amycamycamyc
Well-Known Member
Had a terrible weekend with my new horse this weekend. On saturday morning I took him for a hack in company with one other, just intending to walk and trot. The other rider wanted to canter so we split and I walked Ferdie up the side of the field (outside on a track) while she cantered in the field (away from us). He was good as gold, stayed calmly walking and at the top of the track i decided to turn him into the field to meet back up with the other horse who was then walking, and about 20yards away. Anyway he took two steps into the field at walk, and then BANG, something blew his brains and he span, bucked, i flew off and he galloped off across the field flybucking all the way. Luckily he stopped at the open gate and then stood there calmly eating grass. Got back on, and made him walk around the whole field with four other horses with us to settle him. got back safely...
Then today I took him in the school, literally got one foot in the stirrup and off he went again, bronking and bucking flying around, managed to sit to it this time and then i just kicked him on...literally we must have done 50 laps of the school at canter/gallop, took AGES to tire him out. When i eventually let him come back to trot/walk he was more settled and I jumped him over a few cross poles, but he was really rushing and not listening, and putting the odd buck in for good measure as well. We managed to end on a good note - with him calmly approaching in trot (and virtually no contact - he seemed to panic and rush when i touched his mouth).
Anyway, its just SO frustrating as he'd been such a good boy for the last few weeks - i'd started hacking out on our own, he's been very bold and chilled. And I'd just started trusting him enough where I wasn't lungeing before riding to get the freshness out.
So, basically, help(!!). What do I do now?!
He has had back and saddle checked, and he's on just a double handful of chaff, half scoop of speedibeet and carrots twice a day. ad lib hay. Turned out for about 6 hours a day, 5 times a week - but not much to eat in the field he is in
What i really don't understand is what has changed between last weekend and this?!
Is he just testing me?
is he just too fit? he gets ridden 5-6times a week, but not particularly hard (except for today obviously!).
Should i only ride on days when he's been turned out so he'll be more tired(?) or is that a silly idea because then on the days he's in he will be getting no exercise?
I was lucky today that his bucking was all in a straight line so i stayed on, but i know i will be nervous getting on him again this week which won't help.
argh!
Then today I took him in the school, literally got one foot in the stirrup and off he went again, bronking and bucking flying around, managed to sit to it this time and then i just kicked him on...literally we must have done 50 laps of the school at canter/gallop, took AGES to tire him out. When i eventually let him come back to trot/walk he was more settled and I jumped him over a few cross poles, but he was really rushing and not listening, and putting the odd buck in for good measure as well. We managed to end on a good note - with him calmly approaching in trot (and virtually no contact - he seemed to panic and rush when i touched his mouth).
Anyway, its just SO frustrating as he'd been such a good boy for the last few weeks - i'd started hacking out on our own, he's been very bold and chilled. And I'd just started trusting him enough where I wasn't lungeing before riding to get the freshness out.
So, basically, help(!!). What do I do now?!
He has had back and saddle checked, and he's on just a double handful of chaff, half scoop of speedibeet and carrots twice a day. ad lib hay. Turned out for about 6 hours a day, 5 times a week - but not much to eat in the field he is in
What i really don't understand is what has changed between last weekend and this?!
Is he just testing me?
is he just too fit? he gets ridden 5-6times a week, but not particularly hard (except for today obviously!).
Should i only ride on days when he's been turned out so he'll be more tired(?) or is that a silly idea because then on the days he's in he will be getting no exercise?
I was lucky today that his bucking was all in a straight line so i stayed on, but i know i will be nervous getting on him again this week which won't help.
argh!
