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Owners of 4 y.o.s clique check-in time!

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  • #81
    411- we were posting at the same time!

    Well, I guess I answered a little bit of your question in my last post. He had been well started as a 3 y/o with some sporatic work over the winter. He could jump little gymnastics, do flying changes (I have them on video but I haven't done them with him yet). I tried him twice- the first time he had been ridden in two months. So, he was very out of shape.

    I've owned him 4 months. I started riding him for only about 10-20 minutes, mostly trot work, getting him forward forward forward while accepting light contact with the bit- no worries about a "frame." I'd also take him out and hack around, but we've had lots of rain and bugs (he hates bugs!) so haven't done the hills as often as I'd like.

    He was greener than I remembered when he arrived- couldn't balance himself very well in the turns, wiggly as a noodle. He's really come a long way since then.

    Recently, he had really been figuring out how to use himself behind, lift his back, and get round- still with a nice soft butter mouth! It was as if a lightbulb went off- "OH, THIS is what you want me to do!" Before he was very behind my leg. He still can resist in the transitions, though... not sure if his balance is 100% yet (or some rider error could factor in- although I'm an experienced rider, this is my first greenie, and I'm working with a trainer).

    In short... he was nicely started but VERY green when I got him.

    So in the last two weeks I've had this wonderful, springy trot, rocking horse canter- and I was thrilled!!! Now crankiness!!

    Comment


    • #82
      Wow, ser42, it sounds like our guys are very similar. Mine was started as a 3 year old but primarily trail ridden. He hasn't done a lot of ring work and has basically had the last 4 or 5 months off, getting ridden once or maybe twice a week, at most. He seems to have a good work ethic, we just need to take our time with him since he's out of shape. Like you, he's my first greenie but since he has a great brain and is dead quiet (this may change as his level of fitness improves) we think he'll be pretty easy to bring along. How often are you riding yours? I'm trying to get on a schedule w/ mine where he's ridden 4-5 times a week -- once or twice by my trainer, once or twice in a lesson and then just light hacks/trail rides the other days. I am just using a rubber snaffle on him but probably don't even need that. You just say whoa and he stops for you. Definitely a far cry from the more made horses I'm used to riding!

      Maybe your guy is experiencing some growing pains? My trainer said to expect a little pissiness from time to time as he develops his muscles and continues to grow.
      If I wanted to hear the pitter-patter of little feet, I'd put shoes on my cats.

      Comment


      • #83
        Hi again 411-

        Right now I'd say he's actually being ridden 5-6 days a week, sometimes 4 depending on my work schedule. I know that sounds like a lot, but like I said earlier he is in a show barn environment, so he only is turned out 1-2 hours a day- and that's on grass so he usually just stands around and munches! (And of course rolls just to get Mom back!)

        The rides are kept short- only about 20-30 minutes now, if that, and that includes warm-up/cool-off. He's been ridden a few times longer by the trainer, who rides him at least once a week. We rarely jump him, and when we do it's just over X-rails.

        We are in a rubber snaffle too! The dressage trainer at the barn wanted me to switch to a regular snaffle- she thought that would help with his bending. I honestly don't think I'm having that much trouble with the rubber except with the resistance in the transitions like I described before. He still isn't the straightest in his S-Is and lateral work- perhaps it might help there, but he alson needs to move off my leg a little better. Dunno. Right now I just want to get a nice canter out of him!

        Yes, I do think there are probably some growing pains. I always check his back when grooming, and he sees a massage therapist every once in awhile. If only I took as good care of myself as I do him!!

        Comment

        • Original Poster

          #84
          One thing that really helps my guy is changing up the routine. We do a lot of different events (even, gasp, Western Pleasure!) and I find that he really likes the variety. We go out on trails, occasionally trailer out for lessons or to clinics, etc. and he likes all of it. Sure, he is a jack of all trades and master of none, but he stays fresh and willing to learn. I think all the variety and exposure to different environments helps him in the show ring, too - he's confident and has learned that "good" behavior isn't just for the arena at home.
          Some of the DQs at my barn are horrified at the different stuff we do, and they whisper about "how confused that poor horse must be." However, the horses catch on fast (mine is no exception) - he knows what the Western saddle means vs. the English saddle, halter with a chain for showmanship vs. halter with a plain lead for walking to the turnout. A lot of the skills translate well from one event to another, too - collection, pivots, lateral work. Most importantly, both of us are having fun and are not bored!
          Rachel Kosmal McCart
          Equine Legal Solutions, Inc.
          www.equinelegalsolutions.com

          Comment


          • #85
            ser42 - I agree with 411 about the growing pains. Anytime Gunnar is a super jack-ass I swear the next day you can see his butt is higher.
            http://community.webshots.com/user/royalblue106

            Comment


            • #86
              Royal Blue- you really made me luagh!! I hope that is what is going on- although at 16.3, I'm not so sure I want him to grow too much more!

              Tonight was no better... again, fine for the trot work, a bit of resistance for for the right lead but I get it right away... then turn direction and gets pissy! I got after him again, and I think he finally got the hint. But I have a feeling this is a hurdle we're just going to have to work through. I think he thinks he's done when I give him walk breaks and when I ask him to go forward he has a tantrum.

              Trainer rides him tomorrow, then Friday he has off. I'll find out Saturday how he's been for the trainer the last couple of weeks (I've been too late at work to catch up with him at the barn).

              ELS- I wish I could mix things up as much as you do. Unfortunately, I am limited by the fact that I only have a hunter/equitation/jumper background, and have recently dabbled with the dressage trainer because I think dressage is the perfect starting point for a young horse.

              I also am saving up for my own trailer so I can be more autonomous where I trailer to. I've always paid a fortune to either have professional haulers (even to shows!) or my trainers haul my horses places. Sheesh. To think of all the money I wasted!! So without a trialer of my own right now, I'm kinda stuck. But yes, I think boredom may contribute- the last 2 nights we've been in the indoor because it's been so late, and I think he gets bored....

              Comment


              • #87
                it's been a while but my greenie is doing great. after changing to a bit that doesn't bother him(had reg thickish D now french link eggbut) he has done great.we are doing w/t nicely and even doing little jumps under a foot. we did our first line yesterday he did good,i am really happy with him
                in case u frogot hes a 13.1hh buckskin stared about 2 months ago

                Comment


                • #88
                  Nice to know I'll have another support group for when Eloquent starts his show hunter training!
                  \"Riding a horse is not a gentle hobby, to be picked up and laid down like a game of solitaire. It is a grand passion. It seizes a person whole and, once it has done so, he will have to accept that his life will be radically changed.\" -- Ralph Waldo E

                  Comment


                  • #89
                    Hi i just had to share my 4 yr olds success. He just did his first beginner novice event last weekend like a total pro, and he finished 6th. I am so proud. He is turning into a great horse. He has got such a great brain. Well anyways good luck to everyone else.

                    Comment


                    • #90
                      Congratulations to those of you who have babies doing so well!

                      Out of curiousity... I'm just sitting here wondering as this horse is my first greenie... for those of you who are already showing and your horses are getting pretty far along, how long have they been under saddle? How long have they been consistently worked? What kind of professional training, if any, have they had (i.e., how often does your trainer, if you are an ammy, ride your horse?).

                      I know every horse is different, but I'm just curious to see if I am roughly where I should be with mine- who has only had 4 months of consistent work but was well started when I got him but very out of shape...

                      Comment


                      • #91
                        Gunnar was lightly started when I bought him last August, basically saddle broke. He did his first u/s class at a rated show about a month & 1/2 later (and won). He was quite balanced, easy to work with, & a very quick study from the begining.

                        Trainer rides him 3 times per week, sometimes 4 if I have to miss one of my rides for any reason.

                        We started him o/f when he was super solid in w/t/c & getting way bored. He of course has jumped many objects on his own prior (he jumped a 5' round pen fence as a wee baby & a couple of paddock fences) so he already had a clue. We started x-rails in January. He did spend a month or two taking out every x-rail with his hind end , that was until we started little verticals. That made him very happy .

                        All along the way he was shown in an u/s classes (all 1st's). He showed o/f for the first time at a schooling show (2') & I think we started the Baby Greens (2'6) the end of April.

                        He is very smart & quite a natural, he's very quick to figure out what we want & if he doesn't get it it's just either he's not listening or being lazy. He also has that perfect stride & rythme that just gets to the fences perfect. He is still a bogger about the hind change, auto up front, but that's more of a needs to just build up his butt a bit more. He will get every lead o/f so it's not that big of a deal.

                        He's been on an extended vacation due to baby snots, hurricanes, & more hurricanes. So basically the summer has been a wash for showing. Trainer has been bringing him back & finally this week is a full work week - now looks like we have another darn hurricane coming .

                        Hope my ramblings have answered some of your questions.
                        http://community.webshots.com/user/royalblue106

                        Comment


                        • #92
                          Ser42

                          Beside what you call the good stories, horse so nice, you almost think you are riding a saint, so beside that, here is the mass market.

                          I rode so many 3yo, 4yo for people fed up, discouraged, that I can tell you how 4 yo is terrible.

                          I remember my first greenie who actually turned out to be my first nighmare; I think I have started to have fun she was 5 or 6 yo.

                          So keep up the good work, be patient, stay clear in your demand and give your horse time to mature.

                          I hope this comment will help you !
                          Élène

                          Fighting ovarian cancer ! 2013 huge turnaround as I am winning the battle !..
                          http://esergerie.wordpress.com

                          Comment


                          • #93
                            Yep, that does help... and makes me think I am on track...

                            We could've probably done some U/S classes last week- up until his current tantrums at the canter, LOL. He's very naturally balanced- trainers commented on that from day 1. Just didn't know exactly what to do with himself at first.

                            You also made me feel better about the jumping- as I think I told you before, when we do jump him over X-rails, he is very unimpressed and frequently knocks rails down with his hind end. Barely uses himself over them. So it's nice to hear your horse woke up with the bigger jumps!

                            Maybe I should get my trainer on him more often - right now I'm only having him ride once a week...

                            I hope the hurricane steers away from you!!!

                            Comment


                            • #94
                              Thanks Leena for the encouragement! I really do love this guy... his personality is the most fun out of the horses I've owned... so I am committed to him- I plan on keeping him for a long, long time. I just was feeling a bit down these last 2 days with his tantrums. But thank you!

                              Comment

                              • Original Poster

                                #95
                                My guy was a 3 yo with maybe 30 days on him when I bought him in late August '03. It's been a long, long road with me riding him 5-6 days/week (not all training rides - some trail riding and fun stuff). He's no saint, definitely has his immature moments - like those tantrums! All of this year's shows were unrated, and we started out with walk/trot, worked our way up to w/t/c. We started him over fences in late February, are still jumping only up to 2'6" and maybe once a week, if that. He doesn't have flying changes at all, we will do simple changes until he's ready for flying (I won't rush that - not enough hind end engagement yet).
                                Don't get discouraged - the rest of us unperfect greenie owners are out there keeping you company!
                                Rachel Kosmal McCart
                                Equine Legal Solutions, Inc.
                                www.equinelegalsolutions.com

                                Comment


                                • #96
                                  ser42 - Trust me the tantrums will pass, something new will replace it, but they will pass. Hey at least your trainer didn't say "aren't you gonna ask how he was today" & then proceed to spell out A S S in a cheer . Seems he cleared an entire ring of people & then decided that it would be neat to lean onto his bit & take trainer for a couple of miles on the race track. He was however a saint in the end, might have been the 3 mile run .
                                  http://community.webshots.com/user/royalblue106

                                  Comment


                                  • #97
                                    Too funny! Well, probably not for the trainer at the time...

                                    I'm impressed your lazy guy decided to gallop like that!! My guy looks at spooking horses in disgust as if to say, "WHAT a waste of energy..."

                                    Comment


                                    • #98
                                      Any new updates on the babies? Gunnar showed this weekend with trainer & a friend (her main horse was laid up for the weekend & her baby is just starting back). He was pretty darn awsome for not having really jumped a course since the end of July. He still doesn't see the need to get his hind change & on at least 2 times per course he failed to get the lead over the fence & proceeded to cross canter happily to the next fence, he is so comfortable with it that unless you don't look for it doesn't scream out to you. I uploading some photos from today - please excuse my timimg still trying to figure out the new camera.

                                      http://community.webshots.com/user/royalblue106
                                      http://community.webshots.com/user/royalblue106

                                      Comment


                                      • #99
                                        Royal Blue, Gunnar looks great ! What's his breeding ? He really gets himself over those jumps !!!!

                                        My mare is pregnant, looks preg and act preg. Still working on canter but it is going ok considering the preg syndrom. She is totally sleepy.
                                        Élène

                                        Fighting ovarian cancer ! 2013 huge turnaround as I am winning the battle !..
                                        http://esergerie.wordpress.com

                                        Comment


                                        • My 4yo update is a little depressing...we're done for the year after I did a slow dismount at her first Beginner Novice HT last weekend and tore up my knee. On the bright side, she was doing FANTASTICALLY well on that first XC trip--the fall was bad luck combined with an exuberant, silly over-jump by Miss Bonnie. Not a bad instinct on her part, but I'd forgotten what it's like to ride a horse who has NOT been there nor done that, LOL!

                                          She got a 38 on her very first dressage test, with 7's on gaits and her canter, which apparently looks much nicer than it feels.

                                          So catch me in the spring when we do the "5yo update" thread...Bonnie's on vacation until Christmas, when I hope to be back in the saddle.
                                          Click here before you buy.

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