Young horse 'running' through the hand

[saddlesore]

Horse is a h/w cob, recently turned 5 and has decided that he knows best about everything. According to him ploughing on full tilt on the forehand and leaning is the best option. He does this in all paces including walk. Transitions upwards are snappy but VERY poor down the way. Been trying lots of transitions to lighten him and slow him down. Any good exercises to try? I ride him in a full cheek myler comfort snaffle.

 

[be positive]

For him at the moment it probably seems like the easiest option, he will be unbalanced, still maturing physically and mentally and not ready to carry himself properly for at least another year or two, it is not a conscious decision in his part to go onto his forehand but simply a stage he will go through until he can take more weight on his hind legs and begin to carry himself in a more uphill way.

I think you have to be very careful with these heavy cobs that want to go forward that you don't encourage rushing by doing too much too soon or working too much on the upward transitions before they can come back down without falling on their heads, I prefer to find their natural, or maybe slightly slower than natural, rhythm in trot and stay in that while I play about with a little leg yielding, flexing both ways and do a soft downward transition to a really relaxed walk while still moving them about, then ensure the upward transition remains soft and relaxed even if it loses a little snappiness as that snappy reaction can be causing tension which you need to avoid.

I would do as much hacking and in straight lines as possible so he is working evenly both sides without you having to work on keeping to a circle or turning a corner which can put them back onto their forehand in these early stages.
Once they are happy to remain in the steady rhythm with little interference you should find the hind leg is stepping under more and the forehand starts to lift naturally with you doing less to influence matters, he will then be ready to move on as he will be stronger, in better balance with the beginnings of self carriage.

 

[saddlesore]

Thanks for your reply. He is very forward thinking with a tendency to tense and rush. I do try to keep him slow but any chance he gets he's away again. He also finds it difficult to halt, he fidgets a lot and moves his feet. I'm glad to hear you think it's probably due to his age and stage rather than bloody mindedness!