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Post by fallenangel on Mar 13, 2011 11:52:22 GMT 1
So, today I decided to take Leo for a hack. This horse has been there and done it, including working in a Riding School for a year. He's working nicely in the roundpen to the point that I had our show season all planned out. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to translate to hacking. I got on, and he went into a rodeo act. I asked him to walk on and he was either backing off and snorting at things, or jogging. We didn't have walk at all. He stopped and froze at something - no idea what. I got off. This was exactly what my big girl did to me 2 years ago, shortly before she reared, leaped and spun, dumping me on the road, and I just got off Leo instinctively. What do I do? I cannot hack him out. He hacked alone, reins on the buckle, with his long term owner. He's a nice horse, and usually feels very safe. But if I can't hack him out, I can't get him fit, and there's no way I could take him to a show. Sorry for the ramble. Helps to write it down  |
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Post by happysnail on Mar 13, 2011 14:25:41 GMT 1
Might be a plan to take him out in hand to begin with or longlining if you feel safe to do that. He might be really excited about going out or a bit worried if he hasn't done it for a while. Take time to smell the flowers together - literally - enjoy being outdoors in each others company. Maybe you could incorporate a walk together after a ridden session as part of your cool off? If it goes well in hand, then try it ridden. Build up bit by bit. I had to do this with a welsh mare who used to think we were going out on gallops after she had laminitis. We started back just walking out together as I didn't feel safe or able to control her when we were advised to start riding by the vet. When she was settled and I was settled, we'd ride for a bit (honestly just a short path to begin with) then built it up. I think my own adrenaline factor was the biggest issue. Her brain had to be engaged so we did lots of work lengthening and shortening stride, half halts, backing up on narrower sections of path, lateral work and poles using natural obstacles, practicing halt and standing still (so not on her agenda but very high on mine as a naturalist). We really built up the partnership in those days and did build back up to more exciting rides. What was great tho was being able to be safe together so if we felt like it we could have a canter on a path we'd walk or trot on in other rides. I wish I'd had the benefits of IH insights back then for myself as much as the horse. Build up bit by bit and celebrate each little success and don't feel bad about taking a ground support person with you as this can be a big help. Good luck, xx
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Post by fallenangel on Mar 13, 2011 14:33:40 GMT 1
Thankyou I think this is the way to go - I am going to do a bit in the round pen each evening, and finish it off with a stroll up the road, in hand to start with, and ridden as I feel I can. I apologise for the hysterical tone of my first post - I lost my old girl on Monday, and it feels a bit like my world has fallen apart, everything horsey I ever did, I did with her... but that's not Leo's fault, he's a lovely boy, I just have to appreciate him and not put him in situations and expect him to act like Yan did. She was my one in a million - he's a different horse and I need to remember that |
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Post by happysnail on Mar 13, 2011 15:01:45 GMT 1
Big hug. To you, Leo and across the Rainbow Bridge for your special mare. Plan sounds good. You and Leo will find your own road together. Xxx
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Post by Mellymoo on Mar 13, 2011 18:16:45 GMT 1
First of all, big ((((hugs)))) to you. Perhaps Leo was picking up on your sadness and reacted like that? If I am not in a good frame of mind, Jos can be a total tool. He doesn't do anything wild like rodeos, but can be a bit of a cheeky so-and-so. If I am feeling worried, we go out in hand for a walk - he has a graze, and we can spend time together in a no-pressure situation. Your bond together will get stronger, and when you feel ready to ride, do it. You could do in hand showing if you still want to get out and about but don't feel like riding - when I first got Jos, I entered the in hand class and if I felt confident I would enter the ridden after.
Good luck with Leo - looking forward to your show pics!!
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Post by fallenangel on Mar 16, 2011 18:57:01 GMT 1
Melly, I love Jos... he's just gorgeous Quick update - today we did a little bit of lunging, concentrating on transitions and Leo responding as soon as I asked him to do something. He was very good. So we then went for a walk up the road, in hand, said hello to the horses in the field over the hill, then came home. Leo was very "looky" but calm and walked out nicely So there's the first step - now to keep building on that. And a picture from today - he's looking much slimmer now than when I got him. lol  |
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Post by happysnail on Mar 16, 2011 20:12:11 GMT 1
Glad the walk went well. He's a beautiful boy. X
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Post by fallenangel on Mar 21, 2011 21:06:47 GMT 1
Quick update - We have been continuing with the "work programme" and today we lunged beautifully, worked nicely under saddle, really starting to stretch down when asked (worst thing, normal carriage is "giraffe" lol) then went for a short in hand hack, and I actually rode back. No rodeo impressions, and almost chilled when ridden home. So we are getting there His owner has also asked if I would like to buy him, and of course I have said yes - he's mine for life anyway, but I'd love him to be "really mine". Thanks for the support guys, it made all the difference |
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Post by hayleyj1 on May 2, 2011 15:26:06 GMT 1
if he has been used in a riding school even though they do hack out they dont usually go alone he probably hasnt been in so long it exited/worried him .. if i was you i would put a bridle on him and just take him for a nice walk lead him in different places and things that he doesnt want to look at or doesnt like make him go close to them and look at them .. sniff them rustle things as well then he knows they arent scarey .. if hes a good boy ride him back .. if he sees you walk past things very calmly and not worried he will be fine .. if you start to panic and think to your self OMG hes going to be scared of that he will sense it and act silly be very confident and firm voice think i can do this he can do this and it will happen with a little practise.
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arki
Advanced Poster
Posts: 364 
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Post by arki on May 2, 2011 16:18:03 GMT 1
What has worked for me and my boy was getting someone much more confident to ride him and get his confidence goign out on his own. I know sometimes it is not easy to find someone that will ride your horse like you want them to but I finally admitted that I was not hte person to give my haffie the confidence he needed to get past the issue of being on his own. It was not helped by the fact that my old TB was going beserk on his own!
Is there someone at your yard that could ride him for you? I was surprised how little time it took to give him his confidence - I think it was about 8 rides over the space of 2 weeks. It sounds like this is all your boy needs.
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