Help........, naughty horse (sorry a bit long)

[EMMYOH]

Paddy is really trying my patients at the moment. He bucked me off a fortnight ago in the paddock and as a result I've strained the ligaments and muscles in my back, I'm not s'posed to be riding for a bit but I thought if I took it easy I would be ok.

The first couple of days (cos I was on holiday for a week) he went really well, we just went for a little walk along the road so I thought I'd take him a bit further today, cos my back wasn't hurting as much. Started off well, been out about 10 mins when he decided he didn't like the colour of the car we were trying to pass, after much walking backwards we eventually got passed.

He messed around a bit more but nothing serious until we were on our way back to the yard. He bolted onto the road, good job there were no cars coming, then proceeded to dance down the road, I don't think I've ever had him on such tight reins. Then approaching the junction he thought it would be funny to dance around a bit more, do his crab impressions and then thought it was a good idea to try and buck me off in the middle of the road, a busy road. All the traffic had to stop and I was so embarrased but that aside how do I stop him behaving like such a clown??This could've been really dangerous but I was fortunate enough that the traffic could see what was going on and gave me time and space, but how do I overcome this?

If I take him in the paddock he just messes around and walks backwards and I know he likes hacking out but this has made me think what I should be doing. Any advice and help wpuld be greatly appreciated, sorry this is so long, rant over!!!

[Cathy Reynolds]

Quote: "as a result I've strained the ligaments and muscles in my back, I'm not s'posed to be riding for a bit but I thought if I took it easy"

I think you need to both go back to basics together and think through what's happening. Either he is trying you out to see who's boss, or he is genuinely trying to communicate distress. If he hasn't been bolshie up to now, there HAS to be a reason.

Take your time, work him from the ground and re-establish your relationship - you're in charge, remember and riding should be fun. Do non-riding games, lunge etc.

One guess might be you were actually communicating tenseness about feeling sore, and knowing you needed to protect your back ligaments.

[Miriam]

Em sounds like there is something in their water:) Rhi acted like an idiot tonight with Dan.

Seriously though let me know when you can hack out and we'll see how the pair of them go. Didn't think to ask did you notice if he was lame at all?

Bet if Katherine rides him tomorrow he'll be as good as gold :rolleyes:

[AJB]

tight reins and a bucking horse are not a good idea....you maybe needed to relax the rein a bit and make him think about what he was doing, a few circles in the road or change direction???? I agree with Cathy, go back to ground works and lunge lots and maybe when you are feeling better take him out in hand or lunge before you ride to see if will settle-can you hack with a steady companion-hacking alone is not a safe option on a horse that plays up in traffic or may buck you off!!! take some time off to rest yourself first though!!

[Miriam]

I've know Paddy for a while now and he has never done this sort of thing in the road before unless he has gotten a fright. He is normally good to hack alone and will hack with any other horse. He has never liked to work in the paddock :rolleyes:

I have a feeling he is trying it on but could be wrong.

[EMMYOH]

Thanks for your advice everybody. Think I will try lunging him for a bit.

Relaxing the rein tonight was not an option. Normally when he decides he wants to play up and walk backwards, that's what I do but tonight everytime I slackened off he just tried to canter off. I felt that I had at least some control when I had him on a tight rein whereas he would have just taken off if I hadn't.

He does play up in the paddock, because he's bored, but he's never acted like this before, and I have hacked him out alone and he is normally as good as gold in traffic, even when boy racers race past him, so I can't understand what's up!

Think as Miriam says, there's something in the water!!!!Hopefully he'll be calmer at the weekend! (fingers crossed!)

[horseloveer]

Probably obvious, but what was he up to for the the 2 weeks you could not ride him? Stabled or turned out? Did you cut down on hard feed if he wasn't being ridden?

[Miriam]

Whilst Emily was away he was hacked out by Katherine who is a BHS instructor and has ridden Pad in the past. He was out in the paddock all day and night. Only change in way both him and Rhi are being fed is that because their last paddock was so bare we decided to give them hay every other day so that they get something to eat and did not become bolshy through lack of food. Also Rhi was put on her Slim and Healthy and Pad is on Happy Hoof (one handful and he is 15hh). Can't really see either of these having a huge effect. Neither of them get a huge amount more of a token feed.

Sorry Em I seem to be answering the questions for you.

[EMMYOH]

That's okay Miriam, you know more about him and are more experienced than I am, you know I appreciate all your help and advice:) :)

Hope Katherine manages to blast it out of him today.

I honestly think it is something to do with that paddock. Neil had better watch out cos if I see his son on his own............I'm sure I'd be able to enlist all the girls help!!!!!!

[Tootsie4U]

Has he gained a bit of weight - or even lost some?

Backing and bucking could be distress as was mentioned earlier. Do you think he is in pain somewhere? (teeth, back, etc?)

[EMMYOH]

Yeah, he has lost some weight, and that's all his owner(I just ride him) thinks it is down to. She doesn't seem too think it is anything serious i.e bad fitting saddle, teeth etc. I think he just tries it on with me, how do I show him who's boss?

[Tootsie4U]

A loss of weight, or a gain in weight means a body style change which in turn can mean he is feeling discomfort in his saddle fit. Just a thought. I've learned a tough lesson a few months ago when I ignored the OBVIOUS signs my horse was giving me that his saddle didnt fit right anymore.

[Tootsie4U]

And, a secondary lesson I learned was first look for the physical before you look into the psychological!!!!! ;)

If physical is ok, and your sure it is, then you can determine its a naughty horse trying to stake his claim!!! Then, you work at becoming boss... we're always here to help, so no reason to give up :)

Horse riding is a team sport between you and the horse! When it becomes a game of domination, no one has fun. Mutual respect is what you aim for and good luck :)

[Miriam]

Originally posted by EMMYOH


Hope Katherine manages to blast it out of him today.

I honestly think it is something to do with that paddock. Neil had better watch out cos if I see his son on his own............I'm sure I'd be able to enlist all the girls help!!!!!!

Katherine rode him tonight. Don't know how she got on as by the time I arrived back on yard with Rhi her dad was up to pick her up so did not get a chance to really talk to her.

Oh I'm sure you could :D Wonder if he is coming to the Celieh (sp)

[Miriam]

Originally posted by Tootsie4U
Has he gained a bit of weight - or even lost some?

Backing and bucking could be distress as was mentioned earlier. Do you think he is in pain somewhere? (teeth, back, etc?)

He has had to loose some weight due to being diagnosed with the beginnings of Navicular (I think will have to double check). When his owner got him at the end of last summer he was terribly overweight. So she was still trying to get his weight down this year. She was instructed by the vet to get the weight off him.

Pain was what I was thinking which was why I asked if he was lame.

It could be that they are in a smaller paddock and cannot kick their feet as much although there is room for a few rounds of canter but not a flat out gallop like their last paddock. Rhi is still acting all bolshy. Just like she is full of the joys of spring :rolleyes: