Murphy’s Gauntlet
Active Member
Hi all, I hope isolation isn’t treating you all too badly?
I’ve stopped my ridden work with my 4 year old for the past 3/4 weeks due to a few reasons but mainly because of safety and not wanting to put any more added pressure on being saved by a paramedic etc etc. I’m not saying my 4 year old is naughty, he is fairly good. I broke him last year in April, then turned him away and only did a few shows inhand with him. I then started up again autumn and got him out seeing as much as possible before the nights restricted it. He then was left until January, when I had his back checked and teeth done etc, all good. He is a strong 17.1 sports horse, his is a bit quirky as regards he is opinionated. But I’m working out how he likes to be asked to do things and we are beginning to understand each other quite well. It was all going so well, with a routine of him being in at night and then worked and then the day out in the field. But since COVID19 I have turned all my horses out in the summer grazing with haylage bales, so plenty to eat. I feed chaff and a few cubes (very small) as one needs his meds etc. Since turning out full time and not going back and forth to the yard (change of routine) I have just been grooming from the field and doing pole work from the ground, long reining, lunging and basic inhand work with him. But tonight I really struggled to catch him, and once I did we just did the pick up your feet routine, move your hind legs away, back up etc etc nothing strenuous. But he really was grinding his teeth (in temper?) remember teeth have been done as per routine. I’m just wondering while all this COVID19 is about should I just turn him away again, so not to get sour or do I persist? I really want him to enjoy his work.... but I don’t think he is no matter how I vary it? Or do I go back to a routine, bring him in for a few hours, groom and feed and maybe continue to work him? Any help advice much appreciated thanks
I’ve stopped my ridden work with my 4 year old for the past 3/4 weeks due to a few reasons but mainly because of safety and not wanting to put any more added pressure on being saved by a paramedic etc etc. I’m not saying my 4 year old is naughty, he is fairly good. I broke him last year in April, then turned him away and only did a few shows inhand with him. I then started up again autumn and got him out seeing as much as possible before the nights restricted it. He then was left until January, when I had his back checked and teeth done etc, all good. He is a strong 17.1 sports horse, his is a bit quirky as regards he is opinionated. But I’m working out how he likes to be asked to do things and we are beginning to understand each other quite well. It was all going so well, with a routine of him being in at night and then worked and then the day out in the field. But since COVID19 I have turned all my horses out in the summer grazing with haylage bales, so plenty to eat. I feed chaff and a few cubes (very small) as one needs his meds etc. Since turning out full time and not going back and forth to the yard (change of routine) I have just been grooming from the field and doing pole work from the ground, long reining, lunging and basic inhand work with him. But tonight I really struggled to catch him, and once I did we just did the pick up your feet routine, move your hind legs away, back up etc etc nothing strenuous. But he really was grinding his teeth (in temper?) remember teeth have been done as per routine. I’m just wondering while all this COVID19 is about should I just turn him away again, so not to get sour or do I persist? I really want him to enjoy his work.... but I don’t think he is no matter how I vary it? Or do I go back to a routine, bring him in for a few hours, groom and feed and maybe continue to work him? Any help advice much appreciated thanks
