Esther.D
3rd May 2003, 09:10 PM
Sorry - long again!
As you can tell from my previous thread http://www.newrider.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19371
I was in two minds whether Rupert was ready to bring back into riding. I didn't want to rush things and spoil everything but on the other hand I didn't want to build riding up into a big 'issue' with him. And, what I didn't mention on the last thread. he needs exercise - he is so fat he is circular (fatter than all the shetlands:rolleyes: ) and lunging gets him very hyped up and silly.
So I decided as he was going well on the ground today I'd cut to the chase and ride with the option of stopping at any time, even during tacking up - if he was upset.
However his good behaviour continued under saddle:D He tacked up fine (tied up after my discovery that anyone holding him - particularly a man - upsets him) and was quiet as a lamb. We ended up riding in his french link snaffle again as the hackamore was too big and I had forgotten the hole-punch:rolleyes: so I thought I'd give it a go.. I brushed him and then tacked up slowly so that he didn't get flustered. When he was ready I asked him for some of his turns he has just learnt (moving away from pressure) as he likes doing those. As expected that cheered him up no end:D
Would have managed to mount unaided off a handy rock but he kept fidgetting so I enlisted 'scarey man' to help as unobtrusively as possible! Oh and I wouldn't normally need a rock to mount a 13.2hh but I am suffering rather with a bruised/broken coxcyx (?sp - tailbone..) so am not as supple as usual. If I look a bit stiff in the photos it is due to my delicate behind:D :D
Anyway we spent about 20 min messing about outside the field and inside it on the track. He worked really well (for him - ie we had no tantrums, and he went where I wanted 99% of the time!). I didn't ask for any 'work' as such I just pottered and did a few twists and turns and circles and a trot at the end -which I was very pleased with. He was fine with his bit - I kept a loose rein anyway. His steering has improved radically since I have been teaching him to move away from pressure as I now can use leg aids which were previously useless (he just didn't understand) so that I can ride him properly.
Anyway I'll let the photos speak for themselves as I have rambled on for long enough! :D
As you can tell from my previous thread http://www.newrider.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19371
I was in two minds whether Rupert was ready to bring back into riding. I didn't want to rush things and spoil everything but on the other hand I didn't want to build riding up into a big 'issue' with him. And, what I didn't mention on the last thread. he needs exercise - he is so fat he is circular (fatter than all the shetlands:rolleyes: ) and lunging gets him very hyped up and silly.
So I decided as he was going well on the ground today I'd cut to the chase and ride with the option of stopping at any time, even during tacking up - if he was upset.
However his good behaviour continued under saddle:D He tacked up fine (tied up after my discovery that anyone holding him - particularly a man - upsets him) and was quiet as a lamb. We ended up riding in his french link snaffle again as the hackamore was too big and I had forgotten the hole-punch:rolleyes: so I thought I'd give it a go.. I brushed him and then tacked up slowly so that he didn't get flustered. When he was ready I asked him for some of his turns he has just learnt (moving away from pressure) as he likes doing those. As expected that cheered him up no end:D
Would have managed to mount unaided off a handy rock but he kept fidgetting so I enlisted 'scarey man' to help as unobtrusively as possible! Oh and I wouldn't normally need a rock to mount a 13.2hh but I am suffering rather with a bruised/broken coxcyx (?sp - tailbone..) so am not as supple as usual. If I look a bit stiff in the photos it is due to my delicate behind:D :D
Anyway we spent about 20 min messing about outside the field and inside it on the track. He worked really well (for him - ie we had no tantrums, and he went where I wanted 99% of the time!). I didn't ask for any 'work' as such I just pottered and did a few twists and turns and circles and a trot at the end -which I was very pleased with. He was fine with his bit - I kept a loose rein anyway. His steering has improved radically since I have been teaching him to move away from pressure as I now can use leg aids which were previously useless (he just didn't understand) so that I can ride him properly.
Anyway I'll let the photos speak for themselves as I have rambled on for long enough! :D