Can't get gelding to settle down.

[valjoe]

So what will you do come race day? The pony can't race with him. I don't think ponying is the answer.

well I once knew a pony that use to race in the afternoon, with that said I think it's a good start, anything that can get him past that point is good. Don't forget he's not going to run the race alone.

[Rachel Alexandra]

What do you suggest?

A pony dragging him around the track is not going to break him of this bad habit. As soon as he is without the pony he is going to go right back to his poor behavior.
If you are quite certain that nothing is bothering this horse then find someone that is willing to get on him and make him go. I would still send him in company. Of course, you will ask "what's the difference if I send him with a pony or send him in company?", the pony rider is leading him around the track, whereas in company, he learns to go without being lead around the track. Maybe ponying him a few days is fine, but then why not switching to company without a pony? Horses react differently when being lead around by the head. He's just going where he's being lead, but he has to learn to go by the request of the rider on his back.

[Rachel Alexandra]

So what will you do come race day? The pony can't race with him. I don't think ponying is the answer.

well I once knew a pony that use to race in the afternoon, with that said I think it's a good start, anything that can get him past that point is good. Don't forget he's not going to run the race alone.

That pony that raced in the afternoon wasn't ponying a horse in the race was it????
Sure, he's not going to race alone, but the OP already said he does the same in company.

[soft hearted]

What do you suggest?

Personally, sounds like a good start. Keep it going with a GOOD galloper. Someone with some guts, balance, strength, common sense, whip arm (unfortunately) for those times when understanding just doesn't want to overcome coltishness...
Get him down in the chute and do a bunch of stuff that underlines steering and rideability as well as just get out and GO.
If you've got riders that can't sit a drop of the shoulder or a ducking out, you've got a HUGE problem.
JMHO

[madelyn]

I was at a training center nearby a few weeks ago, giving a pal a tour. There is a trainer there I have a horse with, who has a large operation. They were preparing a "bad actor" to go out. With him, they sent a very well behaved horse. Both horses had excellent riders on them. The "good" horse was used to keep the "bad actor" to task, to stop him from veering out, etc. His rider had a bit longer stirrup and a whip and kept him going. Something like that might be the next step after ponying.

[griff]

I still believe a wester saddle, with or w/o the roller spurs, would be an asset until this guy understands he is a horses and is suppose to do what the ridder asks/tells him to do.

griff

[windyr]

So far, the recommendation to start ponying him seems to be an excellent one. He went along today again with the pony without incident. The plan is to continue this for a week. Then we will put an experienced lad with spurs and western saddle on his back along with the pony.

[Joltman]

Some times this sort of thing really is unique to a particular place - the proverbial monster there. If you are able to pony past over and over again you may resolve that. Depending on where you are you might just walk the horse back and forth on that spot of the track and look for reactions (after training hours). It is good to try to find the source of the fear, for two reasons. One is to help the horse overcome it. The second is to know that a SIMILAR situation could be created in a completely different place that could prompt the same, dangerous reaction.

Doing speed work at a different venue might be an important exercise as well. He may be acting up because he associates the place with speed work, which is hurting him somehow.

hope things get better for you

jm

[xfactor fan]

Once you can get him to walk past the spot in company, you might want to try walking him past the spot solo. Let him know that the "monster" isn't there anymore, and won't get him. Maybe even stop him and stand him there. I'd put a really good rider up on him at this point, just incase the monster comes back.

Then start the faster works in company, then solo.

If he always thinks that there is a monster lurking at that spot, he's always going to be a danger to himself and other horses.

Good luck with your guy.

[windyr]

We have been ponying him for one week. We first put him on the inside of the pony for a few days and then switched him to the outside with full cup blinkers and he went quite well. Today they opened the turf track for training and we took the chance to work him on it since he is by Mizzen Mast and bred for the turf. To my astonishment, he behaved very well. The turf track is on the inside of our main dirt track but he clearly did not see the "monster" where he normally freaks out. The plan now is to pony him on the main track, with a rider on his back with Western saddle and spurs, to teach him some manners and to try to get him to settle down some more. Next Sunday, if we get the turf track again, we will work him fast to see how he behaves. That will be the acid test. Today however was very, very encouraging.

[doublete]

Honestly, keep working forward with the pony assisting. Don't let him do any more of his bad behaviour.

We had a horse here, a very large horse that pushed everyone around. He did the same type thing at the same point in the track. He could drop every rider as well. He would wheel at a good clip, faster than I thought any horse could do it. We finally got him going with a pony. Day after day. We got him in the habit of doing it right. Then when he worked he would go in company. And we found he worked out of the gate without issues. Come race time he was absolutely fine. Once they learn their job they do it. Now he trains without issue since he has run several times.

But in your case your colt may be telling you he needs to grow up a bit more mentally and needs some "help" like with the pony to learn his job.

[windyr]

He worked on the turf again today in company at a fairly decent clip and he did not give any trouble whatsoever. He definitely is not seeing the monster on the turf track so the plan is to keep ponying him and working him on the small exercise track, work him fast on the turf track and race him on the turf when he is ready.

[ratherrapid]

congrats. sometimes you do everything you can and they still act up. vision, teeth, even if you have 'em checked there can be unseen problems, afraid to extend themselves due to wind problems, etc. etc. i had thought the way you posted it that you might have a solvable problem. good luck with the horse!

[LB]

I'm glad he seems to be turning things around. best of luck with him going forward!

[Jessi P]

Best of luck, it sounds like things are moving forwards for you, congratulations!

Please keep us updated as to his progress - I have a Mizzen Mast filly coming in next week, she is a turf horse as well.