Hate riding my horse!

[bluemood]

I've been riding for 16 years (since a kid) and have had my own all this time. My first two were easy sweethearts but since then I've had three projects and ridden countless others - I'll get on literally anything I can!

I've had my current horse three months now and he's the first one I've ever had who I just don't enjoy riding. It's an absolute chore.

He's a rising 9 Welsh Cob. I bought him from a woman who had had him for six months but was selling him as a project as he was too much for her. He tanked off with me across the field when I tried him (full gallop, no hope in hell of stopping him, eventually stopped as he physically couldn't go any further - owner said "oh yes, he does that...") but I bought him anyway as I wanted a project and figured with work he'd settle.

In the first two months I took everything right back to basics, establishing straightness in walk, getting him balanced on circles, yada yada yada, the usual stuff you do with youngsters and greenies.

I got him out to a few clinics where he was impeccably behaved.

The issue is at home and with how strong he is in the arena. He's been strong since day dot and no amount of schooling or exercises have helped. He's been ridden every day virtually for the past month and it was made no difference - I would have expected more progress by now.

He's either a curled up ball and will chuck in a buck here and there or he will literally just set his neck and go. There's no inbetween - if I asked for a working or medium trot he would just start to tank. His canter is virtually a gallop - often he goes so fast that he'll nearly fall over around the corners.

I've tried everything to get him balanced and slow - poles, give and take, bridging my reins, half seat, sitting right back, transitions, circling, trying to bring him back as soon as he speeds up. Nothing helps.

I've tried:

• Full cheek French link snaffle - sets his neck and goes
• French link Gag (on snaffle ring alone he sets his neck, on second ring alone he shoves his head up, goes hollow and runs through the bridle, and on both rings with two sets of reins he sets his neck and goes)
• Happy-mouth Pelham - runs off on the forehand

I've tried having no noseband at all, and also a grackle, doesn't make a difference.

He gets no feed apart from ad-lib hay, is out for 6 hours a day in a herd (TO restricted ATM) and is generally ridden for 40 mins to an hour every day.

On the ground he is calm. He's up to date with everything. Teeth were done recently. He's sound. Seems happy in himself.

I just don't know where to go from here with him as he doesn't seem to be progressing at all. I'm not a professional by any means but I can get a tune out of most horses so I'm not sure where I'm going wrong with him.

Any ideas before I send him to Findus?

Is there any chance he's uncomfortable? Pain, or discomfort from his tack could cause him to knob off certainly, but wouldn't necessarily make him unsound or show any signs of discomfort elsewhere.

Beyond that, I'd say life is too short to have a horse you don't enjoy. There are certainly options for bitting him up (or options like a kineton) but it's very much dependent on how he's moving off, his mouth conformation and what you hope to achieve (and, of course, your skill level / background). But only if you actually want to - if you just don't gel with him, you'd be better to cut your losses.

What do your trainer/s say?

Have you considered a Waterford? I know some people think they are too harsh, but I have a boy who tanks from time to time and this just means he can’t get a grip on the bit when he goes. I have a snaffle ring and ride quite loose the rest of the time but find it comes in handy when I need it

Teeth? Your description suggests some sort of discomfort with bit resulting in extreme evasion.
Or maybe neck vertebrae issues.
To find the issue - and it does sound physical - could get expensive - e.g. x-rays, and he may not be worth it.
Good luck!

Mine was very difficult and even dangerous when I got him (was vetted by equine vet), it took me ages to resolve his problem (useless local vets)

I finally managed to get a fantastic specialist to look at him, he had a bone scan at a hospital and other treatment.

Is now going fabulously as has qualified for Pet Plan Advanced Medium.

He is now the best horse I have ever owned - however he has cost me a lot of £ and blood sweat and tears along the way.

My sister’s cob suddenly started taking off and just running. No obvious trigger and would put himself in danger (and her). He’d been perfect before so this was a big change. Turned out to be a problem in his hoof causing pain. Maybe get a second vet’s opinion?

Nooo don't send him to findus!! The zoo could make better use 😀

I'm not a horsey person beyond once a week lessons many moons ago but from my totally inexperienced perspective it doesn't sound like he enjoys being ridden. But I could be completely wrong and he might like it too much.

I'd love to have a horse if my own But this sounds like a lot of work for little reward for both youandthe horse

Sorry it's crap when you are not enjoying your horse. Not easy at this time of year but some horses are full of themselves and just need a lot more work than 40 mins to an hour a day, despite living out. I'm sure you've tried lunge/poss horse walker? Does he jump? Medical issues aside, if more exercise doesn't work then I'd be trying to sell him as a hunter and move on.

You can go one of two ways:

1. Decide that, whilst the project might be bigger than you envisioned, you're up for it, and throw all the vets, farriers and osteopaths at it you can. You'll probably find something eventually and it may or may not click after that. It'll cost you a bit though

or

1. Decide you just don't like him and sell him on. Obviously you'd have to be very honest with the new owner.

There's nothing wrong with 2 if that's what you want to do.

In addition, is being ridden every day actually making the issue worse? Some cobs gets worse and worse the fitter they get - effectively you are making sure that once he tanks he's got the fitness to just keep on going. If he does have pain you may also be exacerbating it with over exercise.

Would you cut back on the exercise a bit and do less with him? He might be a bit happier with it.

Section D is he? How is he hacking in company.

Yes Sec D! Typical diva type.

I know you can't say for sure but I don't think it's a pain thing. He doesn't suddenly tank or shoot off as is common with a pain response, it's the type where he'll build up momentum and just not listen to my aids. It becomes worse after he's been asked to canter or if we're jumping etc so it's more of an anxious/excitement thing.

His saddle was professionally fitted, he had the back lady and dentist out just before I got him and he shows no sign of discomfort on the lunge (where he's great).

I think he's simply being a cantankerous git.

I haven't taken him hacking aside from around the farm land as to be honest I feel he would be a danger to myself, himself, and others should he decide to bugger off.

What's bizarre is that at the clinics with a tonne of other horses buzzing around and everything going on he was brilliant. It's at home where he's a little wotsit!

I think you should take him hunting, ask someone sympathetic to nanny you for the day. Or get some understanding friends to ride out with you, is there somewhere you could take him where he could safely just . . . go?

He sounds bored of schooling to me. Take him hacking or do something different for a bit to give him a mental break. If you have gallops locally a run on them once in a while would probably do him good.

Maybe it’s that thing when horses are 3/4 fit? If you got him fully fit, or roughed him off he might not do it.

Thinking about it, the only horses who have ever set their necks and barged off with me on the ground have been Welsh Ds.

I have the feeling that if you can’t turn him around, nobody can. My sister’s horse is now a field ornament...

You're a braver woman than me if you take him hunting OP :)

Unfortunately don't have transport so can't get him out much. I try to vary his work a lot and in the last month we've moved to a big, busy yard with lots going on so I don't think he's bored yet. He certainly doesn't act like he is anyway!

At our old yard I used to school in the giant fields, ride around the perimeter, etc. And in the school I do a mix of pole work, jumping, easy basic lateral stuff both alone and with others.

Sorry not trying to poopoo anyone but just trying to be as clear as possible.

He's my second Welsh Cob, my first was a bucking bronco forever on his toes, but fearless and a fantastic jumper with a very trainable attitude.

On the extremely rare occasion he works nicely, he has a gorgeous walk and trot and on the ground he's cute. Aside from that he hasn't got much else going for him if I'm being brutally honest.

Another (slightly off the wall) suggestion. You sound hugely experienced op, but if you are worried about hacking him out (which could then become vicious cicle as he gets bolshier with only schooling) is to make friends with someone at your local racing stable. I'd pay one of their experienced work riders to take him out for a full blow on their day off and ask for their honest assessment.

cycle not cicle!

OP it sounds like he's not the horse for you. Sell him on.

Funnily enough my ex has his own racing yard which is where we were before and he didn't like him, as he was a pain in the arse to turn out/bring in/have feet done/clip etc. (would do stuff like ram into you and then bugger off refusing to be caught ).

Looking back at videos of when I first got him, he was no where near as hot as he is now that he's lost a tonne of weight (was obese) and has fittened up.

So if you want to keep him you'd basically be best off roughing him off a bit as a happy hacker

Elo, essentially. Either that or I continue busting my ass with him for another six months and see where we're at then.

I just feel like I have a duty of responsibility to do my absolute best with him as he's the type who would be passed from pillar to post.

To top it he's a real baby so don't even think he'd make a decent hack!

I'm going to have a pro rider come and and give him a whizz and see what they think of him!

Lots of pole work in the school, give him something to think about.

Trot work on a loose rein, is counter intuitive but it really worked for one of mine that used think speed was the only requirement. Don’t worry about outline or correct bend to start with. Just focus on slow!

Don’t even bother with canter until you have him trotting calmly.

Out of interest what is his breeding?? (I do a bit of breeding, it might mean something if he comes from certain lines)
I have a 7yo D Mare. Homebred so I know her whole history. She can be a bit like that. She is a very very sensitive mare and always tries to do her best but if she thinks she is doing it wrong she sets her neck and no pulling will stop her. She is lovely away from home, very calm and laid back, wins dressage finals etc but in arena at home some days there's just no point. And occasionally hacking she just leans and leans. It's the human equivalent of sticking your fingers in your ears so you can't hear!! It's the same dealing with her on the ground, if she knows you her manners are impeccable but if she's not sure she will do anything to get away to the point of being dangerous. I know a few by the same stallion and they are all quite similar. It doesn't make the situation any easier but sometimes when you can pinpoint why they are like that it makes it easier to accept and deal with it.