groundwork any advice

[joanne555]

hi there i am getting a new horse in a few weeks 17.1 id... he is just 6 big differance from my 18 yr old welsh x scholmaster. was just asking for a bit of advice really ...i have a plan,,,here it is please tell me if yoiu all think this is ok cause im not right sure lol ..here goes ...im gonna do lots of groundwork with him firstly and perhaps a bit of join up which i practised on my other horse last night with good results . i thought of doing this with him for a few weeks before i actually take him out on a hack .just some long lining and stuff and moving him over with my hand and things like that so i can get my confidence with him on the ground and he learns to trust me ...i believe this puts you in a good position to create a partner ship with the horse. can any one ffer any advice....... im also moving to a new yard were i dont kow any one to offer any help or advice but thoght i would benefit from this instead of reylying on other people who give all there opinions of which are all differant... i want to do it my ,way but is it the right way HELP .... i must be mad buying a young horse at my age hahaha

[sancho]

Establishng the bond on the ground is essential, epecially as he a big lad!

Do ask for advice at your new yard, most people are only to pleased to help but remember you dont know their 'ways' and you may not want to take on what they offer!

Good luck

[fairlady]

Having come back to riding this year after a break of 12 years and deciding it was time I had a horse again, I first had an Arab on a Months Trial. My first love is the Arab Horse and I had owned and loaned a few previously. This Arab had never been ridden in anything other than quiet traffic in the Forest of Dean and I was gonna be riding him in Heavy Traffic in Bristol. In company I hacked him all over the place, was not at all nervous on him although knowing he was far from relaxed, he just about coped in company, but on his own freaked and we stopped the traffic 6 times in a very short space of road:D and when I attempted it again the next day, ditto, so for me........ Welcome back to the world of horses at the age of 50:D:D

Not to be put off what did I do, went and bought a practically unhandled 2 year old Welsh Sec D:D He is now 2 1/2 and about 14.2 - 14.3, I am now 51:D

I must say, I seem far more confident and relaxed about it all this time around, I don't really worry about what other people think as I am quite happy to do things 'my way'. In my head I know exactly what I am looking to achieve and to be honest I am not too worried by the time scales on when to achieve it either, if I feel he is 'not ready' in the Summer of next year, I will wait:D

So if you think you are 'too old' for me there is no hope:D Perhaps the confidence is not confidence at all but senility setting in:D:D