Post by Luci on Feb 10, 2003 15:21:10 GMT -5
-Sorry, this is very long:
Well, I did my schooling show Sat with Nave, Mr. Hyde/Jeckel. At this point, I feel very incompetent to work with this high powered animal and looked jealously at those 15.2 Western horses standing around getting ready to show. My trainer was frustrated with me not sending him and bending him, and getting in that forward "it's gonna blow" position at times. It was very difficult to relax to counter his frenzie.
(Dr. Hyde -Nice even canters to jumps, power steering, such a good boy! Mr. Jeckel - eeek! there are foreigners here and trailers, music, excitement, where's the race gate! you want me to line up! Wanna see my sidestep?)
I had to stop giving him treats as rewards with the music playing in overhead arena speakers or standing in line up, he became mouthy overnight. And, I've just been getting him over shaking his head (attitude) that I decided not to try the pom poms for this one. I may try it next time after the wild man I rode.
Instead, I put in a good warm up early when the arena was calm and my trainer got on him when the music first came on then handed him back to me to ride. Then, he stood fairly quietly for about a 1/2 waiting for the areana to clear, but began to get upset again so I lunged him (in control, but with some attitude at times) for 10 minutes and let him blow off some steam. Mounted back up and walked, trotted and let him relax again - as much as possible.
Class time. Hello Mr. Jeckel. Heh! He bucked a few times in the first class (too many horses, even staying on the inside, it was a pack). After two hours of riding he settled some and we got first in both of the hunter under saddle classes. He is awsome when he is on. However, it may have been for most improved
That was great. However, I can't believe the work to get him to the point where I could just ride him and direct him versus working with him for every single step. Still couldn't stand in line up (although he gave me more and more time in it before I'd let him break and walk)
Tell me if I put in the monumental efforts like Sat. he will eventually come around? I've had an appendix 1/4 that was hot, but wow, this guy is something else! I'm not sure I'm up to this challenge.
Thanks for listening!
Well, I did my schooling show Sat with Nave, Mr. Hyde/Jeckel. At this point, I feel very incompetent to work with this high powered animal and looked jealously at those 15.2 Western horses standing around getting ready to show. My trainer was frustrated with me not sending him and bending him, and getting in that forward "it's gonna blow" position at times. It was very difficult to relax to counter his frenzie.
(Dr. Hyde -Nice even canters to jumps, power steering, such a good boy! Mr. Jeckel - eeek! there are foreigners here and trailers, music, excitement, where's the race gate! you want me to line up! Wanna see my sidestep?)
I had to stop giving him treats as rewards with the music playing in overhead arena speakers or standing in line up, he became mouthy overnight. And, I've just been getting him over shaking his head (attitude) that I decided not to try the pom poms for this one. I may try it next time after the wild man I rode.
Instead, I put in a good warm up early when the arena was calm and my trainer got on him when the music first came on then handed him back to me to ride. Then, he stood fairly quietly for about a 1/2 waiting for the areana to clear, but began to get upset again so I lunged him (in control, but with some attitude at times) for 10 minutes and let him blow off some steam. Mounted back up and walked, trotted and let him relax again - as much as possible.
Class time. Hello Mr. Jeckel. Heh! He bucked a few times in the first class (too many horses, even staying on the inside, it was a pack). After two hours of riding he settled some and we got first in both of the hunter under saddle classes. He is awsome when he is on. However, it may have been for most improved
That was great. However, I can't believe the work to get him to the point where I could just ride him and direct him versus working with him for every single step. Still couldn't stand in line up (although he gave me more and more time in it before I'd let him break and walk)
Tell me if I put in the monumental efforts like Sat. he will eventually come around? I've had an appendix 1/4 that was hot, but wow, this guy is something else! I'm not sure I'm up to this challenge.
Thanks for listening!
Wasn't all that work, anxiety, preparation, stress, marathon hours, doubt, and all the other golden moments worth it?? haha!! Your debut sounds EXACTLY like mine. And did Mr. J/H also include a fart with that buck, like my Tucker? A REAL crowd-pleaser, let me tell ya! I also had 98 degree weather and 95% humidity to deal with. 
I kept thinking the whole time "THIS is NOT fun!". But then time passes, the bad parts fade away, and you soon start thinking "I can DO this!" Your guy sounds awesome and no doubt you both are going to do fine!
It's relaxing for everybody. I must say, though, it's easier said than done depending on where you live. We used to be able to ride out from my Mom's in all directions and be gone for hours, but open spaces are dwindling and people aren't so nice anymore. We have had some great times trailering away to some places in MD - Spring Valley Park and Gunpowder Falls. Anybody know those? I've been thinking since I found this board that it would be neat for a bunch of us to get together in a place like that and have a nice ride. I know I'm among a minority in PA, though. 
. NOT a good thing to do. So we don't know if they would allow another club in (although we are very small and well-behaved!).
I would like to try it with Raven. 