Your opinions please

[ausipaliboi]

He is not for sale, this is my 'special' boy and I am just interested to hear your opinions and comments, whatever they may be.

He is a 16hh 13 yr old TB x QH. We don't do anything more serious than run around the paddock like a pair of yobbos whilst I laugh my backside off at my complete lack of skill and ability

 

[nirikina]

Where are your stirrups? Do you ride without them?

He's a lovely colour and he looks kind. But he's got no topline - muscle over the bum, back and neck. That would fit with the kind of riding I guess you do with him. Are you able to have lessons?

 

[Parker79]

I can see why you love him...what a lovely expression! he is very nice.

If you are looking for constructive comments...I would say have the saddle checked. It is tilted and if it isn't fitting well then that will affect his muscle development. May be placed slightly too far forward....but I think its more that it doesnt fit him.

You should just be having fun together but if you could help him with muscle development and having a stronger core then you will be able to enjoy him for much longer.

Are you able to get an instructor to have a look and give you some gentle exercises? Whatever you do dont let anyone convince you to stick him in contraptions or lunge him for hours! you can do a few bits each time you ride, build him up gently.

He is lovely...thank you for showing him to us!

 

[ausipaliboi]

Thank you for your comments

I have my stirrups under the saddle flaps so they don't rub the outside of the saddle.

I am aware of his lack of top line and podge gut. He is randomly ridden for maybe 15 minutes every couple of weeks or so. Once or twice a week I will free school him in the arena for 15 minutes.

Yes, thank you for the saddle comment. That is along the lines of what I was after. I think I might sell this saddle and buy something more suited to the both of us. Nostelgia has me holding onto it (my 21st birthday present from my mother who is no longer in my life - living, just has nothing to do with me). I have wanted a half bred saddle for quite some time as I think it will do wonders for my confidence.

I should be honest. I am a very capable and experienced rider. However I have a toddler and have struggled with confidence issues since I lost my old horse 4 years ago. My body is very wonky (raised shoulder, dropped him, tight muscles, etc, etc) and I don't have the time with a baby to correct myself. And if I don't correct myself I consider it unfair of me to expect my horse to work correctly. I have (had) the ability just not the body, time or focus.

I don't believe in contraptions or lunging so no concerns there! I was having lessons before I fell pregnant, but again, due to toddler that has gone way, way on the back burner!

 

[Littlelegs]

I think he looks fine & a lovely colour. Looks like the type to only have any type of topline when in work (or very overweight) so I wouldn't hold that against him. Lovely looking, just do whatever you enjoy.

 

[ampudss]

I should be honest. I am a very capable and experienced rider. However I have a toddler and have struggled with confidence issues since I lost my old horse 4 years ago.

I find it sad that you've let it go after having a baby - I completely understand where your coming from, having a 2 y/o myself its enough exercise without flouncing around in the saddle for an hour a day! but i do have to say getting back in the saddle was the best thing i ever did after 9months off.


Tight muscles will go with time, and patience - i think you've got a lovely looking horse there, who looks very honest and laid back. I think you'd be crazy not to let go and throw a bit of caution to the wind!

 

[Headpiece]

Lovely kind looking horse with a fab colour. As has been said he is a little lacking in top line, which might "come" when you do more regular work, and maybe feed suited to improving top lines - Blue Chip i found great but there are others.

You are hard on yourself re riding, but i think that your saddle is not helping you one bit. I had a similar type of saddle, which did not help with my ear-hip-ankle line, and things have fallen into place much better now with a changed saddle.

 

[Parker79]

OP - You are being very hard on yourself, I also have a toddler (3yo) and I've only just started finding time again because she is less demanding now.

Dont beat yourself up about it, the important thing is that you have your priorities right, you have a family and you have still kept your lovely boy...he wont have minded the time off, some of them love the easy life!! and he looks a pretty laid back sort!

As for confidence..I found it really changed once I had a daughter. Someone else commented that the saddle wont be helping you. Maybe you could keep it for nostalgic reasons (I totally understand that) and when you do feel ready to take a bit more time for yourself you could look at something that will help you feel more stable on board.

Also (and I will stop rambling in a mo) you can also invest in an airjacket if you are really worried.

In the meantime, I bet your toddler loves him, he looks the gentle sort...enjoy him together if you can.

ps I find pilates really helps me, just the odd five minutes...my daughter often likes to copy me...we do exercises together now!

 

[ausipaliboi]

Thanks for your replies all.

I have done a lot of thinking overnight and I am going to sell the saddle. I have been wondering why I start my rides well and within 10 minutes am falling all over the place. You have given me the answer I need so will take it on board. I will dig out my old pilates dvd too.

He is a champ, my daughter loves him to bits! Which can be a bad thing when she sees him coming and runs at him to 'cuggle' him only she is aiming for his back legs!!

Thanks so much for your opinions, really appreciate them