Hime wrote:mental racat wrote:Hime wrote:@Tuffie:
You've only ridden three times. Does the instructor already make you trot? If yes, then I'd say it's way too soon.
As to this, I don't agree. I don't see anything wrong with trotting the first time you ride as long as they are short trots.
From my experience total beginners don't have the balance and skill to trot on a horse after just 3 rides, at least not on their own if they like to keep control. If someone runs along the horse and acts as a brake and stearing if needed, then that might be okay. I understand it's lot about how fast the person picks up things and also how the horse is they are riding, but in general I've never seen a person be really ready to trot on their 3rd lesson ever.
@GrimeBear: I think someone already mentioned, but get her mouth checked first and making sure the bit is fitted correctly. It might not hurt to check her back as well, since bucking and running sound more like back/pain issues... Then I'd try riding her again with the bit, since horses can have odd days and if she had had lot of time off it might have been partly her having excess energy. How ever if you know for sure she does better in hackamore in general, why not invest into one of your own. Other option is trying out different bits to figure out if it's her current bit she doesn't like or things in her mouth in general.
What kind of bit she has now?
@Amy Pond: That's what we though(added one row of line to the bottom originally to prevent them from sneaking off), but they still squirmed under. XD Though some of the lines were bit loose and they did 'lift' them out of place after they had gone under... But if he really did jump, and since he's done it before it does seem more likely, then woah.You're gonna have a serious jumper when he grows up more. Oh! You could try free jumping him when he's little older(if you have a suitable place for it).
@.drizzled.mango.: Haha, that's exactly what I ment. Not at my sharpest there, even if off meds. ^^'
@Stonefly: If he has appetite that's really good sign and I'd gradually rise the food amount, since he can afford to eat a lot at the moment. Plus he's a TB and those tend to be not so easy keepers, but obviously you see and can assess the situation best. Luckily young horses tend to bounce back quick, though on other hand they also grow some still(not sure though do TBs still grow at that age, seeing I'm more experinced with cold bloods who are pretty slow to grow). Good to hear he's well behaving though, since that probably makes things much easier in future as well.
@mental racat: Judging from to bottom pic, Jessie doesn't appear super fat. Chubby maybe, but it's really hard to tell without getting hands on her. lol Some just look fat without being actually fat, or have hay belly...
As for the situation with other people... Firstly do any of you have to mark up anywhere when Jessie has been ridden? Like if someone were to ride her early on the morning and then other person would show up later in the evening, would the second person know she's been ridden? If no, then you guys need to figure out som sort of schedule(if you all want to keep riding her), so that by accident Jessie doesn't end up over worked.
Second, the owner's oppinion on all of this. Since personally I'd very much like to know, who is riding my pony and when. Do all the kids have permission to ride Jessie and when ever they please?
Third, the extra feeding. Didn't she colic just while back? I'd be more concerned of her colicing again because of the excess food(plus the kids probably can't tell if the hay is good or bad either) rather than her gaining weight. Colic is serious business, so if you explain why feeding Jessie outside set feeding times is bad(unless they are told by the owner/person in charge to do so), and they are smart and really care about the pony, they stop feeding her and clean up the hay piles after themselves.
Fourth, actually teaching them. Well... If you have more experience than them, you could casually suggest keeping a lesson for them? Like either horse care+riding, or just riding lesson. Usually also when explaining how things are done correctly, it helps to also explain why is it done like that. Usually horse lovers are very eager and open to learn more about horses and how to take care of them right. And the ones that don't want to learn... Well, they usually don't care enough about horses sadly, so it might be hard to get through them.
If they don't really want to listen to you or you really don't feel comfortable getting into their business, then speak to the owner or maybe your mom, if she visits the place when the other kids are around and can get them to understand.
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Speaking of fluffy ponies... Brings back this one from last year. XD
I might go down to the barn and ride today or tomorrow, and ask her owner(I'm only long-term leasing her) what kind of bit it is, and when she gets her teeth checked!
thank you! you've helped a lot!
Hopefully I'll be able to finally add some photos if I can remember my photo bucket account details!
