Difficult gelding

Question

I have owned a 6 year old Irish cob gelding for 6 months.  He has been exemplary in behaviour - in the stable and hacking out (alone or in company)  - until last week. As we were moving away from the stable to head up the usual path he suddenly swung to the right.  I tried to correct the movement but he got the better of me.  I persisted for about 45 minutes with no result.  I have tried since and the same happens but only worse.  Even when he has swung to the right and is turned in the direction of home, he still pulls to the right, dragging me across bushes and walls.  I am like a battered warrior at the moment.  I have been riding for the past year and bought him because of his quiet nature.  His teeth have been checked and filed.  He has recently been re-shod.  Nothing has changed as far as I can tell.  I have spoken to my vet who only told me to check the obvious, which I have. He lives in a herd of about 14 and is turned out all the time. I would be grateful for any practical and helpful advice.  I feel totally gutted at the moment.

Thank you

Lynda

Answer
Hi Lynda!

Since we will never really know why your horse is doing this, we'll take a practical approach.  Since your horse is pulling exclusively to the right we need to up your left turning power.  I would suggest a slightly stronger bit ( a broken mouthpiece is good turner...anything with a solid mouthpiece is more of a stopper) and tightening your martingale.  This will give you a much needed edge in controlling your horses head.

Ride him exclusively in an arena and when he tries to go right, run his head right into the wall!  If that does not work, carry a short crop and give him a good smack on the right side of his head to go left.

You could also add a spur to your right foot, so when you ask for him to go left you can jab him with your right spur as an accent to your aid.

If that does not work, longe him going left with sidereins or donut reins and tighten the left rein so  his head is visibly bent to the left while he goes.  Try this for a few days in a row and then ride him.

One of these things will work to get your point across but, they must be executed in a serious, no-nonsense manner.  If you feel you are not an aggressive enough rider to do these exercises, hire someone to do them that can.  

This is a dangerous habit that will only lead to worse issues.  Riding him outside right now will not work.  He needs to have re-training in an arena at this point and should not be taken outside until he is going well again under saddle.

Once you are back outside hacking, watch him viligently.  He will backslide...I guarentee it.  If he even thinks about pulling this trick again....right back to the training for him and no more fun rides till he is back to being well behaved!

If I had to guess why he does this, well, he knows he can and you cannot stop him.  It is a power struggle that you will never win through force.  He must be brought under control through aids that will convince him he has to....he has no choice in the matter.

He is young and will always play around to see what he can get away with and at the six month mark in your relationship, the "honeymoon" is over.  Now, it's time to "work" on the relationship to eventually bring about a trusting and balanced team!

Good Luck and remember to always wear an ASTM/SEI approved helemt!

Solange