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Rupert-the-bear

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Hi All!

Just wondering what you'd do in my situation. Am meant to be taking my little NF gelding express eventing on sunday however he's been a bit of a pain for the last few days. He is normally very well behaved but does ocassionally have 'temper tantrums' where he starts bucking, going backwards, spinning and doing mini rears. A lot of leg, a few sharp smacks and a growl is usually all it takes to get him to walk on again after and he is usually fine after. He has been worse in the last week or so but I think this is because he hasn't been hacked due to a loose shoe that, although have farrier coming end of the week for a new set!

So my issue is....Should I take him on sunday? Its only a 1'6 course and walk-trot dressage at a small local venue(He is still very green so don't want to push it any higher)

Personally I think I should take him for a bit of experience, and if he starts to play up dramaticly just retire. My mother however thinks that I will make a fool of myself and its not a good idea.

What would you do?
Any idea's on how to convince my mother he will be ok?

Just to add- I've shown him all summer going to various events and he has been impecable behaved each time.



Well done if you made it though all my rambling and large cuppa tea for those that reply :-)
 
I think you should try it- what have you really go to loose?
Yes things could go wrong and you could end up a bit embarrased, but who cares what others think? if its going to benefit your boy in the long run just hold your head high and ignore the snide comments (if he does play up) becayse who are they to judge. You'll always get people that try and put you down at these events- the way i think of it is there jealous of your gorgous pony :p
As you say you've shown him all summer- so nothing new to him. I took our 5yr old to her first xc comp last weekend, and she'd never even seen a xc fence in her life and she still managed to get a clear one round and one refusal on the second, and everyone was telling me how much of a bad idea it was and how it would be a disaster and how i'd make a fool of myself, and yes i am a bit of a worrier but im so glad i went, and so proud of little pony!
So i'd go if i was you, thinking positively though ;) its all experience, and like you said if it goes wrong you can retire.
 
Thank-you penny3, my thoughts exactly! Nice to hear that you have had a good experience in a similar situation :)

nikicb- this was my initial reaction too! Saddler has been out, vet checked him, had back checked and teeth and he's all ok. He would have tantrums ocassionally before but I think he started more as he hadn't done it for ages then when he suddenly did it again I wasnt quite sure how to handle it, so now is just taking the mick, however now i've figured out the buttons again I have control :D
 
Must be something in the air as the forester I ride has been exactly the same recently!

I'm entered for Munstead BE90 on Saturday, have been umming and ahhing about it all week since he was feeling very backwards and naughty at West Wilts. I think part of it is that he's really starting to grow his winter coat now which seems to have knocked his energy levels a little and he was probably feeling rather hot. Hot and tired Asbo pony usually equals a naughty, nappy one so I have clipped him and given him a slightly higher engery feed. Today he managed to spectacularly run off with me out hacking after some forest ponies so I pretty sure he's feeling much better for it!

I would take your lad along anyway and just take each bit as it comes. At least if its a little local you could ask at the end to school him round if he's really awful.
 
Clipping and feed...shall try that! Thank-you :) Have just noticed the class we're in you're allowed to be on the lead rein, so if we get there and he's a right royal pain I could always look really stupid and be led around LOL :D
 
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