Sour horse HELP

[ann3962]

HELP- A Sour Horse - I have a Belgium WB, now 9. Bought as a 5year old, from dealer, who imported him. I am guessing he was prepared for sale in draw reins and forever ridden in circles. I have spent a good couple of years just hacking him out, beach rides etc. Basically trying to get him to enjoy himself, I dont think he had ever galloped with a rider before I got him. However, he hates any kind of schooling, goes very wooden and stiff, every stride is a struggle, he's not bad, just exhausting. Out hacking he is very responsive to any leg aids, I just need to think canter and hes there, but in a school, its a constant battle. Took him to a few jumping lessons in an open grass field and even that was hard going. I feel that it all has something to do with his start in life. Any tips on turning him around from a backward stuffy horse to a forward going happy one in a schooling / show enviroment. Thanks

 

[Dogstar]

My old horse really hated schooling so I gave up on it and just hunted her Hunting usually brightens any horse up.

 

[tallyho!]

What do you do in the school? Is it just riding?

It might be association of school = bad things.

What about doing some loose 'schooling' sessions or just taking him in there for a general walk every so often but not ride. Alternate going in there with tack, without, with lungeing stuff, without etc and take his mind off the association.

Not guaranteed to work but at least you're encouraging him to feel differently about being in a school.

 

[ann3962]

Hi, thanks for replying. I do not have access to a school/manage so always have to travel to one, and therefore, yes am always riding in it for some kind of lesson either flatwork or jumping. It's a tricky one because don't want to really go the expense of hiring school, and travelling there if not going to use it - but I think its a catch 22! Any other thoughts would be greatly appreicated.

 

[Echo Bravo]

I knew one dressage rider who use to school out hacking as she had no menage to school him in and her horse always did well at shows as it was a novelty to him. It was a joy to see her doing shoulder in's going down the road (no traffic I may add) or on the bridleways

 

[camilla4]

I knew one dressage rider who use to school out hacking as she had no menage to school him in and her horse always did well at shows as it was a novelty to him. It was a joy to see her doing shoulder in's going down the road (no traffic I may add) or on the bridleways

I was exactly the same (apologies to those who are bored of my posts on this topic!). I had to do all my schooling out hacking and competed successfully in dressage and eventing and also did a lot of showing. I'm a big advocate of schooling whilst hacking anyway - it's easier to keep horses interested and to incorporate things like hill work and rougher terrain, which are great for developing balance.

 

[tallyho!]

Hi, thanks for replying. I do not have access to a school/manage so always have to travel to one, and therefore, yes am always riding in it for some kind of lesson either flatwork or jumping. It's a tricky one because don't want to really go the expense of hiring school, and travelling there if not going to use it - but I think its a catch 22! Any other thoughts would be greatly appreicated.

Doh!!! Sorry I wasn't much use...

I do most of my schooling in a field or out on roads too as I don't have a school now either. I used to last year and boy do I miss it...

 

[Show Girl]

What is it with WB's mine is the same, when he goes like this I change what I do in the school - lots of free school jumping always works with him. The other thing I found was to ride the whole time with my reins held at the buckle really loosened him up, canter work was fairly exciting the first couple of times as we motored round the corners but it helps him stretch out and have some fun, he does get a bit stuffy in the school as I have the problem of him not hacking out on his own so we tend to spend alot of time going in the school so doing something different helps, I spent a week recently just riding on the buckle not even thinking about picking up the reins and he really enjoyed it and tbh so did I, once he felt relaxed and happy I started to pick up reins and do some more collected work, but then let him out again for a bit of a jolly, I now get the most amazing extended trot and flying changes on him which although he could always do its nothing to how he works now. If he starts to turn a bit sour again I just go back to my lose reins and 'motorbiking' corners
The other thing is (should have mentioned first really) is get back, teeth & saddle check, there could be a problem manifesting its self that wouldn't be to apparent on a hack as not in a restricted environment.
Another thing I've just thought of is the school surface, can you try a different surface at all, I know a horse that hates sand schools and will go as stiff as a board but on a rubber surface is a god to ride.

 

[ann3962]

Hi, thanks for replying - glad someone else has the same problem - I was begining to think i was alone on this one! I really do think it must be the way they are started. Had teeth, saddle, back and limbs checked and all fine. I do some schooling on the roads, and he responds well - but I need lessons every now and then to keep me right, and its good to get out and take him different places etc. Hes been on all surfaces, rubber, sand, grass but he just switches off. Totally agree about working him over different ground as he is much more sure footed now than he ever was, but I guess he is maturing now too. To be honest I do not think his hooves had ever touched grass before I got him, and I would put money on it that he had experienced nothing else but a manage surface. I will try riding him on the buckle the next time I am in a school and see what happens. The last lesson I had I was asked to ride him from a standstill to fast as you can go down the school with no rein contact then pick up reins and stop quickly and repeat a few times to wake him up. It certainly worked and got his attention, but I can't really do that warming up before a wee show! People would think I was mad.