Naughty little pony??!!?

Question

Hey, I have a 4 and a half year old pony named Jim. He lived in over the winter ((and went out every other day for a few hourse)) and was fantastic. Now he's gone out over the summer and he's very fat! but also really naughty when i ride him- he's v strong and wont go on the bit at all and is REALLY cocky over jumps- smashing in to them etc. Id be really grateful if any one could help??! thanks! xox

Answer 1

have you left your pony out in the field recently for more than 1 day?

if, yes, this sounds like the pony is rebellious because he has been left out in a field and not been bothered with.

sorry if your answer was no.

just take things steady, at 4 1/2 you shouldn't worry about jumping too much or your pony going on the bit, remember you are setting the groundwork for his future.

keep him on the same routine as you were in winter and see if that helps

Answer 2

My trainer has been trying to put weight on my gelding feeding 4 times a day. Well within a week a gained some and was so lazy and naught at my lesson. Not wanting to k eep his head down, not chaning leads ect. Just try lunging him before you ride, and ride long to get him threw the naught moments.

Answer 3

http://horses.about.com/od/horsetraining...

this is a step by step guide to make them more obidient

hope it helps xx

Answer 4

Well as you say he is four and at that age horse/ponies will try to mess about and try to take the mick. Believe me i know!

Especially as he has been out getting the summer grass, as for crashing into jumps, best thing to do is to take him over a few cross country fences, he'll soon learn respect for fences.Don't worry he'll grow out of it pretty soon

Answer 5

Well it seems like you have a lot of problems with this one...

First, the bit.. What bit are you using? I would consider using a slow/fast twist full check. The slow/fast twist really helps with the control you have over your horse... The full check halps a lot with the "ho!" factor.

Second, the jumping. This one will take some time... Start by trotting acantering him over little ground poles. Then set it up to a little x-rail. Do this for a bout a week. On week 2 start with the samll x-rail.. raise the crossrail to where you feel comfortable. Then lower it again and set it up as a small verticle. you can also take poles and set them on either side of the jump to make you go in a straight line and he will feel obligated to jump the jump.

If you have any other problems just post it and I am more than happy to help! :)

Answer 6

take thing very slow with him. do ALOT of flat-work to calm him down, do flatwork every day for a few days ( no jumps at all) practising basics (transitions, turns..) concentrate on transitions.. practice bringing everything back to halt, walk to halt, trot to halt, canter to halt until he learns to respect you again. i know it will be frustrating but use basic skills and be patient. if you do this its sure to work!

Answer 7

During the summer it is normal for a pony to get a grass belly. I wouldn't worry to much about that, but if it is getting to be a problem to you you could try a grazing muzzle. This will let the horse get less grass. You could try a more close contact bit such as a snaffle bit or something. Also if your horse getting to cocky over jumps start going over smaller ones until he can clear those without knocking them down. He may just not be lifting his feet.

Answer 8

Try lunging before you ride. If you have an experienced person to help you, try riding on the lunge line. That way you don't have to worry about where you're going, and the circle is less distracting. Plus, you have another person helping you out if you start getting out of control.

For jumping... go low. do lots of "jumps" with only a ground pole. Then put up a teeny X. Then, stop for the day. If you are lunging before you ride, he'll get a workout, and you can get him concentrating more. When you lunge, use a lunging cavesson with side reins, and don't just lunge to run him down. Get him ROUND on the lunge line. Lots of walk and trot before cantering.

After he's doing good with teeny Xs, SLOWLY move them up. You have a young horse, and plenty of time to work with him. Don't rush. If he rushes jumps, walk him over EVERYTHING. Then, work on straight line halts after the jump. Use the polocrosse stop if you need to.(literally brace your legs forward to stop. Not pretty, or good form, but definately helpful!)

Good luck!