metalmare
Well-Known Member
Hi,
I schooled kes on Tuesday, for the first time in a grass paddock (there is no school where I have him now).
He was very tense and had three rodeo sessions, dashing off, bucking and bunny rearing. We ended on a good note with a relaxed trot, but i wasn't best impressed.
Naturally my mind was busy wondering why: I suspected that it was because it was a new location, but couldn't rule out back, tack, teeth, too much grass, etc.
I decided we had to start like a four year old and have a few weeks of calm walking and trotting before retrying canter.
Wednesday we had 10 mins calmly walking around the paddock, after some initial tension, then lots of praise and finished work.
Today I decided I would walk and trot and was expecting theatrics once we moved into trot, but he was an absolute dream, working long and low, light in the hand, on the bit, not jumping forward although my leg was on. He was so good I decided to try for a little half circle of canter and that was the best and most balanced he's ever given me. So we ended on a good note!
This leads me to think, as it was his third venture into the paddock and there was a marked improvement, that it was probably excitement at being schooled in a field.
I wonder whether others agree with this? I am planning to have his tack and teeth checked soon anyhow, but to me it now seems less urgent. He regularly hacks without issue.
I schooled kes on Tuesday, for the first time in a grass paddock (there is no school where I have him now).
He was very tense and had three rodeo sessions, dashing off, bucking and bunny rearing. We ended on a good note with a relaxed trot, but i wasn't best impressed.
Naturally my mind was busy wondering why: I suspected that it was because it was a new location, but couldn't rule out back, tack, teeth, too much grass, etc.
I decided we had to start like a four year old and have a few weeks of calm walking and trotting before retrying canter.
Wednesday we had 10 mins calmly walking around the paddock, after some initial tension, then lots of praise and finished work.
Today I decided I would walk and trot and was expecting theatrics once we moved into trot, but he was an absolute dream, working long and low, light in the hand, on the bit, not jumping forward although my leg was on. He was so good I decided to try for a little half circle of canter and that was the best and most balanced he's ever given me. So we ended on a good note!
This leads me to think, as it was his third venture into the paddock and there was a marked improvement, that it was probably excitement at being schooled in a field.
I wonder whether others agree with this? I am planning to have his tack and teeth checked soon anyhow, but to me it now seems less urgent. He regularly hacks without issue.