To school or not to school....???

[Marigold43]

So here's the thing. I am a new horse owner, who is a novice,with a green horse!!!! Yes, I know, silly combination but there you go. Anyway, up until recently, me and my mare were getting along fine, albeit a bit of a case of neither of us really knowing what we were doing but we were doing ok. I am not looking to event or anything like that, just ride for pleasure really. Anyway, I had to move her into a livery yard as the field she was out in was nothing short of a bog!!! Sadly no winter turn out and I am not always able to ride every day. I asked that she be schooled to help bring her along and that would also help with exercising her when I am unable to do so. It's my intention to also get lessons so that the schooling isn't ruined by my poor riding skills!!!! Anyway, since she has started being schooled, she has become a bit fizzy!!! Before, when I put her out into the arena, she would just stand there and only run around under encouragement!! Now, she is barging her way into the arena and bucking and kicking and having a right old go!!! She's never displayed this behaviour before!!! I am now worried about actually getting on her and have no idea where to go from here. Is it the schooling doing this or her being stabled? I thought it might be the stabling and too much haylage but some have said she is coming to "that" age and is just healthy and stabling is not the problem. Tbh, I am very confused. Any suggestions????

 

[oldie48]

I doubt the schooling has anything to do with it but she may be getting a bit fitter and stronger. If I gave my horses their turnout in my arena, they would also have a good buck and fart around fortunately they get lots of turnout on grass but that doesn't mean they won't, on occasion, have a good buck and gallop when they are first turned out! I think you are doing the right thing having your horse schooled, done properly it will make her easier to ride. Green horses need training correctly and if you can afford to pay for schooling, then you are doing the best you can for her.

 

[be positive]

It is likely to be a combination of everything, she is still young and energetic being kept in 24/7 apart from when she is turned out in the arena or being schooled in the same arena, she will be getting much fitter and stronger if working correctly and as is often the case the more they do the more they require to keep them settled, unless they can go out in a field to get rid of excess energy.

I would not worry about her letting off steam in the arena, if that is the only chance she gets, leave her until she has settled then either do more with her or ride once she is quiet. Cut her hard feed out or down to a minimum make sure she has plenty of hay/ haylage so she is not bored and to reduce the risk of colic/ ulcers etc.

On the schooling side speak to whoever is doing it and make sure they are aware of your expectations/ limitations and not trying to turn her into something you do not require or desire, the main criteria for doing a good job schooling for clients is to know what to aim for, the client must be able to ride the horse not just the pro, otherwise they are failing however well the horse goes it needs to stay rideable.

 

[Marigold43]

Many thanks for the replies. I think my main concern is that she would become to forward for me to then handle, although lessons for her and I will definitely help in that respect. The really daft thing is that before I ride her, I get very nervous and almost scared, yet once in the saddle, feel so much better!! I was hoping that if she was schooled, I could concentrate on improving my own skills without trying to teach her too!!! Oh boy, talk about my learning curve being a vertical line with no curve in sight!!! Gulp!!!

 

[EmmyMD]

sounds like she needs turnout!!!! is there no yard in the area with turnout and a school?

 

[jam14]

I agree that it is more the turn out than anything and the fact she was fine before when had turn out makes it pretty certain in my eyes.

Its hard in the winter but you are getting her out which is the best you can do so I would just hang in there doing the best you can as spring isnt too far away.