Feeling really downhearted today. Don't know if i need a hug or a slap

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Hovis_and_SidsMum

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I just feel like I'm going backwards with Hovis at the moment.
We'd had a few rough patches but had hit a run of everything seeming to come sweet. I now feel like i'm going backwards again.
Friday night he pulled like a steam train the whole way round a group hack and I felt like I rode like a novicey pillock (which I am!!). I rode him at the weekend and just couldn't get a decent tune out of him. He doesn't buck, spin, rear or anything overtly naughty but he is so powerful it just felt like a fight the whole way.
Last night I had a lesson and I could tell my instructor was getting a little frustrated with me as he was just wriggling all over the place and not listening. In fairness to her she then got on him herself and immediately apologised!
The problem is he doesn't look like he's pulling you about but it felt like riding a steam train. She has suggested changing his bit to something he can't lean on which should have made me feel better that it wasn't just me being a numpty as to why I've been struggling a bit. It just made me feel even more stupid for not thinking that he was pulling as badly as he is - I guess because I only ride him I've got used to it.
I just feel like I'm not getting anywhere at the minute. He's the most wonderful horse and isn't naughty in the sense of being malicious but he's so so powerful that I'm losing the fight with him.
Just feel really down at the minute. I thought we were getting somewhere but obviously not.
Hug and or slap appreciated.
 
Poor you, I can sympathise. I am feeling very downhearted today, think it is the weather more than anything.

I am sure that you will get this all sorted and then you will wonder what made you feel so negative. Horses are like that, one minute they make you feel like nothing is going right and then, hey presto, suddenly you are going leaps and bounds and they start going like stars. Hug and slap at the same time!
 
I think you needs **hugs**

I've had my horse 5 years and when she's being lazy and doesn't want to do what you tell her she leans quite bad. I'd change the bit to something more uneven then it will cause pressure when he leans on it and he won't want to. My horse i give a tap with the whip and make her go forward, it usually stops her doing it. It is very very annoying though.
 
<<<hugs>>> don't worry it is a youngster thing! He'll come right, there will be more ups and downs but you are both learning together. Just take it easy and try not to stress otherwise he will feel it through your riding and then you'll both stress!
 
I think Hug as I've been there, but with our 12.3h NF pone!!
We tried all sorts of things, in the school he was perfect, you could canter etc on a loose rein; but out hacking....a different matter.
In the end we just tried lots of different bits with different mouthpieces, the one that worked the best believe it or not was the Myler comfort snaffle with hooks ( had been ridden in everything from four ring gags to kimblewicks, waterford mouthpieces etc) I think the small mouthpiece and the hooks for slight leverage worked a treat. ( Obviously has expensive taste
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)
Not saying he is cured, but is much happier and will at least trot without pulling your arms out of the sockets.

Trial and error me thinks!
 
"We tried all sorts of things, in the school he was perfect, you could canter etc on a loose rein; but out hacking....a different matter."

I have same problem(although my ponio is a little bigger than 12.3
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) but my horse is very strong hacking and once your in canter you can't stop but changed her to a gag and we have a bit more control.
 
Hey don't be so hard on yourself, your not the only one out there that has problems, look on the bright side, like you say, at least your horse is not naughty...so it could be a lot worse.

You just need to make little gradual changes, it will take time but give yourself and your horse a chance, focus on what is good about your horse and tackle each niggling problem one at a time.

Your instructor is there to help you with your riding, give you good advice, try and help you over come problems like this as well as boost your confidence and not get frustrated with you, did your RI ride your horse so they know exactly what you both are working with? if not, then he or she really should.

You could arrange to have a one off lesson with someone else, you never know they may be able to give you the encouragement and advice that you need with re-educating your horses schooling and perhaps with the added help of indeed changing his bit, even if it is just for a short while till your horse learns to respect your hands again.

Try to hack out/school your horse when you are in a positive frame of mind, this will help both you and your horse, if your feeling a little down and think you will get easily frustrated with yourself, then don't ride, as you will just make the situation worse than what it really is.

If your struggling, don't be afraid to ask for help, but go to the right people with plenty of experience, don't make the mistake of asking just anyone, too many suggestions and views from lots of people who don't know what they are talking about, will only confuse you and could make things more difficult.

I'm sure you will fee a little better when you put things into perspective, small achievable goals and see how you are in another couple of months, start a fresh with a open positive mind.
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Thank all.
In fairness my RI is a saint. She must be to put up with me. i think it was more me thinking crikey she must think I'm a muppet rather than her saying anything.
She rode him for me and said she was surprised that I look like I'm as quiet as I do when he's pulling me about.
I just feel like a muppet at the moment.
 
Sending a hug - no need for slaps.

Maybe try experimenting with different bits and it may be worth having a lesson with another person just to get a different view or opinion - I have two instructors that I use for this reason.

Problem is with these big chaps they really can pull at times.
 
I so know how you are feeling. My boy is going through a Kevin he teenager stage and so far he has tried to get me off spooking - first one didn't work so drop your body away and go again - oh and tread on mums ankle on the way past! Decided he didn't want to go any further on a hack so he propped, spun, ripped the reins out of my hands and galloped off down hill ( I did manage to stay on that one) and the latest trick - exit the school at gallop when someone has opened the gate to let another horse out - not a thing I could do about it - he did have to go back in the school and trot a 20m circle round and round for about 10 mins until he stopped napping at the gate!

Hopefully you are feeling beter now!
 
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