advice please. evil pony

[walterthepony]

My darling little Walter has been acting up lately. And by lately i mean several months. Whenever a horse leaves the ring and we are alone, he goes crazy and either bucks me off or tries to buck me off so he can gallop back to the barn. I'm really sick of falling off and terrified that i'm going to lose my pony because my RI thinks he's unsafe and wants me to get a different horse. She also thinks he's limiting me so she already wants him gone...
Does anyone else have problems like that with their pony? separation anxiety or whatnot. Or do you have any suggestions on how to fix it? My RI isn't helping at all.

[notpoodle]

oh no!! that's not very kind of walther :o

has he always done this or is it a new thing? does he do it with any horse leaving the ring, or does he have some kind of pair bond he doesn't like leaving?

i'm no expert, unfortunately (hang on, i'd rather gauge my own eyes out than be an 'expert!', but that's by the by!), but i would suggest to be firm (might not work if he bucks you off though ...), have his tack and back and teeth checked just in case it's an illfitting saddle that's making him buck. you could also try leading him round the arena on foot when others leave, that way at least you won't fall off. or maybe your RI could help you? of she has no help or advice to offer other than 'get rid off him', she doesn't strike me as a very good RI, to be honest :o

Julia
x

[ringtor]

If you work him in hand and his mates go back to the barn does he listen to you or act like a fish on a line? Might be safer to fix this first.
I would go back to the barn and then do some really sharp riding - small circles, backing, side pass until he is really listening then go away a few yards and let him rest. He should get the idea that it is quieter and easier to stay away from the barn.
Does your RI mean that you dont ride well enough to do this? If you can't be firm with an independant seat this may upset your pony more so perhaps someone else should ride him.

[walterthepony]

If you work him in hand and his mates go back to the barn does he listen to you or act like a fish on a line? Might be safer to fix this first.
I would go back to the barn and then do some really sharp riding - small circles, backing, side pass until he is really listening then go away a few yards and let him rest. He should get the idea that it is quieter and easier to stay away from the barn.
Does your RI mean that you dont ride well enough to do this? If you can't be firm with an independant seat this may upset your pony more so perhaps someone else should ride him.
he does it with everyone.

walter update: coming soon

[CER1389]

Whats he like working completley by himself? So that he doesn't have the excuse of the others leaving?
Might be a confidence issue, do a lot of work by himself so he gets used ot just listening and working to you.
What about if they were 6 of you in the arena? Even just all standing still? And one at a time you asked the people t oleave. Have someone holding Walter whilst you are on him. Ask them to leave one at a time and the return. So for example as the second person left then the first person could come back in? So Walter gets used to the idea that horses will leave, but he isn't on his own and they do return?

Hope things get sorted out soon