Irishbabygirl
Well-Known Member
Hi all, I wondered if anyone would be able to give me any schooling advice with one of my horses?
Just to give you all a bit of background history:
I went to see a 5 year old Irish bred gelding in August 2010 - he was in a very sorry state - underweight, no muscle, terrible feet, never had a jab or the dentist and apparently had been broken and turned away and had done nothing since. (They only told me this once I was there, on the phone they just told me he "hadn't done much"). I probably should have walked away, but he tugged on my heart strings because of the state he was in and had such a kind, trainable looking eye if you know what I mean! And I like a challenge!
I thought, well I'm here now so jumped on and had a walk around thinking to myself "if he doesn't have me off I'll have him!"
He didn't have me off and a passed five stage vetting later I was the proud owner of the Irish thingy! (No breeding in his passport). So got the weight and condition on, feet sorted, saddler, teeth, jabs, wormed etc, etc and spent a year just quietly hacking, building his confidence, lunging, long reining and getting him used to things. He hacks out quietly on his own or with company and is 100% in traffic and very easy to do in all ways. A real gent. He really is a lovely, kind horse who I love to bits.
So August I moved him to a small, quiet DIY yard with a outdoor arena so I could crack on with his schooling. And this is where I need the advice!
I have lessons twice a month. His walk is not consistently correct. I know he hasn't done much but I feel we have been at the same standard for ten months now. I need to really slow down his walk for him to come up and under himself and to almost give his legs time to foot fall correctly and to track up and for him to round. This he manages for a couple of minutes then he hollows and his front legs go at a short, choppy, million miles an hour stride!
He can pace too. I've spent a long time working on his lateral trot which he can manage for a bit then he falls back into a pace at the corner which then unbalances him, or he falls into the pace because he is unbalanced. This is all in the school - hacking he's fine, a real joy.
I've had a physio, vet, saddler, Equine Sports Massage Therapist and dentist out again this year - all fine so I know its just schooling/lessons and lots of it!
I school twice a week, hack twice a week and lunge once a week. I just feel we should be making more progress - he'll be 7 now! Sometimes I wonder if I'm not a good enough rider for him. But if that's the case, who would want to take on a 7 year old horse who (not for lack of trying) is lacking in basic schooling, no breeding and can pace?!
My instructor suggested I lunge in a Pessoa...any ideas anyone?
Many thanks and sorry this is so long!
Just to give you all a bit of background history:
I went to see a 5 year old Irish bred gelding in August 2010 - he was in a very sorry state - underweight, no muscle, terrible feet, never had a jab or the dentist and apparently had been broken and turned away and had done nothing since. (They only told me this once I was there, on the phone they just told me he "hadn't done much"). I probably should have walked away, but he tugged on my heart strings because of the state he was in and had such a kind, trainable looking eye if you know what I mean! And I like a challenge!
I thought, well I'm here now so jumped on and had a walk around thinking to myself "if he doesn't have me off I'll have him!"
He didn't have me off and a passed five stage vetting later I was the proud owner of the Irish thingy! (No breeding in his passport). So got the weight and condition on, feet sorted, saddler, teeth, jabs, wormed etc, etc and spent a year just quietly hacking, building his confidence, lunging, long reining and getting him used to things. He hacks out quietly on his own or with company and is 100% in traffic and very easy to do in all ways. A real gent. He really is a lovely, kind horse who I love to bits.
So August I moved him to a small, quiet DIY yard with a outdoor arena so I could crack on with his schooling. And this is where I need the advice!
I have lessons twice a month. His walk is not consistently correct. I know he hasn't done much but I feel we have been at the same standard for ten months now. I need to really slow down his walk for him to come up and under himself and to almost give his legs time to foot fall correctly and to track up and for him to round. This he manages for a couple of minutes then he hollows and his front legs go at a short, choppy, million miles an hour stride!
He can pace too. I've spent a long time working on his lateral trot which he can manage for a bit then he falls back into a pace at the corner which then unbalances him, or he falls into the pace because he is unbalanced. This is all in the school - hacking he's fine, a real joy.
I've had a physio, vet, saddler, Equine Sports Massage Therapist and dentist out again this year - all fine so I know its just schooling/lessons and lots of it!
I school twice a week, hack twice a week and lunge once a week. I just feel we should be making more progress - he'll be 7 now! Sometimes I wonder if I'm not a good enough rider for him. But if that's the case, who would want to take on a 7 year old horse who (not for lack of trying) is lacking in basic schooling, no breeding and can pace?!
My instructor suggested I lunge in a Pessoa...any ideas anyone?
Many thanks and sorry this is so long!
. I'd go in after a hack if he's better that way, if he's not used to working in the school asking him to work correctly for a long period will be even harder so just keep it short and do as much schooling as possible hacking.