Now I'm panicking

edgedem

edgedem

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Took dolly for her first ever lesson on Sunday, was exhausted and it was an hour battle to stop her napping towards the gate. Instructor agrees lots of work to do but she learned really quick.

My issue is she also said she is more Like 3/4 than 5/6.. Oh god. No wonder she is struggling. I don't know what to do I don't think I'm a good enough rider for a horse that young, even though RI said I did great I'm so worried ill damage her for life.

We are having MAJOR steering / leg pressure issues as well as napping :( which is understandable.

Wwud? Stop riding? Sell? Send her off for training?
i wasn't prepared for this!
 
ive been in your situation only difference is i couldnt afford lessons :( my friend bought me some for my birthday and i got lots of books i stuck with it and i had the best 1st pony ever but i sadly out grew her :(. Are you prepared to put the hard work in, to take 3 steps forward and 4 back? if so id stick with it as the reward WILL pay off :) x
 
She has already put me in A&E an it's been 6 months of hard work with long reining and in hand and things. It's just such a shock! Are 3 yr old loads different to 5? Should she even be broken!

Just hope I get my act together and she puts up with me! She's such a lovely little thing, good news is she may grow now as she's younger, whoop !!
 
My lad was 4 when I got him and felt the same as you!! I even had days when I got off and stompped back home as I didn't see a way through, if you can afford your lesson every week then stick with your horse. My RI is fab and I would never have gotten as far with mine without her :)

I have a lesson once a week and hack every other day the week, untill I got a better understanding of how to deal with a youngster I would just go along at his pace. Take it slowly and if you have a bad day, then giving yourself and your horse a day off to think about it will not hurt.

Mines 7 year old now and I have a better understanding of him and I think it's because I've had him from being 4 :)

It is hard work but so very good when you do get through a problem and they just click one day.

Good luck :)
 
Get the vet out to confirm her age as best they can and if she is 3-4 why not consider turning her away until Spring/Summer while you get your head into gear, do some reading and researching, find somewhere you can watch a youngster being backed, perhaps have some lessons to build your confidence.

Not quite sure of your current experience so some or all of the above may not be applicable. If it were me and she were not yet four I would turn her away until the Summer and then send her for backing/bringing on.
 
Crikey. Would definitely get age confirmed. My new pony is 4 years and 4 months. I was going to be sensible and not get a youngster but I fell in love. We are taking it slowly and doing in hand and long reining and a little bare back riding as I am currently awaiting his made to measure saddle (ouch). I will have a fortnightly lesson as soon as I am riding and have my grown up daughter to help. If things get too sticky I will not hesitate to get someone in. I intend my boy to see me through to retirement!

I am in no hurry with my boy so am prepared to take my time - what you decide to do depends on what you want. If you want to be out there 'doing 'it all' next summer then perhaps sell. If not you can join me in 'learning to steer and move off the leg remedial group'!!
 
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Have you had her teeth checked? If so, they should have told you how old she is.

I assume your instructor means in relation to how far advanced her learning is. I have a 6 yo but have been told she needs to be though of as a 4yo in terms of her training.

How did she put you in A&E??
 
Don't panic


I am sure everything can be work through. My coloured cob was 6 when I got on her as she had had a foal etc. I did send her away to an expert and then rode and schooled her. An experts opinion never hurts.
 
Thanks for all the replys. Magic I'm in no rush and I adore her, she is such a kind horsey, so ill happily join your " learning to steer and move off the leg remedial group" haha

Instructor looked at her and 'hmmmed' for a while before saying "what age do you think she is?" And I said Erm her weird hand written passport says 5?' And she said she's too bum high, and out of proportion to be 5! quickly looked at her teeth ( she's not great with teeth) and said she thinks she's a lot younger! Teeth r in for checking in next week or 2. Vet looked 5 months ago and didn't disagree with age ??

I don't mind the hard work! It's already been it so far, I'm just scared she won't learn cus I'm not used to young horses she bucked me off on our second hack, and that was with my mum walking never found out why just went crazy! Could have purely been excitement! It was the best thing when I could walk again I was nothing but determined to sort both of us out! And I was weirdly more confident after I'd fallen once!

im not ashamed to admit my experience is little to none! First horse, lessons for about a year! But my ambitions are not either, want a little hack around the country side with a best friend! Want to steer we away from trees and cars and have a little trott maybe canter on the beach. That's it, if she makes it to that stage we may try a little jumping! She's got a home for life now, she was a gypsy rescue so I can't put her elsewhere now she's happy here.

Where could I send her if I wanted? How much do you think it will be? I wouldn't mind an intense 2 weeks of lunge and stewing training in winter, then she can have a break til summer
 
I have had exactly the same as you! My little lady had her teeth done a few weeks ago and the dentist said she closer to 3 rather than 4 rising 5 which was what I thought she was. I have just cone to terms with it as I was never intending on getting a horse so young buy met her by chanceand fell in love.
I know the feeling of not wanting to ruin them haha as everything they now do is down to you! I have had severe napping problems in the school and her completely ignoring my leg!!! But this week we had a break through! We only do 2 20mins schooling sessions and 3 hour long hacks a week. And on both of our sessions this week and she didn't try to nap once! It has taken weeks of trying with this more than once I have sat on her back and cried while begging her to do just one circle without spinning towards the gate. But the best tactic I found is to laugh her when does it. I allow her wall backwards for as long as she likes but she is not allowed to spin at the gate she soon works out forwards is easier and as soon as we complete our very easy goal for that session she gets polos a massive cuddle and we finish. I just remember one thing she is a baby she has no clue what I am asking of her so I have to physically show her she also has no work ethic so sessions have to be short and sweet! Also more hacking than schooling it's much better for getting them fit and they enjoy it more! Also groundwork and grooming so you are building the bond. Because a few years down the line you will know each other inside and out which will be amazing! Definitely stick with your lessons and as soon as you have solved the napping give her some time off even if it's just a couple of weeks or you just hack for a month. Most of all enjoy her :)
 
Omg I thought I was so alone! It's so good to hear the success stories, every little bit is a celebration isn't it? She picked u all 4 hooves without trying to kick me yesterday and I took and step back and thought... WHOA! Things may actually work out! Then just started these lessons which have been impossible to find an non horsey OH said he saw a great improvement by the end and would definitely pay or us (bless him and his higher income!!) I like hacking most and FB riding buddies found me someone to hack with near me so maybe that will help and she does like it, (she eats loads though) maybe it will be ok, and ill only have myself to blame!
 
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