spinning

[valerie n scout]

Tomas's thing is spooking by dropping his head and spinning around and bu**ering off, can i stop this ?

[jay]

Does he give you any warning as to when he's going to spook? Jay used to do this a fair bit, but he'd slow a little first and start to look around more, I'd feel him tensing up, then he's drop his head and shoulder and spin really quickly! Now whenever I feel him slowing a little or being more aware of his surroundings I keep my leg on to encourage him forwards more and if needs be I back it up with a little tap with the whip behind my leg. This has worked for us anyway. Good luck!

[greydales]

How old is Tomas? It sounds like a typical young pony thing (although some do carry this behaviour on ). Cherry can also do a violent drop shoulder spin but it's usually when she's been genuinely scared by something, and it has only happened once or twice at most (so far!!).

There's not really a lot you can do to prevent spooking but generally the more you expose them to, the less they will react, and you will come to recognise situations where they are likely to spook. It might be useful to ride out with a neck strap or a dressage strap - something that you can hold onto which should give you better anchorage if they spook. Make sure that they respect your leg and seat aids as often they do gain a bit of security from these.

Cherry is gradually getting better with the spooking the more she sees - she's definitely less reactive than she used to be (famous last words, ha!).

Best of luck!

[valerie n scout]

no ! no warning at all little bu**gr x am going to give it my best shot, am not the most dynamic rider, as Scout is such a gen,t but will do more ground work and just see how i do but ive had a few injuries with him now and am not as young as i used to be, so if i have to give in, i think i would like to loan him x not sell, as the i would loose control should he go to a not so satisfactory home xxx

[maggie]

You've probably already tried this Valerie, but sometimes the use of a daisy rein can stop the evasion before it starts. He drops his head down to give him the length of rein he needs to be able to spin round without restraint. A length of baler twine from saddle to bit ring, just long enough not to interfere with contact at walk, can keep the head up enough and helps you not to lose the rein.

I do sympathise, my son's horse used to do this very regularly without any warning at all and it really puts you off balance doesn't it? Takes me what feels like ages to get back in control, then it's heart in mouth, having turned back round and driving forward.

Spoils any pleasure in a quiet hack when you're anticipating trouble, doesn't it?

[valerie n scout]

well am not up to actually riding for a bit,but will try it when i do go out i'll give it a go thanks xxx

[harleydales]

Is it just when he spooks, or does he do it to nap, for example to go home?

I had a spinner (napping rather than spooking) and stopped him spinning by making him spin! Once I'd mastered the art of staying on!!
I used a neck strap (old stirrup leather or lead rope is fine) so that I had something to stabilise myself, and then just kept him going round in a tight circle. He got so fed up of it he gave up in the end. Rather unorthodox but it worked for him.

[valerie n scout]

To be honest am willing to give anything a good go,as he is such a sweet heart took him for a long walk tonight in quite heavy traffic and he is no bother, just occasionally a drama queen on a ride x

[kathnsonny]

My Welsh cob used to spin, but that was napping rather than actually being afraid of anything! I got no warning either, I can appreciate its not at all pleasant!
My instructor used to say exactly the same thing as harleydales, if they want to spin make them go round & round then drive forward, this did work, you do have to react fairly quickly though.

[valerie n scout]

hes so fast at spinning tho,if Scout gets a fright he kind of nips to the side but Tomas is soooo fast for a short fat hairy fella its unreal ! I dont actually remember falling just getting dragged,like,"what happened there?

[mickey]

Paddy used to do this- I did get better at managing it, he always spun left so I would carry a whip in my left hand- if he went to spin I'd wave my stick (if I had time!)

[southerner]

to spin he has to go through the shoulder, think less of his head and what his shoulder is doing. we had the same thing with a large hipo. i took him over in the end, he dropped out through the shoulder and sodded off, always through the left shoulder. I ride him firmly between leg and hand, using a NS elevator. The minute he moves my left hand lifts up and left knee comes on blocking that shoulder. he has now almost stopped doing it and we can relax a bit more.

[katiejane1]

Nancy used to use it as an 'oh my I just can't cope with this lets go home' reaction and she did grow out of it (a few nasty fall, and a concussion later lol). After the first few times I did learn to read it and then I did a mixture of diving her forward, or just keeping her spinning. Is there someone else who can get on and ride for you for a while if your not feeling up to it at the moment and/or it is making you loose your confidence, someone who is younger and bounces more when they fall off (hurts more as an adult I have discovered) or just doesn't
mind or has a superglue bum like my ex YO. I think a lot of babies go through this phases and that falling off is all part of having a baby unfortunatly.

[valerie n scout]

well to be honest Katie I have given the little..........sweetheart to the husband,he loves him and Tomas loves Rich in return, so thank the lord a happy ending x

[katiejane1]

sounds like a sensible plan to me lol. x