can I do successful new "work" with a RS share pony?

[Barngirl]

Hi Everyone,

I would be really grateful for some views on this. I am starting to learn some new stuff about horses - from a variety of sources - eg liberty, Monty Roberts etc.

I have a share in a RS horse for one day a week, he is a classic, really reliable, 18 years old, won't spook at anything, the one that the first ride is always on. And he will do anything I ask of him really well, accurate circles, trotting slow and fast, even a little canter over a very small jump the other day (which is the limit of my riding capability) the owner of the RS says she is delighted at how confident I feel with him, and when someone else said how slow he was the other day - she cited me and my little canter jump!

My questions are:

1) can I try some new behavioural ground work with him, do you think he might respond? (in writing that - it sounds a really stupid question but I will stick with it!)

2) if yes, is there potential for him to respond to me given that others ride him the rest of the week?

3) could I "spoil" him in any way, such that change behaviour (hopefully good changed behaviour) will affect his work as a RS pony?

Many Thanks for your views in advance!

 

[millikins]

Hi, nice to hear you are bonding well with your share horse and increasing your confidence. In answer to your question, I would say the answer is yes but I would suggest you discuss what you want to do and your worries about "spoiling" him with the YO who sounds supportive.
Our first pony was a RS share, 5 years after we had left that yard I had cause to visit, she heard my voice and called to me.

 

[Red-1]

I am usually well up for people trying stuff with their horses, but with an 18 year old, hard working riding school horse, who is doing everything well already.... hmmm, I don't know that I wouldn't think "If it ain't broke don't fix it!"

I don't think general ground handling and manners would hurt, or tackling an obstacle course etc, even some long reining which is good for horse and rider, and fun... but... I am not sure I would do all the chasing round in circles that some people employ!

The better part of the "natural" horsemanship of observation and being mindful of cause and effect, perfecting the timing of the release is great IMO, but sometimes some people get caught up in the action part of the journey, which does seem to employ a lot of circles!

So, I guess my answer is YES, but with the caveat of being mindful as to how the techniques are deployed.

 

[Barngirl]

thanks very much, I am totally encouraged by the fact that she remembered you after 5 years!

 

[Barngirl]

So - I was always intending to come from the observation/"natural" sort of approach you are describing - but your reply has brought into the spotlight for me, the difference between that and the more "pushy" stuff - so thanks for that insight.

 

[Dawny]

I used to share a RS pony for 2 days a week and I found the answer was yes to the first two questions although she was a lot younger and because of that had very few people use her in the RS so that may have been why.
As a riding school horse he's probably had the needed manners drilled into him so I wouldn't worry too much about you spoiling him, especially considering his age.
That being said I'd just take into consideration how much work he is doing for the riding school when thinking of what you'd want to do with him. Most 18 year olds still have a lot of go in them but you wouldn't want to overdo it.
Good luck!

 

[Barngirl]

Thank you to everyone who replied to this and gave me great insights. What I and the yard owner have decided is (with echoes of it ain't broke, don't fix it" from above) to just build on what this pony is really good at already and really just enjoy him as he is. And get more experience and maybe a different situation with a different horse at another time. I think this counts as being mindful of what the best thing for him is.

Thanks again!

 

[GirlFriday]

You will probably find that there are things you can do with him which are new for you but not for him. I don't know how much catching/tacking up/tack cleaning/grooming/turning out/mucking out/mixing feeds/etc you do but there will probably be things allow you to learn new skills (even perhaps ask if they have a friendly farrier who you can watch/talk to) that don't require the horse to learn new tricks which might not be universally popular. You could probably get him to left feet for you to pick out by just pointing or similar which might fulfil both criteria but do check first!