Schooling livery

[Bea_millard]

What are people’s opinions?

We are contemplating sending one of ours away for schooling livery, but we are getting a lot of mixed opinions from others about whether you should.

 

[ihatework]

For how long and what are your aims for it?

I think more people who are struggling should invest in this sort of help in general. But it also comes with the caveat it needs to be the right person - someone who can school the horse well enough to educate it but also have it rideable for the owner. It helps if that person also teaches well so that you can combine both the schooling livery with training for their regular jockey too.

It’s generally not a quick fix either, but part of an overall longer term plan

 

[be positive]

I think it depends a bit on your expectations and what you are trying to achieve, if you have a specific issue and want it sorted it may be best to work through it with help at home, if you are looking for a general improvement, the horse to have some polish added or to move ahead of the rider a little then provided you choose the right person it can be really beneficial, the caveat being they need to 'know' you and have a clear idea of what you want, be able to school the horse with the owner/ rider in mind and ideally give some training to the combination before the horse goes home and once it is home if the schooling is really going to make a difference, it will not magically transform a tricky horse without some training for the usual rider but it can get it going in the right direction.

 

[Bea_millard]

Our situation is we have a pony that we want to get into eventing as he is showing potential, but he lacks confidence with new jumps and current rider isn’t necessarily confident enough to quash the issue herself so we think he needs a confident rider for a bit to show him it’s okay and then both rider and pony can learn from whoever we get to school him. She’s already having lessons, but sometimes when the pony lacks confidence, it isn’t doing anything for either of them. He’s not naughty, he just needs a better rider to show him what to do.

But then we don’t want him “untuned” to her aids, if that makes sense?

 

[emilylou]

Sounds like a perfect reason to send the horse for schooling

 

[MuddyMonster]

For me, it would depend why the horse is going on schooling livery, the support system in place when the horse goes home and the long term plan.

 

[ihatework]

Another option might be getting someone in to jump the pony for you instead. Then if that’s not getting the required results maybe send away.

One thing I did with an eventer (although under different circumstances) was to send him for 10 days to a pro who was based with a Xc schooling facility on site. Most days he would have a little school/hack and then trot & pop over a variety of Xc fences.

He arrived completely backwards about Xc and left well on the way to being a machine. It was a very cost effective way of educating him.

 

[be positive]

Another option might be getting someone in to jump the pony for you instead. Then if that’s not getting the required results maybe send away.

One thing I did with an eventer (although under different circumstances) was to send him for 10 days to a pro who was based with a Xc schooling facility on site. Most days he would have a little school/hack and then trot & pop over a variety of Xc fences.

He arrived completely backwards about Xc and left well on the way to being a machine. It was a very cost effective way of educating him.

Sending to someone with that type of facility on site could work well for the OP, I have had a few in to get jumping with various issues and they really benefit from doing a little pretty much every day, not what many would want to do but if done carefully jumping becomes part of every day life rather than a big deal once a week or so when they often do too much in one go to make the session seem worthwhile.

If the pony is lacking confidence jumping a few simple things, always different but within their comfort zone height wise, every day for a week or two should build his confidence, certainly worth a try if you an find someone that will do this rather than do flatwork 5 days a week and jump once which is going to take a long while to make much difference.

 

[Gingerwitch]

What are people’s opinions?

We are contemplating sending one of ours away for schooling livery, but we are getting a lot of mixed opinions from others about whether you should.

If you ger the right person i think it's a great idea. Yard i know who dud z lot of breaking an bringing on is advertising such a thing including getting them out competing too. If your east mids way let me know and I can send you a pm.

 

[Carrottom]

I think it is important that the person who will be schooling the pony sees the intended rider and understands what they want from it. Does the current instructor do schooling?
My trainer used the phrase "we are training your horse to be the horse you need him to be, not what I would want for myself" I.e. he would want a lively, dingy show jumper whereas I'm happy with a Steady Eddie.

 

[Bea_millard]

If you ger the right person i think it's a great idea. Yard i know who dud z lot of breaking an bringing on is advertising such a thing including getting them out competing too. If your east mids way let me know and I can send you a pm.

That’s interesting - I am east mids actually!

 

[Bea_millard]

I think it is important that the person who will be schooling the pony sees the intended rider and understands what they want from it. Does the current instructor do schooling?
My trainer used the phrase "we are training your horse to be the horse you need him to be, not what I would want for myself" I.e. he would want a lively, dingy show jumper whereas I'm happy with a Steady Eddie.

She does and she would be one we go to and consider. We would want someone who could make him confident and less bullish when jumping new things, so would take our time to consider who we would send him to if we were to.

 

[oldie48]

I have done this a lot over the years, always used someone who I have lessons with and always clear about the purpose. It has been very useful. I don't always send away, depends on the circumstances ATM Rose is professionally schooled once a week but I have also sent her away and gone up for the odd lesson before she comes home. If your current trainer is a suitable size and has good facilities I'd stick with her.