Florrie
Well-Known Member
Eurgh just had to type this out all over again due to my browser logging me out!
Anyway for those of you who aren't following the situation so far -
Around 3 months ago I bought an 11 Y/O ex-racehorse. He's a real gentleman. But a few weeks ago when I tried to mount him, as I was swinging my leg over he bolted, bronced and threw me to the ground.
Absolutely gobsmacked I got back on him, and he stood perfectly still.
However the next time I rode he did it again, and soon enough it became a ritual. I had a horse I couldn't even mount.
Perplexed I got the vet out to investigate, he was taken away for x-rays but nothing shown up. He had blood tests, various Osteopath visits and various saddle checks and everything was fine.
At the end of my tether and very upset a close friend of my mothers suggested he would take him for a week to see if he could sort him out.
Anyway, On Friday I picked him up but I had a surprise waiting for me. I was forced to mount him in the yard and then hack him back to my farm (2-ish miles?).
Not only was the prospect of possibly being thrown off onto solid concrete terrifying but so was the thought of hacking. I had an incident 3 years ago which involved a 14.2 pony I was riding backing into the front of a van, rearing up and putting me through the window screen of the van.
I slowly mounted him and to my surprise, he didn't budge. I started to take him down the lane where he wasn't fussed by any cars, wagons, tractors or scary noises. Even on his own! He was an absolute delight.
My mothers friend told me it's essential I use French Blinkers to block the vision of me getting on him as when he's mounted his eyes are fixed backwards. But for now I'm using a pair of Brushing boots on his cheek pieces as DIY blinkers!
I taken him on a lovely hack yesterday which given us both time for some relaxation. I was still a bag of nerves mounting him as I feared he would bolt but he didn't even budge.
Today, I decided to catch up on some schooling with him.
Once again nervous I put the mounting block to his side but as I stood on it he walked forward. This jolted me as this is what he used to do when he was going to tank off. But I leaned across the saddle to put some weight on his back and slowly mounted him and gently sat on his back. Once again an absolute superstar.
He's slowly starting to understand the concept of bending and he's starting to work from behind with lovely impulsion in his quarters.
I just hope it stays like this. I know mounting is a basic for every horse but for my lad it seemed impossible to get on him. I know it is still early days but I have everything crossed that he will continue to make me a proud mummy because I can see him coming on slowly from strength to strength in his schooling and his confidence (he is a very nervous horse).
And it's the rules you can't be a proud mummy without pictures, so here they are! Just before I tacked him up.
I'm sorry for the essay! Tea and scones to those who make it to the end
Anyway for those of you who aren't following the situation so far -
Around 3 months ago I bought an 11 Y/O ex-racehorse. He's a real gentleman. But a few weeks ago when I tried to mount him, as I was swinging my leg over he bolted, bronced and threw me to the ground.
Absolutely gobsmacked I got back on him, and he stood perfectly still.
However the next time I rode he did it again, and soon enough it became a ritual. I had a horse I couldn't even mount.
Perplexed I got the vet out to investigate, he was taken away for x-rays but nothing shown up. He had blood tests, various Osteopath visits and various saddle checks and everything was fine.
At the end of my tether and very upset a close friend of my mothers suggested he would take him for a week to see if he could sort him out.
Anyway, On Friday I picked him up but I had a surprise waiting for me. I was forced to mount him in the yard and then hack him back to my farm (2-ish miles?).
Not only was the prospect of possibly being thrown off onto solid concrete terrifying but so was the thought of hacking. I had an incident 3 years ago which involved a 14.2 pony I was riding backing into the front of a van, rearing up and putting me through the window screen of the van.
I slowly mounted him and to my surprise, he didn't budge. I started to take him down the lane where he wasn't fussed by any cars, wagons, tractors or scary noises. Even on his own! He was an absolute delight.
My mothers friend told me it's essential I use French Blinkers to block the vision of me getting on him as when he's mounted his eyes are fixed backwards. But for now I'm using a pair of Brushing boots on his cheek pieces as DIY blinkers!
I taken him on a lovely hack yesterday which given us both time for some relaxation. I was still a bag of nerves mounting him as I feared he would bolt but he didn't even budge.
Today, I decided to catch up on some schooling with him.
Once again nervous I put the mounting block to his side but as I stood on it he walked forward. This jolted me as this is what he used to do when he was going to tank off. But I leaned across the saddle to put some weight on his back and slowly mounted him and gently sat on his back. Once again an absolute superstar.
He's slowly starting to understand the concept of bending and he's starting to work from behind with lovely impulsion in his quarters.
I just hope it stays like this. I know mounting is a basic for every horse but for my lad it seemed impossible to get on him. I know it is still early days but I have everything crossed that he will continue to make me a proud mummy because I can see him coming on slowly from strength to strength in his schooling and his confidence (he is a very nervous horse).
And it's the rules you can't be a proud mummy without pictures, so here they are! Just before I tacked him up.
I'm sorry for the essay! Tea and scones to those who make it to the end
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