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Post by nagrags on May 14, 2012 19:33:18 GMT
In order to add variety to our 6 yr old ponies routine we took him to the local gallops and cross country.  He proved to be very brave but once he was tired he refused a small cross pole and reared twice - vertical. Sometimes when schooling at home he 'pretends' to rear but never usually goes vertical.  Tonight, he napped on the yard and reared again. He even reared in the school when schooling. He's not the most forward going of ponies (usually a kick along type/lazy) So this behaviour came is not normal. We are planning on having his back and saddles checked in the meantime - although we suspect this is behavioural. My daughter is a very experienced rider and is able to sit to him but she's a student nurse who needs her limbs in place  All suggestions welcome!  |
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Post by LMSmith on May 14, 2012 19:53:16 GMT
Have you changed the ponies feed recently?
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Post by nagrags on May 14, 2012 19:56:00 GMT
No - he's on Bailey Lo-Cal Balancer and a small amount of chaff.
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Post by LMSmith on May 14, 2012 19:58:33 GMT
I have a pony that could go up if she wanted but she didnt do it very often so not sure what to suggest...
If the pony was going more forward it would not be able to go up very easily but I fully understand how difficult it is to get a lazy pony going as I have one of those as well!
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Post by nagrags on May 14, 2012 20:15:30 GMT
The reason I have him on this feed as Im not a fan of these overweight ponies. However, someone mentioned the performance balancer. Just want to nip things in the bud now and in the correct way  |
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Post by LMSmith on May 14, 2012 20:19:57 GMT
I have my lazy pony on a balancer |
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Post by Sasha on May 14, 2012 20:29:10 GMT
It does sound like bad behavior! I would do all the usual stuff like never finishing near the gateway don't get off in the yard if you go out hacking get off earlier and face him as if you are going to hack back out again , just to get him wondering. Long reining is a godsend for things like this as you are on the ground but you can send them forward without too much risk off getting hurt
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Post by nightwish on May 14, 2012 20:38:44 GMT
have you got the general sorted like teeth back feet etc etc good luck hope you get sorted |
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Post by nagrags on May 14, 2012 20:40:23 GMT
We suspect this is behavioural too. We change positions of dismounting in the school and leaving the gate open and walking him past etc. Of which he is normally fine with. Another thought is that he seems to do this when unsure of what is being asked of him, he tucks his bum under and pretends to rear - but now he has found his feet - Literally!
My daughters a patient rider, praises accordingly and light in her hands, however, she is also firm with him too.
I will try the long - reigning as this isnt something we have done much of.
Any further tips would be most welcome
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Post by nagrags on May 14, 2012 20:41:53 GMT
have you got the general sorted like teeth back feet etc etc good luck hope you get sorted As far as we are aware his teeth and back are fine. They were checked within the last 6 months. He had a wolf tooth removed. |
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Post by nightwish on May 14, 2012 20:43:57 GMT
maybe he needs more time to mature?, long reining is great |
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Post by Sasha on May 14, 2012 22:19:23 GMT
This might sound a bit odd but try blinkers! Knew a horse years ago that started tucking bum up and half rearing ended up full blown rears as he got more brave, but instructor noticed he was checking around before he went up, she put blinkers on he became much more reliant on listening to the rider to guide him and hence stopped the rearing? Could be worth a little try
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2012 22:27:53 GMT
we had a pony on baileys balancer and he started to bolt, took him off it and he has never bolted since!
What sort of a bit have you got in his mouth?
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Post by angelena on May 15, 2012 7:47:28 GMT
How much turn out is pony getting?
Could it not be a combination of spring grass and the baileys going to pony's head a little?
All ours are full of themselves at the moment, the skid marks in the field this year are worse then any other year, looks like the spring grass has arrived late!
I would get all checks done just to be on the safe side!
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Post by nagrags on May 15, 2012 10:24:47 GMT
He's fed Baileys Lo-Cal balancer since last November and is fine on this - his overall condition is good. Never been fizzy at all - quite the opposite. So, this behavioural isnt the norm for him. He is lazy and lacks stamina in the show ring and at home. It's almost as if the more she asks of him the more he digs his heels in, tucks his bum under and now rears vertically. This isnt every time she asks him to go forward, its seems more when he is tired or possibly confused as to what is being asked of him. Although, when we took him to the gallops and cross country at the weekend he was the boldest out of the lot and then towards the end refused to jump a small cross pole and reared.
He is currently been ridden in either a snaffle of a wilkie snaffle at home. Occasionally, she rides him in his pelham but only for practise fpr the show ring.
He is on a livery yard so he's turned out on a daily basis.
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Post by sageandonion on May 15, 2012 12:10:34 GMT
Rearing is typical of a lazy, not wanting to go forward pony objecting. Taking off requires far too much energy.
The physical things are the first and then I would slow down the work a bit.
A lazy pony in a wilkie is a terrible mix IMO and will encourage all sorts of undesirable behaviour.
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Post by fanfarefan on May 15, 2012 15:43:52 GMT
just a far fetched thought , but you say your pony lacks stamina , and the more you ask the worse he gets , yes could be just a naughty pony , BUT have you had his heart checked ,might be worth a look at ( or listen to ) ? |
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2012 16:33:06 GMT
I firmly believe a wilkie makes them go backwards! has the rearing and napping started since you put the wilkie in? They hate going forward in them because the action of the bit hurts.
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Post by brindlerainbow on May 15, 2012 17:16:57 GMT
Firstly I would say ditch the wilkie they are horrible bits!! Is he fit enough for the work he is being expected to do ? You say he jumped well and was the boldest pony yet refused at a small jump when he was tired,I think there is your answer. When he is tired and lacking in energy then he resists by rearing. I suppose your jockey needs to be able to tell when the pony is getting tired and starting to switch off and put him away on a good note instead of after an argument!!!!
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Post by nagrags on May 16, 2012 7:14:48 GMT
Thanks guys - Ive had my hands slapped. "He no longer uses his wilkie" as instructed by my daughter.
Took him in the school last night, as this is the safest place if he rears and he hasn't reared at all but has been lazier than ever - almost dead to the leg.
We have some other family worries right now so we're going to leave him for a while and have some 'time out' and then re-introduce varied work which may engage him more such as xc,swimming, hacks etc
Thanks everyone for your advice - we're deffo going to try the long reining along with the necessary physical checks x
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Post by brookviewequine on May 16, 2012 7:47:12 GMT
time off? ok, so youhave other personal issues which is making you give him time off, however giving him time off is wrong thig to do, he s 6 years old and needs regular work. even if its 15 mins a day 5 days a week is better than non at all.
back to basics, i say it all the time. a good house is built on a solid foundation. if a crack appears 9 times out of 10 its because of a poor foundation.
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Post by sageandonion on May 16, 2012 9:45:52 GMT
Get him blood tested, becoming more and more lethargic? that could well be a virus brewing or the other thing that springs to mind for me is sore feet a warning of laminitis to come, especially with this weather we have been having.
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Post by angelena on May 16, 2012 10:14:12 GMT
I would be getting worried and get the vet out, it's not normal for a pony to become lethargic for no apparent reason, it could be a number of things but let's hope it's not and that all is well!
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Post by lillicob on May 16, 2012 11:20:49 GMT
I personally would give him a bit of time out. I'd get all of the necessary checks and hoping all is ok start him afresh, no wilkie, for a pony who isnt forward going this wouldnt be the ideal bit to use. Time off wont do him any harm and the varied routine i think is essential for any horse regardless of the discipline they compete in. Good luck.
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Post by brookviewequine on May 16, 2012 13:33:41 GMT
By all means do the checks. But if a horse has enough energy to do the wrong thing he certainly has enough energy to do the right thing. Don't be to quick to look for excuses for him
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Post by horseylady on May 17, 2012 22:34:48 GMT
time off? ok, so youhave other personal issues which is making you give him time off, however giving him time off is wrong thig to do, he s 6 years old and needs regular work. even if its 15 mins a day 5 days a week is better than non at all. back to basics, i say it all the time. a good house is built on a solid foundation. if a crack appears 9 times out of 10 its because of a poor foundation. Hold on a minute! what is wrong with this pony having time out, where in the rule book does it say horses need regular work??Each and every horse is an individual and has different needs.. It wont do him any harm at all. And if the op is having some personal problems to, this will be the right time for everyone involved to 'have time out' Why rush him, he will be there next week, month ,year... If all the relevant checks have been done on this lad, and he is fine health wise.. I say give him time out... |
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Post by brookviewequine on May 18, 2012 5:26:41 GMT
The title of the thread is that she wants to nip it in the bud ? Yes? In 25 years I ve never met a horse who has learnt things by giving it time off.
Us Brits have got into this habit of giving things time off. But that's a whole new thread and conversation.
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Post by watchbank on May 18, 2012 7:37:11 GMT
The title of the thread is that she wants to nip it in the bud ? Yes? In 25 years I ve never met a horse who has learnt things by giving it time off. Us Brits have got into this habit of giving things time off. But that's a whole new thread and conversation. Woahhhhh pardon.. i have given my section d TIME OFF for the past few weeks because i believe that they are wild animals and deserve some time to them selves, plus its been to wet here too ride. There is no reason why if she lets him have his own time away from work everyday he may sort it out, we have a section b who if ridden all weeks and everydays she turns SOUR and starts with this kind of lark, turn her out for a week or so and shes fine. |
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Post by ikklecob on May 18, 2012 8:07:57 GMT
Sometimes YOUR life means you have to give your horses time out. It has to be better than trying to deal with a problem when you are stressed and hurried.
Ahhh I see Brookviewequine is male THAT explains a lot!!
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Post by brookviewequine on May 18, 2012 8:14:44 GMT
Love a good debate. My point is that sometimes people's first response is time off. And yes there's a correct time for time off. Athletes have time off to rest. But you can't use the reason wild animals. That's a complete contradiction for the vast majority of horse owners. Don't see wild animals getting rugged, brushed, and basically pampered. So firstly decide are they wild or domesticated. Now I'm certainly not going to teach you to suck eggs at this point but my point is if every time you give a horse or anything for that matter time off when it misbehaves then it's going to take a long time to get where you want to go.
Time off after a hard season. Time off for an injury. Time off to recoup. But time off for misbehaving. Hmmmm
I ll start a new thread. This one has gone off subject
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He proved to be very brave but once he was tired he refused a small cross pole and reared twice - vertical. Sometimes when schooling at home he 'pretends' to rear but never usually goes vertical. 
