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Post by spotti on Jul 1, 2008 11:03:10 GMT
Rode Faith this morning, schooled her outside (as she's better outdoors) and she was fine. Had a few rears because she saw her friends going out to the field and she wasn't, but nothing I couldn't handle.
Anyway, did about 15mins schooling then hopped off, opened gate, hopped back on and then the fun started! All I wanted her to do was turn left and go up the path back up to the yard....but oh no! She wents forwards, backwards, sideways, up, down, round and round, in the field with loads of XC jumps in, tried taking me out for a hack...anywhere but the way I was asking her to go! I had only planned to ride her for 10-15 minutes (as she's only just being brought back into work) but I ended up being on her back for nearly an hour, just because she was being a prat!
TBH, the only thing she can do to get me off now is buck, but she's not figured that out yet. I'm getting really good at sitting to rears, we've learnt to rein-back this morning (we walked backwards for about 20 steps until she got so confused that she turned round and walked the right way! PUDDING!) and generally I just laugh at her if she's having a 'special moment' and ask her to move on.
Just one question though, is what I'm doing right?
a) when she rears, I just stand up a bit and lean forwards and then squeeze her on when she lands again...is that right?
b) when she won't turn left, we do a tight right circle and try again??
c) scary stuff we go and look at
d) if she insists on backing up, I make her rein-back until she realises that this is the hard option and gives in
e) when she spins I just send her in the opposite direction
f) if she refuses to go forward, I ask nicely, then wip-wop (reins from one side to other but without hitting her because a whip-effect just sends her running!) then ask again, usually this works, if not then we repeat, legs getting stronger each time
Sorry for all the questions but we've never had all this performance before (mainly becuase she never had friends before, bless her) and I just want reassurance that I'm doing the right thing, or advice on what I could do better (the only advice anyone else on my yard gives is "use a whip on her", to which my answer is "no thanks, we don't do whips")
Cheers!
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Post by Blonde Donkey on Jul 1, 2008 11:08:54 GMT
i think you're going along the right lines
have you tried owning the back whenever she is naughty make her go back so it's not just when she wants to
don't forget to tell her she's a good girl when she does good
if she does start bucking just push her through it and if it gets dangerous make her do things she finds difficult
e.g savvy bucks in canter if she does it down a long side and carries on then she has to go back to trot because she finds trotting harder than cantering
don't use a whip if she doesn't like it as she will be reacting to pain which could make her worse
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Post by Blonde Donkey on Jul 1, 2008 11:11:08 GMT
sorry i sound so bossy  |
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Post by spotti on Jul 1, 2008 11:13:11 GMT
That's ok Sav, you didn't sound bossy at all  I'll try 'owning the back', which I sort of do, atleast at times, but we'll get better at it! And hard work...hmmm...that would be left-rein stuff then! |
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Post by Becca on Jul 1, 2008 12:44:58 GMT
Just one question though, is what I'm doing right? a) when she rears, I just stand up a bit and lean forwards and then squeeze her on when she lands again...is that right? b) when she won't turn left, we do a tight right circle and try again?? c) scary stuff we go and look at d) if she insists on backing up, I make her rein-back until she realises that this is the hard option and gives in e) when she spins I just send her in the opposite direction f) if she refuses to go forward, I ask nicely, then wip-wop (reins from one side to other but without hitting her because a whip-effect just sends her running!) then ask again, usually this works, if not then we repeat, legs getting stronger each time I have never ridden a horse that has actually gone up but i would say pushing her on when she lands is right, you wnt her moving forward not up if you want her to go left dont circle her right. i would ask her to stand still, calmly, then when she is settled ask again. by turning her right she is going where she wants to go (even if it is a circle) showing her scarey stuff isn't scarey is good as long as it is in a safe area in case it really does scarey her and she panics and does something dangerous I like the idea of "fine, you wanna go backwards we will" as long she will do it when you ask, eg one more than she choses to do when having a special moment or just when schooling In most cases i would say carry a whip, even if you dont use it, she will know it is there (but i know how much you dislike them) as the idea is to remind her she should be listening to your legs which i'm guessing the wipwop thing would do too, snap her out of her tantrum you yes i think in general you should have her doing what she is told in no time  |
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Post by spotti on Jul 1, 2008 12:58:08 GMT
Becca, seriously? You've never been on a horse that's reared? Lucky you! lol. Kidding I do have a whip, infact I've got a few, but I don't like using them a) because they send Faith running (even the sight of one) and b) my hands are still wobbly and out-of-practice and so the whip wobbles, making it seem like I'm asking her to go faster when really I'm not! I'll try her with a schooling whip tomorrow...if you don't hear from me for a while its 'cos she killed me (or atleast tried to)! I get the overall impression that we're not doing anything majorly wrong, but thanks for the tips on how we can improve (and that's why I love this place...always get good advice and constuctive critisism(sp?) and not just "you're doing it wrong!" yelled at you with no help at all) I think that I forget sometimes that she's only been ridden for 6 days now after a break of about 8 months, so I can't go expecting miracles overnight now can I? (Can I? If anyone knows of a miracle-maker then please put me in touch! ) |
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Post by Becca on Jul 1, 2008 13:12:51 GMT
haha no honestly, never had worse than the odd stroppy hop! how i have escaped if for all these years i will never know. the thing is you don't want her to be scared of the whip you want her to respect it. Bernie will let me run a lunge whip all over his body and the same with a whip while riding to help brush off flies but when i used one to enforse aids he knows what it means "concentrate you cheeky git" usually Try getting her used to a whip on the ground before you ride with one if the really scare her, run it over her when you groom , carry it when walking her to the field, just have one around so she doesn't associate it with bad things. once she is calmer with one you can ride with one as a little wobble shouldn't scare her hope that helps a little. sounds nice to have people on your yard that are so helpful rather than the know it alls we have |
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abi
Intermediate Sh*t Shoveller
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Post by abi on Jul 1, 2008 13:15:29 GMT
i think you've done very well to stick with her spotti, and one day you'll be rewarded.
( i sound like some nutter there, im not!)
keep it up - sounds like you're taking the firm but fair approach, which is the best way from what she sounds like.
have you tried any monty roberts or kelly marks? she might be backing up because she doesnt know whats ahead or wants to stay with her friends, and needs to trust you more, i think both of these are good for trust bonds xx
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Post by spotti on Jul 1, 2008 13:37:35 GMT
I do a bit of Monty Roberts stuff with her, and I think the backing up was more a "I want to go out on a hack OR go out with my friends...I don't want to go back in my stable on a nice day like today!" sort of tantrum.
Like I said, this is only our 6th ride after 8 months off, so I'm actually impressed that she's even listening to me at all!
Becca, I actually meant this forum when I said I love it here (you guys rock!), but a few people on the yard are helpful, although very narrow minded and cannot understand why we are bitless and wear hoof boots?! Silly people. Their loss!
Re the whip, the guy (prat!) who had her before me said he was totally against whips, which made me believe he'd never use one on her, but having got to know him and seen his [very changable] temper, I wouldn't be suprised if he'd taken his stress out on his horses. Whip or no whip. He was a pilloch (sp?) and even if I can't keep Faith forever, atleast I got her away from him...nasty man. It's scary just who can have a horse isn't it?
Sorry for the slight topic change there, he just gets me so angry! Guess my point is that I don't really know her history, other than what he told me (which is no doubt the cleaned up version of the truth, if not a complete pack of lies altogether) so I'm just taking things as they come and figuring it out as we go along.
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Post by Becca on Jul 1, 2008 13:49:33 GMT
hehe i have strops like that "i dont want to go to work it's sunny! humph" ;D whether he hit her or not, someone has made her scared of them (grrr mean people!!!) i would definately try get her used top them. same way you would help her with a scarey horse eating log or something I think you have done with her from what i have read on here and her love and respect can only grow for you if you carry on |
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Post by spotti on Jul 1, 2008 13:59:10 GMT
Will give it a go!
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abi
Intermediate Sh*t Shoveller
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Post by abi on Jul 1, 2008 14:12:39 GMT
she'll soon learn to love it and realise going out is fun, can you hop off for a bit and walk with her then get back on? they often enjoy the break.
and as long as you enjoy it, thats great! x
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ceej
Administrator 
im back.... :)
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Post by ceej on Jul 2, 2008 9:31:23 GMT
I think you are doing fine!
The only thing i would add to above is to not worry about tackling all these things at once...tight turns and rears and stuff may not be helping her back get better and an hour in the saddle after her issues is quite a while! Its really hard coz you dont want her to get away with stuff. Maybe what I would say is if you have been on for 15 minutes or so, end on the next good note, whatever that may be....for instance, if you are turning her to home and she rears and you get here going again, walk 10 paces and get off, give her a good pat and lead home, rather than then having another nap 20 paces down the road...its ended on a good note without her getting sore as that wont help next time!
Does that make sense?.
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Post by spotti on Jul 2, 2008 11:40:35 GMT
Yep! I do try to end on a good note but yesterday it was practically every 2 steps we had a 'rear spin and back up'! As soon as she did more than a few steps in the direction I wanted her to go in, I hopped off, loosened her girth (so she knew work was over) and then headed back inside for a carrot and a sponge down. She seemed more than happy for me to hop back onboard this morning though, so it must have just been the nice sunshine and a want to go out and play that caused the tantrum yesterday - she has done some lovely walking work this morning, going right into the corners instead of cutting them, did some great walk-halt and halt-walk transitions AND she even lowered her head after a while once she started to relax...she looked like a proper little dressage horsey! Proper proud mum here |
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Post by Blonde Donkey on Jul 2, 2008 11:43:01 GMT
well done!!
you will get there it just takes time and who knows what the bloke that had her before you did to her
carrots do tend to work lol ask sunshine
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Post by spotti on Jul 2, 2008 11:50:30 GMT
I love Sunshine! Give him a big hug from me Just noticed you're an 'advanced bottom bounce thunder pants' - ha ha ha ha thats funny! |
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Post by Blonde Donkey on Jul 2, 2008 11:51:42 GMT
i love my status lol spend far too much time on here
i'll give him a big hug from you tonight
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ceej
Administrator
im back.... :)
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Post by ceej on Jul 2, 2008 11:54:07 GMT
thats cool - hopefully she will have more time between good bits - I think you have both come on loads - and you are very brave after that time off and bad back to not be worried about her antics!!! ;D
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Post by spotti on Jul 2, 2008 14:43:09 GMT
She's just too funny to be worried! I laugh at her when she's having a 'special moment', which makes me relax so she relaxes too...I do seem to get quite a few funny looks though when we're riding and I'm just sat there, laughing my head while Faith is playing silly beggars! Like I said, she settled down after about 10mins and did some lovely work for me so it appears we just have to sit it out and ride for more than 10 mins at a time. (I've learned loads over this past week though...how to turn corners properly, how to halt without yanking on the reins (which can't hurt her anyway as she's not got a bit in her mouth, but it still doesn't look good does it?), and mainly that I need to work on my legs and on getting my weight in my heels - if she takes off in a trot, I'm all over the place! Just goes to show that the saying 'use it or lose it' is true...8 months off and I'm practically back to square one! So far we've always ended with a smile and a carrot so it can't all be bad ) |
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Post by rebanna on Jul 2, 2008 15:18:56 GMT
savvy ur a Grand Prix Snooty Booty i want to be one not fair
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Post by Blonde Donkey on Jul 2, 2008 15:21:13 GMT
oh wow just noticed lol
gotta stop posting for a while i think
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Post by spotti on Jul 4, 2008 12:38:57 GMT
Nah you don't...keep 'em coming duuuuude!
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Always saddle your own horse
