what should I do?

madhector

madhector

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My sister is over for a few days, she is an excelent rider (far better than hopeless old me
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) and she offered to school Jerry for me, so I said I would love her too.

So she got him ready and off they went, I watched from a distance so not to disturb her, but it became clear they were having difficulties, he wasnt settling, and kept breaking into canter with her and charging off, and generally looked like he was getting away with being a monster! (not like him at all) after about 15 mins I went over to see if she needed any help, and she said all was fine, and that he just needed to settle, I gave them another 10 minutes together and then suggested I got on to cool him off, he immediatly settled and relaxed and felt like he normally does.

My dilema is she wants to keep schooling him for me, which would be great, BUT I dont think he took to her at all, now should I give them another chance and see how they get on tomorrow, or should I just carry on myself and tell her nicely that I would rather manage on my own?

He is only young and I dont want him upset, but she is very good and could teach him alot
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what should I do?
 
Surely there's an argument for her teaching YOU how to get the best out of him? Then you can continue with it long term... Can you ask her for some lessons..?
 
Is Jerry the new one who has only just been backed? If so, I say no don't have her on him. When I am backing, I prefer to only use the same rider for a few months. I find it settles them better and once they are a bit more familiar with what they are supposed to be doing, then let someone else ride them.
 
Personally I wouldnt let her sit on him again my heart would be in my mouth!
Its obviously not working between them so why risk upsetting him even more and risk undoing all your hard work and trust that you have built up with him?
 
but it was only the first time she had sat on him, and thought maybe I was being a bit harsh by judging them on that one ride, but I think it isn't worth the risk,

him and I are hopefully going places together, and don't want to jeopardise that
 
Every now and then my trainer will get on my horse. It's usually when he's going "sweetly" but not really engaging and working. To me it feels great and he's relaxed, but to the trained eye it's a different story. Usually when this happens, trainer gets on and asks him to do things "properly" and he gets very cross. He eventually gives in and I can tell the difference when I get back on as she's able to work through the problems that I wouldn't detect. Sometimes (and it's often when I compete) we don't like to upset things as it's nice to have a quiet life, but if we also want the results then sometimes we have to chip away and pick those arguments (which we need to know we are going to win before picking them...LOL!).
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completly agree with you, but not in this case! lol

He has only been backed a month now, and isnt really being asked to 'work' just to go forwards, and lots of transistions etc.. she didnt really manage this, he just didnt look right, Im not saying I get more out of him, but he definatly was more comfortable and switched on with me on.

Once he starts to work in an outline then I think it is fair to start pushing him out of his comfort zone, but at the moment I just want him settled and forward thinking, some good transistions are a bonus
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Ah...didn't realise that bit. Have no experience with newly backed youngsters so couldn't really say, but I would imagine at that stage it's best he just gets used to one way of doing it/being asked rather than be confused by riders of different weights/ heights/ aids/ etc. Even if your sister is a very good rider, he's your little man and he'll start knowing that.
 
I agree with tia!! If hes just been backed he needs to get used to one person riding him not somebody messing around like that as he needs to settle and enjoy being ridden otherwise it will never work!

If hes uncomfortable with her then just tell her hes only been backed and he needs to get used to someone first so he can settle abit and learn to enjoy riding !

Plus if hes only just been backed he shouldnt be schooling proply like you said just transitions and working forward so he can get his balance then it will all fall into shape for you!!

Well whatever you decide to do good luck and Happy Easter xx
 
lol you sound just like me and my sister, but i understand how hard it is to tell her you dont think shes making things better riding jerry.

my sister had a ride on my big horse a couple of weeks ago and she very electric ar*e type & alfie very much a run now think later type of horse this didn't mix too well. when i got on him you could feel him relax and he was like a blackpool donkey.

the good thing is though she's no that keen on riding him (she dosn't like giant horses).
you'll work it out we always do.
 
I'm very much with Tia on this one and to put another spanner in the works - if your sister is that much a better rider than you (don't put yourself down, you've brought him on so well this far!) then she should have realised straight away that he wasn't ready for what she wanted. No ifs or buts; she obviously doesn't 'feel' for the horse she is riding; no amount of forcing is going to get something out of a young horse that hasn't yet been taught how to do/react to what she's trying to do.
No. IMHO, you've got it right and must keep him being happy with you alone to further his education; once he's sorted out his balance, if and when he does, then is the time to take him that step further forward and introduce a new rider to him.
 
sounds just like me and my sister! I think its best to stick to one rider on a young horse, someone else could just confuse and upset them if they ride slightly differently. Maybe she just doesn't click with him like you do, everyone gets on with different horses
 
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