bad after workout

[Izzyagoodone]

My horse is a 10 year old TB. He has a very nice attitude before his workout. We started from scratch6 months ago when I bouhgt him. He was coming along very nicley he had gained weight. But know during and after his workout he is a really big butthead. He bucks and rears takes off and doesn't listen to my aids at all. He does really good when I lunge him with 2 lunge lines though. When I lead him out of the arena he rears and bucks and drags me around. I don't have a chain yet but am getting one to use for a while.
If you have any advice I would LOVE to read it!!
Steph

[M-A]

If your horse has gained weight and condition since you got him I expect he is feeling stronger and fitter. If he plays up when ridden and being lead, perhaps he now considers that he is higher in the herd pecking order than you are. To alter this situation, with the least stress for both of you, it might be worth looking into training techniques that get you to comunicate with your horse via body language. Examples of trainers who advocate these methods are John Lyons, Monty Roberts and Pat Parelli. They have produced various useful books and videos.

Another possibility is that something is bothering him, and making him uncomfortable. If he has gained weight it may be worth having his saddle checked to see if it is still a good fit. Perhaps he has a physical problem that needs a chiropractor or osteopath. This is very common in horses, and often overlooked when a horse is vetted. Do you know his past history? Perhaps he has had some bad experiences.

I am wondering what the chain you mention is for? Is it the type used by Lynda Tellington Jones for TTeam work? I am interested in how are you planning to fit and use it.

Hope this is of some use to you, and not just a repetition of things you have already thought/heard about.

[Outrider]

Steph,

As MA says, he is feeling healthier and with more fire in his belly. This is common in TBs off the track. It takes a bit more time with these guys than other horses. I would start back at the beginning with the basics. If he is rearing with you just trying to lead him, yep, he doesn't see you as the herd leader. The chain you refer to I assume is the stud chain. MA, it is a lead rope with a short chain at the end, used on the halter, and can go either over the top of the nose where the halter nose band is or under the chin. It provides much more control in these kinds of situations. Steph, I would get one and use it over the nose first, but as soon as he starts responding consistently well to it, put it under the chin or go back to a regular lead. Go back to basic leading and backing from the ground, then to the round pen on one line and in both directions. Put him through his paces up and down the gait transitions. When he stops on the rail, he should turn in towards you and wait until you give the next command. If he gets aggressive, send him out at a canter. Have a stock whip handy if needed. Once you re-establish that you are the boss, he should begin to settle down. This could take a while with off the track TBs, so be patient. You also might examine what you are feeding him and cut down some of the high energy content and increase the hay. Good luck and keep us informed. Happy Trails!

[M-A]

Good advice there from Outrider. I have a TB off the track, who had some interesting habits when I got her!!! Keeping her turned out as much as possible really helps, although she can still be a little monkey when she is coming into season.

[Showjumper]

I think the TTEAM chain would work wonders. It’s really good for horses which pull and are generally arrogant. It clips onto the top ring of the headcollar on the right hand side, passes down through the bottom buckle, goes over the nose, and through the lower buckle of the left hand side. This method gives more control, but once the horse respects you more, you can just tie the leadrope directly to the lwer left hand buckle. That way, if the horse pulls, you can turn him, which is more effective usually than tugging backwards or upwards.