At 11:38:35 on 04.02.10, Kay2 wrote:
I have been riding for over 30years now and used to event in my younger years. I would ride anything no matter how badly it behaved, but since having children I lost some of my confidence. I thought I had regained all my confidence riding scatty TB's and breaking in youngsters, untill I started riding my homebread horse (appaloosa/TB) My horse due to be 9yrs old in March has always had a big bronc in him and is very sharp(understandable really when he has Kentucky winners and champion broncing horses in his bloodlines). I took my time backing him and have to admit spent more time on the ground (falling off) than on his back, but I learnt that provided he understood what you were asking and didn't push for more he was fine. He became the perfect gentleman out hacking and a pleasure to ride although a little plodish. So it was suggested to me to take him hunting to encourage him to be more forward going, this totally blew his mind and since then everytime I go onto tracks or into a field (sometimes I like to school while hacking)all he wants to do is take off. If I dont allow this he bucks and eventually broncs untill he has me off. Consequently im now to frightened to take him off road, and only school him in an enclosed arena. By the way it makes no difference if we are on our own or with company.

At 18:56:31 on 04.02.10, chrissie wrote:
sorry to hear of you problems, I know how you feel, I use to jump anything at any speed but since having lots of scary times with my welsh cob I am now to scared to jump anything, with me I think its also an age thing! I do hope you overcome this problem, would it help if you lead him across the fields & tracks that you use to canter across & keep talking to him & telling him to walk ? I have had to do a lot of leading with magic to stop him misbehaving & build up his confidence. keep us informed as to how you get on.

At 10:14:21 on 05.02.10, Kay2 wrote:
Hi Chrissie, I've tried allsorts from riding another horse and leading CJ I've hacked out with friends. I know the poblem is me anticipating the worse with him knowing how bad he can be. Unfortunately for me everyone that i know also refuse to ride him because they have seen how bad he gets. As CJ has had almost a year off from work (been having Physio for old injury) I've now decided to concentrate on schooling in an enclosed arena so that If I do fall off he cant escape into traffic, and afterwards just hack quietly round the road to cool off. I'm hoping to compete in dressage this year and need to start from scratch so to speak.

At 12:52:09 on 05.02.10, CarolineP wrote:
Hi Kay2, Sorry to hear about this. My huge (18hh!) Warmblood was a very well schooled and well mannered ride and became quite sharp after having hunted, so I know it can affect some horses like that. I remember being out hacking with friends, getting onto stubble and disappearing in a well-mannered and smoothly accelerating puff of smoke! My friends were left standing! Given CJ's long standing behavioural issues, it seems sensible to concentrate on something that he can do safely - safer for both of you. The only other thing that occurred to me is to wonder if you've considered having an animal communicator to have a word with him. It might help you to understand him and perhaps help him to understand your point of view. I can recommend Jane Summers www.talktotheanimals.co.uk. Most importantly, do keep yourself safe. Kind regards, Caroline
http://www.enjoyriding.com

At 16:13:41 on 05.02.10, Flicka wrote:
As I hunt I know that sometimes it can wind horses up at first but this is so prolonged I wonder if it's not more than just the excitement of having hunted. You mention a physio- were they working on him before or after the hunting? Hunting is really hard work and I just wonder if it has left him in pain anywhere? Maybe there's something that hasn't been picked up on. Or is it co-incidence and he's got teeth problems so gets upset when you check him? Or is he just so sensitive he's picking up that you're not happy with him. I think an animal communicator would be a good idea. I've used them myself at times when I've really been stuck with a horse and it has helped.

At 16:55:19 on 05.02.10, Kay2 wrote:
The Injury that was being treated happend to CJ as a foal and this wasnt picked up until we started working at novice/medium level dressage. So im 100% sure no injuries were incurred during hunting, we didnt even complete the days hunting because his behaviour was getting so bad with kicking out and overtaking the field master, I decided to quit while ahead). I dont really have too many problems schooling and CJ is fine hacking on roads, I quite often include shoulder in, leg yeilding and loops in walk and trot while hacking and he's great he responds really well with lots of praise. It seems to me that he now associates fields and tracks with going like a bat out of hell and I obviously dont help because I tense up everytime he humps his back in anticipation not so much of taking off but the broncing before hand, the bucks I can sit but the bronks are leathal. Im hoping that if I concentrate on schooling in the arena and cool off with a hack on long reins round the roads or tracks on the estate, then eventually I can incorporate a some small tracks within our hack and just walk on a long rein.

At 17:11:58 on 05.02.10, Flicka wrote:
Well, that sounds like a pretty good plan to me!! There are lots of good tips on keeping calm and positive in situations that worry you in this group. It won't be fixed quickly I'm sure but it will be interesting to hear how you get on. Good Luck.

At 17:31:34 on 05.02.10, Kay2 wrote:
Thanks for all your encouragement. Actually just talking things through has helped me think more positively. Will keep you informed on our progress.

At 18:28:32 on 07.02.10, Andy wrote:
Hi Kay2, I hope things are becoming a little easier for you and your horse out hacking. I have a warmblood horse that never tires and likes nothing more than a good canter out on the fields and sometimes tries to get away with me (which isn't the most peaceful!). We have reached a compromise! Now i bring him once every 2 weeks to a racehorse yard and use their gallop to run the freshness out of his system. It is safe as he can only go in one direction - as it is railed all the way round. It has 8-12 inches of sand which tires him out while he's having fun. He loves it and settles into dressage, show jumping and hacking until his next gallop. Once he has the freshness run out of his system I do my dressage work around the gallop and don't bring him home until he is happy to behave out in the open. Also be careful not to ride the tracks in the same direction every day. If your horse anticipates the route and if you walk/trot/canter in the same places - anticipation will heat him up. Finally, make sure and keep your seat in the saddle and ride him forward from your leg when your hacking. Hope you find a cure or a compromise with him that works for you both. Wishing you the best.

At 20:34:27 on 07.05.10, JessAndGrenville123 wrote:
Ahhh this sounds familiar haha my ex-racehorse grenville is exactly the same! Feed calming feeds, turn out as much as possible, basically do as much as you can to give your horse low energy, do not get a strong bit, it doesn't help you end up in tug of war, use a light loose ring snaffle, use a flash noseband or a grackle and make sure they are as tight as they shoud be without being uncomfortable, also a running martingale or breast plate would be good. He will always be strong grenville is always wanting to canter but it is just a case of knowing how to ride it, let him canter if he insists so he doesn't bronc but keep it slow, collected and bouncy, no fun at all eventually it turns into a jog then a walk (don't let go of a pulling contact until he walks and if he starts again pull again but don't heave so he pulls back just keep your hands fixed) also remember keep your body relaxed, the more relaxed your are the more he feels your weight and the more your seat will slow him down. Hope this helps.