Will NOT calm down...

056775

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I have been very fortunate to land a great little jockey for my 26 YO 13.2 Arab X.

She is 11, in Pony Club, has a Pony on my yard and previously had two other horses and family are all horsey, experienced and lovely.

What are the chances?! Lucky me!

She has won several dressage comps and Ive seen her jumping her pony and a 15.2hh Cob rather nicely in un aff SJ.

However.. My pony is SO strong.. shes riden him a few times and loves him and really wants to ride him - Its not like any one is pushing her and he is very classy WHEN he behaves.

Yesterday he carted her around the school and several times couldn't get him to stand, or stay in walk and at one point to even change the rein.

He is one of those real fizzy types... He's always been the same...

He does eventually calm down but when he has an episode has a penchant for running backwards and side ways. Never bucks or rears.

Yesterday we didnt even come out of walk..... ;-(

At 26 is he ever going to calm down? I fear not...

Hes on just Happy Hoof, 16 +, Linseed and Cortaflax

Any one had one of these or any advise welcomed!
 
I think he's just one of those ponies! I used to share a 28 yo NF gelding, he was an ex show jumper and loved to do everything at warp speed. Loved that pony!
 
hhuuhhhhh


Yep ex JA.... The reason he had a fit is because I wanted him to WALK over a grid of 5 flat pole to get him to stretch a little and concentrate....

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

He saw this a 1.20m upright which needed him to have the impulsion of a race horse on approach!

6 times... no walk.
 
I'm sure it won't fix your problems completely, but bizarrely Happy Hoof is actually quite high sugar, even though it's Lami Trust marked. Might be worth trying to switch to something lower sugar just to see if it helps? Kwikbeat or similar perhaps?

Also how about giving her a few lessons on the lunge to let her get a bit more settled on him before they go it alone?
 
I'm sure it won't fix your problems completely, but bizarrely Happy Hoof is actually quite high sugar, even though it's Lami Trust marked. Might be worth trying to switch to something lower sugar just to see if it helps? Kwikbeat or similar perhaps?

Both HH and 16+ are high in molasses, so if a horse is particularly reactive to sugar, and most Arabs are, then he is getting fed rocket fuel!
 
was just about to say the other two above have just posted... maybe try something lower in sugar.
 
Thanks guys.. Will 100% look at changing that. How naughty in HH!!!

However unfortunately even when not fed and having been on a 20 mile endurance race still has the same energy levels

Also tried various "calmer's" with no resolve...

Any one come across super strength calmers?!?!?
 
My old Arab x was exactly like this!
Sorry to say no he never calmed down, no matter what he was fed etc he was a loon til the end.
But I learned to accept what work I could get out of him at home and he won everything out :)
One of the best ponies I ever had and loved him for being nuts, tought me so much.
 
God hes taught me every thing honestly and as a kid loved it because he jumps any thing looks swish and keeps going!!

He's also got the most annoying cute face and calls and wickers for me when ever he sees me even if other people are fussing him which makes it very hard to stay mad at him

She really wants to do some dressage with him which I would LOVE to see too and at my yard we have a full calender of events.. Just want him to CHILL THE FECK OUT ;-(((

Am wondering if lessons would help but I think Im a competent enough rider - but maybe some one else can offer some miracle exercises...
 
I knew a lady with a 24 year old New Forest like yours! Used to bog off with me on a regular basis but so naturally balanced that when you tried to get her back you got a great collected canter and when you let her go she could shift! Miss riding her :)
 
Exactly - when you get his attention he can do some very nice moments and we evented to quite a reasonable level...

Whilst we won many many ODE's - never started very high due to our inability to ever achieve a loose rein walk. The ponies idea of reaching for the contact was to march forward to try and catch it!
 
i wouldn't change him for the world except for when kids ride him.. If he behaved he could be riden harder which would be good for him at his age and competed which the girl would love to do and so would he.....

In 23 years owning him hes never been relaxed - constantly wired but to be fair is a dream in the stable/load/clip - I literally dont need a head collar to clip even his head- yet riding, hes crazy (crazy and happy)!
 
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