Riding log - anyone interested?

[SupersonicDave]

Saw this on a horse forum and thought it would be a good idea.

Basically i need a bit of help with motivation (too much to do, not enough hours in the day etc) and can get a bit stuck in a rut wrt schooling/hacking/lunging.

So, today i am riding out my mare, a friend is riding my gelding, and we are going to ride through the village and back across some grassy tracks. Want to concentrate on keeping my mare calm, especially on the grass.

I have this and can adjust it myself up to a point, the wintecs are supposed to be good but have never known anyone change the gullet without professional assistance! I should think they do wide as well as extra narrow ones?

I had usual Sunday routine of not being able to catch my horse, after yesterday cannot really blame him. Another long ride tomorrow so hope he will be up for it.

It was great to see my daughter out on x country course at riding school this morning, she wasn't jumping but at least she was out in a big open space. Later she rode an exceptionally relaxed 4yo coloured at our new yard, he is stunning and looked after her very well. Hopefully the more she realises most ponies won't take off with her, rodeo etc the better she will feel.

I've come to the sad decision that the pony has to go back.

We took the girls for a quiet hack down a bridlepath today.It was a lovely day,skylarks singing,perfect sunny weather.Joshie behaved perfectly with dd1 and we did about 2 miles walking and trotting on the lead rein.Then dd2 got on,she is far less experienced and a tiny 6 year old,which is why dd1 went first.If there were any problems,dd1 had a far better chance of staying on.For the first few minutes,she was fine,then the pony saw sunlight glinting off a car over a mile away,reared up and tried to pull away and bolt.I was yelling for dd2 to hold on,as I had visions of her falling off and him and him accidentally coming down on her.Thank God she hung on and I got him calmed down.She was crying with shock and pain,as he'd hit her on the forehead with his head as he went up.She's a brave girl though and didn't want to get off,and even managed a trot on the way home.

Dh took the girls home when we got back to the road-I didn't trust the pony on the road with them and was still shaken by the experience.I walked him 3.5 miles in hand on the route we've done every day this week.At least 3 times he span around and tried to bolt,this time it was cyclists and a farmer in a nearby field that spooked him.I've thought about it all afternoon and come to the sad conclusion that he just isn't reliable enough for us.Hacking about on a pony is meant to be fun,not an exercise in testing your nerves and wondering what the problem will be next time.I wouldn't dare risk the dds on him without a lead rein outside of a menage and they are more than capable of riding independently,so it is a step backwards for them [they've never had a lead rein,even as beginners].

I've told Peter,my lovely neighbour of what happened and my decision and he says it is up to me,but that the pony just needs working on and will turn out alright with time.I don't mind work,but I'm not confident that things will change and that we'll be £1k out of pocket with a pony that the dds are scared to ride and we can't sell because of it's problems.Dh says he'll go with whatever I decide,but that he thinks the pony needs time.I said that it is me who'll be dealing with the pony most and I'm not happy with it's safety-sooner a broken heart than a broken neck.I told the dds and dd1 cried,as did I,but as soon as I told them that they'd go back to having riding lessons,dd1 was beaming at the thought of riding her old favourite at the school again.

I've got to ring his owner and arrange his return-she'll be as gutted as we are,she has been lovely every step of the way and thought she'd found a lovely home for him.

Oh dear, not sure what to say, must be very difficult all round. Do think you will struggle to find a pony that never acts like a pony though, and his behaviour doesn't sound all that problematic, it all sounds quite normal and workable with and just part of the whole thing really. He hasn't really had very long to settle in?

Sorry if that sounds reproachful, just re-read and realised was not striking most supportive tone.

Thanks Mitchie-you are probably right,but my gut feeling is that I don't trust him.Have spoken to his owner and she says that she just can't understand why he is so spooked by everything,but keep him for next week and see if things improve.I'm not changing my mind though,despite just walking around to check on him and nearly sobbing all the way home.

I've spoken to my friend about her mare that she wanted to loan ,but she is keeping her for the time being.Apparently someone came to see her and asked why on earth they were parting with her as she is so lovely.Friend then decided to keep her for the summer and PC camp and think about replacing her with something speedier in the autumn.I have first refusal on her and the dds are able to go over and ride her before then if they want [they've ridden her before and love her,she is very kind and steady].

Fingers crossed it works out for you, at least you have all had some once times with Joshie and he's had a sort of holiday away from home!

Yet another new route today but with an exciting twist - 1. we were out with a TB so my old horse really had to up his game in his bid to overtake in gallop; and 2. the fabric covering the underside of my fixed peak came away and the wind sort of glued it across my eyes whilst galloping up a very long track, so I was completely blindfolded the whole way whilst galloping harder and faster than ever before. It was a very interesting sensory experience! Until we crashed into the horse in front at the end of the track because, of course, horse cannot do slowing down in reasonable time, it's either 1000mph or STOP.

That is a shame Mirage. I do think that the behaviour in a new home is not a reliable indicator of future behaviour, and although I would usually say to persevere, the thing that makes me inclines to agree with your decision is the rearing. shying is manageable and very likely to improve, but if he has reared I would be worried. Do your DDs know yet?

Mitchie - great that your DD is getting her confidence back! and loving waddlegoose :)

Olderyet - well, I wouldn't recommend the treeless! Wintecs are good, I had one on my now-sold DHorse.

Rode today in the school and then around the woods. Her canter is improving in the school, I got a 20m circle in canter on both reins, very messy with her bum sticking out of the circle so she was kinda sideways, but this is still an improvement from when we first came to this yard (having never ridden her in a school before!). However she then bucked when I cantered down the long side, she tried to go back to trot so got a tap with the crop and put in a few sizeable bucks - haven't had that for a long time :-/

Mirage, what a shame. Could you persuade the owner to come with you on an in hand outing to demonstrate exactly what the problem is. Have you had him checked physically - teeth and back in particular? Just to rule out any possible reason for his behaviour.

I went for a lovely long ride yesterday, including a nice gallop on old parkland up a hill which meant that I could let dhorse really go, and my god does he go. He may have been too slow to race, but it was fast enough for me! We then popped a few of tree trunks left out from the soggy fun ride last week - two just normal big trunks but then a log pile of two and another on top which wasn't huge, but bigger than I usually do. I felt very naughty as I don't normally jump when riding on my own, but it was fun and he was very good - no bucking or not stopping afterwards. I'd love to take him to a hunter trial or something low key - so I might look for a course I could school him over, just for fun as I have no desire to compete.

Mirage, could you take the pony's field companion out with you? If he's got no equine company at all this could be the root of the problem. If it's genuinely not typical of him (and the owner sounds genuine, letting you have him on trial) then it has to be due to change in routine, food, handling or being lonely etc, and unless you resolve it you are likely to have issues with any other pony.

I wouldn't be too worried by what you describe, as Mitchie says. It isn't particularly bad pony behaviour really. I would expect any child who's competent to ride out without a lead rein to cope with it. Even if it feels like taking a backwards step, riding your own pony is different from lessons, and children who are perfectly ok in lessons often take time to learn to deal with the 'real life' of riding their own pony, and need help from the ground (aka a leader).

Mitchie, thanks for the link, that looks good, will look for one. Good news about your DD!

I am very [sceptical] about pony today.
................he reared today
Had a life-flash-before-my-eyes moment, during which I realised I didn't have my phone, hadn't told anybody where I was going, etc.
Was still shaking a few hours after. V. scarey

see......so shaken up I forgot how to

Oooh scary. What brought that on? Hope you have settled down a bit now.

Mitchie - 3/4's of a bottle of white has helped me settle

Could be:

1. Rode him in flash noseband for the first time,

1. Rode him in martingale for the first time,

1. Character trait as a result of being cut late,

1. He's an impatient sod.

We were riding through the reservoirs, about an hour in to our ride. Had gone through a couple of gates when my stupid dog disappeared. Spent the next 10 mins hanging about calling dog. Went back through one gate and I tried to turn pony to shut gate and he went horizontal. Just before we had gone through gate he did a half-hearted attempt-kind of spinning on his hocks.
I'm leaning towards impatience. Will attempt ride again tomorrow and add in periods of random "waiting".
He has done another half-hearted attempt before, very early on. I put it down to (and still do) confusion, as I was trying to shut a very awkward gate.

Felt awful straight after. Went straight home, ready to advertise him for sale.
Feeling a little more positive now.

Thank goodness for wine! Do you mean vertical by the way? Got odd image in head!

Do you sometimes wonder why we do it? Our efforts usually pay off in the end don't they, rodeo boy has only bucked three times since we moved at beginning of June which is, what, once a week? And just little excited ones, not handstands. Maybe we have turned a corner!

- did mean vertical. Now also got odd image in head
.......ah, the side effects of wine!!

I do wonder why sometimes. Spoke to Yard owner yesterday, who was very supportive. She said that it's probably a bit of rebellion (maybe to be expected as he's been an angel so far) She's suggested how to deal with it if it crops up again.

Good news about rodeo boy. Sounds like progress.

I think rearing is one of the most frightening things a horse can do as there is so little you can do once they're up.

My old horse used to rear when I first got him, not really high, but high enough as part of a napping and whirling about to go home routine which really scared me to start with. Eventually I'm afraid I bopped him (not hard I hasten to add) between the ears as I leant forward and roared at him - I'm not recommending for one moment you do that as your pony is a baby - mine was 9 and trying it on, but he was so startled that he never ever did it again, and if I felt him trying to lift up I would just growl "no" at him and he would stop.

It does sound like he's asserting himself with you, some firm words with him next time round. Does he respond much to your voice? I am a great believer in bossing them around this way (and the dh and ds's!) - a deep, firm voice tells them you mean business. Push him on as soon as you think he might be going up, if he does - lean forward and say "no" (or some other choice words" and keep him moving. I expect he thought that you were going back the way you'd come.....

Hello.

Mirage, I think I agree with you. If you have lost confidence in the pony then it is unlikely to work :( sometimes it is not you, it is not the pony it is just a personality clash iyswim? I think if it was me I would send him home and get your dds back to the riding school for the summer then maybe take on friends pony in the autumn.

Not much happening atm, too much going on, not enough hours in the day. Gelding has had to have a reminder or two on his manners recently. Dd is at school this afternoon so hopefully will get to have a quick ride in the school.

Manatee - my mare does the quarters in while cantering. What has really helped is turning my shoulders in as through I am riding a circle (still sat up straight though) and it helps keep the inside leg in the right place to keep them straighter.

Thank you all.I have spoken to the owner and she has tried to persuade me to change my mind several times,but it is made up.However,she says she currently has no field for him,so is trying to find one locally,and could we keep him an extra week or two.I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt as she has been straight with us so far,but have stressed that I won't change my mind and he has to go back.The dds accept that he isn't right for us,because DD1 wanted to ride him to the next village to see her friends and I explained that she couldn't as he wasn't reliable in traffic.[The thought of trying to keep control of a rearing frightened pony with dd1 on board,and also keep dd2 out of the way of him leaping about isn't my idea of fun.]So we are sticking to the menage,which is a bit dull every day.

Things must have changed since I had ponies-none of mine behaved like that on the road and rearing wasn't considered normal pony behaviour.Shying is a different thing altogether and wouldn't be a problem to us.I've taken time off work[unpaid] to walk him every day,had an expert out to check his back,teeth,tack,feet ect.I have had done some digging and he hadn't been ridden since he came back from his loan home in February,so it is several years since his owner has ridden him-I wonder if something happened whilst he was on loan to frighten him of traffic,that his owner wouldn't be aware of?

Anyway,Supersonic Dave,I think you are right.Joshie seems to love me and won't leave my side when I'm with him,but it still isn't working for us.I'm planning to do exactly what you say-back to RS over the summer and see what happens with frien's mare in the autumn.

Got to go and take the dds to Brownies-back later.

Reading that back,I sound rather terse.I'm sorry,I'm so stressed out about the whole thing-keeping him longer than we anticipated isn't helping matters either.

Poor you, it's so difficult and such a responsibility where children are involved. If you feel it's not going to work then you mustn't question your decisions, it will be alright in the end. He may be a sweet character and right in lots of ways, but for your dc's he must be able to do what they want him to and he obviously can't.

If the owner starts being awkward about having him back then perhaps you could start charging her field rent......

I'm sure the right pony will be there somewhere. I had a pony on trial which didn't turn out to be what we wanted and the owner was very bitchy as soon as she realised we weren't having him, spreading rumours about me being an unsuitable purchaser! He was sweet, but not right and I have no regrets at all about not getting him.

Good luck - trust your instincts!

Thankyou frostyfingers.My lovely neighbour who is renting me the field has said that if she can't find a field,he'll rent her his for 2-3 months.I'm waiting for her to come back to me to see if he can go back to her[ 30 miles away] before mentioning it to her.Have googled and found she has readvertised him up for sale,so hope she'll find something near her as it will be tricky to sell him if he is some distance away.

I'm quite prepared for things to turn bitchy-I'm not chuffed that she is using a picture of my dds with the pony in her ad-she didn't ask me first,but will say nothing for the time being.If things turn nasty,I'll bring that up.

I have put the pony money in my ISA,so I can't spend it,even if put under pressure.

Mirage - Don't assume things will turn bitchy, I have been on the other end of a similar arrangement, from my perspective the girl was very difficult, she said she struggled to ride the pony out alone, I had told her she was not a novice ride beforehand. She sent her back to me on a day that I was at work and it was all really difficult. Not saying you are being difficult Mirage, but that if she has nowhere to put the pony, and he appears to be acting differently to how she knows him, then this will be a real pain for her too, and if she seems 'bitchy' she is probably just as unhappy with how this has turned out as you are.

SSD - her quarters aren't in, they are out! :) It is when we are on a circle. It is because she can't bend very well. I doubt this will ever improve much, she is also very unbalanced and her injury only added to that!

Rode today in the woods, I got absolutely soaked, it really poured on us! It was a fun ride in spite of the rain, I built some new jumps which is always fun. The mare has been in a new more grassy field for ONE DAY and already the girth was tight, so I worked her quite hard :)

Hope you manage to return him as amicably as possible Mirage, didn't realise he hadn't been ridden since Feb thought point of trial was so you could terminate at any time for any reason, otherwise you could have bought him there and then! Anyway good luck.

Blood keeps running a bit cold when I relive Tues evening ride, had been out with sharer B and joined up two long tracks around farm. Plan was to come back through x country field, boing round the jumps and if there was life left in the horses to do my favourite track and home. We galloped most of first two tracks, dodging various obstacles, all very exciting, then stopped to put stirrups up a hole for jumping, when sharer B started 'ohmygodohmygod look' and not one bit of my girth was making contact with my horse. It was just hanging round him. Could get my generously proportioned thigh in there! Can't quite believe I forgot to tighten before I got on, then rode like that for over an hour without checking once. Good thing I did it up then though because my attempts to trot the course went horribly wrong three times before he settled down and jumped properly. Phew.

They did have plenty of energy for last bit of ride, so that was a good two and a bit hours without leaving the premises or touching a road. Day off yesterday but might repeat that route this afternoon. With girth this time.

You must be a nicely balanced rider Mitchie!