I tried Ace in a double bridle today to see if he was more settled with a curb bit like Radar is. He was perfectly happy with the bits in his mouth, but extremely sensitive to them when I rode him. I was as subtle as I could be and he did some lovely work. But when he resisted dropping from canter to trot and I upped the pressure on the outside rein a tiny bit, he stopped, jumped, reared and went over backwards. I landed flat on my back and clacked my teeth together so hard I saw stars. So as not to finish on a bad note I put a snaffle and draw reins on him and did the exercise again, which he did perfectly. I use them as a martingale, not to haul his head down. They do not come into action unless he throws his head in the air to evade me telling him where to go or at what speed.
I really hate him this evening. I feel like I am ruining him because after two years I am simply unable to get him to relax and work with me nicely at the moment. I'm looking forward to our break next week and then I'll see where we go from there.
Meanwhile I'm off to bed with a stiff neck!
C
You guys went over backwards and all you got was a stiff neck?! I hope everyone checks out ok tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI can see your frustration. I don't mind slow progress but if I feel that I am making none at all that's a different feeling. Did you ever find someone to take lessons from? There is one and only one person here in Boulder that really made a difference with us but it was worth the wait.
Ace didn't complete the backflip, thankfully. As soon as my weight was off him he managed to chuck himself sideways and stay on his feet.
DeleteI'm fine, I landed dead flat on my back with a big thump, but it's a great surface to land on!
C
Ouch. Hope you are OK
ReplyDeleteI thought after your post yesterday that you do not seem to be gelling with Ace.I think he may always be silly and sharp and just... irritating !
But there will be something out there that suits you.
Yes, I'm not in love with him Suzanne. I know he is a fantastic horse but he is very sharp, very spooky, very sensitive and I am not sure that at my age this is really where I want to be.
DeleteI can't do anything before the spring because his hind leg still needs time to reach its final size, so I will see how he goes over the winter.
C.
ouchy. at least it was the arena surface (I've just bought a hit air having landed on my back on gravel drive, lucky i got up, really!)
ReplyDeleteHit Air is a great idea Claire. Just ask Santa for a stock of cannisters!
DeleteI really like my P2 hunting now, but I'd rather have a Hit Air because the tail is tucked up.
C
I know how you feel. I bred myself a 6yr old hannovarian x, and she is a love in the field and very bold. But she is stressy and sensitive. She has also reared over backwards with me on and landed beside me (I managed to twise to the right and curl up in a ball) and then struggled to get onto her side to get to her feet as I was in her way. I got kicked in the ribs and the knee. Last horse that reared over with me backwards, we landed back to back, horse facing one way, myself the other. I too am too old to be doing this again and I have felt at loss, at times. I have broken and brought on lots of horses and ponies for others and all have done well. This one is here to teach me a lesson ! That is, when she is fit to be ridden again, having severed a hind tendon back in April near inside of hock at top of cannon bone.
ReplyDeleteNot fun is it Sam? At least I know why. I won't be trying him in a curbed bit again any time soon!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the tendon, how on earth did she do that?
C