Update on my sudden realisation I can't ride ..

pnap

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So had my first lesson from my block booking last night and managed to get it with the dressage rider I had a lesson with a while ago. No mention of fairies last night but he eventually got on Jack to show me how it's done. Well after 20 mins of him working him round the school Jack still wouldn't work in an outline for more than 2-3 strides (which is all I can get out of him) and the guy had to get off cause he was - in his words - "absolutely f*ckin knackered". He said I must be one of the strongest lady riders he's ever seen to get that horse to work at all. Did suggest a change in bit (from eggbutt snaffle to loose ring french link) to make him a bit freer in the mouth but conceeded that the horse is bloody hard work and that whilst my riding isn't perfect I'm doing all the right things the horse just doesn't want to listen. So all in all I feel a little better that it's just not me. Horsey on the other hand is going to have to meet me halfway as I'm going to keep going with the lessons but Jack is definately going to have to buck up his ideas as well.
 
*crying with laughter!*
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I now ride in a loose ring french snaffle and I have seen a huge difference in my horse's way of going- alot softer in the mouth and he salivates(sp) really well with it.

Keep up your lessons and let us know how you are getting on, you make me chuckle- in a nice way.
 
I did have a wee smirk on my face standing in the middle of the school when after 10 mins Jack was still raising his head and fighting the whole way. It's not big and not clever but I just was so relieved it wasn't just my riding and the horse is a buggar. Thing that's so frustrating though is I know damn well he can bloody move his arse when he wants too. Different beast out hacking - uses all his power but in the school he's just a nightmare. I'm determined to get him going well though so if it takes me another 10 years to get a circuit of the school when he's working properly then so be it.
 
Bless him - I've recovered from laughng now! Had to duck behind my pc! I bet your instructor wasn't happy!
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On a more serious note - have you had his back/teeth checked lately? There could be a reason he is resisting so much.
 
I remember at PC once the instructor got on one of the kids in my ride's pony to "sort him out" and immediately got bucked off! We howled!
 
Its just as gratifying when the livery 'know it all' gets on and cant even get the horse to trot!! Cant help feeling smug.
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JUST a thought but my Highland went through a very nose pokey stage. Had his teeth done when I bought him but have changed yards and have got a new dentist. The difference has to be seen to be believed! And I thought they were all the same really.
 
Teeth done twice in the last 6 months, McTimoney out who basically did his thing then (in the nicest possible way) said there wasn't anything really wrong with him and he was just lazy, and massage ladies also been out twice in three months. I think I'm coming to the realisation - after spending close on £1000 on all of this treatment + a new saddle - that it's an attitude adjustment that's required. Both from me in being a little firmer with him and him in just trying that wee bit harder for me. Honestly you would think I went up there and did hours and hours of monotonous work with him but I try to keep schooling sessions down to about 20mins work after a warm up and do something different every night. He still walks like I'm leading him to the abbatoir!
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That's so funny, once went for a jumping lesson, instructor gets on, jumps round a bit, heads off towards double with the words "ok ladies, this is how you do it," she stopped, he fell off, climbed out from amongst the poles & said "yes, I see what you mean, she does have a bit of a stop" I nearly wet myself laughing.
 
hi, am new to posting but had to give it a try!
i have a 15.3 heavy weight coloured and spent 3 years trotting around the arena with his neck like an ironing board and him showing me how many teeth he has due to his crossed jaw, always got off with a face like a tomato. the phrases 'more impulsion' and 'you've nearly got there' still fill me with horror. instructor also found him hard work. one day outline and impulsion just clicked. have now moved to wales and instructor actually asked if he always went so well - i was very smug and so was jake (horse)
 
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