Young horse's new drama

[Catherine Taylor]

I recently purchased a young horse after being an experienced horse owner for countless years and having youngsters previously. However after everything going smoothly, bar the few hiccups to be expected, he had to have 2 weeks off due to the weather where the school was a no-go. Now we have bought him back into work. However I am having to lunge him before getting on as he is full of it, and when I do get on he is very nappy towards the gate end of the school to the point of bronking and rearing and he is rather athletic! bar stucking through it does any one have any ideas for an over-excitable explosive youngster in this weather?
all help appreciated

 

[Munchkin]

Is he turned out?
How long has he been backed?
Are you hacking him at all or working him in the school only?
How regularly do you ride him, for how long and what do you do with him in that time?

Sounds like he's feeling full of himself and is bored with school work. Are you able to get on him every day even if only for ten minutes? And are you able to hack him out, or even walk him out, to give him a change of scenery or are you replying on arena lighting at the moment?

I'd try to vary his work as much as possible. Lunging before you ride isn't a bad idea anyway, better for him to get rid of that excess without you having to sit it out! I'd even suggest that your next few sessions are purely related to getting him to go nicely past the gate and once he's done that, praising him and finishing your session. Once he's realised behaving means praise, start to gradually add new things to his schooling sessions, but keep them short, sweet and regular.

Good luck with him.

 

[Aperchristmas]

Agree with Munchkin, keep his work varied and in short sessions. IMO with youngsters, it is often better to avoid confrontation by keeping things short than slog it out for an hour with them learning more tricks to avoid work. Does he hack? If you can get out of the school with a sensible nanny horse, hacking would be a nice break for him.

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

whats in his bucket every morning and night? i would suggest good hay only, and as much turnout as possible, have you the use of a walker?. when riding keep him thinking! so many turns/loops/transitions/poles etc. also how old is he? when was he broken? if long term bad weather sweeps in might be best to turn away and pick up again in better climate!