SouthWestWhippet
Well-Known Member
SITUATION: you work at a yard where part of your job is to ride and school green horses. However, although you are expected to deal with a certain amount of problems, you are not the 'top rider' - there is a girl who comes twice a week who generally rides the very sharp, difficult or nutcase horses and 'test drives' the ones that might prove to be difficult.
In the morning, a new horse arrives. 16.3hh, TB type, gelding. You know nothing about him but by checking his teeth establish he is about 9 ish. He is anxious coming off the lorry but behaves ok. Once in the stable he is clearly anxious/excited - looking tense and fidgity but he settles resonably well after an hour or two.
In the afternoon you are asked to ride him to see what he is like. You tack him up (not in his own tack which has not come with him). You guess at a snaffle bit but pick a bridle with a drop noseband just in case. When tacking him up he is tense and a bit bargy. When you attempt to establish your space he finds it difficult to pay attention to you due to being distracted and tense.
You lead him up to the school where a colleague is riding a different horse and he is very tense and on his toes, snorting and pulling away. Once in the school, he pulls away several times and jogs around you. You do up the girth and he squeels and begins bucking and humping around you in a circle with you holding the reins.
After about 6 bucks he stops but is very tense, very distracted and looking around. You lead him around the school to have a chance to look and relax but he is still wound up. You are aware that you are expected to ride him and your boss will most likely be displeased/dissapointed in you if you do not however, you are also anxious to remain in one piece !!!
In the morning, a new horse arrives. 16.3hh, TB type, gelding. You know nothing about him but by checking his teeth establish he is about 9 ish. He is anxious coming off the lorry but behaves ok. Once in the stable he is clearly anxious/excited - looking tense and fidgity but he settles resonably well after an hour or two.
In the afternoon you are asked to ride him to see what he is like. You tack him up (not in his own tack which has not come with him). You guess at a snaffle bit but pick a bridle with a drop noseband just in case. When tacking him up he is tense and a bit bargy. When you attempt to establish your space he finds it difficult to pay attention to you due to being distracted and tense.
You lead him up to the school where a colleague is riding a different horse and he is very tense and on his toes, snorting and pulling away. Once in the school, he pulls away several times and jogs around you. You do up the girth and he squeels and begins bucking and humping around you in a circle with you holding the reins.
After about 6 bucks he stops but is very tense, very distracted and looking around. You lead him around the school to have a chance to look and relax but he is still wound up. You are aware that you are expected to ride him and your boss will most likely be displeased/dissapointed in you if you do not however, you are also anxious to remain in one piece !!!
