I had to wait a few days to ride after his pre-purchase as he badly needed new shoes. I finally got to ride last night. First, the good stuff - his personality/temperament is too cute. He's not really bothered by anything, which is great. Some bicyclists went flying by, twice, and he didn't even bat an eye. Even Hobbes would have stopped and gawked. The cats were darting around everywhere and he didn't even notice. Can't beat that!
I lunged him for a few minutes to check his soundness after new shoes and to try to get him more responsive and balanced without me interfering. He sucks at the trot to canter transition, but I think most of it is that he needs to get in better shape and lacks the strength to lift into the canter...he sorta runs into it. Now for the bad stuff- he hates contact. I know he's used to being a hunter, but surely they didn't ride him on a loose rein all the time!?! If I pick up a light contact he immediately begins trying to find a way to avoid..invert, overflex, whatever. As soon as I drop the contact and ride on the buckle, he relaxes and his head goes down. His teeth have been checked. I asked his past owner about bits and she said he goes in anything, and I have him in a french link.
So...I have a lesson coming up, but I'll be honest, I'm not really trying to fit him into a box he doesn't like. If he hates contact, maybe I should just go back to the hunters. Maybe I should just trail ride. I'll try the dressage thing for a while, see if he gets it, but if not I have no interest in fighting! So, I'm a little discouraged by this discovery and annoyed by how the hell I missed this? Yes, I'm having some buyers remorse, but I'm hoping it will go away once we get used to each other.
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4 comments:
Aw, I hope things work out. He sounds like a lovely horse. I know each horse is an individual, but I'm hoping this is something that can be worked through. I purchased a TB gelding back in '97 who sounds similar in a lot of ways. He was being ridden H/J before I got him, and I wanted to do eventing. He was NOT thrilled about contact or going in a dressage frame either, but with a bit change and a little effort he came right around with no problems. It was worth the effort. I hope your guy will come around too!
Give him time, he will learn. You said you wanted a bombproof horse you could trust. It sounds like thats what Skate is. I used to ride a horse that was terrifed of bikes, so for Skate to not bat an eye, thats huge.
A french link is a mild bit, so thats the best to teach him in. He is more likely to accept it when you are teaching him to come into a frame.
Let us know how your lesson goes and what your trainer says
Most horses are probably unlikely to volunteer for contact. Sounds like your guy has a good head on his shoulders and will adapt. Who knows, maybe he's never been taught about contact. Of course, Pro knows about contact and still likes to invent ways to get out of it ;).
Judging from the lesson blog, it seems like you've lost some of your buyer's remorse - he sounds fine, don't worry!! Like Andrea said, no one signs up for contact. But I have a feeling he'll be fine with it. :)
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