Weekend plans for 24th & 25th?

[Michen]

I’m trying really hard not to panic and sob Had an sj lesson tonight with Boggle, and arena hire. He was an absolute hooligan, firing at fences and disuniting every. Single. Time. On the left lead. He was completely unruly!

Only half way through his last little sj course, when he was finally jumping without towing me around did he then consistently (three times in a row) land on the correct left lead with no disuniting.

I don’t know what to do. It was the disuniting that started the whole investigation and found a ligament problem (he would do it every time, however correct and calm to a fence he was) He’s done it very occasionally since he’s come back into jumping work (maybe 10/20% of the time) but only when he’s not right to a fence. Whereas before it was completely consistent.

This evening was gutting, yet by the end he was being correct. I don’t know what to think or whether to call it a day. I’m going to lob him quietly over some fences at home on Monday and then decide.

Video of the hooligan ?

 

[DabDab]

It is a very short clip but....It's not astoundingly unusual for a horse to stride away disunited when they are jumping with their topline inverted over a small fence. If he was softer into the bridle with his head lower and in a steadier rhythm he probably wouldn't be doing it so much/at all. Is he any good to jump on the lunge or loose? Maybe that would help you look at the mechanics of what he is doing from the ground.

 

[Michen]

It is a very short clip but....It's not astoundingly unusual for a horse to stride away disunited when they are jumping with their topline inverted over a small fence. If he was softer into the bridle with his head lower and in a steadier rhythm he probably wouldn't be doing it so much/at all. Is he any good to jump on the lunge or loose? Maybe that would help you look at the mechanics of what he is doing from the ground.

Yep so when he settled, which took the whole lesson, he was then jumping and landing correctly. He was completely wild tonight.. he hasn’t been to a jumping party for 18 months and having another horse in the arena seemed to blow his brain.

Here’s him at the end, landing correctly and having softened.

Edited to add, haven’t jumped him on the lunge. He’s too untrustworthy!

Further evidence of how the lesson mostly went, charging around and me with rather sore hands...excuse my language ?

]

 

[DabDab]

Yep so when he settled, which took the whole lesson, he was then jumping and landing correctly. He was completely wild tonight.. he hasn’t been to a jumping party for 18 months and having another horse in the arena seemed to blow his brain.

Here’s him at the end, landing correctly and having softened.

Edited to add, haven’t jumped him on the lunge. He’s too untrustworthy!

Further evidence of how the lesson mostly went, charging around and me with rather sore hands...

Well that looks fine!
I would just strike it off as a day when his brain melted and see what he is like next time. Boggled brain boggled legs!!

 

[Roxylola]

He just looks absolutely full of it and doing his own thing. Unsurprisingly his own thing is going in the way he's found comfortable historically. I think for me I'd be concerned if he was lobbing nicely over and still disuniting

 

[Michen]

Well that looks fine!
I would just strike it off as a day when his brain melted and see what he is like next time. Boggled brain boggled legs!!

Realised I’d posted the same video twice, added another unruly video.

My instructor was right when she said there’s the lovely Boggle back ?

Thank you for talking me off the edge!!!

 

[Michen]

He just looks absolutely full of it and doing his own thing. Unsurprisingly his own thing is going in the way he's found comfortable historically. I think for me I'd be concerned if he was lobbing nicely over and still disuniting

Yep that’s sensible. I will have a lob on Monday and see. It does make sense for him to revert I guess when he’s being a tit.

I could barely even get him to canter sensible around the arena, the first time I put my leg on he grabbed the bit, launched and just went! Little toad.

 

[McFluff]

I’m competing. Woohoo. First time in months.
BD prelim tomorrow, now to see if we can remember how to do this competing lark.
good luck to everyone out and about.

 

[Accidental Eventer]

Well, I had lots of plans but then lockdown happened. So Now I have loads of food (had people coming over for my birthday!) and no one to eat it. So Hacking Coolie by myself all weekend and lunging Henry to see how he is moving. Hopefully better..!

 

[Reacher]

Not been on here for a while.... had my first Xc lesson last Sunday since last summer- the aim was for mr H to not bog off with me as has happened in the past - the other aim was for me not to be panicking that he was going to bog off. He was lunged for 10 mins over a couple of jumps first and had a couple of WOOHOO bucks... then I got on and we focussed on popping over small jumps then cantering a few strides then coming back to a halt and rewarding with a mint. This worked very well and there was no bogging off! By the end I was even enjoying myself!

We had a mid week flatwork lesson working on being round and also his bend on his stiff side in canter - as he tend to counter bend despite my inside leg’s best efforts. After being lazy and a bit argumentative at the start we ended up with the most amazing springy trot with him properly between hand and leg and that translated into an amazing balanced canter! I’ve had so many lessons over so many years and never got the hang of getting them on the bit (in that I’ve not felt able to replicate it outside the lesson) - but this time it seemed to click and I managed to (nearly) replicate the trot out hacking!! (This is important as hacking is my main opportunity for schooling and he prefers the giraffe way of going out hacking).

Went for hack with friend yesterday - had a couple of canters - mr H was a bit too enthusiastic (ie rude!) but at least when we got to the beach he was willing to walk nicely and my stress levels (panic in case he bogs off) are improving. (Darent go any faster than a walk on beach yet - it would be carnage).

Another Xc lesson tomorrow. Hope to canter for longer and some downhill without getting bogged off with.

Photo of mr H from last week’s xc lesson

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Well, I had lots of plans but then lockdown happened. So Now I have loads of food (had people coming over for my birthday!) and no one to eat it. So Hacking Coolie by myself all weekend and lunging Henry to see how he is moving. Hopefully better..!

What a huge shame!
Happy birthday, looks like you'll be eating lots then xx

 

[DabDab]

Happy Birthday AE!

 

[Wheels]

Good luck McFluff, happy birthday AE, your horse is lovely Reacher. I've been doing similar with M re. The stopping after a fence, it really helps along with a few other exercises.

We were up early and to the beach, loaded up and on the road by 7.10. Although when we got to the car park where horseboxes park there were about 10 camper vans so not much room but managed to turn around somehow.

Trying to improve Ms canter fitness and have been doing intervals down one of the shorter 0.5 mile beaches, this particular one though today is 1.5 miles though so we had a little warm up and then cantered down, walked and a bit of trot back then cantered back down, walked and trotted back again. Not slow canters either and he is getting somewhere now.

It's a good job he is good with dogs though, why dont people put them on leads when they first see a horse. Thankfully M is used to them, my own dog will sometimes chase us in the arena and whilst it is very annoying it has been a very useful training exercise! Now M knows that if he gets chased he slows to a walk and then stands while the owner retrieves their dog.

Only today, said owner thought that running away whilst squeaking a toy would get her dog to follow. Wrong! She tried 5 or 6 times, even when I asked her to put the dog on a lead. In the end a jogger came passed and the poor guy was then the focus of the dogs attention while the owner was still running around squeaking lol oh dear

 

[Reacher]

Good luck McFluff, happy birthday AE, your horse is lovely Reacher. I've been doing similar with M re. The stopping after a fence, it really helps along with a few other exercises.

We were up early and to the beach, loaded up and on the road by 7.10. Although when we got to the car park where horseboxes park there were about 10 camper vans so not much room but managed to turn around somehow.

Trying to improve Ms canter fitness and have been doing intervals down one of the shorter 0.5 mile beaches, this particular one though today is 1.5 miles though so we had a little warm up and then cantered down, walked and a bit of trot back then cantered back down, walked and trotted back again. Not slow canters either and he is getting somewhere now.

It's a good job he is good with dogs though, why dont people put them on leads when they first see a horse. Thankfully M is used to them, my own dog will sometimes chase us in the arena and whilst it is very annoying it has been a very useful training exercise! Now M knows that if he gets chased he slows to a walk and then stands while the owner retrieves their dog.

Only today, said owner thought that running away whilst squeaking a toy would get her dog to follow. Wrong! She tried 5 or 6 times, even when I asked her to put the dog on a lead. In the end a jogger came passed and the poor guy was then the focus of the dogs attention while the owner was still running around squeaking lol oh dear

Thankyou Wheels ? I was just reflecting how lucky I am to have him. He is in general such an easy horse - hacks on the buckle, but absolutely loves his jumping - I don’t have to worry about him refusing.
Can I ask what other exercises you referred to for helping with manners etc when jumping?

Completely agree re getting chased by dogs on the beach - I’ve had a few similar moments.

I am working my confidence back up to getting back to being able to do fitness work on the beach. I can trot and canter circles if I stay near the exit - I want to get back to cantering for a distance in straight line without his excitement boiling over!

Happy Birthday AE and sorry about lockdown

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Lots of mowing this weekend ....


Just going to take care of this grass that doesn't belong here in the forest.



Why won't she just set me free to eat all the grasses in the hay field...

 

[ycbm]

Hoping to get Jojo fully integrated so that he can be in the barn during the day. No rush, though, if we don't get that far it's fine, he can stay in the field.

✔

Ludo will be schooling to try to get to the bottom of why he is shrinking back and bringing up his head on corners and transitions. I don't know if it's stroppy sixes or if he's carrying an issue somewhere (other than a lop sided old rider!). If he doesn't go more consistently forward soon, I'll need some reassurance that he's physically OK to confront the issue a bit more firmly.

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It's me. If I forget about his front end and focus on me sitting straight and getting him to bend around my inside leg, he's perfect.

Let's hope this sun lasts

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Oops I forgot, taking a horse over to play at a friend's house on Saturday. I'm not sure which one yet. It might be a good opportunity to leave Jojo alone with Ludo.
.

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My friend rode Deza and it was great seeing her, I had no idea just how stunning she looks!



Leaving the two boys together did the trick and we now have a peaceful threesome in the barn. 6 days, not bad going, Jojo has some pretty solid diplomatic skills.
.

 

[Wheels]

Thankyou Wheels ? I was just reflecting how lucky I am to have him. He is in general such an easy horse - hacks on the buckle, but absolutely loves his jumping - I don’t have to worry about him refusing.
Can I ask what other exercises you referred to for helping with manners etc when jumping?

Completely agree re getting chased by dogs on the beach - I’ve had a few similar moments.

I am working my confidence back up to getting back to being able to do fitness work on the beach. I can trot and canter circles if I stay near the exit - I want to get back to cantering for a distance in straight line without his excitement boiling over!

There are a few good exercises I use, it's good to have a strategy!

M is not allowed to jump in training if hes rushing. We might halt 4 or 5 strides before the fence and then within a few strides after the fence. The before the fence halt is practised a few times then substituted for a half halt with a full halt after. Circling a few strides out and staying on the circle until calm and then allowing the approach and then circling again after the fence (circles can be just circles but if he rushes the circle we use shoulder in or travers on the circles as this really makes him sit and takes the pace off. If there is a fence that can be jumped both ways then turn about the forehand in walk to canter, pop the fence and then turn about the forehand to come back over. We use trot poles to jump, 3 strides to trot poles. I like exercises that are both before and after the jump as that gives them something to think about and helps reduce the speed.

In terms of strategies for the ring then they can get quicker as you make your way through the course and you cant be circling away all of the time so there are a few things I do. M will lock on and then fire himself at the fence so I keep his attention off the fence for as long as possible by purposefully over shooting a corner and looping back a bit before straightening up or I might cut the corner or jump at a slight angle or sometimes approach with outside bend but all of these things need practising at home

In terms of the beach, circle and then go a bit straight then circle again, add in travers or shoulder in on the circle and that might help

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Went for my hack today. It was so sunny but also super windy when we got up on the hill! Only the second time riding H so still getting used to him. I got a bit worried when he was rushing in trot but thankfully fairly quickly got my mind back on what I needed to do about that rather than panicking, and he was a really good boy. I didn't realise until we were on that particular bit that the last two times I rode that route on share horse they weren't good experiences - one he spent being a real boob and cantering/running off on the lane/track (which I found really stressful!) and the other I won't detail but it was the critical point for me to think the share wasn't working out. So I guess I sort of had flashbacks to this and my mind went 'trotting fast = about to lose control' but I'm really pleased I remembered H is different and was able to run through my mental checklist of things to deal with the situation/not make it worse.

 

[milliepops]

Well Kira did not hate hacking club as much as usual yesterday we climbed the Big Mound which is an enormous hill with a lovely view over the Severn from the turning point at the top, and then toddled round the gallops. the bluebells are in full force now and it's beautiful.

Then today she still had her chirpy face on, starting to add in the advanced exercises again, some humongous working canter piris and easy trot zigzags which had us both grinning like idiots. It's been such a hard road to get back here, I'm so happy to feel that she's enjoying life again.

 

[AandK]

Fab lesson in the sun this morning, pic to show the handsome ginger doing some stretching!

 

[Reacher]

There are a few good exercises I use, it's good to have a strategy!

M is not allowed to jump in training if hes rushing. We might halt 4 or 5 strides before the fence and then within a few strides after the fence. The before the fence halt is practised a few times then substituted for a half halt with a full halt after. Circling a few strides out and staying on the circle until calm and then allowing the approach and then circling again after the fence (circles can be just circles but if he rushes the circle we use shoulder in or travers on the circles as this really makes him sit and takes the pace off. If there is a fence that can be jumped both ways then turn about the forehand in walk to canter, pop the fence and then turn about the forehand to come back over. We use trot poles to jump, 3 strides to trot poles. I like exercises that are both before and after the jump as that gives them something to think about and helps reduce the speed.

In terms of strategies for the ring then they can get quicker as you make your way through the course and you cant be circling away all of the time so there are a few things I do. M will lock on and then fire himself at the fence so I keep his attention off the fence for as long as possible by purposefully over shooting a corner and looping back a bit before straightening up or I might cut the corner or jump at a slight angle or sometimes approach with outside bend but all of these things need practising at home

In terms of the beach, circle and then go a bit straight then circle again, add in travers or shoulder in on the circle and that might help

Thankyou for all those tips, they are really helpful ?

 

[Wheels]

Thankyou for all those tips, they are really helpful ?

No worries, good luck with it

 

[DressageCob]

I fell off. It was a silly thing to do in a dressage lesson and only the second time I've come off the big lad. Anyway, he's pretty so here's a photo ?

 

[Roxylola]

Oh no DC, hes very handsome though ?
I came very close to being jumped out of the plate today. Charlie is so game for long ones now and just being super careful with his fences which got um interesting down a grid of 4 1 strides ?. I need to wait for my fences a little better and not soften too early

 

[palo1]

Well Kira did not hate hacking club as much as usual yesterday we climbed the Big Mound which is an enormous hill with a lovely view over the Severn from the turning point at the top, and then toddled round the gallops. the bluebells are in full force now and it's beautiful.

Then today she still had her chirpy face on, starting to add in the advanced exercises again, some humongous working canter piris and easy trot zigzags which had us both grinning like idiots. It's been such a hard road to get back here, I'm so happy to feel that she's enjoying life again.

Fabulous to hear Let the good times roll

 

[DirectorFury]

Great pictures and reports from everyone!

M had her first night out this year last night (muzzled), so she was totally wild with upset today . I managed to throw tack on her while she jogged circles in the stable, and thankfully she chilled a bit as soon as we got out of the front gate. Even our sandy cliff tops are rock solid though so it was a case of just going for a verrrrry long walk and spending the whole time insisting on her staying on the aids to avoid any hijinx.

I’m really struggling with her at the moment tbh, but she normally turns into a monster mid April - mid May so I suppose she’s on schedule!

 

[LEC]

Day 1 done - thrilled with the big grey who did a 27.5 DC and finished 7th out of her section. I had 7 time faults xc which stopped a better finish but I am still not happy with her balance yet xc and she is a very bold horse who is being prepped for the long term as I think she will go a lot further than 100.

Horse no 2 is plaited for tomorrow and I am excited about my 4:30am start having only just got in the door from horse no 1!

 

[DabDab]

Arts has managed to wound a front leg just above the knee ?. Mainly just removed the fur, with maybe 5mm of broken skin. Doesn't seem to be troubling her but did go a bit hot and puffy while in her stable today, so has been washed and dressed and I've turfed her back out. Blummin horse.

Pebbles was very good to hack today - we did some focus and calmness exercises next to where the angry dog runs at us barking behind the hedge. She does get genuinely worried by that dog but was relaxed and focussed doing some walk pirouettes by the end.

Went to help out at the dressage today only to realise that the 25th is actually tomorrow ?. So came home and watched Kentucky instead.

Pebbles hacking pic (pretty blossom on trees)


And a less dignified one from earlier in the week (I mentioned doing some work and she fell down ?)

 

[racebuddy]

Arts has managed to wound a front leg just above the knee ?. Mainly just removed the fur, with maybe 5mm of broken skin. Doesn't seem to be troubling her but did go a bit hot and puffy while in her stable today, so has been washed and dressed and I've turfed her back out. Blummin horse.

Pebbles was very good to hack today - we did some focus and calmness exercises next to where the angry dog runs at us barking behind the hedge. She does get genuinely worried by that dog but was relaxed and focussed doing some walk pirouettes by the end.

Went to help out at the dressage today only to realise that the 25th is actually tomorrow ?. So came home and watched Kentucky instead.

Pebbles hacking pic (pretty blossom on trees)
View attachment 70610

And a less dignified one from earlier in the week (I mentioned doing some work and she fell down ?)

View attachment 70611

oh
Know notgood hope the
Knee is
Ok x

 

[DabDab]

Day 1 done - thrilled with the big grey who did a 27.5 DC and finished 7th out of her section. I had 7 time faults xc which stopped a better finish but I am still not happy with her balance yet xc and she is a very bold horse who is being prepped for the long term as I think she will go a lot further than 100.

Horse no 2 is plaited for tomorrow and I am excited about my 4:30am start having only just got in the door from horse no 1!

Well done!
Is that a 100 course? It looks quite nice and inviting

Good luck tomorrow, and mustering up the energy to get there!