Potential problem or just being a baby?

elsielouise

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hi

My 4 year old has done very little and this winter so far even less. She get hacked once or twice a week, a school/play in the field and lunged once or twice.

This is mostly being done by my 'groom' and OH and although both are competent they are not experienced with youngsters.

Today we played in the school a bit and then I wanted to school my competition mare as she was being a twit so suggested my groom hacked round the farm for 15 mins then came back.

She came back after about 10 mins and said the 4 yr old had reared with her. She didn't seem phased so I sent her off again just round the yard, told her not to go far and then we'd both hack out.

I watcher her ride off and she was very reluctant to leave my mare but went slowly. On her way back either something spooked her (lots of machinary on yard) or she was rushing to get back cos she could see us but she reared about 2 feet then plunged forward. Quite dramatic looking.

i saw her do it and couldn't tell if it was a spook or tantrum at not being allowed to run back to me and my mare.

I didn't want my groom having an accident so got on myself and she wasn't moving off the leg at all. I borrowed a stick, sent her on with a couple of thwacks and she walked away and round the yard absolutely fine.

do you think this is typical baby? Should I stop letting other people ride her? If I do this she will only get worked at weekends until it's light at night.

She's only a little cob and I really think it's because my groom isn't firm enough with her but have told her what to do and am able to jump on at weekends and boss her about a bit.

is it better for her to do less but just have me on her or let less experienced people ride?

Wish someone in Kent with experience at babies wanted free ridng on a nice but nothing special cob.....<sigh>
 
Turn her away until you can work her more consistantly. Sounds like baby behaviour at the mo, but will turn into something worse if she starts to get away with it.
 
Do you think so? Had thought anything was better than nothing really. Not sure now.

I did wonder about only hacking out in company and letting someone ride her then as she is absolutely fine following me on my mare.
 
I think I would be inclined to agree with katB tbh and turning her away until you have more time to work her consistantly. It sounds like she is being nappy, so I would probably be reluctant to ONLY hack her with something else, as this will more than likely make the napping worse as she will become dependant on following another horse.
I think it sounds like baby behaviour for sure (hitting the rebellious stage no doubt!) but its not something you really want any horse to be doing with any rider.

[ QUOTE ]
Do you think so? Had thought anything was better than nothing really. Not sure now.


[/ QUOTE ] - All depends on the individual horse, but if she isnt doing any work, shes not getting into bad habits like rearing would be my thoughts!!

Just my opinion, good luck with her!
 
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