Calming an overexcited horse

[max]

Hi,

Have had our horse (8 year old standardbred) for two years now but when we first had her she would plod round the tracks and canter when asked. But now at certain points of the ride she gets so excited she can't stand still she will rear/buck and will just want to get going and always tries to break into a trot. Its a pain (as well as dangerous) as you are always fighting with her, we have not changed her feed and she has always been ridden in the local area before we had her so she knew all the 'canter spots' but never tried to take off.

Is there anything I can do out on the rides to stop her from doing this, as its obviously something I have done wrong as a rider - I just want my old horse back.

[notpoodle]

do or did you always canter or trot in the same spots?

[max]

Yes, normally canter in the same spot but so do the other horses and they never go as mad as she does.

[Herbie's mummy]

Thtas quite a bad habit sorry to say.
If you one day say no to her ''canter spot'' to will be wondering whats going on and mabey get angry.....this may be where you problem lies.

[capalldubh]

Anything else changed recently? Different horses hacking with you? Hacking alone where you used to hack with other horses? Different horses turned out with your horse? Different feed? Different tack?

It sounds as though something has changed to make her this way. She sounds to me as if she's either uncomfortable about being left behind or is wanting to get away from something (or another horse) she doesn't like.

How long has it been happening?

[Herbie's mummy]

may sound silly.....but have you had her saddle and back chacked out?

[Afellpony]

When you've had her back checked etc I'd look at what she's eating? What actually do you feed her? I feed my boy on Ride and Relax as he can be lively but on this, he's fine. You need to feed it with chaff.

[notpoodle]

where we are hacking is somewhat limited so its hard to avoid cantering in the same places. although i dont always canter my (normally pretty sedate, but does have her moments) pony in the same spots so she doesnt get into habits, she will sometimes launch into a jog etc. if she is having one of her 'keen' days . maybe your horse is feeling the same way, but is a tad overenthusiastic! maybe you could try only walking on your usual route for a while, with and without other horses, so she gets the idea that hacks aren't just for christmas ... errr i mean cantering!!

Julia
x

[max]

Her back, teeth and saddle have all been checked and everything is fine. Reading your replys it probably is a bad habit that she has been allowed to do (in all honesty my daughter rides her a enjoys it when she does this so that probably does not help). We'll try walking her past her normal 'canter spots' but if there is anthing else anyone has tried please let me know.

[Giveitago]

Max,

Yep, your daughter probably doesn't help. Do you have a field or jumping paddock that she could have a roar around instead for a while?

Have you done the same ride backwards and if so does she still have her canter spots?

My boy also gets excited or nervous and can buck/flybuck etc, I try and keep him moving as it's worse if we stand still. Over time he has managed to stay calm much better but I have also been giving him NAF Magic for the past two months which seems to be helping. I also find that a nice relaxing groom or massage before we ride takes a little of the fizz out.

Could you try hacking with the most ploddy friend for a while, keep the ride to a steady walk and try and do some canter work in the school for a while instead? I don't mean to be wicked to her but she may then see the canter as a bit more like work.

Lastly, if my boy does get too excited whilst cantering I'll ask him to change leg, yield or collect a little and this gives him something to think about and generally he then forgets that he's got all excited.

Hope it helps.

[albilusitano]

I'm one to agree with the others...I used to have several ponies that used to do that :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

But I am also a firm believer of the legendary Naf Magic...it's about £24 a pot but it's a miracle !!!! I have a safe and sensible and less nervous horse...highly reccomended !!

[ANN H]

I'm one to agree with the others...I used to have several ponies that used to do that :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

But I am also a firm believer of the legendary Naf Magic...it's about £24 a pot but it's a miracle !!!! I have a safe and sensible and less nervous horse...highly reccomended !!

Misty's been on this now for 3 weeks and it doesn't seem to be helping up to now. How long does it take to kick in?

[equestrian3241]

stop asking her to canter in the same spot, horses are very tuned in to patterns so whenever she passes that spot it is only natural for her to get excited. I think it would help when you pass the spots where she gets excited, stop her and let her chill untill she calms down then get her to walk on. This should help. Good Luck!

[doris]

Horses certainly are very quick to learn certain behaviour and habits, like cantering in the same places. As already said, change these habits by cantering in different places if possible, or not even cantering at all out hacking for a while. Never canter towards home.

[jenren!!]

Either rotate your 'cantering spots' or dont canter on hacks at all until it gets better.

Jenny xx