Stressage - is there any point continuing

[cheekywelshie]

First time out for ages, since June ish. Prelim 7 https://linksharing.samsungcloud.co...46459LZsgPMh&currentIndex=1&linkUrlVersion=V1. (if Chrome it goes to Safeshare then you need to c+p link into browser and it works)



Still as stressful as ever - me really tense, and feeling like the pony is just plodding.
To be fair he is 22 now! But I rode in the week and felt much more together, not strung out and ploddy as here.
I wonder whether we should just stick to hacking - the things we do well are usually, free walk, halt, straight down centre line - I've tried to work on an outline but as you can see- no sign of one, my arms are still like washing lines although at home I'm more conscious of it, my legs just flapping..arena was a bit spooky but still.
I've been trying to work on the canter but not sure it will ever change - so is there any point now, at his age I thought I was making incremental change but you'd never tell here.
So I guess I'm trying to think whether to carry on as I'm not sure whether we'll improve, or maybe try online dressage without having to go anywhere!

 

[Barton Bounty]

Sorry! But I think you are being way too hard on yourself! Far too self critical. He moves extremely well for 22! Well done you

 

[throwaway2022]

If you're not enjoying it I personally wouldn't bother anymore, life is too short. Either give the online option a go or just carry on schooling for tests to add variety but no pressure of being judged. Haven't seen the video but photo is lovely!

 

[Barton Bounty]

If you're not enjoying it I personally wouldn't bother anymore, life is too short. Either give the online option a go or just carry on schooling for tests to add variety but no pressure of being judged. Haven't seen the video but photo is lovely!

The video is actually lovely too! ?

 

[Identityincrisis]

I always say, why bother if you’re not enjoying it? We do this horsey thing for fun and stress RELIEF, if you’re not enjoying it, stop, it’s not your livelihood so you have a choice.

I haven’t watched the video so can’t say if you’re being overly critical

 

[nikicb]

I think you need to stop beating yourself up. This post is meant kindly..... he's a lovely chap and you clearly have a good partnership. However, I really do think that his age is going to start to go against him in terms of improving your scores/dressage experiences. If I was in this situation, I would probably focus on enjoying the things you like to do together - hacking, or some Trec type stuff/agility etc., then you can also look for some veteran dresage if you still want to do it, online possibly if the actual outing is stressful for both. I am cetainly not suggesting you stop doing stuff with him, but possibly it's a time to step back and have a think about a new set of goals. I understand this might feel hard if you are on a yard/in a circle of friends for which dressage is a focus, but most of us have our horses because we like spending time with them, so it's time to make it fun for both of you. Good luck!

 

[AmyMay]

I think you need to stop beating yourself up. This post is meant kindly..... he's a lovely chap and you clearly have a good partnership. However, I really do think that his age is going to start to go against him in terms of improving your scores/dressage experiences. If I was in this situation, I would probably focus on enjoying the things you like to do together - hacking, or some Trec type stuff/agility etc., then you can also look for some veteran dresage if you still want to do it, online possibly if the actual outing is stressful for both. I am cetainly not suggesting you stop doing stuff with him, but possibly it's a time to step back and have a think about a new set of goals. I understand this might feel hard if you are on a yard/in a circle of friends for which dressage is a focus, but most of us have our horses because we like spending time with them, so it's time to make it fun for both of you. Good luck!

I agree.

He’s an absolute credit to you at 22. (Again said kindly, perhaps not 100% sound), so he may feel arena work is too hard.

 

[NinjaPony]

At 22, I’d be ‘schooling for soundness’ rather than test riding. It sounds like your riding is helping him stay supple, based on your description of him being more together out hacking. I love training and schooling, so if you enjoy that, I would consider reframing how you approach it, to helping your boy keep fit, supple and active, and then focus on exercises which will help with that. The goal then becomes keeping him active, rather than competing. I haven’t watched the video, so this is just a suggestion based on my experience with ageing horses.

 

[cheekywelshie]

I agree.

He’s an absolute credit to you at 22. (Again said kindly, perhaps not 100% sound), so he may feel arena work is too hard.

Yes agree, prob not 100 percent sound, it’s hard at that age. I rode in the week at home ( I tend to hack and do low xc at home still
Jumps happily, than lots of schooling) and he felt really good in the school, much more together which is why I think I was a bit disappointed today. I know I was really stressed though because I hadn’t done any for ages and sometimes just don’t breathe and my mind goes blank - but there is a point if you’re not enjoying it etc why bother… I think it’s because of those small things like the free walk the halt etc he can do really well… and I guess as we’ve been through so much together over 15 years even tiny improvements felt massive. But wha makes me happy - going to the beach!!

 

[Spotherisk]

Yes agree, prob not 100 percent sound, it’s hard at that age. I rode in the week at home ( I tend to hack and do low xc at home still
Jumps happily, than lots of schooling) and he felt really good in the school, much more together which is why I think I was a bit disappointed today. I know I was really stressed though because I hadn’t done any for ages and sometimes just don’t breathe and my mind goes blank - but there is a point if you’re not enjoying it etc why bother… I think it’s because of those small things like the free walk the halt etc he can do really well… and I guess as we’ve been through so much together over 15 years even tiny improvements felt massive. But wha makes me happy - going to the beach!!

then we need some happy beach photos please!

 

[cheekywelshie]

May this year

 

[sbloom]

May this year

Look how much good that's doing him, look at the outline, the push! I've not watched the video but change it up, don't do what you don't enjoy, do consider a confidence course if you'd like to tackle the nerves, or just do what you love. I would (broken record) add in some groundwork to your programme, or do more of it if you already do it, with a focus on posture, to help stop the ravages of age. Horses don't have to decline as much as many do in their twenties.

 

[webble]

I think you're being hard on yourself, he wasn't forward in that video which I know never helps my riding. I agree he doesn't look quite sound which could be why. Echo others saying it's supposed to be fun, ask yourself why you're doing it

 

[doodle]

Go to the beach then. If neither of you enjoy it then don’t do it. You don’t have to be doing anything other than hacking. He is looking like he is struggling slightly in that video. Again not meant in a nasty way but at 22 then if you both enjoy hacking and going to the beach then do that.

 

[rara007]

What is the ‘point’ of dressage anyway? If you enjoy it keep going, there’s certainly improvements you can make even allowing for his age. If you don’t enjoy it, move on.

 

[cheekywelshie]

He felt quite lazy not forward which is completely different to how he was earlier in the week at home. So aside from what we do going forward (planning out next beach trip hopefully!) is there an element of me being tense which is also not helping? Is there anything I could do differently?

 

[cheekywelshie]

Go to the beach then. If neither of you enjoy it then don’t do it. You don’t have to be doing anything other than hacking. He is looking like he is struggling slightly in that video. Again not meant in a nasty way but at 22 then if you both enjoy hacking and going to the beach then do that.

Co-incidentally the best DR score we ever had - 67.7 - about two years ago, six or seven months after colic surgery, was about a week after the beach trip!

 

[sbloom]

How was the arena surface? You may need to take that into account too. And yes you being tense will have a huge effect, I would work with a coach specialising in confidence as I suggested above, if you really want to keep doing dressage. Personally I gave up as I didn't agree with what was winning anyway (this is nearly 20 years ago!).

 

[eahotson]

View attachment 105108
May this year

Lovely

 

[Peglo]

I did my first dressage league this year and my ponies first too. We just did minimus but I found it fun so I wanted to keep going. (Tali learning the test and doing things without me asking was fun). If we didn’t enjoy it then I wouldn’t bother. (Going to the beach is definitely my favourite too ?)

we had a lesson before one test and it went brilliantly but on test day I was all over the place (stressing about other things) and although Tali wasn’t bad, she could only be as good as I was and as my focus was terrible we didn’t do a great test. Definitely for me and my pony if I’m off so is she. I try not to ride now if I’m not in a good head space. She is more sensitive than my other 2 I’ve had so that’s been a learning curve.

what a lovely picture of the 2 of you on the beach. I agree that if you find it too stressful, at his age, do what you both enjoy.

 

[cheekywelshie]

I

what a lovely picture of the 2 of you on the beach. I agree that if you find it too stressful, at his age, do what you both enjoy.

Yes we love the beach

I think part of the stress comes from the entire experience when I go out on my own . The actual test is just four minutes...I'm not a huge fan of towing despite having done it for five years. I think also part of it is, I just don't go out very often, so it isn't very normalised as such - so eg. if I haven' towed for 3 months then I get a bit anxious and always, will he load or not?! I realise most people have to do this as well but I feel exhausted and didn't even have to drive today though it is less fun in wind and rain!!

1. Lining up the car, getting the numerous locks off and hitching up the trailer (sometimes straightforward, sometimes not!)
2. Loading (sometimes done in under 3 minutes, sometimes not! - Easier if someone on yard to help)
3. Towing - up to an hours drive.
4. Unloading - tack up head to warm up
5. Warm up do test
6. Load on (sometimes good sometimes not, mostly oK though)
7. Drive back - another hour
8. Unload - turn out
9. Park trailer up
10. Get stable ready for bring in!

 

[Peglo]

Yes we love the beach

I think part of the stress comes from the entire experience when I go out on my own . The actual test is just four minutes...I'm not a huge fan of towing despite having done it for five years. I think also part of it is, I just don't go out very often, so it isn't very normalised as such - so eg. if I haven' towed for 3 months then I get a bit anxious and always, will he load or not?! I realise most people have to do this as well but I feel exhausted and didn't even have to drive today though it is less fun in wind and rain!!

1. Lining up the car, getting the numerous locks off and hitching up the trailer (sometimes straightforward, sometimes not!)
2. Loading (sometimes done in under 3 minutes, sometimes not! - Easier if someone on yard to help)
3. Towing - up to an hours drive.
4. Unloading - tack up head to warm up
5. Warm up do test
6. Load on (sometimes good sometimes not, mostly oK though)
7. Drive back - another hour
8. Unload - turn out
9. Park trailer up
10. Get stable ready for bring in!

could you travel with someone? My friend picks me up and we go together. I have a trailer but not a vehicle to drive it atm and think the thought of transporting my own would make me a bit stressed too. Also Tali LOVES my friends horse so loads no problem with him but don’t think she’d travel so well by herself. I also enjoy the natter on the way home about our tests etc. she’s way more chilled than me so she’s good for me to have around. It makes it a nice social time too. I know some people prefer to do things themselves but might be an option if you like company.

 

[tda]

I haven't watched the video yet, but if I had to drive more than 25 mins to anywhere I wouldn't go! Let alone for a 4 minute test.
Stick to what you enjoy or find a closer venue?

 

[babymare]

Never been a riding person. Far happier on the ground working with babies etc. Hated riding in front of people. But I rode because that’s what horsey people do right? Rode a friends horse at a show an in middle of individual show major panic attack and left ring. The lovely judge called me back in at end and told me to trot and canter. I was last of course but she took time to come to me at end and say some lovely words. I stopped riding after that(my little mare had eye issues so perfect timing) but I knew the time for putting self through such stress was over. I continued to love my lass, mucking out, grooming etc but no stress?

 

[Gloi]

Yes we love the beach

I think part of the stress comes from the entire experience when I go out on my own . The actual test is just four minutes...I'm not a huge fan of towing despite having done it for five years. I think also part of it is, I just don't go out very often, so it isn't very normalised as such - so eg. if I haven' towed for 3 months then I get a bit anxious and always, will he load or not?! I realise most people have to do this as well but I feel exhausted and didn't even have to drive today though it is less fun in wind and rain!!

1. Lining up the car, getting the numerous locks off and hitching up the trailer (sometimes straightforward, sometimes not!)
2. Loading (sometimes done in under 3 minutes, sometimes not! - Easier if someone on yard to help)
3. Towing - up to an hours drive.
4. Unloading - tack up head to warm up
5. Warm up do test
6. Load on (sometimes good sometimes not, mostly oK though)
7. Drive back - another hour
8. Unload - turn out
9. Park trailer up
10. Get stable ready for bring in!

Very much the same reason as I use for not going anywhere

 

[Abacus]

I always feel the same when eventing, right up to the showjumping… why do I do all this, for such a short amount of time riding… but if sj and xc go well, the buzz is worth it. If you aren't getting that feeling after it all, then maybe it isn’t - and a beach trip would be more fun.

 

[ihatework]

What a lovely chappy

In all honesty he is looking quite lame at times, especially behind.

Im all for keeping the oldies ticking over and certainly this isn’t meant as overtly criticism - but he looks like he would benefit from some vet intervention if you have aspirations of keeping on schooling

 

[Red-1]

What a lovely, generous horse. So full of promise when he trotted up the centre line, but then the left turn hit him and he looked very uncomfortable. The entire left rein (especially) looked uncomfortable. Because he looks so kind and generous, I would quit schooling and just hack/go to the beach. That way, you can both have fun. Either that or get the vet involved to see if they can help him to be more comfortable in an arena setting.

I am interested to see what the judge said? Unlevel strides?

 

[cheekywelshie]

The gait with his hind legs is common with some cobs - came up in vetting when he was a five year old - plus they said he has stringhalt which you can’t do much about. He is a bit stiff on the turn left out of the CL I agree nd across the diagonal in particular. I suspect arthritic changes due to age possibly not helping his hocks but when I lunge him he has a regular rhythm on the lunge he doesn’t look stiff at all and looks fine on both reins. So I then question my riding. I’ve had the vet out over the years and they say he needs longer to warm up and once he’s going forward they don’t notice anything. Plus it’s winter so he is probably more stiff than normal as our less. Normally I have a good canter round the arena but it was difficult this time due to being a small indoor warm up arena and a few people warming up made it difficult. Just looked at the sheet from summer and last summer and he isn’t as stiff and more forward. I didn’t get the one from today as was right at the beginning so didn’t want to hang around!

 

[sbloom]

Carrying a rider puts more strain on any compensatory patterns, unbalanced riders more so, and of course ill fitting saddles compound it all. It all depends what you want to do, I "send" a lot of riders for help both on and off horse and it's always a good idea to work with a rider biomechanics expert. I recommend starting with something like Rider Reboot (online) though there are various of their trainers, and others, across the country, whichever I'd always recommend a 1 to 1 assessment first .

All horses benefit from straightening/postural work from the ground, why not take the winter to work on you both separately, reduce riding and concentrate on the fun stuff when you do, and see where you are in the summer?

Taking longer to warm up - always an interesting one, in so many cases if you're doing the right work then the work is beneficial from the go-get. If a horse is moving crooked and stiff for a while, then getting them moving keeps them in dysfunction for longer which isn't ideal. This is a high bar, and a new way of looking at how we work our horses I grant, but it's a really good way to look at it. Often a slow walk, with the rider allowing the horse to find balance and self carriage, is a better basis than "swingier" work to "loosen" the horse.