Bored Baydale "Blether" (credits FigJam for alliteration opportunities) *vids*

[Baydale]

Ok, so I'm feeling a bit rubbish today thanks to a nasty infection after my op - I'll spare you the details, but my "special" friends have heard it all and won't be eating custard for a while...

Anyhoo, my father's vid from Ryedale BYEH finally made it to Lincolnshire so I thought I'd share, if only to give those who glibly offered to have Jupiter a chance to reconsider.

Whilst I've labelled this "dressage", it really isn't, so no reporting me to Trading Standards please. It's his bunched-up, about-to-explode demeanour and the way he blames me for him tripping up/changing legs that was most annoying; needless to say I was fairly hacked off with him by the end:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrWryUlE8CI

And yes, I'd be damned at BD for him being behind the vertical but some days staying in the arena is enough of a challenge.

And here's him jumping....well, when I say jumping what I actually mean is launching, hooning, hurtling towards fall-down obstacles and more or less getting to the other side. Again, don't fret all you BSers as I won't be rushing out to jump Newcomers any time soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbVYNue5yDI

Awww, bless him.

Which brings me to the point of this thread, prompted by an earlier thread of diggerbez's, would you say Jupiter is quirky? I think quirks are slightly odd personality traits that may set them apart from "normal" horses, but surely a lot of individual traits are just personality? Jupiter is, and always has been, a cheeky monkey with a wicked sense of humour - to me, that's not quirky, that's just him and it's probably breeding, much like some are bred to jump higher, gallop faster, do fancy dressage. It's not like he doesn't know right from wrong, more that some days he likes to push the boundaries.

I think all horses are different and because we like our own to be more special, labelling them "quirky" is a way of making them stand out. Ooooh, a sharp intake of breath from the forum massive.

So, somebody tell me what the difference is between a quirk and a trait please. Nearly forgot, Ma Baydale has brung coffee cake, victoria sponge, also made treacle tart for tonight. Apple pie is gone, sorry. Fill your boots as I feel a bit tom and dick.

 

[FigJam]

I am happy to have helped expand the "B" category vocabulary to aid HHO posting! Not sure I want to ask you to return the favour with "F" category words though...!

Sorry to hear you're feeling under the weather. I never liked custard anyway, so it's no great loss to your pudding list?! I hope you are being brought plenty of Lucozade (Mr FJ's favourite "ill" thing) and tasty treats for when you have moments of feeling slightly inclined to eat. Lots of ass-kicking vibes still heading your way -->

(see, the kicking one is even the right Kermit colour?! Although it's not quite kicking "ass", it's as close as my smiley gallery gets...!)

It is way too far into a Friday afternoon for me to answer the quirks/traits question though.

All I know is I'm not really in a position to have a horse with either of them in as large proportions as Jup! Can't see vids at work

but will have a nosey later as they sound "interesting". I'm sure he's just testing you and making sure that in the future you appreciate him all the more?! You'd be bored if he didn't do anything.

Victoria sponge sounds scrummy!

 

[H-J]

He is a cheeky little monkey isnt he!! I do love him though and must say I do like these little 'things' that they do to try us, whether they are quirks or traits or just pure naughtiness. I love it when they have some personality Although I can imagine after that test you wanted to throttle him!!

Sorry to hear about the infection, hope it all clears up soon and you feel better soon too.
Id love some victoria sponge....minus custard

 

[LEC]

Well I thought my horse was really easy - then shoved him on loan where he has bit and tried to kick the loaner, squashed her, refused to load, refused to let her get on, pulled back and canabalised his fieldmate!

My new horse is genuinely easy apart from having to pick his hind legs up with a lead rope. None of these are quirks just small issues to overcome.

I think people say they have a quirky horse because it explains things better when they go wrong. Where as I prefer the excuse of I am crap and the horse is a swine!

 

[Lanky Loll]

He does like to test you doesn't he

I think it's quirky if they mess about over the small stuff but behave once it gets up a bit and a trait if they do it all the time - and therefore more of an issue!

I've had several horses and ponies that would prat about - like Jupe and on occasion worse -over small fences but once they got up to Newcomers / Fox and above it was almost like a switch went in their head and they realised they needed to concentrate. In some ways it's an easier problem to solve when doing BS as I just used to avoid doing the smaller classes (I don't think I ever got my British Novice DCs for example) but I'm not sure that's a good thing to do over solid fences. (But I've also had some that just got worse... and that can be down right scary )

Ta to Ma Baydale for the coffee cake (am ignoring all mention of custard - was traumatised by it enough at school)
And here are some ass kicking vibes for you:

 

[Alibear]

OK off topic but how come you got to do dressage in a running martingale?
Is it because it's a young horse class? Or are my eyes playing tricks on me.
I thought he looked quite well behaved really, a bit opinionated but pretty well behaved.
However I take it thats credit to your very calm riding and it was actually like riding a powder keg.

 

[Thistle]

I see that Floss has been educating Jup in the tried and tested dressage technique of 'I must look at the sky and stick my ears up your nose'.

Some are fun and cheeky (Willough for example) others like Floss are 'quirky', sensitive or just plain odd at times.

BTW Hec says hello, he is feeling rather well and just bounced his way across some overgrown verges with B. F and W had already crossed it without being eaten, he saw goblins and did 2x 4 legged bounces! He is going out to a party on Tues (unaff dressage). Just have to tidy him up a bit.

Sorry to hear about the nasties, good job I ate the creme brulee I made yesterday.

I see you are entered at Purston next week - are you still going? If so I'll see you there - save some cake!

 

[Sarah_Jane]

Not quirky just things he knows best and not as bad as you said - quite! Has a charecter and its cheeky and fun. I stll like him

 

[millitiger]

i think he looks great in his videos (and only a tiny bit amusing )
i'm not brave enough to video Millie yet!!

on the second point, i actually very nearly said on the other thread about people thinking any horse with a personality is 'quirky.'

imo being something other than a rocking horse doesn't make it quirky and for example a horse refusing to stay at the lorry alone isn't quirky it's just irritating!!

i see quirky as needing 'professional' handling or riding but i think a lot of it boils down to people wanting to think that they are the only person in the world who can handle their horse and its quirks.

 

[Alibear]

I would very dearley love someone else to handle my boys quirks, a few people ahve been interested but so far all backed down when seeing the full quirk!
Thing is he really isn't bad at all, I've ridden a lot worse in my younger years.
I do wonder if people are less able to deal with quirks now a days or just don't want the hassle.

 

[Baydale]

I am happy to have helped expand the "B" category vocabulary to aid HHO posting! Not sure I want to ask you to return the favour with "F" category words though...!

Sorry to hear you're feeling under the weather. I never liked custard anyway, so it's no great loss to your pudding list?! I hope you are being brought plenty of Lucozade (Mr FJ's favourite "ill" thing) and tasty treats for when you have moments of feeling slightly inclined to eat. Lots of ass-kicking vibes still heading your way -->

(see, the kicking one is even the right Kermit colour?! Although it's not quite kicking "ass", it's as close as my smiley gallery gets...!)

It is way too far into a Friday afternoon for me to answer the quirks/traits question though.

All I know is I'm not really in a position to have a horse with either of them in as large proportions as Jup! Can't see vids at work

but will have a nosey later as they sound "interesting". I'm sure he's just testing you and making sure that in the future you appreciate him all the more?! You'd be bored if he didn't do anything.

Victoria sponge sounds scrummy!

Verrrry impressive smilies, FJ, I especially like the Kickass Kermit ones.

Sorry to hear you've used up all your brain capacity at work today, don't they know you've got important HHO stuff to do. Best hurry up as the Victoria sponge is a particular favourite of mine, or it would be if I had an appetite.

 

[Chloe_GHE]

I don't think he's quirky so much as opinionated!

For me I would say a quirky horse is one that when being broken in and trained as a youngster needs to be approached with less than obvious methods, and then one that grows up with persistant quirks such as another forum member's horse (can't remember who) but iirc it doesn't like its studs being put in in the 'wrong' leg order.

I don't think quirky is a very desirable trait, if the quirks are dangerous, time consuming, or laborious to work around I think I would class it as 'difficult' but then maybe I'm just lazy and like nice straight fwd horses!

Hope you feel better soon, but fear not you are not alone in the infection battle, Dustry has an infected wasp sting so I've been happily squeezing 'custarrd' out of that all week!!!!! Urgh

 

[Baydale]

He is a cheeky little monkey isnt he!! I do love him though and must say I do like these little 'things' that they do to try us, whether they are quirks or traits or just pure naughtiness. I love it when they have some personality Although I can imagine after that test you wanted to throttle him!!

Sorry to hear about the infection, hope it all clears up soon and you feel better soon too.
Id love some victoria sponge....minus custard

Oh isn't he just?! I do like a bit of personality but it's a constant battle to remind him there is a time and a place for everything.

Victoria sponge winging its way to you now...

 

[WellyBaggins]

Very smart they are soooo embarrassing at times! For me, quirky is something that can be worked around ie my old horse was quirky in lots of ways but you had to do things in a particular way, if you did them right and how he wanted then all was fine but if you went at him all guns blazing, trying to bamboozle him you would get nowhere, many tried and failed he was genuine just "quirky" thats what it means to me anyhows

 

[Baydale]

Well I thought my horse was really easy - then shoved him on loan where he has bit and tried to kick the loaner, squashed her, refused to load, refused to let her get on, pulled back and canabalised his fieldmate!

My new horse is genuinely easy apart from having to pick his hind legs up with a lead rope. None of these are quirks just small issues to overcome.

I think people say they have a quirky horse because it explains things better when they go wrong. Where as I prefer the excuse of I am crap and the horse is a swine!

If mine are naughty I'll kick myself for not warming up for longer, or for being a bit soft with them, but as Cal and Jup are only 5 I'd rather not have to get too tough and risk losing their joie de vivre and lemme at it approach - to me there's nothing worse than the robotic little machines that look like all the personality has been squished out of them. Remind me of that next time I get a dressage mark with a "4" at the front of it.

 

[FigJam]

Verrrry impressive smilies, FJ, I especially like the Kickass Kermit ones.

Sorry to hear you've used up all your brain capacity at work today, don't they know you've got important HHO stuff to do. Best hurry up as the Victoria sponge is a particular favourite of mine, or it would be if I had an appetite.

You see- a new alliteration for you already, Kickass Kermit!

Seems I have been eating for you today, haven't bloody stopped! So will just take a small nibble of the (popular by the looks of it!) cake and run... I reckon I should do an hour's hack carrying Hopalong to make up for today's scoffing!

 

[Baydale]

He does like to test you doesn't he

I think it's quirky if they mess about over the small stuff but behave once it gets up a bit and a trait if they do it all the time - and therefore more of an issue!

I've had several horses and ponies that would prat about - like Jupe and on occasion worse -over small fences but once they got up to Newcomers / Fox and above it was almost like a switch went in their head and they realised they needed to concentrate. In some ways it's an easier problem to solve when doing BS as I just used to avoid doing the smaller classes (I don't think I ever got my British Novice DCs for example) but I'm not sure that's a good thing to do over solid fences. (But I've also had some that just got worse... and that can be down right scary )

Ta to Ma Baydale for the coffee cake (am ignoring all mention of custard - was traumatised by it enough at school)
And here are some ass kicking vibes for you:

He is a bit like that, gets his brain in gear once the questions get more serious. There is that awful moment though, when you're heading to a (relatively) big fence, praying that he is how you think he is and haven't misread the situation.

Thanks for the ass kicking vibes, at this rate I'll have some to spare for my victims, I mean pupils.

 

[Rosiefan]

Haven't looked at the vids yet (something needs stirring out in the kitchen in a few minutes) but does quirky = naughty? Couldn't agree more about squashed/subdued robot horses - retaining the 'fun' in them is important in my book. I always say about Frodo that he's a glass half full sort of horse and that's the way I like him even though it means he's a bit inconsistent and unpredictable.

 

[Baydale]

OK off topic but how come you got to do dressage in a running martingale?
Is it because it's a young horse class? Or are my eyes playing tricks on me.
I thought he looked quite well behaved really, a bit opinionated but pretty well behaved.
However I take it thats credit to your very calm riding and it was actually like riding a powder keg.

It's BYEH so you have to go straight from the dressage part to do your showjumping, with no time to change tack.

Maybe I covered the opinionated parts up fairly well, but my marks would suggest otherwise...

 

[WellyBaggins]

forgot to say quirkiness can occur in horses that lack confidence, who need a structured approach to gain confidence, sorry for my ramblings, you have got me thinking

 

[Baydale]

I see that Floss has been educating Jup in the tried and tested dressage technique of 'I must look at the sky and stick my ears up your nose'.

Some are fun and cheeky (Willough for example) others like Floss are 'quirky', sensitive or just plain odd at times.

BTW Hec says hello, he is feeling rather well and just bounced his way across some overgrown verges with B. F and W had already crossed it without being eaten, he saw goblins and did 2x 4 legged bounces! He is going out to a party on Tues (unaff dressage). Just have to tidy him up a bit.

Sorry to hear about the nasties, good job I ate the creme brulee I made yesterday.

I see you are entered at Purston next week - are you still going? If so I'll see you there - save some cake!

Ah, so it's Floss who's to blame is it? I shall be having words with her. Agree that she has a few oddities about her, definitely. I'd rather have a Hector any day, he would make me smile with his "ok, so whadya want me to do?" attitude but you'd never call him dull, would you?

Still have plans for Purston but am not overly optimistic based on how I feel today.

 

[KatieLovesJames]

Wow stunning horse. I think you contained him very well. How do you get his bottom so buxom? Wish my little tb had a backside like that, I have no hills, any other reccomendations?

 

[Baydale]

i think he looks great in his videos (and only a tiny bit amusing )
i'm not brave enough to video Millie yet!!

on the second point, i actually very nearly said on the other thread about people thinking any horse with a personality is 'quirky.'

imo being something other than a rocking horse doesn't make it quirky and for example a horse refusing to stay at the lorry alone isn't quirky it's just irritating!!

i see quirky as needing 'professional' handling or riding but i think a lot of it boils down to people wanting to think that they are the only person in the world who can handle their horse and its quirks.

"Amusing" is probably not one of the things that the judges are looking for.

Couldn't agree more about your last paragraph. To me, producing a horse that anyone can get on and get a tune out of is the ultimate challenge. Some of the horses that need professional handling needn't get that from a pro yard though (and I'm not implying that's what you mean, just giving my take on it), as there are many amateurs with professional standards that could do just as good a job.

 

[KatieLovesJames]

quote:
Couldn't agree more about your last paragraph. To me, producing a horse that anyone can get on and get a tune out of is the ultimate challenge. Some of the horses that need professional handling needn't get that from a pro yard though (and I'm not implying that's what you mean, just giving my take on it), as there are many amateurs with professional standards that could do just as good a job.[/QUOTE]

Yes agree and in some cases have more time to dedicate to 'special needs' of the more 'quirky' ones

 

[Baydale]

I would very dearley love someone else to handle my boys quirks, a few people ahve been interested but so far all backed down when seeing the full quirk!
Thing is he really isn't bad at all, I've ridden a lot worse in my younger years.
I do wonder if people are less able to deal with quirks now a days or just don't want the hassle.

I think maybe standards have risen and our expectations of our horses have risen accordingly. To you he's not bad at all, but to someone else he would be impossible. I applaud anyone who will put their hands up and say a horse is too much for them; that's much more likely to have a positive outcome for both horse and rider. Square pegs, round holes and all that.

 

[Thistle]

Couldn't agree more about your last paragraph. To me, producing a horse that anyone can get on and get a tune out of is the ultimate challenge.

Well you certainly mamaged that with Hector! Even my geriatric self having not ridden for a few years can manage.

Hec and quirky do not belong in the same sentence.

Floss however has issues, we know some are linked to things that have happened to her in the past, she tells the tale through her scars, mental and physical. However we don't find her difficult, she knows exactly wheer she is with us. Apparently she was very straightforward to back and sweet natured. She tries very hard to be nice but sometimes has to 'get you first' She only ever threatens though, never makes contact.

Took her XC on Wed after her sucess BS, she jumped all her 'dodgy' jumps easily and first time.

 

[Baydale]

I don't think he's quirky so much as opinionated!

For me I would say a quirky horse is one that when being broken in and trained as a youngster needs to be approached with less than obvious methods, and then one that grows up with persistant quirks such as another forum member's horse (can't remember who) but iirc it doesn't like its studs being put in in the 'wrong' leg order.

I don't think quirky is a very desirable trait, if the quirks are dangerous, time consuming, or laborious to work around I think I would class it as 'difficult' but then maybe I'm just lazy and like nice straight fwd horses!

Hope you feel better soon, but fear not you are not alone in the infection battle, Dustry has an infected wasp sting so I've been happily squeezing 'custarrd' out of that all week!!!!! Urgh

Maybe you're right and the quirks are always there but need circumnavigating to get the same end result. I do think some behavioural issues (or quirks) can become set in stone because of lack of training, whether it's standing alone in the lorry or picking feet up. I understand that horses learn by repetition, so quiet, confident repetition of certain tasks should get the desired result. If there's a damn good reason for a horse not to do something - discomfort, fear, lack of understanding - then fine, but if it's because the handler can't be bothered to train it properly I'd say it's not. (This is from the person who Jupiter still tries to knock sideways on his way to and from the field in his efforts to avoid the monster haylage bales. Funny how they're his best friend once they're open and in the yard...)

 

[Baydale]

Very smart they are soooo embarrassing at times! For me, quirky is something that can be worked around ie my old horse was quirky in lots of ways but you had to do things in a particular way, if you did them right and how he wanted then all was fine but if you went at him all guns blazing, trying to bamboozle him you would get nowhere, many tried and failed he was genuine just "quirky" thats what it means to me anyhows

I'm used to embarrassing now, not that I like it, just that if it happens often enough you get used to it and a sheepish smile or can get you the sympathy vote. Shame it didn't work this time.

So your horse preferred being handled a certain way? Surely a lot of that was training then (in fact how you were both trained), and it's probably given you a wider range of skills than the "one size fits all" riders would have.

 

[Baydale]

forgot to say quirkiness can occur in horses that lack confidence, who need a structured approach to gain confidence, sorry for my ramblings, you have got me thinking

And very worthwhile ramblings they were too, I couldn't agree more.

 

[Baydale]

Wow stunning horse. I think you contained him very well. How do you get his bottom so buxom? Wish my little tb had a backside like that, I have no hills, any other reccomendations?

He was born with a buxom bottom and if I let him eat as much as he'd like it would be twice the size. Maybe I should patent my Round Pony diet as it seems to be in demand!