PLEASE HELP. just bought a thoroughbred, why does he do that

[CountryCuzzin]

I have always had QH's. I just purchased a TB and I have no idea why he does some of the things he does. He was raced for the first five years of his life, then fox hunted and steeple chased. He is a very sweet boy and actually quite calm, however, he throws his head at a canter and constantly chews on a bit. I ride him western and with a hackamore, he seems to really like both of these changes. I can even get him to do a very slow trot. But the head thing has me thrown for a loop. Also, he turns his bucket over. I have seen lots of breeds do this, but he can turn any bucket and throw feed a LONG way. I guess what I am really asking is for some character trais of the TB that anyone can help me with. I am not new to horses, just TB's.
CC

[wilf]

Well mate, you have got yourself a regular off the track t-bred. Just roll with it and enjoy the time you spend together.

[CountryCuzzin]

HA HA...oh boy. Some one told me he throws his head cause he wants to stop, another said cause he wants to GO...I would like to keep him slow. But then again, he aint no QH is he?

[Sylvie Hebert]

have you check his teeth?...most head problems are teeth.

[mini's mom]

the bucket thing is probably a learned habit from boredom at the track as they are in stalls 23 hrs a day and have nothing to do - tbs are very intelligent creatures and water buckets and feed tubs become just toys to them - and when they throw their grain all over th place it will take them the rest of the day (or until the next meal) to pick it up. One of my mares loves to chase chickens as they are white, move quickly and fly when charged at - they are just portable toys that is all - she does not hurt them just chases them to see them fly up.

the head throwing is probably his teeth - or the bit banging on a wolf tooth, an abcess that is not taken care of or sharp points - dental work is not expensive and a little makes a big difference -

good luck in your new horse

[ElonGrad1997]

I rode a Morgan cross in Montana that did the same thing. So I put him in a bosal and that was the end of that. But definitely have his teeth checked.

[CountryCuzzin]

His teeth are fine. I did have them checked, and I ride him in a hackamore anyway. He only does it after he takes about three strides into his canter. I wonder if he wants to go faster? I try to keep him slow.

[Jessi P]

[quote="CountryCuzzin] I just purchased a TB and I have no idea why he does some of the things he does. He was raced for the first five years of his life, then fox hunted and steeple chased. He is a very sweet boy and actually quite calm, however, he throws his head at a canter and constantly chews on a bit. I ride him western and with a hackamore, he seems to really like both of these changes. I can even get him to do a very slow trot.

But the head thing has me thrown for a loop. Also, he turns his bucket over. I have seen lots of breeds do this, but he can turn any bucket and throw feed a LONG way. I guess what I am really asking is for some character trais of the TB that anyone can help me with. I am not new to horses, just TB's.CC[/quote]

Well dont you know, he must have been abused on the racetrack and is now ruined for life. Those poor abused racehorses....

Maybe you can train him with your "love" and he will behave better. Maybe try an animal communicator as well. Good luck!

[CountryCuzzin]

Um, not sure how to take your bit about "he must be an abused race horse and is ruined for life" comment, but I never said he was abused OR was ruined for life. In fact I think I said he was a good boy and would even do a slow trot. I am just wondering why he throws his head and is that a TB thing. Perhaps you are a bit touchy on the whole "racehorse" issue?

[Jessi P]

Country Cuzzin I am not referring to you in particular, just the legions of folks who have a TB, even years later off the track, who blame any imperfect behavior on the fact that the horse was no doubt abused when (s)he was a racehorse. It REALLY gets old after awhile, especially when John Q Public does not realize that racehorses are USUALLY (not always) better cared for than even the most coddled and pampered riding/pleasure/ show horses.

I am glad you can get your horse to do a slow trot - that is difficult for many TBs esp if they dont have the proper physical conditioning to allow them to go slow but balanced. I dont believe his head throwing or bucket turning has anything to do with the fact that he is a TB as opposed to a different breed. Bucket turning and slinging his feed probably developed from boredom, not the fact that he is a TB. Some horses are always finding creative ways to amuse themselves.

Dont know what to tell you about his head throwing - if he raced, then foxhunted, then steeplechased you are talking about traveling along at a good gallop in all 3 disciplines - so my educated GUESS would be that he is just waiting and wanting to go faster, as is "normal" for him (in his mind based on his past careers). Going to western with the slow jog and canter is a big change, and one that he will no doubt get used to once he knows what is expected of him and has the proper muscle to enable him to go slower with less effort. It is actually easier for a horse to go faster and lean on the riders hands than to go slower in a balanced frame.

Best of luck!

[CountryCuzzin]

Ok. no offense taken. Thanks for the good input and opinion. I kinda was thinking that it might have something to do with wanting to go along at a quicker pace. If I make him go along, after about 30 seconds to a minute he will stop doing it. He doesnt seem to want me off, or want to stop the canter, just toss the head from side to side. Someone else had a cute peice of advice, he said to just hold on and enjoy the ride.

Thanks again,
CC

[adrienne]

the bucket thing is probably a learned habit from boredom at the track as they are in stalls 23 hrs a day and have nothing to do - tbs are very intelligent creatures and water buckets and feed tubs become just toys to them - and when they throw their grain all over th place

Quite the opposite, I think.

At the track there is activity in the barn most of the day for the horses to watch. All horses that I know of have half doors, gates, or webbings so they can stick their heads out and keep in touch with all the activity. Even a horse not racing will get 2+hrs of attention/day.

You take them home, close the door, have the barn dead all day (most boarding barns are only busy during the evening) and THAT is boring for them.

And at the track, if they throw their water or their grain - it will be replaced in a very timely manner, lol. They don't have a concept of having to wait for anything.

Spoiled brats

~Adrienne

[Intrinsic Worth]

A lot of times, exercise riders just hang on their horse's mouths and cause this problem. I would slowly introduce side reins while lunging and teach him to accept the pressure of the bit.

[aurora]

I'd try a bit instead of a hackamore. Many, many horses will throw their heads when put to a hackamore.

[summerhorse]

A lot of times, exercise riders just hang on their horse's mouths and cause this problem. I would slowly introduce side reins while lunging and teach him to accept the pressure of the bit.

Yeah they pull harder as a signal to run faster and you can see exercise riders leaning back braced against the stirrups with all their weight on their horses mouths. For some horses this is not a problem, for others with sensitive mouths it is a BIG problem. And that can happen with any breed, I had an appy that was taught to go on the bit by someone who just cranked his head in by sheer force. It took YEARS for him to get over the head tossing and bit snatching habits but he did eventually. I rode him with a kimberwicke (because he would take off when I got him) but a light hand and eventually (while just hacking) a VERY loose rein (like a WP horse). In fact you could ride him on the buckle and he was fine. Took a long time to get over the fear of getting his mouth cranked in though.