Have we got it wrong?

[tristar]

alexa hit it on the head for me, a horse that is constant in its balance, fluid in its movement and dynamic at the same time is a revelation to sit on, its lets you sit how you know you should, because its doing its share of the work, 75 per cent the horse, the rest feels like you are being taken and just using refined aids, as opposed to trying to create something, and disturbing your seat.

the new forest pony i mentioned earlier trainer from saumur and ridden by a young girl, was in fact a stallion.

 

[oldie48]

But surely the art of riding is being able to get the horse to that point and that is, at least for me, the biggest challenge. Mr B has the ability to be "just a bit special", he's not a world beater by any means but he's got good paces, is active and judges like him. He's not "push button" but with a decent rider he's a lovely ride. I can get on him once he's been "set up" and he's relatively easy but getting him there on my own, or even with a trainer's help, is more problematic. I used to think that you could buy a well schooled horse and it "did it for you", No, they don't and if they will for a while they will soon find you out but they are fantastic at teaching you.

alexa hit it on the head for me, a horse that is constant in its balance, fluid in its movement and dynamic at the same time is a revelation to sit on, its lets you sit how you know you should, because its doing its share of the work, 75 per cent the horse, the rest feels like you are being taken and just using refined aids, as opposed to trying to create something, and disturbing your seat.

the new forest pony i mentioned earlier trainer from saumur and ridden by a young girl, was in fact a stallion.

 

[FfionWinnie]

But surely the art of riding is being able to get the horse to that point and that is, at least for me, the biggest challenge. Mr B has the ability to be "just a bit special", he's not a world beater by any means but he's got good paces, is active and judges like him. He's not "push button" but with a decent rider he's a lovely ride. I can get on him once he's been "set up" and he's relatively easy but getting him there on my own, or even with a trainer's help, is more problematic. I used to think that you could buy a well schooled horse and it "did it for you", No, they don't and if they will for a while they will soon find you out but they are fantastic at teaching you.

That's why you need the lessons. I've just bought the schoolmaster. I need the coach to keep me learning everything the horse has to teach me. That is why I got him.

 

[oldie48]

???? I think you may be missing the point of my earlier posts but never mind I'm sure it's said with "good heart". However, just for the record, I have the lessons and love every minute of them and they are keeping me poor but happy. I hope you enjoy your schoolmaster as much as I enjoy mine!

That's why you need the lessons. I've just bought the schoolmaster. I need the coach to keep me learning everything the horse has to teach me. That is why I got him.

 

[Mule]

To blitznbobs
Thank you, that's really helpful. I just realised that when I anticipate a nap I don't ride positively enough. I end up trying to fix the napping instead of trying to stop it before it begins.

 

[Mule]

The long reins are a good idea. I'll try that I've been doing ground work with him at the moment because he can plant sometimes when I lead him. I want to try and retrain him to go forward. I'd imagine that him not going forward when lead is related to him napping when ridden?

I probably can't to be honest. I've tried to do it on here before and it didn't work lol. I wouldn't encourage anyone to try what I am trying to explain as I don't think it's possible for me to explain it entirely - it's more of a doing than a saying thing.

Essentially I have the battles on the ground on the long reins first. That means if they are inclined to stand up you haven't got to sit on them while they are doing it. I would deliberately encourage them to nap by creating something they didn't want to pass or by turning them back for home several times in the same place if necessary to get the behaviour on the long lines so I could fix it. The trouble is if you aren't quick enough to react on the long lines then you aren't going to fix it you're going to make it worse.

Anyway once I've had some epic battles and won so that they go forwards obediently into any situation, I'll get on. Usually have to have the same battles again but because I've already won them from the ground (which is safer and gives you superiority over them because you can force them on) they give in a lot quicker.

One thing you must always do is never let them turn round or win by going their way, so say they spin round half a turn anti-clockwise- they absolutely must go back the way they came. Too many people let the horse win that small battle which to the horse is massive. I also don't agree with backing them up they have to go forwards the way I want them to go whatever it takes. I've got some handy ditches at home and often have had a horse back it's self into one. That quickly cures them of thinking that is an option. It's also about pressure and release which they need taught on the ground too before you start so when you have your leg on saying go forwards it doesn't come off until they do.

I don't use a whip really only sometimes use a soft rope. It doesn't matter what it looks like the key initially is forward movement. Then you can refine it.

If it doesn't work then really it's down to my reaction not being quick enough. You have to be ready before they do it really and by it I mean the slightest move towards any kind of nap even like a slight drift that way.

I can't explain it that well in the written word and there's a lot more to it but it's actually quite simple once you get into the thought process.

 

[FfionWinnie]

The long reins are a good idea. I'll try that I've been doing ground work with him at the moment because he can plant sometimes when I lead him. I want to try and retrain him to go forward. I'd imagine that him not going forward when lead is related to him napping when ridden?

Yes it's all connected. Read anything by Richard Maxwell and follow his methods for a happy well adjusted horse would be my advice.

 

[FfionWinnie]

???? I think you may be missing the point of my earlier posts but never mind I'm sure it's said with "good heart". However, just for the record, I have the lessons and love every minute of them and they are keeping me poor but happy. I hope you enjoy your schoolmaster as much as I enjoy mine!

I have no idea about your earlier posts there are 19 pages and I can't remember who said what. I was simply responding to you saying the horse will soon "find you out" not sure why you've taken my post as an insult because it was not.

Perhaps I should have said the right lessons. I've toiled away for years with some instructors and got no where and blamed myself. Now I've got two really good coaches and while every lesson is hard work I am learning, along with the horse who knows his job, more than I ever thought I could.

 

[stencilface]

I've no doubt that a combination of my horses type and my poor riding has led to many of our lamenesses. We've never had behavioural issues (unless you count an addiction to treats )

But I've had lessons, I've had vets, I've had various bodyworkers. 11 years into owning this horse I finally feel like I've found the right way of doing things for him. Basically all the instruction I had in 8 years of being in the PC was total ****e. Thank goodness for hho in helping me find my current instructor, rockley, and my trimmer. The trimmer may have done more for my horse to start thr process despite not touching his feet yet!

 

[HufflyPuffly]

I probably can't to be honest. I've tried to do it on here before and it didn't work lol. I wouldn't encourage anyone to try what I am trying to explain as I don't think it's possible for me to explain it entirely - it's more of a doing than a saying thing.

Essentially I have the battles on the ground on the long reins first. That means if they are inclined to stand up you haven't got to sit on them while they are doing it. I would deliberately encourage them to nap by creating something they didn't want to pass or by turning them back for home several times in the same place if necessary to get the behaviour on the long lines so I could fix it. The trouble is if you aren't quick enough to react on the long lines then you aren't going to fix it you're going to make it worse.

Anyway once I've had some epic battles and won so that they go forwards obediently into any situation, I'll get on. Usually have to have the same battles again but because I've already won them from the ground (which is safer and gives you superiority over them because you can force them on) they give in a lot quicker.

One thing you must always do is never let them turn round or win by going their way, so say they spin round half a turn anti-clockwise- they absolutely must go back the way they came. Too many people let the horse win that small battle which to the horse is massive. I also don't agree with backing them up they have to go forwards the way I want them to go whatever it takes. I've got some handy ditches at home and often have had a horse back it's self into one. That quickly cures them of thinking that is an option. It's also about pressure and release which they need taught on the ground too before you start so when you have your leg on saying go forwards it doesn't come off until they do.

I don't use a whip really only sometimes use a soft rope. It doesn't matter what it looks like the key initially is forward movement. Then you can refine it.

If it doesn't work then really it's down to my reaction not being quick enough. You have to be ready before they do it really and by it I mean the slightest move towards any kind of nap even like a slight drift that way.

I can't explain it that well in the written word and there's a lot more to it but it's actually quite simple once you get into the thought process.

Thank you for trying to explain, it's much the same as I've done, her naps on the long-lines were always corrected and you're right they are not as big under saddle. She does it when she lacks confidence I think which as she's four is understandable, just don't want it to continue!

With the spin or turn back, Skylla was always turned back to the way she suppose to be going when on the lines, under saddle she is stopped and I spin her with the bend I want until she gives to the contact and the leg and stops trying to hump her back.