Disaster. Feel so down.

[chrissiew]

I think there is a very easy answer to this - change riding partners! You need to be riding with someone who is completely in control of their horse at all times, not someone "who just lashes their horse into gallop!!".

Well done you for staying on - don't for a minute discredit yourself on that front! You survived, you pulled him up, yes it wasn't nice, but you did it! That is a huge positive, not a negative. Look at these episodes as opportunities to grow.

I agree with all the excellent advice above, go back a few steps, keep it calm - even to the point of literally schooling him a few strides trot, a few strides canter, back to trot, back to canter etc etc etc, so he really has to listen to you and not just go "yee hah". I have always made my youngsters canter when I want them to canter, not just when the horse in front goes off. Make him canter behind, past, in front. Stop and let another horse canter or trot past you while you walk etc. BUT to do this you need someone you trust completely with a horse they trust completely - difficult to find I know.

Don't for a minute blame Blue - look at it from his point of view - his companion in front is going off "yee hah", so why shouldn't he and as a youngster, they don't normally yet have the forward thinking in place to go forward with that "yee hah", so it usually comes out in something less forward, but more upwards or downwards!!!

Lastly and this may be unpopular, but if you are feeling that scared of loosing control, think about putting him in another bit just for the situations you feel insecure, ie hacking. A three ring gag, whilst not my favour bit in the world, will allow you to keep his head up (preventing bucking) and have more control over speed. Sensitively used for a short period till he gets the idea, it could give you that little bit of extra confidence in your control that you need to get over this blip.

..... and a blip is all it is, so chin up and think of all those good times and achievements you have done. IE you started your post with the fact that you have been out and about with Blue on your own and in company at walk/trot/canter with no problems, so you both CAN do it, you have just hit a bump in the road like we all do now and again.

[mellymoo]

Wow, well done for staying on kya! You are obviously a smashing rider to manage that! Stick to trot in company for a while to get confiudence back perhaps? Good luck!

[pd]

I know that feeling. Your friend should have more understanding for your situation. Either tell her she has to stay behind you or continue to ride on your own. You may be able to progress to cantering side by side with another horse. Above all stay in YOUR comfort zone and enjoy your horse as you have been doing.

[Jane]

Kya, other people do have worse problems this week, but that doesn't mean that your own worries about what's happening with your horse are foundless! That's what a DG is for, after all :-) Nobody will think you unsympathetic because you post about your own very real experiences.

I really would avoid cantering with this friend's horse, particularly as your horse is so young and is finding this really exciting. By cantering or galloping up a field, you risk getting into a race situation and believe me you DO NOT need that! Your friend certainly means well but she doesn't understand how to deal with this. Bucking and "beating on" ?! You need an experienced instructor to help you through the tough parts, in the right way for you and your horse.

It's better to cry and then take a long, clear look at the situation, than to hold it in and try toughing it out. I don't know your story, but it sounds like you're doing really well and know exactly what you are and aren't prepared for. Good luck!

[gilly]

First of all Kya well done for staying on and being sypathetic to Blue. I don't agree at all with what your hacking buddy suggested and definitely think the stubble field is a big no-no. Is there anyone else you can hack out with that has a quieter horse?
I'm guessing you already tried it in trot and that was ok? If it's a big hill perhaps you could try a long good trot up it and then perhaps just a few strides of canter at the very end when maybe he might have burned off a bit of energy? If that works you can gradually start cantering earlier and earlier until he gets that it's not all about the broncing?

Is your friend a good rider that you would trust with Blue? Maybe she might be willing to ride out on him with someone else and canter him in company? Although maybe not a great idea if she would just beat him through it :-(

Am sure you will work things out (((hug))) Don't for a minute think you are a bad rider because you're not. I think you're doing a fantastic job with him and you've had so many breakthroughs recently. It's just the unfortunate thing that especially with young horses there are always days that feel like setbacks. Just try to learn from it and move on from there

Good luck
x

[wozzer]

Oh no, kya - Blue just said "ya hoooooo!!!! this is fun, mum!!!!"

Echo what others have said. Not the ideal hacking partner at all, not surprised you prefer hacking solo ;D

Thing is, if you lean forward to "give them their head" that's when they can get their head between their knees to buck, as I know to my loss

When you try again, and I know you will cos you are a brilliant rider who can manage situations like this, try in front at trot first, up that same hill. Try a short canter elsewhere, we don't want Blue thinking this is where I go for a buck and a whizzalong.

Now you know, perhaps, why I like to be at the front ;D

Sorry it turned out not as you hoped, but I just know that you will be back for more, and I look forward to hearing how you get on. You survived again, as you always do, you managed the situation - you're doing brill. I just know you will do this, when you are ready. Good luck

[marianne]

kya said:

She's way more experienced than I, .

Not necessarily! Not if she isn't able to control her horse and her 'solution' to this is to give him his head when he's fighting her.

I think you did really well to stay on. Are there any other riders you could go out with, preferably the kind with calm(er) horses? Agree with everyone you should put your horse in front, my mare's a nightmare behind as she races to keep up, but I can barely keep her in the canter if she's in front :-)

[ruby]

Oh no Kya! sorry it didn't work out as planned! But please do not call it a disaster!

From what I can gather you have a young horse who is not used (or never has) to cantering in company (has he even cantered alone?). You tried it, Blu did what a lot of young horses would, you took control you stayed on and brought him back.

You've got a lot of good advice on here. Although just to throw a spanner in the works mine was better behind to start with the first time we cantered with him in front he thought he was beign chased and shot off! But then he's a big wimp and you know your horse, have confidence in knowing what is best for him.

Don't give up!!! Next time it will be better and the time after that and the time after that. If our horses did exactly what we wanted or expected all of the time we might as well swap them for a motorbike!

[sandy]

Hi Kya, Well done for sitting the bucks and don't feel down. My mare is the quietest and calmest little horse around but last time I cantered in the field with my friend, Poppy put in about three bucks before launching into canter. Even she got excited so maybe Blue can be fogiven for going Yah Hey!!! I'm a serious chicken because I'd much rather hack on my own as I feel much more in control. If I do hack out in company I tell them first what I'm doing and if they want to go faster etc I just don't go with them. I'm in the self preservation society!! Good luck.

[julz]

Fisrt of all....Well done for sitting those bucks, and for keeping calm (yes, calm) and letting him have his head and allowing him to go forward...if you'd tried to stop him, you'd have ended up with a fight on your hands....

Secondly, forget the stubble feild.... try that hill again, now you've got a better idea how he'll respond.

and good on ya friend for pulling up so quickly!

[pebblesgirl]

mate dont beat yourself up about it....at least you are in one piece it could have been so much worse!!

Dont think the whole bombing off thing is a good idea to be honest...have you tried trotting together first or just trotting up big hill?

Dont feel pressured into doing stuff you dont want to do whatever happens.
Keep your chin up,

Ang
xx

[pip]

Well done for not falling off. Think of what actually happened - he bucked, you stayed on, you pulled him up. Sounds like the middle of a hunt to me - you should see all the horses bucking and messing around (or was that just me??)

Definitely canter up hill in a straight line, and keep doing it until you feel happy. It IS spring, more work called for.

[angblue]

Oh kya don't blame yourself, you are a good rider & have no need to feel humiliated at all.......you stayed on after all that bucking ;D
I would echo everyones advice & say a big no way to the stubble field!
Blue was just excited & I'm sure he wouldn't have meant to upset you, try not to let it get you down(not easy I know).
On wards & up wards, they are blighter's at throwing another spanner in the works LOL!

[xxx]

Maybe try going in front? I would not canter behind another horse if I suspected mine would buck (and he would! connemara thing?). He has to be in front.
Hope you get it sorted.

[lilaclomax]

When my friend was in the same situation she went on the search at nearby yards (she had her own land with a couple of liveries) to find a couple of sensible people with horses that were controlled in canter. She arranged to meet up with them and they started by going to a steep track and walking up, then they walked back down, walked halfway up and trotted to the top and walked back down again. The third time one of the horses trotted off ahead whilst she walked behind with the other horse and halfway up the horse in front came back to walk and they trotted to catch up. They then finished for the day 'on a good note' and met up again the following day to carry on, this time they walked the first run, trotted the second time and on the third run up she asked for canter as the other two horses stayed beside her in trot, after a couple of strides in canter the others joined in and they canter together to the top, walked back down and then just trotted back up.
She was overjoyed and the two 'helpful' ladies were happy to help anytime they were needed. She left it for the week and went out again with them the following week and now she has the confidence to canter up the same track herself, she alternates walking and cantering each time she goes that way depending on her confidence levels.
Another friend is not happy with cantering at all and it doesn't fazed her if she justs walks and trots, her horse is happy and so is she
hth - if you have not fallen asleep yet!