Buds_mum
Well-Known Member
My horse is now 6 and lacks enthusiasm for all ridden work, to get him to trot around the school requires more encouragement than should be needed to move a team of dray horses!! And hacking is a unenthusiastic plod if I stop tap tapping or stop moving my legs!!! And I hate to nag :-(
Tbh I am fed up. I have never felt like this about riding, I put off riding him, he is so lazy I am bullying him constantly.
Today in the school he was litterely slowing to a walk even with me riding him strongly forward with leg and schooling whip.
Unfortunately I saw red, really sent him using the crop as well a lot more strongly than I usually would and amazingly (rolls eyes) he went forward softly with impulsion and pinging over a couple of straights giving me a lovely ride.
But I shouldn't HAVE to ride this so so strongly just to get him to go in polite mannerly way in front of the leg. He is not being ridden in the heat and even if he was being is it so much to ask to go forward when asked?
I really really resent riding him atm which makes me feel guilty, miserable and upset. He is my only horse and utterly perfect in so many ways, unflappable, bomb proof, and well behaved in all situations (apart from in tight crowds, ie hunting, he kicks), he is sweet affectionate and has a huge amount of potential.
But he cannot be asked. I have to bully and fight and he just has no enthusiasm at all. He just couldn't care less unless I pee him off and put so much input into him that he actually gives me some effort.
He is living out and isn't on any feed, this can improve him so I will be bringing him in on a night come the end of September. Before that I am away for a weekend away in august and a week in September. So I am thinking of pulling his shoes, and leaving the riding. It is miserable for both of us, me in particular as he doesn't seem to care at all what I do.
Would you turn away, cool off and bring him back with more of a micro managed approach?
He is a native coloured cob type so is never going to be a tb but I just want to sit on something that wants to join in with me :-( a proper partner. I love him, but am struggling atm :-(
Sorry for epic post!!
Tbh I am fed up. I have never felt like this about riding, I put off riding him, he is so lazy I am bullying him constantly.
Today in the school he was litterely slowing to a walk even with me riding him strongly forward with leg and schooling whip.
Unfortunately I saw red, really sent him using the crop as well a lot more strongly than I usually would and amazingly (rolls eyes) he went forward softly with impulsion and pinging over a couple of straights giving me a lovely ride.
But I shouldn't HAVE to ride this so so strongly just to get him to go in polite mannerly way in front of the leg. He is not being ridden in the heat and even if he was being is it so much to ask to go forward when asked?
I really really resent riding him atm which makes me feel guilty, miserable and upset. He is my only horse and utterly perfect in so many ways, unflappable, bomb proof, and well behaved in all situations (apart from in tight crowds, ie hunting, he kicks), he is sweet affectionate and has a huge amount of potential.
But he cannot be asked. I have to bully and fight and he just has no enthusiasm at all. He just couldn't care less unless I pee him off and put so much input into him that he actually gives me some effort.
He is living out and isn't on any feed, this can improve him so I will be bringing him in on a night come the end of September. Before that I am away for a weekend away in august and a week in September. So I am thinking of pulling his shoes, and leaving the riding. It is miserable for both of us, me in particular as he doesn't seem to care at all what I do.
Would you turn away, cool off and bring him back with more of a micro managed approach?
He is a native coloured cob type so is never going to be a tb but I just want to sit on something that wants to join in with me :-( a proper partner. I love him, but am struggling atm :-(
Sorry for epic post!!