Basil goes xc schooling

[skint1]

We don't think he's had a lot of exposure to this kind of thing, and perhaps this particular course wasn't the best place to start, but he really tried his little heart out and every day I think he is more and more of a total and utter star.

With some of the more complicated/unusual looking jumps he did take a couple of attempts to get the idea but the only thing he really didn't like was the water, he would follow others in but not lead or go in on his own. With the other jumps he even led the way on some of them and he just looked so happy with himself and that made me happy for both of them.

My daughter has a few riding points from her instructor to work on, she's never had a formal xc lesson before so it was really interesting for her too. Basil is so excellent for her because she is able to concentrate on her riding a lot more than the horse if that makes sense.

She was going to enter him in a small ODE taking place at the same course this weekend but she decide in the end to take it more slowly until they were both ready and confident so they're doing a fun ride instead.

So, if anyone has any tips on introducing a horse to water on a xc course they would be most appreciated!

 

[GlamourPuss86]

RE water... don't do what we did!

2 of the boys were at a show last weekend with a lovely xc course. We decided as they had finished that we'd have a plod and a bit of a play, including a paddle in the water jump.

After sweet talking, trying to get J follow the other horse, squashing him between other horse and hedge, and in the end swearing (he'll go in happily if someone leads him, but not ridden, thus needs to learn to go in ridden), a tap on the bum and a stern 'get on with it' did the trick. (I don't like using the whip, the most they get is an 'oi stop messing around' tap/ flick)

So we're now in the water, splashing around quite happily. He gets bored of that, decides that he wants to walk around the edge of the water. Fine carry on. Then decided that he may want a drink... no just wants to be an elephant and slosh water around.

I was chatting to my friend when I suddenly realised I had a wet foot... Then realised the little sod had OOOOH so gently... you guessed it... LAY DOWN!!!!!

Poor thing couldn't understand why I was shouting at him to get up!

 

[sally87]

wow you have a basil too! yours looks slightly more energetic than mine though. maybe one day my basil will go xc (cant really add the schooling bit as that would suggest that i would know what i was doing) but he'll have to kick his owner (me) into shape a bit first! (but not actually kicking me, that would hurt) particularly on the confidence front!

 

[skint1]

lol Glamourpuss, that's horses for you isn't it, he's like "well you did want me in the water!"
Sally- you should have a go, (not that i can talk, I am very much groom only) but it does look like a lot of fun!

 

[Mince Pie]

Well my boy just follows the others, even when they are bigger than he is so can go a little deeper!

 

[skint1]

lol, he looks like he's enjoying that!

 

[Mince Pie]

he was! It got deeper...

 

[Pebbles]

Oh the lovely Basil, what a star, bet you're glad your daughter beat me to him but have to say have just got a lovely little mare who suits me down to the ground, will be a while before I'm confident enough to go X country but if anyone can get me round it will be my lovely Poppy. Glad you are having so much fun with Basil! x

 

[skint1]

I'm so glad you found a lovely horse Pebbles! Have you got any photos? (I may have missed a thread!) Apparantly Basil is a popular fella, you aren't the only person who had been considering going to view him , one of her RL acquaintances said the same thing. Weird isn't it?

 

[Pebbles]

Yes and lovely when things turn out for the best for everyone concerned, wishing us all lots of fun times with our new mounts! Photos to follow when worked out how to upload them!!