I have a little problem

[madhector]

Am getting a little concerned about Jerry's progress, he is now 16.2 and very strong and powerful, I am only 5ft 2 and the opposite

I have been having a few issues schooling wise in that he likes to try his strength out on me, and he is getting to the point where he might soon start winning, I really dont want to make mistakes with him now, but am not sure of the best way to move forwards, I have come up with several options, so let me know what you think..

1. Send him to my instructor for a few weeks to really instill the basics and get the battle of wills attitude sorted with a much stronger rider

2. Battle on at home in the field till the menage is finished (a few weeks yet) and then hope he improves once I have an arena to work in

3. Give him a holiday till the menage is finished then try again

4. Give him to someone who can actually ride

Your thoughts please? I really want to do the right thing for him, but would like to be alive at the end of it

 

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

I would say, give him a break from schooling until you're arena is done and THEN get regular (at least once a week) lessons with your instructor, so that you have someone on the ground to tell you how to handle him when he misbehaves - i find it helps having someone there to encourage you BUT important to get through it yourself, otherwise he's going to see you as a weak ride and try it on. The problem with sending him away, is that he'll respect that rider and in that area, but then he'll come back to you in the same environment and might revert back - so better if you could get it sorted yourself with like i said a good instructor helping you.

 

[madhector]

I have weekly lessons on him, and so far they have been going well, but everyone who sees him always say what a lot of horse there is for such a little person, and that I had better be careful that I dont let him get the better of me

 

[Weezy]

I think he deserves a break now. He has been going really well and so a couple of weeks off will not hurt (providing you keep chasing your father with a lunge whip so the menage is finished

) You could then send him for schooling for a week before taking him back and continuing in your brand spanking new training home

 

[madhector]

sounds like a good plan

 

[watterh]

spend the time while you are waiting for the menage to work on the ground together working on basic maners and respect.

 

[KatB]

Do lots of ground work, long reining, etc to get him thinking about what is being asked of him, and keep schooling sessions short with him, and make sure they end on a good note. Then when you have a school, you can up the work load and start asking more questions of him, if he is getting big for his boots and cocky, give him something to think about and keep him on his toes! Horses are bigger and stronger than us regardless of horse height-rider height, so dont think that will be an issue! Am not a fan of sending away because of what kayleigh has mentioned, if you do, make sure you go with him so you are both being taught!