Help! Pony Problem???

Question

I am half leasing a pony he has a puppy dog temperament, he will greet you at the gates first, great on the ground,Patient, leads great, picks feet up great, never bucks, kicks, or bites and loves to be ridden!

But...

He is herd bound to a mare and gelding when riding/in pasture and nearly runs into them if he is away for any amount of time. He will basically canter back to them.

He throws his head up which is a big problem...

Will trot/canter with his mouth gaping open(I think he is trying to avoid the bit?)

He also tests me often by doing something I don't want to do (like canter when I want to trot)

He also was an Amish carriage pony and has a bumpy trot how could I make is trot easier to post to?

*I have only ridden him twice.

*He isn't mine

*Should I lounge him or try a less harsh bit??

(I don't know what bit is being used currently)

*Hes almost perfect when his owner rides him

*No, I am not to heavy/tall for him either

Answer 1

Since he's almost perfect when his owner rides him, my best guess is that the problem is something that you are doing.  I know, nobody ever wants to hear that!  I suggest that you have the owner watch you ride the pony and critique you.  The pony may just have been trained differently than you have been trained.  Good luck and enjoy!

Answer 2

well ,the one thing that caught my eye was him throwing his head up and ignoring you. if u train him to keep his head down, he'll behave.

Answer 3

Do you know why he throws his head? When were his teeth last done? Can you figure out what bit is being used?

Yes, gaping mouths is a sign of trying to avoid the bit. (Unless he needs his teeth done which may also explain the head tossing/throwing)

This may also be because of a harsh bit or previous experiences. Do you know if anyone trys to force the horse onto the bit with the reins or the like?

By using a flash you are forcing his mouth shut, not addressing the issue. This will not make him accept the bit. Work on keeping him relaxed while GRADUALLY increasing your contact with the reins.

That being said, you can use a flash if you like, just don't do it up tight and don't expect it to magically fix all the problems :-)

They are good if your horse manages to get his tongue stuck over the bit and stuff.

Same thing goes for martingales.. whenever you have to force his head down, he is not actually accepting the bit (even if it LOOKS like he is).

A horse that is properly worked will drop his head onto the vertical/bit by himself. Just takes time and patience, don't get frustrated and take the easy way out, it'll be worth it in time :)

It's also more important to work on those haunches rather  than headsets anyway ;)

I use an eggbutt french link on my horse, works nicely. It's a very gentle bit too.

When he canters when you ask for a trot you can either quietly ask him to go back to a trot or go along with the canter. Make it seem like you asked for it, when he slows done, push him on! He will get tired and will most likely not do that again ;)

Is his trot bumpy because he is tense or just how he is? I would work on getting him good and relaxed, you might be surprised with how his trot improves. Strive to maintain the rhythm.

EDIT: Actually, re-reading your question.. Since he's fine when the owner rides him that would probably eliminate the bit/teeth issue. I would still look into what kind of bit is being used on him.

You're lucky his walk and canter are nice, the trot is the easiest gait to improve :-)

Posie F raises an interesting idea, you could be doing something to confuse him.. (critiques are a good idea - everyone has room for improvement, right?  :)) but since you've only ridden him twice I wouldn't rule out him trying to test you completely :-)

Did it look like this? http://www.horse.com/itm_img/WBE51.jpg

If yes, I would definitely look into switching it. If it was a snaffle it should be fine.

Anywho, hope that helps. If you have any questions or anything just let me know :-)

Answer 4

Training training training!

For opening his mouth try a flash noseband. This will keep his mouth closed. If his mouth is closed he can't evade the bit.

When he puts his head up circle! Pull your hand around (with the rein) all the way to your hip and go into a circle. When he relaxes and puts his head forward and down release. Repeat about a million times and he will realize that having his head up in the air is not fun or enjoyable at all and when his head is down life is good.

I have an OTTB that did the same things (minus the herd-boundness) and that's what it took.

It's unfortunate that he has a bumpy trot because a horse either has good gaits or doesn't have good gaits. Very hard to train good gaits into a horse.

Answer 5

Each time he tries to rush off to the others, try circling him away. He may soon get tired of his game.

For his trot that sounds like he is hollowing in his back. Could you sit more softly when you are trotting. This would allow him to bring his hind legs through and make his movement smoother.

Best of luck. Happy riding

Answer 6

He suffers from serperation anxiety :/

From The Kelly Marks book, Perfect Manners: "Regularly expose them to short seperations from their companions, during this time find ways to distract them, feed, grooming, foundation exercises, gradually the time can be increased" So make it nice for him when he has to leave his friends!

First of all check all his tack is okay, that his bridle and saddle fit and that his bits the right height and right size.

You could try a standing or running martingale and the best idea for a pony that opens its mouth is a grackle noseband or flash to clamp their mouth shut. DO talk to the owner first before making ANY changes!

It may also be a good idea to talk to her and see if theres any tips she can give you to help handle him.

If you think his bits the problem then you could try him in a softer bit, but considering he likes to runaway it might not be such a good idea.

To be honest i think its a respect problem, you say you've only ridden him twice?

And he goes near to perfect for his owner?

Maybe you need to get to know him abit more and let him get used to you, make it clear what you expect from him and make sure to discipline him when hes naughty. It would appear hes got respect for his owner so you should demand the same. Everyone rides differently so you'll feel different to his owner, when a horse gets a new rider or owner they ALWAYS test. They test to see what they can get away with, so you need to make it clear from the beginning that you arent going to let him misbehave.

When  he canters off (my mare sometimes does this) Turn him in a small circle until hes calmed down, or if you feel him wanting to go, give him the command first so its you giving him permission.

If all else fails, get the chiropractor out. If hes flinging his head then it may mean he has some tension or damage in his back, even if he doesnt i had the chiropractor out to my mare and she enjoyed every minute of the treatment(eventhough there was nothing wrong).

To be honest i dont think theres much you can do about the trot but if you find something that works let me know! I ride a horse that used to drive and her trot isnt very pleasant!

Hope things work out! :)

Answer 7

try a hanoveriegn bridle or a drop noseband.

this will help keep his mouth closed.

otherwise if his mouth is open resenting the bit he will cut it and get sores on his mouth.

also it would be good to organise with the owner to get his teeth done.

and maybe a martingale to keep his head in check?

and if possible put him in another paddock away from his 'companions' which he has attatched himself to, as if left like this he could be a danger to himself and you when seperated from them.

Goodluck.