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

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  • My 4-year-old has been lame since she came home from trianing 6 weeks ago. This weekend she could barely trot - it was painful to watch her try. I'm praying that in addition to her fetlock problem (from kicking a pipe fence), she nbow has an abcess brewing and that is why she suddenly got so much worse. I have a call in to her vet who is supposed to be back in town today.

    It stinks to have spent so much money getting her started under saddle and not be able to ride her. And I feel sorry for her. But, she is fine at the walk and seems plenty happy. She goes out to graze, eagerly awaits her breakfast and dinner, etc.

    She already had a late start by being started as a 4-yr-old. Now, I guess she will be a 5-yr-old with the training of a 3-yr-old!

    Comment


    • Well, I'll play! My little girl just went to her first real over-fences hunter schooling show and was a star--at least in my eyes! She did trot and canter classes, and came away with 2 seconds and a first. My trainer said she was great, really handled the big, noisy indoor and the show hullabaloo very well. We are aiming her toward Baby Hunters next spring, and making good progress. She gets her leads most of the time, jumps in excellent form and moves well, but her best feature is that she is very accepting of new things. Nothing ruffles her feathers, she may look at a fence, but won't stay backed off, just looks again and jumps. I think I may have a future amateur packer on my hands, knock on wood!
      Proud member of the "Don't rush to kill wildlife" clique!

      Comment


      • Don't know if I'm officially in the clique- but I have a 4 year old....so...
        My girl is now SEVEN months pregnant and has now got a new goal in life (well, My goal for Her life) to be a carriage horse. Driving is totally new for me, but she has totally LOVED the ground driving around the neighborhood. Kids bring her carrots and want to come and pet her, and she just sucks up the attention! Oh, I WILL post pictures when that great day comes- the big liver chestnut TB mare trotting around the block pulling me in a cart maybe with the foal in hand....
        Celtic Pride Farm
        www.celticpridefarm.com
        Become a fan on Facebook!

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        • OK- after a few weeks of searching, searching, searching for a physical reason for my guy's crankiness at the canter (nothing came up except possible weak stifles and he's now post stifle blistering!), I had another rider get on him and she thinks it is all attitude!!! Aaaaaahhh!! My trainer doesn't really believe in attitude issues, though, so has had me really look hard for a physical cause. Apparently, this rider (who is an amateur but very good, trained with the best h/j trainers and FEI trainers in our area) got on and MADE him GET TO WORK- and after a few times of testing her out, well, went to work! I don't have all the details yet, but apparently she thinks I've been a softie! Hmmmmm... but my trainer had the same issues with him...

          Anyone out there who has already BEEN THROUGH the attitude issues when nothing physical was found and has worked through it OK and has some positive thoughts??

          Comment


          • <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ser42:
            My trainer doesn't really believe in attitude issues, though, so has had me really look hard for a physical cause. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

            What? How can one not "believe" in attitude issues?

            <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Anyone out there who has already BEEN THROUGH the attitude issues when nothing physical was found and has worked through it OK and has some positive thoughts?? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

            Hmmmmm....every single time I work with my 4 yo on something new that he doesn't quite understand. Sorry, testing IMOP is normal, some resistance is normal. I would assume thinking that it's a physical problem (beyond just immature muscle development) and blistering stifles on a 4 yo would be abnormal

            Any trainer working with my 4 yo that couldn't deal with my horses issues and constantly tried to blame everything on physical issues would be history.
            On the Internet, nobody knows you're a dog

            Comment


            • PP- I didn't want to make you all read through the whole story again- but there were reasons we thought something physical was going on- but in the end it probably has to do with the fact the horse was out of shape when I got him and was getting into a work schedule with me. Overall, though, there were minor things that pointed to a physical issue, and thus we had a lameness vet come out and she thought it was due to the stifles- he has also been adjusted, massaged, teeth done, saddle fitted, and all.

              The horse is generally very mild-mannered, sweet, and has good ground manners- generally wants to please although he is alpha with other horses. I think my trainer thinks there is something physical going on because of the very specific issues we were having, and how they seemed to improve when we did this or that, but then came back again. Just a long story. But he is of the thought that good-natured, athletic horses who act out are *usually* doing so for physical reasons.

              He can handle the horse- he had worked through some of these issues before- but it was interesting getting this other rider's perspective. I believe her there probably is an element of attitude in all of this. I'll have more details later.

              Comment


              • ser42, I understand your point. Certainly if there was a reason one thought there was a physical issue I would have a vet come see my horse. But the comment "my trainer doesn't BELIEVE in attitude issues" just kind of floored me. I would venture to guess that issues with 4 yo's more often than not are attitude related, or caused by rider error, at least that has been my experience.
                On the Internet, nobody knows you're a dog

                Comment


                • I know- i see your point too That's why I was here a couple of weeks ago trying to figure out if it COULD all be attitude... but again there were certain things that lead us to a physical issue, but nothing has really been diagnosed other than stifles (which could certainly be a cause) and minor pelvis re-adjustments that were needed.

                  I guess he is just very hesitant to chalk this kind of thing up to attitude- certainly, he thinks horses can act out, but in general I think his experience just must be different from yours. If I knew the answer to this, I wouldn't be here complaining!

                  Comment


                  • Ser42, It is mostly attitude problem, despite all the ones that look for physical troubles and saddle fitness. I am sorry for them but they are not looking at the right window.

                    I have been through this with my mare and I know this is not over. Everytimes a new movement, a new resistance.
                    Élène

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

                    Comment


                    • Well, at least I know there are plenty of others in my boat! It's very interesting to me to see a change in this guy over the few months I've owned him- and when I got him he was green as grass and out of shape. Now, he is developing amazingly well- his trot is high-energy, he uses himself behind, accepts the bit and keeps a contact... but ask him to canter, and you've got a totally different horse!!

                      Comment


                      • Ser42, just to give you some faith in the future. It took me almost 1 month and a half to get my mare starting canter both lead. I month and a half of bucking, pine ears, battle.

                        Now I have been working on canter and still, she does not used herself, still large gaits all over the place. I use tons of trot-canter transitions.

                        I am going to get coach this saturday so maybe we will se something.

                        Canter is the most difficult gait so keep doing and going on it.
                        Élène

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

                        Comment


                        • ser42, do you think it would be possible for you to see the rider who was able to get him to canter work with him? It would be interesting to see how her approach differs from yours.

                          My 4 yr old has been very consistent in the month that I've owned him but last night was different. For the first time I really had trouble keeping an even pace at the trot and he was much lazier than his usual lazy self. Is this normal, green horse stuff? I am a bit concerned because he's been incredibly easy so far, but last night he certainly wasn't himself. He felt a little off but someone on the ground said he looked fine. Unfortunately my trainer is gone for a week so I can't get her feedback on this. I thought I'd give him a few days off and see what we have on Sat. Also, it was dark in the arena, and it was our first night ride, several of the horses in the adjacent paddocks were running and playing which was a bit of a distraction for both of us...
                          If I wanted to hear the pitter-patter of little feet, I'd put shoes on my cats.

                          Comment


                          • Well I would tell you this is typical Green Stuff.

                            My own explanation is they get mixed up very easily and since they want so much to please the rider, then they go all over the place all of the sudden.

                            Just set back a little, do basic work for a day or so and it should be ok.
                            Élène

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

                            Comment

                            • Original Poster

                              ser42 - don't worry, canter is difficult for all of us with greenies! We've been really, really working on our canter transitions (i.e., quality, not just getting them on the right lead) for a solid month now and maybe 1 out of 10 is good now. Last week, it was about 1 out of 30, and I was getting really discouraged. Some of it was rider error, so getting some quality coaching has helped tremendously. I also had the saddle fitter come out, which made some subtle changes in my position that seem to be helping.
                              As a result of the coaching I've received, I'm using more outside rein, less inside rein, insisting on forward at all costs, getting right on any disobedience to the leg aids. My abs are sore, and I now have a full understanding of why dressage riders prefer full-seat breeches! I'm trying to get Chase to drive the canter from behind rather than pulling himself into with his front end (complete with ugly head raising ). He was getting really frustrated, like "I'm cantering, what more do you want?!" Lots of huge praise when he gets it right (or at least in the right direction) has helped turn the little light bulb on, but we are still 1/10, so working really hard on it. I ask him to get two good transitions in a row (so I know it wasn't an accident), then I let him take a long walk break, or if we've been at it a while, I end the session, take him outside to walk around the grounds. For the lazy horse, quitting is the ultimate reward!
                              Time, patience and practice...
                              Rachel Kosmal McCart
                              Equine Legal Solutions, Inc.
                              www.equinelegalsolutions.com

                              Comment


                              • Thanks everyone for your ideas!

                                Yes, I am planning on getting this rider out on a consistent basis while I own this horse. In fact, she may be getting him at no cost to her to ride and show for awhile- depending on when I start my family . She has ridden him before, once when I first got him when he was green as can be, and the second time was before he was acting up at the canter. The second time she commented on how well he was coming along since I had owned him and that I was doing a great job (for various reasons, my trainer hadn't been riding him very often so it was just my work!). But then the canter issues started...

                                Some of this new stuff could be rider error as well. Although I myself am an experienced rider and have trained with BNTs in the past, this is my first baby/greenie, so it's a whole new ball game for me.

                                All of this is getting me motivated to get out there and let him know he can't push Mom around anymore! Seriously, though- I appreciate the support. Sounds like all of you know my frustration...

                                Comment


                                • What a great day !!! Neighbor's dog was barking ans standing at the fences, windy, automn leaves taking some flights, hey a plastic pads ! So it was all those reasons who made my mare spooky, cranky and the rider (me) upset !

                                  Not one good circle trot on right lead. Not a single one !!!! And on left lead well I don't want to talk about it.

                                  Getting coach on saturday and I hope it won't be one of those disaster.
                                  Élène

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

                                  Comment


                                  • Well I think I fit here I have a 4yo born in January but in Australia he is now classed as a five year old. I consider him to be 4yo.
                                    Last weekend we went out to our first official comp and came home with a 4th and a 6th. In the test I got 4th in I got 72% and the other 67%. I was so pleased with the way he went. He was soft and forward with very few resistances. I did get a stange comment from one of the judges though. The test I got 67% in the judge considered him to not be forward enough whereas the other test that I didn't consider as forward the judges comment was that he was lovely and forward. All in all I was very pleased with him and looking forward to the next tests.
                                    ______________________________
                                    Horses are for enjoying, so enjoy.

                                    Shirrine
                                    http://www.freewebs.com/shirrinepark/

                                    Comment


                                    • We have a 4-yo OT TB we bought last fall as a 3 yo. Began his eventing career in June, has done two Novices and four Trainings. Last 4 events -- 2 6ths', 1 7th, 1 5th. Ready for prelim in February. Solid on combinations & ditches (including trakehners & coffins), had some issues adapting to water but that's good now. Ready to start on corners and skinnies. Had to work through several mental/immaturity issues through the summer, but he's now (knock on wood) a seasoned pro. Can still get a little excited in the warmup so we're pretty careful there. Scores mid-30's in dressage, improving.

                                      Comment


                                      • ser - Sometimes it just is a baby attitude thing. I went through a period of thinking I was insane, I couldn't get Gunnar to do a thing. Trainer couldn't get mad at him because he never ever would even try it with her. She then explained that I need to get tougher with him & out smart him by thinking ahead. As soon as I did that we went from downhill to uphill & climbing within days. As long as you have ruled out all physical problems then it's time to just ride it out . My poor vet would cringe when he would see my number, I think I had Gunnar looked over weekly for the first 8 months. Also like I have said before the pissy spells are very short & 95% of the time are follwed by a growth spurt.

                                        411 - I don't know how yours is but when Gunnar is not paying attention he sucks back to look around & feels off. Of course he's not really off he just feels way different. I would give it another try, it is quite possible that the evenings distractions just had attention way more then you did .
                                        http://community.webshots.com/user/royalblue106

                                        Comment


                                        • I was able to have a good talk with the trainer last night... he rode the horse yesterday and says there is improvement, but that on the left lead the horse feels a bit stiff. He was able to get him to canter with just ears back (no kicking), and he loosened up, but didn't want to extend his stride. So trainer thinks he is a bit better but told me he disagrees it's attitude- and did say he would be the first to tell me if he really thought it was- he can just tell by the way the horse goes there's something still bothering him. I am hoping it's just muscle soreness; massage therapist yesterday said he was stiff in gluts and lower neck but overall felt pretty good.

                                          So it's just wait and see time, and making sure I'm not being too soft

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