What to do when everything falls apart?

Kokopelli

Kokopelli

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 July 2010
Messages
7,170
Location
Gloucester
Visit site
Andy is the one thing that is keeping me sane as everything else is falling apart.

But the last month or so he has turned into a not so great pony. I ride because its a bit of down time for me and for enjoyment but recently I haven't been enjoying him at all.

Today was breaking point, took him on a hack he reared, cantered off then really jogged the whole way home (I mean proper jogging.)
He didn't scare me (suprisingly) I'm just upset, I loved hacking I'd go out for hours and hours on previous ponies and I just can't see that happening with Andy. I also feel sorry for him only being ridden in the school and at comps.

Tomorrow I intend to do the same hack again in hope he settles down (weather allowing) but I'm going to lunge him hard beforehand.

Any ideas on what I can do tomorrow to keep him relaxed and stop the jogging? I tried every trick in the book today. I was relaxed, I knew I was because was doing lots of relaxing techniques. Just annoyed.

On Wednesday and Saturday I got Bluechip, I'm so desperate to take him but don't know whether it is a good idea. We've already paid for classes (quite pricey) and I'm really looking forward to it. Should we go?
 
Is he normally good to hack? And were you alone, or with another horse?

What else has he been doing that's upset you - just generally being naughty or anything specific?

Could a change of feed be in order? It might be that he is just getting buzzy from the spring grass coming through...
 
I guess you might be feeding him too much? From your posts he was a bit thin and you've been pumping him up with food? Maybe now he has the spring grass it is all too much for him? I would reasses what you are feeding him and see if cutting it down a bit might make him a bit more sane.
 
We've already cut down on food, we rung up a nutritionist and we made a few changes to his feeding regime. My RI is saying its because he has the muscle and weight now to play up so he is, before he was too weak to mess around.

He's never been quiet to hack, he would walk out at a fair pace but the last couple of months he has just been jogging everywhere with his head in the air (can't use martingales) which is disheartening aswell as its no good for all his muscle development.

He's been trying it on a lot lately, having a good buck every now and again (nothing health wise is causing this) he literally tows you out to the field (unless in the dually) and has been a complete arse to catch. I can't get him to concentrate on his work he's too busy looking around. He's been doing this prior to moving yards though.

We were alone he was worse with another horse, unfortunatly we can either go out with something sane that doesn't keep up which winds him up or we can go out with something that can keep up with him but will wind him up because they aren't that sane.
 
Agree about the feeding, with all the spring grass you gotta be extra careful! I'd get him off cereals and molasses completely and go for lots of forage and fibre!

Just been through something similar with my horse, I like to put my life into little boxes (horses, relationships, social life etc) and they all seemed to go wrong at the same time! Horse has been a niiiightmare but luckily he's now fit and back competing and back to the sweetheart I know and love, I hope he didn't understand me the day I sat on him in floods of tears saying I couldn't do it anymore and he had to be sold... hang in there chook, it gets better!
 
Could he be in any pain/discomfort from his tack? If not it might be a good idea to get a vet out and have a full check done just to be on the safe side.

Lunging should definitely help to calm him down and wear him out slightly before a hack. I hope everything gets better soon x
 
Spring grass?

Feed?

I know you have been feeding him up and maybe it's blowing him up? I don't feed conditioning nuts or anything rich as my TB gets really spooky and my late TB acted like she was on speed and was awful! Baileys number 4 made her bonkers and Alfa oil has the same energy as a comp mix. I know you have needed to feed him but maybe now he needs less? I feed my tb chaff, fibre nuts and balancer and that keeps him lovely, I know they are all different. Thing is if he is that excitable and jogging he will be burning off all that expensive feed your pumping in by being silly?

If you can't change/drop his feed down he may need more work. If he was jogging with me on a hack I would trot him up steep hills for an hr, soon tires them out! Either that or I would canter round a field untill he settles. Sounds like the joys of spring and less hard feed and more work could be in order :).
 
Can't give much advice I'm afraid but I hope its a little help to know that all the horses on my yard (including ours) are the same at the moment? Think its just a mix of the spring grass, all feeding off each others high spirits and the ever changing weather winding them up!! *big hugs*
Chin up - don't forget, as he progresses, you will too.
K x
 
It could just be that the Honeymoon period is over!

Sounds like he is testing you to see how far he can go, I would keep on going and stick on a martingale (If he dosent like it chances are it is working) and maybe wear a BP whilst he is feeling very well :)
 
Have to say too that temperatures have been abnormally warm, even in March, our grass was sprouting around 3 weeks ago (you could see the new green growth in an unused paddock) so there have definately been spurts, so too much energy and a touch of Spring Fever and feeling a bit too well in Andy's case because no doubt he is fitter now too and feeling it! I took our gelding (little tub of a cob) for what was meant to be an amble in hand down the lane today (He has been lame and now is cleared by Farrier to return slowly to work) and he was so full of himself, on his toes, grew by two hands, bouncing along and I could feel the energy just oozing from him, took me all my time to keep up with him and to keep reminding him about his manners!
 
Thanks for advice. Heres hoping its spring fever!

Will shove the standing on him will hopefully help a bit.

As for wednesday I do feel like he could do it easily (I'm not going to win just for experience) I suppose we could take him and I could just warm up and if its awful I just won't jump.

Feeling a bit happier now everyone, thanks.
 
spring grass, fairies in the air, seasonal time coming, be fair he is a horse after all, lunging horses and putting them on walkers before being ridden just makes them fitter and loosens them up better so they can then go further and faster, dont punish him, relax he can also feel you are a bit stressed right now and possibly he can feel that you maybe dont like him 100%, give him a chance, enjoy it and RELAX!!
 
firewell said:
If you can't change/drop his feed down he may need more work. If he was jogging with me on a hack I would trot him up steep hills for an hr, soon tires them out! Either that or I would canter round a field untill he settles. Sounds like the joys of spring and less hard feed and more work could be in order :).
Click to expand...

Can not agree more!

Although I must say, my TB gets Alfa-A oil and Baileys No.4 cubes and he goes very well! Horses for courses.

When I feel mine is thinking of doing something stupid, either in the school or out hacking, I try and take his mind away from it. Move the bit, do a circle, lengthen/shorten strides, leg yield... we might be all happy up top but Mr. Horse can get very bored out hacking.
I also agree that your sweet and loving pony was too weak to waste precious energy spooking/being naughty. Now he's getting hotter - you've got to ride with it and get over it... it's lovely on the otherside, I promise :D
 
Probably not much help, but horses can pick up and react to the riders tension, if you are stressed he may just be reacting to that.
Don't rule out the classes just see how Andy is going in a few days and if it feels right go for it, it is more than likely the spring grass like others have said.
There are always hiccups to overcome with horses, they never give us an easy time!
 
I hate horses that jog out hacking, drives me nuts. I'd make him go at a spanking trot so he can't jog.

Slightly controversial but if he's really sticking his head up and not listening or concentrating at all, I'd be tempted to try hacking him in draw reins - just loosely - to keep his mind on the job and his head a bit more under control.

I'd also lead him in his bridle for a while and make him respect you, he does sound like he is trying it on.

Must say though I do think its largely the time of year - the ones I ride have all been pretty buzzy recently.
 
The dually halter is helping with the leading.

I was considering draw reins today, I know their very controversal but its not like I would school in them.

We got to a point where I was so fed up with jogging (I hate it aswell) I just made him trot but they only trot I got was an extended one so brought him back as didn't want him slipping on the tarmac.

Maybe tomorrow if he's not better with the standing I might borrow some draw reins.
 
You mention you cannot use a running martingale, just wondering what the prob is with one? :)

Have you thought about using a Market Harboro (if you could borrow one?) for short term - he'll just be fighting himself more rather than you. Have found it much more 'usuable' than many other 'bolt on' bits & bobs, tho you must not jump in one.

Hope the combination of spring grass/good feelings/weight now on etc works itself out of his system soon & you manage to resolve some of the problems.
 
Ahhh I'm sorry that things are having a little down moment - i've been up and down with my new boy too.

Although agree with what everyone else has said about feed, fitness and honeymoon period, could it also be that you're not so happy and he's picking up on this? I know one of our horses if you are in a bad mood she is really naughty out on a ride but a saint other times.

My old mare also used to jog and put her head up like a giraffe, I started schooling her out on the ride to keep her mind occupied...maybe you could try this?

I hope things work out. xxx
 
My horse gets like this sometimes and I find that trotting him round the arena until he is hanging helps, as he can then hack out without going ballistic at everything! Take the sting out in a controlled way for your own safety (and his!) - trot him around the arena or lunge him (or both!) before getting on. I also do what other posters have suggested and trot him up hills until he realises it is easier to walk nicely!

I have also discovered that 'Calm and Condition' is a misnomer - now the spring grass is coming through I have had to stop it (despite him needing a bit more condition really) as it was tipping him over the edge into insanity!
 
Although I'm not happy when I get to the yard I pick up a lot.

The problem with the running is it touches his mouth which he doesn't like as he is quite sensitive in his mouth. I would only use the standing for hacking though, when we jump its like the both of us are in a different mind set.

I do school out on the ride but it got to the point today that themoment I out my leg on or shifted my seat to ask for leg yiel, shoulder in or something similar he just went forward.
 
head in air + bucking + rearing can = hollowing back and avoiding pain.

He'll be changing shape quite a lot at the moment (good as he was in a very poor state) and tack might well now be pinching.

Loads of other good advice on here but do get saddle re-checked as he puts on weight and muscle.
 
Kokopelli said:
Although I'm not happy when I get to the yard I pick up a lot.

The problem with the running is it touches his mouth which he doesn't like as he is quite sensitive in his mouth. I would only use the standing for hacking though, when we jump its like the both of us are in a different mind set.

I do school out on the ride but it got to the point today that themoment I out my leg on or shifted my seat to ask for leg yiel, shoulder in or something similar he just went forward.
Click to expand...

The running shouldn't touch his mouth!! You should always have rein stops on to avoid this! I think the spring grass is coming through. One of the horses on the yard I'm on is very hyper at the moment and they're not coming to stand at the gate at tea-time - they seem happy to be left out which is usually a sign that spring is on it's way.
 
Spring grass I feel and being well fed, but my old skewbald only jogged when he was happy and with a buck and a squeal, my riding position came on treat, as I found fighting him to slow down wore me out, both phyiscally and temperwise, so use to drop the reins and let him get on with it.
 
We had saddle done on Wednesday and vet check there is nothing physical causing this.

I have also found calm and condition to be an awful feed. Not only did it make him nuttier it also didn't put any weight on :p
 
OP please do not take this personally, but instead of finding fault in your horse what about you, you have already said that your not in the best place at the moment, this can transpire to a horse so easy.

somedays when im not in a good frame of mind i know theres no point in me even getting on a horse i learnt that lesson long ago.

walk him out in hand, do you have music on your mobile, stick a headfone in put some up beat music on and go for a wander, horses are wonderful therpy if we allow them to be.

as for draw reins, if he doesnt like a running martingale then I wouldnt bother, you clearly have control of him so habits like jogging they are unlikley to stop.

if you want to go and compete just go, If your going to be chilled out and enjoy it, if your going to be full of stress dont bother its not fair on the horse or yourself.
 
Holly Hocks said:
The running shouldn't touch his mouth!! You should always have rein stops on to avoid this! I think the spring grass is coming through. One of the horses on the yard I'm on is very hyper at the moment and they're not coming to stand at the gate at tea-time - they seem happy to be left out which is usually a sign that spring is on it's way.
Click to expand...

I am pretty sure she means when he puts his head up and the running martingale comes into action, he doesn't like the feeling on his mouth :rolleyes:
 
Holly Hocks said:
The running shouldn't touch his mouth!! You should always have rein stops on to avoid this! I think the spring grass is coming through. One of the horses on the yard I'm on is very hyper at the moment and they're not coming to stand at the gate at tea-time - they seem happy to be left out which is usually a sign that spring is on it's way.
Click to expand...

No I mean when he puts his head up it pulls on the rein which then pulls on his mouth.

I'm hoping its just spring grass, if so when would it wear off?
 
xspiralx said:
I am pretty sure she means when he puts his head up and the running martingale comes into action, he doesn't like the feeling on his mouth :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Ah, got you now! I thought she meant when the rings went down and touched the bit! In that case, I would try a standing.....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top