kyanya
Well-Known Member
I've started sharing a new horse - just doing it one weekday eve at the moment, whilst my old share is still at the same yard. Just for a bit of background: this new mare is used to being schooled in a manege, but she isn't used to being ridden in the evenings. I'd ridden the week before in the evening, it was already dark when I rode but the owner walked on foot with us to the school and the lights were on as someone else was already in there. She went into the school with no problems and was a bit spooky in the school, but nothing to write home about.
Last Thursday evening was the first time I'd ridden this new horse on my own.I got on at the mounting block, walked down to the manege (round a corner from the yard) and the horse got more hestitant the closer she got to the school. I kept asking her to move forward with my legs and voice, she'd take a couple of steps forward, but if I kept asking, she'd then start to go backwards.
I tried to ask her to go a few steps forward at a time, then just let her stand for bit to try and get her to settle (she's quite a spooky girl) and then I'd again ask her for a few steps. This got us close to the manege gate (which was open), but then she went backwards when we were too close to it.
My next tact was to keep asking her, legs and voice, and if she didn't go forwards from that, then a tap behind my leg with my schooling whip. This kept us going forward towards the gate, although she obviously wasn't relaxed about it, and she stepped through the gate, then span around and careered up the yard until I stopped her far enough away from the school.
At this point, I walked her round on the yard outside the school, so not letting her get completely away from the school (which was dark at this point as dusk had settled since I'd been trying to get in the school, and I hadn't been able to turn the lights on as the switch is in the school) but trying to get her to calm down - she was blowing and really wound up.
After she'd calmed down a little, I got off and led her into the school - she was in a bit of a state, but she was good and did as I said. She had to go into the dark corner with me so I could flick the lights on - she wasn't very impressed, but didn't pull away from me. I walked her round in the school to try and get her to settle, but she was still on edge, and wouldn't stand quite still enough for me to get on. I then took her back to the mounting block, got back on and, with the help of someone leading her through the gate of the school, I got a short schooling session out of her but she never really settled and I couldn't get her to work in a regular rhythm.
I txt the owner to let her know that I'd had problems getting the mare in the school because she'd asked me to let her know how I got on, but I've still not heard back from her. I find it hard to believe she hasn't had the same sort of experience with this mare, as she's owned her for most of her life (the mare's just old enough to do veteran I think, so is that 15?). I'd love to know how she'd tackle the issue, but I can't force her to tell me, so how would you tackle this next time you rode? I'm not sure I went about it the right way, I've never had a horse tell me it's not going in the school before!!
Last Thursday evening was the first time I'd ridden this new horse on my own.I got on at the mounting block, walked down to the manege (round a corner from the yard) and the horse got more hestitant the closer she got to the school. I kept asking her to move forward with my legs and voice, she'd take a couple of steps forward, but if I kept asking, she'd then start to go backwards.
I tried to ask her to go a few steps forward at a time, then just let her stand for bit to try and get her to settle (she's quite a spooky girl) and then I'd again ask her for a few steps. This got us close to the manege gate (which was open), but then she went backwards when we were too close to it.
My next tact was to keep asking her, legs and voice, and if she didn't go forwards from that, then a tap behind my leg with my schooling whip. This kept us going forward towards the gate, although she obviously wasn't relaxed about it, and she stepped through the gate, then span around and careered up the yard until I stopped her far enough away from the school.
At this point, I walked her round on the yard outside the school, so not letting her get completely away from the school (which was dark at this point as dusk had settled since I'd been trying to get in the school, and I hadn't been able to turn the lights on as the switch is in the school) but trying to get her to calm down - she was blowing and really wound up.
After she'd calmed down a little, I got off and led her into the school - she was in a bit of a state, but she was good and did as I said. She had to go into the dark corner with me so I could flick the lights on - she wasn't very impressed, but didn't pull away from me. I walked her round in the school to try and get her to settle, but she was still on edge, and wouldn't stand quite still enough for me to get on. I then took her back to the mounting block, got back on and, with the help of someone leading her through the gate of the school, I got a short schooling session out of her but she never really settled and I couldn't get her to work in a regular rhythm.
I txt the owner to let her know that I'd had problems getting the mare in the school because she'd asked me to let her know how I got on, but I've still not heard back from her. I find it hard to believe she hasn't had the same sort of experience with this mare, as she's owned her for most of her life (the mare's just old enough to do veteran I think, so is that 15?). I'd love to know how she'd tackle the issue, but I can't force her to tell me, so how would you tackle this next time you rode? I'm not sure I went about it the right way, I've never had a horse tell me it's not going in the school before!!
good luck