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Post by young un on Oct 30, 2014 15:08:34 GMT
What do people look for in terms of 'way of going' with a young horse nowadays?
I show but have been brought up with a dressage influence and have always looked for forward, straight and relaxation then working into a natural outline.
Recently I have seen many videos on facebook (hence anon on this post) of young horses for sale with both producers and private sellers whereby the horse has it's head tucked in but the overall picture is tense with the hind legs choppy and not tracking up.
I have experience of reschooling horses who go like this and it's hard work to get them to work properly into the contact as they tend to rush forward and then go behind the bit.
I can't say whether these youngsters have been worked using gadgets or not but it seems to me that far more focus is being put on the front end looking pretty than properly working from behind which is a shame imo.
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Post by ceredig on Oct 30, 2014 17:33:08 GMT
I bought a horse last year who works as you describe - came from a producer incidentally. It's been a long hard slog getting her to work correctly, we're we're gettrng there but I do wish she was taken time with and and not rushed to be ring ready as a 4yo!!!
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Post by pipandwill on Oct 31, 2014 8:35:09 GMT
Its amazing the amount of so called producers just stick their 4yr old, or newly broken ponies in draw reins or side reins, I have a good friend who is a physiotherapist on horses, she sent her young horse away to what she thought was an experienced producer, her horse returned lame, after assessment it turned out this horse had been worked so incorrectly there was so much damage, 5 years on and this horse is only able to hack at walk and occasionally trot. I would never send anything away to be broken or 'produced' , young horses should not be strapped down, they should gradually learn how to hold themselves in a natural way - but what i find most disturbing, is seeing 4yr olds at shows, with heads on their chests and absoloutley no engagement or correct working from the backend, yet judges dont seem to think this is a problem...
Rant over:)
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Post by chalky284 on Oct 31, 2014 9:48:38 GMT
I agree with all these young horses in the big qualifiers, most don't even reach maturity until 6-7 years but may have been to HOYS each year by then! I think there should be an age limit for the big qualifiers, give these ponies experience in the novice classes first. What I also despair of is the popularity of Swales Pelhams in young horses ( or any horse for that matter) it's a driving bit not a 'showing' bit, but it's harshness has the effect of making the horse 'light' in hand as the horse daren't move!
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Post by bubbles1822 on Oct 31, 2014 13:58:53 GMT
We have broke in 2 fells this year at home one early on did walk trot and a tiny bit of canter took her to a lesson so she has seen something all the way though she never questioned much and even away from home she behaved(never been away from home before this) so turned her out all summer and will e contesting the novice classes next year as a 5yr old, The station we have tried at the beginning of this year and e wasn't ready so left him and now we have walk and trot on the lunge and will just slowly move him on again e will be 5 before in the ring,
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Post by ponymum on Nov 3, 2014 16:18:38 GMT
I think its best to assess each youngster as an individual , lets face it , just like children they all learn at different rates , so you shouldnt expect all 4yr olds to go in the same way. For example , I have 2 4yr olds , one is fabulous to ride can walk trot and canter in the school and out hacking but cant maintain a shape to be considered ready for the ring . The other 4 yr old can do all the above and went to his first show yesterday gaining a 3rd which we were thrilled at. Our other 4yr old has only been to a show for a look around , which again we had no issues , but as he cannot carry himself in a shape yet , I will wait till he is ready to get him out...there's no rush for either of my ponies as one is a largebreed so my daughter wont outgrow the class and the other is a 15shp and my daughter is 15 , so we have 5 seasons to get it right!
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dis
Junior Member
Posts: 82
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Post by dis on Nov 3, 2014 20:16:33 GMT
Seen a lot of people use draw reins. but equally seen people slob about on washing line reins which can be almost as bad. a young horse should go forward freely into the bridle without hurrying. Some will be working more advanced quicker, they are all individual.
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Post by thatboythatgirl on Nov 3, 2014 20:53:45 GMT
I've used draw reins on my 5yr old hunter he had them on 2/3 times to get him to listen to me rather than proceed to be giraffe with his head up and his back hollow, and always ride as a 2nd rein like the curb on a double. This was only the second time I've used them as they only got brought for my old boy when he was young a pig! All gadgets can have there places with horses its just most people use them as a quick fix rather than they aid they where intended to be
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