Denbob
Well-Known Member
Bit of a long one.
I'm trying to be a bit less precious about who rides my rising 5yo, nothing major but to get him used to the experience of someone different. Today I let a friend of mine have a sit on while I watched, and he wouldn't move off after she got on. She's a confident rider and he doesn't throw anything untoward, he's just a stubborn planter! Eventually I stepped in because it was turning into a negative experience for both, I walked to the centre of the school and he followed, asked her to start a circle around and as soon as he was more than 20 metres or so away he'd plant again but he did respond to my voice commands. I know that this is something that needs rectifying but how exactly should I go about that, or is it something that should wait until he's more confident with me? Or will that only increase the dependency? My major worry is that he benefits massively from ongoing strengthening because of a slightly sticky stifle and so if I were unable to ride or put in huge amounts of time (God forbid but you never know) that may backslide if he isn't willing to work with another rider/handler.
He also really struggles to hack by himself, his last owner and sharer hacked and schooled him (In my opinion too much for a 3/4yo - up to 4 hour hacks with long periods of trot and canter, as well as 45 minute schooling sessions) in a saddle it was later revealed had a broken tree, and so what was pain response has now become learned negative behaviour. He will nap backwards, sideways, spin and buck. He's an absolute saint in company, will go past absolutely anything, and sometimes will go in front but other times will throw the mother of all tantrums when asked. My aim is to first hack him side by side to make hacking a positive experience again, then slowly introduce periods in front rewarding confidence, and go from there.
He has been checked, scanned, physio, vetted, teeth done, saddle fitted, bit checked, farrier approved all within the last two weeks (and no it isn't ulcers
) but any advice on clingy youngsters would be greatly appreciated - even if it's just to tell me that i'm expecting too much by putting another rider on my baby!
I'm trying to be a bit less precious about who rides my rising 5yo, nothing major but to get him used to the experience of someone different. Today I let a friend of mine have a sit on while I watched, and he wouldn't move off after she got on. She's a confident rider and he doesn't throw anything untoward, he's just a stubborn planter! Eventually I stepped in because it was turning into a negative experience for both, I walked to the centre of the school and he followed, asked her to start a circle around and as soon as he was more than 20 metres or so away he'd plant again but he did respond to my voice commands. I know that this is something that needs rectifying but how exactly should I go about that, or is it something that should wait until he's more confident with me? Or will that only increase the dependency? My major worry is that he benefits massively from ongoing strengthening because of a slightly sticky stifle and so if I were unable to ride or put in huge amounts of time (God forbid but you never know) that may backslide if he isn't willing to work with another rider/handler.
He also really struggles to hack by himself, his last owner and sharer hacked and schooled him (In my opinion too much for a 3/4yo - up to 4 hour hacks with long periods of trot and canter, as well as 45 minute schooling sessions) in a saddle it was later revealed had a broken tree, and so what was pain response has now become learned negative behaviour. He will nap backwards, sideways, spin and buck. He's an absolute saint in company, will go past absolutely anything, and sometimes will go in front but other times will throw the mother of all tantrums when asked. My aim is to first hack him side by side to make hacking a positive experience again, then slowly introduce periods in front rewarding confidence, and go from there.
He has been checked, scanned, physio, vetted, teeth done, saddle fitted, bit checked, farrier approved all within the last two weeks (and no it isn't ulcers
) but any advice on clingy youngsters would be greatly appreciated - even if it's just to tell me that i'm expecting too much by putting another rider on my baby!
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