Trot issue with me newly backed sec D

E

express_75

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Hi

I've had one of my Welsh cobs since he was a yearling and he's just turned 4. I sent him to be professionally backed 8 weeks again and he was schooled and the additional 2 weeks covered hacking alone and in company in all traffic and countyside etc.
Hes going fab..unflappable and I'm very pleased with him apart from when I ask him to trot, he leaps forward and sticks his head up. He didn't do this at all when I schooled him at the breakers yard; he was working on a light contact and in a lovely outline. It feels awful and really odd, like he's reaching up with his front legs as if to canter. I've told the guy who backed him and he's going to come and see what's going on.
I know his tusks are beginning to come through - could this be the problem.? Or is it me? He's done this in the school and out on a hack this evening.
Any advice will be really appreciated.
 
Sounds like a bit of a balance issue with him. Mine has done a bit similar (he's just 4 now)so it's probably a really good idea for the person who backed him to come and give you some advice. They need to use their back end and it sounds like yours is throwing himself in to trot a bit.

His teeth could be causing a bit of an issue but I wouldn't have thought it woukd change how he trots. Maybe a bit of sensitivity when you take a contact but that's it. He will have to adjust to how you ride him in comparison to how the person who backed him did it.

I'm sure with some help you will get it together with him.
 
Have you checked the fit of the saddle lately as baby horses change shape quite dramatically as the develop muscles for carrying the rider.

Tush teeth coming through may be causing problems - buy him some Bonjela and rub into areas before riding.

I you have a lunge cavesson try riding him with the reins on the noseband to see if this stops the problem.

Are you planning your transitions carefully so that his head is down (long & low) before asking for trot. Try asking with your voice alone, then legs and voice.

Baby horses can be very frustrating as they seem to come on in leaps and bounds one day and go backwards the next.

We'd love some pics of your youngster
 
He was started with all the basics and then went on to walk, lots of trotting and then short sessions of canter. I'm following all the advice I was given when I brought him home - light contact and plenty of seat / leg as he's teething and I understand this is all new to him. He does seem to drop the more leg I give him but I don't want to mess things up so will get the person who backed him to watch us and advise accordingly.
Thanks for replies.
 
Tnavas said:
Baby horses can be very frustrating as they seem to come on in leaps and bounds one day and go backwards the next.
Click to expand...

Ditto this (we're on the 'backwards' a few steps at the moment! lol)

I woudn't though be concerned baout where his head is at the moment though, just think about how you are preparing for a transition and how his body is moving. Don't be keen to push him too forward out of his natural rhythm.
 
Tnavas said:
Have you checked the fit of the saddle lately as baby horses change shape quite dramatically as the develop muscles for carrying the rider.

Tush teeth coming through may be causing problems - buy him some Bonjela and rub into areas before riding.

I you have a lunge cavesson try riding him with the reins on the noseband to see if this stops the problem.

Are you planning your transitions carefully so that his head is down (long & low) before asking for trot. Try asking with your voice alone, then legs and voice.

Baby horses can be very frustrating as they seem to come on in leaps and bounds one day and go backwards the next.


We'd love some pics of your youngster
Click to expand...

It's very frustrating but I'm sure ill get there - I remember feeling like this when I'd bought a 4 yr old mare at the cob sales. Daunting but so worth it in the end.
The bonjela sounds great!
Maybe not planning my transitions properly so note taken x
 
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