Are We Lazy???

[perkypinky]

We went in the school today - did warm up - then started to 'work' - well isnt wasnt really work just trotting about half heartedly. Couldnt get much of a canter - did a bit of leg yielding.
Does anyone else have this problem - i get in the school with all good intentions of a good work out - but seem to 'collapse and die' when in there and it all seems like too much hard work!!! When i have my weekly lessons on him my instructor gets us both working and we fly round - but on our own.... useless! Pony just does the bare minimum (me too) - he comes out having had a lovely time wandering about, but i get the impression/feeling from him that he is bored!!!!
Does anyone else have this feeling/problem?

[No_Angel]

I am usually always bored in the school, can't help it, just nothing seems to motivate me, or my horse, we both love hacking and he is always raring to go when I get on.

[ANN H]

Me too - sit at work thinking up schooling exercises and when I get in the paddock I just troll round aimlessly. Other days I really throw myself into it. I have 'motivational' lessons every now and then to get me really working.

[WooHoo2]

SNAP!!!!:D

Just this morning, I had every intention of "schooling", but started out "slumming" it round.:confused:

But then remembered ~ I have a lesson tomorrow, and I need to practise my homework!

My RI is very good at setting small tasks that I can incorporate into my otherwise "veg out" sessions!:D

This week, she placed 2 cones along long side of the school, and I had to practise getting as many and as few canter strides into the distance.
Also had to spiral in, and leg yield away from a cone in middle of school.
Lastly, Prelim 12 dressage, easy to remember test.

[perkypinky]

thanks for that - i will try those exercises - they seem like good fun - if i manage to get him into canter!!!

[Bertie]

I find schooling really boring and will only really do it when I'm having a lesson. I tried to school my mare on Friday and it was a disaster - as soon as my bum touched the saddle she took off down the school broncoing - no it's not a bad saddle, back or teeth - it's the fact she's been stabled 24/7 since the previous Sunday and was hyper!!

I spent 20minutes walking and trotting around the arena doing 20m circles, tried to canter twice and managed to get 3-strides before all she did was canter on the spot.

After 5-years of RS lessons I think it's hard to work on your own steam and without instruction, I do keep trying but I find it extremely hard, especially as my mare takes 20-min out of the 30-min slot to settle down and do any decent work.

[wanabe]

I can get bored with doing the preliminary stuff -- but I wonder if horses get bored -- I mean, they spend most of their life walking forward slowly while eating -- how exciting is that?

I go into the arena with a "game plan" and I stick to it.

[eventerbabe]

i have fortnightly lessons so usually have plenty of homework to be getting on with :D but i find i have to be in the right frame of mind, if i'm not we'll just go out for a hack. If i'm stuck for something to do i'll have a look through my BD tests and practise a few movements from some of them :)

[Crazy Mare]

We get homework from our lessons and it works great for keeping motivated in the school, even now it's getting cold and dark in the evenings :)

[goeslikestink]

its becuase people get bored and stick to the monday things of normal schooling ie-- figures of 8 or bit off leg yeilding schoulder ins they find it boring just as much as the horse does

so be inventive try other things when schooling your horse
and remember to a horse can be schooled out side on a hack to

make it fun - think of other things to do-- you can have fun

little grids and pole work can help you teach the horse not to rush
and see your strides and distances for a jump

playing games ie gymkanana games teaches you to be quicker with your aids
in order to win

so be inventive- along with the schooling exercises maek ti fun for yourself and for the horse giving him snippets of information so it stinks in and stays there

[WooHoo2]

Perhaps we should set up a schooling get-together.

People who live nearby, can go to others yards, and school together, one way of meeting people, and keeping motivated!

[goeslikestink]

that wouldnt be a bad idea

where are you in west kent woohoo2

[Kittycat]

My instructor suggested I make schooling cards and strap them to my wrist with an elastic band. You could write out a dressage test, or a series of exercises, so you don't forget what you are meant to do. I've only made one, but I seriously need that sort of thing otherwise I just meander and don't have any purpose.:o

[Trixie]

I've started trying to get horsie moving off leg better and I use lots of transitions. I do a set number of paces in walk, then set number in trot and repeat. Then i gradually reduce number of paces. i have to concentrate on counting and she doesn't have a clue what the numpty on her back is going to ask her to do next. Schooling sessions turn into an adventure into the unknown. Also, being a nervous nellie, I have to concentrate very hard if I want to count above about 4!