BBs
Well-Known Member
So for the past few weeks I have been re-backing a 16 year old schoolmaster who is reknown for being a bit of a character.
Sunny hasnt been ridden for well over a year, and although has jumped round Foxhunter happily, evented up to Novice level and won PC area dressage championships his enthusiusum usually gets the better of him!
The last time he was tried to be sat on he went up and over with his tack on - once they finally got on to ride him he did exactly the same again rearing and bucking bascially completely flipped
Anyhow, not only does he have the above known problems but he is also know as a bit of a biter and kicker, he sounds like something you should give a wide birth!
When I first moved to the yard in June Sunny was in the field, very grumpy looking with mane down past his shoulder and tail on the ground - no shoes on and a horse very much in retirement.
Because I mentioned in a moment of madness that perhaps I should start doing some SJing to improve my eventing, YO decided I should give Sunny ago! which I decided wasnt a bad idea, only after I started fiddling with him did I find out actually how bad he can be
Not being too put off, Sunny started with coming in and going on the walker for 10 - 30 minutes a day and basically being groomed and smarten up. His mane was hacked off and tail trimmed and pulled - he kicks out when having his feet picked out I was told - but he was a sweet heart and did everything ask!
So when I returned from WEG I started lunging him - he was a lazy git to start will but as I was under instruction to knacker him out before doing too much with him I didnt leave anything to chance!
Before he started having the dreaded saddle introduced again i started to use the equissage which he adored - this really helped losen him up.
So last Tuesday I plonked a saddle on his back and started to work him harder - we did have a spat of him bucking and rearing but only out of delight and not when i first put on the saddle - this was half way through the lunging session.
All going well I was due to sit on him on Friday, however I had forgotten back protector plus Sunny choked on some hay in the stable so decided against it.
Saturday i lunged him again this time with side reins and he was an absolute babe - he has a rather large neck and naturally rides with his head down and on the bit.
So to today - D Day! brought him in - bless him we have a real bond now he neighs and trots over to me as soon as he sees me approach the field. He stood being groomed and had the equissage on for 20 minutes - stood with his eyes close in the sun shine lol
I then lunged him with his reins tucked behind the stirrups and he was beautiful - waiting for YOs son to arrive to give me a leg up - i got bored of waiting so i just hopped up on and with his ears pricked forward we went off around the school - YO son then arrived to watch Sunny being put through his paces - he was an absolute star - never tensed or got sharp - we had a lovely trot and I decided to leave it there - until YO son said - umm but you havent cantered him yet
i,e this is when he is likely to explode - well i decided to have a final trot round on both reins and if he felt good i would just pick up a canter - well the boy didnt let me down and popped into canter - no naughtyness just got on with the job with me out of the saddle cantering superbly to finish!
So there you go - I know its a long one - sorrybut I havent mentioned much about Sunnys progress and I am so delighted the EVIL DEVIL or how hes been portrayed was a lamb for me and I feel we have a real bond now!
I hope now to get him really going well, get his shoes on and then let the real fun begin - who knows we could be at a BSJA centre near you soon lol
Thanks for reading and i will get some pics of his lordship tomorrow.
Vxx
Sunny hasnt been ridden for well over a year, and although has jumped round Foxhunter happily, evented up to Novice level and won PC area dressage championships his enthusiusum usually gets the better of him!
The last time he was tried to be sat on he went up and over with his tack on - once they finally got on to ride him he did exactly the same again rearing and bucking bascially completely flipped
Anyhow, not only does he have the above known problems but he is also know as a bit of a biter and kicker, he sounds like something you should give a wide birth!
When I first moved to the yard in June Sunny was in the field, very grumpy looking with mane down past his shoulder and tail on the ground - no shoes on and a horse very much in retirement.
Because I mentioned in a moment of madness that perhaps I should start doing some SJing to improve my eventing, YO decided I should give Sunny ago! which I decided wasnt a bad idea, only after I started fiddling with him did I find out actually how bad he can be
Not being too put off, Sunny started with coming in and going on the walker for 10 - 30 minutes a day and basically being groomed and smarten up. His mane was hacked off and tail trimmed and pulled - he kicks out when having his feet picked out I was told - but he was a sweet heart and did everything ask!
So when I returned from WEG I started lunging him - he was a lazy git to start will but as I was under instruction to knacker him out before doing too much with him I didnt leave anything to chance!
Before he started having the dreaded saddle introduced again i started to use the equissage which he adored - this really helped losen him up.
So last Tuesday I plonked a saddle on his back and started to work him harder - we did have a spat of him bucking and rearing but only out of delight and not when i first put on the saddle - this was half way through the lunging session.
All going well I was due to sit on him on Friday, however I had forgotten back protector plus Sunny choked on some hay in the stable so decided against it.
Saturday i lunged him again this time with side reins and he was an absolute babe - he has a rather large neck and naturally rides with his head down and on the bit.
So to today - D Day! brought him in - bless him we have a real bond now he neighs and trots over to me as soon as he sees me approach the field. He stood being groomed and had the equissage on for 20 minutes - stood with his eyes close in the sun shine lol
I then lunged him with his reins tucked behind the stirrups and he was beautiful - waiting for YOs son to arrive to give me a leg up - i got bored of waiting so i just hopped up on and with his ears pricked forward we went off around the school - YO son then arrived to watch Sunny being put through his paces - he was an absolute star - never tensed or got sharp - we had a lovely trot and I decided to leave it there - until YO son said - umm but you havent cantered him yet
So there you go - I know its a long one - sorrybut I havent mentioned much about Sunnys progress and I am so delighted the EVIL DEVIL or how hes been portrayed was a lamb for me and I feel we have a real bond now!
I hope now to get him really going well, get his shoes on and then let the real fun begin - who knows we could be at a BSJA centre near you soon lol
Thanks for reading and i will get some pics of his lordship tomorrow.
Vxx
