Sharp Pony

[humbuglx]

My 5 year old has been back in work since being turned away for about 4-5 months now and since he has been back in work he has been very sharp. Prior to being turned away he was very laid back, whereas now he is starting to be worked properly he is very forward and spooking at almost everything. There is also a problem that he naps, a lot. His napping has been an ongoing problem since he has been broken but it has been bearable, until he has become sharp aswell.

In the short term back and saddle will be checked (teeth have been done) and would an instant calmer everytime I take him out (I school whilst hacking as I don't have a school facility) be an option?
Long term what would be best?

He also HATES the sound of planes when they fly low/land, so has anyone got any suggestions on what I could do to work with his problems?

Thanks x

[robrocks]

I have a very sharp pony and since putting him on lexvet cool(a balancer with calmers) he has been super. It could be an avoidance or youthful resistance to "proper" work. How are his feet?

[gillwales]

is there a reason why he naps, i.e. is it out of the blue or can you find a pattern?

Has he had a head injury?

Failing that take him back to basics, start at the beginning, keep the work slow and for short periods. Reward for good work, stick to it when he naps. Know when to draw a line in the sand and find someone who can sort him out if you cannot. Keep safe, do not work him alone

[nici]

What is he fed? How much turnout does he get? And is it alone or with company?

[humbuglx]

He has always napped which I have found strange. You can ride him through his napping, then he'll give it rest then find another spot to nap in. He isn't on any feed at the moment as he is on the longer grass being strip grazed with two other ponies. His feet have been trimmed recently and as far as I know no head injuries.

[catkin]

I would leave him out as much as possible to remove any silliness. Then hack out as much as possible, ideally in company to begin with, in front or beside another to gain confidence, then ask him to lead. If a pony will go forward sensibly out hacking you can usually control the spooking demons in the school! if in doubt, go forward!

[fanfarefan]

6 yrs ago i rescued a 9 month old foal , scruffy worm ridden mess !!!!!! he is now a stunning show pony !!!! i hd him backed and ridden away by a very experienced kind and patient jockey who did h proud , however during this time we discussed and felt that nice as he was he was not in anyway suitable as a childs pony ( 12.2hh) his aerobatic displays are on a par with the Red Arrows , he is pampered when needed and everything kept ip to date but for saftey sake he is a beautiful field ornament

[sarahp]

I work with mine to prevent napping from the word go - we walk round the garden looking at things, if they spook they are encouraged to stop and look at it and establish it isn't a nasty thing that will jump on them, but (normally) something static. I touch it, or maybe kick it, encourage them to have a sniff and then praise them. I'm lucky enough to have fields adjoining the drive, and all the babies spend time there being traffic-proofed naturally and in their own time. I have been known to feed them off the bonnet of the car with the engine running and goodness knows what else. They are lead down a passage between house and garage to the back field, and may have to tread on a manhole cover or two on the way. It all helps them to gain confidence. Pole work in the sand school, walking over tarpaulins......anything you can think of.

[sarahp]

I wish I'd taken a camera earlier on - walked out to talk to man replacing fenceposts, and met him in his big pickup in the middle of the field where the 6 Ds are. He stopped, and we were chatting with all 6 milling around his car, licking it and sticking their heads through the windows. Sugar the yearling found his jacket in the back seat and pulled it out through the window, of course startling herself in the process so she rushed off, but still held on to it with her teeth, startling herself even more. We were treated to an amazing display of broncing and prancing until she dropped it, I was in hysterics. Man was amused at the sight of me walking across the field followed by a trail of 6 Ds when I was trying to find him.

[nici]

Similarly to Sarah, our yard is next to a busy main road so all ponies are used to traffic tearing by. We also have shooting in nearby woods, so they don't bat an eyelid when they hear guns or other loud bangs. Local wildlife means they're also not fazed by pheasants appearing out of the long grass in adjacent fields, or hares shooting out across their paths. They graze in the riding paddock, which is full of jumps, cones, tyres, barrels and other obstacles - they push them out of their way to get at the grass underneath. We walk the dogs in their field, and the kids ride bikes and scooters though the fields when the ground is dry enough. And Cerys's favourite pastime after riding is building handy pony courses, which all the ponies have to try - inhand or ridden depending on their stage of training.

All great practice for when they come out and face the big wide world on hacks, fun rides and hunts - after all that, show grounds are a doddle!

[sarahp]

We major in helicopters here - over the w/e we had a constant stream, we think from a shuttle service to London from the Goodwood Festival of Speed. But also local private ones and very low huge military ones o mine are all helicopter proof, they don't bat an eyelid.