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gemmypie44

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I have just brought a 4 yr old shire x warmblood who has the head of a 14 yr old he is brilliant in everyway perfect in the school has brilliant manners apart from out hacking at crossings he will just not stop. He is fearless n I worry if I don't find a effective way of stopping him through training I will have to part with him before he gets killed or injured on the road. I have no choice but to hack as soon I will lose my schooling facilities. He will stop on any part of the road an in the school but not at junctions he try to pull through his loose ring snaffle bit I don't want to change it as he works well in it except for this 1 problem, he seems not to understand why he needs to stop and gets upset an stamps his feet and back up when I finally get him to stop but I can't keep been so heavy handed because I will ruin his mouth! He hacks alone, and as I say this is his only fault. Do I keep throwing him in at the deep end and just keep fighting with him at junctions or is there something I can do to stop him? Any advice may just be a life saver! he is fearless and I love this quality especially for his age, but I'm worried it might just get us hurt
 
could you not get someone to come out on foot a few times and stand beside him at junctions and praise him for standing still? It might get him to understand what is required of him.
 
Sorry but my advice would be to change the bit. If it is as bad as you say then saving his and probably your life is more important. Pulling on his mouth in a loose ring will not be doing him any good better to have a bit that he will answer to and not have to pull so hard on.
 
I'm by myself you see. But so you think it would work if I lead him? He is strong that's all I'm.worried about. Is it a good idea feeding him treats if he stands still because they so seem to get his attention so far.
 
Chestnuttymare is right. You need to go with someone experienced, on a well behaved horse to sort out this potentially dangerous problem. Ask the person to ride ahread of you to the junction and stop in front of you, thus forming a barrier. Ask your horse to stand and, if he does it, loads of soothing and praise. When you move off, don't necessarily immediately cross the junction. After all, often a car comes along faster than we would wish and we may decide not to cross after all for a minute. If your horse thinks that move off automatically means 'cross the junction' you will still have a problem. Teach him to listen to your commands and to understand that he may be asked to halt again.

I'm sure it's not an insurmountable problem. He's a very young horse and, as you say, brilliant in every other way. But what's the point of a horse if you're stuck in the school for ever and scared to hack? Hope it works out - just give it time.
 
If the treat thing works then I don't see why not. I still think you need someone on his back and someone on the floor. Is there not a friend or oh who could help you?
You could also practice in the yard. Just getting him to stand for a bit and maybe stretching round for a polo. He is just young, you will sort this out, If he is perfect in every other way he is obviously a quick learner.
 
Thanks :) yes that seems a better idea I just need to find someone that can help me with that. He just needs bringing on a bag of treats will probably do the trick as well. About the bit if it obviously needs changing if this dosent work what would you recommend?
 
If he is snaffle mouthed and he is comfortable in it, then I would be reluctant to change it just for one wee issue. I know it can ptentially be dangerous, but it is a small issue in that it is just teaching him to stand quietly when it is required of him at the junctions. That's just my opinion though. If you put him in a stronger bit, then you could still end up fighting with him but with something more harsh in his mouth. I just feel it is better to deal with the problem at source rather than forcing him to do it with a stronger bit. It's all about education and him understanding and wanting to comply rather than being forced. I am just thinking about the long term rather than a quick fix. If something is upsetting him about stopping there, it is better that he learns that there is nothing to be worried about rather than trying to force him. does that make sense? it is getting late and my brain is getting a bit mushy lol
 
gemmypie44 said:
Thanks :) yes that seems a better idea I just need to find someone that can help me with that. He just needs bringing on a bag of treats will probably do the trick as well. About the bit if it obviously needs changing if this dosent work what would you recommend?
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Get a good instructor to go out with you and they should be able to help you with this problem. Sorry I didn't see that he was only 4 I did see 14 just re-read you post again. So in a 4 year old a harsher bit would not be a good idea so forget that and get a good instructor to work with you and the horse.:)
 
Do you know how to do a one-rein stop? If you can teach him how to do this in a quiet area, it might be useful for the problem. That way, you could try a normal stop - if he doesn't respond, use the one-rein stop. When he responds, praise him and have him stand. If he moves off, use it again until you tell him to go.

Only make him stand a short time at first but gradually make it longer. Always try the normal stop first. Eventually he should get it. At a walk, it's a very low-key method to stop, they pick it up quickly and it's very clear.

As he's a young, strong horse, learning a one-rein stop would be handy anyway.
 
totally agree with the one rein stop. I taught my mare it some years ago. If i ask her to stop i just really lower my energy and give a vocal command. If I need to use the reins at all I only ever use one. It is the most useful thing.
I haven't asked this but what exactly does he do? Does he just pull?
Still standing by what i have already said though about having someone to go out with you but think the one rein stop is invaluable.
 
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