Amber Options

For anyone interested, having discovered at fracture clinic that one of the fractures was old - done in the summer - and that I will heal quite quickly, I have moved Amber to a pro. In the end I've gone with a guy called Harry Moran. He was a working pupil at Somerford on Andy Heffernan's yard for 5 years and has just recently set up on his own. Offering discounted livery while he is growing his business as his yard is not yet full. Only opened 2 weeks ago. I've seen him ride at demos at Somerford and he is a lovely, quiet rider and near enough to me for me to visit regularly. AND she can have plenty of turn out. Most of the people I have spoken to don't have turn out. Fingers crossed it all works out. He will take her to Somerford too which I am pleased with as I want someone else to ride her there before I do again.
 
Sounds like a good solution, hope you heal quickly and can get back to where you were quickly. You’ve worked so hard, hopefully your base relationship will help you more than you think.

Calming cookies may help (you!) for the first couple of faster rides. I found them really helpful - and am perfectly happy to accept that it was probably me they helped rather than the horse!
 
So Harry has been riding Amber. Says her saddle no longer fits and the flocking on the right is too flat/ air has leaked out and is hurting her. Which is making her grumpy and would explain her behaviour. I had it checked recently too! After Somerford I got a physio out, she had just had her teeth done and I was considering ulcers. Did not think tack/back. Feeling foolish but relieved. She has never been shy about expressing herself so I think it is a recent problem.

He has her in his own very expensive Equipe and she is sweet as a nut now. Overall he can see what I mean about her rushing fences - she wants to run but he is making her wait and she needs to learn how to do that. Familiar story! I've been trying to teach her that for years!! But overall he says she is a talented mare with a good work ethic. But sensitive and expressive if something is bothering her. I am feeling optimistic that things will be ok......
 
Ok I'll ask. Thanks. Even 2nd hand they are a grand!! It's my 50th birthday soon though and I should be able to sell Amber's for a few hundred......
 
Ambers Echo said:
So Harry has been riding Amber. Says her saddle no longer fits and the flocking on the right is too flat/ air has leaked out and is hurting her. Which is making her grumpy and would explain her behaviour. I had it checked recently too! After Somerford I got a physio out, she had just had her teeth done and I was considering ulcers. Did not think tack/back. Feeling foolish but relieved. She has never been shy about expressing herself so I think it is a recent problem.

He has her in his own very expensive Equipe and she is sweet as a nut now. Overall he can see what I mean about her rushing fences - she wants to run but he is making her wait and she needs to learn how to do that. Familiar story! I've been trying to teach her that for years!! But overall he says she is a talented mare with a good work ethic. But sensitive and expressive if something is bothering her. I am feeling optimistic that things will be ok......
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I did wonder about the saddle. When Rose gave me a flying lesson, (I asked her to canter left and she slammed the brakes on, so I asked more strongly and she sent me into orbit) she had a very sore back because her saddle was pinching and she's very sensitive. She had been a bit resistent and bucky for a little while but I thought she was just testing me as we'd had a six month honeymoon period and she was a lot stronger. I think you have your answer and can stop worrying and please don't do what I did with Rose ie ride her tentatively expecting her to explode as I just taught her to nap. Get better soon!
 
Ambers Echo said:
If anyone wants to know more details on how she's getting on I am putting updates on my blog:

https://themarewhonoonewanted.wordpress.com/2020/02/06/boot-for-me-boot-camp-for-amber/
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Blimey. Any idea what happened with the saddle?

Sounds like this could be the making of her though. Great idea. Will you be able to have him ride and teach you regularly once she’s back? I wonder if that will set you up better for the long term. My ins schools f once a week and it’s really helped his education as I’m not proficient enough.
 
No idea about the saddle. You can't see anything but when you feel the underside you can feel the tree. Not in a good way!

I will have some lessons with Harry before I take Amber home but after that I think he is too far away for him to regularly ride her. But I might try and get someone else to school once a week.
 
Sounds like a positive update. I know it's hard not to feel deflated when you see the mountain to climb but like Bernster I think this whole thing could be a blessing in disguise. It's hard to teach your horse something you don't really know yourself. So if she gets a bit more education from someone who is well practiced in installing those things, then you practice with him before she comes home, you'll know the feeling you should have and how you should get it. And then you will notice if it starts to slip. After that I don't think it matters who does the upkeep with you both, because you will both be starting from a position of knowing more of what you want than before anyway :)

And good news in disguise with the saddle too. That's a clear explanation of why she did what she did, and I hope that helps your confidence when you are ready to get back on board x
 
milliepops said:
Sounds like a positive update. I know it's hard not to feel deflated when you see the mountain to climb but like Bernster I think this whole thing could be a blessing in disguise. It's hard to teach your horse something you don't really know yourself. So if she gets a bit more education from someone who is well practiced in installing those things, then you practice with him before she comes home, you'll know the feeling you should have and how you should get it. And then you will notice if it starts to slip. After that I don't think it matters who does the upkeep with you both, because you will both be starting from a position of knowing more of what you want than before anyway :)

And good news in disguise with the saddle too. That's a clear explanation of why she did what she did, and I hope that helps your confidence when you are ready to get back on board x
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Yup, this. Its not great it happened, but you have a definite reason for it now which is very good news. Theres no shame in sending any horse to the pros for a bit, much less a big, buzzy, slightly tricky one! I'd have packed her off a long time ago, so you have done brilliantly sticking it out as long as you did. I sent mine off to be broken in January. It is indeed a very good time not to have a horse! :D
 
I also think maybe a rider not being 'good enough' for a horse depends a bit on what the rider wants to achieve? I don't feel unsafe on Amber and we have plenty of fun. And she is fit, strong and healthy. For many people that would be more than enough. Maybe if a pro got on 90% of leisure horses they could say all the things that aren't correct and could be improved on. It's just that I want Amber to go as well as she can go and I want us to progress in eventing. So I think I am harder on myself than is helpful. I need to focus on the journey and accept that I can only ride as well as I can ride and that has to be 'good enough' for now.
 
Ambers Echo said:
It's a Liberty saddle. I don;t even know what a flair is! I am a total tack dork. But I have sent it back to the saddler who made it.
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Flair is the airbag system - they can leak air if the tubes are not sealed correctly. The manufacturers suggesting getting the fit checked at 3 month intervals as they are a precision item.

You can have the flair replaced with flock if the rest of the saddle is still suitable
 
Sorry to hear about your fall Amber. :(

So Foxy (who you know!) has found a new home now - she's gone to my friend who's wanted her for a while. Anyway she bucked her off on a hack and she's never done anything like that!! different rider, surroundings yes but I do think she is generally getting a bit more wild as she gets older, when you'd think it would be the other way!

I do think it's as they get older, stronger, more confident they get a bit more full of it. Probably wouldn't hurt a pro having her for a bit, i think they should hopefully correct any unwanted behavior and get her back on the straight and narrow. My other horse Coco used to be quite hot but since she got back from sales livery shes really calm..
 
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