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Woohoo, another post from Abs regarding her current crap situation with her new horse. >.> LOL.
Alright so as a lot of you know, I got Roman (my OTTB gelding) about 6 weeks ago with the expectation that my "trainer" would be assisting me with him - helping fit tack, lessons, care, training, etc. Well go figure she's MIA, confined her hours to the point where I'm never able to schedule a lesson (due to work) and even when I ask her to put a ride on him, I'm lucky if it gets done. She told me she rode him last week and I asked her about how it went. She responded, "He has some physical limitations but was wonderful over the trot poles. I think riding with a spur is going to help him loosen up his body a little bit too he was stiff. He is buddy sour with other horses but very kind in nature." When I asked what she meant by "physical limitations", she said, "Just have fun with him. He probably shouldn't be jumping 3+ feet or anything." Yea... I don't jump 3 feet. I'm lucky if I do little crossrails but idk, weird comment.
This really didn't help me much and to be 100% honest, I got the feeling she didn't even ride him. >.> There were no trot poles down, he isn't that stiff and he's not really buddy sour lol. But I just shrugged and went on my way.
So I feel like, at this point, I'm left to my own devices. I owned horses growing up but always had the assistance of someone very knowledgable (she was like my second mom). I don't have a trailer so trailering him to another barn for lessons/training right now is not an option. I am considering lessons at another barn to continue to improve my skills. I'm knowledgable enough about the basics of riding, cues, etc. but as you know with riding, there is always something more to learn.
Luckily, Ro is basically deadbroke and bombproof. He is forgiving if I accidentally lose balance or do something weird and tries to understand and do what I ask of him. We aren't perfect but I'd say he is the perfect horse for my skillset, though he needs to learn a few things and hone in on some skills.
What I'd like to do:
1. Build muscle/topline. He has a bit of a swayback and I don't know if it is just lost muscle definition from not being worked for 2+ years, age or something else. Or if it is just high withers.
2. Teach him to work on the bit.
3. Basic skills - standing when mounting, backing without fuss, picking up correct leads in the canter, balance, etc.
My ultimate goal is really to just have a well-rounded horse that I can pop over some little jumps from time to time and perhaps take to an eventing show or two one day. I do not show high level and do not expect him to be some kind of crazy eventing prospect lol.
In my area, there are literally no English riding instructors - which is why I ended up where I'm at now and that isn't turning out well. The barn I am planning on taking him to also unfortunately does not have an English riding instructor. Unsure if someone teaches Western.
Do you guys have any suggestions as far as books, videos, etc. that I can look into that might be able to help me on my way on my own? I know I am not capable of breaking a horse from the ground up, but I feel like with the skills I have, I can definitely safely teach Ro what I want if I know how to do it. I know there are tons of videos on Youtube but I thought I'd see if you guys know of any series that have helped you.
This was a long post - thanks in advance. I'm glad I have this community to turn to when I can't even rely on my own "trainer" IRL. |
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I used to watch EventionTV and currently watch Jill Treece, or jeteventing on youtube. She doesn't do tutorials per say, but I love the way she rides and works her horses. I'd work on getting him to accept the bit first, and then focus more on getting him properly collected. Soft hands and a lot of leg is ideal. Then just establishing a proper bend. I like just being able to see the horses inside eye, but not have them turned that way, if that makes sense. Straight lines, serpentines and circles do wonders for helping a horse accept contact and start bending and working properly.
The other thing is believing in the skills you have now and working off of them. It's useful to have someone on the ground helping, but not necessary and you can definitely do it without! I always tried to set up my phone to record small parts of my ride so I can go back and watch it and pick it apart for things to work on next time.
I wish you luck, you can do it! |
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Honestly, I swear by the Parelli program. It will improve literally every area of your experience with your horse. I have 5 boys with 5 very different personalities, and each one of them thrives in this program because it is actually tailored to the individual and how they learn. As you go higher in the levels (there are 4), it works on under saddle skills and the types of things you mentioned. The first level is about developing the relationship with your horse, learning about how he learns, and teaching him to be responsive and soft.
I can talk about this all day, so stopping here unless there is interest lol |
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One more quick note about it, since I think it would be important to you. There is a HUGE community within the system. Tons of support and help. |
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Do NOT do anything Parelli related. That's the best way to screw up a perfectly good horse, especially if you're unsupervised. Ignore any training scheme that focuses around a particular person's "brand" (ie Parelli, Clinton Anderson, Monty Roberts...) as whilst some people have good results, they're not suitable for everyone and can severely ruin a horse if applied vaguely.
My suggestion is to spend a while having fun. Go on trails, wander round the arena and basically get to know him as an individual.
If you can do any hill work, that will help build topline and lead him towards working on the bit. Make everything fun and don't be afraid to spoil him rotten with treats in order to get him to do what you want (like standing at the mounting block).
Evention TV and similar youtube channels can give you ideas but once again, they're not infallible. If you can find them, get dressage tests and learn the routines. Video yourself doing them and compare it to other peoples videos doing the same test, picking up where you're strong and where you need to improve.
Talk to other boarders, go visit competitions as a spectator and look for other English riders in your area, they may know someone who can give you lessons or at least give you pointers in exchange for help (grooming at competitions/picking up poles/calling dressage tests/etc).
Maybe things will work out with this trainer, or maybe you'll find somewhere else, but in the mean time, concentrate on having fun with your new best friend. |
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I disagree completely, wholeheartedly, and every other word in between. Especially if you are looking for something structured that can give you direction. The Parelli system has videos, articles, and instructors on top of all the concepts and principles. |
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Mod Edit - Please remember the forum/site rules https://horseeden.com/forums.php?f=1&t=1 - thank you. Edited at June 23, 2018 11:30 PM by Abstract Dunes |
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That is in no way a “norm” for their program or how they treat their horses. It sure as hell is not anywhere close to anything I have done with my boys on the program. Trainers will always have their dark moments that will be filled with criticism. They are human. The issue you are referring to occurred in 2010.
The only element I am advocating in this post is the “working with” the horse. In MY EXPERIENCE, there have been zero abuse/cruelty methods brought to my attention. As I said before, I have used it to develop and rehab multiple horses and have never had a problem. In fact, the principles I have learned have enriched the relationship I have with my horses.
I brought this up as something for Abs to look into. Whether or not she looks further is entirely her decision. Everyone has their own ideas about training. Literally, everyone. I was not saying follow them blindly. I was bringing a structured program to her attention. I do not appreciate the attack or the insinuated insults. |
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Mod Edit - Please remember the forum/site rules https://horseeden.com/forums.php?f=1&t=1 - thank you.
Edited at June 23, 2018 11:32 PM by Abstract Dunes |
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Wow. Have a lovely day, Chez. :) I made my point. Abs, I won’t clutter this thread further with continued nonsense.
**Edit: I am sad to hear about your experience with it. That is atrocious that you and your horse were put in that situation. |
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