help with renewing interest in horse

[mysterymoniker]

I've only just bought him too but have had him loan most of year, having resumed riding in January (and only patchy riding up to about 13)

summer was lovely, lots of hacking and all going well in lessons but suddenly have hit brick wall in school - am doing my stage 1 which is helping and sometimes ride him in those lessons but feel so much more together on other horses

his great love in life is jumping and x country and mildly crazy hacks - this is why I thought we would be compatible altho I have a way to go before I'd feel happy about fixed jumps. actually I don't jump with any finesse at all and have millions of position faults but this will come with time?

problems in school are him stiff/unbalanced/leaning on right rein in canter and the occasional unplanned gallop which is not so bad when out but bit hairy in a group lesson

have gradually become bit demoralised, not really bothering with him, especially as he is used in riding school where everyone else in the whole world can ride him nicely

Hey mystery

We all hit low patches and feel we can't get a horse to go as well as others - you are not alone!

Is he quite young? It sounds like he would benefit from plenty of lungeing and schooling to work on his flexibility and if you could afford it I would suggest a private lesson to work on the problem areas and maybe give you some more inspiration.

From what you say he may find school work boring (certainly compared to the summer you had!) but it might help to make him use his mind lots when you are schooling him - plenty of changes of rein, transitions, double transitions, lateral work, poles etc. It's not easy if your horse if stiff but he needs to do this sort of work if he's to improve.

Sorry if I have told you what you already know or are already doing, but the main thing is don't be disheartened. Oh, and we all have millions of position faults!!!

thank you, think lungeing is a good idea - he's not young, nearly 16!
do not know what double transitions are
he was crazy in his younger days, banned from pony club! but much more settled in some ways
he's lovely to handle and be around, problem is my attitude really and not liking schooling and being disappointed that he is too excitable to gallop in company (wanted to do team chase and hunt )

problem possibly also use in riding school and not working in true outline as much as he should and time of year?

ah, feel bit better for having thought and 'talked' about it actually

He sounds like a mad but fab 20 year old I used to know...

Double transitions are just moving up or down 2 paces, e.g halt to trot, walk to canter (although perhaps I wouldn't recommend walk to canter at the moment )

Schooling is boring, I know, but maybe just try to do shorter more frequent sessions (better for him too) - if he is stiff you may need to allow him longer to work in and get loosened up before you start, esp if it's cold. I'd do a good 10 mins working in then max 20 minutes actual schooling, followed by 10 minutes cool down.

Best of luck - he sounds lovely.

thank you, you are nice!

I can feel my love for him flowing back in, (it was a bit muted by despair!) probably a bit of 'why was buying a horse my response to the global financial crisis?' too

yes walk to canter is best route to unplanned gallop, especially now it is cold

shorter sessions sound v good idea, will try tonight. a horse area on mumsnet would be good idea too

You're very welcome.

The other benefit of all this schooling of course is that he's also going to be much more responsive and easier to control on your hacks - a win, win situation!

Right, must go and clean my house now.

So much more fun talking about horses

Oh, and horses are never a financially sound decision - but they are worth it

can talk about horses allll day

no wonder unhorsey people yawn so much in my company

Tea break!

Oh, and lots of 20m circles, if you're not doing that already. Plus serpentines etc. Get him bending! Try not to go once round the whole school without doing something, be it a change of rein, transition, whatever. If he's inclined to belt off don't canter him large, only canter on a 20m circle till you have control.

This is why my house is such a tip!

just an update to say thanks and that he's going so much better for me now - your advice was great, 20 (and sort of 15) metre circles and shallow loops and so on are steadying him and am much more in control

still have yet to lunge him though, need to enlist an extra pair of experienced hands for that

(have also tried him in a different bit and he listens much more, but am worried it is too severe - he usually has a d-link type snaffle but I've been using a waterford. then again, previous owner rode him in a gag so it could be worse?)

Oh great, I am really glad to hear you're making progress with him

Personally, I don't mind Waterfords - they are actually kinder than jointed snaffles because you don't get that nutcracker action on the jaw and, as with any bit, as long as you keep your hands nice and soft (am sure you do!) they are fine. Great for stopping a horse getting a hold of a bit and they can encourage him to mouth the bit and play with it, which is good for helping him to come on to the bit and engage.

Sounds like he is coming on well and I'm sure he'll continue to improve for you

Thanks for the update & please keep us posted!