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Does Molly need more?

2K views 19 replies 9 participants last post by  horsesroqke 
#1 ·
Does Molly need more than what i can give?

First off, i know a 12 year old girl and a 8 yo TB mare for a first horse isn't very practical, but whats done is done and i feel i have an unbreakable bond with her. When we first got her we didn't know anything about her except she was Molly an 8yo Tb that was most likely raced. After 6 long weeks i finally saddled her and got on. It was a long process but now, after 9 months i ride a lot. But i mean around the paddock a lot. As soon as we step out on the road, im nervous. I know just riding at the paddocks is boring for her, but im so scared on the road. When i first got her i lead her on the road and she was pretty idiotic. But a month or so a go i rode her with some friend around the quiet roads and all was well. I also rode her to the forest twice and up the sand dunes, and she was pretty good. But for some reason i tense up on the road. Should i start taking it slow?
She always has her TB moments and I think that's what scares me.
As she gets older will she quieten down?

I'm scared im not being fair on her when i ride my friends horse on the roads and beach all the time.

Cookies if you read that! It just suddenly hit me; Am I a total idiot and being unfair? I love her so much and want whats best for her.
 
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#2 ·
i have a 12 yo tb x, he was 11 when i got him and haddent been worked properly in about a year. i didnt ride him for weeks either, when i first got him. what really helped me was taking him out on the road.
i think what helps is to go with someone (on horse or foot). i was very nervous the first time, but after a while you get used to it, just keep at it i think and you will gain confidence.
 
#4 ·
Woah that sound like me and Ozzy! He was 7yr old tb and i was 13 and he was my first horse and like you I didn't know anything about him just the fact is name was now Oscar and was most likely raced.
Hack out with the more confident horses and riders maybe and keep to the quiet roads if possible. Just relax. If she feels you being nervus she'll wonder why you're being nervous and think there's something to be worried about.
Best of luck:)
x
 
#5 ·
Wow thanks guys!
Yeah i always ride with people when on the road, it makes me and Molly feel much more relaxed and it's safer.
 
#6 ·
With age, she will become more level headed, but she will never lose that "TB" quality to her--she'll always have her bird brain moments.

I agree that maybe you need to go out in small groups on the road for awhile with more "been there, done that" riders.

However, the real question is why are you afraid of her silliness out on the road? Is it the open spaces? Do you feel like you don't have control of her? The problem really doesn't have anything to do with you doing something wrong, or her doing something wrong, but its about your confidence as her rider. You'll need to work on that before you can take her out on the road, and then there won't be any problems, regardless of what mood shes in.
 
#7 ·
I'm nervous because there are thoughts spinning in my head; What if she spooks at that lawn mower? What if she bolts and i come off? Lots of pretty pathetic thoughts that i cant get rid of.

 
#9 ·
I'm nervous because there are thoughts spinning in my head; What if she spooks at that lawn mower? What if she bolts and i come off? Lots of pretty pathetic thoughts that i cant get rid of.
They are not pathetic thoughts at all. I know many ladies that never ride outside the ring because they have exactly the same fear of being 'out in the open'. They see the ring as their turf, a safe and contained place.

The more you ride, the more experience your horse will get, the more you'll trust her, and you'll both be more relaxed. An 8 yr old is still a young horse and she just needs many more miles.

And keep this in mind...you can come off in the ring and get hurt just as easily as in the world. They all hurt the same ;-)

Relax, ride her out in the world, and learn and have fun together.
 
#8 ·
Hey, I definitely have those thoughts on my TB too. He was most definitely raced, and more over I've seen him run, and man is he fast! To top it all off I have come off of him, and he's taken off on me twice. However, both of those incidents were my fault, not his. But the one time he did take off I was able to bring him right back to a halt without a problem, and thats what I remember when ever I start getting those thoughts.

What I really recommend is getting lessons on her. Its what I plan on doing with Ice as soon as I have money. Lessons are meant to teach you to be a better rider, and when you're a better rider, you're more confident! (maybe too confident sometimes lol) That way no matter what situation you're in, you'll always be able to have a solution to the problem. "What if she bolts? Well then as long as I keep my heels down and I have good balance, I'll be okay." "What if she spooks at the lawn mower? As long as I'm confident and pretend that it isn't there, she won't give it a second look."

Horses feed largely off of our emotions. If you're tense or nervous, you're going to make your horse think that there's a reason to be tense or nervous. Since you're the leader, they rely on you to tell them what to think and how to act.
 
#11 ·
My idiot Thoroughbred was six when I got him, and he was a complete basket case. I was scared to death to get on him and I came close to getting rid of him a couple times. But then I found a good trainer and I think it was a mixture of him aging and maturing and me becoming a better rider that made it all work out. He's ten now, and is a lot better behaved. He still throws tantrums now and then and he's still an idiot, but I learned how to deal with it and he doesn't scare me anymore. His "TB moments" are annoying at the most, and I'm happy to tolerate his quirks.

I don't know that your horse will ever be dead broke. Most Thoroughbreds aren't, even with all the training in the world (at least in my experience). But she'll probably mature and become more reasonable with time. It'll also help if you have a good instructor. That way, you'll improve, and you'll be able to handle your horse a lot better. Once you're more confident and know what you're doing, Molly will sense that and be more secure and cooperative with a firm, confident leader.
 
#12 ·
Does Molly need more than what i can give?

I'm scared im not being fair on her when i ride my friends horse on the roads and beach all the time.

Cookies if you read that! It just suddenly hit me; Am I a total idiot and being unfair? I love her so much and want whats best for her.
I agree with all the above posters about how you can become more comfortable with riding Molly. I wanted to address your point about it being unfair to her to just ride her at home.

Do you feed her regularly with good food? Do you groom her, keep her feet picked out? Do you get the vet when needed? Do you worm her? Do supply her with fresh water? Do you give her room to run around and get exercise on her own? Do you provide her with a shelter from the elements? Do you just hang out with her sometimes?

Then you are doing just fine by her, even if she never gets to set foot on a beach. Horses need basic care and attention - everything past that is gravy.
 
#13 ·
:) Thanks guy's, i am thinking about lessons with my friend so it's a bit more fun, too. And im going to ask my older friend who's a ball of confidence to take her out and about for me so i can see how she is.
Thanks for all of the posts, they really make me want to just get out there and have fun!

 
#14 ·
Do you feed her regularly with good food? Do you groom her, keep her feet picked out? Do you get the vet when needed? Do you worm her? Do supply her with fresh water? Do you give her room to run around and get exercise on her own? Do you provide her with a shelter from the elements? Do you just hang out with her sometimes?

Then you are doing just fine by her, even if she never gets to set foot on a beach. Horses need basic care and attention - everything past that is gravy.

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes and yes! This post especially brings my spirits up! I know that me and what i do with her now is good enough. Thanks, AlmostThere, and everyone else who has posted! :D
 
#15 ·
Do you feed her regularly with good food? Do you groom her, keep her feet picked out? Do you get the vet when needed? Do you worm her? Do supply her with fresh water? Do you give her room to run around and get exercise on her own? Do you provide her with a shelter from the elements? Do you just hang out with her sometimes?

Then you are doing just fine by her, even if she never gets to set foot on a beach. Horses need basic care and attention - everything past that is gravy.
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes and yes- Wow! This post lift's my spirits a bit! I know at least im being absolutely fair on Molly! Thanks Almost There and all the others who have posted.
 
#16 ·
Wooops sorry for double post guys!
 
#17 ·
Yea, Lessons with me and mark aye beka that should be fun ill get mum to text him and ask if we can arrange a lesson in like two weeks time? sound good to you? and i might be able to sort the bucking bronco of mine out! lol.
 
#18 ·
Yah! lol ill ask mum and get her to talk to ur mum k
 
#20 ·
Come round today and we'll talk to my mum bout it
 
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