I need a break- idiot girl.

[kya]

Just made a pig’s ear of everything. Not posting on the main DG as I’m sure I would be annihilated. Went out to ‘loose school’ Blue over some tiny jumps. He hasn’t been jumped in a year, but word was he loved it. Had to chase him over the fences (about a foot high) and let’s just say it was appauling horsemanship, with him bucking and farting after each one… only did four jumps in all. Hadn’t a clue what I was doing. The companion was looking on and when I went to return her to her field she shot off and couldn’t be caught- Never had that problem with her before. She’s ruddy lame too- more vets. Finally, got her and returned her to Blue and they started a rump rubbing sexual hokey-cokey for half an hour, leaving unrine stains all over his front. She’s been in season for two weeks for God’s sake. Took two of us to separate them and finally got back in the house. Fed up and feel I haven’t got a notion, don’t want to get onto nutty horse ever again and have destroyed my trust with my companion mare. I need a break. Seem to do nothing but shift s-t and tremble over joint hacks.

One hour later.... finger groomed both horses in the field. They are so forgiving.

[angblue]

Hi kanga, firstly you do not do "appauling horsemanship" at any time the love & care you give your horses is second to none!
Do you usually loose school blue? If you do ignore this next bit!
Loose schooling is all about body language, staying at his hind quarters to move forward & moving up his body to turn. To do a transition move a bit faster & use your voice ie trot on etc & the opposite to slow down.
Start with some trotting poles on the ground & get him confidently going over them on each rein then you can start raising them a tad & finally progress to jumping a single or cross pole. It's just common sense really & knowing how instinctive you are with Blue I refuse to believe you "made A pig's ear of everything". He was most likely just megga excited to be jumping or maybe a little wary as he hadn't done it in a while
Mares in season are a pain I know we have one! She even had a false pregnancy last year most likely due to my Blue attempting to do the buisness so to speak LOL! But we now have her on Vitex Agnus Castas liquid which is unbelievebly doing the trick, much calmer mare & not winding Blue up to 99!
Please don't feel you've mucked things up as you won't have & please look back at some of your threads to see how well you are doing ;D
I tell you something you are an inspiration to many of us on here so chin up & tomorrow is another day xx

[cesca]

Kanga whoa, you are reminding me of me and that ain't a good thing. I can't even tell from your post what exactly went so badly! Sometimes when I've done something stupid to Dyl (and in my case, really stupid - like getting so frustrated at running out at the same jump over and over again that I've exploded and called him a b******) I feel so awful for so long afterwards I can't even ride very much. The thing is these are the most forgiving creatures and an awful lot tougher than we give them credit for. Dyl doesn't care! He still loves me regardless, because he trusts me, and that trust is so long and hard-earned it's not going to be got rid of easily.

It also sounds from your post that you feel the mare ran off from you because of your "appalling horsemanship" display in front of her - don't be so silly! She ran off because she's a mare in season and we all know how mental they get! (Sorry don't mean to offend anyone, I am just a lifelong gelding owner cos I like an easy life.)

Sounds like your boy had an absolute whale of a time, thoroughly enjoyed the game, and will be very disappointed if a repeat session doesn't happen soon! Really though, never ever call yourself an idiot, you are not. xxx

[kya]

I just trailed a lunging whip on the ground to direct him, and tried to keep things at trot. There was a fair bit of hooves whizzing around my ears and it just felt all wrong. I thought he would lump up to them and just pop them, not dodge out almost running me down and cantering off in a hail of bucking. Should I have had a corridor of fencing down to the jump guys? I tried trotting him over poles after warm up first and he cantered straight through them with a few big bounds. I'm not brave on the ground, but didn't want to try jumping without introducing the idea on the ground first. He's apparently lovely to jump in the arena, but with me there may be differenet chemsitry. Just feel like a big boob. The horses are fine... thanks for the reassurance. I've just put the midge rugs on, and they were chilled and friendly. God knows why!! Thanks for the virtual hugs etc.

[wozzer]

Oh Kanga!!!!!!!

Have another hug ((((((kanga))))))))

You silly moo. You did nothing wrong, it just surprised you how he behaved when you loose schooled him.

Don't worry Bidibum, Blue and all of us here still love ya

Come back on here tomorrow and let us know what you're up to.

PS: An alcoholic beverage might be a nice idea xx

[angblue]

I bet if you try again tomorrow he'll be fine, I remember worrying because blue was bucking & having a hoon one time in the school & I thought "OMG I've lost control on the ground now!" but no, the next day he was fine & back to normal again.
We have to try & remember that they have hyper/grumpy days too
Oh & yes try placing a pole at a slight angle to your jump, like a guide to stop him dodging the jump......hopefully

[amarche]

kanga i so echo all the posts above - he was probably distracted by the tart waving her butt at him (after all he's a bloke ) so I doubt he was in any frame of mind to be working with you on your loose schooling.

Really though, don't take it personally perhaps go back to doing some 'on-line' work for a while at least you can keep him focused - I love richard maxwell's exercises and of course kelly's too for regaining some trust and confidence on the ground

[iceberg]

I honestly dont see what you think you have done wrong.

Sounds to me like he had a ball, I think you should look upon episodes like this as 'playing'. We often turn ours loose into our 'school' and just run around with them, no whips or anything just body language, I jump up and down a bit, and if he wants to play, he goes mad!! or if he doesnt he just stands and looks at me.
I suppose you cant really call this loose schooling, but its still building a relationship, and once you trust that he isnt going to run you over or kick out a bit to close for comfort, you can start on the voice stuff.
At he end of the day, he had fun and although it perhaps didnt turn out as you expected, who cares?? no harm done. Try again anouther day. ;D

The first time I tried to play like this with Toby, he was terrified, smashed the gate down and legged it back to his field. I was mortified, I couldnt understand what I had done wrong, I didnt hit him (ive never hit him) but I had only had him a week or so, so in hindsight he didnt trust me and I probably scared him silly. However 4 months on, after he knew me better I could get him to walk away from me, stop with hand signals, tell him to stay put and then call him over. (all because I couldnt afford a saddle to begin with).

So I say you get your bum out there and do it again! Have fun, if he jumps then good, if he isnt in the mood, then just play.
;D

[kya]

Thanks guys. Have let the horses relax for the day, and not ridden. Cleaned the paddocks, so had plenty of time to 'be' with them. Told my buddy I'm riding alone tomorrow. Need a little time with my horse. I think I got worked up myself (not outwardly) and interpreted the messing as me doing wrong. He was certainly not upset by the outing and my companion Bidi-bum is snuggling up to me again. If I produce the lunging whip again, I'll put her out of sight as she has a history of maltreatment and this may have upset her. Calm, calm. I'll try again without jumps or anything.

I was severely kicked a few years ago in the field, so this work on the ground (loose) is something of a challenge. Greatly cheered up... thanks

[iceberg]

Im sorry to hear you were kicked, hadnt realised that, so maybe if you try again, leave him alone in the school to get rid of high spirits before you go in. And then as you say try to keep it calm until you are completely at ease.

Good for you for trying, and keep going Kanga, you will over come this perfectly understandable apprehension.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[wozzer]

Blimey Kanga - being severely kicked in the field, no wonder you freaked a little. Hope things are feeling calmer today. xx