''time bomb about to explode'' on way back from hacks.....

JackDaniels1

JackDaniels1

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anyone else feel like this?

is there ever a cure? I know not to physically turn around but to always try and do a loop but this isn't always possible.

Would i improve this ''habit'' by hacking out daily? my thoughts are we might then get bored and stop the sillyness!!

Any tips much appreciated!!
 
I stopped a similar behavior in my gelding by taking a different route away from home as soon as he started to rush. Also, when coming home, I didn't go straight to the yard, but passed it, if possible - at a faster gait, and didn't let my gelding plan the routes and the speeds ahead - so that certain behaviors didn't turn into habits at certain points.

Hacking daily definitely helps as well!
 
JackDaniels1 said:
anyone else feel like this?

is there ever a cure? I know not to physically turn around but to always try and do a loop but this isn't always possible.

Would i improve this ''habit'' by hacking out daily? my thoughts are we might then get bored and stop the sillyness!!

Any tips much appreciated!!
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I have quite a ploddy welsh mare but if I turn to come home they way I went I have a prancing eejit at times. I therefore never turn back, I always go circular and have my calm girl until about 100 yards form home wehre we power walk which I dont mind! I think its a common issue only solved by repetition and circular routes.
 
Mine can be inclined to a feeling of wanting to explode on the way home, especially down the steep hill back to the yard, so I sing all the way home if she's getting a bit feisty. At the moment, I have no choice but to do out and back rides as the common that makes up a loop is so muddy and deep that I can't face riding across it. I always alter the turnaround point every day. I also trot on back towards home rather than have her try to act silly, I find this soon sorts her out as she has to work a bit. But the singing helps to keep me calm and that has a positive effect on her. I think it's just the time of year, once summer arrives, all will be normal again!
 
Try riding longer routes and ride away from the yard with real purpose, trot for 20/30 mins until horse is tired out. Then relax and walk on long rein. If horse gets lovely trot on again for as long as it takes for horse to tire. Don't bring horse home until it's puffed and let him walk home on a long rein. If nonsense starts trot on past yard and repeat. Horse will soon learn that that behaviour doesn't get him anywhere.
 
It's because the behaviour gets reinforced by you getting off, work ending and a return to field/stable mates. We changed the behaviour by changing that - on return, do 5 or 10 minutes intense schooling, before dismounting etc., making returning less attractive.
 
My mare was also like this when we first started hacking. I think lots of hacking out is the best thing, even doing a short hack then taking them straight back out again for another one. I also found that a few long hacks helped with lots of trotting on the way out so she was too knackered to mess about on the way home. Also not taking them out on an empty stomach.
 
Mine is generally an idiot on the way home no matter the route of length of hack. Lots of half halts and and getting him to carry himself but to be honest he just bounces most of the way home and i end up aching and cursing having a big brute.
 
Mine has places where he does this, and has been known (once, recently) to suddenly take a hold from walk and suddenly be kicking up his heels and heading towards home at a gallop. I've found the best way with him is if we get the speeding up/headshaking/silly snorty head on, I turn him in tight circles...walk on, silly, circle, walk on a bit more, silly, circle etc, pushing his back end right out so he's almost turning on the spot, but never letting him actually stop. Before it gets to this stage I usually spot the signs and have a tight hold of the reins BUT A LIGHT or NO contact, and a deep but relaxed seat (I ride western), so I'm instantly ready for him, but he doesn't feel any tension through the reins or through my seat/legs.

I think the sudden taking hold incident had been plotted by him....he knows I won't let him charge off, so he was trying to take me by surprise! (I one-rein-stopped him, which took HIM by surprise!)
 
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