Schooling a 12year old

[llohcins]

Hi,
My cob who i've had a couple of years now is 12 but has never really had much schooling- mainly used for hacking. I have been really happy just hacking him but would maybe like to start trying some other things! Is it too late now to try and increase schooling so I could start some dressage with him? Also i'm unsure how much jumping he has done...I am a total novice at showjumping...never really gained enough confidence and experience during my years and years of riding lessons! Is it more difficult to train an older horse? Any advice is gratefully received.

 

[LauraWheeler]

Hi there is no reason why you can't school your older horse. My pony lucy had a hard start to her life and she didn't start dressage till she was about 14 and we took up showing at 16 she's not a superstar but we give it a go. Also to prove you can teach an old horse new tricks this year at 19 she wore a double bridle for the first time ever and everyone was amazed at how well she went. (they had told me she was too old to introduce to a double bridle) I would advise you have some lessons with a good instructor and just give it a go. Good luck and have fun.

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Like LW, my rescued gipsy cob - that we think had just popped babies all her life - was backed at the age of 12. She proved to be such a reliable riding horse (mostly!) that she was taken to her first ever walk and trot dressage test 5 weeks after coming home from being backed! Go for it girl x

 

[camilla4]

There's no reason for you not to increase his schooling level - you may just need to be a little more understanding about his limitations and make allowances for the fact that his way of going will be a very long standing habit, and so harder for him to change, and he won't be as supple as a younger horse.

Take your time, get a little help from someone more experienced if you can and yes, give it a go!

 

[mudmonkey17]

Hi,
i have had my cob for 8 months now, though had ridden him for 2 years before this. In this time we mainly just hacked but since i have owned him he has come on so much.
He is 15 and it does take longer to change his way of going than a youngster but i can be done. I have lessons with a fantastic instructor and we have gone from a very iffy trot and non-existant canter to a fab trot and the canter is getting there, even softening into a decent outline at times.
Just be patient and consistent and you will get there x
Good luck x

 

[Abbeygale]

My girl is 12 and was only broken in last year. She has issues in her head so I have taken it very slowly, but this year she has come on in leaps and bounds.

The main problem for me was getting my head around the fact that she is 12 going on 4 for her schooling level. So it has been a case of taking it very much one step at a time.

We have done a walk and trot test and came first and a prelim test and came 2nd this year - so it can be done.

Good luck x