Being put off riding

[Captain Bridget]

Currently I'm sharing a 16.2hh 8 year old French Trotter. He's a sweet boy but due to having pretty terrible conformation [long back, straight legs etc] he's not made for schooling. Essentially all I do is hack him. I've jumped him a couple times and been XC schooling with him once, his owner hunts him and tells me he's great, forward going, jumps happily, he's not been like that for me. Took him to a show and he threw a fit, I didn't even get over the first jump, left the ring feeling sick with nerves. I have 'tender' confidence, I don't want to lose the huge progress I've made.

He's a good hack generally, except the last few times I've ridden him his manners have been less than good, he's not perfect usually but he's been worse. He has been spooking a lot which doesn't bother me too much as I know he's kind of green so I give him time and show him things and he'll go past without too much fuss. He's also taken to trying to bite me when I tack up, he got my upper arm the other day whilst I rugged him. He'll wave his legs around like he's threatening to kick if you try and pick his feet up.

We'd made some progress in him standing still whilst being mounted/waiting to go but on Friday he was awful, skittering across the yard, throwing his head around, generally being a pain. Normally when you canter him out a few half halts and he'll come back to trot, but last time he tanked with me and it took me a lot of effort to get him to stop and then he threw in a little buck which according to his owner he's never done.

I know it could all be spirits but I've been less inclined to go to the yard and ride recently because I feel I'm not getting anything positive from him. I've not been enjoying riding as much. I've moving into a city in September so this will be my last chance to ride regularly and I want it to be enjoyable, I don't want to worry he'll tank off with me or stop at a jump and I'll go flying.

Sorry this is long, I just don't know what to do. His owner is lovely and I'm sure she'd accept if I decided not to continue, I just feel bad as I'm helping keep him exercised as she can only ride at weekends. If I did give him up I'm worried I wouldn't be able to find something else, especially at such a nice yard or with such flexibility..

I'd love something I could school, hack and sometimes jump happily and with confidence, competing isn't my priority, I just want to enjoy riding..

 

[Snowysadude]

Do you hack in company? Could you have lessons on him? The yard does seem ideal how comes you couldnt ride in a city is there not areas around the outside with horses etc? Would be a shame to give him up but if he really isnt right mabye that is the correct thing to do

 

[Ranyhyn]

Hmm apart from getting lessons and building confidence on him that way - it just sounds like he isn't the right match for you! Its hard work and expensive so you should enjoy it I would start browsing for more suitable shares and give your notice.

 

[Captain Bridget]

I sometimes ride with company, as I'm only working part time at the moment usually I ride during the day when no-one else is around though. I'm happy riding him in the school confidence wise but he is green, unbalanced and really I'm not the person to help bring that on. The school isn't very big either which doesn't help. I don't know how lessons would help, apart from take what little money I have tbh.

I'm moving to Southampton which has plenty of horsey areas around but as I'll be trying to afford rent riding much/at all seems unlikely.

Problem is I'd feel bad giving him up and also trying to find a share just for the summer until I move. I'm sure there is something more suitable out there for me, I'm a capable rider, just money and time constraints make it hard. Why does finding something to ride have to be so difficult?! -sigh-

 

[Tickles]

If you're moving soon now might not be the right time to find a new share where you are. I'd either
- give notice early (but just say it is because of the move if you aren't happy talking to owner abt horse)
- get instructor and/or owner to help you a few times and set some achievable goals for your last few months
- start looking for riding schools or shares in/near your new city
- put the money towards learning to drive and getting yourself a car/car share scheme for the new place so you can ride there more easily

 

[muddypony]

if he's started biting while you tack up he may be hurting. mine's just started doing it and it's because his back muscles are quite tight. perhaps get him seen by a physio to make sure he's not in pain, and if he is, treatment could help his behaviour.
but i completely know how you feel, i've only got my horse until october and when we have a bad day i feel like crap.
and i go to uni in southampton! i'd reccommend pinkmead for riding lessons, they have some nice horses and i think it's within walking distance from a train station so easy to get to from the city centre.

 

[niagaraduval]

I have owned my french trotter for 6 years now. I have to say, they have very special characters but are the most loving horses and I don't believe he is being a pain because he is being naughty but because he feels threatened by something. These horses need a lot of encouragement and love to trust their owners and if they are not happy they will let you know. I think you should try bonding with him and gaining his trust, it took me 2 years to completley bond with my boy and now he will do ANYTHING I ask him to, no matter how scared or how much he doesn't want to. He is a push button horse with me but does not like anyone else riding him apart from me, they have a double character almost. I'm not sure what his conformation is like, but french trotters actually make very nice school horses but they need a LOT of time put into them.

 

[Captain Bridget]

-Tickles - I can already drive, but I'm planning on using my car as little as possible once in the city. I think setting goals for myself would be good, he was much better today but we only stayed in the school.

-muddypony - Yes, I thought it was pain too but he's actually had the physio recently so wouldn't have thought it was that.. =/ I'll bring it up with his owner if I can though. My friend used to ride at Pinkmead a while ago and said it was good, I rode at Quob myself but felt I kind of outgrew it after a while. My boyfriend is at Soton uni hence me moving down there!

-niagaraduval - Thanks for the reply, I've never found anyone else with a French Trotter! He can be very sweet when he's happy with what I'm asking. His owner says he has to have a look at things before he'll do them. I lunged him and did some groundwork today before riding and think that helped, he got a bit confused at one point but we got past it. If I had more time or felt more involved with him I'd like to do more bonding with him, I'm sure it would help a lot. I might focus on that for a bit if I can. Lunging and groundwork. Certainly helps his fitness. Tbh he's a bit of a funny looking horse! Poor thing.

Thanks for the input everyone. I went up this afternoon [just missing the rain!] and have come back more positively. There's some lovely understanding people at the yard who understood my want to stay in the school today rather than go out. Lunged him and he got a bit carried away, he motors round rather but he started listening a lot better and working nicely, for him. Did some groundwork, getting him to walk and halt when I ask which is good for him. Then hopped on and did a quick walk, trot, canter on each rein just as the heavens opened. He was really good, actually did a steady canter for once instead of hurtling around!

Hopefully it'll continue so!