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Post by jennyg on Sept 14, 2010 13:30:20 GMT 1
I've just read LuckyRed's thread about the weekend she had with Corky, and was thinking how brave she was for taking him out exercising with the hounds. It sounded like he was pretty relaxed about it & will turn into a well rounded horse - I'd love my horse to be like that, but I just don't have the guts to take her exercising hounds and the like!!
Do you think any horse can be brilliant in most situations, given the right training, or do you think it has more to do with the personality of the horse?
This thread's a bit of a waffle really....sorry! It's just that I'd love to have a 'go any where, do anything' type of horse and want to know how to produce one!! Is the key just taking her to loads of stuff to broaden her experiences? But what if you think your horse will probably do something to scare you in a new, exciting situation....do you go any way, as if you don't give it a go, you'll never have a 'go anywhere, do anything horse'?
My mare's a lovely girl, and sensible most of the time - she was fine at our local village show last year. However, i've not had the guts to take her to a fun ride (& don't think I'd ever have the guts to take her hunting!!). She sometimes tanks off with me when cantering in company (only sometimes.....other times she's like a right plodder!!). I just think that out on a fun ride, if people come past me at a trot or a canter, she's going to get super excited and zoom off with me....or maybe rear as she's done that once in excitement too.
I just want to get out of this rut of not doing things with her.....any advice? I did think about joining our local riding club and taking part in some activites where you're in a manege - so a more controlled environment. I'd also quite like to box her to a friend's to go hacking....but don't really have the guts to do that in case she's in one of her 'loopy' excited moods when she gets there!!
The daft thing is, there're plenty of people out there with far more 'lively' horses than mine who just get on with it and do all sorts with them and manage to have fun.....my horse is really quite a good girl, she just has the odd moment. Maybe I'm too cautious and try to be too sensible so I end up doing nothing?!!
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Post by mags on Sept 14, 2010 13:52:30 GMT 1
Sounds very familiar :-) My boy isn't the most confident, is ploddy to slightly nappy out alone, but can get really riled up when going fast in a group, with an extra buck thrown in on occasion. I do think his personality is against him - he's not naturally confident, so leaving the herd, or being left behind by the herd, are really difficult for him. I also felt as though I was stuck in a bit of a rut with him. Last time he pitched me off was at a Trec, and I really don't want to give that up. I haven't been on a fun ride in over a year, because he pitched me off on one of those as well! I got an RA out a few months ago, and have started taking riding lessons again. Even though it's been only just over two months, I can already see progress in the small things: my gelding now loads without hesitation, when he normally needed a minute or so to "think" before going in. He is less nappy after a long-lining session than usual. The riding lessons and focussing on my seat (EE teacher) have made him much more responsive to my aids. In turn, I'm "nagging" him less, and he seems to have become a bit braver out alone. He now will go approach and investigate scary things, rather than just freeze and run. This weekend was a real test, as we went to a show. In the past, he'd totally lose his head during warmup (away from his buddies) and I'd often warm up just riding small walk circles, and go in more or less cold. This time, he warmed up fine. He called once or twice to his friend, but kept concentrating. It's the first time he didn't become strong while cantering in the ring with six other riders, some of them coming past at speed. I never got the feeling he was just about ready to explode and throw one of his big bucks. The other weekend, I was out on the gallops with a friend (and her steady horse). Another first since he bucked me off, and we had a few nice, steady canters without any problems. So, to answer your waffle with my waffle... My conclusion is that while my gelding probably isn't naturally the most suited to become a "been there, done that" kind of horse, we seem to be making slow but steady progress. It takes a lot of ground work and homework. And practising with friends. The riding lessons have also made a huge difference. I now go to every event prepared to just lead him around, do some ground work and go home. If he can deal with more, so be it, but I'm giving it plenty of time. I go with a coping strategy firmly in mind. For example, at the Trec, I got bucked off during the CoP, trying to canter. I always get zero points anyway (too fast!), so next time, I'll just walk the canter stretch if I have the slightest feeling he might get too wound up. The next fun ride I will attempt, my friend has agreed to walk all the way around with me if necessary. I'll have the Dually on under the bridle and a long lead rope, so I can lead from the ground if necessary. It helps my nerves to be prepared, and gives me a chance to end every learning experience on a good note. I don't think it's a good idea to go "brute force" and hope for the best. Personally, I'm not risking another fall at full gallop if I can avoid it! I think you can do it! Ask for help if you feel stuck, it's the best thing I've done recently
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Post by wabuska on Sept 14, 2010 13:54:23 GMT 1
I think what you're saying is very interesting indeed. You're a partnership and you have to be comfortable in the 'being there and doing that' to gift that to her. I don't think that's always possible. We're not all hunters/event riders/etc. What about boxing to a clinic and doing in-hand work? Just break it down. That's what I'm trying to do right now in the problems I still face. Sounds like you're motivated. That's why cross referencing our experience here in so valuable.
By the way, when I did see my horse at a very busy SJ event with another rider, he was the saint of the whole pack. I was stunned.
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Post by welly on Sept 14, 2010 13:56:05 GMT 1
My horse is pretty quiet most of the time, but he does have his moments, so I know where you are coming from.
If my horse starts to get excited I make him work, like cantering 20 circles, and if when he was younger he was going to do anything new and potential for naughtiness I used to make sure he was very well exercised, like doing a lot the day before, and even doing something at home in the morning before I went to whatever event was on.
(I got that tip from a lady who used to produce event horses and she said if she had a really flighty type she would get up at the crack of dawn and give it a good workout at home first before taking it to the one day event.)
The only way you are going to get a "go anywhere" horse is do it but make sure you are firm and EXPECT him to behave. Don't sit there waiting for something to happen. Take him to the Riding Club and suggest to the instructor that he might get excited and ask if you can trot round by yourself for 10 minutes, non stop, first. When they learn that going to a place is going to mean work they calm down!
When going on a Pleasure Ride go with someone you can TRUST and go right at the back so you don't get people galloping past you. Do some long trots so you are in control of pace, and even an odd, short, controlled canter. Ditto hunting, but I admit I haven't taken mine hunting. I think I would want a 5 mile hack to the meet first.
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Post by clara81 on Sept 14, 2010 14:03:49 GMT 1
This is really interesting. I quite often wonder if, given enough time, would it be possible to get ANY horse bombproof, or are some of them always just gonna be more exciteable or spooky than others?
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Post by Emily+Meg on Sept 14, 2010 14:21:19 GMT 1
I think some are always more exciteable and spooky. Meg has been there and done it, in that she has hunted, SJed, XC, evented, sponsored rides, beaches, hacks alone, hacks in company, etc. But she is still a handful, and not really a novice ride.
I am hoping Abbie will have her Mums boldness and jump...without less of an 'edge' to her, as I would her to become my Dads horse. I am hoping she will become a been there, done it, type, and to acheive this I will aim to take her to LOADS of different places.
She will do in hand showing next summer as a 3yr old, so by the time she is ridden she will be used to shows.
Because she is a september baby, her first 'seaon' of hunting, she will only be just 4, so she will probably do hound exercise once or twice, just to see hounds, and perhaps attend a few quiet meets, stand politely, move off, have a half hour trot and then come home.
As a 5yr old hopefully she will be doing local level showing, jumping and dressage, sponsored rides etc, nothing massive, but lots of little things. Once she is 5 she can have her second 'season' of hunting, and actually do some real meets as she will be 5.
I think a lot of it comes from confidence from the rider. They need someone who can take them out to scary and exciting things, but then just sit through bounces, and reassure them that actually, its all fairly normal....and then, importantly I think, is to take them back again, until it does become a normal activity.
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Post by welly on Sept 14, 2010 14:23:30 GMT 1
I think some horses are ALWAYS going to get excited about things, that is just their nature. But not too much hard feed and plenty of work goes a long way.
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Post by Emily+Meg on Sept 14, 2010 14:25:34 GMT 1
Ooh ditto that! Megs gets very little hard feed, and always still seems bouncy!
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orangetails
Intermediate Poster
Jay, Lilly and Tangle
Posts: 219
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Post by orangetails on Sept 14, 2010 15:33:25 GMT 1
Do you think any horse can be brilliant in most situations, given the right training, or do you think it has more to do with the personality of the horse? A bit of both, I think. Obviously the more exposure horses have to different situations and activities, the more 'well-rounded' they generally become. But some are naturally bold, calm and accepting of new things, and others have more of an 'edge'... I've got one of each, and one who falls somewhere inbetween... My arab is the adrenaline one. I've had her since she was 4 (had transport since she was 6) and she's now 8. She's done a LOT of different stuff this year in particular, including going to RC camp, fun rides, hunt rides, dressage clinics, SJ clinics, XC clinics, boxing to hacking... as well as the usual schooling + hacking from home. Joining an RC was the best thing we ever did - it's given us SO much fun and exposure of new things/places - I'd definitely recommend it. She's less of a live-wire than she was at new venues, but she is still always going to be 'sharp' - it's in her nature. You can train them to a certain extent - for example when I first got my box I spent a LOT of time just loading my girl into it, feeding her in there, leaving her stood on board with a haynet etc, before taking her for a drive round the village and straight home. Her first few 'outings' were to off-road hacking, have a nice ride, come home. Some people thing I was being overly cautious - but the result is that I have a mare who never fails to load, who travels extremely well, and who will stand calmly on the lorry at the other end, which is invaluable for going to clinics and shows on my own (getting my number, going to the loo etc!!) But her core nature is always the same - she is sharp, reactive, her adrenaline is easily raised. However she's actually now at a college short-term while I am injured and is being used for students - so in answer to your question, yes the most unlikely horses CAN become 'go anywhere do anything horses' if given the chance - the staff and students at college think she is 'an angel', and she hasn't put a hoof out of place! Her young companion pony is completely the opposite end of the spectrum. She's so laid back she's horizontal - don't get me wrong she has character a-plenty!! but she doesn't get fizzed up like the arab. She is bold and inquisitive about new things, rather than suspicious like my arab is. Life is a game to her, and I have done everything I can in the two years I have owned her to keep it that way. She was 14 months when I got her, and was backed this summer. At no stage did she bat an eyelid - not the bit, not the girth, not the first time I sat on her. The very first time on board she was calm and accepting enough to be ridden back to the stable yard from the arena. I think that's partly her nature, and partly because we have done so much in-hand over the last two years, giving her 'life experience' in small doses - she's been on in-hand hacks round the village (meeting traffic, ducks, dogs, bikes, children, kites, you name it, she's seen it!) she's done ride and lead alongside my mare, boxed out for in-hand hacks and to shows, seen poles and been worked in both our school and the larger jumping paddock. So she was already halfway there before she even had a rider on her back and because it has all come in small doses spread out over two years she's had plenty of time to mull it over and calmly process and be accepting of new stuff, and that's just how she works now. The in-between one I hope will in time become more like the young pony, and less like the spooky arab! I can't cope with two highly strung beasts lol!
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Post by donnalex on Sept 14, 2010 17:02:43 GMT 1
I think it is partly down to their individual temperaments and partly down to training and in particular, not having any bad experiences early on. I took Sylvie out on a group bridleways ride on Sunday, her first one. She took it all in her stride, loaded, travelled and rode well. In fact if I had not told them she was only three and a half then nobody would ever know. She was kicked, crashed into and elbowed out the way and just didnt mind yet at the same time was responsive and perky, not switched off or tired looking. She was better at doing the gates than the others that were rushing and pushing to get to the front and wont wait to be asked to move off. I always keep them at the back for about a year, they will move up easily enugh with the excitement of going out in groups, keeping them calm is eaier at the back. I think on average it takes about two years to get them so they can go anywhere and do anything. But the only way to get them used to stuff is using them plenty. No good sticking to plodding up the road once a week and shuffling round the school playing safe and telling yourself they are babies or green. Get them out there dong stuff, the sooner the better.
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Post by Emily+Meg on Sept 14, 2010 17:33:11 GMT 1
But the only way to get them used to stuff is using them plenty. No good sticking to plodding up the road once a week and shuffling round the school playing safe and telling yourself they are babies or green. Get them out there dong stuff, the sooner the better. Ditto this
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Post by arabiangem on Sept 14, 2010 18:12:51 GMT 1
But the only way to get them used to stuff is using them plenty. No good sticking to plodding up the road once a week and shuffling round the school playing safe and telling yourself they are babies or green. Get them out there dong stuff, the sooner the better. Ditto this Ditto this again. Marygold is a 'been there, done that, got the rosette' type. I have done A LOT of different activities with her. From endurance to SJing to XC schooling to dressage to sponsored rides to beach rides to showing to Skill at Arms training. I think the only thing I've not really done with her is hunting, and I 'might' take her out this winter. Marjorie is getting there. She's really only been under saddle consistently since April but has been to a couple of shows and done a season of endurance. This winter I'm hoping to do some dressage and SJing with her and we'll build it from there. Both of my two are what you'd traditionally think of as 'hot' arab (or part-bred). But they do remain pretty calm about stuff, and the more they do, the better they get. It does help that I'm fairly chilled about events now, and I have standards of behaviour that I am firm about. Just because we might be at something 'new', I still expect good manners. I don't expect to be barged or pulled from pillar to post. And I go with the expectation that nothing bad will happen. And if it does, we'll cope with it. It's a difficult one. On the one hand, you want to expand you and your horses horizons. On the other, you don't want to take them so far out of their comfort zones that you blow their brains.
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Post by donnalex on Sept 14, 2010 22:14:41 GMT 1
Hacking them out a lot also is the best thing ever for getting them used to anything.
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Post by anastasia55555 on Sept 14, 2010 22:30:00 GMT 1
But the only way to get them used to stuff is using them plenty. No good sticking to plodding up the road once a week and shuffling round the school playing safe and telling yourself they are babies or green. Get them out there dong stuff, the sooner the better. Ditto this Definetly! Have a stiff drink before Jenny! lol! I know what you mean though, sometimes its finding the confidence within yourself to get as far as taking them past their comfort zone. Maybe you need to gain some confidence seperate to Stella, to know how to act in certain situations, gather 'tools' to know how to deal with situations. Wish you lived a bit closer, i would come and help you out a bit if i had more time. But if you want to come and bring Stella along and just do a short ride round the TROT im quite happy to 'escort' you both just for a walk round , different things to see and different horses, would be a start!
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Post by jennyg on Sept 14, 2010 23:21:51 GMT 1
Wow, loads of really helpful and encouraging replies!
It seems like it's not just me that has these issues....!
Thanks Stacey for offer of going out on a ploddy ride with me - I think I'll take you up on that!! ;D Got another trailer now, so just got to get back to practicing loading and travelling.
I think once she's travelling well then I'll definitely take her for some lessons & join the local riding club if it looks like they organise a few things I'd be interested in (although our local club never seems very inviting to less than confident people on not very well schooled horses!).
I also agree with you Mags that doing some ground work would help matters - I already do ground work with her, but it's probably about time I got Sue Palmer out for a refresher session!
I'm not very good at being brave and coping with the prattish behaviour when they're all excited - I know some people can deal well with that sort of stuff. I've asked many an instructor how to deal with horses when they're bouncing around & I never really get a very clear answer.... I just don't get how some people can be on a really hot horse - but yet it behaves beautifully for them! My horse isn't a 'hot' horse by any means - but put it this way, I reckon there's a smidge of Section D in there somewhere!!
I WILL get off my backside and turn Stella into a super duper horse (well she already is in many ways)!!
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