Risked my life on Saturday..

marmalade76

marmalade76

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Took my ex hurdler out to his first mini hunter trail! Only 1'9 and all straight forward and my plan was just to trot round quietly.

I knew the jumping wouldn't be a problem 'cause he quite likes it and never says no to anything (not that I've asked him to jump anything much over 2') but he has been over lots of brightly coloured poles and some little fillers and he's not at all bothered about what anything looks like, also, when you give him something to do that he understands he's a very good boy. It was everything else I was worried about!

I travelled him tacked up because I knew it would be a challenge to get tack on once there and decided to get myself all ready before getting him off the trailer. I was not quick enough for his liking so he decided to give my poor old trailer a bit of a pasting :eek: Managed to get on OK and walked /jogged round the outside of the parking area for a few minuets and then headed off to the practice area. I had expected some excitement here but all started off well, although he found it exciting and was on his toes he was quite good around the other horses, no showing off or explosions when they came near him. Popped a couple of little practice fences. Then things started to go a bit wrong, he started napping towards the driveway out of the event, away from the other horses and away from the lorry park! :confused: Other riders tried to give him a lead away from where he wanted to go but he wasn't having any of it so I jumped off in the end feeling a bit of a failure :( He was quite wound up so walked him round in hand until it was my turn to go. Took two people to help me get on again and had to be led to the start.

But once through the start and off he was as good as gold! We did have a couple of stops which were my fault, with all the silliness I had tensed up and was hanging on to him a bit too much. He jumped them all with no fuss at all, did not pull or rush and seemed to quite enjoy himself. Jumped them all from trot apart from the last where I let him go on (up hill so not so scary for me!) and he cantered sensibly and pulled up when I asked. I was chuffed to bits! :)

I soon had to jump off as he was determined to head for his favourite spot again and spent the next half hour or more walking him round 'cause he was absolutely buzzing!



So, good and bad, confidence gained in some respects but lost in others. Not really sure what to do next, take him out again (for some clear round SJ) or leave him to recover from his obviously stressful outing. Plan to turn him away for the winter as can't see myself being able to get out on him much so he may as well have his shoes off and a holiday - suggestions and advice most welcome! :)



Pics - friend took with a phone so jumping ones not great (but well impressed, her phone takes better pics than mine!)


Before I got on and before he turned into a very sweaty monster! Looking reasonably smart, I thought..

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Having a jig jog and a good look around..

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Fence 2

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Near the end - can't believe how brave I was jumping down hill!! :eek:

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Bless him, sounds like he found it a bit stressful and outwith his comfort zone. I am sure with more outings/milage and consistency he will improve greatly. Perhaps take him to some shows and just ride around without competing with the aim of making it a positive experience for him. He looks to be a nice type and it sounds like he tried really hard.
 
He looks lovely. What about taking him to some shows and just walking round then going home, then progress to some in hand classes. If that goes well some simple fun showing classes.
He just needs to chill out and learn that going in a box and to a event does not mean galloping and jumping every time. Also maybe a calmer might help.
 
silv said:
Bless him, sounds like he found it a bit stressful and outwith his comfort zone. I am sure with more outings/milage and consistency he will improve greatly. Perhaps take him to some shows and just ride around without competing with the aim of making it a positive experience for him. He looks to be a nice type and it sounds like he tried really hard.
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Thank you :)

selinas spirit said:
He looks lovely. What about taking him to some shows and just walking round then going home, then progress to some in hand classes. If that goes well some simple fun showing classes.
He just needs to chill out and learn that going in a box and to a event does not mean galloping and jumping every time. Also maybe a calmer might help.
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I'm not sure that showing would help at all (for the time being anyway) 'cause it involves a fair bit of standing still. I regularly jump him at home so he's quite used to it and so quiet in the paddock and school that the children could ride him. I don't and have never galloped him (perhaps that's where I'm going wrong? :D ) I think a calmer would certainly be a good idea next time I take him anywhere.

ester said:
He's a bit bigger than that huge beast in your last XC report! :D
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Lol, yeah! Variety is the spice of life!
 
I would concentrate on taking him out to clinics and lessons so learns trailer rides mean hard work not a hooly.

Separately I work work on his behaviour at home. Does he stand tied up quietly without a haynet etc.
 
Thank you :)

Clinics might be difficult 'cause usually have to book them in advance which is hard for me as I don't always know what I'm doing and can't always get child care/help (can't really take him out on my own) but will be able to take him places for a walk and a look round :)
 
Was this Salters Hill? Too early for me and the ex-racer as yet, but I was tempted to try either Salters Hill or Deer Park small courses once we have gone XC schooling once or twice :o
 
Deer Park. There's one at Salter's Hill soon and we were planning to take the ponies and I suppose I could go back with him after the ponies have done their bit for a walk round as it's so close. I would say Deer Park is a better bet for a first time than Salter's Hill, particularly if you have a bit of a speed demon.
 
Well done! He's stunning. As someone who has been in your shoes several times with ex racers and life risking I would get him out as much as possible.
I did dressage with mine to really get him used to shows. Tons of dressage shows and hiring arenas with showjump courses. Once they can behave at dressage shows (and learn it's a bit boring) then they cope better with the exciting jumping shows. I also would basically do what you did at the jumping shows, damage limitation. The amount of times I didn't even do the warm up with my boy and lunged at home first, lead round at show then hop on, one practice jump when people were walking course and then in to my class. My TB just wanted to get on with it and was always amazing once we were off.
They get used to it quite quickly, a few months of going out and about and he'll bea different gorse.
My guy and the girlie I had before him turned into old competing pro's. Mines amazing at shows now, so easy.
I'd try to keep him in work as well. Give him time off and you'll be back to square one. ..
 
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