Merricked
Member
Hello!
Okay, so I've recently (around two weeks ago) gotten my first horse - or pony, should I say - which I am absolutely thrilled about because it's all I've wanted ever since I can remember. His name is Merrick, he's five years old. He's lovely to handle, always wants cuddles and company. He's in a field with two other horses and gets on really well. Overall I couldn't ask for a better pony temperament-wise.
I've been getting him into the routine of going down the yard in the morning, poo-picking his field, bring him in and ride him. Then I'd put him back in his field and go home. In the evening I go down the yard, bring him in for his dinner and as we haven't got a stable yet, put him back out in the field.
Now, for around a week I was riding him bareback - just in walk and trot - because the saddle he was previously using didn't fit him properly and slipped a lot. Around four days ago he had a saddle properly fitted. However, now he's really mucking me around when I ride him with the saddle on, as if he's not used to being ridden in one. He's fine to tack up, lead etc. But whenever I ride him he's a totally different pony. He side steps, walks backwards, plants his feet and refuses to move. Whenever I can actually get him into a trot, he shakes his head as if he's trying to snatch the reins from my hands.
I rode him bareback again today and he was absolutely fine. Then I put the saddle on him and he started acting up again. I've been looking at the Barefoot Treeless Saddles as they claim to be more comfortable for both the horse and rider but I'm still not sure.
Any suggestions welcome, I'm new to all this and I just want him to be comfortable and enjoy being ridden..
Thank you in advance!
Terri
Okay, so I've recently (around two weeks ago) gotten my first horse - or pony, should I say - which I am absolutely thrilled about because it's all I've wanted ever since I can remember. His name is Merrick, he's five years old. He's lovely to handle, always wants cuddles and company. He's in a field with two other horses and gets on really well. Overall I couldn't ask for a better pony temperament-wise.
I've been getting him into the routine of going down the yard in the morning, poo-picking his field, bring him in and ride him. Then I'd put him back in his field and go home. In the evening I go down the yard, bring him in for his dinner and as we haven't got a stable yet, put him back out in the field.
Now, for around a week I was riding him bareback - just in walk and trot - because the saddle he was previously using didn't fit him properly and slipped a lot. Around four days ago he had a saddle properly fitted. However, now he's really mucking me around when I ride him with the saddle on, as if he's not used to being ridden in one. He's fine to tack up, lead etc. But whenever I ride him he's a totally different pony. He side steps, walks backwards, plants his feet and refuses to move. Whenever I can actually get him into a trot, he shakes his head as if he's trying to snatch the reins from my hands.
I rode him bareback again today and he was absolutely fine. Then I put the saddle on him and he started acting up again. I've been looking at the Barefoot Treeless Saddles as they claim to be more comfortable for both the horse and rider but I'm still not sure.
Any suggestions welcome, I'm new to all this and I just want him to be comfortable and enjoy being ridden..
Thank you in advance!
Terri
hope you get it sorted