we have a new plan and tactics for Royal Cornwall.

[Queenbee]

A very quick overview for any of you who do not know, Am taking ben to royal cornwall show to do the inhand skewbald and piebald. Ben is normally so sane, but about a month ago started to become hot to hack... schooling he was chilled but hacking... snorting fire breathing dragon. As a result I popped him on magic hoping that this behaviour was triggered by a possible magnesium deficiency... hacking wise he hadnt got any better. Yesterday he went to his first show so had two shots of instant magic calmer (one the night before and one on the day) He kind of blew his nut at the show although many who were there have since said he didnt look as bad as he felt

he is on a well grazed paddock, out at night, in at day with hay and has one small handful of alfalfa to carry his calmer.

Today I tried him in a rugby pelham, it was decided that this would be more effective for inhand control, so I walked him around the school for a bit in it as it has been a fair old while since ive ridden with two reins and I just wanted to get a feel for it and allow him to feel the bit, he was calm and relaxed, walked across the yard out onto the road and he threw his head up, back went down and he snorted and turned into a dragon... he just became full of himself, using every thing as an excuse to jump or look or jog! I kept working him and everytime he jumped I must admit I gave him a good growl and tap with the whip. Suddenly he stepped back underneath me and dropped his head... i could still definately feel the energy but it felt contained and more focused and with purpose.

Since the magic calmer is doing naff all and its certainly not pain but seriously hi jinx, Ive decided to take him off the grass. He is now in until royal cornwall. He will be stabled have plenty of hay, and be worked in hand and ridden every day with a couple of hours turn out in either the sand school or the paddock with a grazing muzzle.

We are now going to Royal Cornwall Showground on Wednesday morning, instead of Thursday. That way we will have a nice quiet showground to ride him in on on Wednesday, chance for me to have a gin and tonic in the evening, and then I can get up and ride in before 8am when the other horses will arrive. Then either another ride in later on in company and/or lots of inhand work. Then its into the ring at 2.30 By the time we go in he will have had a good 28 hrs to get used to it all.

hes also pretty good at being stabled and remaining calm (or he used to be) hopefully I will see a definate change with him being off the grass.

 

[moana]

Sorry but you are very much mistaken. Wednesday will be like hell on earth with all the trade stands etc setting up.

 

[Queenbee]

Sorry but you are very much mistaken. Wednesday will be like hell on earth with all the trade stands etc setting up.

Im fully aware of the trade stand activity that goes on at RC on a wednesday as I have often gone up on wendesday without a horse and stayed on site for the duration of the show... but there are no trade stands where the horses are kept, exercised and shown (we are in the more remote ring). It will still give him a substantial amount of time to desensitise and get used to the fact that nothing is going to eat him

 

[Hippona]

Have I got this right?
This will only be his second show?
Both county shows?

 

[Rhodders]

Bit of a baptism of fire - Royal Cornwall is full on. Good luck

 

[Mongoose11]

A very quick overview for any of you who do not know, Am taking ben to royal cornwall show.

QB, you are funny. How could we not know?

Not being mean, promise. Good luck for Thurs, keep us updated in between

I'm not sure I would stable a horse in these circumstances, I don't think it will make any difference to his reaction at the show tbf...

 

[AmyMay]

How much exercise is he getting QB??

 

[ester]

Have I got this right?
This will only be his second show?
Both county shows?

I think the previous one was a local affair Hippona, but that RC will be his 2nd show.

 

[Hippona]

I think the previous one was a local affair Hippona, but that RC will be his 2nd show.

Right.....I'm just thinking a few smaller, local low key shows under his belt first ,possibly not even to compete..... may have been a better introduction for him....

FWIW... if I kept any of my hot headed horses in for several days, even with time out for exercise, then took them to a big show.....I'd be expecting fireworks.

But I'm sure you know best

 

[Buds_mum]

Nothing is going to stop him reacting to the show in what I think is a justifiable way, he's a baby. A big county show is a big deal for him, calmers, grass, no grass, stabling or no.
He is going to spooky, fresh and explosive.
From your posts you seem to be turning it into a huge ol' deal. If he isn't ready don't take him, just pootle round your locals and go on little outings all summer. Then crack it next year.

He is such a lovely boy, I'm sure with experience he will learn its all reet, but he needs lots of outings. Not having his mind blown over something really so trivial.

 

[Twiggy14]

Tbh, even though it is RCS so there will be lots going on, in your area there will be only a few waiting for your class, and no kids careering round on ponies etc, like at Rambuck! Even though there will be an atmosphere, there wont be so many horses...I shouldn't think!

 

[Queenbee]

Have I got this right?
This will only be his second show?
Both county shows?

Partly
yes his second, should have been his third but weather meant we had to ditch the first.
No not both county.

 

[jrp204]

The in hand rings are well away from all the excitement so hopefully will be quieter than most local shows.

 

[Puppy]

Nothing is going to stop him reacting to the show in what I think is a justifiable way, he's a baby. A big county show is a big deal for him, calmers, grass, no grass, stabling or no.
He is going to spooky, fresh and explosive.
From your posts you seem to be turning it into a huge ol' deal. If he isn't ready don't take him, just pootle round your locals and go on little outings all summer. Then crack it next year.

Just what I was thinking

 

[Queenbee]

Bit of a baptism of fire - Royal Cornwall is full on. Good luck

thank you

QB, you are funny. How could we not know?

Not being mean, promise. Good luck for Thurs, keep us updated in between

I'm not sure I would stable a horse in these circumstances, I don't think it will make any difference to his reaction at the show tbf...

Ha Ha... to be fair.. I almost did put in brackets (how could you not know?!)

On the one hand he was always a saint when fully stabled, although aunty G and I have just been having the same conversation... she suggests swinging the other way and turning out 24/7... I think whichever way you cut it he will react, but am hoping that he will be better for being there longer.

How much exercise is he getting QB??

another thing Im in a real quandry about AM and I was thinking about this today whilst hacking and again when I got home. He gets about five (sometimes four) hacks a week of fourty mins, walk and trot... a good hill, lots of transitions and a good but steady canter shoved in there. Everyday we do some in hand work and some days the hack is replaced by a lunge.

My issue is, he starts to work and relax focus and direct his energy about 20 mins into the hack, throughout the entire hack he is striding forward and trotting well... bags of energy... none of it is gone when we get back.. he doesnt sweat... doesnt hint at being at all tired... I feel like I should do the route again, or ride him am and pm but he is only four so im wary of doing too much. I may well double the hack for two days but keep the second lap slower and mostly in walk, see how that goes.

Right.....I'm just thinking a few smaller, local low key shows under his belt first ,possibly not even to compete..... may have been a better introduction for him....

FWIW... if I kept any of my hot headed horses in for several days, even with time out for exercise, then took them to a big show.....I'd be expecting fireworks.

But I'm sure you know best

But it is strange, on the face of it and certainly in general ben is not a 'hot head' in every way other than hacking he is the personification of calm, sedate, laid back horse and it is only this last month that he has become over exuberant on hacks.

Nothing is going to stop him reacting to the show in what I think is a justifiable way, he's a baby. A big county show is a big deal for him, calmers, grass, no grass, stabling or no.
He is going to spooky, fresh and explosive.
From your posts you seem to be turning it into a huge ol' deal. If he isn't ready don't take him, just pootle round your locals and go on little outings all summer. Then crack it next year.

He is such a lovely boy, I'm sure with experience he will learn its all reet, but he needs lots of outings. Not having his mind blown over something really so trivial.

Nope I agree, nothing is going to stop him reacting and totally agree its justifiable... this is all new to the wee man.

I am turning this into a big deal in the sense that I want it to go as well as possible... and ive never done this level before. Ive already said if im not 100 percent with his behaviour I wont enter him, but it is all experience which as you say is what he needs.

FWIW i have said already and totally agree with Twiggy below... RCS is huge, but the horse area is a totally different atmosphere... its pretty darn calm, set away, much more organised, no hooning around... lorries parked away from stables... so in many many ways its a better environment potentially. Plus, Im hoping that arriving the day before, letting him chill for a while in his stable after a 2 hr drive, then riding him in the evening, giving him a night to settle will make the next day a lot easier to deal with.

Tbh, even though it is RCS so there will be lots going on, in your area there will be only a few waiting for your class, and no kids careering round on ponies etc, like at Rambuck! Even though there will be an atmosphere, there wont be so many horses...I shouldn't think!

No twiggy, I agree thats certainly my take on it too.

 

[Queenbee]

The in hand rings are well away from all the excitement so hopefully will be quieter than most local shows.

Yes, my thinking too... it normally is a really peaceful atmosphere up there.

 

[AmyMay]

I'd work the sox of him. 2 hours every day, hacking. Hes not getting enough work.

I'd also nock his hard feed on the head.

 

[ridefast]

Why not try 24/7 turnout, muzzled part of the day, and ditch the alfalfa?

 

[Honey08]

Hate to say it, but I'd give him another year. I feel a bit sorry for him, he's only a baby, yet he's gettng a change in routine, change in feed, change in exercise, change of yard (to the show stables) and his first two shows in the space of a week. Why? Whats the rush? Why not do lots and lots more local stuff then aim for something bigger in a few months?

 

[Queenbee]

I'd work the sox of him. 2 hours every day, hacking. Hes not getting enough work.

I'd also nock his hard feed on the head.

Why not try 24/7 turnout, muzzled part of the day, and ditch the alfalfa?

am going to do just that... got to find a muzzle but will pick one up if needed, the alfalfa is literally half a small handfull (probably about half a mug) to put his calmer in other than that he gets nothing... A little over a month ago he was on two mugs of linseed two scoops of speedie beet and two scoops of alfalfa... my how times have changed

Amymay, with regards to exercise... i am inclined to agree, as i said I was worried about doing too much with him but what im doing doesnt even seem to be touching the sides I will double the route tomorrow and if needs be top up with a short schooling session at the end of it. will report back tomorrow

 

[Buds_mum]

Qb I would like to add I think Ben is lucky having you. Clearly you are striving to make this an amazing experience for both of you.
I am sure it will go well and whatever happens as you say it is experience.

My horse recently spent a week in the hospital, 4 x 4 daily injections and endless medical treatment. The vet came yesterday for his annuals, buddy licked his hand, stood for his jab then mugged him for polos.
What I'm getting at is, these are resilient creatures, be it a stay in hospital or a day away at a big exciting show, treated with patience and kindness it is never going to be detrimental to them and they can only learn from it. So best of luck Ben!

 

[ridefast]

Could try doubling the calmer

 

[TuscanBunnyGirl]

RelaxMe worked a treat for my lad

 

[Queenbee]

Hate to say it, but I'd give him another year. I feel a bit sorry for him, he's only a baby, yet he's gettng a change in routine, change in feed, change in exercise, change of yard (to the show stables) and his first two shows in the space of a week. Why? Whats the rush? Why not do lots and lots more local stuff then aim for something bigger in a few months?

nope not a change in feed... this was cut the second he got fizzy on hacks. Change in exercise... well thats just more exercise... he deals fine with a change in yard and would rather be in a stable than anything... even at the show yesterday he stood in the box for about fourty minutes happy as a lamb. There was no big rush, as i said we had hoped to do another show a while back but the weather was crap, and sometimes you make the best of what you have... Ive also said that if im not at all happy with how he feels he wont go in the ring. Many people have said on here that despite being a county level show the atmosphere and set up is probably going to be better for him as it will be much quieter in a number of significant ways. I did consider not going, I almost backed out... but i took the advice of others who know my horse, do this professionally and discussed everything with them... Im not just sticking my head in the sand and going whatever, ive put a lot of thought into doing this, and whether or not I should.

 

[Queenbee]

Qb I would like to add I think Ben is lucky having you. Clearly you are striving to make this an amazing experience for both of you.
I am sure it will go well and whatever happens as you say it is experience.

My horse recently spent a week in the hospital, 4 x 4 daily injections and endless medical treatment. The vet came yesterday for his annuals, buddy licked his hand, stood for his jab then mugged him for polos.
What I'm getting at is, these are resilient creatures, be it a stay in hospital or a day away at a big exciting show, treated with patience and kindness it is never going to be detrimental to them and they can only learn from it. So best of luck Ben!

Thank you! You are totally right, something like this done well and sympathetically with regards to the horse can only ever be positive. FWIW Im really glad that we went for a dummy run yesterday. It was incredibly informative with regards to his triggers, and yesterday was so busy... we were parked in an area that people used as a walk/trot through for their horses, that was a trigger, but as you can see from the pictures in the picture gallery for the most part he stood tied up. the big canvas tent, the ice cream machine, all the vehicles, not a trigger... the bucket loads of horses going back and forth were... I hope that if I get him used to the place first, then the steady increase of horses as they arrive will be far less of an issue than arriving at a show and stepping off a lorry straight into all of that (horses included).

If I hadnt gone yesterday, we would not be arriving early all this planning is around ben and his needs in terms of what will make this as stress free and positive as possible for him. Ive always said that this year is about experience... Id rather go and be pulled up last but give him a good experience than go and try for a rosette... something i have never expected or striven to achieve from going to rc

Hopefully this (with the prior knowledge we have and planning we are doing) will be a better experience for him

Could try doubling the calmer

I did... he had one friday night and one saturday morning but stepping off that lorry must have been one hell of an experience for him... adrenaline spiked and then eyes on stalks hopefully he will now at least know that whilst a show is something different... he neednt feel threatened about it as he makes it home on one piece!

RelaxMe worked a treat for my lad

yes, YO has just bought some, i was interested to see (following my calcium post) that it contains calcium and magnesium

 

[toomanyhorses26]

If its any concellation my tb was horrendous at local shows to the point of getting sent out but for some reason I ended up at kent county and he was amazing if anything the goings on made him keep a lid on things and he floated round happy as larry - take it as it comes and if you can get there before everything is up and running so it buulds up around him it might help - good luck

 

[Sparkles]

Good luck.

Try defuse or oxy shot, one first thing in the morning when quiet in stable and then another about an hour and a half before his class, or also temperalax I think it was called I've used before - brilliant stuff.

If it was me, I'd pick County level show anyday over locals! Busier yes, but much more professional and well organised. Proper horse walkways, no getting lost/mixed in the midst of general public, allocated areas, much more enforced rulings, more professional based competitors etc. Local shows, whilst being a nice day out locally, do my head in for how they're run and held together on the whole. I find County/affiliated level, in the horse parts anyway [away from the 'public' areas like trade stands etc], is actually much more quieter and well organised to introduce a horse into.

 

[Cazza525]

Leave it till next year, he just doesnt sound ready. Turn him out, keep working him and take him to smaller venues this year.

It sounds too much, for him and you! Its supposed to be fun! He will get there, but remember 'another day another dollar'

 

[Queenbee]

If its any concellation my tb was horrendous at local shows to the point of getting sent out but for some reason I ended up at kent county and he was amazing if anything the goings on made him keep a lid on things and he floated round happy as larry - take it as it comes and if you can get there before everything is up and running so it buulds up around him it might help - good luck

Thank you that is a positive its funny how it goes isnt it... perhaps this will be similar for ben... I certainly do think its in his interest to let it build up around him... it will help him control his adrenaline.

Good luck.

Try defuse or oxy shot, one first thing in the morning when quiet in stable and then another about an hour and a half before his class, or also temperalax I think it was called I've used before - brilliant stuff.

If it was me, I'd pick County level show anyday over locals! Busier yes, but much more professional and well organised. Proper horse walkways, no getting lost/mixed in the midst of general public, allocated areas, much more enforced rulings, more professional based competitors etc. Local shows, whilst being a nice day out locally, do my head in for how they're run and held together on the whole. I find County/affiliated level, in the horse parts anyway [away from the 'public' areas like trade stands etc], is actually much more quieter and well organised to introduce a horse into.

Thanks for the tips... will see if they have it in the local store tomorrow... have you tried so kalm (tryptophan based)? I was considering this.

I completely get what you are saying about county vs local... I couldnt even lunge ben safely yesterday... there were hilly bits and pot holes... he slipped twice and i gave up... if i could have at least lunged him off in a safe environment i really think this would have helped him. oddly enough local shows do seem much more frantic, loud and busy than county, as you say its more professional and organised...

Ive always thought this about affiliated vs unaffiliated jumping, with an inexperienced jumper Id rather do a small affiliated on a ticket (good practice arena, and a well built properly thought out course on good ground) than a slightly smaller unaffilated course on the not so good ground with a huge cue and an inferior course.

 

[Lolo]

I'd work the sox of him. 2 hours every day, hacking. Hes not getting enough work.

I'd also nock his hard feed on the head.

This! He's doing almost nothing in terms of ridden work, which combined with the good grass and nice feed will make him very full of beans... I'd keep him out, and work him harder. I'd also be tempted to lunge him properly the night before, and in the morning- half free, and half in side reins.