January Riding and Horse Time

[horsespoiler]

Well, today's ride was a total flop. I almost came off both Whitey and Winnie. Whitey started acting up before we even left the yard and almost pitched me off. DH switched with me and Whitey wasn't any better for him. Her saddle pad had slipped back behind the front of the saddle skirt so we readjusted it and she was better. We were trotting down the road and I got Winnie to canter, a miracle, and then she cut right and started up another trail hoping to circle back home I think. She just about lost me there. We went on for a while more without any problems and then on another stretch of trail she got rather "light" on the front end like she might rear. Traded back with DH and Whitey was all go. I had to keep a tight hold on her and when we had to go through some brush and branches to go around a tree that was across the trail she jumped and tried to run through everything real fast. DH rode the last bit to the house and made her go farther and worked the crap out of her. She was horrible! He wants her gone now. I guess I need a horse that just takes quarters, maybe I could ride that but I'm not sure.

[ghostrider]

HS are you attached to the horses or are you okay with trading one in for a better trained horse? right now you can find some great horses that people just don't want to feed or have to take care of over winter.
I used to break, ride and sell horses and never really bonded till I got mustangs and now I can't imagine having to give up Buddy or Boomer. I also can't see bonding to a horse I am too frustrated over to enjoy.

Maybe you could sit down calmly with DH and discuss what you want, need and how to go about it without the emotions? make a list of what you need or want in a horse and how to take that step to getting what you want. (more training vs new horse)

[horsespoiler]

Today's ride was as god as yesterday's was bad. I lunged Whitey in front of the house on the road for about 20 mins and used DH's saddle. He rode her first and there was no trouble at all. We took Winnie along in just a halter so she would have some company out there. Winnie was happy to help out since it meant she got some grass and had to do minimal work. Whitey walked and trotted away from the house without a care in the world. I rode her and she was just as good as could be. I even made her wait while DH walked Winnie ahead a ways before I let her follow and she put up a very minimal fuss, only moving her feet a few times. She went past the gate with no problem and on up the road to the far end. Walking back towards home she got a little fast and I circled her around a few times and she settled down and walked calmly the rest of the way. This was not the horse I rode yesterday. The saddle may be a problem since she was so much better today. We will try a few other saddles and see what happens. I have an old TexTan that has a seat that is a little small for me but should be OK for some testing. It is a well used saddle so it must have been pretty comfortable. Mine was very lightly used and that may be because something just isn't quite right. She may need different bars to fit her shoulders and withers. I read a good article that explained how the angle of the bars can affect the fit more than the gullet width does. I know I get grumpy if my clothes don't fit right.

[ghostrider]

Problem with a saddle that doesn't fit you is then you don't ride properly and it still effects the horse. Great on the attitude change though. How does Sage ride?

[horsespoiler]

We haven't been able to ride Sage for a couple of years. She will be going down the road for a tune up in a while. When we were riding her she was kind of stubborn and lazy. When you rode she was very reluctant to canter and would crow hop if you tried to make her. In fact she bucked me off when I got insistant. The lady down the road has a friend that likes to "ride the buck out" of horses. I don't think it will take long though since she is so lazy. It takes 2 whips to get her to go around the RP. One to encourage her to go and one to keep her back from me. She comes right up to you and stands as close as she can. She will lock on and follow you around but won't move off unless you really make her.

[ghostrider]

That's how Boomer lunges. He makes me feel guilty. "You don't want me to love on you mom?" LOL