My horse can't concentrate!

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Debra Juler

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Hello,

I have a fresh rising 5 year old which has been backed and ridden last year. But due to other commitments he has had about 3-4 months off work! He moved yards at the start of the month and has settled in really well and has been doing great on the lunge and over poles. But now I need to get on with riding him again, I have sat on him a coupl of times but he has no concentration head in air looking everywhere, not responsing to me or the person on the ground, screaming for friends, or snorting really loudly, blowing his nostrils just seems really stressed yet other days he doesn't do that. I feel like I am making no porgress and just want to ask people what they would do if they were in my situation? Get help? Try something different- if so what? Am I over re-acting? He is just a wimp- and scared of everything!! What to do?

Thanks.
 
Sounds to me like a typical youngster - mine is rising 6 and only now has the concentration to do short ridden sessions in the school.

Can you hack him out, ideally in company if he is spooky?
 
It's tricky not many people down my yard don't "hack" their horses and ideally thats what I want to do with him- just to get him out and see more. But I don't even feel safe walking around a school at moment, so its tricky. My sister has a horse there but she can be quite fresh/hot out hacking and don't know if that would help?!
 
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when I read the title I thought "young horse". I wouldn't worry about it, my lad was the same. I took it very slowly, and he suddenly "got it" - growing pains I put it down to !

ps hacking out and lots of transitions !
 
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I agree that hacking is the best way to get him going forward and enjoying his work. Even hacking on your own would be good, a short distance (I know it can be unnerving) I started my youngster just hacking round the yard, picking a short loop and going round and round until she settled then I would take her in the school for 10 minutes short session. I think it sounds like a case of just needing more work TBH. When I brought my youngster back in to work having been turned away she was a little like this. But I found short sessions daily really got her focussed on her work again. Don't expect too much - just coming in getting tacked up and a short ride is fine because you're still establishing a routine and some discipline.
 
Hes a baby !

My 5 year old ( in 2 weeks ha !) Has what I have now titled "puff the magic dragon moments" where she takes it upon herself to do a ridiculously elevated trot & snort like a mad woman

She will also have gwapy moments for the 1st 15 to 25 mins of schooling depending on what's going on ... focus on the good bits...mine has come on so much over the last few months despite still having baby moments she can produce some bloody good work! !

When hacking let him be more nosy... if he wants to walk straight into the bush because it looks interesting let him (yes this has happened to us) obviously don't like him spook & pratt about but much better to be allowed to be nosy when out & focus when schooling :)
 
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