Dead calm three and a half year old!

[Peace]

Sorry, but I just have to brag!:) The only thing that worried me about buying Quanah was his age - not quite three and a half, while I'm a 42 year old beginner!

Happily, my fears were unfounded. This week, Quanah went in the trailer and stood motionless while the Arabian mare next to him (a 12 year old, no less) reared not once but twice and banged her head into the roof. Later, we rode very happily while a man in the next ring was lunging a bucking Saddlebred who's not been touched all summer.

And, as a grand finale, I managed to trip, fall, and whack Quanah in the face with the end of the lead rope while leading him back to his paddock. (note to self - don't walk backwards while leading pony in the dark:o ). The only reaction I got was a two-step retreat and a rather pitying look. :rolleyes:

So, to Wally, Fraggle, and everyone else who told me not to judge this pony by his age - y'all were absolutely right!:D

[Fraggle]

Seriously, it's nice to know that you're getting on so well.

I can't pretend that it's all going to be plain sailing but life with any horse or pony is going to be full of ups and downs.

It sounds as if your youngster has a lovely calm temprement and that's something that we hope to find in a pony on matter what its age.

It's lovely to hear and you and your pony are enjoying it's others company.
:D

[Wally]

Some babies are daft as brushes, Andy Pants has been a sap from day one when I bought him as a 7 month old foal. Kina, you could put a novice on her at 3, they are out there, but they are not common.

When you get a good 'un hang onto him.

Glad to hear he's behaving....so far!:D ;)

[Showjumper]

He sounds perfect!!! :D Pictures!!! :D

[Peace]

Hearing from people who had calm youngsters really helped me take the "leap of faith" with my little fellow.:)

Of course, we've had our little differences of opinion about things, but Quanah is very open to compromise. For instance, he decided he could indeed pick up his feet as long as I'd allow him to touch my shoulder for balance. Next we'll be working on not throwing one's head skyward when a bridle appears!:D

He seems easier to deal with than the older horses I've known with these sorts of issues - maybe because his are more the product of inexperience than bad experience, or maybe he's just not had time to become so set in his ways?

I still don't have pictures - I keep forgetting to take them! Don't know whether to blame creeping senility or pony honeymooning!

[Kerry's Partner]

I enjoyed reading this thread. I think you're a natural - and so, therefore, your horse will be. You clearly have "partnership" well and truly mastered already - whatever the age of your horse!!!!!!!!

Happy days.

Sandra

[jUmPingIsLifE]

that is so great!!!

the youngest horse i ever rode was a 3 1/2yr old ... a DEAD QUIET ARAB!

its all the horse, not about stereotyps and such.

[Peace]

Oh, Sandra, thank you so much. A partnership is what we're working on - but I definitely would not say I'm a natural!

Nikki- Quanah's best friend happens to be an Arab. Ja'Far is an eight year old flea-bitten grey gelding. I think he's delightful, and normally very level-headed. Although he does have this idea that the favorite food of deer is small, grey Arabian geldings . . ..;)

[Steve.R]

If he is throwing his head in the air about the bridle - try molasses rubbed on the bit, Pablo was doing that (he is 16.2 and had sussed out that he was taller than us) and the molasses trick worked wonders (although a bit messy!:) ) and he has now forgotten all about throwing this head up, even though we have stopped using molasses....

Esther (I have 'borrowed' Stephen's email!)

[Peace]

Hi, Esther!

I hesitate to try any kind of "goodies" with Quanah just yet - his last owner was a "treat-machine," and, as a result, we're working through a nipping problem.

But today, he finally decided to stop throwing his head in the air and took the bit like an angel!:) I think he's beginning to figure out I'm his mama now, and I won't hurt him.

Thanks for the tip, though!

[Sidesaddlelady]

I'm sure it's how you bring them up. My horse was brought from Ireland by a riding school here in England at three years old. he was brought on carefully and given a lot of attention. At four and a half he began light work on the school. He had done some hacking out as part of his training but it was given to me to be the first customer to hack him out on the road. He was clearly enjoying himself and nose-ing into everything he thought might be interesting when around the bend came a fire-engine (aka fire-truck) lights flashing, siren wailing, engine roaring - the works. In the first split second I saw my life flash before me, imagining a panic-striken horse bolting up a busy road as the least worst thing that could happen. I quickly realised that his reaction was one of fascination not panic. He watched the fire -engine approaching and stared at it as it went past, clearly registering it as an experience to remember. While all this is going on the accompanying sensible experienced riding school horse was having ten fits. It was at this point that I knew I had to buy him. It took a further 5 years but I eventually got him . He is a paragon, He's never afraid if you aren't, and he is borrowed to teach young horses how to hack out on the road.

[Peace]

That's a great story, and very inspiring. I'm afraid if I'd been in your place I'd have had a fit and quite literally fallen in it!:p

I can see why you had to buy him, and I'm glad you two finally got together. How old is he now? How long have you had him?

[Steve.R]

I can understand you not wanting to feed goodies to your youngster....my pony Rupert was a real pest when I got him due to being fed too many treats by children who were easily bullied. He had his 12yr old previous owner 'trained' very well to his point of view - he bullied her so she gave him a treat to stop (so teaching him to continue!). However he has since learnt that bullying doesn't work on me (although he has tried it on Stephen a bit!) We had to stop carrying any form of food for months - now he is much better.

We used the molasses with Pablo as he is not a bully and the habit was swiftly threatening to grow into a power issue...he was taller than us and knew we couldn't reach - so we used the mollasses to make him want to have the bit in and stop it growing into a struggle between us. He hasn't had any mollasses on the bit for a year now and he still takes it without a fuss (I think he has forgotten why he objected).

I think it comes down to the fact that each horse is different. Yours sounds great, I'm gald you have mastered your bridle problem!

Esther:)

[Sidesaddlelady]

I've had him for three years now and I have never once regretted buying him. He's wonderful and we are so-o-o well-suited. He's kind, sweet-natured, 300% bomb-proof, and usually brave - as in fire-engines are fine but sheep are highly dangerous horse-eating monsters, especially when they look at him! He survived a serious colic operation 6 months before I bought him so we have to be careful with his feeding but he's had no serious relapses while I've had him. Last year we did a 14 mile sponsored ride in side-saddle which we both enjoyed very much. Neither of us is very competitive and he doesn't like jumping so mainly we are just happy hackers but we show up at the local Pony Club shows as unofficial ambassadors for the Side Saddle Association, handing out leaflets and talking to people about it.