Lickle ex-racehorse update :)

[Girlracer]

Hi everyone, haven't been properly online for a while so thought i'd give you all a little update.

He's being very good, i've only fallen off once since he came back off his hols back in January (this is very good for him, he takes great pleasure in decking me!) lot's of schooling and jumping. We've not been anywhere yet but hopefully now the weather is improving we can get out and about.

I might be taking a job in Northampton so might be handing my notice in this week (i run a private event yard so keep him here), so we might have to up sticks and move again!

But it will give me much more time for him as it's a none horsey job so automatically i will have more time

Anyway lot's of photos as usual!

Lunging

Fun in the field

Then i went off to spain to watch my OH testing in Jerez (he races cars!)

Got back and played with my doggy (do any of you remember her as a puppy? she's 7 months now!)

Major got 2 new bridles!

Made a new friend

Had the sun on his back

Looking ok i think?

Some schooling

And the only jump photo i have!

Some hacking

treats

And then this morning in the field

So yeah, the plan is still MKEC 3de if we're ready....

 

[Princess Jess]

aww he looks like a real sweetie
And congrats on the new job!

 

[humblepie]

More importantly - lucky you going to Jerez. What racing is your OH involved with?

 

[Firewell]

He looks good! He looks like he's come on a lot on the schooling, he's really working well now . How many bridles does he have!! What a spoilt horse! Good luck for this year with him .

 

[huntley]

He is looking good, but I think your saddle looks too far forward! It may just be the angle of the photographs. Also, please, please do not jump in draw reins!!!

 

[gingerarab]

He is looking well, but why the draw reins

 

[dressagelove]

He is looking good, but I think your saddle looks too far forward! It may just be the angle of the photographs. Also, please, please do not jump in draw reins!!!

This was my thought as well, cringed at the draw reins, esp over a fence, eep!
Otherwise he is a lovely lad, really gorgeous, I have a soft spot for ginners, I got one similar
Condition, he's still a bit ribby but I'm sure you know that? Not looking too poor though


ETA I love your breeches, gorgeous colour

 

[snopuma]

Ditto the jumping in draw reins!!!! OMG!!!! Who told you that was okay>>>??????

Also in your schooling pics with the draw reins you have him so short in the neck he can't work over his back so he's never going to develop a topline concertinered in like that, let him out and down use your draw reins looser than your normal reins so they only come into play when he comes up above the bit, and remeber to always push on and create impulsion and play a little with poll flexion to get him to give to you just as if the draw reins aren't there (or needed)

Good Luck x

 

[Rosiefan]

Being more than a little ignorant re matters equestrian, what is that contraption he's wearing in the first picture and what is it for? I'm not trying to be a smarta*se, I really want to know please.

 

[Prince33Sp4rkle]

he's sweet, but that pessoa is insanely tight! and he's too short in his neck in the draw reins-he wont build topline if he cant soften his back and the base of his neck, theres no relaxation to those muscles currently.

please please have a re-think on the tack front

 

[Jenni_]

Ditto above - Wjat happened to good old side reins?

Lucky you getting to go to Jerez- furthest I get to go watch mine race is rainy Knockhill! He could do so much more but isn't really bothered....

 

[Lolo]

Part of me thinks it might be yard policy to have your horse in draw reins for safety or summat as the girl in the background of one of the photos is also riding in pretty tight draw reins?

Major looks very ginger atm his summer coat is coming through quickly!

 

[Girlracer]

Woah chill out everyone! Nice to see everyone still jumps on the anti draw rein bandwagon.

Now I have on numerous occasion been told to school him in draw reins, however I don't (I have done once or twice) these are my "Iwentonholidayandyou'vebotbeensatonfor2weeksandidontwanttohitthedeck" reins, he's sharp as it is without 2 weeks off hence why he's as tense as he is too. Hes decked me numerous times in that school and draw reinmastic him doing the spin and drop the shoulder thing! As for jumping in them rightly or wrongly I've worked for many people who jump in draw reins with no problem, I don't need that lecture thanks. Erm what else? Oh Pessoa yes it's tight I don't usually use it and I spent ages fitting it whilst I was lunging so I guess this photo was early on. This is his normal lunging get up -

And this his him schooling on a none 2 week off day -

Erm any other concerns you all need me to explain?

My OH is racing in GP2 this year so was interesting to watch 3 days of pre season testing, I used to race myself so it's lots of fun!!!

 

[Girlracer]

Apologise for any spelling or grammar errors, I'm on my phone

 

[Fools Motto]

I like 'ickle ex racehorse updates'.
Just a question - do you find that he over reaches at all? (or forges for that matter?) ... just on some photos he looks mighty close to doing so.
He looks very well. All the best.

 

[Girlracer]

Thanks no *touch wood* he doesn't over reach he went through a te of doing it in the field and pulling all his shoes off but he never has ridden thanks

 

[gingerarab]

not part of the "anti draw reins brigade" its just they looked sooo tight and you wonder with two people riding in them is it a yard fashion ?? particularly when your previous photos you havnt had them on.

I have to say he looks sooo much better and happier in the last two photo's you posted.

Good luck with the new job, and keep on posting reports they are good to read

 

[mellissa]

Well I think he looks lovely and well done you!!

Lovely to see some non horsey pics too! X

 

[Prince33Sp4rkle]

people can only comment on the pics posted though, and if no explanation is given, how are they to know the reasoning?!

he's running aginst all the gadgets though, the draws, the pessoa, the vienna rein, he's just stiffening his neck and ploughing in to it, running on the forehand.

personally, i would forget all the gadgets, and do more work in hand and under saddle flexing him, moving him sideways etc, get the ribs and neck supple so he can relax in to an outline, not brace in to one.

 

[humblepie]

Re the GP2 - how exciting and good luck to him for the season. If you feel like it pm me his name and we will cheer him on.

 

[Girlracer]

Well thank for the advice, but I was just doing a little update not askIng for criticism of what I do with my own horse. I would rather play safe and pop the draw reins on him when I know he'll be sharp rather than spend the whole time hanging on hoping I don't get trampled on again. Un-fortunately with this job I don't have much time for him I don't get chance to play about with him like I did before and I do think certain things have suffered as a result of that - but that's why I'm leaving!

I'll try and convince the OH to video him schooling when he's sane at the weekend just to prove his isn't his normal way of going just the only photos I have!!!

HP I'll pm you