Caroline
Grand Prix Poster
Intermediate Poster
Posts: 2,277
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Post by Caroline on Sept 18, 2010 0:35:08 GMT 1
It's been a while, but I used to be one of those nutty riders who wasn't happy unless I had a horse that liked to go... In horses like that, that got excited and wanted to go when out with others, I let them know that we really would be going, but not til I decide its safe - but without getting uptight about it. It's hard to define how I did that. I think it was an energy and an attitude. Kind of a "no no no, not quite yet sweetheart....steady....ok, off we go....". Afterall, they can all go if they want to. I think they know the difference between you holding them in out of a desire to maintain strict control - and holding them in because it really isn't time yet e.g. not on the right ground yet, too many other horses too close, too many other issues around. They know, as we know, when it really is safe to hit a canter. Once that time comes, some horses have a sudden initial spurt that burns into something more sensible after about 6-10 strides. I think it is important not to take that spurt seriously, and to avoid pulling them back and getting into a fight about it - because that's when their emotions are saying "let's run!!!!!!" and it isn't a good time to force the issue and make them think (unless you have to for safety's sake of course). Once they settle, you can push them on a little faster than they had in mind for a few strides (but only if you ca do it without re-igniting the initial "silly spark"!), to make the point that this is work and you are in control of things. After that, you can settle them back to a nice pace and hopefully all is good and pleasurable for both horse and rider Well...that's how I used to ride. I am not sure I would or could even these days. Most of that is age-related caution and partly because I am somewhere else with horsemanship these days (more about groundwork, liberty and equal partnerships etc.). I can see that my old style of riding was probably a bit cowboy-ish! It seemed to work for me with quite a range of forward-going horses. I am sure there are some really good riders here who can better advise. Confidence is a funny thing. If you have it, horses behave and you don't need it. If you don't, horses get insecure and act up and then you need the confidence you don't have. It's not fair! I find that the ignorance of youth worked far better for me than the caution of adulthood! lol!
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Post by specialsparkle3 on Sept 18, 2010 20:40:20 GMT 1
Gosh Caroline You have put into words exactly what I feel .Oh to be young, brave and possibly a bit foolish again.---------What fun we had astride a horse when we knew no fear
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Post by cbc on Sept 18, 2010 20:51:42 GMT 1
Yep you have captured the restrictions of age and responsibility Caroline, and the gift confidence brings with it.
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hmt
Olympic Poster
Posts: 598
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Post by hmt on Sept 23, 2010 11:46:26 GMT 1
See, I beg to differ on the youthful fearlessness, I am far braver as an adult than I ever was as a child/teenager. I’m a girl that likes a plan (ask my OH, it drives him nuts!) if X happens I like to have a plan that doing Y or Z will resolve that issue, as I get older and my riding progresses then I have those tricks in my tool box.
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Post by jennyb on Sept 24, 2010 9:16:24 GMT 1
Definitely agree that you need to take them out and about to lots of different places and activities. Always with the intention of just a "look around" at first when they are green, so no pressure on the horse or rider, but get them out VERY regularly.
Gazdag has done pleasure rides, beach rides, showing, dressage comps, training clinics, lessons, plenty of hacks etc and takes most things in his stride. The rider must be prepared to sit out a bit of stressy behaviour and silliness at first though, so if hand on heart you know you can't do that, give the ride to someone else, otherwise you will just teach your horse that outings are scary.
My little horse's busy year and experience in collecting rings helped him to cope with his first drill ride last week - second out of ten horses and at one point had eight horses thundering right behind him in canter, and he was a saint. He also coped with horses leg yielding towards him and crossing under his nose and behind his tail, and at one point riding down the centre line in a line of four strange horses, with only a slight hesitation to say "Really?! This is what you want me to do?!"
Stretching horse comfort zone steadily and regularly with a calm, confident and quiet rider is the way to create a "been there, done it" type.
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Post by frecklesmum on Sept 24, 2010 10:22:01 GMT 1
I think basic personality counts for a lot, but diet makes such a dramatic difference and can really alter the personality!! I've known several horses with magnesium deficiency transform when it was dealt with. I've known an angelic horse become a nightmare on alfalfa and one who's owner had become scared of it become a sweety-pie off alfalfa. It doesn't affect everyone that way but if its in the diet its worth checking, likewise high carbs. They don't have a chance if their diet is sabotaging things so it's the first place I'd look to provide the foundation for a calm personality. Likewise pain can affect a basically co-operative disposition. Sorry if that's slightly off thread but I am upset by the number of horses I see affected in these ways who don't meet their potential or have happy relationships as a result. After that I'd introduce as many things as I could think of that will help build confidence... particularly those with a practical application. Every stable should have bunting, its so pretty! And standing in buckets is invaluable ;D
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Post by jennyg on Sept 24, 2010 17:34:56 GMT 1
Gazdag sounds fabby!! I would love for Stella to cope with all the things he's been doing this year! I really haven't tried a lot with her at all, so I may be doing her a disservice as she may not be nearly as excitable as I think. She was fine at the one and only show I've taken her to - super calm (bit eyes on stalks on arrival), but soon chilled. What's made me edgy is the fact that last year (in winter in particular), she became quite forward going on quite a few of our rides & did a bit of a rear when my friend trotted ahead on one occasion. This has just made me think that on a fun ride, we might not have a lot of 'fun'!! This summer however she's been a total plod!! You really can't be sure what mood she's going to be in. Frecklesmum - feed wise she has a scoop of HI-Fi Lite with some vit and min supplement & Mag Ox. Do you think the alf alfa in one scoop of hi-fi lite could make a difference to anything? I've had comments to give her unmollassed beet instead as she's barefoot, and someone suggested the slight amount of molasses in the hi-fi lite may not be helping with sole sensitivity. I find it hard to believe the hi-fi lite could be responsible for any change in behaviour (or feet issues) as it has a much lower sugar content than hay...
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Post by frecklesmum on Sept 24, 2010 19:22:34 GMT 1
It sounds as though you've got a sensible diet. Whether the hi fi could affect behaviour or footiness... depends how big the scoop is! And how sensitive your horse. Carbs, alfalfa and preservatives can all contribute to footiness.
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Post by jennyb on Sept 24, 2010 23:44:36 GMT 1
Jenny - she's just a horse. Sometimes they do silly things and get playful. My horse went up vertical and fell over backwards with me on board last October, and this Jan/Feb I was too scared to ride him without being led in case he did it again. But his was a one off due to box rest, he hasn't been that extreme since. However, he has done a few bucks, leaps, prances, and tonight bunched himself up and bounced about, tossing his head and threatening to leap about because the wind got up his tail. He was just being a horse and being playful - that's what they do! Don't get all hung up on one little tiny rear - how is she to get better at doing different things if you don't challenge her and broaden her horizons? In doing so, you might stretch her comfort zone a bit too far on occasion and prompt some excitable behaviour - as long as it's not extreme, you just have to sit it out and put it right behind you and move on. Pretend it never happened. Have lessons with someone who can tell you how to channel her forwardness in the winter (they are generally sharper in winter, they have to keep warmer!) and keep both of your minds active.
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Post by frecklesmum on Sept 25, 2010 7:23:16 GMT 1
I agree, she sounds like a good girl who occasionally gets excited. My diet comments were just a general observation, not relating to the behaviour you described. She doesn't sound at all like a horse who is hyper-alert and nervy, or "wired" all the time, or tetchy...?
Ben Hart described comfort zones in terms of concentric circles and you'd expand into each one in turn, along with his shaping plans I've found this a helpful way to look at things more strategically and less with my emotions!
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nestle
Intermediate Poster
We ride with kings, On mighty Steeds, across the Devils Plain
Posts: 161
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Post by nestle on Sept 25, 2010 22:23:20 GMT 1
Ditto all the rest of the folks.. I have an Irish, Welsh and Spanish, and through encouragement, you can turn even the sharpest into a bold horse. All of them are fine at fun rides, beach, local events.. havent done any jumping with the spanish as yet, she is 6 and not really strong enough, tho we do jump ditches and logs when we are out and about. All I would say is, be calm, relaxed, confident, and dont expect trouble. focus on the good bits if the bad bits rear their heads.. and get yourself a safe buddy if you dont feel you can do the first timer thing alone.. )
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Post by jennyg on Sept 27, 2010 18:16:27 GMT 1
jennyb, you are absolutely right, I am getting too hung up on one silly rear (& a few times where she's taken off with me racing other horses) & I really shouldn't be. She never does anything that bad - even when she speeds off with me, she never gets that far as by nature she's really quite lazy!!
I think I'm just not used to her getting excited as it doesn't happen that often, so when it does happen i get a fright and am not very good at dealing with it. I don't have a lot of confidence and much prefer it when she's being a bit ploddy (probably boring to some!). However, I'm not incapable of dealing with it - as nestle says, I just need to stay calm.
I'm definitely going to go and have lessons on her, just working on getting her more confident in the trailer at the mo.
You are spot on frecklesmum - she is a good girl who just occasionally gets excited - there's no malice. She's not the sort who's very alert, always looking for things to spook at - she's very non-spooky and sensible on the whole.
Am interested in the Ben Hart stuff you mention frecklesmum - will look him up!
Thanks again for all of the replies, I will definitely be printing this thread out and keeping it!
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Post by wabuska on Oct 3, 2010 20:55:26 GMT 1
Just wanted to say, I enjoyed your post Caroline, and it was a different angle on what we know about you as you're so caught up in horse welfare, I sometimes forget you rode a lot too!
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