Schooling help needed

Mrs.E

Mrs.E

Member
Joined
6 January 2015
Messages
25
Location
Lymm
Visit site
hi everyone,

I'm just after some advice please

I have recently purchased a 16hd mare 8 years old which I knew was a bit of a project but feeling as if we have hit a bit of a wall !!!
I purchased her from a dealer so no history who I think had pulled her in using draw reins and her stride was very short and choppy and they couldn't get right canter. Her condition was poor and she had a massive worm burden.

I ride her in a loose ring jointed snaffle and flash. Her condition has improved and everyone comments how well she now looks. Also, she has an amazing stride now. But, we are having schooling issues, her right canter lead was slowly getting better (was achieving this every time for the last couple of weeks and now is patchy again) and can not get her to soften and go in outline at all. I was having one or two steps but nothing now- feeling disheartened :-(((. Have done all usual checks teeth, back all ok.

Have instructor once a week, she is also wondering why we have gone backwards in a way.
Thinking of trying different bits?
Any advice?
Thought about sending her away for professional schooling but want someone thoughtful, kind and knowledgable ( live in Cheshire) or do I just persevere?

Any advice much appreciated as she is a lovely mare with such a character, :-))) have owned her 3 months.
Thank you x
 
Most horses will take a step forwards in part of their education/ condition/ balance and go back in some way as they change shape and learn how to use themselves in a new way, as she has got stronger and lengthened her stride she will take time to adjust/ build up appropriate muscles in order to carry herself.
I would take a step back in your expectations, forget canter until you have her better balanced and soft in walk and trot, go out hacking to help her find her own balance and build up more, it sounds as if you have come a long way in a very short time don't be disheartened if it falls apart from time to time, work on getting the basics fully established and things will improve little by little but be prepared for a few blips along the way, reschooling is never straightforward every horse is so different in how they respond.
 
Hi twiggy2,
Thank you for your advice.
I have had a horse with navicular and I will look for signs, but she doesn't show any at mow.
I do hope it's not that as my last had that and we finally had to have him put down, can't go through that again!! x
 
Hi,
Thank you for all your advice I do hack her 3 times a week which is great as she is bold and honest.
Also, a BIG thank you for your words of encouragement I think I do need to stop worrying and look long term:-))
It does make sense to stop the canter work and just do more work in walk and trot to encourage her to soften and balance so will try this.
Thank you x
 
I know you have done all the usual checks but just check that the saddle is not fitting too tight on the shoulder of the missing lead. All the development she has done could lead to that, even if he saddle was checked a few weeks ago. I always lost right canter lead in this manner because my horse is larger on that side. Just a thought.
 
Always hard to know if it's just a schooling/balance issue or something more (saddle, soreness etc). It does take a while for them to build up the muscle and strength to carry themselves in an outline. I had success with a pessoa to help build up topline, although I know people don't always like gadgets like these. Combined with things like stretches, lessons, polework, this all really helped mine to work in an outline but I'd say it took a good few months before I felt like we'd really got it established.
 
Sounds like she's just unbalanced. Try using poles for a little while to ask for the canter, they usually find it a bit easier to pick it up that way. Also, are you asking in the corner? It's a lot harder to pick it up on a straight line.
 
It could be a thought to change your bit as a loose ring jointed snaffle doesn't really encourage a horse putting it's head down and relaxing - have you tried a french link? I think they are much kinder and don't have the lifting action of a single jointed snaffle.

I also agree with doing more work at walk and trot to build up topline. Do as much hill work as you can with her head nice and low to get her to really stretch through her back - it will also help build up the muscles she needs to go in an outline correctly. I'd be dropping the schooling and upping the hacking for 6 weeks or so and see if there is a difference then.

It's always worth getting your saddle checked again as she's going to be changing shape quite a bit as you work with her.
 
I ride her in a Lavinia Mitchell saddle as her shape is changing all the time, as she has filled out so well . Am due for them to come out again in months time x
 
I always ask in the corner with a nice bend, try to give her a definite aid and in a relaxed not rushed way so everything very calm as she can be forward going!! X
 
Sounds like you achieved alot in three months :) they often can get worse before getting better again.

Just keep at it, and try different things, something will work! Definitely try asking over a pole, also try out in a field if you can.

ETA often we are so pleased that we are making an improvement we concentrate on that particular thing, and obviously they can get a bit sore/stiff using muscles in a different way.
 
Also meant to add - something I find works really well with my mare, is practicing the strike off when out hacking. So when we canter on a straight line, I expect her to respond to the aid I am giving. If I bring my right leg behind the girth, she should strike off left leg leading, and vice versa. See how that goes :)
 
Hi,

I will try more hacking for a couple of weeks and just chill a bit and then start again with the schooling and a new head:-)) x

Also just a quick question what do people think about the sending her away for some re schooling ?? X
 
Mrs.E said:
Also just a quick question what do people think about the sending her away for some re schooling ?? X
Click to expand...

You seem to be doing pretty well with her - sending away is an option, if you feel like you've hit a brick wall, but how about getting an instructor to come and work with both of you?
 
Mrs.E said:
Hi,

I will try more hacking for a couple of weeks and just chill a bit and then start again with the schooling and a new head:-)) x

Also just a quick question what do people think about the sending her away for some re schooling ?? X
Click to expand...

I personally disagree with sending horses away as you don't learn anything from it. If you want her reschooled would suggest having a trainer ride her maybe once or twice a week and then give you lessons on her, as that's the best way to learn.

My horse was (still is) a tough one to work on flatwork with - iron mouth from a riding school, and so stubborn! I had lessons on her and had my instructor ride her too so she could better teach me. It's invaluable as you learn to reschool yourself, and it gives you skills for life. Also it's a great sense of accomplishment :)
 
Thank you I do feel the same way as I bought her as a project, just wanted other people's thoughts and advice x
 
Are you sitting for three beats, giving clear aids, sitting straight etc? I've just gone through this with my mare I've had for about 7 months. I thought the canter was cracked and I think I pulled back a bit with practicing transitions enough. Then in jumping lessons she was getting excited/taking the wrong lead then I was anticipating it and it went round in circles. I've done thousands of transitions in the nearly 2 weeks since last lesson and lots of sitting trot practice without cantering as well and she nearly always strikes off correctly now.
 
I think sending away for schooling to someone you trust can work very well and I've done it on a number of occasions with my daughter's ponies and horses and also with a couple of my own. However, in all cases I knew the trainer and he/she had given us lessons, knew the horse and knew our riding. We also (usually) had lessons every 3/4 days whilst the horse was away. I always felt it was money well spent but it's not a cheap option. However, I'd definitely check that everything is OK with horse and tack before you do (if that's what you decide) otherwise you're just chucking money away.
 
if it was my horse I would take a very long term view, this is early days and a re emergence of a slight prob is just to make you think!

others may disagree, but I would lunge this horse quietly and give her lots of time to warm up, and work in trot using straight bits to let her lengthen and come back, then in canter asking for strike offs on a large circle, back to trot after one circle and keep repeating, to let her feel her way through her own body to do what is asked without a rider onboard, she may never had been through this at the breaking, and I would try to keep it all low key and relaxed, allow her to put her head where it feels most comfortable, this will also improve her trot, when trot is good so the canter will improve.

good luck x
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top