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Post by carrie17491 on Oct 23, 2012 7:32:36 GMT
I have a novice 4 year old D mare that I have recently backed and am now hacking out with the odd schooling session once a week. I am wanting to get her to some shows over winter as a ridden but wondered how you all prepare yours for this? She's been shown before so she knows what to expect at a show but how do you make sure yours is ready ridden wise?
I don't want to school her into the ground like some do, in fact I want to avoid schooling as much as I can because I hate it ;D so any tips are welcomed, she obviously knows her basic walk trot and canter and I am now working on balancing her up hence why I am hacking her out. She has become a lot more forward and responsive since doing this too.
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Post by GinaGeo on Oct 23, 2012 7:49:07 GMT
Just carry on as you are. Make sure she's OK with others coming past her at canter so it doesn't worry her in the ring. And make sure she'll stand still politely, so lots of stopping for chats with people out riding. In the ring if she doesn't stand you can always walk her round politely, but it's always nicer if they do. Just make sure she can get the canter strike off after changing the rein, some babies find it comes up too quickly and struggle to change the bend, get their legs in order and then strike off correctly and panic. You can help in the ring by giving her as much time as possible to get herself composed ater coming down to trot and then waiting for the corner and giving her a very clear and slightly exaggerated canter aid. Obviously practice it at home a few times so she knows what's expected of her  It'll be worth waiting until next summer if she's not got the balance quite yet, but only you'll know that. Hacking's great and is the best way to teach babies to go forward as you say |
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Oct 23, 2012 8:13:44 GMT
I hope you can hack in company and not just alone. I have seen a really useful exercise for babies to be done out hacking. Just stand and let the others go on ahead occasionally, and at others take her away in front while they hang back a bit. An extension of what GG suggests basically. In the show ring they have to perform in company, all going together, and to go and do their own stuff on their own in the individual show, as well as stand quietly in line, so all these situations must be familiar to them beforehand. We used to do practice showing class sometimes; my instructor would get together a selection of her clients who showed and we would go through it - this means you can repeat things until they are right if necessary.
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Post by solitaire sr on Oct 23, 2012 10:22:47 GMT
Im also looking at getting my novice 4yo arab out to some ridden shows over the winter.
Im the same just been hacking out, using voice commands, standing making him wait untill i allow him to walk on, hacking is a fantastic form of schooling believe it or not. I practice getting his to strike off on the correct canter lead.
We dont have a meange so occasionally i will do an odd schooling session on a field (when not boggy), mainly to practice his bends, but again this can be practised while hacking.
Theres nothing better for a baby than hacking out, they get to discover new things, come across a variety of situations that can help them in there education, eg puddles, barking dogs, traffic etc.
Hack out in company and also alone this will give him confidence and trust in you.
Keep going as you are, schooling once a week in ample at this stage of his education xxx
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Post by carrie17491 on Oct 23, 2012 12:59:19 GMT
Yes sarahp we hack her mainly in company with her best bud and also I hack her alone. I can school her and have practiced an individual show and she was fab and always strikes off correctly. She doesn't tend to stand well if I ask the others to walk ahead so will practice this more, depends who she's with really. Last time I tried this she bronked and threatened to rear - naughty horse!!! So then she was made to walk in the opposite direction away from her friend.
She's been in a ring in hand but obviously ridden is different. I think I will practice a go around in canter because she's practiced it in trot.
Now in our school (it is HUGE) we usually have about 4/5 horses working at one time with us criss crossing and staying out of each others way (as you would in a ring?) and she is fine with it. She sort of zones out. I don't think ill have an issue with her moving out of the line up as she is used to it.
Will try the exercises though as they sound like they will help.
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Oct 23, 2012 16:55:49 GMT
It sounds to me as if you're doing fine and don't need our advice!
I agree with the others, hacking is terrific schooling if you think what you are doing.
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Post by sometime on Oct 23, 2012 17:33:27 GMT
Sound like she is doing very well indeed Just go and enjoy it there is nothing like doing it to get perfection
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Post by vikki85 on Oct 23, 2012 18:26:42 GMT
She sounds like she's doing fab Carrie, and you've had some great advice on here |
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Post by carrie17491 on Oct 23, 2012 19:17:15 GMT
It sounds to me as if you're doing fine and don't need our advice! I agree with the others, hacking is terrific schooling if you think what you are doing. Really?! Wow I didn't think I was doing much |
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Post by carrie17491 on Oct 23, 2012 19:17:35 GMT
Thanks guys x
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Post by carrie17491 on Oct 23, 2012 23:18:20 GMT
We hacked out alone tonight in the dark and she was perfect (apart from me getting stuck on a branch LOL!) it seems she has her paddies in company :/ she's a stressy mare and doesn't like to be left out.
We passed her best bud on the lane, stopped for a chat and headed on away from her and was absolutely fine. I think she may just be okay! I also sat in her outside her stable (still tacked up after the ride) whilst we waited for her stable to be finished and she again was much better. Not perfect but better
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