Amber Options

Michen said:
Sounds like she’s been hacking less than once a week albeit hacking occasional in walk and trot? Think that may be a big part of the problem. I do think most event type horses would struggle with that and 4/5 hours turnout.
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Possibly the lack of forward hacking to let of steam as stated above, and what size field is she in, and is it large enough and dry enough with friends in it, for a good gallop round and play session?

I think decent hacking - moving really forwards over varied terrain is really important, ideally 2-3 times a week for some horses. Do you not have access to decent hacking for cantering straight from the yard?

It might be that she needs a decent forwards canter once a week to let off steam, which could maybe be arranged.
 
flying_high said:
Might she have a future space? Maybe turn away, and wait for the next space? If she's the right person, knows Amber, and knows you, it might be worth waiting for?
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She's full till mid April. I'm hoping to be back on board myself by then but if not yes I'd consider using her then.
 
I have the beginnings of a plan..... I've contacted a few pros and prices are all similar. I can't afford for her to be with a pro for weeks on end so I'm planning on sending her away in about a month. The retirement livery place does not turn them out. It's a barn type arrangement with a 'rolling patch' - well that is even less turn out than she gets with me! My yo is allowing her out more, she's off all hard feed and I've arranged for her to be hacked out fast twice a week. Plus a friend whose horse is lame will ride her too. It will have to do for now. Hopefully I'll be able to lunge her before too long.....
 
Asha said:
In your shoes id send her to RL event team in Sandbach. Both very good riders and both teach a lot of amateurs so wouldn't 'hot her up to much ' Plus you would be able to carry on with lessons with them both afterwards,and once you are back on board in theory you could do some smaller stuff to get your confidence up, and they could do some bigger stuff to give her some more miles on the clock. If at the end of it they thought she was too much for you, they would tell you. Both very straight forward to deal with.
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I second these guys. I've watched them take a friend who was being bucked off her four/five year old and really quite scared of him up to consistently qualifying for Badminton grass roots. She based the horse with them for while, they schooled it, competed it to prove to her it could do it, and taught her how to ride it, (and it can be tricky).

They're near Middlewich, AE, probably no more than an hour from you.

It would be a good choice for when you feel ready to start eventing again.
 
fwiw frank has very very rarely scared me, he's one of life's good eggs whatever my mum says :p.
I had to call mum to come and lead him off the fields we were on because we had ended up closer to them clay shooting than we would be normally (so he's not totally unaware usually) and I couldn't get him back past and that's the only way home.
 
If you want to keep her in work rather than turning away, could you speak to your instructor/horsey friends and see if they know of a competent amateur who would be willing to keep her ticking over until a pro has space? Or even have her for the season if the got on well enough. Would be cheaper than a pro too.
I’m definitely not a pro but have taken on horses for a couple of people. Worked well both times.
Just another option to consider
 
One of the main reasons Fergus is ludicrous to hack alone (or rather, was ludicrous and remains daft) is because on his first ever solo hack we walked into a shoot, got stuck, he lost his mind and flipped over twice (I had decided discretion was the better part of valour and dismounted, led him onto a ploughed field). Shooting still sends him bonkers. I wouldn't under-estimate the effects of a shoot, especially if it's not normal for her to experience shooting at close quarters.
 
How long to recover depends on several things. Are you weight bearing, in plaster or air boot? I was in plaster 12 weeks and had to learn to weight bear again. All my muscle in my leg had wasted. 6 months on I am just able to sit on my pony but dismounting is very difficult.
 
It is very hard to know what to do for the best when you are still suffering from the shock and pain of an accident so if you can take a few more days to decide it might help. My instinct tells me that a pro putting her through her paces and getting/keeping her fit might result in your taking back a full-on Amber that you were not fit and ready for yourself? I would also not want to put her through another move so my Plan A would be to try and find someone to do lots of "boring" hacking with her enough to keep her physically tired but not mentally excited - sort of back to school stuff - with as much turnout as you can manage. It may not be the easiest option I realise.
And please don't forget yourself in all this - I can thoroughly recommend Vit C with Zinc for healing and Comfrey for the bones as well!!!!! As soon as you are able - into a pool to begin building your muscles back up - At 71 my torn hip tendon responded quickly enough on this regime for even the physios to be impressed.!!! Good luck.
 
First of all best wishes for a speedy recovery. Loads of good ideas about what to do with Amber both in the short and longer term. I’ve enjoyed reading your posts since I joined the forum and I really hope this doesn’t knock your confidence too much because you always sound right on the edge of thinking you’re not a good enough rider for Amber. From everything I’ve read about you and Amber I think you will have to make some changes in her management going forward if you are to have a successful partnership. My horse is a different type to Amber and he is nowhere near competition fit but if he was only having 4 hours turnout a day and not getting out hacking for a good blast every weekend he would virtually unrideable. I think sometimes we have to be very honest about what we enjoy/feel comfortable doing with our horses and if this isn’t compatible with the horse we have we need to question what compromises can be made to keep everyone happy. I know you don’t particularly enjoy hacking, so you probably don’t do it too often, but maybe that’s what Amber needs to help her to be calmer and more focussed when you’re out and about. I’m the opposite to you and don’t enjoy schooling, though it’s a necessary evil in winter on dark evenings. After the clocks change I have to force myself to school, but I don’t do it as often as I should because hacking is my preference. I just think it’s all a question of balance and finding out what makes your horse tick (but not like an unexploded bomb!)
 
@oldie48 @milliepops thanks for your reply on Oldies thread. To answer some of the musings:

It was a group lesson but we got warming up immediately. She chucked me off in the warm up with a 3-4 stride acceleration surge then a weird sort of leap forward followed by play buck. Like I see her do in the field but has never yet done with a passenger. So I got back on completed the warm up without mishap though she was clearly very fresh but then and came off again during the first line of jumps, over-jumping the 3rd or 4th jump and then shooting sideways on landing.

So triggers;
Cold day
Busy arena
Increased feed as she has dropped weight recently. Added in a bit of oil to her link mash.
Limited turn out.

BUT none of that is new. I have ridden her in far, far worse conditions - gales etc. She has always been fed quite a lot as she drops easily. And turn out has also been restricted in the past. She had been worked the Thursday (2 days before) and was foot perfect jumping in spooky, windy arena. Had the dentist the day before so was not ridden but it was a routine appointment and no reason to think there would be any problem after that.

But I have had lively rides in those scenarios! So maybe all of that made her near the edge and the shooting sent her over it. I was not really paying any attention to it so I can't swear a shot set her off but each episode did feel like it could have been triggered by something.

But as BP said in her post on my thread - Amber has looked and felt on the edge a few times and actually she needs to not be so close to an explosion in future. I have just assumed she gets fresh but never loses it. Now I am not so sure.
 
blodwyn1 said:
How long to recover depends on several things. Are you weight bearing, in plaster or air boot? I was in plaster 12 weeks and had to learn to weight bear again. All my muscle in my leg had wasted. 6 months on I am just able to sit on my pony but dismounting is very difficult.
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That's sounds like a long and painful process. Hope you improve soon.
 
Skib said:
So sorry to read all this Amber. And yes do take care of yourself as well as uyour girls and do all the doctors tell you to.
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I definitely will be sensible. The last thing I want is to delay long term recovery by being too impatient, and Amber is a horse you have to ride dynamically - as in off her back, in light seat, balancing over my feet when she jumps etc. She is not one I can just sit on and let carry me. I feel like I need to be fully fit and strong before I ride her again.
 
My pony has been kept going by my instructor riding twice a week and 24/7 turnout. I have had to employ a freelancer as I also have two retired ponies.My husband has also been amazing. My injuries were worse than yours as I was knocked out and dragged. In total even though I am retired the accident has cost me thousands including a stair lift and automatic car! It was completely out of character for the pony. I considered sending her to a producer but I didn't want a supercharged pony back!
 
Just had a text from Amber's rider who has hacked her today. First time out since Somerford and that was only a 10 minute (if rather energetic) workout. She said she was good as gold and hacked happily on the buckle out and back. Which I am obviously very pleased about. But equally feeling very useless as recently she has been spooky/fresh with me on hacks. It is clearly me! Nowt wrong with the horse!!
 
Probably a combination of factors as suggested above. I have found that I need to work the v sharp horses the day before I take them out in the horsebox - usually a 45 min to 1 hr hack out including some decent canter and hills (mind again rather than body). Otherwise they are potentially going to be too explosive (for me) when I take them out in the horsebox (which is always more stimulating for them whatever else is going on). The regime 2 to 3 days before an outing is something I try to figure out early on and adjust as reqd. For the current two:

R gets ridden 2 days out and has the day before off (any more than one day rest before an outing and she would be becoming potentially explosive initially)
Nix, if in regular work, gets the 2 days out day off then ridden the day before

So for our (private, flatwork) arena hire on Mon:

R was ridden Sat - incl. decent cantering and hills (off Fri and Sun) and was pretty sharp at the start on Mon
Nix was ridden Sat (q a long hack with plenty of hills & good cantering) and Sun (easier hack but still with a decent canter and hills) and she was still quite explosive at the start on Mon particularly with the unexpected air brakes next door and hidden by trees, added in

Neither have been out in the horsebox since mid Oct so expected them to be quite excited by the outing (which they were) and it was a lovely frosty, bright day. They are not v fit yet and have given them only partial clips.

I will change things up as need to and sometimes I can't work Nix the day before (e.g. due to my work or taking R out the day before), then I know she may be more explosive as a result and need more managing when I get on. She just cannot contain her energy at times, allowing her forwards and helping her direct the energy and stop her mind bubbling over is what works with her (what this looks like varies according to the specific situation).

Take care of yourself and look forward to enjoying another great season this year with all your horses :)
 
Ambers Echo said:
Just had a text from Amber's rider who has hacked her today. First time out since Somerford and that was only a 10 minute (if rather energetic) workout. She said she was good as gold and hacked happily on the buckle out and back. Which I am obviously very pleased about. But equally feeling very useless as recently she has been spooky/fresh with me on hacks. It is clearly me! Nowt wrong with the horse!!
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Turn that into a positive..... by the time you are recovered Amber will have done lots of hacking so will be more relaxed, meaning you will enjoy it more so will do it more often ?
 
I might be shot down for this but if you need a bit of security when you get back on board, draw reins are useful for control with tanking and bucking. In case you feel a bit apprehensive, it's an option. You don't need to do anything with them unless the horse starts taking the p*ss. Think of it as a security blanket.
 
mule said:
I might be shot down for this but if you need a bit of security when you get back on board, draw reins are useful for control with tanking and bucking. In case you feel a bit apprehensive, it's an option. You don't need to do anything with them unless the horse starts taking the p*ss. Think of it as a security blanket.
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No shooting down from me - sometimes you need to give the rider a security blanket, and if draw reins work - far better that constant pulling on the horses mouth.
 
Ambers Echo said:
I am determined to hack more when I'm back on board. That was part of the reason for moving after all. Hacking is great around me know so I just have to get on with it.
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Can you borrow a safe hacking horse to get back your confidence? I do find it very bizarre that riders will happily go XC over horrible scarey fences, but are not confident doing nice relaxed hacks. You are not the only one! I know a few riders with that mindset. So, whilst you get Amber some professional help, could you work on getting some confidence help hacking. Wish you were closer to me, would happily throw you onboard my boy, who is a complete hacking Saint (far too boring for you long term) but will give you so much confidence, whilst giving you a lovely forward ride.
 
I used to hack very happily. I was bolted with several years ago when we came across a shoot unexpectedly. I had my feet out of the stirrups ready to bail out before we got to the main road! Never liked it since then. I can make myself do it but I hate the unpredictability of a hack.
 
Ambers Echo said:
I am determined to hack more when I'm back on board. That was part of the reason for moving after all. Hacking is great around me know so I just have to get on with it.
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I find going with someone I totally trust really helps, someone whom I know will be able to deal with the unexpected. I used to hack with my daughter who was a fab nanny, sadly no longer available!
 
If you're still trying to think of options, there is a guy near me (near Delamere forest) who is a racehorse trainer/rider. He has his own gallops and hacks in Delamere forest. I know loads of people who have sent their horses to him for rehab or exercise and he has consistently rave reviews. PM me if you want his details
 
Sorry to hear about your accident, sounds like a very bad day! That's the problem as an adult, the repercussions of being injured are far worse.
Couple of things I have realised over the years of owning both incredibly sharp horses, and those for who I was last chance saloon.
1. Sometimes you have to accept them being lighter than you would like in the winter, as they are unrideable on more food.
2. Some horses will need to live on calmer
3. Some horses love being stabled, others would be dangerous not kept 'just so'
4. Sometimes, its best to give them the winter out in the field on holiday if you can't mange everything
5. Lunging before riding can be a thing, even when your horse is 20
I am mainly very lucky with mine. The arabs are the same sharp mares they always are, regardless of when they were last ridden, although Mindy is distinctly less strong when not fit. Maisy is probably worse when fit, and is only ever fed releve when doing A LOT of work, and comes off it rapidly when work less, even if just a few days.
Winnie came to me, as she went from being borderline to seriously nasty when kept with limited turnout. She basically stood on her back legs and stayed there, sadly that is a thing with her. Herd turnout on 20 acres helps, and she is now fairly good. Again is sharper when fitter, but always an angel away from home.
My friends anglo is frankly barking mad. She is lighter than maybe ideal, and looks like a racehorse. If she has time off, lunge before riding is a certainty. She is safe ish at the gallops, but she ran backwards very fast at RC and nearly fell over. It wasn't the first time! She never sees exciting food, and would kill someone if stabled. She lives on calmer, and peptonil, as she tends to ulcers. Her saddle has to be 'just so' and her back is done regularly as she self harms on an epic level. She has improved with age, she is now 20.
What I am getting at, is that some horses need micro managing. We make sure this horse is not too fit if she can't do much, and manage how she returns to work with exceptional care.
In your circumstances I would be looking for the root cause, you have had her long enough to know her normal behaviour, and this sounds out of the ordinary, although she may just have benefitted from being lunged before going on the lorry!
Hope you have a speedy recovery.
 
Ambers Echo said:
I used to hack very happily. I was bolted with several years ago when we came across a shoot unexpectedly. I had my feet out of the stirrups ready to bail out before we got to the main road! Never liked it since then. I can make myself do it but I hate the unpredictability of a hack.
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My hacking fear is falling off. (Though horse tripping is a close second).

For me hacking armed with a RS-Tor and an over sized hunting breastplate has helped massively.

Both options can be used or not used as and when needed. And I can chose to hold the R-Stor and use the reins totally normally. Or if galloping and positioned forward out of saddle, I can have a hand on the breastplate for extra security and stability.

I am also asthmatic, and if something (e.g. recent chest infection) flares up the asthma, a bit wobbly riding at speed , so massively helps keep me safe.
 
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