Two lots of good news
I had a super hack on Radar this morning. He was striding along so happy to be out and looking around. Once again he did not want to turn to come home, and had to be chivvied along after turning. What a great sign! I'm not saying it was a comfortable ride though - he is so huge and lumpy, trying to find his own balance. His head waves around constantly and sometimes it feels like I'm riding a mutant ostrich :-))) I wondered what to do about it and had an imaginary conversation in my head with Jean. She told me that since he was not at all on the forehand, to leave him to find his own balance, so I did. Thanks Jean :-) !
This afternoon some people came to try Zippy. They were here an hour and a half, so that's a good sign. The girl rides extremely well and her mother knows what she's talking about too. They have him bang to rights, warts and all, their judgement is spot on. They like him a lot, and the suggestion at the moment is that they ride him again, possibly at Somerford so that they can see what he's like on a really good surface and away from home. They are already talking about organising a vetting at their own place, so I would be surprised if I do not hear from them again soon.
I also have a person in Devon interested in him, who was told about him by one of you blog-readers, thankyou! Hopefully she will be organising to come and see him soon if these people don't make their minds up quickly.
C.
posted by cptrayes @ 3:30 PM
6 comments
6 Comments:
Oh, dear, now I am in your imaginary conversations? That's a bad sign. *G* You are right. Leave him alone for now. He still has to find his feet with you on his back. In a way, it will be a little harder for him than with a younger horse because he has had so much time with no one on him. But, it sounds as if he is well on his way.
Good news about Zip. I will miss him when he goes, but a good home and a good future are all that matters.
It's very interesting Jean, how different it is starting a six year old from a three year old. He is so much stronger and more able to walk with even length strides than a younger horse. But of course when he wobbles all his strength is all over the place!
I am taking Zippy to the training centre on Tuesday for the people who came today to ride him again, so that's good news.
C
that's good news about Zip!
and gives me more food for thought about molly ....a bit late, but hey! thanks
Yes it's cheered me up knowing other people think he's a good horse too. They are quite concerned that I will get other interest before they can get through Easter, which is a nice sign.
C
I think there is a lot to be said for at least riding them a little when they are three, even if they are not yet fully developed. I am talking about perhaps only 10 minutes at a time, just walking about. Not only does it develop some of the weight bearing structures, but it also allows them to learn to carry a rider along with their own weight.
Certainly you would not actually do any training, just allow them to learn how it feels. Several times a week would be enough.
When I started Tucker with Kenny, he was three, going on four. As a Thoroughbred, his physical maturity was probably further along than a warmblood. But Kenny's rule was to get on him every day for the next 30 days, even if it meant only for a minute or two. Again this gives the horse the concept of a rider on his back and accustoms him to the idea. (Of course it didn't stop Tucker from bucking and one of his best "rocket launches" was during that 30 days but it did help him understand the concept--whether he liked it or not. *G*)
Vladimir Littauer (Russian)wrote a book called, "Common Sense Horsemanship" that talks about balanced riding and discusses the concept of letting the horse learn his own balance with a rider. It always made good sense to me when I was schooling a green horse.
In the UK they advise 42 days Jean. Same as you, just meandering about, no real work. I do believe in working 3 year olds as well, not too much, but just to remind them that they need to learn to carry a rider. I don't school until they are four, but I do ride them at three, as you know. To an extent, Radar is struggling with his balance with me on because he has not been ridden before.
C
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