How to stop my horse misbehaving in flatwork?

Question

My horse has been refusing some jumps recently, so i decided to do lots of flatwork and only a few small jumps, to get him listening to what i want him to do. But today i was doing some trotting poles with him and after every pole he put his head down (i was only trotting over one pole at once, as he kept jumping the 3 poles i was "trotting" him over!). How can i stop him putting his head down? Also he always trys to "rush off" with me and trys to canter when i want him to trot or walk. Any Ideas?

Answer 1

I would stop jumping completelty and focus on flat work. Is he putting his head down to buck or just being silly? As for rushing into faster gaits, keep him turning. Do figure-8s serpentines, circles and sprials to get him thinking about his feet and body placement. Once he calms down a bit try the poles again. Walk through them first then trot. We have a pony at my barn that has never gotten the concept of trot poles though so he may never get it. Good Luck

Answer 2

keep your reins short and dont let him put his head down. when he does this get one rein and pull his head right up, while giving him a kick to keep him going.

try lunging if you need to monitor his behaviour more carefully. first try him over one pole, do this a few times and then get 2 and eventually turn it into a tiny cross pole. when you are pleased that he is behaving, try riding him over it, but still do what i said above if he puts his head down. since he is young he might be trying to get away with something.

if you could, try getting his teeth checked because it might have something to do with that.

Answer 3

By putting his head down he may well be stretching his neck and back. Walk on a loose rein first and let him warm up. Gather your reins and do some flat work circles at the walk, trot and canter. Change reins and make his work more interesting. Add a few poles and see what he does then. Are his saddles and bridle fitted correctley? Has he "changed shape" and his saddle could be squeezing his withers. Or you may have something under it which he is trying to get away from by stretching. Are you getting too heavy for him?, not a personal question but an idea.