Riding has became a chore

Mrs C

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I Koko. I've no specific advise for you but wanted to say big hugs. Don't feel bad for having a down day. Just see tomorrow as another day. I know from your previous posts what a great bond you had with koko but also seen how far you've come with andy so please don't feel disheartened x
 

Starbucks

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Haven't read the whole thing K but you do seem to love the doom and gloom, everyone please feel sorry for me approach!

If you wanted an easy horse why did you buy him? You'll be good, just stick at it. You ride him well so I'm sure it will come together in the end but he may always be spooky and buck, something you might just have to put up with or get rid if you can't.
 

Kokopelli

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I didn't intend this to get sympathy I wanted advice on what could be causing it and possible ways to get my enthusiasm back.

When I bought him it was from a field didn't really know what we were buying except the fact he had one hell of a jump and pretty good conformation so would eventually do a good dressage test.

I wish I had the excuse he was a baby! :p Maybe he is going through a mid-life crisis? :)
 

Deemoo

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Gosh! This is so sad you sound really deflated :(

Try not to give in when it all seams stacked up! Take a step back and breathe.
How about a change? May be a beach blast or something?

I hope you get your mojo back!!!
 

SpruceRI

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It's all good and well for someone else to get on him and he behaves for them but I will never ride the same as them, very few people ride the same. The moment I get back on him it will be the same thing so surely the best route is for me to learn how to ride him rather than watch someone else which in all honesty will make my low self esteem even lower.

I havn't got any competitions lined up until July so I have no problem turning him away for a little while.

I think really I just need a kick up the arse and told to get on with it. :p

Actually, getting another person to ride your horse might be a good thing as the horse might be used to a particular style of riding, whether that be someone a bit pushy, passive or ultra confident whatever, and currently, you're not riding him in the manner to which he's used.

Finding the 'key' to your horses' preferred way of being ridden might be the answer, and that might mean someone else riding him for a bit, who is confident and knowledgeable, and then training you to ride your horse the same way.

What about your current trainer? Do they actually get on your horse??

Take a break from riding if you feel this way. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that :eek:)
 

Kokopelli

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We took him to the beach a couple of weeks ago, he loved it but was very wired up so don't think it has helped.

Well I think his past riders never pushed him to work apart from fittening work and jumping. I don't think he's ever been asked to do dressage properlly for a long time and I think he's just fed up because he isn't allowed to go fast/ jump. My instructor gave a great analogy of it but it isn't really PC.

No my trainer doesn't get on him as he is small with very little bone he needs a light rider, not sure they would ride him anyway, even if they could.
 

Honey08

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You always come across as busy busy busy - exams aside, you are always posting lesson reports, competition reports, thinking about B tests etc. I would think that you both don't get much down time". Andy must be very fit by now too. My horse is a speed junkie type, that will do the jogging thing, and its always worse when she is event fit.

What is the hacking like round you? Could you box him up to somewhere totally rural and just hack and hack somewhere stress free?

I'd be inclined to ditch the competitions and B test plans for a while, and give yourselves a few days off each week. It does seem as though you've thrown a lot of work at him since the moment he arrived. Perhaps let him down a bit again? Don't push yourself so hard.
 

fitzaud2

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You always come across as busy busy busy - exams aside, you are always posting lesson reports, competition reports, thinking about B tests etc. I would think that you both don't get much down time". Andy must be very fit by now too. My horse is a speed junkie type, that will do the jogging thing, and its always worse when she is event fit.

What is the hacking like round you? Could you box him up to somewhere totally rural and just hack and hack somewhere stress free?

I'd be inclined to ditch the competitions and B test plans for a while, and give yourselves a few days off each week. It does seem as though you've thrown a lot of work at him since the moment he arrived. Perhaps let him down a bit again? Don't push yourself so hard.

Very good advice, every bit of it. Try to find somewhere chilled, like a mountain, or forest, that you can just keep going and going, but at a nice leisurely pace. My sisters horse drives her to despair when she hacks him, he's a competition horse, but spooks at everything when hacking. she came back tuesday morning threatning to shoot him, he was that bad, but she loves him, so wouldn't part with him - he's the one that did the splits on ice at xmas, and cost her 3000 euro to fix!!!!- Insurance for horses here is crazy, not worth paying for unless they are seriously valuable!!!!
Keep the chin up, i get like that at times, and as much as I love my boy, there are times when i really dont want to ride, i just lunge instead!!!! hope it all works out for you, you'll be fine!!!!
 

M'n'M

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I agree with ^^^^^^^. Horses can get burnt out just like people. If you're not having fun he probably isn't either. Stop the competitions and enjoy your horse for who he is - a horse! SPend time with him grazing, lunge him over wierd stuff like tarps and baby pools and anything else you can think of. Give him and yourself a break from stressful rding. When you pick it back up make sure you have a balance of competing and fun. You'll love it again, dont worry :)
 
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I agree with those who say just completely chill out for a while.

With my very difficult boy - he was like Andy in many ways, not naughty as much as just completely wired - we got to a point where I was getting totally fed up and demotivated, and frustrated.

I put him out to grass for 8 weeks, just went down to look after him, play with him, and enjoy him.

When I got back on we'd both chilled out massively and he came on in leaps and bounds after that.
 

millitiger

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I actually do agree with SusieT and think both of you may benefit from someone else schooling him for a short period to break the cycle.

It is not a cop out, it doesn't mean you aren't capable and if the person schooling him is any good at all, he won't just revert as soon as you get back on.

I have taken lots of horses in for schooling but also sent a few away! There is no shame in it at all and far better than struggling on when neither you or the horse are happy.

I also think, for such a buzzy horse you need to concentrate on one discipline for a while and stick to it- doing polocrosse, mounted games etc is just likely to wind him up imo so the first thing I would do is decide exactly what you want from him and perhaps admit he is not going to be the perfect alrounder to do a bit of everything on.
 

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I do wonder whether the ulcer supplement is improving conditions in his stomach, so he is able to digest his food better and is, therefore, feeling more 'well'. It would be worth tinkering with his feed a bit - Blue Chip is one of the higher starch balancers, so swapping to a lower starch balancer such as Top Spec or Bailey's Lo Cal would be worth a try. I'd also swap to a lower sugar chaff as AppleChaff is 17.5% sugar!

If you think that his behaviour is just down to freshness and high energy levels, then I would try lungeing before riding for a while.

I know you say you have had saddle checked, but how recently was that? It is possible that now he has put on weight it is too narrow for him and is pinching.

The other possibility is that perhaps he is sparking up from vibes from you. This can turn into a vicious circle - he misbehaves, next time you get on you feel more anxious, so he misbehaves more, etc. Which is why so many people are suggesting you get someone else to ride him a few times to see whether he is any better for them.

Hope you get it sorted!
 
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Fellewell

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I think you've done a much better job with Andy than you imagine. But your mum is worried. Maybe she's the one you need to talk to, without putting on a brave face.
You could change your instructor/change his food/send him away(pointless IMO). But there's probably a ruddy good reason he was sold from the field and his pic is not in your avatar.
 

leflynn

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You have done a fab job with your boy, but it sounds like you need a break to me, I'd chuck him out in the field for a week or two and then get back into it lunging and doing lots of groundwork and you'll get to the point where you want to get back on I think ;)

Failing that update us and we'll give you kick up the b*m as requested! :p In all honesty don't give up completely, just take a bit of time out and then try again :)
 

bensababy

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Just wanted to say i can sympathise with the jogging, when mine was younger he would jog his way round on a 1 hour hack - becomes rather tedious after a while and incredibly painful. This normally only happened when hacking in company, i ended up going out solo, walking in hand, taking him through calmer areas - woods etc, and he did begin to chill.

Stick with it, both chill, take a few weeks out and just relax. I bet we will see a post in a weeks time saying how desperate you are to get back on again! :)
 

coolio

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I always read your posts because we also have a pony called Andy! Think you are doing a wonderful job, our Andy is a tricky pony too, we have had him for 9 months and he has serious attitude. Different scenerio to you as ours is lazzzzy and if you ask for more than he is willing to give his answer is to buck, buck, buck.

Take a break, have a bit of fun, but dont give up as you are a super rider!!

We mums dont like to interfere too much :) but I am sure if you had a chat with mum she would help you in anyway she can.

Good Luck and hope you are feeling better today.
 

vam

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Actually, getting another person to ride your horse might be a good thing as the horse might be used to a particular style of riding, whether that be someone a bit pushy, passive or ultra confident whatever, and currently, you're not riding him in the manner to which he's used.

Finding the 'key' to your horses' preferred way of being ridden might be the answer, and that might mean someone else riding him for a bit, who is confident and knowledgeable, and then training you to ride your horse the same way.

What about your current trainer? Do they actually get on your horse??

Take a break from riding if you feel this way. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that :eek:)

This really, im at a point where im thinking of sending mine away for a bit of boot camp. I am finding the buttons to push with the help of my trainer but i think we will both benefit from him having someone more experienced and capable to help him in the right direction. Its not admitting defeat but excepting my limitations. I will have more lessons so i know how best to ride him so it will be of benefit in the long run to both of us. I dont want to keep battling away not enjoying my horse for prides sake when someone else can explain it better to him than me.
I also agree with taking a break, im on hols for 2 weeks and he will do nothing in that time. We both need it and i feel we have hit a bit of a brick wall in some respects, we are working on the canter but i now think stepping back is a good idea and we can pick it up again with a bit more enthusiasm.
Good luck in what ever you decide :)
 

dibbin

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Koko, you've done so well with Andy, I've been following the two of you since you got him. I went through phases like that when I had Dylan, for all I loved him to pieces I sometimes wished that I had something simple to ride, that I could go and canter through fields without getting buggered off with, or could take him to the beach without worrying about how he'd react to the traffic on the way there.

I got through it by, as someone else suggested, changing the routine. I was having trouble with his behaviour out hacking, so I got a good friend who used to be an instructor to help me out with his flatwork. I really invested some time on schooling him (which I'd never done before), and I really got my enjoyment and love of riding him back as he became more settled and manageable.

Good luck with him, I'm sure you'll continue to make great progress together x
 

muddygreymare

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Koko, You have done so well with Andy - look back at what he was like 6 months ago - where he is now is down to YOU! I think you just need to have a few chilled out sessions - ridden or not and maybe as others have said get someone else to ride him once or twice a week as well - it may help you.

Good luck and I hope things get better for you soon :)
 

Luci07

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sorry if I am repeating anyone. I made it through the first 3 pages then gave up! I got as far as you saying you had all the normal checks done and found it interesting that all say your pony is feeling well and he behaves at shows (i.e parties).

I have always found with all of mine, even the horizontal ones, if they are fit and ready to go, they need to "bottom out" from time to time. So an outing or a XC session or similiar. Even my laid back previous ISH would start to get opiniated if he hadn't actually done anything apart from everyday fittening work. Why not think again, take your pony out for something to wipe him out (I am assuming he is fully fit from your previous comments!) and see how he is after that. When, in the dark past I actually evented my mare, if there was too much time between events, madam would start to find ways of amusing herself, but after an event was a complete angel to ride again!
 

kickonchaps

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Koko, both my horses were a little above my ability level when I got them, and I was like you and determined to sort out their many (many) problems myself!! My lack of experience did create new problems sometimes, more so with my first horse, and it took a lot longer to get there (I'm talking 2 years with one, 1 year with current boy) but we made it and I came out of it a much better rider than I went in!

My mum is a much better rider than me and she's helped both times - I was funny at first about her doing too much schooling for the reason you said - I got back on and basically undid all her good work, it felt - but actually she could feel what I was feeling, and talk me through how to fix it! Even now if I'm getting frustrated because my horse won't get off my left hand she says 'right, hop off please', grabs my hat and jumps on to talk me through what she's doing to fix the problem. And even better, if she gets on every month or so, she can then say 'oooh he's much softer, he's much more forward, he comes together much quicker!' so I can see the progress I've made! From the inside looking out it's hard to see the bigger picture, so don't be ashamed to step back, let someone else have a go, and see exactly what you've got and how far you've come to get it :)
 

pip6

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Poor you, give yourself a break & allow yourself the chance not to ride a while but just enjoy his company. I absolutely agree with the poster who said trot him until he wants to walk, then trot some more until you choose to allow him to walk. Do this several times & his pony brain will equate jogging with being asked to do more work than he wants to do.

As for endurance, go back to the site & find the 'groups' section. Every area is part of a group, & in addition to the main EGB rides (listed under 'schedule' on the ewbsite), they also run training rides. These are shorter, with no time parameters on them so you go the pace that suits you. Contact your local group, often they will help you find a another experienced rider who is happy to accompany you, boosting you confidence & will give Andy a companion which will help his confidence & settle him.

After some training rides (& hopefully you'll have made plenty of new friends in your group as well), go back & look at the EGB rides. The classes you want are called NCR's (non-competative rides). Start gently, minumum speed is very steady, you don't have to go around quick. Once you've done some of these & have got into a routine, then try a couple of CR's (competative rides) under the 'try before you buy' scheme.

Local groups are very helpful, remember every endurance rider, even internationals had to do their first ride & start somewhere. People know where you're coming from, many endurance horses (& ponies, my friends Heinz 57 pony went advanced after being bought off the meat mans ramp as a foal) find their way into endurance after being labelled as difficult, quirky or downright naughty. They find a sport where they are asked to work & form a very close bond with the rider (whom they may carry for up to 100 miles in a day) & thirve on it. Ask your group for help, they will do their best.
 

Kokopelli

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Thanks for advice everyone. I plan to ride him on Wednesday after some time off with my insturctor.

I'm still not 100% convinced on sending him for schooling but if anyone can recommend people in my area that would be fab. I do know of one person but I think she might be too big for him.

I keep forgetting how bad he used to be compared to now and beat myself up for it so will have to make sure I remember the spastic giraffe impressions and how he used to jump at 100mph.

Wish us luck for wednesday, I'm about to go up and graze him in hand and give him a good pamper session. :)
 

sassybebe

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I haven't read all posts so sorry if i'm repeating lots of others. I was getting really fed up with one of myboys and i really didn't want to send him away for schooling cos i do that as a job myself but i was just at a complete loss as to what to do with him, we'd had everything checked btw. One day i just said i can't do this anymore and he went off for schooling and it was such a relief and gave me so much hope. It turned out he had something wrong with him so he recieved no schooling and instead came home very ill but that's just my bizarre horses for you. Anyway the main point is give yourself a break from riding him, either turn him out for a holiday until your exams are over (sorry if you're not doing exams, thought i read it somewhere lol) or send him to someone you trust for schooling.

You've done really well with Andy and i think everyone feels like you do now at some time. Just chill for a while and you'll soon be desperate to get back on him :)
 

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You've just mentioned he has an ulcer - they can be incredibly painful :(

The ulcer could very well be causing his problems - I would get this checked out by the vet - could be the route cause.

Much love, sm xxxxxxxxx
 

pip6

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With the ulcer, do you make sure he has something in his stomach before you ride him to prevent splashing?
 

vikkiandmonica

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I would try and sort out the ulcer, as that can make them act up. Then I would take him off feed except for some hi fi or something for supplements. I would just feed him hay, not haylage, so he isn't eating much starch or sugar. Then I would give him some time off, literally chuck him out in the field each day, either not ride him or free school/lunge him, but not ride. I would groom and just chill out with him, not ride, and not expect anything of him.

I think you might both need a break. Focus on your exams, and just let the both of you chill out for a while :)
 

Charla

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I'm feeling exactly the same as you at the moment! Or was anyway (now on a break).
I have a youngster who is very sharp and starting exploding when I rode him. He's had all the checks done, he is literally just tantruming about working and he needs working everyday or he gets even worse! He also needs his routine varied all the time with work because he becomes bored far too easily.
It came to a point where I was so tired after work that I didn't want to ride him, I didn't look forward to it and I just wanted to have a rest and relax! So have decided to give us both a break and then he is going away to boot camp where he will have to get his arse in gear!! It's so frustrating with mine because I felt I would take 3 steps forward (be really happy and excited), then 5 steps back.
I know boot camp won't let him get away with the tantrums. Whereas I end up in a heap on the floor and him sniggering at me!
 

Kokopelli

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The ulcer is managed well, he is on a supplement for it and is given the correct feed to help. The only other thing which would help is turn out 24/7 but this isn't possible and I'm not prepared to move him again as he is very settled at yard and the stress will make it worse anyway.

He has a haynet when he comes in from the field and is being groomed and tacked up, not sure if this is efficient enough to stop the liquids or weather we should be giving him some chaff before?

Weirdly having had a few people say I'm not capable has given me the kick up the bum to go and ride him and I really want to ride him tonight. We'll see what mood I'm in after mucking out and getting mobbed by his field friends. :p
 
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