I'm smiling again :-)
Well THAT could hardly have gone a lot better.
Radar was extremely subdued this morning and I wondered if he was still too tired to go and test control strategies. But I tacked him up and fiddled and faddled until I had a pelham on with a stirrup leather curb, two reins and two running martingales. With rein stops at both ends of the leather piece of the rein so that the martingale ring stayed where I wanted it.
As we turned into the gateway that means we are going for a whizz, he perked up and he jogged, or tried to, all the way up to the top. He tested the martingale a couple of times and seemed very happy with it.
The piece of ground I was using for the test is a slightly uphill stretch of open field between 1/3 and 1/2 a mile long. My first test was to hand canter the first third. This is difficult with him in a snaffle because he wants to go faster, and I have to sit and hold. So to test things, I stood, and using only the snaffle rein he hand cantered, turned and pulled up easily. Great start!
I was happy with the martingale arrangement and he seemed to be finding it reassuring to know what his limits were. I took off one martingale attachment and put both reins through one ring, which I felt would work fine.
Off we went again - this time for a hand canter for a few strides and then a full gallop. He went for it. I waited until he was absolutely flat out and asked him to slow with the snaffle. He began to set on me, so I picked up the curb. One ask and he was down to a canter, another and he was in a hand canter, and we could circle and stop in a lovely balance. He felt the leather curb and respected it but it didn't frighten him. HUGE progress.
Next - well how lucky could we be! A neighbour came into the field on her intermediate eventer. So I asked her if she would follow me in canter and then come past me. She did. As she came past Radar went for it. I took up the curb and he came back to me and allowed her to go on up the field away from him. She turned left and stopped and he tried to follow but I sent him on instead, and he listened, steered where I wanted and went straight. AMAZING!
I am full of confidence for Saturday now. I'm not worried what hopping around he does in excitement, as long as I know that I can stop him bolting through wire. Not only that, but I really felt that HE was much happier for knowing that I had control and was calling the shots. I am going to tie the reins together with cable ties so that the curb does not come into use unless I take it up deliberately -I do the same with my double bridle, it really helps stabilise my rein contact. That way, he should be happy to jump. I won't be trying to jump this weekend, but there may well be a few small things that we simply cannot get around. Whatever - bring it on!
C.
ps you should see the network of marks in his hair on his legs where the wire got him! None of them have broken the skin, but if they had his legs would have been a complete and utter mess. I will NEVER understand how he got out of that fence with barely a scratch.
posted by cptrayes @ 4:10 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
Great news indeed. I was worrying about you. Glad the rig seems to work.
Years and years ago, when my Russell R. was still a youngster, a wiser, more experienced rider than I suggested I school him in a martingale. "It will help him balance himself," she said. "Sometimes a young horse likes that extra help."
Radar may like the gear for the same reason if she was right. Tossing the head about is a horse's efforts to balance himself, so perhaps a little something to lean on gives him some extra confidence.
How lucky your event rider showed up today! Any way you could make a date now and then to ride together? It might help you in the long run to have an occasional partner and extra bit of excitement.
Sounds like you have been having a ball. Jazz seems to be doing wonderfully and how exciting. You must be absolutely thrilled with him, you'll be Grand Prix before you know it. I'm dead excited for you :-)
When I read your post about Radar had been up to, my heart was in my mouth! That must of been the most terrifying moment seeing him in all that wire and knowing most horses you can't generally go near them to help them out of it safely without risking your own life too. Thank god he has a self preservation brain cell, although not immediately apparent to get you both into that situation in the first place- but it must be there and hopefully will get you both through some tricky times when he can think for himself in the Eventing field.
You got some exciting horses Caroline, I'm really looking forward to seeing where they both progress, not forgetting your little one of course, but he looks just too damn cute!
Good to hear the brakes are sorted, sounds like you'll have a far more fun time, even with the second-meet excitement!
And Jean, the martingale idea certainly gives something to ponder... hmmm.
x
Her mother hates me Jean, so I don't push my luck with the family. But what luck she came along today, it's done wonders for my confidence.
I stood back and watched Tam, as you say, you can't help, you can only get hurt yourself. You should have some time free to pop over and see him soon ... or I'll come see your baby. (the one with four legs, the two legged ones don't do anything for me I'm afraid!)
Sarah, Radar is the second horse I have had who is happier in a martingale. It's a very funny feeling, but they make it pretty plain.
C
And the funny thing is, once they know it's there, they don't go anywhere near activating it. But it has to be there. I made a BIG mistake on Saturday not to have one on.
C
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