Showing a cheeky2yo

[asommerville]

Also in competing...but more peeps in here

Horse is lovely 16hh ATM (at least) going to do sports horse classes.

Walks fine but rears in trot, also rears if touched with a stick.

Now started running round handler in circles..because he can.

Any tips folks. Not my horse. Trying to help a friend.

Thanks

 

[tallyho!]

Will this be first show?

All I can say is keep practising. The more he gets used to trotting in hand and the stick the less he'll have issues with it.

Running circles? As in close by or as if out on a circle i.e. lunge line? She needs to teach him to stand still.

I know it;s easy to say but just don't let him do it. Use the voice, use her hand/stick to place on his shoulder to indicate him to stop. Treats can be used to teach manners but I don't know if I would be happy to suggest it right now as just from what you are saying, she hasn't got very good control of him.

Practice practice and don't let him walk all over her. Be patient and kind. It will come.

My 2 yo sometimes gets ahead of me during trot, all I do is stop, stand still, ask for "back" so she's level with me again, and we try again... it's as simple as that but has to be repeated often.

Same with Standing... she tries to follow but I just put her back, say stand, and reward with a pat. It can take at least four or five goes, even though we do it often. They are just babies and have the attention span of gnat! I practice aswell by stopping at every opportunity to talk to people and she has to stand still until I am finished gossiping... good practice when ridden as I stop and chinwag to everyone!

 

[ladyt25]

What tallyho said basically - you just have to keep practising and I would also do some desensitising with the whip as it sounds like the whip worries the horse hence gthe reaction. Ensure the whip is never used as a punishment (or it will result in the reaction you mention) and get the horse used to it being used as an aid only. They should not be fearful of the whip.

Mine just used to get very excited doing the trot and would out-run me! I did practice with him and he improved but in all honesty I didn't do loads and could have certainly done more with him. We did a couple of local shows from the age of 2 and then a 3 yo sports horse class. At the end of the day they are youngsters and you can't always predict how they will react to a show atmosphere hence why you do need to put the groundwork in so you can out these in to play in the ring.

 

[Tnavas]

A friend of mine has a great method when working the youngsters at home.

She feeds a length of thick elkethene pipe onto the lead rope and ties a knot at its end - length around 18" - She can then keep the horse away from her as they love trying to lean into you - It stops the horse turning it's head towards you when you want to stop and if it gets to cheeky you can press the end into its face.

Work alongside a fenceline to stop horse spinning around handler. Some people use a single side rein on the opposite side to the handler to help keep the horse straight. Have the horse very obedient to verbal commands.

Practice is the only key in just the same way we school them when ridden the work needs to be regular and consistent.

 

[asommerville]

Thanks very much, yes first show! To be fairshe has been practicing for a couple weeks and he's better because he doesn't rear or strike out in walk.! Will have a chat later and see where we can go from here.