Horse not listening to me anymore....

[joey_olop]

Ive just started riding again after my accident. Blackie has been on holiday for about 3 weeks now & boy does he know it!!

He just isnt listening to me. If I ask him to do something(Ive been practicing walk, halt & walk on again) he will throw his head up & rear up with me:eek:

When I ask for canter he raises his head & tanks around the menage with me not listening to anything I ask.

He has also started to get very bargy with me pushing me out of the way, pulling me over to eat grass when being led & pulling evil faces at me.

He has never acted like this before-he is very healthy had his saddle, back & teeth checked regulary(sp??).

I hate seeing him act like this cos I feel like I cant get anywhere with him-any advice please???

[Joyscarer]

I wonder if it is a good idea to get a feel for you horse on the ground again. Work to make sure that he respects you on the ground before going for the the ridden work.

I think taking a look at Kelly Mark's 'Perfect Manners' would really be of benefit to you :)

[joey_olop]

Thanks-I think I do need to invest in that book!!

What ground work can I do with him then??

Anyone else got any ideas-getting very frustrated at being carted around the yard by bolshy, too big for his boots pony that thinks he is still on holiday :rolleyes:

[Fanshawe]

Definately ground work- in an arena if you can. Do lots of walk halt transitions (on the ground) and if he doesn't listen get him to back up. Walk slower and faster and make sure he goes at the same speed, do turns and get him to move away from you. Keep lots of variety in it. Walk over trotting poles etc and stop just after/just before then walk on. Anything to keep his mind active. If he barges stick your elbow out and he will walk in to it-he won't see you as causing him discomfort but he will find barging you an unpleasant experience. If the elbow doesn't work then turn a whip the wrong way round and stick it under your elbow and let him barge in to that!
The other thing to look at his feed- may need to reduce it significantly to reduce his energy levels! Good luck!

[joey_olop]

Thanks Fanshawe-some good excersises there :)
He is literally on grass at the mo as Ive not done anything with him for a few weeks, so def not his feed causing the bargyness.

Will def have a go at some ground work though.
Thanks again :)

[Bobbin]

I am noticing this with Bry aswell, she's been out of work for nearly 2 months due to her spavins getting worse in her right hind. She will be coming into work again next week so I am starting to walk her out inhand under saddle this week. Last night she was nappy, stubborn and dragged to every grass verge she could find.

I tried being nice but I know she has had the best treatment so she shouldn't be very sore anymore therefore a stern word, a wallop and determination saw her return to her normal well mannered self again fairly quickly. I am in no doubt she will test the boundries under saddle aswell.

For 2 months she's been left to her own devices somewhat and developed stronger herd bondings than with me, we just need to re-instate that heirachy again ie she's below me.

[ailomac2007]

Hi now not knowing anything about what type of an accident you had your pony is testing you to see are you capable of looking after him.
Basically you need to ask yourself why is he doing this to you.
You do not say who looked after him when you had your accident.
When a pony or a horse has a particular person looking after them and this person leaves for one reason or another they need to then look after themselves so he became the lead in the relationship with whoever was looking after him when you could not.
Now you are back on the scene he remains the leader and he will continue to do so until you establish a relationship again with him.
Yes you need to do ground work with him and start walking him around with a long rope.

Use plenty of changes of direction with him and get him thinking. If he pushes into you ask him to move back a quick shake of the rope will get him to move back if this is ineffective gently askhiim him to step back by applying some pressure on his shoulder DO NOT PUSH AS IF YOU PUSH HE WILL PUSH AND HE IS STRONGET THAN YOU!!


hE JUST NEEDS GUIDANCE

[ailomac2007]

aLSO you say he is not listening to you. He is LISTENING horses rear because of the way we manage them,
you do not specify what your accident was but if if was a fall from a horse i presume you are still nervous when you sit back up. YOU may not think you are nervous but horses can feel our heart beats so if you are holding your breath your horse is also.

Horses rear because they have no where else to go, if you ask to much with the reins squeeze too much with your legs he has no option as to go up on his back legs.

Do some ground work get him moving in all directions free up his feet .
Remember to breath when you are riding him and consciously take deep, exagerated breaths to remind yourself.
GOOD LUCK :)

[joey_olop]

aLSO you say he is not listening to you. He is LISTENING horses rear because of the way we manage them,
you do not specify what your accident was but if if was a fall from a horse i presume you are still nervous when you sit back up. YOU may not think you are nervous but horses can feel our heart beats so if you are holding your breath your horse is also.

Horses rear because they have no where else to go, if you ask to much with the reins squeeze too much with your legs he has no option as to go up on his back legs.

Do some ground work get him moving in all directions free up his feet .
Remember to breath when you are riding him and consciously take deep, exagerated breaths to remind yourself.
GOOD LUCK :)

I got kicked in the field by another horse-it wasny him that did it to me :o
I was on crutches, my partner looked after him with me there, all he did was feed & groom him for about 2 weeks.

Its like he is really annoyed & that's why he is playing up for for me. Its also like he is being hard done by when being asked to work, he is very lazy in the school, napping & when asked to do things he will throw his head up in the air or start rearing or eevn bucking.

Im going to have to get someone out to him as Im not physically strong enough to handle him at the moment :( My partner has only just got into horse's & I dont want to ruin his confidence by letting him handle him all the time.

[ailomac2007]

Hi ok just from reading this your horse saw your partner as a means of delivering food for the time you were away from him,
Did this horse pass past him or barge in any way when he he was feeding him any day maybe he did but he did not know it possibly the horse could have barged and your partner left down the feed and the horse saw that as a way of getting food.
It is diffficult to say when i cannot see what the horse is doing but yea you do need someone who can work and teach you some ground skills with your horse
Remember you need to work with your horse if someone else works with the horse they may establish a relationship but the minute the horse is in your hands again he will test you and become bargy.