booboo
Well-Known Member
Hi Guys,
Today was my 1st ride on my new horse!
I've spent the last 3 weeks just getting to know him and doing groundwork and walking him out in hand.
He really is very sweet natured little horse and very sensitive to neck reining etc and does listen.
His new saddle arrived today so off we went. He was really good and keen but felt very safe and had a little canter out in the hills and he stays steady and stops easily.
The problem was that he always lent over to the direction of home and when we were doing a loop back to the farm he started getting really joggy and stressed. I just sat on him calmly (as I could!) and he jiggy jogged along. I could ask him to stand easily but after a second or two he'd get in a tizz. I just felt like I was pulling on his gob the whole time and like I said he is very soft and dont want to ruin it.
I had to jump off at one point cos he was going sideways as an elderly couple and a guy on a bike were all in the same place (why oh why when there is the whole mountain for us to share?!).
The minute I jumped off he stood there like a little gem. Calm as anything and dozed off and lead beautifully too.
The minute I get back on his jigs around again (and I make sure I'm not holding him in the reins).
I thought maybe he was uncomfortable in the saddle but he was fine on the way out so cant see that it is this.
When I got back on and we jogged back I made sure we walked past home. There was a bit of debate but no biggy. I then got him walking away calmly and then a bit of jig back. Again past the gate the other way and carried on this until we got a reasonably steady walk back home when I called it a day.
I'd like to know what I can do to build his confidence in being out on the ride and not stress to get home.
I'd like to hear as well that everyone has teething problems with their new horses! I'm determined we can work this hiccup out but I want to bring it down not make it escalate.
I'm getting his saddle double checked for comfort asap and the dentist is already booked for next week as I wanted him checked anyway.
On the plus side he really stood calmly when I was on the ground and we riding out we went past 2 groups of wild horses without much bother and met other riders from another yard and he rode away from them without a blink. There are no spooks or anything just this flippin jogging.
Sorry for long post but I really want to get this going well for us both.
Today was my 1st ride on my new horse!
I've spent the last 3 weeks just getting to know him and doing groundwork and walking him out in hand.
He really is very sweet natured little horse and very sensitive to neck reining etc and does listen.
His new saddle arrived today so off we went. He was really good and keen but felt very safe and had a little canter out in the hills and he stays steady and stops easily.
The problem was that he always lent over to the direction of home and when we were doing a loop back to the farm he started getting really joggy and stressed. I just sat on him calmly (as I could!) and he jiggy jogged along. I could ask him to stand easily but after a second or two he'd get in a tizz. I just felt like I was pulling on his gob the whole time and like I said he is very soft and dont want to ruin it.
I had to jump off at one point cos he was going sideways as an elderly couple and a guy on a bike were all in the same place (why oh why when there is the whole mountain for us to share?!).
The minute I jumped off he stood there like a little gem. Calm as anything and dozed off and lead beautifully too.
The minute I get back on his jigs around again (and I make sure I'm not holding him in the reins).
I thought maybe he was uncomfortable in the saddle but he was fine on the way out so cant see that it is this.
When I got back on and we jogged back I made sure we walked past home. There was a bit of debate but no biggy. I then got him walking away calmly and then a bit of jig back. Again past the gate the other way and carried on this until we got a reasonably steady walk back home when I called it a day.
I'd like to know what I can do to build his confidence in being out on the ride and not stress to get home.
I'd like to hear as well that everyone has teething problems with their new horses! I'm determined we can work this hiccup out but I want to bring it down not make it escalate.
I'm getting his saddle double checked for comfort asap and the dentist is already booked for next week as I wanted him checked anyway.
On the plus side he really stood calmly when I was on the ground and we riding out we went past 2 groups of wild horses without much bother and met other riders from another yard and he rode away from them without a blink. There are no spooks or anything just this flippin jogging.
Sorry for long post but I really want to get this going well for us both.
