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So, as some may know, I have barely ridden in a year. Between looking for a new horse, house and working 3 jobs, I just haven't been bothered asking around for rides.
A friend of mine asked me recently if I'd like to come up and ride her QH mare (my friend is pregnant so no riding for her), she's nothing amazing but it's something to ride for the time being.
So off i toddled today, fat flabby un muscled legs and all (I've been getting back into running again in the last week... can't stand my reflection anymore!).
This mare is about 15.1hh, bay QH with a blue eye (immediately classed as evil :twisted
, about 13 years old and has had an extremely cruisey life.
Hopped on and wow. lazy.
I've ridden a hell of a lot of lazy horses so have a good number of tricks up my sleeve. I didn't want to jump straight in with a whip so just worked on going halt-walk-halt. Increadibly un-responsive. So brought mr dressage whip into play. Started back with halt-walk. If she didn't move with a small leg aid, I'd flick her. Absolutely no reaction what so ever. She is a thick skinned as an elephant. So brought out the big guns and pulled my cowboy stunt on her. Reins in one hand up her neck, sit deep and whack her a good one on the backside. Well. She reacted. Slightly. Grunted. Pinned her ears. Bucked. Stopped. Then took a step forwards. WHACK! grunt. buck. 2 steps forward. WHACK!!!! grunt. BUCK. Jump forward into trot. Good horse.
4 strides of trot (so slow that if she was going any slower she'd be going backwards... dead horse?). Stop. WHACK! grunt. buck. 2 steps forward.
Something's gotta give.
I've got no idea how to get this mare moving, let alone getting any engagement!! I have never ridden a green horse that I haven't been able to improve even slightly in a ride. but with this mare, I felt like there was no progress what so ever.
I am at my wits end here. I don't want to give up on her, the owner has had me ride a horse of hers before and get it going well, and seen me on others so thinks that I'll be able to get this **** little mare going at least to a respectable prelim standard if anything. But at this rate it's just not going to happen. I spoke to my coach who knows the mare tonight and all she said was 'good luck... she is the most revolting horse to ride.'.
yeah great help coach, ta!
So any idea's on forwardness would be much appreciated. I'm thinking I might throw her on the lunge in the roundyard and crack a whip up her bum. See if she'll go forward from the lunging. However I know when the girl first got her I came round to give her a bit of work on the lunge and she was dead on the lunge also. Crack the whip and she turns into you, Chase her out and she doesn't move.
I am frustrated!! Swear I have never had a horse frustrate me so much but I really do not want to give in with this mare, I'm yet to have a failed attempt with a horse and I absolutley do not want a 15h QH to be the first!
A friend of mine asked me recently if I'd like to come up and ride her QH mare (my friend is pregnant so no riding for her), she's nothing amazing but it's something to ride for the time being.
So off i toddled today, fat flabby un muscled legs and all (I've been getting back into running again in the last week... can't stand my reflection anymore!).
This mare is about 15.1hh, bay QH with a blue eye (immediately classed as evil :twisted
Hopped on and wow. lazy.
I've ridden a hell of a lot of lazy horses so have a good number of tricks up my sleeve. I didn't want to jump straight in with a whip so just worked on going halt-walk-halt. Increadibly un-responsive. So brought mr dressage whip into play. Started back with halt-walk. If she didn't move with a small leg aid, I'd flick her. Absolutely no reaction what so ever. She is a thick skinned as an elephant. So brought out the big guns and pulled my cowboy stunt on her. Reins in one hand up her neck, sit deep and whack her a good one on the backside. Well. She reacted. Slightly. Grunted. Pinned her ears. Bucked. Stopped. Then took a step forwards. WHACK! grunt. buck. 2 steps forward. WHACK!!!! grunt. BUCK. Jump forward into trot. Good horse.
4 strides of trot (so slow that if she was going any slower she'd be going backwards... dead horse?). Stop. WHACK! grunt. buck. 2 steps forward.
Something's gotta give.
I've got no idea how to get this mare moving, let alone getting any engagement!! I have never ridden a green horse that I haven't been able to improve even slightly in a ride. but with this mare, I felt like there was no progress what so ever.
I am at my wits end here. I don't want to give up on her, the owner has had me ride a horse of hers before and get it going well, and seen me on others so thinks that I'll be able to get this **** little mare going at least to a respectable prelim standard if anything. But at this rate it's just not going to happen. I spoke to my coach who knows the mare tonight and all she said was 'good luck... she is the most revolting horse to ride.'.
yeah great help coach, ta!
So any idea's on forwardness would be much appreciated. I'm thinking I might throw her on the lunge in the roundyard and crack a whip up her bum. See if she'll go forward from the lunging. However I know when the girl first got her I came round to give her a bit of work on the lunge and she was dead on the lunge also. Crack the whip and she turns into you, Chase her out and she doesn't move.
I am frustrated!! Swear I have never had a horse frustrate me so much but I really do not want to give in with this mare, I'm yet to have a failed attempt with a horse and I absolutley do not want a 15h QH to be the first!