I ate dirt grrrrrrrr

[racaille]

Not so much that I fell off, more that ruddy Paco dumped me quite maliciously.

We were at this very posh new place (new jumping arena anyway, in a fabulous Napoleonic stud) and having a wonderful time in hot sunshine. I was in the middling group and having lots of fun and getting lots of positive comments from my coach. My legs were in the right place and stable - yay! - my contact was good and P was pinging over everything.

Until we started work on a little jump that had blue and white planks and a yellow wall filler. It was no trouble until my coach built an identical one just behind to make a double. Yup, identical. But somehow this one was a horse eater.

The first time Paco ran out. So I came at it again. He tried it on but I kept hold of his right shoulder and he had nowhere to go. But he had lost his momentum so did a nasty sheep leap over it. I was unbalanced and, I confess it, thumped down on his back. He did not appreciate this and he set off bucking. I was lost and hit the ground very hard.

I landed on my backside so plenty of padding but it was a bad fall and I lay there for long minutes trying to catch my breath. I was most worried about my lovely new helmet!

My coach was furious with Paco as she said he had no right to be be naughty and then 'punish' me like that. So she called the T over and got her to beat him over the jump. Eventually I managed to get back on and completed a half a dozen jumps - he tried to run out at another - and even did the oxer that I had not fancied.

Then the T got back on and beat him round the whole course. Literally. He was not co-operative so she did indeed have to give him a clack quite a lot. He tried his damndest to run out at the last so he got a serious telling off.

The T came back exhausted. He is a rotten jumper, you really have to carry him round. My coach is still cross with him as she told the T that as soon as I regain confidence over jumps Paco pulls the rug from under my feet. She reminded me that he had done something similar at a XC day.

I am currently in bed, having been forced to cancel a long hack planned with other team members. I am in agony. Nothing seems broken as I can still get about but it is agony to walk and to sit down. I don't want to go to A&E as I can't face the long wait and I don't think there is much to be done other than wait for all the bruises - which are spectacular- to subside.

I am very fed up. I am due to do a TREC next weekend but .....

[zara]

Ouch, naughty Paco. You could have fractured your coccyx or sacrum, very painful but not much treatment other than pain relief. I came of an ex-racer, a**e first onto tarmac and fractured my sacrum and it was b****y painful. I prescribe medicinal gin! Hope you feel better soon xx

[brigadier]

Oh no- the ratbag! he can be a serious pratt, and like your coach says- just when you get some confidence, he has to ruin it. I used to have a horse like that. He was a star in the warm up but then when faced with the jumps proper he was a pratt. Came off him spectacularly a few times. Hot baths and gentle exercise for you for a few days eh?

[pboy]

Oh poor you!!! He does sound like an absolute *rse. I hope the soreness and bruising subsides soon and you're fit and well for TREC. Gentle hugs!!

[solomon]

Sorry you fell and when horses stop its always frustrating. Jumping doesn't seem to be his forte. I think he has made that quite clear! I just wouldn't have the nerve to keep asking him to when in my gut I knew he would rather not bother. Hope that doesn't sound judgemental. Just me!

[racaille]

Rather not bother? I' m not exactly asking him to do 5* He is very fit and well and frankly, , my view is that he is a horse and should do whatever I tell him.

[solomon]

Apr 16, 2016 14:41:37 GMT racaille said:

Rather not bother? I' m not exactly asking him to do 5* He is very fit and well and frankly, , my view is that he is a horse and should do whatever I tell him.

If that makes you happy.

[racaille]

Apr 16, 2016 19:18:01 GMT solomon said:

Apr 16, 2016 14:41:37 GMT racaille said:

Rather not bother? I' m not exactly asking him to do 5* He is very fit and well and frankly, , my view is that he is a horse and should do whatever I tell him.

If that makes you happy.

I suppose it depends on why we keep horses. Personally I don't need another child/dog/fluffy pet. I give Paco a life of Riley - he has BUPA level health care, all the food he can eat, friends to play with. All I ask for in return is a quite light level of work. He is physically up to every kind of work. But he is quite lazy and will often try to do the minimum. If I left it to him to decide, he would do nothing. But he, like I have had to, has to earn his keep. Soon he will retire and that is part of my bargain with him, he will stay with me until the end.

But until then - and while he is fit - why should I not expect him to keep his side of the bargain? I love him but I spend a great deal of money and a huge amount of time taking care of my HORSE. That is what he is. Not a cuddly teddy bear. I pay his bills because I want to ride him. I don't see that as up for negotiation.

[brigadier]

I love doing things my horses enjoy, but by the same token I do expect them to do things I enjoy too. Most horses wouldnt go into the sea if we didnt make them but seem to enjoy it once there. There's lots of things they wouldn't do naturally but it has to be a partnership doesnt it? mutual respect and mutual understanding? I suspect most horses with issues about jumping will have them through learned behaviour, either because of us or through their previous riders/experience.

I cant remember who it was who said to me "Your horse gets 23 hours of your undivided time and attention everyday in seeing to his/her comfort, so in that hour you work them he should give you his undivided attention." I now rather insist on this.