Driving issues

[Littleum]

I have had his teeth checked so I know it isnt in his mouth but I can't see it being pain from just the light harness on him I have never actually had him in a cart before so there is no way that is an issue. He is trained to jump and loves to do that I would think if something were hurting him enough that just the harness would do it then he wouldnt want to jump either.

It's actually amazing how little it can take in tack fit to put a horse in pain. Think about the teeny pebble or a little bit of sand in your boot. He might have a pinched nerve in his shoulder/belly that is okay until the harness hits it just so. His back might be out of alignment and when the crupper goes on it wretches it in all the wrong places. He might have ulcers and being girthed up is painful for him. His cart might not be suitable and puts pressure on his spine. Just tossing out ideas.

I'm not saying it's not a mental issue. I'm saying you have to rule out a pain issue before you can move on to a mental one. And with a 28" horse, I'd investigate pain as Suspect #1.

 

[MinisOutWest]

can you video and put it on you tube for us to see?

 

[Maple Hollow Farm]

can you video and put it on you tube for us to see?

I would if it would get warm enough but he still doesnt have very much hair, it is growing way too slowly and he starts chilling terribly everytime I take his blanket off.

 

[BannerBrat]

[SIZE=12pt]Hmmm....[/SIZE]

This still has me stumped... if he knows how to lunge you could lunge him harnessed. (with all the loose parts up out of the way.) If he's in pain it would most likely show up then.

 

[Maple Hollow Farm]

[SIZE=12pt]Hmmm....[/SIZE]This still has me stumped... if he knows how to lunge you could lunge him harnessed. (with all the loose parts up out of the way.) If he's in pain it would most likely show up then.

I lunged him with it on tonight, very limitedly, it is too cold for him to be unblanketed very long but he acted fine when I ask him to move out or lope he does it and he doesnt act lame at all he looks like himself except for the way he acts like he just feels insulted that I am putting him in a bunch of equipment and actually expect him to do something...he has always been spoiled and for the most part does whatever he wants and I am beginning to think it may be just his way saying "who do you think you are?" and he also prolly knows that if I think he doesn't enjoy it I wont keep making him do it because it is just so sad for my little guy to be down in the dumps.

 

[rabbitsfizz]

Since you have not hitched him up put him in an open bridle and try again.

We had an Arab stallion that was such a pain to get through a doorway my then partner put a closed bridle on him and....well let's just say it was NOT a success!!

Not sure what her thinking on this was or why she did it but steering her has always been a hard job anyway so it was easier just to let her try!!

He was a real "Bantam Cockerel" normally and he just put his head down and sulked with the closed bridle!!

 

[MiLo Minis]

Reading between the lines from everything you have said here I am inclined to believe that this little horse is not depressed but pouting. He has always been the one in control and was quite happy to be so. Putting a bit in his mouth, harnessing him and actually asking him to work has taken away his control and he is sulking over it. I would if I were you see about getting some professional help with how to deal with this horse. They can help you figure out if there actually are any issues with pain first and then deal with what the problem is.

Its my feeling that the bottom line here is that he only wants to do what he wants to do.

 

[kaykay]

I have seen this in a couple horses and I always go back to some horses love to drive and some hate it. Any horse CAN drive but some horses dont enjoy driving or do it well. Same goes for jumping. I have seen horses that just hate jumping it but will do it if they have to.

I think its always good to check everything especially to be sure there is no pain, but sometimes I think we humans can over think things when sometimes its just a simple thing as a horse just not liking a discipline we put them in.