Need help with 're schooling' reasons for doing it and how..any comments wanted!

[QueenDee_]

Having gotten fed up of my 15.2hh Connemara going consistently lame, and pretty much having the vet out every month for a different lameness when though we wrap him up in cotton wool i've decided its time...to take on the Thoroughbred

14 years, 15.3hh bay moody, temperamental and stroppy mare. Her withers slope down so its damn hard work to bring her up and get her to work her behind in schooling...but she is pretty

Shes a typical thoroughbred. Tries to run into canter no matter how clear and sharp your aids, locks her jaw and holds her head as high as she can and pretends she has a broom pole taped to her spine thus makes you work your arse off to get the slightest bit of bend out of her.

Primarily planning on hunting her (i'll be needing my velcro jods for sure!) but of course and schooling helps.

Wondering that I can do, is there point in going completely back to basics? And starting her off on a clean slate, or try and work from where we are at?

And exercises, comments, even ground work that can help, ie to make her less of a moody pushy mare- she's basically just been hacked out one or two times a week for the past 7 years...


-Elena.

 

[*hic*]

I'm sure this won't be popular on here but with an old "lady" who's got fixed opinions and who you are intending to hunt I think I'd work on making her pleasant to handle on the ground and getting basic "Walk when I tell you", "Trot when I feel like it" and "Canter when I say so" commands instilled into her than anything dramatic.

 

[LaurenM]

My mares is similar to yours. I've just worked on long & low, side reins, trotting poles, canter poles & hill work. I also changed from a jointed snaffle to French link snaffle. We're getting there slowly

 

[jennyf]

Being a TTEAM Practitioner, I'd try to do some ground/leading exercises to begin with. This would help to get her balanced, and listening to some aids on the ground before you try some mounted work.

 

[Tnavas]

Definately need to go back to basics - your horse needs to develop, forward with rhythm, understand contact and what your legs are for. Most TB's with good basic schooling are well behaved equines.

This boy totally matches your description - was a lean, hollow stiff argumentative TB when I got him - the picture below is a year later with a 12yr old pupil on him following patient schooling - he was one of my best school horses I've ever had.

 

[gina2201]

Transitions, circles, decreasing circles but try to use your legs over hands as this may well make her more fixed in the jaw, if you use your legs, the idea is she will eventually soften her mouth and actually work through from behind. Basic groundwork, polework also good, let her do lots of stretching over poles in all paces umm, been a while can't rack my brain right now!

 

[Mimi2610]

Draw reins? She might understand what you are asking of her without putting up a fight. Start of slowly with them loose incase they upset her and then gradually put a bit of pressure on them. Most horses need only the lightest of touches on them. I'm not suggesting you use force and haul her neck in! Transitions and lateral work will work wonders.

 

[QueenDee_]

Hmm thanks for the comments...I think step one would be to start lessons again because my instructor really helped me and gave me exercises to do at home, one of the downfalls is I do not have a school, so all schooling has to be done in the back field, sometimes with horses galloping along the fence the other side, so not the ideal place!

-Elena