Youngster getting silly and excited out!

[heathere]

I have a quiet and gentle young arab x cob who is rising three this summer. Over the last twelve months I have gently worked on getting her used to scary things and we walk out in hand just around the block, always in the dually, just the two of us. I have to say her manners have been just superb, she moves with me, walk, trot and stop. An absolute dream, until recently.
My friend wanted to borrow my two ponies, so we took two ponies and youngster down the road to her yard, somewhere we have been before and not far. Youngster was quite lively as expected going out with others. She stood quietly in stable whilst two ponies were ridden then we all walked home.
The next time I took her out for a walk she was rather excited, jogging and snorting( like an arab) but didnt pull as such. I didnt worry too much, knowing that she has never ever tried to barge or knock me over.
The next time we went out she was very excited, on her toes, I needed to clip the dually into "working mode" as I was a bit concerned about what may happen! I tried to keep breathing deeply, walked slower, and tried not to respond to her excitement. If she got ahead of me I used the dually to put pressure on and bring her back to my side. She is very responsive to the slightest pressure. But by the end of the walk she was arguing with my request.
I left it a few weeks, then had another go, we did a bit of ground work and manners exercises in the driveway before going out, just to test her and she was quite chilled out. But on setting off down the road I could just tell she was winding herself up, on this occasion we met a car in the lane which meant getting into a gateway to pass and a chat, this made a good opportunity to turn around. She started off OK, then I heard a little squeal, then a squeal and little jump, a bit of jogging, snorting, tossing of the head, more squealing. To the point she wasnt really listening to me at all.
When we got home I let her have some grass in the driveway, then groomed her and fiddled around, and at no time did she look to see where the others were, so her rush to get home was nothing to do with separation. She even went out to graze and did not return to the herd.
So how do I go on? Friend says get a bit in her mouth and long rein, but if she is all excited surely that is just dangerous bit or no bit! I dont see how a bit will stop her being excited! Before this I would have quite happily gone forwards bitless because she was so gentle and responsive to the slightest pressure.
Where does the excitement come from? And what is this squealing about?
I am quite proud of myself keeping calm when she is all silly because I have never been the most confident rider, but that is because she has never done anything to worry me before, now she is worrying me!
At home they all live out 24/7 with shelter, and get handled daily to check them over and just to keep up the manners, all three are very relaxed and good together, youngster knows her place in the pecking order and will move back from the evil glare of fatty and is always last in the line.
Can anyone give me any advice in what is going on in her head please? Why is she getting silly and how do I go forward?

[KimT]

I honestly can't say what is making her silly. Lady (my rising 3 youngster) has been a bit more lively in the snow/cold weather. Could this have something to do with it?

I would say DO NOT put a bit in her mouth yet. I was told this with mine ages ago (when she was 18 months) and I refused. Purely because she had never had a bit in her mouth before so it would have just paniced her more and possibly caused her to hurt herself and then she wouldnt have wanted a bit in. Also I think (rightly or wrongly) that horses need a little bit of education about the bit rather than 'shove it in and yank'.

I am sorry that I can't be a lot of help. Do you think she might be better with a companion to walk with? Could she feel a bit more insecure since the other came with her and now dont? If that makes sense.

[heathere]

She is lightly rugged and so I only take her out on nice days! I try to manage once a fortnight for a walk, handling practice can be done with rug on. I had an old mare who I just couldnt ride in the winter because she just hated the cold and wind on her skin, so I am aware of the weather conditions!!
She has had the saddle and bridle on, all part of the Mums doing odd things to me again routine and wasnt bothered, but I have not done anything more than that.
I dont think she has ever been insecure on her own. I know most people say to take an older horse out with you, but we have met tractors, barking dogs, removal lorry with men inside, fast cyclist in high viz, she will stop, have a look, process it and sigh and walk on. She has been such a sweetie. Until now.

[specialized]

The cause of her reactions is adrenalin, the cause of adrenalin in a youngster can be anything that is going on in their head or can be a reaction to some obvious danger, it is hard to predict and often hard to counter. Being an owner of arabs it is something you just get used to as they can 'light up' for no apparent reason - a leaf in the wrong place for example - and you just learn to laugh it off. We have 2 youngsters, brother and half sister, the boy is arab and the girl quarab - he will light up and flounce around on tippy toes when he sees something new with big snorts, the works - she will wander up to it and say 'so what'. The more you react and tense up, the more you will feed the situation - chill and laugh are the best response.

[Steve Reid]

Your filly is just getting a wee bit excited.

Trying to hold young horses back when they get excited can be testing, because some youngsters quickly learn to lean if you give them something to lean on.

It's possible that when you are doing your groundwork in the drive you are quite chilled out yourself, but maybe less so when out on the road, and perhaps your filly is feeding off your adrenalin a bit. Practice deep breathing and keeping your heart-rate down.

Lots of changes in direction and the other little exercises which she does well should help focus her attention on you, and plenty of signals through the halter should sharpen her responses. As your confidence in your control of your filly increases, you can quicken and drop the pace here and there and this will keep her interested.