What a week, so glad I didn't give up! (LONG)

[Laafet]

Well following on from my clipping post, Tarquin settled in well to being stabled, he stopped box walking and weaving completely

. However he got very fresh and I was not to bothered about this until I rode him last Saturday. I cannot exercise him during the week as there is no school and its too dark to ride in the park so he'd had a week off. Got him in and he was quite fresh when I tacked him up. Got on ok and then 100 yards down the track he went mental

. He went in all directions as once and eventually I came off. I was gutted I hadn't fallen off him since September

. I also knew deep down that if I had a normal saddle on him, not a racing one I would have had a better chance at staying on. But my finances are not good enough to be able to fork out for one at the moment.

So I spent last week being very depressed about our lack of progress. Plus he was getting fresher and fresher to go out and come in, to the point where he was broncing and rearing all the time when I was leading him

. I had tried cutting down his food but he's only on 1 scoop of Hi fibre nuts, 1 scoop of Alfa A, linseed, balancer and soya oil twice a day so not much scope for reducing.
Friday I decided I didn't want to die at the weekend so I have turned him out 24/7 again so try and calm him down. He is full clipped but really well rugged and gets lots of hay and his two feeds. Also decided I would see if Murphy's old saddle would fit for now and ride him in that.
Saturday I lunged him in the field before I brought him in, then fitted Murphy's saddle which actually is a good fit, it will need changing once he gets fitter as he will get wider. So lunged him in the saddle as he has never worn a full tree saddle before and he exploded again

. I was so determined to ride him in it, I got my hacking buddy to come with me back to his field so she could lunge me on him just to see if he really was not going to take it. We did that and he was ok so decided to go out for a ride. Again got on and he was ok, got a bit further down the track when he exploded for no reason

. This time I stayed on! and he was fine for the rest of the ride. I was so pleased

.
So today we decided to go down the road to the school. He was fine going out and even when he got spooked by a big lorry he just took off for a few strides on a large verge so perfectly safe and then carried on fine, even taking the lead. He's not been on the road much so this is great. He was a bit sceptical in the school and had a few goes at broncing but soon gave up when I stopped him made him work. He even did some nice work in the school

. I'm so pleased. Wished I had tried the saddle sooner. He's 6 in a few weeks time but more like riding a 4 y o. Am a bit more positive about our pleasure ride the Sunday after next. Sorry its long but I was really dispairing about what to do with him, he's got loads of potential and sometimes I feel my situation is holding him back

.

 

[Flame_]

Wow he sounds like a challenge. Well done for not loosing your bottle and trying different things - it seems like he's actually quite accepting and keen to learn but explosive behaviour can make you start despair and want to give up. You should be really proud of yourself for working him through it.

 

[Laafet]

Thanks KVS. I have had a really frustrating time, and its not his fault. My huge change in circumstances which involved moving from Hampshire to Norfolk and two changes of livery yard haven't helped with a horse that I always knew would be a challenge. He was an unhandled four rising five year old when I bought him so its been a real journey and I wouldn't have taken him on if I had known what was going to happen in my life over the past 18 months. It seems to be working out now and he is a treasure.