little advice, schooling a young horse

[showjump2003]

Will stry to keep it short!

I have recently been riding a 5 year old 17.1hh horse for someone in return for being able to ride my horse in their menage. The horse cost then alot of money but the owner has no intention of riding him so I am the only one riding it and he isn't willing to let me have lessons on it. The horse was proffessionally broken then turned away so he is still very green although thankfully very laid back and well behaved.

So if I want to carry on using the school I have to carry on riding the horse. I'm just really worried that I am not the right person to do this hoirse justice and give it a good start in its schooling.

When I first rode started riding it a few weeks ago it was very relectant to go forwards. The horse is now happy to walk trot and canter on both reins. Brakes and downwards tranitions are great, canter transitions still need alot of work. He is trotting circles of 8 and changing direction well. He is still very green when it comes to bending and going off the leg. If this was my own horse I would be much happier as I would be having twice weekly lessons to get him established but he's not which means it up to me. Where do I go next with him? For the last few weeks I have been riding him on a fairly loose rein to encourage him to work forwards, should I now be after a bit more contact/collection? How do you begin to get a horse off your leg to help with bend and corners?!

I know I won't ruin the horse as I'm a sensible rider, just worried I'm not giving him the best chance in life.

Having had my own horses since I was three (now 21) i was convinced my next horse would be a 3/4 year old but now im doubting as to whether I could bring one on!

 

[AmyMay]

You sound as if you are doing a cracking job. Definately time to be asking for a contact - but not collection.

Hopefull someone like PG or Becki will respond to this as well.

How odd that you can't have lessons - even though you would be paying???

 

[alfirules]

i agreee with amymay, i have also bringing on a youngster who is now 6, and i have been having lessons and it sounds like you are doing similar things to what i have been doing and it sounds like you are doing a good job.

what i have been moving onto is turns on the forehand and about the forehand to start getting him listening to my legs when asking for lateral movements and it begins to get the horse thinking about how he uses his hind legs.

i have also been doing circles and a little bit of asking the horse to extend his strides along long sides and shortening on short sides of school.

my instructor has told me not to ask the horse to come onto the bit and to work into an outline as she says it will come naturally when RIBS has been established. RIBS is: Rhythm, Impulsion, Balance and Suppleness.

hope that helps and makes sense,

oh, and i have also used trotting poles to help with asking the horse to lenghten his strides.

 

[jenbleep]

it sounds to me like youre doing a fantastic job, it will take a while with a youngster so dont fret.

i find it a bit strange why you cant have lessons - do you know why?

 

[Morrigan_Lady]

Why did this person buy this horse, but will never ride it?????