I have had my mare for almost 4 years this July and I'm ashamed to say I have never really *done* anything with her at all. In fact she has been practically turned away over the winter due to shortage of time.
After it dawned on me that I am spending a heck of a lot of money per month just to have a "pasture ornament", I'd really like to start working on my mare to get her to the point of being the horse i always dreamed of - responsive, fit, supple, relaxed when hacking, and a friend/ partner.
Here are the issues I have that I would like some tips/ help with please:
Right now she is underweight after winter - Her flanks look a bit sunken to me, and I can feel her ribs when i run my hands over her. She has been wormed and I have just begun to give her "build up" feed, mixed in with a quarter of a scoop of cool mix (as i introduce the new feed, then will move wholly to build up), and a scoop of Alfa A Oil chaff, with garlic, am and pm. If anyone can suggest a better feed plan to quickly help her build the weight while not making her fizzy, or if this already sounds like a good diet?
She is spooky all of the time when ridden out. She is worse at the moment due to being out of regular work for so long, but she has always been a spooky horse. She simply cannot relax - her head is side to side, neck up in the air, muscles tensed, stops and jumps to the side when frightened by something in faster gaits.
Lack of concentration - I know this will get better as she is brought back into regular work and given something to focus on, but i wonder if there are any quick tips that might help? Am I right in thinking that as she begins to trust *me* more, the more able she will be to relax and concentrate on the task in hand?
Raised head/ neck carriage - Her back and teeth have been checked and we have the all clear, yet she constantly carries her head like a giraffe. She will soften and come "onto the bit" for moments at a time, but as soon as we move up a gait, the head goes up again. This is worse during canter.
Trust/ building a relationship - This mare has never been "fussy". She will stand affection for a few moments at a time and then moves into my space to push me out of the way, or shakes her head. She neither trusts nor respects me. For the last week I have been actively taking at least 20 or so minutes per day just to "be" with her - standing in her box while she eats, grooming, playing games, watching her graze. And I am beginning to see a small change in her attitude. This is one area I would really like to make a difference to as I feel it will help all of the other issues no end. Plus it will feel great to have her nicker at me and come walking over in the field
And finally (yes there is an end, LOL), tips on getting her fit? I don't want to compete at Hickstead or anything of the like.. just hacking, schooling, some low level dressage and the occasional fun ride. My RI has us on a regime for this (last) week of just walking out around the block at a marching pace every night. Next week we are to introduce some trot, and after that do some interval training - walk/ trot/ walk/ trot and so on. And then bring in riding lessons once she is supple enough. Can anybody add to or comment on this?
All help is greatly appreciated
After it dawned on me that I am spending a heck of a lot of money per month just to have a "pasture ornament", I'd really like to start working on my mare to get her to the point of being the horse i always dreamed of - responsive, fit, supple, relaxed when hacking, and a friend/ partner.
Here are the issues I have that I would like some tips/ help with please:
Right now she is underweight after winter - Her flanks look a bit sunken to me, and I can feel her ribs when i run my hands over her. She has been wormed and I have just begun to give her "build up" feed, mixed in with a quarter of a scoop of cool mix (as i introduce the new feed, then will move wholly to build up), and a scoop of Alfa A Oil chaff, with garlic, am and pm. If anyone can suggest a better feed plan to quickly help her build the weight while not making her fizzy, or if this already sounds like a good diet?
She is spooky all of the time when ridden out. She is worse at the moment due to being out of regular work for so long, but she has always been a spooky horse. She simply cannot relax - her head is side to side, neck up in the air, muscles tensed, stops and jumps to the side when frightened by something in faster gaits.
Lack of concentration - I know this will get better as she is brought back into regular work and given something to focus on, but i wonder if there are any quick tips that might help? Am I right in thinking that as she begins to trust *me* more, the more able she will be to relax and concentrate on the task in hand?
Raised head/ neck carriage - Her back and teeth have been checked and we have the all clear, yet she constantly carries her head like a giraffe. She will soften and come "onto the bit" for moments at a time, but as soon as we move up a gait, the head goes up again. This is worse during canter.
Trust/ building a relationship - This mare has never been "fussy". She will stand affection for a few moments at a time and then moves into my space to push me out of the way, or shakes her head. She neither trusts nor respects me. For the last week I have been actively taking at least 20 or so minutes per day just to "be" with her - standing in her box while she eats, grooming, playing games, watching her graze. And I am beginning to see a small change in her attitude. This is one area I would really like to make a difference to as I feel it will help all of the other issues no end. Plus it will feel great to have her nicker at me and come walking over in the field
And finally (yes there is an end, LOL), tips on getting her fit? I don't want to compete at Hickstead or anything of the like.. just hacking, schooling, some low level dressage and the occasional fun ride. My RI has us on a regime for this (last) week of just walking out around the block at a marching pace every night. Next week we are to introduce some trot, and after that do some interval training - walk/ trot/ walk/ trot and so on. And then bring in riding lessons once she is supple enough. Can anybody add to or comment on this?
All help is greatly appreciated