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Post by kt with Hanni on Mar 26, 2007 21:43:47 GMT 1
Hi,
Had a very anxious moment earlier as I went riding with two others at our new yard where most of the riding is off road - something I have to admit i've been dreading. He is perfect on the roads but gets excited in open fields and on grass. Anyway he was actually really good behind the other two walking along the side of the field very forward going but ok...tried a trot and he wanted to go faster but when I asked him not to he did respond. However when we had to walk across an open field he got very excited and wanted to buck...this is what he tends to do. He isn't strong but the bucks really put me off and make me nervous and I always anticipate it... The other two were well behaved so he calmed down. In the end nothing major happened and he was actually very good (don't think hes been ridden in a field by previous loanees for the last two years) Anyway I did feel great after the ride although I do still feel nervous. I really want to have a canter but I don't want to go through the 'yey lets go buck'. Hes 21 and I thought he may have calmed down.....He is completely the opposite if you want to school him - then he wont do a thing and acts very lazy. I think what i'm asking is do you think this open field excitment will wear off after a while? and what can I do to make myself feel less anxious - thus not pass my anxieties onto him? When I ride on the road I feel completely relaxed. Trying another open field ride tom... Thanks.
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Post by wozzer on Mar 26, 2007 21:51:46 GMT 1
KT - big open spaces are very exciting, and I imagine our horses associate them with canters - we don't ask for canter on the roads do we LOL!!!!
What I have found useful is to walk, then a short stretch of trot, and then back into walk again, in areas where I may canter sometimes. This makes sure Lincoln is always listening for my instructions rather than racing off. Also, I find it helps if I establish a steady trot and, when I am sure he is settled, slip quietly into canter - he almost doesn't notice then ;D
Obviously, you should check teeth, back, saddle if bucking is a new thing, but spring is in the air for a lot of DGers horses at present.
Oh, and another thing, I personally prefer to be at the front, in single line, if cantering out in company. That way I get to set the pace, always of course checking out that those behind me are ready and safe.
Have fun and let us know how you get on ;D
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Post by ktk on Mar 26, 2007 21:52:18 GMT 1
Ive had something similar with all three of my boys. We moved them to a yard that backs right onto the most fabulous beach, one that we used to tow them to to go galloping. The first few times they got their little hoofers onto the sand they bonced around, snatched and did a "wheeee lets go galloping Mum" for the whole time, oh and spooking and wooshing at every wave! Now they are happily wombling up and down the beach, going for a gallop when asked, stopping when asked (most the time!) and splashing thru the sea.
Its just a matter of patience, and lots of it. Once my boys stopped snatching and having mad moments they got a nice long rein. With Bailey I had to take him down and lunge him for a while as I wasnt willing to put up with his crazy mad moments ontop of him! Keep him occupied, circles, leg yielding, transitions (only have a couple strides of each though) it will stop you from thinking and worrying about it so much too.
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HFM
Olympic Poster
Posts: 853
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Post by HFM on Mar 26, 2007 22:05:58 GMT 1
;D hi i used to have real problems with cantering...esp in open places.was really nervous about it as though he was going to buck/gallop off with me. Jack is simalar in that a buck occasionally preempts an exciting canter! echo above advice that the main way to get through it is to perservere until both the excitement wears off for him and the anxiety for you and you both relax and enjoy yourselves more. I would suggest from my experience is to not build it up to a big thing in your head.....just tell yourself all your going to do is trot through this field...then if you feel like it canter..if you dont have a nice trot! also build up to the open spaces....start in smaller field with hills (takes sting out of mines tail! ) and then gradually progress. have fun!
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Post by kt with Hanni on Mar 26, 2007 22:45:27 GMT 1
Thanks guys! Very nuseful advice. I think that the trotting for a while then slowley asking for canter may help. He used to just go straight into canter when in a field so I think i'll try the stages. I also think he will be less excited in front so tom I will prob ask the other two to go behind me then he doesn't think hes racing either. Thanks will let you know tom eve how we get on!
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alfie
Advanced Poster
through and through
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Post by alfie on Mar 27, 2007 8:05:30 GMT 1
hi hope you don't mind me nudging in, we have this problem to and it isn' nice is it.some good tips I shall be using them myself ktwithhanni, well done on your ride, sounds like you did good. go girl.
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Post by kya on Mar 27, 2007 9:13:35 GMT 1
Not a bad idea to tire your horse out a bit before cantering too, so simply less fuel in the tank. Lots of nice ground eating trots and transitions. Best of luck, I'm in the same boat in company at least.
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Post by amarche on Mar 27, 2007 10:30:36 GMT 1
Echo Wozzer and pompeyhorse above, try not to anticipate it and don't build it up into a big thing - so many problems are caused by 'going for a canter' as soon as you hit grass, I can't remember who said that it takes a horse approx 3 times to develop a learned behaviour.
And don't let anyone tell you that 'going for a gallop to get it out of his system' will make it any better, believe me it doesn't ;D
let us know how you get on!
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pip
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Post by pip on Mar 27, 2007 11:28:14 GMT 1
When you get into that big field concentrate on your breathing - nice slow, deep breaths.
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Post by maryplain on Mar 27, 2007 14:19:21 GMT 1
It's interesting that you say you always anticipate his bucking - do you think that subconsciously you are getting a little tense? Maybe your horse is picking up on this and getting worried, hence the bucking?
Personally what I would do is spend a while just walking round all your new routes so that your horse doesn't expect to go faster. Get him into the habit of walking calmly around the fields. Once he has formed that habit you can ask for a faster pace, in my (albeit limited) experience I have found that trot/canter is much more controllable if you have put in the time walking round.
Good luck.
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Post by kt with Hanni on Mar 27, 2007 20:27:55 GMT 1
Thanks guys for the very useful advice. Maryplain - yes I am getting tense which I do think he picks up on as that seems to be the only time he bucks (I know its not a back issue). Saying that today I had a fantastic ride out with one of the girls. Although a couple of hitches which one wasn't his fault! We walked for a long time around one of the open fields then walked up a steep field in which hannibal wanted to go faster (I think he finds it easier to go faster up a steep hill!) but I insisted on walking and then gave him a looser rein when he walked. I then decided to try along side the other pony and he stayed calm. I chatted the whole time to distract myself from thinking " oh my god open field i'm gonna get bucked off..." I then went in front in another open field on the edge and decided after a long walk to ask for trot. He went straight into trot and very quickly! He desperately wanted to canter and he managed to do one canter stride but I managed to bring him back to a trot (luckily he isn't strong) then a walk. We then went through a forest and decided to have a long trot (me behind this time as before the other pony has bigger strides and was getting up Hanni's bottom) then as he had settled we decided to go from trot to canter. Had a very short canter as the pony in front spooked at a big log and did an emergency stop in front of Hannibal (nowhere else for us to avoid them as it was a narrow track!) so me and Hanni ended up in Toddy's bottom too! Luckily Toddy didn't seem to mind or Hannibal. We then carried on along some roads and back into another field in which I asked Hannibal to walk as we were nearly home. He was very good I have to say even though I wasn't 100% relaxed. He was so sweaty afterwards (not been clipped or rugged this winter so has grown a 2inch thick coat which he is now losing thankfully). I'm definately getting front shoes put back on him now as he is not coping well at all walking on stoney ground (keeps trying to get onto the grass and I thought he was lame at one point after we had walked over stones) He seems to have sensitive front feet!. Will keep you up to date! I did try your ideas of trotting first then going into canter which worked very well! He seems to be having so much fun at the mo which is great! I feel so happy :-)
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Post by amarche on Mar 27, 2007 20:49:32 GMT 1
V well done kt with Hanni!!! sounds excellent!!
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Post by kt with Hanni on Mar 27, 2007 21:04:49 GMT 1
Thank you Amarche. I wonder what he'll be like when I ride out alone in an open field?will let you know!!I'm very pleased with him as he's settled into this yard very well considering he's only been there a couple of weeks :-)
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Post by wozzer on Mar 27, 2007 22:25:18 GMT 1
You go get 'em girl! Well done. xx
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caustic
Olympic Poster
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Never argue with an idiot, they just bring you down to their level and then beat you with experience
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Post by caustic on Mar 27, 2007 22:27:45 GMT 1
Posted on your original post!
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