Sometimes it's the little things

[ladyt25]

Some may know I have had a bit of a setback in backing my youngster at the beginning of the year. All had gone ok until he chucked me off twice when I took him to a couple of small shows and then he flipped out when having saddle put on. Turned out it looks like the saddle was too narrow down his spine.

Anyway, he had reared and landed on me as part of his flip out which, although I didn’t think it would, rather unnerved me when it came to handling him.

However, I have had some groundwork lessons with my instructor and the focus has been on getting him to listen to me on the ground as he was being a bit unruly and quite frankly I was losing confidence handling him. It seems really stupid, I’ve had horses (and bolshy horses) for years yet, when leading him across the field etc, my legs were like jelly (not good for me or him!). Plus, he appears to have got a bit agrophobic about going outside of the boundaries of the field so this has meant him trying to bite me (nerves) and generally freaking out as if he really had lost his confidence.

So, I have been working on leading him up our track a few yards, practising the techniques I’ve been taught, turning him and walking back. The challenge was for him to not try launching/towing me back. He has been coming on slowly but surely and each time we’ve been getting that bit further and he’s been getting calmer.

Tonight we made it the WHOLE way along the track (it's a good 100 odd yards) and he managed to hold it together and we came back without any little rears, without me feeling I’m going to get run over and, more importantly my legs have stopped shaking as I feel soo much more confident I can control him! Plus he walked 3/4 of the track (as we neared home) much calmer than before.

It’s still going to be a long road and the next steps will be trying to get back on board and for us both to regain confidence and trust. Have another lesson with my instructor on Saturday morning with part of this being completing the 10 min walk along the lane to the livery yard’s arena first. I am for once feeling confident I can do this!

Sorry, bit of a pointless, long post but just wanted to share. I never thought I would have confidence wobbles but seemingly I can BUT I am determind we will get there now! Am just hoping the saddle issues can be resolved!

 

[hnmisty]

Ouch, sounds like a nasty accident

But also sounds like you are doing just fine right now! good luck with the saddle problem!

 

[ladyt25]

Thankfully I wasn't injured - just was in the wrong place (in front of him) and had no reason to think he'd do what he did!!!

I am hoping come next year I will be able to post about me actually having some ridden success! (mustn't run before we can walk though eh!)

 

[Cortez]

How old, how big, did you breed him, and what breed/what do you want to do with him?

 

[ladyt25]

No, I didn't breed him, I bought him when he was 15mths old. He's 4 this year (May) and his dam was a tb, his dad 'unknown' but was evidently coloured. He's approx 16.2hh now and medium weight. He's also seemingly more sensitive a soul than I gave him credit for! He took to initial backing very well and was hacking out. I'd started hacking out alone. But he got wider and, although adjustable, his saddle was not wide enough hence the issues. We both lost some confidence in each other so have gone back to basics and are getting there! He likes to do stuff and please you but needs very clear instructions!
The idea was he was to take over when my current horse retires so I hope to be able to do a bit of everything - probably more showjumping with a bit of lower level eventing.