Well. I have come to the conclusion that Nimbus is anxious when ridden and I don't think he trusts me yet.
In the stable I can brush him all over, touch every part of his body, pick out hooves etc and he doesn't move. I can tack him up with no problems but when it comes to mounting we have issues. I can walk him up to the mounting block and stand him beside it with no problems. I can be at his head and he doesn't have any issues. last night I could stand at his shoulder and again he wouldn't move but the minute I get on the block myself he moves his back end away so he turns to face me. It is almost like he is wanting to keep an eye on me and isn't comfortable with me out of view. When I eventually do get on him he can feel quite tense at points and will jog. He also turns into a poo-monster. I have never known a horse to poo so much when being ridden.
Last night I lunged him for 5-10min then spent nearly 1hr at the mounting block with him and not once could I get him to stand beside it while I was on it. I eventually got him close enough and still enough that I could get on but I didn't have much time left as I had a gym class booked so we just walked around on a long rein focusing on relaxing and stretching for 5min before I got off again. Some days I have managed to get on him without issue (and funnily enough I've had little issue with him jogging on those days too) but I have no idea what is different!
His owner also has issues too. I feel like I need to gain his trust. He has had his teeth back and saddle checked recently and all have been given the OK. When ridden he doesn't seem sore at all, just anxious and it takes him a good bit of time to settle down. Any ideas? Owner has said I can try clicker training with him so I think I will do a bit of that and see if that will help.
In the stable I can brush him all over, touch every part of his body, pick out hooves etc and he doesn't move. I can tack him up with no problems but when it comes to mounting we have issues. I can walk him up to the mounting block and stand him beside it with no problems. I can be at his head and he doesn't have any issues. last night I could stand at his shoulder and again he wouldn't move but the minute I get on the block myself he moves his back end away so he turns to face me. It is almost like he is wanting to keep an eye on me and isn't comfortable with me out of view. When I eventually do get on him he can feel quite tense at points and will jog. He also turns into a poo-monster. I have never known a horse to poo so much when being ridden.
Last night I lunged him for 5-10min then spent nearly 1hr at the mounting block with him and not once could I get him to stand beside it while I was on it. I eventually got him close enough and still enough that I could get on but I didn't have much time left as I had a gym class booked so we just walked around on a long rein focusing on relaxing and stretching for 5min before I got off again. Some days I have managed to get on him without issue (and funnily enough I've had little issue with him jogging on those days too) but I have no idea what is different!
His owner also has issues too. I feel like I need to gain his trust. He has had his teeth back and saddle checked recently and all have been given the OK. When ridden he doesn't seem sore at all, just anxious and it takes him a good bit of time to settle down. Any ideas? Owner has said I can try clicker training with him so I think I will do a bit of that and see if that will help.