TheMule
Well-Known Member
He is gorgeous- I am a sucker for a ginger with lots of white!
Looking forward to following his progress
Backing 3/4yr olds
- Thread starter TheMule
- Start date
He is gorgeous- I am a sucker for a ginger with lots of white!
Looking forward to following his progress
ImmyS
Well-Known Member
ahh thank you! Your two are gorgeous! Look forward to following them over the coming years!
Caol Ila
Well-Known Member
Obviously Hermosa has been mostly on maternity leave.
We introduced her to a rain sheet today. She was unimpressed. Lots of spooking and dancing around. We'll show her the fleece cooler tomorrow or Sunday. Might be less scary, as it makes less weird noises.
Caso, on the other hand, thought the rain sheet was a fantastic toy. My friend, who is buying him, is looking forward to him being a damn sight easier than his mum. Thinking you are doing your youngstock a favor by not bloody well showing them anything, ever, is insane.
We introduced her to a rain sheet today. She was unimpressed. Lots of spooking and dancing around. We'll show her the fleece cooler tomorrow or Sunday. Might be less scary, as it makes less weird noises.
Caso, on the other hand, thought the rain sheet was a fantastic toy. My friend, who is buying him, is looking forward to him being a damn sight easier than his mum. Thinking you are doing your youngstock a favor by not bloody well showing them anything, ever, is insane.
daffy44
Well-Known Member
Finally got to try working with other horses at a local pole work clinic, as expected he was very good, happy to work at the same time as the other horse, happy to stand still while the other horse cantered round him, and finished off walking on the buckle next to the other horse. So lots of ticks in boxes for the boy, but it has shown to me that he still lacks confidence working away from home, and I need to help him improve on this. He is immaculately behaved at the traveling, loading, tacking up etc, easy to get on, and he feels safe, but whilst at home he is really lovely, forward and goey, away from home he hangs a bit, feels stuffy and drops behind my leg. He is a very genuine soul, and the lack of confidence has surprised me a little because he is very confident hacking out alone etc, but if I've learnt nothing else, its that horses always have a little surprise up their sleeves! But I'm sure its pretty minor, and he just needs a little more time and experience, I'm very pleased he was so good with another horse, and I will do some more of that just to cement it in, but an excellent start.
RachelFerd
Well-Known Member
First prelim tests for Isaac this weekend - dressage show on our yard, so not having to go anywhere (although it does always surprise them when there are lots of strange horses at home and everything looks a bit different!)
Did two nice tests of varying quality throughout - just needs to build strength to improve the consistency.
Fi
Did two nice tests of varying quality throughout - just needs to build strength to improve the consistency.
Fi
ImmyS
Well-Known Member
Trailer loading practice for Finn today. He’s never loaded onto a trailer and only travelled a couple of times in a small lorry in his life. He walked straight on and settled in there really well. Practiced backing off and getting on a few times and practice having back bar up and ramp and he was good as gold. Hoping to take a short pootle out to a friends just down the road at the weekend for his first time actually out in the trailer. Hopefully he’s as settled once on the move ?
He likes it so much he decided to load and unload himself a couple of times whilst we tidied up!
He likes it so much he decided to load and unload himself a couple of times whilst we tidied up!
rara007
Well-Known Member
That end goal is edging closer!
ycbm
Einstein would be proud of my Insanity...
Is this the German import Rara? Looking good.
rara007
Well-Known Member
Yes 
Both mine are German- she’s Westphalian but actually half German riding pony filling into herself but still bum high!
Both mine are German- she’s Westphalian but actually half German riding pony filling into herself but still bum high!
Caol Ila
Well-Known Member
Hermosa practiced wearing a rug today. She's not greatly impressed by things being flung over her back, so we're going to be doing lots of this. She's wearing my friend's rug, which belongs to her 17.3hh Hanoverian, but it's the principle of the thing.
Caso wanted to be as cool as mum so he practiced wearing one too.
Caso wanted to be as cool as mum so he practiced wearing one too.
shortstuff99
Well-Known Member
I love him in his little green rug ?. He's gone a nice colour too.
ester
Not slacking multitasking
Immy that video ??
rara007
Well-Known Member
We be trotting ??
Well her boarding school is!
Well her boarding school is!
Caol Ila
Well-Known Member
He’s in the process of becoming bay. I think he’ll look a lot like mum, maybe a bit darker.
Cloball
Well-Known Member
Oh I recognise that yard. Caso looks very smart and bold in his outlook as well as his rug
Northern
Well-Known Member
Well, we're off games for a few months after an incident with a gate post and latch.
Trying not to be too despondent, I had just started riding her again and wanted to do some schooling before summer.
I've had an awful couple of weeks so this just topped everything off, of course. But that's horses for you (I'm sure it isn't just mine)...
She's only 3.5 years old and the time off won't hurt her. Will use the time to rehash some groundwork with her and maybe pony her out on some rides.
Don't look if squeamish (though I kept the original photo for myself ). The stitches have since failed and it will have to heal as an open wound.
Trying not to be too despondent, I had just started riding her again and wanted to do some schooling before summer.
I've had an awful couple of weeks so this just topped everything off, of course. But that's horses for you (I'm sure it isn't just mine)...
She's only 3.5 years old and the time off won't hurt her. Will use the time to rehash some groundwork with her and maybe pony her out on some rides.
Don't look if squeamish (though I kept the original photo for myself
). The stitches have since failed and it will have to heal as an open wound.
TheMule
Well-Known Member
Well, we're off games for a few months after an incident with a gate post and latch.
Trying not to be too despondent, I had just started riding her again and wanted to do some schooling before summer.
I've had an awful couple of weeks so this just topped everything off, of course. But that's horses for you (I'm sure it isn't just mine)...
She's only 3.5 years old and the time off won't hurt her. Will use the time to rehash some groundwork with her and maybe pony her out on some rides.
Don't look if squeamish (though I kept the original photo for myself
Oh goodness, poor little thing! ?for speedy healing
j1ffy
Well-Known Member
He looks very grown-up! Lovely.
Love this! How cute.
Very exciting - she's looking great. She's such a smart pony!
Well, we're off games for a few months after an incident with a gate post and latch.
Trying not to be too despondent, I had just started riding her again and wanted to do some schooling before summer.
I've had an awful couple of weeks so this just topped everything off, of course. But that's horses for you (I'm sure it isn't just mine)...
She's only 3.5 years old and the time off won't hurt her. Will use the time to rehash some groundwork with her and maybe pony her out on some rides.
Don't look if squeamish (though I kept the original photo for myself
Wow - that looks nasty
I hope it heals well, as you say some time off won't hurt. Chilli spent six months in the field over winter and it did him the world of good, he really strengthened up and matured.Chilli's been such a delight but we've had a case of the Kevins this week! He's always been fairly whizzy but absolutely refused to relax at all in the school on Sunday. We had some lovely Paso Fino impressions during a couple of our disagreements... Given the weather, I thought the grass may be flushing so planned to take him for a good canter around the field at home on Tuesday, but he was so sideways-bouncy and tense that I bottled it as I wasn't sure I could hold him, and the end of the field comes up quite quickly if you go too fast. As luck would have it, a lovely young and talented eventer who is based at the yard was just finishing schooling one of his horses so I was able to get him on Chilli. Naturally Chilli was absolutely fine once he started cantering, so I felt like a bit of a fool but equally it gave me confidence seeing him cantering so politely.
We had a timely lesson yesterday and our trainer 'fixed' the problem in the first five minutes - she's just fab! She spotted that Chilli was coming back and up with his neck and that was causing the blockage. I needed to be firmer and clearer in my instructions to bring his neck down, which also brought his knees down
and then he began to relax through his back. He would still try to rush so some firm half-halts and transitions, then immediate release, were needed and after a few of these we had rhythmic, calm, small trot and even canter. We're doing an Intro test at a small comp on the yard on Sunday, just for experience of working in a warm-up then in front of a judge. If we can avoid Paso Fino and Hackney-on-speed impressions I'll be happy!
daydreamer
Well-Known Member
I haven't posted much on here as I have just been pottering with my 3 year old and not doing much. I've pretty much just been faffing about with him in his field. My instructor came once a few weeks ago and gave me some groundwork things to work on and some exercises to help work towards bitting him.
She came again to help me today and he had a bit in for the first time and we had a first sit on!!
I'm so pleased with him, very relaxed. I've been doing a lot of standing by the mounting block and getting scratches and a bit of leaning over but not really with full body weight so super impressed with him today. I just got on and off twice. We'll walk him off next time. I've had him since 6 months old so super excited to get to this point. All done in his field so it's a little bit unorthodox!
She came again to help me today and he had a bit in for the first time and we had a first sit on!!
I'm so pleased with him, very relaxed. I've been doing a lot of standing by the mounting block and getting scratches and a bit of leaning over but not really with full body weight so super impressed with him today. I just got on and off twice. We'll walk him off next time. I've had him since 6 months old so super excited to get to this point. All done in his field so it's a little bit unorthodox!
TheMule
Well-Known Member
He looks very grown-up! Lovely.
Love this! How cute.
Very exciting - she's looking great. She's such a smart pony!
Wow - that looks nasty
Chilli's been such a delight but we've had a case of the Kevins this week! He's always been fairly whizzy but absolutely refused to relax at all in the school on Sunday. We had some lovely Paso Fino impressions during a couple of our disagreements... Given the weather, I thought the grass may be flushing so planned to take him for a good canter around the field at home on Tuesday, but he was so sideways-bouncy and tense that I bottled it as I wasn't sure I could hold him, and the end of the field comes up quite quickly if you go too fast. As luck would have it, a lovely young and talented eventer who is based at the yard was just finishing schooling one of his horses so I was able to get him on Chilli. Naturally Chilli was absolutely fine once he started cantering, so I felt like a bit of a fool but equally it gave me confidence seeing him cantering so politely.
We had a timely lesson yesterday and our trainer 'fixed' the problem in the first five minutes - she's just fab! She spotted that Chilli was coming back and up with his neck and that was causing the blockage. I needed to be firmer and clearer in my instructions to bring his neck down, which also brought his knees down
We're doing an Intro test at a small comp on the yard on Sunday, just for experience of working in a warm-up then in front of a judge. If we can avoid Paso Fino and Hackney-on-speed impressions I'll be happy!
The joys of a baby Spanish! Good luck with the test on Sunday- is that his first competition?
Nova is entered for his first competition on Monday. Yikes!!
TheMule
Well-Known Member
I haven't posted much on here as I have just been pottering with my 3 year old and not doing much. I've pretty much just been faffing about with him in his field. My instructor came once a few weeks ago and gave me some groundwork things to work on and some exercises to help work towards bitting him.
She came again to help me today and he had a bit in for the first time and we had a first sit on!!
I'm so pleased with him, very relaxed. I've been doing a lot of standing by the mounting block and getting scratches and a bit of leaning over but not really with full body weight so super impressed with him today. I just got on and off twice. We'll walk him off next time. I've had him since 6 months old so super excited to get to this point. All done in his field so it's a little bit unorthodox!
View attachment 78453
Congratulations! It's the best feeling isn’t it?
daydreamer
Well-Known Member
Yes, I'm buzzing. I love how happy I look in the picture too, I wasn't worried! He's my first ever youngster and I love him to bits. The plan is to do most of the work with him next year, this is just a cheeky preview!
shortstuff99
Well-Known Member
Oh no! If it helps my 3 year old suffered a very nasty wound across the front of her hock, which has healed really well. I think when they are young and growing their healing capacity is really good.Well, we're off games for a few months after an incident with a gate post and latch.
Trying not to be too despondent, I had just started riding her again and wanted to do some schooling before summer.
I've had an awful couple of weeks so this just topped everything off, of course. But that's horses for you (I'm sure it isn't just mine)...
She's only 3.5 years old and the time off won't hurt her. Will use the time to rehash some groundwork with her and maybe pony her out on some rides.
Don't look if squeamish (though I kept the original photo for myself
j1ffy
Well-Known Member
Yes, his first! I'm not sure if it will be better or worse doing it at home but it will be good exposure for him.
The eventer who hopped on him commented on his intelligence - it's such a difference to some of the warmbloods. Danny (my loan horse, a SF with a good dollop of BWP) preferred to do than think, and the eventer's 3* horse is the same so they are happy to if the rider takes the lead. The Spanish do like to check if you're really up for leading and are happy to take charge if not, though all of mine have been very safe and willing to look after their riders (unlike Danny at times!).
Good luck on Monday! What are you doing with Nova?
Northern
Well-Known Member
Thank you! I’m really hoping she’ll heal nice and quickly. She’s no longer very sore either so fingers crossed. She’ll get the time she needs.
daffy44
Well-Known Member
Well done Daydreamer!! The start of something beautiful, I bet you cant stop smiling.
Northern, I'm really sorry about your horse, I have an old polo pony who did something very similar, just slightly higher up on her chest, and by the look of your picture, mine did more damage to herself, and she was in her early 20's, it did take a little time, but it healed really well, and hasnt had any long term affect on anything. I'm sure as your horse is so much younger she will be healed in no time.
Northern, I'm really sorry about your horse, I have an old polo pony who did something very similar, just slightly higher up on her chest, and by the look of your picture, mine did more damage to herself, and she was in her early 20's, it did take a little time, but it healed really well, and hasnt had any long term affect on anything. I'm sure as your horse is so much younger she will be healed in no time.
ImmyS
Well-Known Member
? I like the way my non horsey OH is just like “come on then!”
TheMule
Well-Known Member
My Spanish mule is far too clever for her own good ?
Hopefully we're doing a little club BS 70cm class at a very quiet local venue but he was a bit unlevel today out hacking so we may have to shelve that plan. He's due to be turned away for 6 months anyway so that may just happen a few days earlier than planned. He has achieved enough this year so I won’t be too disappointed.
lannerch
Well-Known Member
Oh wow she doesn’t do things by half’s but your right a break will do her no harm whatsoever. Sending you healing vibes .Well, we're off games for a few months after an incident with a gate post and latch.
Trying not to be too despondent, I had just started riding her again and wanted to do some schooling before summer.
I've had an awful couple of weeks so this just topped everything off, of course. But that's horses for you (I'm sure it isn't just mine)...
She's only 3.5 years old and the time off won't hurt her. Will use the time to rehash some groundwork with her and maybe pony her out on some rides.
Don't look if squeamish (though I kept the original photo for myself
lannerch
Well-Known Member
So is Layla, only a walk and trot intro test , but also her first first competition. Hope you get to go mule , Good luck all ?