Your views please...

[DipseyDeb]

I've found myself following the (?) progress of a horse that the RS where my daughter rides, have bought, he's been there a little while now and has done very little. Here's the low down, he was bought from a family who had used him for jumping. He is very highly strung, two teenage girls had used him and, it would appear, were more than happy to pelt round the country side at top speed and let him take a course of jumps in much the same way. The YO has given him over to one of her staff to school on in the hope he can be used in the school eventually. I think she is probably nervous of him because he has done nothing but walk and trot for the last 6 months, and then for only 1/2 hour at a time. I found myself watching him the other day, he is very tense, cantering on the spot when asked to trot. he is not strong, he seems to put alot of effort into not going forward (he doesnt rear or buck) from the little that I saw of him, he desprately needs schooling in lengthing and going forward and trusting his jockey not to sock him in the mouth. She has been riding him in a dutch gag (2nd ring) and a running martingale! My question is what are your views? Noone has tried him in a simple snaffle ........over to you....and well done for getting this far!!

 

[Holidays_are_coming]

The good old simple snaffle, why do people always think the problem will be solved by putting something stronger in there mouth!!!! Just teaching him to relax and maybe taking him out for some nice hacks in company teaching him its not all about galloping!! If I am worried about a horse I lunge until I feel that they are relaxed enough for me to sit on them, then they tend to be so much calmer and more responsive. The poor horse needs to learn to enjoy life again!!!!

 

[Natassia]

Totally agree, its difficult when you can't do anything but watch them try to deal with this poor horse, are you going to say anything?
I think that going back to basics will help him as well, if a good rider's riding him in a school, its as safe as its going to be, and lungeing before would be good to get him responding to the voice, it sounds as if he's been given very harsh aids, maybe contradicting each other (like being kicked and pulled in the mouth at the same time), so he's confused.
Poor horse though, hope it all works out for him, even if a riding school isn't the ideal environment for him.

 

[Chestnuttymare]

That's a shame, he sounds like he is afraid of the bit, a nice french link or a happy mouth would probably do him more good. If the rider is nervous then he is going to be tense, poor thing.Are you in a position to say something to the owner. Perhaps she isn't aware of what is going on.

 

[DipseyDeb]

have already expressed my concerns to my daughters instructor, she's a lovely woman and very sensible, she is going to take it up with YO, they all seem reluctant to but him in a kinder bit though, I got blank stares when I suggested it, makes me sooo cross, because he's a sweet natured think he seems desparate to please.