Fed up horsey person :-(

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thehorsediva

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As in the title really! It's like 1 step forward 2 steps back with my youngster. Horses stuck in today due to vile weather. Just as he was getting a lot more settled and consistent in his behaviour (had been bucking violently on lunge and seriously over reacting!) today he does a huge buck on lunge and starts freaking out at the chickens (normally the chickens, cat, dog and me can be in his stable with him and he doesnt bat an eyelid!). Anything slightly out of routine just blows his mind and it seems the fact he was in an extra 2 hours was that today. Had back, teeth, saddle checked etc re bucking on lunge. Ended up buying him a new saddle that was fitted 2 weeks ago as thought the bucking was purely due to saddle...but now not so sure and guessing he is bucking as he has been stuck in. Fearful they will be stuck in at least another 2 days due to the constant miserable rain here. I am battling awful confidence issues which I just dont seem to be able to progress with and really feeling rather fed up today. Wish we had some warmer weather so I could actually get into a proper pattern of work with him and then maybe we would both stand a chance of progressing! Anyone else ever feel like this!?
 
I feel for you as my fields are waterlogged again and I have had to bring them all in.
What are you tring to acheive? It its just exercise I would forget the lunge and the tack just turn him out somewhere safe to have a buck and a *******.
If you are trying to train him I would forget it as if you are not careful he will associate being on the lunge with having a play with the possiblity that he will eventually get awy from you. So waite untill he is out more.
If you can not waite to do this I would try dividing this in to two sessions, the first play time with no tack where he gets to let off steam have a run round and have a buck. You then take him back to the stable tack him up properly and start making him listen to you when you go in the school with mainly walk and halt. As long as he is obediant thats the objective and not running round at speed. When you feel you are in control as him to trot but forget canter until you have more turnout and you feel confident.
Hes not being naughty he's just a young bored horse with too much energy, and there is always another day. Just do not let him think that lunging is about taking the p** at speed.
 
Regarding youngsters taking the wossname and using any excuse for misbehaving: Yep been there and done that. I was so lucky to have my youngster's mum to ride as well, so I could get back on her to remind me that I could ride really. Do you have others that you can ride? I found that such a comfort to restore my confidence.

The bit where you get on and feel like you left your stomach on the ground - do you get that? I spent a lot of time making very tiny amounts of progress each time I worked mine.

And sick of the weather constantly ruining plans to get on and make some progress - I think that's probably all of us!
 
Thanks. Its purely an exercise thing. He is a big horse and I dont like him being stuck in a stable all day. I am quite happy for him to have a gap in training, its just I feel like he needs to get out the stable and stretch his legs. The only place I could turn him out would be the menage and I dont want him to associate this with play time. I want that to be a place of work? But the others on the yard do let their horses have a play there...I just dont know if it will make him worse.

Unfortunately dont have anything else I can ride which is a shame as I think I could probably do with a plod out on something occasionally. Just one of those days I suppose but it does get to you when you are mucking out twice a day in the p***ing rain and your horse is being a nutter!
 
I think you are being a little hard on yourself. He had a routine and a certain amount of exercise and that is suddenly reduced. I have a nice 6 year old and even he objects a lot when I change his routine. Rain reduced work this week and I had a horse standing in his field bucking non stop at one point!

Let your horse stretch his legs, cut yourself a little slack and when you look at work again, take into account the time off. Spring MUST be just around the corner!
 
Turn him out in the school for 20-30 mins twice a day. I know that it's not 'the done thing' but sometimes needs must!

I don't like doing it either but when the Weather's this bad & the fields are flooded again, it's nice for them to have some time to relax & roll & mess about for a while. If at all possible, i turn out with a close friend & their rugs off so they can play & groom as well.

I've not found that it has any effect on their 'work ethic' in the school.

Good luck.
 
I really know how you feel I am trying to get my horse schooled for some showing this year, the fields are soaked all the hacking routes are only walkable the arena is just puddles and just when I get on a roll and think this is it we are getting somewhere it rains or snows so back to square one, I so hope we get some warm dry weather soon please.
 
I feel your pain.We have a green 6 year old pony that my youngest is meant to be riding,but the rotten weather this week has meant we've only been able to get out twice.We are trying to traffic proof him and today was definitely a '1 step forward 2 steps back' day,as he'd forgotten he wasn't scared of lots of things and we had a very fast hack with lots of snorting,spinning,and trotting on the spot.Add to that a field that is just a sea of mud and the other fields too sodden to ride in and I'm wondering what the point of it all is.:(
 
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