My dilemma involves Hollywood a school horse that is just starting to trust me. Nobody would pick him for lessons as he is headshy and can be very intimidating. I loved trying your methods and it works very well. So well that I know some will pick him for lessons again and pull in his mouth. He's a dressage horse and has such big gaits students hold the reins for balance. Id like to continue your work but is it fair to him?
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Wow, what a fascinating question MJ! The horse has managed to find comfort from his evasion tactics meaning that people dont choose him, but now he is kind, thanks to your help, he is at risk of being abused again (whether intentionally or not). Ths could lead him to be mistrustful of human hands again and may actually lead to him being worse as his attempts at trust and co-operation are now being betrayed as he probably became headshy and intimidating precisely for the reasons you describe. Hmm...what to do? I presume this is a teaching school you are talking about? Are you saying that its the students that pick the horse they want? I find this odd; I think teachers should 'match' students and horses based on capability and welfare. What is your relationship like with the Instructors? Are you able to convey this dilemma to them? How do you think they would react? Just trying to get a clearer picture of this very interesting dilemma.
Good questions, Vicci, however, MJ may find the answers a challenge. MJ, firstly, I'd like to commend you on your progress with this horse! I love hearing the positive progress. Putting my 'coach cap' on, Vicci has a very good point when she added "teachers should match students and horses based on ...". As a Certified Coach, she's right on the mark. If you allow new students to learn on a horse that is still learning, it's not a good mix. I always appreciate when my students know their limitations and ride a more mature, schooling horse that they are able to learn on. Keep working with your horse, he will build confidence and become even quieter. I only allow advanced students to ride an advanced horse. Remember, the saying goes: provide the environment to encourage success. Consider that this horse may not be a schooling horse, not all are.
Hope this helps, good luck! Keep up the progress!
Just came back from the barn. Hollywood has started to greet me with a nice whinny!! Loooove!! I ride at an Academy where the horses on the school are mostly jumpers. The owner started dressage a few years ago and aquired Hollywood to be a schoolmaster (he's 15). I just think he's so sensitive and some coaches are hmmmmm how should I put it, the opposite of that. And yes the students usually choose their mount, especially the adult riders who, perhaps, see themselves as better riders than they actually are. I may have found a solution...A full lease, if I can afford it.....We'll see....My ultimate goal is to get my Dressage judge's cards and Holly would be the ideal Partner to achieve the level of riding I need to show at next summer. STAY TUNED !! lol ;)
And thank you both for taking the time..... :)
What a wonderful solution for you and Hollywood. Good luck with it and keep us posted.
Promise...
Ok here we go. 2 students asked the Barn owner to ride Hollywood...Not good...So I decided to back off and just ride him for pleasure, get back into shape. I'll find another horse to get my scoring for my judge's cards. I just can't bring myself to ask him to give me all he's got while others ...... :(
That is so disappointing for you MJ. Does this mean that the full lease idea has fallen through? At least you know you have helped Hollywood and hopefully the owner will be more careful of him in the future. Hang in there.
Yes Maggie full lease is out...more $$ into part-boarding several riders on the same horse. It's a business, I get it. Not much room for emotions unfortunately. He'll be fine, just misunderstood. I'll still be around to cheer him on and spoil him with treats (sorry Monty) lol :)
You have done your best MJ and he is a lucky horse to have you around still. It is tough for you though.
Funny because it's just a matter of time before he starts acting up again...and back to square one. Maybe then they'll leave us alone ! lol
YAY! I was right!! Hollywood got a taste for a Partner that's not holding on to his mouth and wouldn't accept anything less!! Goooood Booooy! Scared them off....We're back to our dream and on to our judging cards!! I'll keep you posted on our progress, the next weeks are going to be all about starting from scratch (not easy for a PSG level horse!)...Heaven.... :)
clever horse, just hope you can still be there for him, maybe the full lease will come about if other riders can't ride him - here's hoping!!!
MJ, what a fantastic and important thread. I was going to say that horses at riding schools usually learn to suss out their riders pretty quickly. So you might have initially made him more sensitive only to have him be let down by the next rider, and while this sucks, he'd probly figure out not to let that happen again whilst still being able to rise up to the occasion given a sensitive rider. Do you think this might have happened? I hope you get the lease on him!
GOT THE LEASE !!
And an ovation from my coach in yesterday's lesson! He was so happy just to see the horse relaxed and listening...right now it's all I want from Holly nothing more unless he offers... HEAVEN!! (still..!) Thanks everybody for your support, means a lot to me since I seem to be quite isolated in this quest...
Lovely to hear, MJ! Best of luck to the both of you. Looks like this was meant to be. :)
Wow, how great for you both, may you have a long and happy time together. whether it is said openly or not your transformation of this horse will not have gone unnoticed and you have made a change in people's lives today, if only ot make them think :-) Congratulations!
;)
Fantastic news M J - I am so pleased for you and Hollywood. All the very best for your time together.
Thanks MaggieF....Good times ahead...!!
Brilliant MJ, he's very clever isn't he - Ha Ha!!!!
Have a fantastic time together.
I just changed my "Profile" picture so you guys could have a look at him, his spirit, and the dignity that emanates from his soul. Sometin' special... I LOVE him!! lol
Way to go!,
Have followed this chat,Bless you and Holly for your preservence.Above all .....have fun...both of you:). :)
Thanks Lynda! Our training is going incredible! My coach is tickled ! The last time I clicked with a horse as much was over 7-8 years ago and I've ridden dozens of horses since. Holly doesn't try to eat me anymore when I enter his boxstall and just yesterday he actually picked his feet for me to clean them! Even the back ones!!! Ahhhhhhh.....Of course he's still a school horse and the other night the owner asked me if it was ok for one of the (gentle) girls to ride Holly for a dressage lesson. Sigh....What can I say? She did, and you know what!? He's 15 years old...he knows how to take care of himself... He's such an actor, most of it is all pretend and he gets away with it! Like Monty said...Whats in a name!!?
why not offer to buy if its that good a fit?
Oh I wish it were an option Lenore...I'm a single mom with a full time job and a mortgage. Financially it would be impossible right now. My son is 11, going to high school next year, swimming team/Karate, heck just feeding him I'd need a second job!! lol...Maybe in a few years...
Ok not feasible right now, is it. Hope the lease goes well!
:)