Training tips for very forward horse when behind rather than in front, ignoring my aids.

[PONYPC]

Good morning, I have an amazing 15 yo Connemarra, I know what he enjoys i.e. he's quite a plod doing flat work, yet he is forward jumping. We are very lucky in having amazing hacking in a very large woodland, next to the yard, which he really enjoys and is forward. My issue is when behind he is super strong and doesn't listen to my aids willingly and has even over taken the lead on one occasion and now ignores a stronger bit we have tried. Yet when he is in front he's an angel, his canter is collected and he listens to my aids. I would like to go on group rides, which we know when in front he is wonderful but behind he becomes very unmanigeable, or is it just a question of repitition repetition, until be becomes more a custom to being behind, many thanks for your time and tips.

 

[Gloi]

My friend has a Connie cross just like this. When out in a group, for a quiet life, we just let her go in front. She has tried lots of different ways but he still gets totally wound up if behind and he's nearly ready to retire now. Sorry that's no help, but I'd just ride with people who don't mind being behind you.

 

[Fluffypiglet]

In many years of riding out with others, its always just been accepted that one is likely to want to be in front and others are ok being behind. Not something I’ve ever tried to change tbh. well matched hacking partners are great. Mismatched hacking partners not so good….

 

[millikins]

Ours is 23 and still much the same. He's not quite so unmanageable these days if behind but sulks, falls over his feet and is constantly looking for a gap to squeeze in front. If he's more polite in front as ours is then unless there is another reason e.g. my daughter's pony needed to practice being in front, then let him lead.

 

[Peglo]

When I go hacking with our field mate she has to be in front. We just let her as then everyone is happy. Is it a possibility that you can lead on hacks?

 

[PONYPC]

When I go hacking with our field mate she has to be in front. We just let her as then everyone is happy. Is it a possibility that you can lead on hacks?

Hi, we have a riding school attached to our yard and there are rides with "older" people more my age, whom are very nice and sociable, hence the lead rider is one of the instructors, and I am not great on directions so may get lost, but I could ask of course a good idea. It's nice to know it's not just me doing anything wrong, I have a great bond with my horse but he does try an get his own way, he is very intelligent, love him to bits.

 

[scats]

I had a pony who would leap on the back of other horses if she was behind. She put a previous owner in hospital as a result. I just accepted she needed to be at the front for safety reasons.

 

[Skib]

I am comforted by this thread. I share a "lead mare" who likes to lead and though I did for a time canter her second, it involved my leaving a long gap between her and the horse ahead.
I solved it by asking my escort to let me always canter first which due to my elderly age has been granted.
It does however irk me that I cant control her in canter when following. Since I now hack solo, I guess it is a skill I will never achieve.

 

[Palindrome]

did you try putting him in shoulder in? They usually slow down as it is harder work, I increase the angle if it's too easy.
It is all good saying let him go first, but what do you do if several horses want to be in front?

 

[PONYPC]

did you try putting him in shoulder in? They usually slow down as it is harder work, I increase the angle if it's too easy.
It is all good saying let him go first, but what do you do if several horses want to be in front?

Thank you, I will definately try that, as yes I may find myself in that position, thank you.

 

[PSD]

My Connie used to be the same. She would lose her mind if even one horse was ahead of her. I left her up front for an “easier” life. She was still a PITA but there was less leaping and bunny hops if she was in front ?

 

[oldie48]

I'm with Palindrome on this but I'd also say to pick your battles. I've had one that would get wound up if not at the front and another that would get wound up on the way home. The answer to both was to use the energy to make them work hard, so on the bit, deep and round (no, not rollkur!)and that may be enough to take the edge off him. If it isn't, then shoulder in. I used to do ten steps shoulder in right, then ten left and keep alternating. However, it's not use trying it if you are riding along with others who slop along, not fair on the horse IMO as you will need to keep slowing the horse and tbh a good marching walk is what you need. When you can do it reliably in walk then move up to trot, just short bursts initially until you feel confident that you can control the pace. If you want a canter then i'd say go up in front and make sure you are riding with people who you can trust not to overtake Good luck, it can be frustrating and take time to deal with fwiw I learned to get proper control in the school first. I know you say the horse is lazy in the school but tbh it's all part of the same problem, your horse is deciding on the pace rather than listening to you.

 

[PONYPC]

I'm with Palindrome on this but I'd also say to pick your battles. I've had one that would get wound up if not at the front and another that would get wound up on the way home. The answer to both was to use the energy to make them work hard, so on the bit, deep and round (no, not rollkur!)and that may be enough to take the edge off him. If it isn't, then shoulder in. I used to do ten steps shoulder in right, then ten left and keep alternating. However, it's not use trying it if you are riding along with others who slop along, not fair on the horse IMO as you will need to keep slowing the horse and tbh a good marching walk is what you need. When you can do it reliably in walk then move up to trot, just short bursts initially until you feel confident that you can control the pace. If you want a canter then i'd say go up in front and make sure you are riding with people who you can trust not to overtake Good luck, it can be frustrating and take time to deal with fwiw I learned to get proper control in the school first. I know you say the horse is lazy in the school but tbh it's all part of the same problem, your horse is deciding on the pace rather than listening to you.

Thank you, really informative and helpfull, i will give it a try.