khalswitz
Well-Known Member
I think the last time I posted about Geoff I was getting very down - he was proving very sharp, had had me off a few times, and we felt like we were going backwards rather than forwards.
Firstly I wanted to say a big thanks to everyone who gave me advice (Particularly to Lolo and Al) - whilst we aren't all the way there I feel like I'm starting to find my feet and find ways to manage him.
Canter is definitely his preferred pace, and giving him a really good canter before starting any work in the trot really helps settle him down. I've also discovered the power of right-angle turns, and doing diamonds with these - we do them in walk and in sitting trot to get him paying attention to me rather than what's happening round about. Really helps!
When it comes to his spooking and bucking, I've started to feel when he's going to do it - it's not a huge warning, but there is some, so I know when emergency abort procedures are needed. Horrible as it both looks and sounds, the only way I've found to stop him blowing me clean off is to yank his head up. Yes, this can occasionally make him rear. But he doesn't rear big, and I can sit that, whereas I don;t stand a snowball's chance in hell with the bucks. He really tucks his nose, jumps and twists, it's quite impressive - but if I keep his head up he can't buck big enough to toss me. So not pretty, but effective - and it's given me the confidence to ride through the stupidness rather than getting scared, so hopefully he stops seeing this as a way to get out of work.
Had a great lesson on Monday - well, it wasn't, it was windy and rainy, and I had to get on him in the barn as he wouldn't stand by the block for me to mount, and then tried to nap rather than go into the school. Once he'd had a good canter in the rain he settled, and was actually working really well - we were working on straightness, and in the trot he was fab, the canter he likes to try and swing his quarters out (equally on both reins, more of an evasion than a one-sided stiffness) but he was working really well. Next thing we knew, the two horses int he field next to the school decided it was time for a play fight - they were galloping across the field bucking, kicking and biting at each other.
Well. This was too much for Geoff, who tried to spin and buck - I pulled his head up, spun him so he could stand and watch them, and gave him a pat when he stood rather than tanked off. Gave them a few minutes to settle, then got him concentrating again - just in time for them to start again. This coincided with one of my instructor's kids jumping out the car and slamming the door, and was FAR too much - Geoff took off and tried to get his head down, and I thought I was in for a rough landing. Thankfully I was quick enough to pull his head up that the first buck wasn't an unseater, so he reared up instead, getting my hands forward, a boot in the ribs and a growl. Then listening ears came back on and he went forward.
Instructor at this point went and caught said horses, but he wouldn't fully settle after. We did another five minutes of work in which he did as he was told, but was a bit tense and not really enjoying it. So I took what I could get and we called it a day.
Most people would think it was a car-crash of a lesson, but for, I was so chuffed - I just dealt with him, got him listening, and did't get upset or anxious about the behaviour, just rode it and carried on. For me this is a huge turnaround.
I have possibly jumped the gun a bit by booking him in for a few things over the next few weeks, but I think it;s good for me to face my demons about taking him out - I've got ways to deal with the tension before the dramatics start so I just have to ride it. We are trailering to a semi-private jumping lesson tomorrow with a pro with a friend from the yard, may be very exciting jumping in a strange place but we'll see how he goes. Have also booked a flatwork clinic next week, again with the same friend, and have been looking at the schedule for a dressage comp the second weekend of November... whilst his canter is his far better pace, getting him to work in trot after a canter and me be able to use my legs may not happen first time round, so am playing safe and just doing Intro, but tbh if I can get through the warmup and not get thrown during the test I will consider it a very auspicious start :S So be prepared for a few reports from me and the mad demon.
Also a few pics of us out for a lovely hack yesterday doing some hillwork - Geoff did not like this, it was very hard. Uphill trotting, uphill cantering, downhill trotting, very steep uphill walking, VERY VERY steep uphill walking (Geoff wanted to canter), VERY VERY steep downhill walking, and a nice uphill canter before all the downhill again. The last canter was obviously just too much - I asked him to slow down and come round up the hill, and I got a few objection bucks in return. 'Mum, I'm tired and had enough, this is very hard and makes me use but hindquarters.' So we came back to a walk and went home on a loose rein.
Ready to go:
The view:
Tea and scones to those who make it this far
Thanks HHO for all your support!
Firstly I wanted to say a big thanks to everyone who gave me advice (Particularly to Lolo and Al) - whilst we aren't all the way there I feel like I'm starting to find my feet and find ways to manage him.
Canter is definitely his preferred pace, and giving him a really good canter before starting any work in the trot really helps settle him down. I've also discovered the power of right-angle turns, and doing diamonds with these - we do them in walk and in sitting trot to get him paying attention to me rather than what's happening round about. Really helps!
When it comes to his spooking and bucking, I've started to feel when he's going to do it - it's not a huge warning, but there is some, so I know when emergency abort procedures are needed. Horrible as it both looks and sounds, the only way I've found to stop him blowing me clean off is to yank his head up. Yes, this can occasionally make him rear. But he doesn't rear big, and I can sit that, whereas I don;t stand a snowball's chance in hell with the bucks. He really tucks his nose, jumps and twists, it's quite impressive - but if I keep his head up he can't buck big enough to toss me. So not pretty, but effective - and it's given me the confidence to ride through the stupidness rather than getting scared, so hopefully he stops seeing this as a way to get out of work.
Had a great lesson on Monday - well, it wasn't, it was windy and rainy, and I had to get on him in the barn as he wouldn't stand by the block for me to mount, and then tried to nap rather than go into the school. Once he'd had a good canter in the rain he settled, and was actually working really well - we were working on straightness, and in the trot he was fab, the canter he likes to try and swing his quarters out (equally on both reins, more of an evasion than a one-sided stiffness) but he was working really well. Next thing we knew, the two horses int he field next to the school decided it was time for a play fight - they were galloping across the field bucking, kicking and biting at each other.
Well. This was too much for Geoff, who tried to spin and buck - I pulled his head up, spun him so he could stand and watch them, and gave him a pat when he stood rather than tanked off. Gave them a few minutes to settle, then got him concentrating again - just in time for them to start again. This coincided with one of my instructor's kids jumping out the car and slamming the door, and was FAR too much - Geoff took off and tried to get his head down, and I thought I was in for a rough landing. Thankfully I was quick enough to pull his head up that the first buck wasn't an unseater, so he reared up instead, getting my hands forward, a boot in the ribs and a growl. Then listening ears came back on and he went forward.
Instructor at this point went and caught said horses, but he wouldn't fully settle after. We did another five minutes of work in which he did as he was told, but was a bit tense and not really enjoying it. So I took what I could get and we called it a day.
Most people would think it was a car-crash of a lesson, but for, I was so chuffed - I just dealt with him, got him listening, and did't get upset or anxious about the behaviour, just rode it and carried on. For me this is a huge turnaround.
I have possibly jumped the gun a bit by booking him in for a few things over the next few weeks, but I think it;s good for me to face my demons about taking him out - I've got ways to deal with the tension before the dramatics start so I just have to ride it. We are trailering to a semi-private jumping lesson tomorrow with a pro with a friend from the yard, may be very exciting jumping in a strange place but we'll see how he goes. Have also booked a flatwork clinic next week, again with the same friend, and have been looking at the schedule for a dressage comp the second weekend of November... whilst his canter is his far better pace, getting him to work in trot after a canter and me be able to use my legs may not happen first time round, so am playing safe and just doing Intro, but tbh if I can get through the warmup and not get thrown during the test I will consider it a very auspicious start :S So be prepared for a few reports from me and the mad demon.
Also a few pics of us out for a lovely hack yesterday doing some hillwork - Geoff did not like this, it was very hard. Uphill trotting, uphill cantering, downhill trotting, very steep uphill walking, VERY VERY steep uphill walking (Geoff wanted to canter), VERY VERY steep downhill walking, and a nice uphill canter before all the downhill again. The last canter was obviously just too much - I asked him to slow down and come round up the hill, and I got a few objection bucks in return. 'Mum, I'm tired and had enough, this is very hard and makes me use but hindquarters.' So we came back to a walk and went home on a loose rein.
Ready to go:
The view:
Tea and scones to those who make it this far
Thanks HHO for all your support!
