Bit despondant - words of encouragement please!


oo - lots more helpful replies!
grin.gif


Tierra - this sounds like my girl. If I smack her she will react - the more I smack her teh worse she gets.
mad.gif


S - PMSL (but more good advice within that). She is Ok (ish) on the lunge. I have all of the armour too! :gin:

Donadea - thankies - I will PM you. She is getting only minimum hard feed atm so will cut that to Alfalfa only.

MFH_09 - thanks So much for those names/ideas - I will look them up. I have wanted to send her away for a bit for ages but not really found anyone.
frown.gif

One thing I do want to do though is send her somewhere that I can also go (obviously not to stay!) but to have some lessons on her with someone who has ridden and assessed her.

The horrible thought is perhaps I have to admit I'm just not a good enough rider for her.
frown.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]

The horrible thought is perhaps I have to admit I'm just not a good enough rider for her.
frown.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

NOOOOOOOOO!!!! You must even think that. Once you start down that road all your confidence goes and you start being negative and over-analytical and pulling yourself to bits - trust me I know having done this A LOT over the last year or so!!! I'm sure you're a great rider and you just have a very difficult horse
crazy.gif
 
She sounds so much like my mare....
We went through a phase where I spent more time on the floor than anywhere else and she was very Jekyll&Hyde with it, in that she be going beautifully and then with no warning I'd be on the floor after a full on bronc - and if I managed to sit a number of bucks she'd then start employing the fence to try and throw me through, incorporating a nifty shoulder drop/spin into the equation
crazy.gif

After breaking my collar bone and having complications I was out of the saddle for a while, but longlined her (twice daily) to within an inch of her life instead. She had to learn the voice commands until they are practically second nature, and when she started her performances I could really send her on (whereas if I'd been on top she wouldn't have stopped bronking until I was on the floor). After about 2months solid working on the long lines I got back on her and we've been going much better since
grin.gif

Like Tierra's lad (who sounds oh-so similar) she would not tolerate being hit/smacked, so voice aids were absolutely essential.

Boo is now 6 and much, much improved - thank god!
I posted about her on here numerous times and was told to either sell her or shoot her.... I didn't even consider it at the time anyway, but now I'm even more convinced that sticking with her was the right thing
grin.gif


You'll get through it, but at least maybe consider making sure that the respect is 100% there before you get back in the saddle, as each time you come off it reinforces the behaviour and puts you at unneccesary risk
crazy.gif
 
Could you replace the alfa a with hi-fi. Looking on the website the alfa a provide 10 MJ/kg of digestable energy whereas the hi-fi gives 8 MJ/kg [suitable for light work].
Can you turn her out in the school prior to riding/lunging her?

I agree with dondea cut all her hard food, just keep the fibre that way she might calm down a little. So what if she loses a bit of condition, better that than you keep hitting the deck.

Hb
 
Honestly I woudn't even bother with Alfalfa or Hi-fi - hay will be absolutely fine especially when the spring grass starts coming through...
 
Lets face it, no matter how good a rider we are, if a horse really wants us off there not much we can do about it!

The problem with these yound and talented horses is that they are just too clever for their own good, so once they realise they can do something once it can become habitual.

I would do some short rides (lunge beforehand to get the edge off). Aim to get on and do something and then get off before she can buck you off, even if its just a short walk. Build up slowly from there.
Think about when she doesnt buck; with another horse, over trotting poles, on a hack? Utilise this activity and slowly try to let her forget the naughty behaviour.

Good luck, always make sure you have help around when you are riding.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

The horrible thought is perhaps I have to admit I'm just not a good enough rider for her.
frown.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

NOOOOOOOOO!!!! You must even think that. Once you start down that road all your confidence goes and you start being negative and over-analytical and pulling yourself to bits - trust me I know having done this A LOT over the last year or so!!! I'm sure you're a great rider and you just have a very difficult horse
crazy.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks & thanks for the PM. I know I shouldn't go down this route but it does make you wonder.
crazy.gif
Mind you, my last instructor rode her and has said she can help me no further now!
shocked.gif
plus I have seen others ride her and she is similar with them. So I am hoping it isn't just me!
blush.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
As a couple of people have suggested, could you turn her out 24/7 or is that not an option?

[/ QUOTE ]

I might be able to do this so will look into it.
Think I will withdraw her feed too. Now that I think of it we have had some particularly rich haylage in over the last week or two and she has been particularly horrible. so it could be feed related.
 
I would have thought the regumate really would have kicked in by now. When we had our mare on it - though it was for an unspecified reason (foot and mouth season, vet thought it was one of two things - cysts or hormone imbalance and both had same treatment) and itt had quite a quick turnaround.

Have you thought of and can you use a herbal one alongside it? A friend has a very talented but very stroppy mare, and they can't do anything with her unless she's on Hormonise - its the only thing that made her manageable.

Only other thing I can add aside from Weezys idea - is the recheck all the basics. I know you've had everything checked but there are those on here - I think LZT is one who has been that route and have checked and checked but persevering found there was a problem that was missed earlier with one of her horses. You never know if a second opinion might be the one that spots it.

With mine when she was younger, it was rearing that was nearly killing me - and there was no reason and she wasn't nasty - it was evasion pure and simple but was anything ridden - even hacking in walk. I had to cheat, she was being a pig to lunge too - wouldn't go out on a circle, instead went from standstill to gallop trying to barge you over in the process. I took her on the hottest day I could find, made her lunge til she was about knackered, then got on. She went up - I walloped her - she gave in. Never did it again.

I hope you get through this without injury - stunning looking horse and I'm sure she's worth it, just be careful!
 
Oh poor you, huge hugs. How old is she? I hope your new instructor can shed some light. I must admit, my youngster is a very sharp young man and I definitely have to be awake when I'm on. Really hope you can work through all this. I'm sure it will be worth it x
 
Re: Tierra - this sounds like my girl. If I smack her she will react - the more I smack her teh worse she gets.

yes, my lad was the same. he did his very best to ditch Leslie Law after Les lost his temper with his fooling around... not pretty.
this was the same horse who i'd hit while on the floor. the fact is, they can jump around all they like while i'm on the floor holding the reins (as long as they don't actually try to jump on me, and i've not had one evil enough to think of that yet!), but they can't buck me off, cos i'm already off.
she needs to respect you. whether she's doing this through high jinks, for fun, to avoid work, because she's spooky, or because she's actively trying to ditch you, the result is the same, and unacceptable.
you are a good enough rider as long as she is a reasonable horse. she must be reasonable, and professional bronco antics are not acceptable at all. she must not think she can ditch you any time she says "shan't". if she does manage to, she needs to realise there are bad consequences.
it's all very well getting a pro to " straighten her out" as long as their disciplining is convincing enough that she knows she mustn't start her antics with anyone, including you!
 
DublinBay, i tried something similar on one of my young horses years ago, following advice. he got away from me on the lunge in pure panic, went straight through two post and rail fences, and flat out up the lane towards the main road, in a true bolt. thank god, on his way up the lane he caught the edge of the surcingle on the fence and it snapped and the whole thing fell off. he would have killed himself otherwise.
frown.gif
frown.gif

this was a horse i'd bred, who was a real electric buckaroo. it turned out that the second-hand albion saddle i'd had fitted specifically to him by a very well-known Master Saddler had a twisted tree...
change of saddle, miraculous change in horse...
 
Oh no poor thing
frown.gif
Ive only ever seen it work well for Monty but I guess not everything works. It was kind of a joke but I wouldnt want anyone to get hurt
crazy.gif
 
What is she like to handle on the ground? Maybe get a behaviourist to her to see what they think, maybe she just doesn't respect you? My mare naps badly and behaviourist has said that its likely to be a lack or respect / trust, so we have inhand exercises to do now
laugh.gif

On the other hand your mare is 5, everyone I have spoken to, and from what I am experiencing now, 5 is their worst year, I suppose like "the terrible two's" in humans. A mare I know who is now 6 has calmed right down from rearing in her box with a complete lack of respect for people to calming right down and being a stunning little eventing mare!
I would definately get a behaviourist / professional to have a look, your probibily a more than adequate rider for her, you just need help and someone who has maybe delt with it before to help you with it?
I hope you can get to the bottom of it because she is stunning!
 
I have to mostly ignore mine when he starts or just use my voice. I went through a really bad spot with him a couple of years ago - not long after id first got him. They'd all been on box rest after a strangles outbreak and bringing him back into work was horrible and downright scarey.

My trainer was amazing. I know that 99% of people would have told me to smack him and punish him (indeed, ive been told the same over here), but she had known him a long time and always told me i had to avoid any confrontations with him at all costs. She helped me to learn to ride through it. With him, I have to pick him up quite short rather than attempt anything long, low or relaxed and really try and challenge his mind rather than even attempt to chill him.

Just looked where you're based and I see its York.. Its a bit of a trek for you but if you want the recommendation of an absolute brilliant trainer, consider Sonia Webster in Derbyshire. She trained Samantha Harrison and Manitu right through their career together and is coah to a few other big names on the dressage circuit. She was classically trained herself and was amazing with us. She knows exactly when to push and exactly when to back off. When i was in the UK, she was certainly still taking on schooling liveries and they get very good care with her. I cant sing her praises enough because with any other trainer, im sure i wouldnt have clicked with my horse.
 
Can you swap from haylage to hay? My horse went bonkers on haylage when I moved him before Christmas - it was just too rich for him. He just turned into a spooking, napping luntic
crazy.gif
I swapped him back to hay and he's a different horse
smile.gif
 
Please don't give up, she's a stunning mare and you'll kick yourself if you give up and then see her doing really well a year or so down the line
smile.gif


I came completely unstuck when Monty reared up and fell backwards all because I asked him to walk downhill
frown.gif
I sent him to a local dressage rider for 5 weeks and it helped so much just to get a fresh pair of eyes look at him. It's amazing what they pick up that you missed
smile.gif
and the simple things they suggest that you didn't think of
smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
I am just SICK of falling off.

But I have been off her 12 times in the last month.
shocked.gif
mad.gif
today it has got to me a bit
frown.gif



[/ QUOTE ]

Right I've found someone dafter and with lower standards than me. If I find out I can't ride anymore due to my back injury my delightful young mare will by arriving at your doorstep! You might find her easy compared to yours.
tongue.gif
grin.gif


Seriously, as others have said, bootcamp. You might not think you've not really hurt yourself coming off but I'm living proof that the injuries mount up and in the long run you'll suffer for them. Its not worth it. Find someone good who'll stick to her and sort her out, not one of these NH gurus who'll take your money but won't even get on. She is lovely and with patience and the right help eventually I'm sure you'll do really well with her.
smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
i totally lost it, and proceeded to yell at him (something along the lines of "Don't you DARE drop me, who the **** do you think you are" etc etc, and smack him with my whip on the chest and shoulders.

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL, fair play! About 8 years ago I bought a mare like this, seriously talented little madam and sharp as s***. I have to say after being dumped with absolute venom on the road, I gave up and sent her back to the dealer and she went to someone who could cope. However, if I had her now, would probably have taken a different tack.

A few months back, Cat who's 4, was getting a bit big for his boots on the ground as well as ridden. He was also bullying Willow as he was only out with him and a couple of smaller ponies.

First of all we turned him out at night so he was out more than in and put him in with some other, bigger, older geldings who could be trusted to put him in his place. It has worked an absolute treat and he is becoming a real pussycat to deal with in every way. He's a really affectionate chap who loves attention and being in during the days means he's had more human company and contact, lots of grooming and handling. All this work on the ground has paid dividends ridden as well.

I think he was perhaps thinking that if he was boss of the little 'herd' he was in the he would try his luck with the humans as well, after all we are smaller!

I do wonder if your mare would benefit from a change of routine like this and some other horses teaching her a few manners for you.

Fair play for sticking with it she looks gorgeous
 
Arwen find yourself a decent nagsman and turn your back for a month or two. This doesnt have to be a 'name' but maybe a good dealer, work rider or a hunter. You need someone who is not emotionally attached and who can stay on anything to knock all this on the head now before you get killed. Bugger getting a nice outline and looking pretty, this mare needs to understand that she is NOT in charge.

Im trying hard not to say sell her and start again.
 
totally agree with the idea of putting her out with something bigger and older that will disabuse her mind of the notion that she's GOD. ideally a big older lead mare, barefoot obv, who will teach her more in 5 mins that you could in 50 hours...
 
[ QUOTE ]
totally agree with the idea of putting her out with something bigger and older that will disabuse her mind of the notion that she's GOD. ideally a big older lead mare, barefoot obv, who will teach her more in 5 mins that you could in 50 hours...

[/ QUOTE ]

She is out with my Alpha Mare now who is huge and generally boss. However, she seems to have climbed her way up....
confused.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
She isn't a 'fizzy' horse as such, with excess energy, she is just a work-shy one and I think she is trying all the tricks in the book. Each time I get over one she comes up with another - too many brain cells.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly the same as Archie.....Hes not fizzy, in fact he got called bone idel by my instructor last night
grin.gif
Hes just work shy and when he dosent want to do it you soon know about it - he'l find every excuse not to do it. But like i said to you earlier, hes much better now.


keep at it hun, you are doing well with her x
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
She isn't a 'fizzy' horse as such, with excess energy, she is just a work-shy one and I think she is trying all the tricks in the book. Each time I get over one she comes up with another - too many brain cells.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly the same as Archie.....Hes not fizzy, in fact he got called bone idel by my instructor last night
grin.gif
Hes just work shy and when he dosent want to do it you soon know about it - he'l find every excuse not to do it. But like i said to you earlier, hes much better now.


keep at it hun, you are doing well with her x

[/ QUOTE ]

My Irish TB would always find a way to get out of working. He's in his element now, he's retired
grin.gif
These intelligent horses....... you can't beat having a thick one
grin.gif
wink.gif
tongue.gif


I'd send you Monty but he'd just fall in love with her
frown.gif
He's a sucker for pretty mares
blush.gif
 
My boy was very similar to this at the same age. I didn't last quite as long as you though, having been dumped 6 times in 2 days I decided he had to go for some educating. He went to a lovely man who practically went back to basics with him and re-broke him.

5 years later, he is still sharp and can bronc when he feels like it but a bit of advice I was given works every time. Apparently, a horse cannot bronc if its' neck is bent, so when he does start, he gets pulled onto a tight circle and lo and behold he stops. He has only managed to dump me once through broncing in the last 4 years, he backed himself into a corner ... no turning room, so it may be worth a try.

I would try and send her away, see if somebody else can work out which buttons to press and then tell you .... it beats you getting injured!!

Good on you for persevering ... and shame on the horse ... does she not know when she's on to a good thing???
I always used to tell mine he'd have been in a petfood can had somebody less tolerant had him.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top