Schooling Advice

[missparis]

I am really excited and have booked into my first show jumping lesson on Saturday - this feels like the first proper step with my new horse as I have barely been able to do anything due to my health issues and have owned him for 2 months.

The problem is while in the school (Indoor or Outdoor Arena) he is very very lazy and lacks implusion. He ignores whips and lets say my darling horse is somewhat an opportunist as he knows my legs are weak. In saying that, I barely have any lower leg muscle at all as I have not been able to walk properly on both legs for 3 months. His old owners, who were much healthier than me, always rode him in spurs as he responses much better to these.

So my dilemma, I dont have much-any strength in my leg at the moment (obviously my muscles will develop with more riding work and light gym) and my horse does realise this. Should I purchase a pair of roller spurs or Spursuaders as they are meant to be more gentle than the average pair of spurs (I dont want to cause any harm to my horse) or what does one suggest? I dont mind not using a whip as he loves jumping and his not the type that would stop.

 

[martlin]

Spurs might help, that's true, but, essentially, you have a schooling problem which needs working on. You need to teach the horse to be responsive to your leg. I know, easier said than done
Long term, try the simple exercise: ask the horse to move forward, if he responds well, great - give him a pat and praise; if he doesn't, whole hell should break loose on him - do whatever it takes for him to shoot off forward at whatever pace and praise, make sure you don't grab the mouth, though. Soon enough, he will be responding to light leg.

 

[missparis]

Thanks Martlin for your response. Yes, I do agree he should learn off the leg but in a catch 22 position for at least a month while I try to build up strength in my leg I will definately keep this in mind with schooling sessions. I think its out of boredom and he knows he doesnt have to go forward necessarily as when he hacks out or goes to a show, he is completely different.