When we went looking for a new dressage horse and found Ace, I had two things right at the top of my list. They were equal, and we thought we found both. One was uphill built, so that I did not have to create it with hard work. Equal with that was temperament. We were happy to find a German horse, because it is a widespread opinion that Dutch horses are more unpredictable, and we were looking for something for me to enjoy when I wasn't struggling with Jazz. We were sure that we had found it, or we would not have bought Ace.
In the two years since, he became spooky and argumentative, and then in the first winter difficult and in the second winter dangerous. But after less than three weeks of warming him under lights before I ride, I have back the quiet, gentle and totally loving and lovely horse which I bought. He's still spooky, but I am curing that bit by bit by simply ignoring him. But his general attitude is bright, forward, slightly cheeky but soft, "mouldable" and wanting to learn. And that's in spite of riding him today in a north wind, at 4 degrees C and rain.
Radar did a really hard session of nearly all trot and canter for an hour this morning too. He worked very hard and very well.
Woody had the day off.
C
at least it was warmer this side of the pennines (about all that can be said for it...
ReplyDeletebut i'm reminded i should dig my equilibrium massage pad out and use on M....
I've bought him a massage mat for when we travel Claire.
DeleteC
It never ceases to amaze me how many "attitude" problems with horses are really physical problems. Too many people do not take the time, nor spend the energy to uncover the real reason for behavior problems and as a result, there are a lot of horses just discarded along the way.
ReplyDeleteThe same, obviously, goes for soundness issues in some cases too. Woody and Ace are lucky to have "found" you. And, I think Radar lucked out too. He is proving to be one happy boy as long as he gets out to gallop and jump on a regular basis. *G*
I wonder the same Jean, how many "naughty" horses out there are in pain.
ReplyDeleteC
I wondered what you were going to do for travelling, I have one of those and it worked well on a cold backed horse:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.blazewear.com/heated-rug.html
Tracey S