could rush more?

I'm at my wits end!
 
This sounds just like my horse. I have tried everything! She is tense all the time and always in a hurry. Lessons have helped, teaching me how to slow her and keep her steady, but she has just learnt to keep her head low and grab at the bit!! Thus, ending up where she is still tense, rushing and me feeling slightly out of control.
If I really work her hard, to a point where fatigue is showing she just gets worse. The fitter she is, the more she wants to rush and be stressy all the time. Apparently she has been like this her whole life, to the point where her previous rider gave up. She does settle slightly with a good loose school before riding, but underneath she's still tense and rushy.
Its very hard. I wanted to compete her this year ( I've ridden her for just over a year now), but I think I might be kidding myself. I don't want it to end up where one or both of us is hurt just for the sake of trying to see if she will ever calm down.
I always feel like she's on the edge. She can't ever stand still, even grooming, rugging etc. She windsucks, bad to load, naps badly, walks everywhere at 300mph while leading.
 
my best tip for a tense and rushy horse? Relax the contact and make sure the horse is in front of the leg. A lot of 'rushing' horse are actually behind the leg and are then 'held back' by the contact. Lots of lateral work and gears within the paces to get the horse on the aids and then don't be afraid to get the hands forward!
 
shortstuff99 said:
my best tip for a tense and rushy horse? Relax the contact and make sure the horse is in front of the leg. A lot of 'rushing' horse are actually behind the leg and are then 'held back' by the contact. Lots of lateral work and gears within the paces to get the horse on the aids and then don't be afraid to get the hands forward!
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Hi short stuff thanks for your reply. As I said though, we have retrained properly and by that I mean classically so my position got an overhaul. We spent three years doing this, lateral, in hand work, getting him to accept the leg. I worked with an amazing highly recommended instructor but still nothing :(
 
shortstuff99 said:
How does your saddle fit? That can create tension even if it seems to fit fine it maybe restricting in some way and cause the tension?
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He is mostly ridden in a soft bare back pad, or treeless saddle but not an off the peg one which puts the rider in a awkward position. We have a saddler which makes them as a special design. We spent years researching and trialling the design until it was perfect so no pressure points. Doesn't slip or slide. And doesn't restrict movement, he is also now ridden bitless after many years bitted as seems to suit him better and much less hollow and resistant in the bitless. Ps I may sound it but I'm not a tree hugger honest I wouldn't ride every horse with this kit only those who need it!
 
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i had a sec d that was the same i ended up putting him on valerian powder ,brewers yeast and magnesium ..worked brilliantly he was much calmer
 
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