tobiano1984
Well-Known Member
I posted about this a couple of months ago, and just wanted to update and see if anyone has any other ideas! I got this lovely 148cm 8 year old jumper from a horrible dealer who was giving him away as a lost cause. He'd been jumping 1.20m+ and had 'overcooked' they said he was broncing and being a pain (all they did was jump him). He hasn't bucked once since I've had him, had his back checked and he had a month or so off in the field, and since January has been hacking a couple of times a week and schooling once or twice a week.
He's a funny little bug - quite highly strung (not sure of breeding, but looks like native x TB), but very light to handle both on the ground and in the saddle. He's not strong or nasty at all.
Out hacking he's a star - very bombproof, walks out now, started lengthening/relaxing in trot, really enjoys it. He's even popped over a log and didn't get at all excited. In canter he's a bit weird - even with a couple of other horses going in a fast canter, he just bounces along in a SJ canter, even if you give all the reins and put the leg on, he keeps rocking along - doesn't look like he's uncomfortable, almost that he doesn't really understand that he can lengthen and stretch out.
In the school, he hasn't seen a jump since we got him, and has mostly been walking with a bit of trotting. Now in walk he's striding out better, coming into an outline - doesn't want to stretch down much though. In trot he sometimes does a reasonable trot, but usually with head in the air, and then will sometimes hop and try and break into canter. He doesn't try and go fast. Then when you go back to walk he hops and skips like he wants to do an acute transition into canter.
He is not strong at all, currently in a loose ring double joint snaffle with sweet iron and copper ring rollers in the middle. When he's doing his hopping and bouncing he doesn't pull at all, in fact comes off the bit completely.
He's got superb paces when he relaxes, so would love to reschool for dressage and showing as he would excel if he can calm down a bit..!
I wondered about riding him bitless (in a Dually or similar) to see if that makes a difference, and then try riding bareback (but with a bridle in) and rule out any hang ups with his mouth or saddling. He was ridden very harshly in his previous home (I've seen video) by a man so wouldn't surprise me if he's been yanked around.
Any pointers/experiences? Am interested in any ideas including Western training methods - a friend suggested rollbacks to slow him down.
He's a funny little bug - quite highly strung (not sure of breeding, but looks like native x TB), but very light to handle both on the ground and in the saddle. He's not strong or nasty at all.
Out hacking he's a star - very bombproof, walks out now, started lengthening/relaxing in trot, really enjoys it. He's even popped over a log and didn't get at all excited. In canter he's a bit weird - even with a couple of other horses going in a fast canter, he just bounces along in a SJ canter, even if you give all the reins and put the leg on, he keeps rocking along - doesn't look like he's uncomfortable, almost that he doesn't really understand that he can lengthen and stretch out.
In the school, he hasn't seen a jump since we got him, and has mostly been walking with a bit of trotting. Now in walk he's striding out better, coming into an outline - doesn't want to stretch down much though. In trot he sometimes does a reasonable trot, but usually with head in the air, and then will sometimes hop and try and break into canter. He doesn't try and go fast. Then when you go back to walk he hops and skips like he wants to do an acute transition into canter.
He is not strong at all, currently in a loose ring double joint snaffle with sweet iron and copper ring rollers in the middle. When he's doing his hopping and bouncing he doesn't pull at all, in fact comes off the bit completely.
He's got superb paces when he relaxes, so would love to reschool for dressage and showing as he would excel if he can calm down a bit..!
I wondered about riding him bitless (in a Dually or similar) to see if that makes a difference, and then try riding bareback (but with a bridle in) and rule out any hang ups with his mouth or saddling. He was ridden very harshly in his previous home (I've seen video) by a man so wouldn't surprise me if he's been yanked around.
Any pointers/experiences? Am interested in any ideas including Western training methods - a friend suggested rollbacks to slow him down.
