Advice on my horses behaviour?

[Spirit of Wales]

My youngster 4yrs 7 months old has been on box rest for 4 weeks and today went out on a hack for the second time since he finished the box rest. Yesterday when out alone he was fine, just a typical youngster, shying at the odd thing, but nothing silly. He is usually so well behaved, alert/nosy but never silly. However, today when he went out with my friend and her horse, his behaviour was completely out of character. He wasn't spinning or rearing when he saw something he didn't want to pass but he was refusing to go forward whilst reversing backwards quite quickly. Even a few encourageing taps on his rear with the crop to get him moving forward and a strong leg on did not stop this behaviour. It was a sheer battle of wills who won to get him moving, of which I won each time today, however its unnerved me a little. He's a cob and quite strong and I don't want any bad habits developing and want to nip this in the bud before he gets the idea that he can either add a spin or rear to this behaviour. Not only that this can be dangerous on a road with traffic.

Forgot to mention that he is use to going out in front, but today for the first time whilst in company he behaved as above unless the other horse was in front which I can't have he must re-learn to be able to be out in front, in the middle, behind as well as hacking out alone. Nothing has happened to have caused this change in behaviour.

So how best to deal with this behaviour.

[Amanda Seater]

Maybe he just needs to regain his confidence a little. So allow him to be behind for a ride or two and then in the middle and then back infront. he is young and has been off work and on box rest. Just be prepared to go back a few steps to go forward again.

[megansmum]

my pony has been ponied off another horse unless ridden by my granchildren when she still prefers to be behind' no one has ridden her lately as the weather is not good so i have been taking her ouit on long lines' she is quietly learning to be confident to go on her own in front' we have had issues but she is getting better and today she was very good' she looks at every thing but keeps going' dances sideways sometimes but didn't refuse to go on' maybe worth a try to get his confidence back without the worry of a rider'

[elkerlodge]

hi

when i box rested my 4 year old, i spent a lot of time, leading then long reining, gradually building up the distance. This allowed fitness to build up slowly, before i started to hack.

i also helped build out relationship and confidence in each other.

[Spirit of Wales]

Thanks everyone for your advice. Yes, thinking about it, I believe it is a confidence issue as he's been on box rest for so long. Today we rode out and he didn't put a foot wrong, so I will continue to build his confidence on the ground and in the saddle. Some times forget he's still a baby. I'm so used to having older more mature horses that have been there and done everything types.

Thanks again