A week after our rubbish lesson - its all gone a bit wrong :-(

[asommerville]

Some of you might have seen my last thread on my horrible lesson where the instructor made me go so fast my wee horse ended up frightening himself and pulling out of jumps………now other people I know have had great lessons with this guy so obviously it was just one of those things and I didn’t like him.

I was worried about taking him jumping on the Saturday as I thought he had frightened himself, so I jumped him on the Friday night and on the Saturday he behaved like an absolute star (considering he has never been to an agricultural show in his life) and jumped everything to come third – brilliant, the only worry I had was that he was bug***ing off after every warm up jump and I found it difficult to stop him.

He had a few days off, then schooled on Tuesday and Thursday nights and it has been a disaster….I don’t know what he is thinking but he just wants to go FAST all the time, now I am aware that the we horse needed to go more forward, but he is not going forward, he is running on in trot and canter and then scaring himself and running even more.

He can’t go from canter to trot as he is trotting so fast he is unbalanced and when he does go into canter he is just running as fast as he can and motorbiking round the corners, its not fun for either of us and last night I was nearly over the arena wall at one point!

Maybe I’m wrong but I think it all stems from this lesson.

So now I’m in a pickle….I have a lesson booked with another instructor (flatwork this time and we have had lessons from her before) next weekend, was supposed to be doing dressage and jumping this weekend but I’m contemplating not now or just doing the baby classes to try and get his confidence back.

We’re going to go right back to basics in the meantime but to be honest I am gutted, he’s 6, I’ve deliberately brought him on slowly and I feel like in one lesson it has all gone to pot.

So if anyone has any advice as to anything else I can be doing with him please let me know – maybe going back to basics again is not the right thing? Also any schooling exercises that will help to slow him down and balance him would be really appreciated.

 

[bluebellfreddy]

Poor you, sounds like the instructor did not help at all. I would say don't compete this weekend, will only mean you are having to cope with stuff you are unhappy with. Going back a few steps sounds right not for long but just to get every thing back together. If you have troting/ canter poles that you can set out means he can rush over them and gives him something to concentrate on. Sure a week or two of getting confidence back again and you will be back to normal.

 

[Caol Ila]

Transitions, transitions, and more transitions.

Not seeing the horse, it's hard to say what exercises he should/can do. For instance, I like doing a three loop serpentine (or five if in big enough arena on an educated enough horse) and doing a transition each time you cross the centerline. But if your horse isn't doing balanced serpentines and able to change the bend easily, that exercise is too much.

When the horse rushes and gets on his forehand,or even when he doesn't, switch between gaits. If you're always changing and asking him to do stuff, he'll start tuning in as he won't know what's coming next. Also, change tempo within the gait. Ask for a fast trot, then ask for a slow trot.

 

[Slightlyconfused]

Transitions, transitions, and more transitions.

Not seeing the horse, it's hard to say what exercises he should/can do. For instance, I like doing a three loop serpentine (or five if in big enough arena on an educated enough horse) and doing a transition each time you cross the centerline. But if your horse isn't doing balanced serpentines and able to change the bend easily, that exercise is too much.

When the horse rushes and gets on his forehand,or even when he doesn't, switch between gaits. If you're always changing and asking him to do stuff, he'll start tuning in as he won't know what's coming next. Also, change tempo within the gait. Ask for a fast trot, then ask for a slow trot.

^^^this^^^


Also I put out jump wings and blocks scattered around the school and weave in and out of them. It makes Nag have to balance and steady up, start off in walk then trot. Don't canter until he is balanced.

Also put poles out in a square shape but don't touch the corners to each other, make the gaps quite big first off and weave in and out and go over the poles. Doesn't matter if they are stride perfect as you want to go as slow or a fast as you want over them, see how many strides you can make and extend them or bring them back.

Both of these have helped mine and it also gives both you and your horse a visual aid to help balance and something to concentrate on.

 

[cheeryplatypus]

Agree with the above. Lots and lots of transitions and ride poles on the ground and between jump wings and then figure of 8 around a fence with transitions all the time so you really get him listening and confident.

 

[asommerville]

thank you

 

[asommerville]

anymore????

 

[be positive]

I would also say go back a step, will he work long and low, if he will use this to encourage relaxation, he can still be going forward but allow him to stretch and seek the rein while remaining in a good rhythm and balance.
Pole work once he is soft and listening, plenty of turns, serpentines and transitions both in and out of a pace as well as within it, possibly cantering in light seat to keep his back up and soft, you can use your weight to bring him back to you more easily than if you are sitting all the time.

Your aim should be to get him back in a relaxed state of body and mind, praise when he softens, ignore any tension, finish on a good note even if you feel the session is rather short, better 10 mins that goes well than pushing for longer and having to ride through more tension.

 

[Cortez]

Don't panic: he's only young and has got a bit overexcited. Just take it all back a step, re-establish some discipline and control (don't LET him tank off after jumps, transitions, whatever), and give him time to digest what he's being asked to do. It doesn't mean the instructor was wrong; you just need to consolidate what is happening.