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You are in... Forums > Welcome To Your Horse Forum > The Yard > Ex racehorse wont stand still while out on a hack, any suggestions?

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tatti

Joined:

Jul 08

Posts: 989

tatti says:

Ex racehorse wont stand still while out on a hack, any suggestions?

Hi, we are doing quite well with the whole barefoot problem, barefoot in field and ridden in cavallo horse hoof boots, have just stuck to the schooling ring. He hasnt been out for a hack for a good 3 months, due to him pulling his shoes off etc and then going barefoot and was foot sore. Anyway, remembered what a twat he is at hacking out when we went for a walk down the road (I wanted to see how the hoof boots faired, especially with my weight and tack on, on a hard surface and if he would be struggling), he has always had a problem with standing while out on a hack, no problem in the schooling ring but, when out of the yard the head goes up, the eyes start popping and he strides off like a mad thing, he doesnt jig jog and I can easily turn him back for home without that behavior, which is great but, its when you ask him to stand that he cant cope, he throws his head up and I have to circle him, as otherwise he tries to go up, so last night when going out, narrow piece of grass on my side of the road and then a ditch, two vans coming the other way, typical! he refused to wait and stand and there was no where to circle him and he started to panic, so had to turn him back the way we had come, went into a drive way and circled until the vans passed and then set off again, he had been like this since we have had him, although I admit I havent hacked out much with him, anyone else had problems like this and how did they solve them. He still wont go on the 'bit' and we are working on that, so its hard to keep his attention and stop him throwing his head up. He can go from being very chilled out to panicing and then thats when  I have a problem, as he wont listen, he does this on the ground as well.

thanks

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  • Posted 360 days ago (24 June 2012 13:33)
kevinhiatt

Joined:

Aug 10

Posts: 5212

kevinhiatt says:

Re: Ex racehorse wont stand still while out on a hack, any suggestions?

What bit do you use for a start as I told to use a French Link Snaffle also several other problems besides hooves, the saddle for a start as high withers, another with my ex-racehorse was such a long neck needed longer reins (17.2h Chestnut Mare), needed a mounting block but she did not want to stand still the reason was I was informed the jockies mount while they are moving which does not work with someone 6ft 2in and in their 60's. When I first rode Lara her head would nod upand down all the time but this stopped. Also watch the feed as I used and still do on my new horse Sabrina is Soft and Soak as the last thing is fizz, also with an ex-racehorse mare I had impaction colic and told to use liquid parrifin a egg cupful a week in the feed. Also greatly recommend the leather strap which runs between the front D rings of the Saddle as Lara used tostand on her hind legs spin 360 deg, drop a shoulder, then a full nap and a bucking turn, unfortunately I lost her last year due to a twisted gut so sudden so devastated.

Gypsy Gold does not chink & glitter.It gleams in the sun and neighs in the dark.Tonka & Lara my beautiful horses RIP, Nelson & Chloe the cats.

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  • Posted 360 days ago (24 June 2012 15:40)
toochi

Joined:

Feb 12

Posts: 106

toochi says:

wont stand stii out on a hack

hi my cousin went through the same situation with her tb . a natural horsemanship instructer , told her to to change everything . she changed to a bitless bridle , dr cooks . did some inhand work with the bridle on , everytime horse stood sill he was given a treat . she did this for a couple of weeks , progressing to tiny hacks and sill giving a treat everytime she asks for stand . the horse stands beautifully now although its quite funny as every time she has to stand her horse at road junctions etc , he bends his head round for a treat haha . not really ideal but hes that busy preforming his still trick for a treat , he is deffinately not worried about whats round him , infact she complains hes a tad to slow , maybe hes just getting ready to stop for something yummy .

toochi

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  • Posted 360 days ago (24 June 2012 17:51)
tatti

Joined:

Jul 08

Posts: 989

tatti says:

hacking out

I have had his teeth done, and back checked twice, plus saddle checked. Mounting is getting better, although he still wants to go as soon as you pick up the reins while standing by the mounting block but at least he isnt cantering on the spot now! - I have totally changed his feed, since going barefoot so, no sugar at all, even took away his lickit block in the stable, he is now feed simple systems feed, so all natural and has extra linseed oil, seeweed, biotin, all good things for his feet, which I have to say, have improved a lot since we have removed his shoes (4 weeks ago) - I also spoke to the ROR organisation and Rowena Cook said to change his french link to a Neuve Schule Team Up Bit, which I did (more money!) and I think he likes this much better. As I said, he is fine in the schooling ring, its when you go 'out' that his fear and flight take over and he just wants to keep moving and cant stand his feet standing still, i.e. the circling to stop him going up etc, I usually do keep him moving (when I hacked out previously) but, this isnt always possible (like last night when there was no where to circle) - I know its a typical ex race horse trait, and he finds hacking out both exciting and scary at the same time, but its quite frankly dangerous. I wonder if we need to do more in the schooling ring, as he doesnt go onto the bit and with a TB when you lose their concentration, they become quite dangerous, so a horse poking his head and looking about for tigers in the hedge isnt ideal. He has come along a lot since we have had him, we have really worked hard, but sometimes I feel its one step forward and two steps back. I dont want to go down the bitless route, I have a DR Cook gathering dust in the tack room, as my daughter enjoys dressage and to be honest, I dont think a DR Cook would make any difference to make him stand still while at a junction or to wait patiently at the side of the road, I am lost for ideas.

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  • Posted 360 days ago (24 June 2012 21:10)
lauralou15

Joined:

Apr 10

Posts: 454

lauralou15 says:

Re: Ex racehorse wont stand still while out on a hack, any suggestions?

Sorry silly question but did you say you have walked him out in hand? As if not you could try that and see if he will stand with you hanging on to him from the ground rather than on board? sorry if youve already tried that :)

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  • Posted 360 days ago (24 June 2012 22:59)
toochi

Joined:

Feb 12

Posts: 106

toochi says:

ex racehorse wont stand still

hi from what i can remember , my cousin was advised to go bitless to give a softer feel like a halter but with the control of a bridle and do a lot of inhand work walk to stand with a reward , she did this inside the field first then outside the field . her horse was impossible to mount , literally had to throw a jocky on then he was off , thats ok if jocky is really lite , but impossible and dangerous for a full sized adult . her first trainer tried all sorts of methods to get him to stand still , lifting a hoof , blocking him etc , poor horse got worse . you couldnt even slightly lift his reins or raise a hand as he would be off . it was a very upsetting time and she was advised to sell him , which broke her heart as she felt he would never find a longterm home because of his issues . when she worked with the natural horsemanship instructer(last resort) . she changed everything . even a different mounting block . and work was done in his field first where he was most comfortable , then progressed to leading him out . he went form a head in the air white eyed time bomb to a very ploddy low head relaxed horse . he doesnt move a muscle now to be mounted untill asked and stands perfectly still by voice command . it may not work with every horse but results were amazing with my cousins

toochi

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  • Posted 359 days ago (25 June 2012 09:43)
brook

Joined:

Sep 08

Posts: 4897

brook says:

Re: Ex racehorse wont stand still while out on a hack, any suggestions?

Hi Tatti, I just wanted to say a BIG well done to you ! You have come so far with your horse and it sounds as though he's making good progress. I'm sure that you will get there with his hacking issues. We have a TB mare who has just turned 5 and have taught her to stand by using voice command and working in hand within a safe area ( a small paddock ) Try walking large around the arena with your horse wearing either his bridle or a pressure halter then stop and at the same time say Stand. When he stops give him a stroke and plenty of praise, do this several times on each rein. When he gets used to this put some poles out so that he can walk between them, make a road with the poles and ask him to stand when you reach the end. If he starts to walk on or pulls just calmly repeat the exercise until the penny drops ! Once he is doing this in hand you can progress to riding him, just do the same thing using the voice command as you halt. When you feel confident take him for a short hack with someone with you on foot and practise asking him to stand when you feel that it's safe to do so. Another tip is to use his name before the voice command as it will just grab his attention. Keep us in touch with his progress, good luck XX 

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  • Posted 359 days ago (25 June 2012 15:19)
tatti

Joined:

Jul 08

Posts: 989

tatti says:

Re: Ex racehorse wont stand still while out on a hack, any suggestions?

Thank you Brook, we are doing lots of in hand and ground work and he is doing well, He is absolutely fine when asking him to stand while in hand, goes backwards when asked, is fine in the field when ridden when you ask him to stand. The problem is when out hacking, and I guess that stems from being an ex racer. He gets himself very excited about hacking and nervous too and wont just amble along, he charges out at 100 miles per hour, with his head in the air. He simply cant 'stop', his brain is telling him to keep moving, so therefore its a problem with on coming traffit etc. I havent hacked him out since the last time, as I feel its too dangerous, also - if you try and 'hold' him to let the car go by etc, he will panic and try to rear. I dont know what to do really.

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  • Posted 355 days ago (29 June 2012 15:04)
brook

Joined:

Sep 08

Posts: 4897

brook says:

Re: Ex racehorse wont stand still while out on a hack, any suggestions?

Hi Tatti, yes I can see where you are coming from now ! At least you know why he is behaving this way and you are being understanding about it. Although Tilly is'nt an ex racer she was backed and ridden by someone who used to work with race horses so in the early days she was allowed to go far too quickly and was'nt asked to stand still whilst being mounted etc so we had to spend alot of time trying to slow her down ! It is'nt easy to change previous habits so i can understand your predicament.

 

I would try short hacks on quiet routes to start with, what is he like off road ? Can you safely hack him on fields or farm tracks ? If so maybe just get him used to going out and slowly introduce him to traffic on quiet lanes, practice halting when there is no traffic around at first just to get him used to stopping whilst he is out, hopefully you will both be a little more relaxed. I know this might sound silly but when we hack Tilly out we often stop for a few seconds just to say hello to people and let them pat her, you never know he might get distracted and stand for a while lol.

 

Trying to change his mind set is going to take quite some time and alot of patience as you already know, but if you can get him out a few times per week ( safely of course ! ) he will start to relax a bit more and become confident with his surroundings. If Tllly still tries charging off I make her walk behind Tenor lol, but honestly it took quite some time to slow her down and she will always have her moments !

 

Good luck with him, you have come so far already and worked hard to gain his trust, just keep doing what you are doing, keep us updated, i would love to know how you are gettting on XX

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  • Posted 354 days ago (30 June 2012 14:14)

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