A battle, but a good ride

[cheval]

Last night Solon started the first night back in training. I've been doing mini sessions over the past three weeks getting him ready to get back to real work. Boy it was a battle. He was gonna be in charge and there was no two ways about it.

He's got such a thick neck and strong head that if he really does want to put up a fight there's not a lot that you can do. So I brought out the dressage whip and would tap him on the side (VERY lightly I might add) when he would move after not responding to my leg.

That just made him fly off the handle. He was doing a really pretty almost gallop in place though. After about 20 minutes of that, he settled in and started working really nicely. After the 45 minutes was up we were both dripping with sweat.

He rolled, TWICE! I got him cleaned up then put his cooler on and we waked a few cool-off laps.

One thing I noticed is that I need to use my seat more rather than my hands and keep off the bit. He's really bood about leg commands but when he gets it in his head he's gonna do his own thing, he just does it.

He's into this backing thing now. So, I just let him keep backing - he want halfway across the arena and stopped. Then I asked him to go forward and he wanted to back, so he went the rest of the way across the arena. I guess he decided he didn't like doing that because he quit after that episode.

I'll try and get some video, he's got some really pretty movement.

[42many]

Sounds exciting! I'm glad you ended with a good ride. I haven't ridden my 5yo in so many months now (busy from moving/kid's broken arm/new business) that when I do get around to it I'm worried I'll have to start all over. He's a mellow jellow boy, though, so hopefully I won't have as much of a battle! I'm too tired nowadays for battling... that's probably why I haven't just hopped on him for a few minutes when I get a chance. Just in case!

[JackieB]

Yee! Haa! I've had lots of rides like that, Cheval. :) Glad you two got it ironed out. I'd love to see video.

[Diane of Buck's Hollow]

Wow. Sounds like he was being a punk. lol He is such a beauty. Boy, when they are being testy in that way, and you are sitting on top of them, you really can see how powerful they could be if they wanted to.

I took out Buck yesterday for a ride and he was being the same way. Maybe not as much as Solon, but still. He was fighting with the bit. AND he only wanted to go the same way that SM was taking Miss Mira. He kept throwing his head and stepping sideways. I had changed his snaffle to a Clinton Anderson bit...I am now thinking it is too small. I am going to put the other snaffle back on him today and see if it makes a difference. I hope so. I really try not to be in his mouth.

Have fun with your training!!! Can't wait to see the Video.

[WashingtonBay]

:) I'd love video!!! Yes, video!

[vicklynn]

Boys, gesh, isnt he in his teens(people wise)...LOL
City gets that backing thing going on, I hear what your saying, silly boys.
Id love to see that "almost gallop" in place, I bet its beautiful.
Glad your ride ended on a good note.

[lovesfortune]

Glad it was you and not me! Solon is such a handsome man, but I don't think I would be able to handle any attitude in the saddle WAY UP THERE! Would love to see video.. any picture or video of Solon is a great thing!!

[cloedoll]

I can only imagine what it is like to fight with him and backing builds butt muscles (not that ya know that should be an exercise), but that's always a benefit to their naughty behavior! Ha ha, can Solon's butt get any bigger? :D I am looking forward to a video!

[Dakota Sunrise]

Haha, sounds like an interesting ride.:p Definately want a video a video next time!

Beauty was a little fireball last night too.:innocent:

[Equine_Woman]

He does sound like a teenager!!! (or a 3 year old. . .) Sonora does the backing thing so I feel ya. Only we don't have a nice arena to ride in, just a tree filled pasture!!! Much more exciting!!! (not!).

I would love to see some videos of your guy!!!

[HoustonFarrier]

Since I have started using a Myler bit, I have had allot of success with "problem" times under saddle and harness. These Mylers are real expensive, but, IMHO, well worth it. My vet used to be into CDE driving big time, and last time we had horse in the get floats, she spent about an hour with me, talking about what various bits do in the mouth. One thing I did not know was, when using any type of solid bit (Liverpool, etc) , the horse CANNOT swallow....because the bit has the toungue "trapped". The Myler bits (and others too) provide "tongue relief", so the horse can swallow with the bit in his mouth. I could go on for hours about bit stuff, but I won't bore y'all with the details! But if you have a problem horse, a Myler can help. A bit is a tool....used properly, works great, used wrong...causes problems.....

Steve

[mtnmollie]

video! Yes! video! :) I wanna see- I wanna.

[mtnmollie]

I can only imagine what it is like to fight with him and backing builds butt muscles (not that ya know that should be an exercise), but that's always a benefit to their naughty behavior! Ha ha, can Solon's butt get any bigger? :D I am looking forward to a video!

Its a reining exercise. Les Vogt may back a circle maybe 20 times a ride. They have to be conditioned for that much back. Back a serpintine, back a diagonal- back crooked - then straight. If you back crooked then you know how to fix your horse when you want to back straight.

my 2cents-

[SedonaThunder]

How exciting! I sooo miss lessons. Hey - isn't that galloping in place thing called something... I feel like I've heard a dressage word for it - it's sure pretty whatever it is.

Interesting about the bits...they are very confusing to me. All three of mine are ridden in snaffles just because that's what they used at the barn I learned to ride at and that's all I've ever known.

On the backing up thing (Thunder does this), is that the best way to handle it - just make them keep backing up until they don't like that anymore? It's very disconcerting when a horse does it on a trail as you could be backing right off the side of hill. I need to work on that but didn't how best to approach it.

Looking forward to video!

[Mandzanita]

I think it's great that your back to work!! What was the reason you were off for a while? You are a brave soul for sticking it through with a horse that big throwing a tantrum. We want pics and videos!!

[HeartofSteel]

Aren't those days so much fun:poo: lol
I have had those lessons with Niko but then of the next time he's an angel:innocent:
(ok yes I am a smilie addict :p)
I can't wait to see a video!! Has he been doing any more gait squashing lately? lol

[cheval]

Hey Steve, how did you get a draft size Myler!!!! When I talked to the guys last year at the Fair one of the Myler boys said it'd have to be custom made (a 6" bit). That would be cool.

I did put him back into his kimberwicke though. I have to say, I think he likes it better than the bitless now. He was really fussing in the bitless with his head, so I thought, well, let's see what happens. And last night it was perfect. He had such a beautiful headset.

It was just the backing, side passing, growling and tail swishing that was the issue.

He backs a straight line on his own, no crooked lines - that's always been something pretty cool. Just, I don't always want to go backwards! He can back the entire 120 ft. arena and not think twice about it.

I've had people come into the arean when he's throwing a backing tantrum and see is doing perfect backing in line and they are like, "well that's something new". :eek:

He is SO strong. When he was doing his little gallop in place tantrum, you could feel the build up of muscle force when he would jump up. I tell you as naughty as he was, it was a pretty cool thing. But I made him stop. :nono:

[Gypsy Rose]

Another plea for a video, here!

[Country Girl 43]

LOL, Cheval, you promised me a video of you GETTING ON Solon....hahahaha, I still want to see the step stool and the 55 gal drum that you use. Heck I use a mounting block to get on my little Dallas bareback. I couldn't imagine getting on Solon! :eek:

The backing thing made me laugh.....my friends horse did the same thing to her when we went trail riding a couple of weeks ago, except he was backing straight into a cactus! Luckily he didn't get hurt, but it was pretty scary!

[Chavhorse]

Hey Cheval,

I hear you! I am riding my friends Fresian at the moment (ok no way the same size as the pony) and you feel like you are literally sitting on muscle. You just feel pure strength in some ways it is awsome but after my flightly throughbreds I feel like I am bench pressing my arms.

I find with Bas you have to ride with your seat (full body workout or what!) and if he wants to put his head down there is not a lot I can do about it.

I too would love to see a video of the Pony in action.....when I was horse shopping one of the wants on my list was a draft....saw a 195m shire who was lovely but my BO pointed out gently that he would not fit in the stable and the mounting thing whilst hacking out put me off a bit.....I know you use the blocks and drums to get on Solon how do you manage if you are out hacking?

[HoustonFarrier]

Hey Steve, how did you get a draft size Myler!!!!

I gots connections ;)

Call Shipshewanna Harness and talk to Bob.....

Steve

[Diane of Buck's Hollow]

Since I have started using a Myler bit, I have had allot of success with "problem" times under saddle and harness. These Mylers are real expensive, but, IMHO, well worth it. My vet used to be into CDE driving big time, and last time we had horse in the get floats, she spent about an hour with me, talking about what various bits do in the mouth. One thing I did not know was, when using any type of solid bit (Liverpool, etc) , the horse CANNOT swallow....because the bit has the toungue "trapped". The Myler bits (and others too) provide "tongue relief", so the horse can swallow with the bit in his mouth. I could go on for hours about bit stuff, but I won't bore y'all with the details! But if you have a problem horse, a Myler can help. A bit is a tool....used properly, works great, used wrong...causes problems.....

Steve

Seeeeee Sunday's Man!!! I want a Myler...Can I have an early Christmas Present?;)

Actually Houston, I have been reading alot about the Myler Bits . I am glad to hear your good comments about them. Thanks

[cheval]

Oh yea!! I forgot the mounting video! I will see about getting video of that too! It's supposed to be nice this weekend, so it should be nice and bright in the barn. I'll get that done!

[Country Girl 43]

LOL cheval..look...I even have to use a mounting block for my LITTLE Dallas. This was the first time I had ever rode him Bareback. He is only 14.2! I couldn't imagine getting UP on Solon...LOL

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o446/CountryGirl43/100_0535.jpg


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