Any tips for getting the ned to pay attention at shows?

[saddlesore]

As above lol!

Still very inexperienced at it all (he's 6 and only done 2 shows) but in the showing class he I really couldn't get him to listen at all. He wasn't being bad but in the group trot/canter he was like a steam train, then come the individual show he was being a bit nappy and it took me one whole side of the ring to get canter as he just wasn't listening to me lol.

Any tips or it just an inexperience thing?

 

[ladyt25]

I don't have much advice really, I just guess practice makes perfect! I would just try remain calm and not think about what he's doing, just ride through it (I know that is easier said than done!).

 

[saddlesore]

Thanks, i did try but I honestly felt that we were going everywhich way but loose lol. At least I didn't fall off - always a bonus

 

[ladyt25]

Ha ha! Sometimes though I think just treating it as a fun exercise as opposed to putting pressure to win on you or him, works best. It will come with time and practice i am sure and you'll soon forget he was ever difficult!

 

[saddlesore]

I can but hope! Not exactly planning a showing career anyway - WAY too much cleaning for me - but it would be nice to not feel like a total ar$e haha x

 

[KellyTL]

Hi, i know how you feel! I have a section D cob who is now 9 and i have been showing him since he was 4. I must say the more you take them the more they will slowly start to chill out and listen. He is still like a steam train whilst going around together but I now ride him on a swales pelham and that has seemed to have done the trick eventhough he is still quite a handful. We do get our bad days where he just spooks at everything and really doesnt care about what i want him to do but then other days hes foot perfect! Maybe try giving him some calmers before hand? this didnt work on mine but I know a few people who use them and seem to take the edge off. Good luck xx

 

[saddlesore]

Thanks Kelly, I felt like i needed a pelham for the group bit and then a cattle prod for the individual show ha ha Life is never easy with them is it!! x

 

[KellyTL]

no its defiantely not easy! i have had absolutely hell with my section D since i had him as a 2yr old. so stubborn, if he dont want to do something he really isnt going to! travelling on his own is an absolute night mare and he is a lover of bucking when he cant get his own way! but i love him! without all his little vices he would be just an average pony! he does his job when he needs to and thats all that matterss! 7 long years and still ups and downs but every day is worth it!