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Post by tootell111 on Nov 3, 2013 13:40:22 GMT
Hi all,
I was just wondering if anyone could help me, my section d is 4 years old, and has always been laid back but when i ride him(I`m only 14 and very small)he just doesnt go forward im always kick slapping and asking him to go forward, he was pulled in 4th at equifest but then wasnt placed because of his show was "laboured". At the moment im riding him in spurs but when i get in the ring i cant where them, and it goes back to kick slap ask push and throw everything at him and my riding goes out the window! But i started jumping him and he does tend to prick his ears and go slightly more forward but were no where near going like a "typical" d should go. Can anyone help?
Thanks Lauren
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jah
Newbie
Posts: 49
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Post by jah on Nov 3, 2013 13:44:57 GMT
I notice you said he's only 4, just a personal experience of my sec d gelding, at 3 and 4 years old he was very slow and lazy, not moving off my leg at all, it really did happen all of a sudden when he was not far off turning 5, one day we were in the woods and he just took off (completely out of character for how he was), since the he's been the typical welsh d, fiery and fast  sometimes it just takes them longer to come into their own! X |
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Post by flo1 on Nov 3, 2013 14:41:11 GMT
I assume you've ruled out all the usual problems?..Dentist to check his teeth...wobbly wolf teeth will stop him going forwards.
Saddle fitter? Back checked? Correct worming?
I know these are obvious but the reason why they are obvious is because they are the usual culprits for performance problems.
I agree with jah, that he is still very young, he may not have much confidence yet. This will come as his schooling progresses.
Do you have an instructor? Someone on the ground may spot a problem that you're not aware of as a rider.
Lunging will help get him moving forwards as well as improve his fitness.
Instead of keep on nagging him with your legs try asking verbally for 'trot', if he doesn't immediately go forward lift your legs away and give him a sharp little jab then as he starts forwards pat him and tell him he's good boy. When he slows do the same, verbal - no repsonse - jab - then praise when he responds. He should start to move forwards as you lift your leg off his side and before you need to jab, make sure that you are ready to go forwards with him as he starts forwards, don't pull him back. You should be able to get rid of the spurs quickly once he starts to get the idea.
It may be that he's just a laid back individual and nothing will make him really forward going. But I feel that it's just his age and confidence - or lack of it. The fact that he was pulled in after the go round at Equifest when he would have had the company of the other horses but wasn't able to show the same spark when he was expected to do it on his own suggests that his bravado failed him.
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sarahp
Happy to help
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Post by sarahp on Nov 4, 2013 17:56:42 GMT
More time and making up would help - he's done a lot for a baby D. Mine didn't go showing until 5yo, and then only a few novice classes.
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Post by lulah on Nov 4, 2013 19:42:54 GMT
I would be inclined to turn him away for the winter. He may find Schooling on hacks more fun and pole/gridwork in the school to get him thinking more. I would avoid the over use on spurs especially on a youngster. Sounds like he is deadening to them anyway. Hes only young so dont fret to much. Good luck with him. Welsh cobs are the best |
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Post by tootell111 on Nov 5, 2013 16:55:20 GMT
I would be inclined to turn him away for the winter. He may find Schooling on hacks more fun and pole/gridwork in the school to get him thinking more. I would avoid the over use on spurs especially on a youngster. Sounds like he is deadening to them anyway. Hes only young so dont fret to much. Good luck with him. Welsh cobs are the best Hes been turned out for several short spurts over the summer (5-8 weeks at a time) and thanks for all the advice:-) |
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Post by fanfarefan on Nov 5, 2013 21:32:15 GMT
As lulah suggested turn him away for a complete rest and refresh let hom chill out,ans maybe he would come back next year a different more willing chap
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Post by carrie17491 on Nov 7, 2013 0:00:43 GMT
I'm another agreeing with turning away.
Our mare is rising six and has only just started being backed again after going through a bad time and having to be turned away.
She's now taking to it like a dream! Patience is a virtue maybe leave him completely for a few months and re back him next summer if he's ready.
Far too many in a rush these days - jus because he's 4 doesn't mean he HAS to be being ridden.
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Post by flo1 on Nov 7, 2013 13:41:39 GMT
Whilst it seems as though the pony has been overfaced re:showing, I don't think it's unreasonable to ride a four year old.  I personally have never seen much benefit in turning away. |
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Post by sbloom on Nov 8, 2013 9:53:45 GMT
Do have the saddle checked, so many showing saddles are just plonked on and do no favours for horse or rider. Not having a go, but it is the equestrian discipline that least uses saddle fitters, and uses saddles which offer little support or comfort.
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Nov 8, 2013 10:25:51 GMT
And they change shape too, especially babies as they muscle up.
Must admit I'm a great fan of turning them away, I find they always come back much more settled to their work as if they've needed the time out to mull it over and absorb it all.
I have no problem with riding at 4yo, but mine then, if done at home, are hacking out, schooling (mostly on hacks) and muscling up for the future, not competing. Those of mine who competed seriously went to a pro as I have lots of life outside horses and couldn't have got to the top shows or qualifiers that I wanted them to do and their schedule might have been slightly different, but they did novice classes as 5yos and opens not until 6yo.
I now have more As than Ds. I have a 4yo in the field who went to be broken this last spring, worked through the summer and is now having the winter off, and another 4yo who went to be broken when the schools went back in September. Quite time enough.
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Post by lulah on Nov 8, 2013 11:30:06 GMT
i think depends on the individual horse too. I dont have any issues with riding 4 year olds but i too believe it benefits them being turned away.
Ive only had 2 youngsters and i was a bit dubious about what benefit it would have in the begining but they came back fine, better infact.
This is just in my opinion , as im not a pro and have only backed/schooled 3 ponies, but i find welsh take longer to mature too - at around 6/7 yrs. Not a negative criticism for the breed as i wouldnt have anything else. What are your thoughts on this sarahp?
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Post by sparklepony on Nov 8, 2013 11:37:39 GMT
Is he hacking at all? At his age he needs to get out not just go in endless circles.
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Nov 8, 2013 11:56:35 GMT
Yes I agree lulah. I'm very sorry to see the current trend for babies to be expected to do top level showing - they will be better animals later on.
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Post by tootell111 on Nov 8, 2013 18:13:59 GMT
He has been turned away and does go on the roads about twice a week but just very warey of splints
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Post by fairdown on Jan 20, 2014 12:07:44 GMT
I agree with Flo1... with baby horses i see it as a confidence thing. i have just broken my 4yo hw cob, he has been riding about 4-5 weeks now, I only work him 4 times a week MAX but i have noticed recently that he is now actively moving forward much better and starting to seek a contact. I always make sure I ride when somebody else is there and i have them standing in the middle with a lunge whip just in case he needs a bit of extra persuasion, just so you are not kick kicking.. you dont want to make him dead to the leg.
Also be careful if you are lunging before you get on board, this tires them out too. I don't bother lunging my 4yo as i think is a bad habit to get them used too. so i stopped lunging as soon as it was safe to get straight on.
Just my own personal experience...
I also do a lot of ground work with my horses to help their confidence.. i.e bombproofing.. playing with them etc etc. it really helps too.
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Post by comanchediva on Jan 20, 2014 21:50:27 GMT
It will all come with time, he's a baby and needs to gain confidence. Definitely hack out as much as you can, you can school and educate him just as well on a hack as you can in the school and they get to see more out hacking and it keeps them interested. Hacking out with another perhaps more forward going pony will help as he'll want to keep up. You need to keep it all fun as much for you as for him  |
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Post by lalalaa on Jan 27, 2014 7:42:02 GMT
My 14 year old dales is exactly the same unfortunately it's just the way he is completely laid back and doesn't have the spark of a show horse. After having blood tests and every other sort of profession look at him. We hardly school him now just hack and concentrate on the jumping side of life, he seems a lot happier in himself
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Post by kmc on Feb 16, 2014 21:51:59 GMT
Lots of long reining will get him/teach him to go forward, i would go back to basics with him as well as checking usual like teeth etc as said above I helped someone on our farm last year with a stubborn pony who wouldn't go forward, lots of long reining and patients works Good luck xx |
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Post by sophoclees on Feb 16, 2014 23:58:27 GMT
Haha Kelly... i was just about to write exactly the same as you.... Long reining until the cows come home! Teeth are a must to check on any baby and should be checked every 6 months between the ages of backing and about 7 years old.
xxx
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Post by delfachhighwayman on Mar 13, 2014 14:19:19 GMT
I have a genuine question... How does long reining encourage them to go forwards?x
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mac
Full Member
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Post by mac on Mar 13, 2014 22:56:01 GMT
Unfortunately with some horses it doesn't matter what you do they just are laid back or don't like showing and nothing you do will alter that. I had a D that was reasonably forward and light schooling, hacking, or hunting but just switched off and wouldn't go in the ring except at a really buzzy show - and it wasn't because he was over-shown. I think he did less than 8 shows over 2 years before I gave up on him.
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Post by diadem on Apr 19, 2014 9:49:57 GMT
on average i dont think a D is really finished til the age of at least 7. a case of the body and head coming together, big animals lots of maturing needed really, turn away for a bit i would x
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Post by shpony on Apr 20, 2014 19:34:57 GMT
I would definitely agree with about and start hacking out and doing different things. You can still do schooling when put hacking but it will be a lot more enjoyable for your pony. Also I would try some long reining as that encourages them to go forward from behind. Finally I would say by kicking him all the way around he is becoming dead you your leg. Try and ask nicely with your leg first by squeezing and if he doesn't respond you tell him firmly with a good kick. He will quickly pick up what you are asking for. Hope you get him sorted
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sometimes it just takes them longer to come into their own! X
