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Post by jellytot on Oct 9, 2014 15:10:30 GMT
Having massive issues with our highland gelding.
Out on a hack we have no issues forward going all the way, responsive off the leg, trots and canters no issues, light in your hands, no problems.
At home is a totally different story. He's ridiculously stubborn to move, whether it's in the field or in the school. Doesn't react to whips, doesn't react to Spurs, doesn't react to a whip whop rope, nothing works! Spot on when being lunged, goes perfectly off voice command,no whip needed.
He's forward in walk initially at home and that's about as much as we get, a few weeks ago he was really getting somewhere, he was going lovely in trot and we were about to start working on canter but no we can barely get to trot.
He has a brand new saddle from fylde, teeth have been done, physio is booked to check back out.
Can anybody suggest anything as we really are out of ideas, and tearing our hair out. We know he can and has worked previously with no issues, has competed in the showing ring all over the country with fantastic results. Any help is greatly appreciated!
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Post by chalky284 on Oct 9, 2014 15:19:49 GMT
Knowing highlands my first thought was if he is a new pony, is he testing you in typical highland fashion??
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Post by jellytot on Oct 9, 2014 15:31:11 GMT
We're about 4 months into having him now although he hasn't done much until the last month due to university commitments.
At times we are literally not even moving which is a massive step back from where we were. Like I said we've tried whips, Spurs, have tried the soft approach with asking him rather than too much pressure and nothing. He's got too much potential to give up on him and has had some brilliant results in the ring, prev owners did say they could have problems at home getting him going but never anywhere else, has anyone known ponies that just won't go at all at home? I've never know anything like it
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Post by notpicky on Oct 9, 2014 17:33:48 GMT
Is he only like this when he is in the school?
We had a traditional that was very similar! We ended up just putting him in a snaffle and taking him on lots of hacks and cantering in fields etc. we didn't ask him to be in an outline we just wanted him to go forward. We only worked and schooled him twice a week and found that he was much more willing to go forward!
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Post by bigmama on Oct 9, 2014 18:29:54 GMT
We had a tradional like this too and he just wouldn't budge ... also had a highland gelding from 5yrs to 11yrs and he was very straightforward ... if I were you, I would wait see what back/physio person finds and if still drawing a blank, try a horse whisperer
How was your highland when you tried him under saddle at previous owner's home?
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justliloldme
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Post by justliloldme on Oct 9, 2014 18:50:10 GMT
If all is comfy try adding a tiny strip of plastic to the end of a schooling whip maybe to encourage forward momentum until he gets the idea
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Post by flee on Oct 9, 2014 19:43:09 GMT
LOL - had one of those ! My beloved highland Miz , who I owned from a yearling and recently had pts at 18yo - the most frustratingly stubborn mule I have ever owned !I broke him in myself so can't pass the buck to anyone else - but then I've broken and schooled loads of my own and NEVER had one like him . We pretty much gave up on riding him in the menage and he was hacked out or ridden round the fields although this doesn't mean he wasn't schooled - you can still do loads of transitions , circles , lateral work etc whilst you're out . My lad won at county level and had BD points earned at Elementary level .I had loads of offers for him from folks who saw him out and about at shows but he was such a g*t in the school at home that I didn't think anyone else would put up with him for long ! And in truth I did love the annoying so and so really .I think the polite expression is that he was a ' character'.
If your lads worth it you'll have to work round it ! If you really need to work in an arena try hiring ones at different venues or friends yards - being in a strange enviroment can help , or if he's perkier at shows go to some local ones which have surfaced collecting rings and make full use of your working in time - just be aware if he starts to get bored or wise to this . If he brings his stubbourness to the show ring you're stuffed !
Good luck !
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Post by waspblue on Oct 9, 2014 23:04:30 GMT
We had a tradional like this too and he just wouldn't budge ... also had a highland gelding from 5yrs to 11yrs and he was very straightforward ... if I were you, I would wait see what back/physio person finds and if still drawing a blank, try a horse whisperer How was your highland when you tried him under saddle at previous owner's home? Bigmama, you're highland was one of the nicest ponies I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and riding - I still think about him every day, he was lovely. |
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sarahp
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Post by sarahp on Oct 11, 2014 9:35:08 GMT
It's entirely possible to school a pony totally out on hacks, you just have to think what you're doing instead of lazying along! Native ponies in general are intelligent and easily bored.
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Post by Guestless on Oct 11, 2014 9:40:55 GMT
How old is he? Sounds like he is bored and not wanting to go round in circles in an arena - and, when you think about it, who can blame him  As sarahp has said, try to go some schooling out on a hack when he doesn't realise he's learning. Small things like opening and closing gates while ridden can teach them about turning on the forehand, etc but there's a reason to do it so they usually more readily accept the training. |
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Post by dancer on Oct 11, 2014 13:09:06 GMT
Definitely get his back checked - we had a Highland who was fine hacking out(which was mainly in straight lines)but couldn't cope with being in the school due to a back problem which caused issues when turning & riding circles in an enclosed area.
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sarahp
Happy to help
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Post by sarahp on Oct 11, 2014 15:31:35 GMT
Of course get his back checked if not done - but as for dancer's comment - it depends how you hack!
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As sarahp has said, try to go some schooling out on a hack when he doesn't realise he's learning. Small things like opening and closing gates while ridden can teach them about turning on the forehand, etc but there's a reason to do it so they usually more readily accept the training.