Toad Horse!

[cazrider]

Is anyone else finding that their horse is behaving like a toad at the moment when being asked to work?

I've not been able to ride much lately, the ground is sodden so farm hacks are no fun for either of us, I'm away a lot with work, I'm between sharers and YM who was free schooling him once a week while I'm away has damaged her thumb so can't do it. Result. Sennie being ridden about twice/ max three times a week, mostly at weekends.

I schooled for a bit last Sunday then took him for a short hack down the lane. The drama queen in him decided a pile of bricks necessitated a 30 yards in reverse nap back up the hill.:eek: Sorted that one out and got him past those, very reluctantly in banana shape.:rolleyes:

Lunged him last night, and had to use all my arts of persuasion to get any kind of forward movement out of him. By that I mean I struggled for a while to even get him to trot.:mad: Got over that one, and got some decent trot from him. But, and here's the real cruncher, to get canter I had to RUN ROUND WITH HIM.:eek: :eek: Not a pretty sight I can assure you. And pretty poor when you get back in and realise that you've worked harder than your horse has.:o He's just broken sweat, it's pouring off you and you're a delicate puce colour.

I know it's just lack of work and he'll come back round, he's always been one to do the minimum necessary :rolleyes: , but it's so frustrating!! Is anyone else going through this?

[NoviceNic]

Sennie you naughty boy...:eek: making Mummy run round the school like that...:p

Captain has his silly head on at the moment. I tried to school him on Monday. The wind was very high and the tags in the newly planted trees around the school were Captain eating monsters from hell.:rolleyes: 5 spins and bolts later :eek: I had words. Something to the effect of "Will you f**ing listen to me. Its only a stupid tag for gods sake":o Hey presto we have a nice outline and some beautiful trotting. :D Shame my confidence and energy were zapped from the spins and bolts.:rolleyes:

[cazrider]

crikey that doesn't sound much fun Nic. What are they like? I must admit travelling backwards at speed towards a ditch isn't my favourite way of riding.:rolleyes:

[carrimclaren]

Everything has got it in it at the moment. Can only deduce that the spring grass is coming through, exercise has been lacking a bit due to weather and mud and so everything has either mud fever or a case of the heebie jeebies. Considering this mine has been very mildly behaved for her although give it time and she'll probably be a class A toadie. :) We had a similar moment in the school at the weekend to Captain by the sound of it, we too had a conversation which consisted of "get a f***king grip it's a hedge. Strangley we too got some lovely jumping work after this :rolleyes:

[icegirl]

Hi cazrider - follow your posts since your support when my nice calm Icelandic decided to pretend to be a thoroughbred to wake me up a bit!
What is it with horses - you get yourself in nice balance with them and they throw some strange piece of behaviour at you and expect you to deal with it.
When the rider starts working a lot harder than the horse, maybe its time to take a break and consider.:)
My springtime horsey currently takes a nap after lunch and lies in his paddock - if I go in and sit next to him and lean on him like a beanbag, he just relaxes and offers his ears for a scratch. :D
This doesnt really help much but I suppose it proves you never know what to expect - hope Sennie settles soon.

[paradigmshift]

My horse has been a complete and utter IDIOT lately. He is usually sooo good to catch in the field but for the past 2 weeks or so he has made me run around the muddy, wet field. When I put him in his stable he is fine with me in there and everything, it's only in the field. I think it's because of the lack of riding. The arena is solid and I can't go on hacks as the drive is too slippery since it has gotten much colder in the past few days. So, I havn't been to the barn since Monday...and I am supposed to groom and hand walk my friends horse every second day...:o It's making me mad, this stupid weather. It was so nice for a while...I guess it was too good to be true:p

[Whatanejit]

Cheeky monkey!

He has obviously been reading my posts about May - rein back is her favourite pace!

Hopefully he will settle soon - he is trying to tell you something mummy - not sure what, though!

[cazrider]

Thanks Guys

Happily we had a lovely if short due to squidgy ground hack yesterday, and a fab lesson this morning. I think he was just reacting to lack of riding, and that's what he was trying to tell me W'jit- "Get yer backside in gear mum"

icegirl, I'm sure you're right, you do never know what to expect with horses.

Carrimclaren and Novicenic, your choice of language made me smile. You should have heard me when doing the now famous canter run.:rolleyes: :eek: :D

[NoviceNic]

Caz - I dont do bolting, spinning and rearing with the F********k word.:eek:

[carrimclaren]

I'm afraid my language gets rather colourful sometimes too :o I can't help it really, it's a nervous reaction half the time.

Well my lass has definitely been talking to all the other naughty ponies. She spent 15 mins in the school while i mucked out bucking and running up and down handbrake turning it on friday, fully backing everyone up thinking she's mental. Then y'day she spent about 20 mins in the field (1st turn out in a couple of days on grass) charging up and down bucking and squealing. :rolleyes: Surprised she came in with all four feet attached still.

[Little Dolphins]

Hiya Caz! I feel I can post on this now I've done me scary 1st hack; I found the thought of the sensible Senmeister being naaaaughty a bit too oooooooh:eek: heh heh

HQ was naaaaughty turning out the other day, very strong and too eager; couldn't even circle her. She just about let me get her headcollar off , then wooosh, she was off, bucking, farting, galloping like a war horse (it's actually a very funny sight) (but not from on board, which is how i came off).
I felt a bit scaredy for a while, then it struck me what a goood girl she is 99% of the time,now, with all that strength which she DOESN"T use against me.
I'm certain it was because she'd been in (worming) and the grass so green and tempting now.
It's taken me a long time to figure out some of this stuff, v. scary to think how little I knew as a first horse owner, and of course, still learning!!!!

Well done YOU for having another go and a lesson, to boot! Sounds like you've got the measure of Sennie, and he'll be quickly in tune with everything again. You're a lady that's been on a long journey with hosses, and I'm always on the look out for what you're up to :) ;)