So I have owned my Sec C 14'1 Gelding for nearly 2 months been riding him since the 26th of Febuary! when he came to me he was a handful to say the least (I got asked if he was a stallion)! some history on him, he's ten years old, i'm home number 9! thats about all i know! so when he arrived i wouldn't handle him alone never mind ride him much he wouldn't stand to be mounted he wouldn't hack out without rearing at literally anything but never giving any warning to it just randomly going up, he was very strong and bolted with me a few times, always snatching the reins and grabbing the bit, he came to me in a loose ring happy mouth with a flash and martingale and he near as damn it killed me in it, so we have changed bits numerous times and he's always been so silly and strong grabbing the bit to the point he'd pulled me straight over his head once when he launched forward, on the road and was just a horrible horse he's had me in tears so many times fighting with the bit throwing me or rearing bucking spinning ect!
I WANTED TO GIVE UP!! so so many times i wanted to walk away and say fine you win i cant help you! Knowing i was trying my hardest to be right for him he used to rear at everything and just i had very little control, he'd snatch at the bit so much i have rub marks that were blister that he gave me through gloves, hes had everything checked to make sure it wasn't physical, including back teeth the works! I've tried everything to make this horse happy and always just wanted the best for him, as he was never naughty he was just always so nervous and he used to be push and bargy because of it but if you shouted at him he'd back away as if i was going to hurt him so its took us a lot of time to create a bond and learn to trust each other
We've tried several bits now and the other day i was suggested to try an egg-but French link, i thought this will go one way or another took off the flash martingale just put his bridle on with the saddle and jumped on, instantly i knew it, we'd found what we needed, he was so relaxed such a different horse, he wasn't snatching fighting with the bit or anything he was literally incredible, it was like every single tear i've cried and the hours of work and sweat ive put in finally paid of and it couldn't have felt better, i just want people to know if they are struggling never give up because eventually you will get there if might take months of years, but the feeling when you do it makes it all worth it, today we went on a hack and we have been so relaxed and even in him one naughty moment where he went to rear and spin in this bit i managed to disengage him and it was so much easier to bring him back under control, so when we got home we actually did some jumping (100% HAD MY BRAVE PANTS ON TODAY) I've never felt more in controll jumping he wasnt being strong or silly and had so much respect for everything i was asking and im so proud of the horse hes become from a nervous horse to a horse that i feel safe on finally, next challenge is to hack out alone again!
I WANTED TO GIVE UP!! so so many times i wanted to walk away and say fine you win i cant help you! Knowing i was trying my hardest to be right for him he used to rear at everything and just i had very little control, he'd snatch at the bit so much i have rub marks that were blister that he gave me through gloves, hes had everything checked to make sure it wasn't physical, including back teeth the works! I've tried everything to make this horse happy and always just wanted the best for him, as he was never naughty he was just always so nervous and he used to be push and bargy because of it but if you shouted at him he'd back away as if i was going to hurt him so its took us a lot of time to create a bond and learn to trust each other
We've tried several bits now and the other day i was suggested to try an egg-but French link, i thought this will go one way or another took off the flash martingale just put his bridle on with the saddle and jumped on, instantly i knew it, we'd found what we needed, he was so relaxed such a different horse, he wasn't snatching fighting with the bit or anything he was literally incredible, it was like every single tear i've cried and the hours of work and sweat ive put in finally paid of and it couldn't have felt better, i just want people to know if they are struggling never give up because eventually you will get there if might take months of years, but the feeling when you do it makes it all worth it, today we went on a hack and we have been so relaxed and even in him one naughty moment where he went to rear and spin in this bit i managed to disengage him and it was so much easier to bring him back under control, so when we got home we actually did some jumping (100% HAD MY BRAVE PANTS ON TODAY) I've never felt more in controll jumping he wasnt being strong or silly and had so much respect for everything i was asking and im so proud of the horse hes become from a nervous horse to a horse that i feel safe on finally, next challenge is to hack out alone again!
