Millertime
New User
I have a 4yr ex racer (7 races as a 2yr old) mare, rebacked after lots of ground work and long lining.
On the lines if distracted by horses coming/out, should would stand on her back legs - vertical. Great display of balance, perfectly straight but not what you need to see your youngster doing. This put me off taking her in the school, 'cause i couldn't control the external environment and on the lines it always pushed her over the edge.
We progressed to lining around the block, she was fine, never went up - even if horse cantered in paddocks along side her, she was great. I got on board, got lead around the block and we'd been hacking out for a couple of months in company. All pretty uneventful, with one exception, on a particularly gusty day she was full of energy and couldn't contain herself so went straight up. But that was it, didn't happen again that day or since out hacking.
Richard Maxwell came out to make sure we were on the right track with ground work, and that gave me the confidence to start taking her in the school. I try to avoid too many repetitive circles, lots of changes of direction, pace etc. This plan was working. i only go in the school twice a week maximum, riding her out hacking twice a week too.
About 4 weeks ago, she stood up on her back legs as i bought her in from the paddock - something else was running around. That week the physio notice she was tight behind her saddle and as she was always a little grumpy around her seasons, after a conversation with the vet we put her on Regumate as a trail. She seemed much happier.
Today in the school, after 5 mins, a fair amount was happening outside the school and she was tense and a little joggy. I had quite a long contact at the time (we were warming up after all!) but was asking her to go forward as I could feel she was backing off my leg, and she went up - I had zero notice, she is lightening fast. It was another vertical move, my instructor who was with me, said she thought she was going to go over - luckily for me she didn't. i fell off the back and she came down narrowly missing me.
Her back is fine (physio last thursday 'never seen her looking so good'), teeth checked pre-rebacking - 3 months ago, saddle (new one arriving next week - but the temporary one we are using has been checked by the saddler and she appears comfortable with).
I'm not a 'professional' rider, I've never had a TB or Ex racer before, but I'm at a very supportive yard and not afraid to get support when needed - particularly with the long lining. I'm told I ride her confidently (she's normally a really bold little mare), which is why I've not had ridden help up to now, but not sure where to go next with this. She's not 'nappy' in ANY other way but this is napping isn't it? She doesn't want to do something - the schoolwork, so sticks her two front hooves in the air.
Avoiding the school surely isn't the answer, but how do I get her to enjoy it? As i've said, I go out of my way to ensure it's not repetitive (which admittedly the long lining may have been) and the sessions now are never more than 25mins.
Should I get a professional involved (I've only ridden her post-rebacking)? Will they spot the build up to a rear quicker than me, and therefore be able to nip this in the bud?
I'm clearly worried she's discovered a way to get out of work, and this time at least it paid off.
Will the lessons a professional teaches her, transfer to me under saddle?
She's a lovely little person, she deserves the right start - so, what should the near future hold for her?
On the lines if distracted by horses coming/out, should would stand on her back legs - vertical. Great display of balance, perfectly straight but not what you need to see your youngster doing. This put me off taking her in the school, 'cause i couldn't control the external environment and on the lines it always pushed her over the edge.
We progressed to lining around the block, she was fine, never went up - even if horse cantered in paddocks along side her, she was great. I got on board, got lead around the block and we'd been hacking out for a couple of months in company. All pretty uneventful, with one exception, on a particularly gusty day she was full of energy and couldn't contain herself so went straight up. But that was it, didn't happen again that day or since out hacking.
Richard Maxwell came out to make sure we were on the right track with ground work, and that gave me the confidence to start taking her in the school. I try to avoid too many repetitive circles, lots of changes of direction, pace etc. This plan was working. i only go in the school twice a week maximum, riding her out hacking twice a week too.
About 4 weeks ago, she stood up on her back legs as i bought her in from the paddock - something else was running around. That week the physio notice she was tight behind her saddle and as she was always a little grumpy around her seasons, after a conversation with the vet we put her on Regumate as a trail. She seemed much happier.
Today in the school, after 5 mins, a fair amount was happening outside the school and she was tense and a little joggy. I had quite a long contact at the time (we were warming up after all!) but was asking her to go forward as I could feel she was backing off my leg, and she went up - I had zero notice, she is lightening fast. It was another vertical move, my instructor who was with me, said she thought she was going to go over - luckily for me she didn't. i fell off the back and she came down narrowly missing me.
Her back is fine (physio last thursday 'never seen her looking so good'), teeth checked pre-rebacking - 3 months ago, saddle (new one arriving next week - but the temporary one we are using has been checked by the saddler and she appears comfortable with).
I'm not a 'professional' rider, I've never had a TB or Ex racer before, but I'm at a very supportive yard and not afraid to get support when needed - particularly with the long lining. I'm told I ride her confidently (she's normally a really bold little mare), which is why I've not had ridden help up to now, but not sure where to go next with this. She's not 'nappy' in ANY other way but this is napping isn't it? She doesn't want to do something - the schoolwork, so sticks her two front hooves in the air.
Avoiding the school surely isn't the answer, but how do I get her to enjoy it? As i've said, I go out of my way to ensure it's not repetitive (which admittedly the long lining may have been) and the sessions now are never more than 25mins.
Should I get a professional involved (I've only ridden her post-rebacking)? Will they spot the build up to a rear quicker than me, and therefore be able to nip this in the bud?
I'm clearly worried she's discovered a way to get out of work, and this time at least it paid off.
Will the lessons a professional teaches her, transfer to me under saddle?
She's a lovely little person, she deserves the right start - so, what should the near future hold for her?
