Have I made a massive mistake..???

[SpottedCat]

Lovely horse OP. Has your instructor mentioned anything about your saddle? Hard to see properly from the vids but it looks like it lifts and moves a lot at the back, and it also doesn't look like it fits you either because you're so long from hip to knee. You're really landing on the back of it, which can't be comfortable for the horse. I could be wrong, but I think you'd find it all a lot easier if you had a different saddle...

 

[RuthM]

Ludoctro - I just jumped frm pg3 to last and didn't watch vids 'cos that crashed my comp yesterday, but:

I hope you stay riding for many years because you didn't come off and call the horse crazy, you found a rider, saw that she could manage and did the maths, you let her do it, you got ready to learn.

You sound so teachable because you have the inclination to improve yourself over blaming the horse and slagging whoever sold him. The horse is young and there's experience at your yard. I think if you keep the things you have going for you then there's so much scope for you and your horse. You'd probably have had a safer and more fun journey on a 6 yr old but i think it's your attitude that's saved it and will make it by far the more educative journey.

Genuine best of luck, the horse world's always that little bit better for young riders with your outlook!

 

[Goldenstar]

Firstly putting him with the pro is the right thing to do he must stay in work now
I know how rotten it is lying in bed in pain pondering this sort of thing .
To put it brutally he does not sound the right horse for you this is supposed to be fun and it's not fun thinking when i am going to hit the ground next time.
I am sure you could get though this with this horse given time only you can decide if you want to.
If you keep him I would advise you keep him with the pro for a protracted period ( expensive) and you also go for lessons somewhere concerntrating on buliding core strength and balance.
Pilates lesson would also help you.
Then you will have to ride him while the pro is still working him.
Or
You get the pro to produce him for while get him to some shows and sell him
Or
You sell him quickly as a project horse this will be cheap sale but funnily it may be the cheapest way in the long run.
You start again looking for an other.
I may sound brutal but I know the hours of agonising that goes on in these situations and find in helps to break it down into choices like this.
Dont end up seriously hurt over this horse
Good luck I hope you feel better soon.

 

[Parker79]

Hi OP - So pleased to see how you worked through this...sets such an example of how to be responsible...so you took on a horse that was too much...instead of trying to do it on the cheap you enlisted the help of professionals and I am sure it has cost you a FORTUNE!

Well done you....like the advice re the stirrups & saddle. He looks like he is really trying for you. What do you/instructor feel you need to do next? I do not want to critique your riding as I am not an instructor! and it sounds to me like you are receiving pro advice already!

Seriously well done!

 

[Daytona]

Hi thanks guys, yes very chuft, as for my riding yes I know I'm no super star and I don't try to be its just a hobby, I know all my faults, hands moving about, tipping forward , it's the same things I have been working on for over ten years, and what I will keep working onfor the next 10 no doubt. I try my best, that's all I can do. Lesson after lesson. RE: the saddle, this saddle was made to measure to fit me so I unsure why someone thinks it too small, it's was made 18" with another 1.5" cut forward to accommodate my long knee to hip length. As for fitting the horse, well that's just been a nightmare he changing shape all the time, was using another saddle before that stopped fitting him, got this saddle re stuffed to fit which it did, then again it stopped , re checked again and told to buy this gel thing and I did, so far he been happy but will keep getting it checked every 3 months and he grows I will have to keep getting saddle sorted untill he about 7 I been told, then I can get him a new one made for him as dying to but told no point at moment as he growing so much, just have to muddle on getting what ever fits at the time till then.

As for him not the horse for me well I feel he is, could he go further with a better rider well maybe so but does he have any ambitions..?? No he does not, all he cares about is food, water and kindness.
And he gets all 3 from me, so he is staying put as my horse, I going to keep with my lesson, getting him slowly jumping over next few years, hopefully he will be the BS horse I want him to be and I can pop round the local NC and Fox class all chufties with my handsome horse that I know I have tried my best with.

 

[Daytona]

Ps thanks for all the positive encouragement

 

[touchstone]

Hi thanks guys, yes very chuft, as for my riding yes I know I'm no super star and I don't try to be its just a hobby, I know all my faults, hands moving about, tipping forward , it's the same things I have been working on for over ten years, and what I will keep working onfor the next 10 no doubt. I try my best, that's all I can do. Lesson after lesson. RE: the saddle, this saddle was made to measure to fit me so I unsure why someone thinks it too small, it's was made 18" with another 1.5" cut forward to accommodate my long knee to hip length. As for fitting the horse, well that's just been a nightmare he changing shape all the time, was using another saddle before that stopped fitting him, got this saddle re stuffed to fit which it did, then again it stopped , re checked again and told to buy this gel thing and I did, so far he been happy but will keep getting it checked every 3 months and he grows I will have to keep getting saddle sorted untill he about 7 I been told, then I can get him a new one made for him as dying to but told no point at moment as he growing so much, just have to muddle on getting what ever fits at the time till then.

As for him not the horse for me well I feel he is, could he go further with a better rider well maybe so but does he have any ambitions..?? No he does not, all he cares about is food, water and kindness.
And he gets all 3 from me, so he is staying put as my horse, I going to keep with my lesson, getting him slowly jumping over next few years, hopefully he will be the BS horse I want him to be and I can pop round the local NC and Fox class all chufties with my handsome horse that I know I have tried my best with.

He's a lovely horse As far as your hands go, I think part of the problem may be that you are consciously trying to keep them still by tensing the elbows and shoulders, let the elbows soften and your hands will stay put.

 

[YasandCrystal]

He is such a beautiful horse. What a lovely update from you - so pleased it is working out for you both

 

[OFG]

Hi thanks guys, yes very chuft, as for my riding yes I know I'm no super star and I don't try to be its just a hobby, I know all my faults, hands moving about, tipping forward , it's the same things I have been working on for over ten years, and what I will keep working onfor the next 10 no doubt. I try my best, that's all I can do. Lesson after lesson.
QUOTE]

Applauld your honesty. I hope you didnt take my comment as criticism as it wasnt intended that way. I am no super duper rider myself and have lots of faults (like tipping forward apparently, which I hadn't realised until I joined a RC in Feb and started having lessons again after a 15 year gap )

As for him not the horse for me well I feel he is, could he go further with a better rider well maybe so but does he have any ambitions..?? No he does not, all he cares about is food, water and kindness.
And he gets all 3 from me, so he is staying put as my horse, I going to keep with my lesson, getting him slowly jumping over next few years, hopefully he will be the BS horse I want him to be and I can pop round the local NC and Fox class all chufties with my handsome horse that I know I have tried my best with.

Well said

 

[undertheweather]

Firstly putting him with the pro is the right thing to do he must stay in work now
I know how rotten it is lying in bed in pain pondering this sort of thing .
To put it brutally he does not sound the right horse for you this is supposed to be fun and it's not fun thinking when i am going to hit the ground next time.
I am sure you could get though this with this horse given time only you can decide if you want to.
If you keep him I would advise you keep him with the pro for a protracted period ( expensive) and you also go for lessons somewhere concerntrating on buliding core strength and balance.
Pilates lesson would also help you.
Then you will have to ride him while the pro is still working him.
Or
You get the pro to produce him for while get him to some shows and sell him
Or
You sell him quickly as a project horse this will be cheap sale but funnily it may be the cheapest way in the long run.
You start again looking for an other.
I may sound brutal but I know the hours of agonising that goes on in these situations and find in helps to break it down into choices like this.
Dont end up seriously hurt over this horse
Good luck I hope you feel better soon.

OP, I don't believe the above user has actually read the whole post so hasn't seen the massive progress you have made.

Kudos to you for working so damn hard! Your riding has improved in the short space of time

 

[HazyXmas]

Very well done OP

I've watched all the vids (much more fun than doing the housework!) your riding has really improved over the last 5 months, you have worked hard.

I agree about your hands, i think that you are tense & tight trying to keep them still.

I look forward to hearing how you both get on over the summer.

Good luck.

 

[Daytona]

Touchstone and hazyxmas it's funny you say that as when getting lessons on the advanced dressage horse the lady kept tellingme I was trying to hard hence becoming tense in shoulders and in fact making the problem worse, when riding going through my head constantly is "sit up" "don't tip" "hands still" and I think if I just relaxed and stopped trying to be perfect ( coz I am a million miles away from that anyway) I'd most likely improve more, another thing I'm do bad for is looking down at his head instead of where I am going , which of course just drags my body down even more.

Someone suggested two bits of string from D rings to hold onto upwards to keep them still I might try that before, now I happy to know he not going to launch me off as I had looped my pinky and ring finger before under the top of my breast plate, my horse spooked I feel off and nearly had my pinky ripped off, ended up with the bones in it smashed to pieces along with the side of my hand which was not good. My finger was at a right angle to my hand sideways, not a good look. So you can see why I tad uneasy about trying that again.

 

[lynds81]

I just wanted to say well done!

Your horse is stunning and full credit to you for the attitude you have taken towards the whole thing. I think you have done the best thing you possibly could for you and him and I'm glad you're feeling more positive now.

I'm not going to make any comments about your riding; you already know your weaknesses and are doing exactly the right thing by seeking professional help from people that know you and your horse.

Keep it up

 

[Daytona]

Sorry about any spelling errors, my iPhone sticks random words in without me noticing

 

[touchstone]

Touchstone and hazyxmas it's funny you say that as when getting lessons on the advanced dressage horse the lady kept tellingme I was trying to hard hence becoming tense in shoulders and in fact making the problem worse, when riding going through my head constantly is "sit up" "don't tip" "hands still" and I think if I just relaxed and stopped trying to be perfect ( coz I am a million miles away from that anyway) I'd most likely improve more, another thing I'm do bad for is looking down at his head instead of where I am going , which of course just drags my body down even more.

Someone suggested two bits of string from D rings to hold onto upwards to keep them still I might try that before, now I happy to know he not going to launch me off as I had looped my pinky and ring finger before under the top of my breast plate, my horse spooked I feel off and nearly had my pinky ripped off, ended up with the bones in it smashed to pieces along with the side of my hand which was not good. My finger was at a right angle to my hand sideways, not a good look. So you can see why I tad uneasy about trying that again.

Ouch! That sounds horrendous, the other thing you can try (and you can do it dismounted to get the feel) is get two cups of water, hold one in each hand and then bob up and down as if you are doing rising trot, you soon discover how to soften your elbows to avoid getting soaked. You can do it mounted if you are feeling brave.

 

[LouiseG]

Well done and good for you!!! I have a youngster and sometimes I feel that I'm not a good enough rider for him, but we are learning together and who knows what the future will hold, it can be whatever we want it to be! And like you, whatever we achieve will be fantastic as we will have achieved it as a partnership through trust and damn hard work and what could be better than that?! Dont ever feel pressurised by other people, like you said, horses have zero ambition, it's us as riders who force our ambitions on our horses, they dont care either way as long as they have a full tummy and lots of cuddles!

I think what you have done with your boy has been amazing, you didn't give up on him as deep down you knew he was the horse for you despite people telling you otherwise and now you will go from strength to strength. Massive WELL DONE, you should be very proud of what you have achieved!! (PS I am in Aberdeen too)

 

[charleysummer]

I posted very early on encouraging you to keep trying and just wanted to say well done- I was worried you might end up hurt and started to regret my earlier post but you have done very well so keep up the good work. Good thing about difficult horses is that it gives you a huge learning curve and makes you a more established and safer rider in the end as you know how to deal with problems and gain experience.

All the best

x

 

[TarrSteps]

The issue is not keeping your hands still, it's keeping a consistent, soft contact with the horse's mouth - not actually the same thing at all, although a consistent contact and a relaxed horse will LOOK still from an external perspective.

Have you tried reading Centred Riding or any of the Mary Wanless books or similar? Perry Wood has a good one, too, but there are lots of options. You might find it a good adjunct to your more traditional instruction.

Re the horse, I don't really understand why people are saying there is something "wrong" with him. He looks and sounds a pretty typical big, sensitive, athletic horse, especially an Indoctro. He's not bred to be an amateurs' horse (this is not a criticism, it's just a figure of speech) so it's not surprise he's struggling with learning how to do that job. And yes, it's a job he has to LEARN because it's his job now. Just like the OP has admitted she has to learn to ride a horse that's a great deal more than what she's used to. Obviously not an idea situation but hardly anyone's "fault".

 

[tiga71]

I think you are doing a brilliant job of getting it right for you and your horse. It takes guts to admit you might have got the wrong horse and even more guts to find a way to sort it out. I'm so glad it is all working out for you and that your patience and determination is paying off.

I had a similar thing when I got my horse - he wasn't young but had gone essentially feral and hadn't been ridden for about 3 years. THere were times I drove up to the yard for a lesson trying to think of reasonable excuses to get my RI to ride! I have fallen off a lot, he has made me improve my riding and now, with 2 lessons a week for 2.5 years, we make a great team. It was worth all the hard work.

Look forward to seeing more updates.

 

[HazyXmas]

The issue is not keeping your hands still, it's keeping a consistent, soft contact with the horse's mouth - not actually the same thing at all, although a consistent contact and a relaxed horse will LOOK still from an external perspective.

This exactly, from Tarrsteps.

Have you tried singing? I'm a rubbish rider & i hardly do any now as my back is so creaky, but i remember when i did get tense or nervous a good old sing along really helped me & the horse (did get some odd looks at could usually only remember the words to Xmas carols when in stressful situation )

 

[Daytona]

Tarrsteps, no I have not read those books but will go get myself a copy, I love a good horsey book

Nope there is definitely nothing wrong with Ludo, 5 months ago it was a case of wrong horse wrong rider, no ones fault but mine for buying him. He never asked me to buy him, I knew when I did hmmmm am I being silly here but though what's the worse that can happen..?? Well maybe a nice staying hospital, a operation and2 months sat recovering, not his fault but mine. But seems I made the mistake of buying a horse too green for me , it was up to me to hopefully rectifie it, which I hopefully managed to do, paying people to bring him on and getting loads of lessons on advanced horses to have a crash course in how to ride a big moving horse. I still have a long long way to go but with the support I'm getting from my RI and yard that I am at I think we will get there.

But no this was never the horses fault, the dealers fault it was no one fault bar my own. I thought I was better than I was and Ludo brought me crashing down to earth with a bump - so to speak

But I think in the long run he will make me a better rider as I have now had to focus souly on my own riding instead of just concentrating on the horse whice TBH that what I used to do in lessons and when riding.

Thanks guys , I will keep you posted over next year as to how we are coming along

 

[Daytona]

Hazyxmas - singing well funny you mention that , the RI in those clips from yesterday told me to tell Ludo a story to help me relax, I said ok but when people start saying there is that crazy lady who speaks to herself you will know why, so story telling and singing it will be ;-)

 

[Mithras]

Re the horse, I don't really understand why people are saying there is something "wrong" with him. He looks and sounds a pretty typical big, sensitive, athletic horse, especially an Indoctro. He's not bred to be an amateurs' horse (this is not a criticism, it's just a figure of speech) so it's not surprise he's struggling with learning how to do that job. And yes, it's a job he has to LEARN because it's his job now. Just like the OP has admitted she has to learn to ride a horse that's a great deal more than what she's used to. Obviously not an idea situation but hardly anyone's "fault".

I live in the same area as Ludoctro, and have a similar looking horse which is now jumping Foxhunter successfully and winning or top three nearly every time out BSJA. And I get constant comments about how he is "difficult", "dangerous", "out of control" and so on, when the horse is actually very well behaved but forward going. I never get these comments when I compete outwith this area. Its really odd. Fortunately I've had plenty of experience competing down south before moving here not to take it to heart, but its not an area with a lot of experienced people gained from riding a variety of different horses. There are however a lot of good and very experienced horses up here.

Ludoctro's horse is stunning and she works very hard and I admire her for sticking with something slightly difficult and look forward to seeing her do well on him.

 

[undertheweather]

If you ever see someone singing "The Grand Old Duke of York" whilst dressaging or humming the Star Wars theme tune when out cantering/jumping, that's me!
I am a person that struggles to focus on more than one thing at once, and often forget to breathe, so my instructor years ago told me to sing the "grand old duke of york" to relax me and get the horse's rhythm steady (I was rushing him) and the Star Wars just came to me one day when I was having a lovely long canter.

 

[kerilli]

lots of great advice already. i, too, think you need to stop trying so hard. relax and enjoy it, smile, sing as you go along, have fun. i'd stay in trot for a while because you both cope much better with that, i'd honestly avoid cantering (just for a while), get the trot as good as you can. relax, let yourself sit a few extra beats here and there, teach yourself to relax through your pelvis and hips so that you can keep your hands still in relation to the horse's mouth.
(fwiw i bought a huge-moving very green warmblood and didn't canter him for months, until the walk and trot were sorted... it's not cowardice or failure, it's concentrating on getting the good bits really good first, and avoiding the known problem areas for a while). he won't forget how to canter!
when you do go to canter, i'd consciously shove your hands forward a little as you give the aid. at the moment it looks as if he's expecting a sock in the chops, and reacting to it (even if it doesn't happen) so you need to over-emphasise the freedom and softness just a bit to regain his confidence in the transition. forget the outline, just think of having a relaxed happy rhythmical horse under you, flowing from trot to canter.
well done on persevering, he's a lovely chap.

 

[OFG]

Tarrsteps, no I have not read those books but will go get myself a copy, I love a good horsey book

Nope there is definitely nothing wrong with Ludo, 5 months ago it was a case of wrong horse wrong rider, no ones fault but mine for buying him. He never asked me to buy him, I knew when I did hmmmm am I being silly here but though what's the worse that can happen..?? Well maybe a nice staying hospital, a operation and2 months sat recovering, not his fault but mine. But seems I made the mistake of buying a horse too green for me , it was up to me to hopefully rectifie it, which I hopefully managed to do, paying people to bring him on and getting loads of lessons on advanced horses to have a crash course in how to ride a big moving horse. I still have a long long way to go but with the support I'm getting from my RI and yard that I am at I think we will get there.

But no this was never the horses fault, the dealers fault it was no one fault bar my own. I thought I was better than I was and Ludo brought me crashing down to earth with a bump - so to speak

But I think in the long run he will make me a better rider as I have now had to focus souly on my own riding instead of just concentrating on the horse whice TBH that what I used to do in lessons and when riding.

Thanks guys , I will keep you posted over next year as to how we are coming along

I think your attitude is fantastic and it's a shame that perhaps more people who find themselves 'over horsed' or out of their depth don't adopt this mentality.

At the end of the day you can only build a better bond with the horse you love and grow / learn together - which at the end of the day is what owning a horse is all about isn't it?

Look forward to further updates on both your progress

 

[Amaranta]

What does the professional rider say about your riding?

It sounds like there must be something you're unintentionally doing that is causing him to buck, so perhaps the professional could help you overcome whatever it is and work with him better.

Regardless, there's no shame in selling him. If the pro rider gets him going well and out competing you could probably make a profit (or at least not a loss) on selling him, and buy something that suits better. It's not necessarily his age, but some horses are just more suited to professionals.

^^^^^^this, I agree with every word!

OP it is not a failing to realise that you have made a mistake, it would be a bigger failing if you did not.

 

[Daytona]

Amaranta - he does not buck anymore we have address these issues, that was back in jan 12 , we have moved on from there and I back on board him and getting ok, this is a old thread I was giving a update on.

As for my canter yeah he said in my lesson last night to leave canter for now and work on the trot getting him moving really forward off the leg,

As well as me riding him the dressage rider is still riding him weekly and she is about to start work on the canter so she will help him learn to canter as well as her another pro eventer has also just started riding him once every two weeks and she is going to slowly teach him to jump so between these two they are teaching him all the fundamental building blocks if that makes sense and him and them will always be slightly 1 step ahead of me if that makes sense. So they are the ones teaching and training him and I am learning with him but not actually trying to teach him the basics , that's there job.

 

[Booboos]

I am so pleased for you! You both seem to have made a lot of progress!

I think you are doing exactly the right thing, loads of pro schooling for him, lessons on other horses for you and lessons for both of you is the way to go. It requires a bit of patience but I think you will have a lovely horse at the end.

Four to six years old are the years where all the basics are put in place and it's absolutely crucial to have professional support.

 

[Bernster]

I really admire you OP, well done for sticking it out and getting lots of help. I think it's a great attitude. I posted earlier on here as well saying it was up to you. I personally didn't stick at it when I was over-horsed but getting chucked off 3 times in a row was enough for me.

I do think that you will be a much better rider for getting through this and will have a quality horse to have fun on. Keep up the good work !

I def agree what you say about the horse not giving a fig about what level he's at. Mine might be capable of much more than I do but he doesn't stand in his stable dreaming of that, he's looking for the next haynet !