Youngster thrown me off again

Very wise MM not worth getting badly hurt ESP for someone else's horse!
My fried has one a bit like this. Takes everything completely in his stride til a sudden unprompted explosion! She has just moved him to a yard with a round pen with 8' fences so he can just be sent forward with confidence whereas in a larger square school with 4' fences there was too much risk of him building up speed/jumping out!
 
Sounds to me like he is just very young, green and sharp. I would back right off and concentrate on groundwork solely for the next 4 to 6 months.
 
If he's shying and you tense up a little he could just be frightening himself and then panicking - a typical prey species reaction. Try having someone holding and reassuring him on a fairly long rope while you wriggle about in the saddle, slap his sides(!) and generally de-sensitise him to the unexpected coming from his back. And also, talk to him so he doesn't forget that you are there.
I wouldn't lunge him whilst ridden at this stage to be honest - if he were to set off bucking it could open a whole new set of issues for him.
Good luck, I'm sure he'll come right, probably just a dramatic welsh cob!
 
Had a similar problem with one I broke about 30 yrs ago (I was in my teens then). I'd be riding along and find myself on the floor with no warning - a huge fly buck from nowhere! She started rearing as well and I eventually gave up on her and she got turned out for a couple of years I think (I left that yard - it was the owner's horse). Anyway, years later - about 15 yrs I think - I went up there to see the people and they'd been renting out this horse and another I broke to some girls who were having a whale of a time with them and said they were really great ponies (the naughty one was about 14.2 welsh cob type). I was amazed! They later sold her onto someone who was very happy with her!
 
Sorry haven't read all the posts, but I have had one like this. I started to back him myself, having backed lots before. He was happy with your weight on but paniced when started walking forward and bolted off til I came off. Decided to do more ground work then send him away to a pro. She had no major problems got him going well, to point he was ready for sale.

Had 2 people come and see him. Well screened as very experienced riders with young horses.:rolleyes: Well the first, was hopeless and in trot as he lost his balance the horse paniced again and bolted til he came off. Did same to second rider. Sadly sent him backwards!:mad:

Sent to another pro as moved areas and he lunged the ass off him til nearly on his knees before riding!! This worked and needed less lunging as time went on. He never liked people who lost their balance and ran, but a year later he was sold and is now jumping BS up the grades. Did take a full year of pro, before he was trustworthy for sale. So there is hope, but he very nearly got the bullet.:o Not worth the risk for you, would let a pro deal with him.
 
amymay said:
Cellie I'm not saying that MM should be cantering.

MM only the breaker can decide when to canter, and as your only walking, its obviously a way off.

Who walks at his head with you when you're on board?
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oh right re read your original post think interpreted it as why arent u cantering :rolleyes:
 
I wud chuck him in the field for about 3 weeks then bring him back in lunge, long rein and back again for a couple of days. If he is happy in the first school stay in there for a few weeks gradually going a bit further or different everyday to build his confidence.

Keep a gentle but firm contact so you can feel when he is going to take a duck and learn to go with him, ride a bit john weyne style with your legs, feet until he is safer, it might look untidy but you will stay on better. Always be 100 steps ahead of what the horse might be thinking of doing, watch the ears for signs.

Once they learn how to get you off it can be hard to break the habit, just sounds a bit nervous to me so take your time, rushing him will make it worse.
 
I would be interested to know his breeding. I have known a few welsh cobs like this over the years, good for inhand showing and very typey - but totally unsuited to the ridden job. Unfortunately there are more and more being bred like this and we are losing the good, old fashioned turn a hoof to anything cobs in favour of bug eyed maniacs with a front end action that almost takes their teeth out and nothing behind!!
 
Thanks everyone, this has made interesting reading especially those who have experienced the same sort of thing themselves. I'm afraid I dont know his breeding, his passport is packed away ready for his owner to collect when she picks him up in the next few days. I believe she's going to get his back checked and then send him to a pro. I'll be very interested to see how the pro gets on with him.

It just drives me nuts that my usual methods which have always worked perfectly with other horses and ponies has failed on this little guy! I thought he'd be a breeze to do as he's such a sweetie (although typical Welshie arrogance). I like to learn WHY horses do certain things and I just cant figure this dude out.

Anyway, it sucks really as due to my own horse being seriously damaged (tendon) and on box rest, I now have nothing to ride again :( This year has sucked riding-wise! I hadnt ridden Feb to June due to baby and now this horse is going back. Am so desperate to get riding, am missing so many events - have never not had a horse to ride!
 
NeverSayNever said:
ooh MM how are you feeling? I cant imagine how ouchy it must be to come off after a CSec, as you know I had a normal delivery but am still not right and would be v sore I imagine if I came off. Poor you, I know didly squat about youngsters but it does sound like it might be time to hand this one over and be kind to yourself.
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I'm not surprised your husband wants you to give up!
What on earth are you doing even risking falling off 8 weeks after a Csection? Every-one I know who has had one has had to have help picking up the baby for the first 6 weeks! You are bound to be unbalanced, your core muscles won't have recovered yet. I should let someone else deal with this. You need a nice calm sensible, established horse to ride.
 
MagicMelon said:
Thanks everyone, this has made interesting reading especially those who have experienced the same sort of thing themselves. I'm afraid I dont know his breeding, his passport is packed away ready for his owner to collect when she picks him up in the next few days. I believe she's going to get his back checked and then send him to a pro. I'll be very interested to see how the pro gets on with him.

It just drives me nuts that my usual methods which have always worked perfectly with other horses and ponies has failed on this little guy! I thought he'd be a breeze to do as he's such a sweetie (although typical Welshie arrogance). I like to learn WHY horses do certain things and I just cant figure this dude out.

Anyway, it sucks really as due to my own horse being seriously damaged (tendon) and on box rest, I now have nothing to ride again :( This year has sucked riding-wise! I hadnt ridden Feb to June due to baby and now this horse is going back. Am so desperate to get riding, am missing so many events - have never not had a horse to ride!
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Perhaps you could let me know how owner gets on.
I have experienced same problems as you and this week hes much worse, checked out his back after work and hes really sore.Im getting back person out asap .Ive had two pros try to back, first one said he got worse the more he did and my friend who is also top instructor and eventer found him getting worse with work instead of better too.I just hope its not too serious as he is the nicest horse and will try so hard to please on ground.Like you I havent ridden for 4 months although loads of friends have offered its not same :(.Originally thought it was his baby teeth causing problems obviously not as they have been removed.
Its all starting to make sense now re back as he runs in trot and was frightened of things behind him.
Mines not bucking but trying to bolt running away from pain we think.Just waiting for appointment now:D
 
KatPT said:
Mine was similar, used to panic and deck me a fair bit, probably in part because I made a lot of mistakes, went faster than he was obviously ready for. So I won't advise on what I did as there are many more knowledgable horsemen on here than me. But I did persevere. 3years later I have a horse who is a joy to ride and be around. Some of them just need loads and loads of time.
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Agree with this. My horse who is half welsh section d was a complete nightmare to back and many people said i would never ride him, he had a dodgy back, was mad, etc ! He used to explode all of a sudden - rearing and bronking mostly. Initially this was as soon as you were on but he could do it at any time really. Think it was a combination of him panicking and general naughty and evasive behaviour(is very smart and opinionated)! Once i was able to ride him he used to try to kick my feet while on him with his hind legs! Lost count of the amount of times i came off and took months. However, i was a lot younger then and wouldnt do it now!! Think some of them just need a lot of time and patience depending on their temperament, past experiences, etc. Its different when they are your own though and in your situation its not worth the risk.
 
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