I fell off too...(long)

[pattir7]

Ugh. I bought my guy about two months ago having finally thought I found a horse suitable for me (well behaved, steady as a rock, etc.). Tonight, I found out otherwise. I haven't lost all faith in him but what he did has 'set me back' a bit. He's normally turned out every day but has been in for the last two days because of the bad weather. He's been 'challenging' me on ground on the lunge line...nothing serious... but he'll turn his head in and almost trot sideways.... almost defiantly. I don't let him get away with this and 'get after him' for this behaviour...but it is a bit unnerving to me that he is doing it in the first place....

So... my daughter is taking a lesson with me....and it is hard to keep my guy (a gelding) away from her. He'd speed up when he got near her...pass her... even cut her off... I was afraid for my daughter. I hadn't cantered on him yet. I had been trying to build up my strength and courage to do so. I was on the opposite side of the arena as my daughter and was just suppose to trot a circle while my daughter cantered on her horse. As soon as she started cantering, my boy sped up. I tried to ask him to stop the way I normally do... sit back, squeeze with my upper thigh, pull back a little on the reins. At least I *think* that's what I did. He broke into a hand gallop, head up, neck like a brick wall... I came up behind her horse fast and I absolutely did NOT want him to run into her...and in my effort to turn him, I came off.

I don't know what happened. Why did he do that? He's never acted like that around other horses...always the 'steady eddy' even when other horses are misbehaving. I can't figure out if I asked him for canter, if he was challenging me in the saddle, or he just had a 'thing' for her horse, or was just all '****y' from being inside for the last two days.

The good news is that his hand gallop (fast canter) is very smooth. If I hadn't been struggling to get him to turn and panicked that my daughter would get hurt, I probably could have sat that....but I was terrified. I still can't believe he did that. Just last week, my biggest 'problem' with him was trying to get an energetic trot.

I find myself angry and disappointed in him and myself. In him, that he behaved in such a manner and would not listen to me. In myself, that I was unable to stay on. My trainer got on afterwards and he tried misbehaving with her too...but she, of course, had him in the 'palm of her hand' quite quickly. I'm thankful I wasn't hurt....

I know I need to get back on him (I did). But the trust I had in him is not there anymore...and I have a feeling it will be a long time coming before I do. Still scratching my head on WHY....:confused:

Patti

[Tots N Dots]

if he has been out of his routine for a couple of days, and being inside when usually turned out he is bound to be fizzy, but I have found out the hard way that it is ok trusting the horse? but he has to be able to trust you too :) , you have only had him a couple of months, I have had major confidence problems (huge ones) so believe me I do understand, but he will be looking to you for leadership and for you to keep him safe, if he isnt getting this he will start to take matters into his own hands a bit? on the lunge he is unnerving you, I would not take it personally, I think he is just seeing what you are made of not being "naughty"? I am not meaning that you have to start getting "nasty" with him, but watch your body language a bit? if he starts coming in on the lunge as you described then as well as getting after him (I understand how you mean this and think you are doing the right thing :) ) also make sure your shoulders are square to him, broaden you space by sticking your elbows out a bit, feet apart and well planted, yes he is probably bigger than you, but he WILL respect you and your space? my take on this situation may be way off line and it is only my humble opinion, but I think he is looking to you for guidence and reasurance? he wants to know you are leader and even if you are not that confident if you can fake it a bit it still works ;)
I would work him in hand a bit maybe with his bridle on if you need it, make some grids out of poles on the floor and walk him through them, gives you both something to think about and he will realise that it is you that makes the decisions a bit, and give you a bit more confidence? good luck :D

[Supercali]

It sounds to me like he is pushing his luck a bit. You have taken a couple of steps back but keep on with the work and the groundwork and you will go forward again.

When I first got my cob, he was very bolshy and argumentative but with groundwork and schooling and lunging we were getting somewhere and then I was hit by a virus and couldn't work with him for 2 weeks. He started challenging me again and I felt we were back to square one but after aout a week we were back on course. He has since tried it on again and shocked me one day by being right in my face and wouldn't get away. It is just them trying to assert their dominance.

I don't know if it was the case with your horse but sometimes the clever ones know that if they scare their rider then they get away with not doing work later on. Mine tries to run into fences and obstacles so that he stops work :rolleyes: - I just have to be one step ahead of him.

[Dummer&Drummer]

a bit of spring grass is not going to help either, thats been around for the last couple of weeks :)

[Ginger Thing]

Its probably a combination of things. Mine would probably be like that after being in for 2 days, so nothing abnormal there :)

If you've not had him long he may be testing you out, pushing the boundaries to see what he can get away with - you don't mention how old he is, but mine went through a real teenage phase at about 5 1/2 when he was really bolshy and challenging, wouldn't listen or do as he was asked and threw tantrums. We stood our ground and refused to let him get away with it, insisting on good manners when being led to the field, standing at gates etc, and now he is very good.

I know how fragile confidence is, but try to forget about the incident and carry on - it will all come together in the end, its early days if you've only had him 2 months.

Good luck! :)

[pattir7]

Thank you for the advice so far. The whole thing was just so outta character for him that I am puzzled. He needs his teeth floated (which will be done ASAP) but I don't think it would have caused this. He lets me lead him anywhere...will follow me around without a lead. Has just always been easy going and willing to please. Just last night he was like a different horse. I just wasn't prepared for his 'challenges'. I thought I did the 'right' body language when he turned in on the lungeline... came at him square and in my deep 'don't mess with me' voice told him to 'GET!'....and he did... but he was just being a snot... and he's NEVER been a snot... he's always been my sweet, impeccably behaved guy.

Now, I'm on the 'lookout' for other 'signs'... I don't want him thinking he is without a leader... at the same time, I hate having to 'get after him'. He will get his teeth done shortly and the weather has improved such that I'm sure he's out today. I'm hoping he was not himself because of being in for two days. I'm hoping he is still my calm, sweet, well mannered guy. I *think* he is... but if he is looking for a leader, I'm going to have to 'step up to the plate' more assertively, I guess...

I keep going over it in my mind...wondering what set him off and what I could have done differently to shut him down when he took off like that... but I don't come up with any answers... :confused:

And, my head still hurts.... :(