Pi is in disgrace! (Sorry - long!)

[janhebb]

Have not posted for some time because I was away for a week and then Pi went lame and was diagnosed with an abcess in his frog, probably from a thorn. Vet was called to clean it out and Pi is fine now. But he was on box rest for over a week whilst it was sorted out. He was turned out yesterday and was loving being out in the fields.

So today, I planned to join the 12 noon hack. Went to catch him in at 11.30 and caught him fine. We walked up the road to the same place where I had my "incident" when he first arrived and despite a chifney, he tore free and legged it back to the field gate at a very fast trot, leaving us puffing in his wake. Luckily the two cars on the road had enough sense to stop and open their doors to block the road, but to do nothing else.

We put him in the field and went back for some assistance. This time three of us went down with a "be nice" halter and a lunge line. Again we caught him fine but he would not leave the field gate and towed two through the nettles and brambles. He then went vertical - very scary - he is a heavy cob and very large on two legs. :eek: :eek:

I went back to the yard again, running this time (not bad for a half centurion), for some more help. YO came along and very sternly (but not shouting) got him moving forward and listening. Even then he plonked about a bit, but YO (bless her) was great with him and did not let him get away with anything.

I could not face riding after that. Pi is looking very shame faced in his stable, but I we have to deal with this now. YO will organise some ground training in small chunks and we will have to see how he goes. So far he is good when ridden and has not tried anything like this, but my brain now keeps asking "what if...". I have my usual lesson on Thurs, so I shall get a bucket of rescue remedy in!

I am seriously thinking of getting a Dually halter. I know there are "views" about this, but I cant have this behaviour carrying on.

And I thought I'd bought a dobbin....!

[hormonalmare]

Don't know all the history behind this, but if you're anything like me you get 'spooked' anywhere the horse has previously been spooky, which sets them off again.

Could you try getting someone else to lead him past the difficult spot until he feels better about it?

Why is his field so far from the school? Can you move him to one nearer the yard?

[cazrider]

Very scary janhebb, and i can well understand your nervousness now. But look on the bright side, he never did anything like this until he was on box rest for a week. Bear in mind, due to your holiday he doesn't know you all that well yet, and isn't completely secure with you. He is a cob, and young, and will try it on. You are understandably nervous, and he'll sense that. When your YO took him to task he did what he was told and got on with it. Typical cob. Once he has the same respect for you he'll be like that with you too, and he will, honestly. Sounds to me like your YO has bags of sense. Groundwork and more groundwork for you, as she suggests is absolutely the right thing to do. And lessons with a good RI in a school. You'll get to know him really well, lose your nerves, he'll gain the respect for you he needs, and you'll be fine.

I'd add lungeing in there as well. It's a great way for you to work with him and gain his respect.

I said to my OH the other day, it's great having owned Sennie now for two years. I'd hate to have to go through that first nine months with a new horse again. It's never easy. But it is worth it. Stick with it. And all the very very best.:D Especially for Thursday. Please let us all know how it goes.

[NoviceNic]

Honey I hate to say this but I think he may be taking the urine. I think you should have some lessons teaching Pi some manners. Cobs are not the easy horse people say they are. They now they are strong and they now they can drag you around. Captain does it to me when I take him out of his stable he instantly drags me to the field gate. Well there is no way i am having that so I take him back to his stable and leave him there for 15 mins. Then if he walks nicely to the gate I turn him out.

[Lucyad]

I must say that I agree with novicenic (bad user name by the way - I have seen photos of you on Captain and you aint no novice!). Cobs are very clever and having got away from you at this point before, he could just be taking the p**s. Shannon (old share mare) can be bolshy when lead particularly in winter when she wants to get to food, and has pulled out of my, and very much stronger OH's hands before, and needed some strong handling / lead rope wrapped round nose, taught some manners. She has been OK since this phase, fingers crossed. They are VERY clever, and can learn quickly that they are stronget than you and can do exactly what they want.

Possibly leading (when you have to) in a bridle for a while might help. I dont know about you but I am personally a lot happier on a horse who is difficult to lead, and for my own safety would preffer to tack up in the field if necessary. I have a bit of a phobia of bad to lead horses from bad experiences with my old pony I had when I was little, including rearing.....I know how scarey it can be so big cyber hugs and hope you get it sorted out soon.

[NoviceNic]

Thank you for the vote of confidence Lucyad but till I get somewhere with my small jump class's, whilst keeping Captain in control with a decent rythym I am still staying NoviceNic. :p ;)

[janhebb]

Thanks for the support guys, its good to know we are not alone!

I was planning a ground work lesson anyway but that is now a priority. But maybe Pi has learned something - he was as good as gold today, when they brought him in and turned him out again.

Its not really that far from his field to the yard, but it is uphill and when you have to run, it seems MILES!

Note to self to always carry a phone even when you are only popping down the road!

I was browsing today (as we do - lunch break, obviously) and found that Monty Roberts is coming to Rodbaston in October as part of his UK tour. Now I know that some people love him and some dont, but its a good opportunity to see for myself. However, I hope that Pi and I will have an understanding before then!

Thanks
again
J