SantaVera
Well-Known Member
You could give online a try,if you are not enjoying it then do something you do enjoy.
Stressage - is there any point continuing
- Thread starter cheekywelshie
- Start date
Dexter
Well-Known Member
I hate even asking this as it feels like I'm always going on about it, but there's no chance he's got PSSM is there? Traveling in a trailer is a huge trigger for becoming symptomatic for many type 1s. Watching that video reminded me of mine before I knew. I could never understand what happened when we went out anywhere, she just died on me like that. I ended up testing her for PSSM due to a few things but really just to rule it out, and she was positive. Once she was treated and not symptomatic she was fine traveling and competing. In hindsight it was obvious but I didn't know.
cheekywelshie
Well-Known Member
I agree with this about doing the right work and using a slow walk to find self carriage. I used to do biomechanics and have been to weekend biomechanics training courses for years but I think it all goes out of the window when riding in front of people especially if you don’t do it that often. We used to do trailblazers years ago and I would think nothing of just doing a test or Sj round but all the events were on site so I just had to tack up and ride!
cheekywelshie
Well-Known Member
hmm not sure as he is different in summer!
I wonder if something like buteless would help in winter. It might not matter though as we’ll probably just be hacking and some jumping when the ground dries out , for now - … in our slightly younger years:
cheekywelshie
Well-Known Member
Any suggestions on ground work? I do some now but mainly halt, park, quarter left/right, fore left/right and side pass
nikicb
Well-Known Member
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 todaythough 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!
If he is beginning to feel a little uncomfortable behind (and I agree that he looks it), perhaps the hour in the trailer travelling to the competition is aggravating it. It's quite taxing on their joints to balance for that long, and if he can be reluctant to load, he might be trying to tell you something. I would be inclined to get him checked over by the vet including some hock xrays rather than trying him on buteless etc. That way you know what you are dealing with rather than second guessing. Perhaps medicating hocks could help him, but only a vet can tell you that.
LadyGascoyne
Well-Known Member
He’s lovely!
I agree with other posters that at 22 and current soundness levels, he may be finding the ask a bit bigger - especially on the deeper surfaces.
I think though, that stressage implies that really there are some things that you might need to work through yourself.
I think if I were you, I might see if I could borrow a friends horse or book a lesson with a pro on one of theirs. Sometimes it’s helpful to be able to differentiate what you are bringing to the table from how the horse is riding, if you know what I mean.
I rode a friend’s young Spanish horse a while ago and it suddenly reminded me why I love riding. I may not be “there” with my own horses for various reasons of soundness, type and capability, but I know I do have the capacity to really enjoy a dressage clinic now and again.
I agree with other posters that at 22 and current soundness levels, he may be finding the ask a bit bigger - especially on the deeper surfaces.
I think though, that stressage implies that really there are some things that you might need to work through yourself.
I think if I were you, I might see if I could borrow a friends horse or book a lesson with a pro on one of theirs. Sometimes it’s helpful to be able to differentiate what you are bringing to the table from how the horse is riding, if you know what I mean.
I rode a friend’s young Spanish horse a while ago and it suddenly reminded me why I love riding. I may not be “there” with my own horses for various reasons of soundness, type and capability, but I know I do have the capacity to really enjoy a dressage clinic now and again.
sbloom
Well-Known Member
moosea
Well-Known Member
Ok ...
So the nice version is
He looks a great type, appears to be well put together with nothing obviously wrong with how he's built.
His back legs look stringhalty on a few steps? Maybe that is making him look unsound? But if you look at his footfalls in trot he's pretty even.
You both look very nice together ....
So the nice version is
He looks a great type, appears to be well put together with nothing obviously wrong with how he's built.
His back legs look stringhalty on a few steps? Maybe that is making him look unsound? But if you look at his footfalls in trot he's pretty even.
You both look very nice together ....
But......
You seem to be the only thing holding his head up at times - more bend in your elbow will allow your elbow and wrist to become more elastic.
You seem to be sitting over his front end - he is on the forehand. It will be physically difficult for a cob who is carrying his rider on his shoulders to lift his front end and engage his hind legs properly.
You also collapse through your left hip at times.
How to fix.
Get the vet to look him over - there is no reason an older horse can't do the work you want to do, but remember - warm up for a lot longer and gently. Same for cool down.
Have you tried riding squares? Its a great excersise for lifting the fore hand.
Work on you being more elastic in the contact.
Shoulders back. Open accross your upper chest more - hard to explain what i mean - bring the wings of your shoulders together at the back to pull your shoulders and collar bone areas up, back and open.
You seem to be the only thing holding his head up at times - more bend in your elbow will allow your elbow and wrist to become more elastic.
You seem to be sitting over his front end - he is on the forehand. It will be physically difficult for a cob who is carrying his rider on his shoulders to lift his front end and engage his hind legs properly.
You also collapse through your left hip at times.
How to fix.
Get the vet to look him over - there is no reason an older horse can't do the work you want to do, but remember - warm up for a lot longer and gently. Same for cool down.
Have you tried riding squares? Its a great excersise for lifting the fore hand.
Work on you being more elastic in the contact.
Shoulders back. Open accross your upper chest more - hard to explain what i mean - bring the wings of your shoulders together at the back to pull your shoulders and collar bone areas up, back and open.
Ceriann
Well-Known Member
Second that. He looks amazing in that photo and a real credit to you. I’ve also watched the video and he’s such a trier for you. You should be proud of the bond you both have.
Supercalifragilistic
Well-Known Member
You look like a lovely partnership. Just a suggestion if you do decide to keep doing the occasional test, I’m not a fan of the surface in the indoor warmup at that venue. Not only is it quite a tight space, I find it quite ‘dead’ to ride on and in my experience some horses shut down working on it and it will emphasise any stiffness/unlevelness. The surface on the International indoor itself is of course good.
If you are back there then either pick an outdoor test (if too can) or warm up in the outdoor and just go indoor for your test.
Good luck, keep enjoying him!
If you are back there then either pick an outdoor test (if too can) or warm up in the outdoor and just go indoor for your test.
Good luck, keep enjoying him!
tda
Well-Known Member
Also, maybe he is ok on your arena surface, but finds other surfaces hard work?
Could you try him on a grass surface for dressage, does anyone do that anymore
Could you try him on a grass surface for dressage, does anyone do that anymore
Britestar
Well-Known Member
I retired my old boy from dressage competition at 22. He wasn't enjoying it anymore.
He went on to do Trec and hacking, baby sitting and the odd other thing.
Now at 25 he hacks, charges around fields if they are dry, and babysits beach trips.
He pops the odd small jump as well.
He's very happy, sound and full of beans, but is not the least bit interested in going around in circles.
He went on to do Trec and hacking, baby sitting and the odd other thing.
Now at 25 he hacks, charges around fields if they are dry, and babysits beach trips.
He pops the odd small jump as well.
He's very happy, sound and full of beans, but is not the least bit interested in going around in circles.
ester
Not slacking multitasking
Fwiw I wished I'd had F's hock checked and medicated before I did at a similar age (23 I think) although he was doing 'ok' and had shown an earlier improvement on starting boswellia. I was careful what I did and very much concentrated on work to keep him supple and comfy but leaving it perhaps 6 months too long did lead to later compensatory issues which were what ultimately curtailed what he could do.
cheekywelshie
Well-Known Member
We got 64.3. We did the same test a year or so ago and got 67. However I made a few mistakes because of nerves- walking at M instead of C, walking before K and obviously some transitions not great.
Yesterday we went to the woods. He bounded on my friends lorry, couldnt wait to get on and went up and down a few hills, some narrow bends and forward trot on the flat in front of his friend who is twelve years his junior. When we did dressage he got on the trailer ok - it’s things like if other horses are out he isn’t keen as he wants to be out in the field.
Put him in the school this morning for a roll and a trot and canter round - he looked so graceful, it’s just when I get on ? I am going to get the saddle checked just as part of usual routine.
Yesterday we went to the woods. He bounded on my friends lorry, couldnt wait to get on and went up and down a few hills, some narrow bends and forward trot on the flat in front of his friend who is twelve years his junior. When we did dressage he got on the trailer ok - it’s things like if other horses are out he isn’t keen as he wants to be out in the field.
Put him in the school this morning for a roll and a trot and canter round - he looked so graceful, it’s just when I get on ? I am going to get the saddle checked just as part of usual routine.