Natalie_H
Well-Known Member
I have had my TB for 5 years (off the track as a 4-y-o). He was very argumentative over his first year of flatwork, but over the next 4 years just got better & better each year (we have no all weather surface, so lessons commence in earnest from Spring through to early Autumn until the ground gets bad).
Last Summer, I was concerned that the saddle was starting to bother him as he had put on so much muscle. He was professionally fitted with a brand new Kieffer saddle as a result, and I had this checked again 6 months later before I brought him back into work this year. The saddle had made a huge difference to him over the winter months - more comfortable & much happier to ride, much more forward, not backing off me anymore.
However, he is an absolute pig to school this year. I have not had one good schooling session with him. He is argumentative, stubborn, and downright dangerous tonight when he dumped me on the ground mid session. He will be going beautifully in trot, then he will suddenly spin, or dig his heels in, or try to take canter, or nap. You put your leg on, he reverses, give him a tap, he kicks out. Sit quietly, he plants his feet. Tonight he did a beautiful left right rein canter, switched to right rein & he was fine, then all of a sudden he does a 360 degree spin (you get the picture).
I am at the end of my tether as he has always been a tricky horse, but cannot believe he is being so awful this year, and would have thought he would have settled back into work by now. The only differences I can pinpoint is his new saddle (he is fine when we are hacking or jumping), and the fact that he has had access to much better grass this year than any previous year.
Any thoughts or suggestions greatly appreciated.
x
Last Summer, I was concerned that the saddle was starting to bother him as he had put on so much muscle. He was professionally fitted with a brand new Kieffer saddle as a result, and I had this checked again 6 months later before I brought him back into work this year. The saddle had made a huge difference to him over the winter months - more comfortable & much happier to ride, much more forward, not backing off me anymore.
However, he is an absolute pig to school this year. I have not had one good schooling session with him. He is argumentative, stubborn, and downright dangerous tonight when he dumped me on the ground mid session. He will be going beautifully in trot, then he will suddenly spin, or dig his heels in, or try to take canter, or nap. You put your leg on, he reverses, give him a tap, he kicks out. Sit quietly, he plants his feet. Tonight he did a beautiful left right rein canter, switched to right rein & he was fine, then all of a sudden he does a 360 degree spin (you get the picture).
I am at the end of my tether as he has always been a tricky horse, but cannot believe he is being so awful this year, and would have thought he would have settled back into work by now. The only differences I can pinpoint is his new saddle (he is fine when we are hacking or jumping), and the fact that he has had access to much better grass this year than any previous year.
Any thoughts or suggestions greatly appreciated.
x
