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Post by jules26 on Mar 31, 2011 11:27:27 GMT 1
I'm thinking about competing with my 6yr old gelding. He is very green
and whilst I have taken him to a few events last season (riding club, TREC) he gets extremely excitable (perfectly understandable) but have to say I'm not looking forward to dealing with all that pent up energy and feeling like I'm on an unexploded time-bomb! I have just taken him to shows without competing to help get him used it. Any ideas?
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Post by specialsparkle3 on Mar 31, 2011 16:47:15 GMT 1
 You are doing the right thing by riding him around at shows without asking him to compete at the moment, but remember, horses pick up on their handler/ rider's mood, so if you feel nervous about it all, so will he. Try taking some Rescue Remedy or something calming before you go and you will find if you are more relaxed, he will be too 
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Post by sned on Mar 31, 2011 16:53:07 GMT 1
Iv not tried it yet but I'm very interested in having a go at equine breathing it looks useful google it, it explains how to do it without buying or downloading anything but apart from that and making sure he doesn't have a magnesium deficiency plus some leading and spook busting ground work at home you are doing the rite thing  |
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Post by jules26 on Mar 31, 2011 21:36:49 GMT 1
Thank you so much for your ideas. (Would love to put a smiley face here but havent worked out how to do it yet!) I will definitely look at the equine breathing and down a bucket load of
rescue remedy. Presumably wine would have the same effect?? I do try to feel calm and am hoping he will be abit more mature this season. Did do some in-hand classses with him as well last year - on the whole he is a good boy but just cant face dealing with all that energy and leaping around!! Just old age creeping in I think! I would really love him to be calm
enough for my children to ride at a show.
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Post by specialsparkle3 on Mar 31, 2011 21:43:03 GMT 1
I didn't think it was ethical to mention wine but since you did ------------------------- When my late Hack mare was out under saddle, her owner at the time would down half a bottle of sherry by all accounts It worked a she won HOYS ha ha !
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Post by jules26 on Mar 31, 2011 21:55:58 GMT 1
Definitely worth a try then......! The show ground experience could take on a whole
new meaning - best start practising now. Lol !
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Post by sned on Apr 1, 2011 14:31:14 GMT 1
ooooh plan  |
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Post by bonniesmum on Apr 1, 2011 16:29:20 GMT 1
Def think the hunters have the best idea with their stirrup cup of a swift swig of something strong to calm the nerves :-)
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Post by Mellymoo on Apr 1, 2011 19:58:36 GMT 1
Do you take your horse out with a friend? If Jos is out with one of his buddies, he is a lot calmer than if we go out on our own. Mind you, now he is pretty chilled as long as he has me (it's nice being wanted, but not when you need to pee!!!).
Also second the booze - I have been known to have a tipple if I am nervous, then I don't care what he gets up to!!
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Post by kerrieleather on Apr 1, 2011 21:33:17 GMT 1
A tip that Rosie Jones gave me was to line up a whole week of parties so that I could party my mare out!!! She suggested that if I wanted to I could ask my instructor to ride the first few and then I could take over. So that by literally taking her to something every day, the novelty would just wear off.....
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Post by jules26 on Apr 2, 2011 11:00:14 GMT 1
Week of parties before sounds good to wear him out! I do take him with others but then he gets separation anxiety disorder syndrome (sure there must be such a thing). I had planned to take him to a competition today just to have a wonder around but couldnt get transport. Ronbo definitely needs wheels (husband has suggested we put some castors on each foot for him!!) Have wheels will travel. Now need to change my car and get a trailer. Was just going to look at a CRV but been told not suitable for towing. Can anyone recommend
a good car to tow with but not too expensive as a run around??
Looked at the Equine breathing info - has anyone used it?
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Post by Mellymoo on Apr 3, 2011 14:39:46 GMT 1
There's no such thing as a cheap towing car, sadly. I keep looking for one though... ;-)
The first time I took Jos out to a show on his own, he was a total plonker for about an hour, then he was fine and now I can take him most places on his own.
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Post by jules26 on Apr 3, 2011 16:18:22 GMT 1
Oh good for you, Mellymoo, working through that first experience, must have been abit hairy  - How old is Jos now? I know its got to be done. First outing in a couple of weeks and as long as I have a good anchor holding him down we'll be fine ...........hopefully! |
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Post by Mellymoo on Apr 3, 2011 17:33:44 GMT 1
He's 18 - and old enough to know better!! You'll be fine, honest - it actually did us both the world of good, because now he relies on me more than other horses, so we can do more stuff 'solo' without it being a battle.
Jos spent a bit of time going round me in circles, but I just let him - he settled down to eat eventually, and was fine. I basically ignored him being a plonker, let him get on with it, and he decided it was boring because I didn't respond. You'll both be fine - and remember to get someone to take pics!!
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You are doing the right thing by riding him around at shows without asking him to compete at the moment, but remember, horses pick up on their handler/ rider's mood, so if you feel nervous about it all, so will he. Try taking some Rescue Remedy or something calming before you go and you will find if you are more relaxed, he will be too 
- How old is Jos now?