Tarquin - the wild horses - continued

[Laafet]

Its been a long time since I posted but those who know me will remember Tarquin the wild 4 year old WC x TB I bought last september. Well after six months of hard work I have got as far as long reining, backing and was starting to ride him away. But a disasterous first attempt at going loose in the school has really set us back and now Tarquin is not very happy even with me lying over him in the school. He was very good riding around in the stable but has no confidence outside and as his first reaction is to run flat out and bronc I am having serious problems. I have now taken him right back to just laying on him in the stable and trying to improve his attitude outside. He seems to lack confidence when I'm not on the ground and he does lack confidence in the school. But I have a dilemma - how do you get a horse that is happy to be ridden in the stable to have the confidence loose in the school. Help is not very easy to come by and as it has taken six months of join up to get him to trust me, he doesn't like it when other people help as he doesn't trust them. He's five now which doesn't worry me as my other horse was five when he was broken in and is a superstar now on loan to a para rider. I know its a case of just time but so frustrating. We dont have an indoor school or lunge pen which I think would help and I dont have any transport so its dealing with what I've got access to. He does seem happier being long reined in the jumping paddock than in the school but as it is big and the ground is hard I really dont fancy coming off on it.
Any suggestions, condolences welcome.

 

[*hic*]

My thoughts would be to start him again from a point at which he's very happy and confident - but out in the school. Expect to go as slowly as you did the first time, you might be able to move along faster but EXPECT to be that slow. Just don't "work" him in the stable, he needs to learn that he feels just as safe outside.

Whereabouts in Norfolk are you?

We're just re-starting a rising 5 mare that was backed and ridden away last year. She's had just the one lesson so far (yesterday) - and we are right back to playing with the long reins and not panicking when objects are placed next to her. She's not even had her bridle or saddle on yet. Slowly, slowly catchee monkey!