Doing the right thing?

Wimbles

Wimbles

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I have a lovely young horse, everyone loves him as he's stunning to look at but he is not at all easy. The race yards that he was trained on said as much and he had to be ridden in eye shields just to get him to leave the yard.

He's rising 6 and stands at 17hh. I think that racing as a youngster was just really hard work for him as he was so immature both physically and mentally.

When I had him as a 4 year old he was surprisingly straightforward but pretty backwards thinking. We hacked him about, took him hunting a few times and got him enjoying life a bit.

He became bigger and stronger and as a 5 year old his awkward ways returned. I worked my backside off with him and had one of the most inspiring lessons from a top showing judge (completely changed the way of going for this horse in one hour!) and by the end of last year we were competing in some unaffiliated ODE's at BE80 level, some big showing classes and a few SJ rounds and although he would still have his moments things were definitely on the up!

Due to weather/time/turnout he's not really had enough done with him this winter and the "Kevin the teenager" moments started up again. A few weeks ago I took him to a showing clinic and the Gentleman instructing asked if he could get on him at the start of the session...........45 mins he was still on trying to win the battle as the horse bucked, kicked, spun and reared objecting violently to his riding style (he'd done a great job on everyone else's horses!). By the end of the clinic he didn't have many good things to say about my horse, telling me that I needed to get really tough with him and we left pretty downhearted.

Upon getting home I thought back to the great lesson in the summer and started putting this into practice and my horse is now going better than ever but in the back of my mind I feel like I'm being a bit of a pansy with him and maybe I'm letting him dictate the terms too much. Am I making a rod for my own back by not laying down the law with this horse? I'm really confused.

The gentleman who gave me the great lesson is too far away to have regular sessions with (I'm gutted about this) but I was wondering whether to maybe find someone to give us a lesson and get their view?

Sorry that this is probably a bit of a pointless post but I'm desperate to do the right thing by this horse as I think he is really special.
 
In my view, you can't force a horse to work in a way he does not agree with. You have found a way he does go well, so stick to that. No amount of fighting to make him work another persons way will do either of you any good. Youll loose confidence and he will get worse. Stick to what you are doing, cause clearly it works :)
 
I just feel like I'm not listening to experts, I paid to go to the clinic and feel like one of those proper annoying dweebs that think they know better because the horse didn't go as I would have liked. On the other hand I guess I know the back story of the horse and why forcing him might not work.
 
If the person running the clinic was really that good surely he would have adjusted what he was asking for and how he was asking it rather than continuing to 'force'.

However if you do want to continue down the showing route then he would have to 'learn' to go for other people (ride judges) - if that isn't in his future then you carry on doing what you need to do to get the best out of him.
 
madlady said:
If the person running the clinic was really that good surely he would have adjusted what he was asking for and how he was asking it rather than continuing to 'force'.

However if you do want to continue down the showing route then he would have to 'learn' to go for other people (ride judges) - if that isn't in his future then you carry on doing what you need to do to get the best out of him.
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If he was not "winning" after 45 mins then may be was not asking the right questions or asking in the wrong way, unless you are prepared to ride really forcefully every time you get on then going a different route to get where you want seems to be a better option, just because you paid for an expert opinion does not mean you have to follow or agree with them, I have seen many clinics where the trainer and horse or rider did not gel for some reason it does not mean anyone is wrong just that some methods do not work with some horses.

Show judges will rarely ask much during a ride, most take a very light contact, expect the horse to be in front of the leg, carry themselves in self carriage and will not attempt to "school" a horse that is not going as well as they would like so I don't see it a problem if you do show as long as this experience has not left him anxious of new riders or men.

I would find someone more sympathetic to help you, firm but fair is usually the best course, ensure any questions are clear and fully understood, if he gets confused try asking a slightly different way, the horse does not know the rules until he understands what is required.
 
Sounds to me as if your doing a fantastic job!! Not every horse goes well for a professional. In my mind your instructor that day should have thought about changing how he rode to get the best out of that particular horse. I think that is what sets great riders apart, the fact that they can adapt quickly whilst still getting the same results. Your obviously doing something right, its all about a bit of give and take by you and your horse to achieve your goals.
 
Sounds like "someone's" pride was wounded in the most recent clinic when the horse wouldn't submit and showed them up. Far easier to write off the horse than admit they weren't able to find the right buttons... Personally I'd write off the clinic rather than the horse on the basis of your OP.

You've found a method that works, have achieved a lot previously with the horse and admit he's going through a "Kevin" phase due to reduced work during winter (completely understable). Although the original trainer is too far away for regular lessons I'd definitely contact him to ask to be on the mailing list for clinics should he ever be holding any closer to you and I'd ask him if he can recommend anyone closer to you that teaches/rides in a similar fashion. There may be riders who trained under/with him that are closer by for lessons.
 
I agree you are doing a fantastic job. Some riders (even pro ones) can just clash with a sensitive horse. My exracer has a fit if some people get on him. A good rider will never end up in a 45 minute battle on a horse at a clinic, no-one wins and a good rider who isn't too proud would admit their riding style mightn't be suiting the horse.

My exracer hit a horrible teenage phase around the age you're is at now as well, but settled after. You sound like you are doing fantasticely well, don't let one bad clinic instructor make you doubt yourself.
 
TPO said:
Sounds like "someone's" pride was wounded in the most recent clinic when the horse wouldn't submit and showed them up. Far easier to write off the horse than admit they weren't able to find the right buttons... Personally I'd write off the clinic rather than the horse on the basis of your OP.
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Couldn't agree more. A good professional would have more than just a sledge hammer in their tool box. Sure, sometimes you do need a big hammer but small screwdrivers tend to fix a lot more things.
 
Some horses just don't get on with a certain style of riding/way of going, even if others find it wonderful. You paid for expert advice, it doesn't mean you need to follow it blindly. I've had lessons with a wide variety of teachers, and taken a bit from each of them - the parts that suit me and my horse.

Could you perhaps go the the first guy for a one-off, or maybe a weekend away with a lesson each day? It would get you both up and running again. Alternatively, call him and explain your situation, ask if there's anyone he recommends that's closer to you?
 
Right, well this has given me heart and I have contacted someone who is coming to teach us on Saturday. I had a lesson once with her a few years back at a riding camp and I remember that she had a sympathetic approach similar to the the first gentleman so fingers crossed! Thanks everyone for the push!

It is really hard knowing what information to use and what to discard. I have struggled to find an instructor after the brilliant one I used several years back stopped teaching. Quite a lot seem not to appreciate my choice of horse (I have five ex racers) that I like to do a variety of disciplines with. I've gone it alone for far too long and although we do OK I would really like to improve so that I can move forwards.

This horse I really believe needs to learn to work long and low and to establish his own balance rather than being pulled into an outline as there's an awful lot of him! Other people do ride him successfully and when he did well at a big show in the summer he was complemented on what a lovely ride he gave the judge, who as be Positive said, gave him a lovely quiet ride.

Don't get me wrong, he can be a proper **** bag when he wants to be but there's definitely a knack to dealing with the "Kevin's" which involves being very firm and quite strong but also allowing him time to sort his stuff out without forcing him.

Edited to add that I am also in the process of sorting a trip down to Newmarket where I will hopefully fit in a lesson :)
 
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Sounds like you know your horse well. I don't think the following applies but will say it just in case

Occasionally inexperienced riders mistake a horse only working well for a sympathetic rider for one that is clever but stubborn and is only happy if the rider doesn't ask too many questions
 
Definitely, definitely try some other instructors until you find one that "fits" your horse.

This is what makes horses so interesting, its about finding the key to making them want to work with you - and well done for taking the time to really think about your horse and makes him tick.

Good luck with the next instructor :)
 
My TB J was kicked out of training as a four year old he was so nappy at the end he would not leave his stable with tack on .
He went to event horse school and that's when I first saw him a beautiful grey with amazing movement and presence by the time he was five he had decided he did not want to be an event horse and I bought him.
He's ten this time and I lost count of the number of people who say he should a show horse the truth is I know it would be a waste of time .
He's clever and quirky and there's no way he would consent to go well for a ride judge he would not be dangerous and fight he just would not go an inch for a stranger in public ,he likes jumping on his terms at home little clinics ,no pressure ,no people getting stressed and fired up .
He loves dressage clinics and hunting .
At times people have told he needs a firm hand but the truth is he is what he is a very naughty quirky clever boy he won't change I enjoy him and accept him as he is.
We are great friends .
I think sometimes you just have accept what a horse wants to be even it's blinding obvious it's capable of much more .
 
I don't think you are doing anything wrong I think the person at the clinic may have ridden the horse in a harsh forceful way and your horse didn't appreciate it and he let them know about it, just because a horse prefers a lighter approach it does not mean your giving in to their demands it all about knowing what's makes the horse tick, I know some people that get on every horse and ride them with a do it and do it now attitude and not all horses can deal with that.

I have a horse that likes to be ridden in a very light way he won't tolerate heavy leg aids he likes a light contact and sort of likes to be asked to do things, and if you don't comply he gets very angry and you can see it in his face his not impressed. out hacking his a sensitive soul and a silly boy at times but don't see this as him getting away with anything it's just his character, I would carry on doing whatever feels right with your horse as long as your both happy what does it matter whatever anyone else think, not all riders will get on with all horses anyway that's just the way it is sometimes.
 
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