is it too cold in the tack room?

[MitchyInge]

if I put the mulled wine kettle on, will you all come back in for a chat?

what are you all DOING anyway?

I am off work today so going to take new boy out on his own again. Going to try him on a busier road.

Is there something that sets off his broncing Mitchy? Does he do it on the lunge?

he's just young and excited about everything

haven't tried lunge, might be good idea?

Mitchy - if Ginger is being a pita then I put her in the school and let her run around for a bit - you may or may not decide that holding a lunge whip will encourage this...

When we're out hacking she often needs to get that "first canter" out of the way and as soon as that's done and dusted she'll calm down.

Well I am no expert but I suppose there's a few options. You could try lungeing and see if pony bucks in canter without a rider. Be interesting anyway to see how they move without a rider, you can also see yourself whats going on a bit better from the ground.

You could also try lunging before riding to get that fizz and excitedness out of the way - good way to give them some respect from the ground for you too.

I am going to do some groundwork with new lad today, he has the potential to think he wears the trousers methinks - I have discovered Youtube is fantastic for showing groundwork lessons - they have some stuff on how to deal with bucking too Mitchy - may be worth a look - its all from the NewHorsemanship angle or whatever its called.

Agree lunging sounds like a good idea for getting the tickle out of his toes and to see if you can tell what is setting him off.

I know this is obvious but are you quite sure his saddle fits? I know you got it with him but youngsters do change shape quite a lot as they fill out and muscle up. It might be pinching a bit by now if no-one has had it checked recently. One reason we chose the Wintec for dhorse is that our saddler said he'd be out of a leather one in six months and we'd have to start again. As it is we will soon be on our second gullet change.

Skihorse, you wouldn't want to ride with me, I would drive you mad.

Just in case anyone is interested, I think this CD thing might actually work. I couldn't have my lesson in the paddock today as too muddy so we took dhorse round the roads and I didn't once beg to be allowed to get off. For once I wasn't looking for problems which was a big improvement and we went past men using chainsaws and carrying ladders without turning a hair. Even when a ball rolled down the middle of the road towards us at high speed (dropped by a dog) and dhorse grew a couple of hands as his eyes popped out of their sockets, I didn't panic. Very pleased with myself!

Thanks - feel bad because have zero motivation today (and yesterday)

But tomorrow is another day

I'm back! Been away enjoying myself on holiday for a few days.

Pixel, that sounds promising. I've managed one whole session and the disturbed one so far. Am hoping to start again tomorrow. No chance of a hack out until Sunday at the earliest though.

there you are

aibu to just not FEEL like doing anything with the horses at the moment? is it bad to have a few days off, spend energy elsewhere?

Not bad at all - remember it's our hobby it's supposed to be enjoyable. Well, most of the time anyway.

It's so cold and miserable here I really don't feel like being outside too much either. Also, got back after my few days away to find my little Cockeral has gone missing. DS1 said he was definitely mooching about outside Sunday afternoon but when they went to lock away later there was no sign of him. More face.

aww, hope he shows up was just explaining to someone how my chooks are 'happiness with feathers on', they're such a source of joy - especially the way they boss my crazy spaniel around. How can so much personality be packed into such tiny heads?

damn it, WILL go and ride - main reason not to is dwindling confidence which is unlikely to improve without action I suppose? WISH ME LUCK!

Poor little thing, could he have just got shut in somewhere by mistake? We used to have ducks and they were such great little characters.

Isn't it surprising how difficult it is to find one whole uninterrupted hour to listen to a bloomin' CD?
Yesterday afternoon I thought I'd finally get peace and first a friend rang me to find out where the DVLA office is, (obviously doesn't possess map or google), then a parcel arrived (for DH), then dh arrived back from his dentist/shopping trip, yelling "hello" up the stairs till I was forced to answer. When I told him I'd been trying to listen to my CD he said "oh well carry on then". As if it's that easy.
Today another parcel arrived (dh again!) and then the next door neighbour started hammering and drilling. Honestly, they are all against me!

Mitchy. GOOD LUCK.
(don't suppose you really need it.)

And it's pouring down. I wanted to make myself get on dhorse while I'm on a roll. I don't think the CD works unless you actually ride the horse.

May I join the thread? I posted months ago about looking for a horse but have given up after three months. Saw 15 but only had one vetted and it failed. Now have a horse on loan. Fantastic deal as can ride as much as I like, it's at a small, friendly livery yard with fantastic instructor and I only have to muck out once at weekends. Not a horse I'd choose to buy (which is good - I'll get too attached anyway) but seems a complete sweetheart, good fun but very safe. Too good to be true? Feel relieved pressure gone from dashing round the country every weekend looking at horses. Am working so much it will also be a good test to see quite how much I can ride at the moment.

Korma it's this one.
It worked for Skihorse and her friend, so Owls and I are hoping it will do the same for us.
You can join our wuss club if you like.

Hi Sykes, sounds like you've got a good arrangement. I know what you mean about dashing about the countryside looking at horses, very dispiriting! Funny how they don't seem to match the adverts half the time.

No, nothing like most of the time but never mind. I rode yesterday in the school and will do tomorrow and then hack out of Friday. Apparently, he's great in traffic - it's just getting to know him, I suppose, and hope he doesn't sod off with me.

Mine prefers buses to cows anyday.

ahhh I had the BEST evening riding both the beasties (not at same time though, that comes next ) - thank you for the good luck! universe provided just the right people to help and provide moral support when we got there

he was v wiggly but no rodeo, cantered on both reins and quit while we were ahead - then daughter rode him even more successfully

shocked at the waves of anxiety coming off me when we got there though, and got off to have a smoke and back on again before we even got into the school - might be joining the wuss club yet!

Mitchy

as it is quite late now does the tackroom open / double as a bar ?? new pony arrived at weekend and is an absolute sweetheart and old new pony has a possible loan to buy home line dup --- all this after cosmic ordering both things on thursday . i am off to order a big lottery win next . thanks mitchyinge - it worked a treat.

anything pignon can do, I can do SIDEWAYS

he'd better watch out!

yay, I will drink to your success mummydoc

raises glass of paint stripper cheap brandy