Originally Posted by Starlight Express

My Welsh D Star is super strong whilst being ridden whether its in the school or out on a hack. He is a very lazy horse however it is begining to feel like a chore to ride him and not pleasurable. I feel like I have to fight with him constantly. He is ridden in a waterford hanging cheek snaffle. He works very much on the forehand, this is something we are working to solve. However, if he doesn't want to do something he won't do it, and now has started to through in some bucking. He uses his strengh against me and evades the bit and leg aids.

On our hack yesterday he completly took me by surprise and bolted, flat out gallop leaving the whole ride behind us. There was no stopping him. No matter what i did (giving and taking the rein, sitting tall ect.) He just put his head in the air and went for it! I eventually got him to stop by turning him into a sheep enclosure. limited his space so he had to stop. I was terrified! I've never experienced him being so out of control. Now I'm worried about taking him out. It wasn't exactly a safe place to gallop.

He has had the usual checks, his teeth and saddle was checked early January this year. His back is fine as the vet has checked that too. I even got someone in to give him a sports massage. I'm at a loss! Has anyone got any ideas??

Originally Posted by ClareJane

if i was you for hacking i would go in a slighty stronger bit a pelham or even a 3 ring (dutch) gag starting from the snaffle ring and if need be work your way down the rings dont start at the bottom , yes i know they are stronger and used incorrectly can cause damage but importance is you need to control him before you totally loose your conferdance or have a accident. pratice in the school 1st as useing bits like this is to allow you to have more control but still maintain light hands and light aids, so you dont hang on to the mouth or yank to stop, these bits are for training aid not a permant fix.
also out hacking dont forget your schooling and what you learnt in lessons

sounds like he started to "take the piss abit", so work with your instructor to teach him to listen to you alot of transitions direction changes get him constantly listening to your aids and most inportantly control speed.
for schooling it sounds like he leans onto the bit, when you have him round he should be up and light on the forhand and working from behind, maybe try him in a loose ring snaffle for schooling work so he cant "hang on"

things like this take alot of schooling work from you, horse and instructor...
trust me ive been there

Originally Posted by momentofmadness

I haven't read all the replies.. But my answer.. He is a sec D.. One horse I would not be given..Far too head strong #

I really hope you can resolve his issues and blimey you have some serious tackle in his mouth..

Have you got anyone that can get on the end of a lunge whilst you are on.. and allow you to drop his for hand..

I haven't read the full thread sorry im off to do it now..