advise needed....

T

Tezzabezz85

Member
Joined
27 December 2011
Messages
24
Location
Yorkshire
Visit site
Hi,

I have a 6yrs old cob mare, who was broken to ride last year. she was turned away for the winter and was brought back to work a few mnths ago. I trialed her at her previous owners and she was a "dope on a rope", lovely ride and pefect ground manners.

I have been the proud owner for about 2-3mnths now.

We have had a "shakey start" as intially i couldnt even catch her :) however her manners have always been impeccable (except the marching off when i came anywhere near with a head collar lol) One of the first times i went out on a hack with her once she had come to me, was hard work as she just kept screeching at all the horse (there are LOADS where i keep mine) this resulted in her not paying a blind bit of attention to what was going on around her so she did end up walking sideways a couple of times (into the road) i was able to correct her and she did respond to me but obviously i can not have this so have spent the last few weeks going through groundwork groundwork groundwork!!! and have been leading her out in hand around my area so she gets used to the other horses she passes, (the squealing is at a minimum now :)) this has improved our relationship massivley.

I feel that we are really getting there.... when I'm not on her back that is.

She seems to chomp the bit something rotten and when i rode her last she would not turn she would just stop. when i pushed her on she would do a lil cow kick and walk a few steps..... then stop again. She does also put her tongue over the bit (only seen her do this once)

she is in a hanging cheek....this is what she has always been in (as per previous owner) and she has mainly been a "happy hacker" as had not much schooling if any.

I'm just woundering if anyone has any "tips" as to how to move forward through this with her?

I'm planning on getting a dentist out asap to rule out teeth/mouth health issues and if there are no teethy probs then i would very much appreciate ideas of how to move forward.

thanks in advance x

any ideas/guidence appreciated.
 
She is going to be extremely green, only started last year then turned away means you have what is really a just backed baby to bring on with all that entails, she probably does not yet understand what is expected of her hence the stopping and lack of reaction to you using your legs.
Get the teeth done as they may well be causing her problems, then go back to basics with some schooling, she needs to learn everything from scratch, plenty of simple walk on, halt, walk on, until she listens to the slightest aid, hack in company to build up her confidence and yours, continue the groundwork but make sure you are really clear in what you are doing so she can improve her understanding of the aids once you are on board, the voice can then be used when you are riding as she learns to listen to the aids.
 
Do you have a school or can you tape off an area to ride in
The stopping is either confusion or napping and unfortunately if you don't teach her how to change direction she will learn to nap and trust me it is not a nice thing to deal with
Test her turning on the yard before you go out, if it's fine there then she is already using it to nap

How experienced are you?
 
Hi!

Thanku for your response and guidence, really appreciate it. Sometimes its good to get an outside prospective!

Im getting the dentist out hopefully this week, better to be safe than sorry :)

And have been working on some groundwork excercises which we will continue, wanted to make sure im doing right by her. She is a sweety!

Thanks again x
 
Hi, i dont have a arena/school but have sectioned of part of my field to act like a school area.

She turns when we are out on a hack and responds alot better when "out and about" but when i rode her in my "school" we seemed to hit a wall.

My experience? I would say im experienced but rusty :) i took a break from the horsey world for a few years so even though i am perfectly capable i do lack confidence at times. I know this will not help her but i am working on it. I go for regular riding lessons and have been riding a horse they have which is very green as recently broken so have had the opportunity to be part of his schooling education.

Thanku :)
 
Sounds like my horse was the same as yours. He too was "broken to ride" when he was sold to his previous owner. She then spent 4 years doing groundwork (the dreaded "P" word) and "happy hacking" and then sold him to us after he'd broken her shoulder and she'd become very much the submissive in their relationship. When he came to us he did just the same as yours. He'd have massive napping tantrums because, as it turns out, he had no idea what he was supposed to do. He could manage walk and trot with a saddle and a person on but he'd quite clearly had absolutely no schooling. He'd been essentially taught that just being a bully would get him what he wanted and he'd perfected that. He was stroppy and dangerous and we decided to get professional input to help him. I think it's important people are honest with themselves about their ability to instill the basic foundations of ridden work. There's no shame in needing help and ultimately it's in everyone's interests to get it.

Two years later we have a very different horse. He's still very much learning and loving doing everything. It just takes time and patience and a willingness to seek help. You'll get there :)
 
When my horse used to put her tongue over the bit and generally chomp on it we had her teeth checked and there was nothing wrong and if thats the case with you ever since we have rode her in a bitless bridle and she has come on leaps and bounds. As she is so young it may just be that she needs to get used to it, however, because of her good groundwork i would think that she will come along quickly but be patient and don't rush her
Good Luck :D
 
Thank u guys,dont worry i know what im capable of and if/when i reach my limit i will get professional help. So far so we are making progress all be it slow which in all honesty suits us both :)

I am definently not too proud to seek advice/guidence/reasurance and when needed physical help :)

Im a firm believer in, no one person knows everthing and find forums like this really helpful and supportive.

So thanku for ur responses so far, i feel alot more confident in the plans i have and the actions im already doing, seems like me and my girl are heading in the right direction, suppose its just a matter of practise, patience and time which i have plenty of :) xx
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top