3Beasties
Well-Known Member
Have you ever been relieved that your horse is being naughty?
I know it sounds weird but I was with my mare today. Some of you may know some of the trouble I've had with her but will fill you in briefly anyway.
I bought her at the end of September, once I finally got her home I had 3 weeks of hacking out with her being almost foot perfect, she was great. Then one day for no reason what so ever she turned into a demon, became very nappy, explosive and at time damn right dangerous especially given that all rides where on the road!). All checks where done etc but it took months to get past this trick stage we were having.
About a month ago I had a major breakthrough with her, by increasing her work (lunging her before rides) she became much more ride-able and although initially very nappy I was able to focus on that problem and found a method to overcome it.
Fast forward a few weeks and I moved her to a new field/yard. I was expecting a few problems the first day I rode her out from there but instead she was pretty good (apart from being a bit spooky). The next 3 rides she improved even more, became more confident, really striding out etc and very few small, if any naps.
I couldn't help thinking that this was the 'honeymoon period' all over again though so was slightly concerned about just how bad she would become when the time came to be bad again (does that makes any sense?!).
Anyway, today after her having two days off I tried to take her for a hack. She started napping the moment I got on and I had to get off very quickly as we ended up stood across the middle of a main road, on a corner! Great! Led her down to the lane and got back on and she was still being a pain. Although she wasn't being explosive she was fairly sharp and doing everything at warp speed. I made the decision to take her back to the field after battling for about 15 minutes as I wasn't getting anywhere with her. I lunged her and then tried again.
Thankfully it was the right thing to do as she was in a much calmer frame of mind so she became much easier to deal with. She napped for a few minutes when I fist got on her but then we had a really enjoyable hack. She wasn't marching out as well as she can do but that will come with time.
So, as weird as it sounds I am quite relieved, I have been wondering when the honeymoon period would end and have been dreading her going back to her old devilish ways. Thankfully we seem to have an understanding with each other now so although she was naughty, she was still 100 times better then she was a month or so ago and it was a big relieve not to be right back at square one again!
I know it sounds weird but I was with my mare today. Some of you may know some of the trouble I've had with her but will fill you in briefly anyway.
I bought her at the end of September, once I finally got her home I had 3 weeks of hacking out with her being almost foot perfect, she was great. Then one day for no reason what so ever she turned into a demon, became very nappy, explosive and at time damn right dangerous especially given that all rides where on the road!). All checks where done etc but it took months to get past this trick stage we were having.
About a month ago I had a major breakthrough with her, by increasing her work (lunging her before rides) she became much more ride-able and although initially very nappy I was able to focus on that problem and found a method to overcome it.
Fast forward a few weeks and I moved her to a new field/yard. I was expecting a few problems the first day I rode her out from there but instead she was pretty good (apart from being a bit spooky). The next 3 rides she improved even more, became more confident, really striding out etc and very few small, if any naps.
I couldn't help thinking that this was the 'honeymoon period' all over again though so was slightly concerned about just how bad she would become when the time came to be bad again (does that makes any sense?!).
Anyway, today after her having two days off I tried to take her for a hack. She started napping the moment I got on and I had to get off very quickly as we ended up stood across the middle of a main road, on a corner! Great! Led her down to the lane and got back on and she was still being a pain. Although she wasn't being explosive she was fairly sharp and doing everything at warp speed. I made the decision to take her back to the field after battling for about 15 minutes as I wasn't getting anywhere with her. I lunged her and then tried again.
Thankfully it was the right thing to do as she was in a much calmer frame of mind so she became much easier to deal with. She napped for a few minutes when I fist got on her but then we had a really enjoyable hack. She wasn't marching out as well as she can do but that will come with time.
So, as weird as it sounds I am quite relieved, I have been wondering when the honeymoon period would end and have been dreading her going back to her old devilish ways. Thankfully we seem to have an understanding with each other now so although she was naughty, she was still 100 times better then she was a month or so ago and it was a big relieve not to be right back at square one again!
it's just not normal for her to be quiet, stand still and behave herself!
