Did I make the right decision? (and other questions re grading)

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htobago

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I withdrew Tobago from the Trakehner stallion grading at the last minute, because we just didn't feel he was quite ready for the loose-jumping element.

The stud manager/trainer had only just started to prepare him for this - my fault, I kept dithering about whether he was too skinny and didn't decide to go ahead and enter him until very late. And then there was a last-minute flurry of late-season mares, which didn't help matters.

So although he showed a lot of promise in his first few loose-jumping lessons, he was still finding it all rather too exciting - charging about with his tail over his back and showing off and being silly. The trainer said she really wanted to take things slowly with him, and not raise the height too much or add more jumps (or ask him to perform in public) until he could approach a single jump calmly and sensibly. She says he has a really super athletic jump - just needs to calm down and take it seriously.

Very frustrating, as she was 'nearly there' with him, and with even just a little bit more time he would have been OK. But as things were we decided better to withdraw than to go and make fools of ourselves (and give Arabs a bad name) with a silly snorty over-excited horse.

So - the plan is now to get him backed and ridden, aim for the NaSta performance test next year, and present him for the Trak grading next year when he's more mature and sensible. Meanwhile we'll continue with the loose-jumping now anyway as it is useful training.

Was this the right decision? How long does it normally take to prepare a young stallion for grading? Do they all get so excited about the loose-jumping? How long does it take for them to calm down and be sensible about it?

Sorry to be such an ignorant numpty!
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Yes you have made the right decision as (going by your post) you would have been too anxious. I too like my stallions to be 'right' before they are on public display.

I can't comment on your grading scheme & preparation as I have New Forest Stallions and we don't performance grade until the stallion is older & well established (though we have just introduced a loose jumping scheme for young stallions).

Good luck for next year & I am sure the extra time will be worht it....
 
Hi, looks like you've made the right decision both for Arabs and him. BTW - I love the way you put him first in everything you do.
However, just a thought. While you wait for him to mature why don't you do a short video of him doing free jumping at home - where he will probably be more settled and put that onto your website. This way you're able to show prosepctive mare owners that he can jump while you wait for NASta and grading next year?
PS if you do put the link up on HHO first - we want first viewing!
 
Thanks fleur and ts - I've been beating myself up for not starting the preparation earlier, but at least I didn't compound that error by trying to rush the process or presenting him when he wasn't ready.

Just read on another thread someone saying they trained their boy every day for 6 weeks for a stallion grading, so clearly the few sessions that Tobago had would not have been enough, even if he were a more calm and sensible type.

I'd really love to hear other people's experiences of preparing for stallion gradings, especially the loose-jumping element, and views on how long to allow for this.

Oh - and does anyone know if there is a Trak grading in the Spring, or would the next possible one not be till next September? I've got people wanting to use the boy next year, so it would be great if we could get him graded before the stud season...?

Also does anyone know if Matt B is still around? I haven't seen any posts from him for ages?

Sorry to bombard you with questions!
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I think you were very sensible to with draw him. There is nothing more upsetting that a horse failing because he was ill prepared.
I send mine to a professional to be prepared for grading, in Kensons Aragorn's case I sent him to Maggie Spreckley for 6 weeks beforehand and for Treliver Decanter he went to Susanne Davis (can't remember her married name) because she had produced his father.
 
Next Trakehner grading is September again. I think having had the time under saddle and done his performance test, then you should find he is more than ready for his grading then. And you know he put back on his condition well once the stud season started to wind down so one less worry for next year
 
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Just read on another thread someone saying they trained their boy every day for 6 weeks for a stallion grading, so clearly the few sessions that Tobago had would not have been enough, even if he were a more calm and sensible type.

I'd really love to hear other people's experiences of preparing for stallion gradings, especially the loose-jumping element, and views on how long to allow for this.


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I think you did right - especially for a lively lad! I'm hoping to take two to grading in mid-February (Irish Draught grading - so no good for your chap!
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) One will be rising 3 and one rising 4 - both very laidback - but I've started on them already - just loose schooling and occasionally popping over a single rail or cross-pole. I'll push the loose jumping up a bit from December, although the baby will be kept over small x-poles (he jumps them as if they were 3 foot anyway!) until the very last few weeks and then he'll only do enough so I know he can. Don't know about Trak grading, but for IDs, they don't need to jump any great height - the Inspectors are looking more at jumping style.
 
Of course you have made the right decision, as you have put you lovely boy first.

It is important that when they go to their gradings they are ready and they give their best performance, with confidence.

He is still a young stallion, so no rush.
 
As always Kate you have put your boy first! So of course you have made the correct decision! Though I do appreciate your doubts. Hugs!
 
Apart from the grading, I think you've made the right decision for the horse's long term development.

Preparing a horse for free jumping, especially one that gets a bit "up" or otherwise doesn't do it pretty much right the first time, is a bit of a trick - not super difficult but needs attention and care. I see a lot of people who think so long as the horse gets over, any old how, that's all that's necessary, and I think that's where perhaps some of the "anti-free jumping" sentiment comes from. I've seen lots of horses have really beneficial free jumping experiences but I've also seen a few that, in my opinion, were ruined by it. Horses don't magically forget their early experiences when they start to jump under saddle so it's very important the work is constructive and builds confidence and ability, rather than giving the horse "issues". Even worse, a horse that's running/having to be really pushed, can easily get in trouble and decide the whole process is to be avoided.

This is even more important if the horses it going to be tested, when there will be other pressures and the inclination to keep going even if the horse is struggling a bit.

As they say, there's only one chance to make a first impression and if the horse goes away thinking jumping is something to get excited about or, even worse, avoided it's not a good start.

So. yes, the best call on all fronts.
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I prepared an Arab colt for sport horse testing a few years ago and he also found the jumping element to be an excellent opportunity to show off his athleticism and enthusiasm - not always in a good way!:) He did take a little longer than some of the "traditionally bred" (Hann, Trak etc) crowd to settle to the task. I found in his case a bit of longing over very small fences (again NOT recommending this as a general practice - we had the facilities and the experience to do this) helped him slow down and think about using his body. We used lots of poles to get him thinking about his feet and counteract his tendency to get his head and tail up and lose the softness in his back. He was a wonderful athlete but inclined to think he could get things done without trying and I didn't want to put him in a situation where he could get hurt/scared until I was sure he understood.

He was a lovely horse and a super athlete - really fun. But he did a lot of thinking and it was important he understood. Some of the more phlegmatic types you can get away with "forcing" a bit but not a horse like that!

I'm sure he'll be even more "competitive" next year - you'll likely find that the extra year gives him even more opportunity to "wow" them. (I remember the last full Arab to do the ATA approval on the 100 day test - a very lovely boy and a great addition to the sport horse pool.)
 
Thanks very much everyone - it's so helpful to hear your views and experiences, and I am very relieved to hear that it does take more than 4 or 5 sessions to train a stallion to loose-jump properly!

I had an awful feeling it was maybe just my silly immature horse who couldn't go over a simple little cross-pole without making a big dramatic hoo-haa about it. I thought you would all be saying airily "Oh, we just popped our boy down a couple of 4ft6 grids for practice and then took him along to the grading"!

I have some well-meaning friends who have tried to drum into me that one should never post anything 'negative' about ones stallion, for fear of damaging his reputation - but I disagree and would rather be honest about his flaws and foibles, otherwise I will never learn anything. (Sorry - that's wasn't meant to sound all goody-two-shoes - I'm sure you know what I mean.)

Anyway, I'm glad I did post. I was pretty sure I'd made the right decision to withdraw, but I was a bit concerned that Tobago seemed to be making more of a big song-and-dance about this and taking longer to 'settle' than other horses. (TarrSteps I had to smile at your description of your Arab - he sounds very similar to my boy!)

So - roll on next year and the NaSta test and everything! I feel much more confident now - thanks again!
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I have some well-meaning friends who have tried to drum into me that one should never post anything 'negative' about ones stallion, for fear of damaging his reputation - but I disagree and would rather be honest about his flaws and foibles, otherwise I will never learn anything. (Sorry - that's wasn't meant to sound all goody-two-shoes - I'm sure you know what I mean.)

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LOL! Well I'm sure you know the grief I have got about my chap... but as one HHOer said to me in a PM, its all publicity, and I think she was right!! A lot of people now know his name and really like the look / sound of him now!!
Also I think its a good thing to hear the slightly bad bits as it makes people sound more genuine than if they are just saying how perfect their horses are... we all know the perfect horse doesn't exist!!

As far as grading is concerned I think you definitely did the right thing, if he hadn't passed you'd have been gutted and been kicking yourself!!

I was umming and erring about taking Felix to BWBS in Nov but have decided that another year will do him good to mature physically although mentally Felix is very good and unlike your chap he is very laid back with the loose jumping, he is nowhere near the condition Tobago is in, as he was quite poor when I got him, it was only 2 months ago and although he has already put on a lot of condition and top line he still needs more, which I hope will come with more good food and the ridden work over the winter!
 
I think its like teaching a horse anything, some take to it like a duck to water, others require a drama over it, and others are just stumped by it.

I know horses that fit into all three catagories with loose jumping!!!! All eventually learnt how to work the lane and could pop themselves through stylishly.

I do love the ones that have a drama and a tantrum over it, they become so animated and athletic in their charging round, totally forgetting what they were doing!!!
 
I don't think you have posted anything negative about your boy, what you have described is most peoples youngsters. I prefer to hear of youngsters that are well handled, but have not been over prepared. Makes for a long term future sports horse IMO, not one just for a grading.

If only they came down and popped through a 4ft 6 grid first time. We loose jumped our 2 year old colt, well more like he tripped over a cross pole. We left it a month and tried again, this time he jumped the cross as if it was on fire. He was then taken back to his paddock, with a big pat. He won't be loose jumped again until the beginning of next year.
 
With the common way that you and Cruiseline always put your horses welfare first I'm beginning to think that you are the same person but with two names!!!????
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Seriously, its good to hear!
 
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