BD report - the alternative PSG....

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Prince33Sp4rkle

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Trundled off to Fieldhouse today for another PSG. Pony has been going great guns at home, really settling in to the GP work (we can pull of 3 x 1's pretty solidly without too much brain ache and have a definitely recognizable piaffe-passage-piaffe sequence!). All I wanted was to up my marks for the SI and HP as I've worked soooooooo hard on that since our last outing... but it wasn't to be, and it all went a bit Pete Tong!

He stretched really nicely, in front of my leg and seat straight away and really good in the hand. Did all his really deep work in canter then picked him up and out slightly for the trot work so he can't curl over and back at me - riding the trot and canter in different stretches is definitely working for him.

He did all the trot work as asked; forward, uphill and soft and offered some nice quiet pi/pa without blowing up. Initially the canter followed suit but then quite suddenly, without about 15 mins to go he went absolutely hot as hell, wouldn't allow me to touch him with my leg without dropping his poll and threatening to go up... In hindsight I should have had it out with him regardless instead of babying him round riding off my seat and knees only! Overall I think I was too soft on him in the warm up: he has strengthened up a lot in the last few months and is now a big strong know it all teenager who needed putting to work a bit more I think, my bad :o

Got him about 85% back on side but all the SJ's were out in the other half of the arena so as soon as we left the warm up he was coming back at me and saying no thanks (not a fan of leaving the floor!), thought very hard about napping going in but a bit of a pat and a kick and he went, but had gone back to electro-horse.

Really pleased he didn't spook at any of the XC portables that were along the edge and although the trot was brittle and not elastic enough, he stayed more or less with me. Walked ok and then asked for canter and got about 5 1's on the spot and a bit of snake head for good measure! Managed to ride the zig zag off my seat but he was jumping together behind and sneezing a lot, first piri actually went really well, got a 7 yay!!! :D But then in the second one he stopped and I knew that if I kicked, he was going up, so just walked it then cantered on and patted him. He turned on to the diagonal for the 4's already going for it and as soon as I thought "change" gave me a load of 2's and 1's, bless the over achiever, so put my hand up, then circled him really deep and patting him, before picking him back up and riding the 4's and 3's. Did another deep circle then came out after thanking judge.

Pics:












In some ways quite disappointed but in other ways pleased - it did him good to be put deep, take a breath and then come back to the same line and he has to, at some point, realize that being forward isn't his que to take over and ignore his navigator! I need to find the happy medium between sleepy CS and butt on fire CS.

Organizers really kindly let me go in the indoor and ride the test again, so NMT quickly knocked up a rough arena and positioned herself as judge! PLEASE take in to account that the arena markers are not all accurate and that I wasn't really riding for total accuracy, more schooling, so the circles and centre lines are not *test lines*. At some points I do give him a sharp half halt or kick, when he goes to drop me or bulldoze the contact so there are 2/3 points at which he looks irregular behind - this is tension and I promise the horse does not ever do this at home or in the warm up, and is 100% sound :) just wanted to clarify that.

He's a naughty blinking toad in the piri, because he tried to stop again and my seat and outside leg say "no", and of course he lets rip but again it's done him the power of good to get a slap and come round again (and again I would like to clarify that there is no rhyme or reason or pattern to when he goes up, it's not related to one movement, one rein or one pace).

Vid:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152877315845257&set=vb.618438661516390&type=3

I've chosen to share because HHO has been a big part our our journey and I always try and show a truthful representation of that journey. Showing only the good doesn't help anyone, it's not real life.

Was chatting to Steph Croxford whilst waiting for sheets, she's lovely btw, so down to earth and friendly - her take on it was to get back out there and keep on plugging away. So that is what we shall do :cool:

So, will maybe find a mid week PSG soonish to go to, and will put my foot down a bit in the warm up to try and get him past the tension (I don't mean that in a bully way, just to give myself more time and him more work!).

:)
 
Horses that can anchor up and drop you are so much harder to ride than those who are electric and buzzy, we have similar issues with Blitz and like you, we are just going to keep plugging away till he just sucks it up!

He can clearly do all the stuff and it won't be long I'm sure before he strings it all together without the hissy fits!

He looks much stronger behind now, and his weight looks spot on :) look forward to the next report :)
 
Prince33Sp4rkle said:
I've chosen to share because HHO has been a big part our our journey and I always try and show a truthful representation of that journey. Showing only the good doesn't help anyone, it's not real life.


:)
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So true, really enjoyed reading the report pics and vid, thanks for sharing the rough bits too ;)
 
He is looking so solid and powerful! The width of his bum in the 1/2 pass (maybe) shot from behind -wow! :) :)

I haven't watched the vid yet (at work) but think it is great that you share the good & the bad with us. I hope the next few outing go more smoothly.
 
Can't watch the video as not on Faceache anymore but he's looking really well in the pictures. You can really see him working from behind and over his back with the forehand lifted. Really liking his frame in the last picture :)

I too enjoy your writing style and your (&NMT's) warts & all approach. Thanks for continuing to share!
 
Saw this on FB and as a nervous rider I'm in awe of your bravery! Well done for staying cool and telling him to get on with the job. I watched a video yesterday of a £100,000 horse for sale and in all truth, CS looks a million times more talented! Your hard work is a credit to you. x
 
Saw the vid on FB....he's a sod isn't he!?! The stop and up is what Snip used to do, though admittedly not quite so lightening fast!!!!
 
You can't even see him thinking it.. He just says no, you say yes and up he went!

Fair play for sticking with him - he looks amazing. I'd like a teensy bit more warning of antics ;) xx
 
Ilovefoals said:
Saw this on FB and as a nervous rider I'm in awe of your bravery! Well done for staying cool and telling him to get on with the job. I watched a video yesterday of a £100,000 horse for sale and in all truth, CS looks a million times more talented! Your hard work is a credit to you. x
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Thank you, in an odd way there's still lots of positives to take- he was forward, he was supple, the HPlooks better in the warm up pics, and after I settled him he DID allow me to ride the 4's and 3's and they were all clean. He really gave me the feeling of there being lots more to come :)

I will try a stronger warm up next time out and see where it leaves us, I hope it will just take that brittle edge off.

Trouble, that is one word lol. He is like a snake, so quick and wriggley!!!!im confident he will get there and whatever I have after him, will be a doddle!
 
Well, he is fast, but you're faster! Your hands were round his neck before his feet were more than an inch up I reckon!!!
 
Jeebus that was quick! Bit I guess previously he would down tools completely, whereas at least that was a blip and he got on with it. Looks like he has practised that a lot!
I ride a youngster that does that after he spooks, except his feet come precisely half an inch off the floor ;) I still have my arms wrapped round his neck as it feels awful, so god knows what that feels like!!!
 
Gosh. Watched the rear a few times, he doesn't give much warning does he:eek:, does he do it often. You do very well to keep going with him, I know I couldn't. He looks great when he is behaving and I for one would like to see more vids of him and Fig. Really enjoyed watching it apart from the tantrum which made me die of fright!
 
I think he looks really good, and condition wise he looks fab.

When he goes up you can see es struggling as he's lost impulsion coming into the piri so the only way is up for him. IMO he needs more jump and suppleness in the canter - it's a bit flat and lacking impulsion hence he's getting stuck in some of the lateral work. It doesn't need to be faster just more active.

Also in the trot work you are loosing impulsion in the corners and on the circles - make sure you really ride forwards into the corners to create that lateral suppleness in his body and to help with the engagement.

You do (and have done) a super job with him though, well done x
 
Tempi said:
I think he looks really good, and condition wise he looks fab.

When he goes up you can see es struggling as he's lost impulsion coming into the piri so the only way is up for him. IMO he needs more jump and suppleness in the canter - it's a bit flat and lacking impulsion hence he's getting stuck in some of the lateral work. It doesn't need to be faster just more active.

Also in the trot work you are loosing impulsion in the corners and on the circles - make sure you really ride forwards into the corners to create that lateral suppleness in his body and to help with the engagement.

You do (and have done) a super job with him though, well done x
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completely agree but it was like sitting on a timebomb and not easy to influence him to that degree, also im still figuring out how to ride this new super forward pony! Asking for more jump in the ring would have had him looping the loop, he goes too hot, too quick behind and starts throwing in 1's and threatening to go up. I completely 100% agree with you and intend to really push this a bit more in my next warm up, to see if we can come out the other side if you know what i mean?

he actually looks relatively easy-ish in the vid(in the trot) but i could feel him on the brink of bubbling over again. I discussed it a bit with Steph and she basically said, he's a talented horse, dont let him throw it away, keep on keeping on because he has got to grow up a bit, so he's talented and quirky rather than talented but a waste of time!

agree he's flat in the left piri (when he goes up) but again, not easy to find the balance between quickness and boiling over, and he can equally flip his lid when very active and forward. In a way, it doesnt matter if he's a bit flat, it wasnt a tight piri and he doesnt NEED to go up, he just does because that him, i made the mistake, and he isnt massively genuine.......i see WAY worse prep and way worse canters at shows and the horse just plinks round in a fairly flat piri without this drama. Not to say thats good or something to aim for, i need to get better but he needs to suck it up a bit as Charlotte DJ i aint lol!

i do have a corner related session planned for the little booger though, thanks :)

ETA the left piri got a 7 in the actual test , it was the far easier right piri he stopped and threatened me in the swine, so he is capable of doing a decent one as judge very firm and doesnt give marks away. He's never going to make them look effortless, he's too long and struggles with real proper sit.
 
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Can see what you are saying and it must be really tricky to manage the time bomb angle. Think if you can work on getting him more connected and really engaged it will improve all areas :)
 
Oh my god.... he goes high!:eek:

I could see him tensing up through the whole test, and at the canter piri he just popped. I'm not a pro, but thats just what I see. But he is looking good!
 
Ferdinase514 said:
Can see what you are saying and it must be really tricky to manage the time bomb angle. Think if you can work on getting him more connected and really engaged it will improve all areas :)
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definately :) need to work on getting him to the *floppy ears* stage of relaxation lol. Will be tweaking my warm up next time out (just done a late entry for next week).

I dont want to seem like a heartless bully-tension is tension is tension but with a more wallflower type, you would push through that by keeping on doing it until it becomes a none event,and although he is the opposite, very dominant, the advice i am getting it to just keep on doing it too, as he too needs to know this is life and he may as well get on with it.you cant really hear in the vid, even with the sound on, but he gets a little wither scratch and a "goood boy" for every effort, im aware ive got to balance my determination with keeping his confidence :)
 
Well sat ! I cant comment on the training aspects as I am nowhere near that level, but I do find your posts interesting, and applaud your bravery in showing it as it is ! :)
 
Already commented on FB but he is looking very strong and fab and yes- that rear is HIGH, he certainly means it anyway!! Just out of interest- what are your long-term plans for CS? I know you want him to get to GP and then what? Will you keep him or sell him on?

Just generally curious.
 
Unless someone offers me house money for him (unlikely lets face it) he's here to stay.

he's only 8, so years and years ahead to keep improving (not that he's ever going to be a team horse, but then im not a team rider, and its the tiny improvements as much as the big pic that are so rewarding).

unless he has a complete personality transplant, i dont think he's particularly sellable anyway, so luckily for him, his pretty face will be around forever i think!
 
You say he's very dominant - have you thought about putting him on agnus cactus to help with that?

Jups is very dominant and the first 3 months of this year he spent on his back legs being a total arse, I know he's a lot younger (just 5) but its a similar situation - id push him and he'd tell me in no uncertain terms to b*gger off!!

I put him on agnus cactus (from Pegasus health) and its totally changed his attitude to work/me. I can now push him and he tries for me, where as before he would throwing the towel and I was just a passenger.
 
Tempi said:
You say he's very dominant - have you thought about putting him on agnus cactus to help with that?

Jups is very dominant and the first 3 months of this year he spent on his back legs being a total arse, I know he's a lot younger (just 5) but its a similar situation - id push him and he'd tell me in no uncertain terms to b*gger off!!

I put him on agnus cactus (from Pegasus health) and its totally changed his attitude to work/me. I can now push him and he tries for me, where as before he would throwing the towel and I was just a passenger.
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This is really interesting- I'm going to look into it.

My mare threw the towel in BIG time yesterday (report to follow :() and its frustrating because some times she will go beautifully and other times she's just not willing to cooperate and has massive tantrums, and I don't want to be rising on egg shells for the rest of time!
 
Tempi said:
You say he's very dominant - have you thought about putting him on agnus cactus to help with that?

Jups is very dominant and the first 3 months of this year he spent on his back legs being a total arse, I know he's a lot younger (just 5) but its a similar situation - id push him and he'd tell me in no uncertain terms to b*gger off!!

I put him on agnus cactus (from Pegasus health) and its totally changed his attitude to work/me. I can now push him and he tries for me, where as before he would throwing the towel and I was just a passenger.
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off to google, thank you!!!!!
 
My girl is on the Pegasus health no moody no which is te Angus stuff.
She will fight you to the end if she doesn't want to do it, mainly getting her bottom under her! This stuff has changed her so much! She has always a tart but now she ignores & really knuckles down: like he enjoys it now ;)
 
His bum really does look huge now. He's still so clearly going in the right direction and you now have a plan for if it happens again, so I will look forward to your next PSG report :)

Jenni_ said:
This is really interesting- I'm going to look into it.

My mare threw the towel in BIG time yesterday (report to follow :() and its frustrating because some times she will go beautifully and other times she's just not willing to cooperate and has massive tantrums, and I don't want to be rising on egg shells for the rest of time!
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I do agree with Tempi and sounds like your mare, Jenni_, is very like mine - she will try her heart out for you 95 per cent of the time - the other five per cent she is outraged at me asking her to do stuff like trot a 20m circle!! I didn't start giving it to her early enough this year (usually only give it when she's in season) and she had a mega tantrum on a hack and pee'd off home with me - that hasn't happened in years.
 
Wow he really does look incredible, you would have no idea what he was originally bred for. Like someone else said I see purpose bred dressage horses too for sale for ££££ that aren't a patch on him but I know it's the work that's done it.
Lex jumped J on sun and he pinged round a big course giving each fence acres of sky, ears pricked just for the fun of it, making us laugh and it's just so cool how quality these TB's can be. Amazing really.
Back to the vid to me compared to the last one he just looked tense, awkward and not as fluid but then you know that anyway. It would be a very boring journey if they were perfect all the time. The fun is over coming the little challenges they like to throw us :).
 
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