Horse Behaviour Problem - no not mine

Flibble

Flibble

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I got this third hand so I cant substantiate it but find it worrying :-

A went to XXX boudht a Schoolmaster Grand Prix Dressage horse. Horse is Gelding not sure of age lets say 9 may be older or younger.

Rumour has it that when tacked up day after arriving the horse refused to have its bridle put on and when saddle was put on lay down in stable ??
 
Wouldnt pay attention to rumours tbh. Its not your problem to worry about and I doubt its true, grand prix dressage horses are very rare and expensive and generally stay amongst top riders, especially if its only 9...... not really sure why you posted?
 
I used to ride a GP dressage horse...it might as well have been lying down for all the energy it put into its work.
Sometimes I felt that it would be easier for both of us, if I just got off and carried it round.
And before you think it is my dreadful riding (although that may have been a contributing factor
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) the professional who used to compete it advised warming it up, using two schooling whips, spurs and in draw reins.
By the time I'd ridden it for a few months, my legs were so strong, I could squeeze my Tb mare's intestines through her nostrils just attempting a walk aid.
S
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Could be cold backed if it lies down when the saddle is put on- I've just started riding a horse who's cold backed and, although I haven't seen him do it yet, apparently he sometimes lies down when the saddle goes on.
 
*snigger*

is that normal for a top dressage horse? My RI tried to improve my horses way of going - I later described the lesson as ''how to do more work than your horse in one easy step'' - but if all dressage horses are like that she may have been onto something and we could be heading for the next olympics!
 
[ QUOTE ]
*snigger*

is that normal for a top dressage horse? My RI tried to improve my horses way of going - I later described the lesson as ''how to do more work than your horse in one easy step'' - but if all dressage horses are like that she may have been onto something and we could be heading for the next olympics!

[/ QUOTE ]

I tend not to queue up to have 'top dressage horses' on loan now...as I get older, I don't think my heart/lungs/sweat glands will take it, so can't say.
I have to say, the horse was an absolute honey, it just hated dressage. And I'm calling it 'it' to further protect its identity, in case you think my knowledge of reproductive anatomy is as weak as my riding .
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S
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Oh, and to get back to the original point - one of my youngsters experimented with lying down as passive resistance (for farrier etc). She quickly rated it 'unsuccessful' due to the odd toe-shaped bruises she developed on her bum.
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OK - I have this happen, but in two different situations. No. 1 was a pony who hated having his girth tightened too quickly (we learnt to do it gradually) and it was OK. The second had, had a tooth removed (sadly the vendor had not told us prior to purchase.....) but when we realised there was a problem we dealt with it accordingly. I think that the moral of the experience taught me that 99% of animals you can treat them like nags that are used to all things - but with new horses / ponies on the yard - you have to assume that everything is really new for them (handling etc.) and treat them like they are an unbroken youngster. Even those horses that are at a high level - we all do things differently, and acclimitisation takes some time. But if after day three or for it is still a nightmare - then maybe it is not you (or your friend who is at fault!)
 
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