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Discussion on Colt lies down for a roll during training. | |
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 13, 2000 - 11:53 am: I have recently started my 2-year-old-colt under saddle. I don't work the babies, my only goal for them at this age is to walk quietly on a loose rein and to understand how to stop and turn on request. This accomplished, I put them back on the pasture until they are old enough to work.This colt is very quiet and friendly with people. Under saddle though, he was tense and prone to buck when asked to walk out. Because I want riding to be fun for him, I elicited the help of a friend to ride his older buddy so that he could just follow along behind. This tactic has been very effective and he has been come more relaxed each time we ride. Today though, he was a bit too relaxed. All of the sudden, with no warning at all, he just decided to lay down for a good roll. I stood over him for a moment, deciding what I should do, then decided it would be best to dismount because I didn't want him to strain anything trying to stand with me on his back. He rolled, then I used the crop to make him get up. As soon as he was up, I lunged him several times around me to let him know that this wasn't exceptable behavior. Then I remounted and rode for another 15 minutes or so before calling it a day. He was still completely relaxed at this point. Now comes the question. Did I handle this situation correctly? I don't think he was trying to misbehave, I think it just didn't occur to him that it wasn't O.K. to have a nice roll with the saddle on. I hope it was a one time event, but if not, how should I respond so that he doesn't develop a serious bad habit? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. He's a good colt and I need to do things right with him. |
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 13, 2000 - 4:18 pm: I think you might find that your young colt is tense and bucking, and then wishing to roll, because the weight on his back is too much at that age. It is preferable to not back a horse until at least 3 years old, and to then do ground work, gentle lunging etc, until they are 4 years old, and then start riding very gently.The spinal vertebrae and most of his bones are not set and solid yet, so physically, he is not ready for the weight of a person on his back. I know thoroughbreds are backed early and raced at 2 years old - but even though they are ridden by expert miniature people, which helps, they still have bone and muscular problems in later years. Can you not put him out to pasture for another year? |
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 13, 2000 - 5:00 pm: I understand what you're saying Alexa. And agree with you about two-year-olds being too young to work. It is my complete intention to turn him out to pasture to finish growing and am very nearing the point where I will be doing it. Our current schedule consists of only 15 minutes of slow walk on flat ground. He is a good sized colt and I am not a heavy person. The saddle is very light. All that being said, how would you respond to the same situation if the colt were a year or two older? |
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 13, 2000 - 8:28 pm: Am very interested in the response you will receive and commend you for accepting the direction given in this forum. Pleased you took it one step further in finding the answer to your question |
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 13, 2000 - 8:39 pm: I agree that you asked your question over. It never was answered. As for the TB comparison, most of them are started under saddle with a regular size rider and then the "mini people" come when the horse is ready for the track trianing. Plus they are pushed for size from day one and pushed for speed early and hard so it is no wonder why they break down sooner. It was not a good comparison. So being, what is the proper responce to a horse taking a roll with rider still on during early training? I too, am very interested to the response to your question. |
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 13, 2000 - 9:53 pm: It's not just the young ones who enjoy a nice roll in the dirt or WATER!! Quite a surprise. If you feel your horse starting to collapse under you, get their heads fairly high and speak harshly. Be quick. |
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 13, 2000 - 10:48 pm: Usually when a horse wants to roll he will stop, lower his head, and begin to buckle his knees. When you feel this beginning I would suggest that you urge your horse forward with your legs, reins, or the crop so as to keep him moving. I once saw a horse take his rider to the middle of a pond and roll. It wouldn't have been so funny if I had been the rider! I see nothing wrong with your riding the horse lightly as a two year old as long as you don't ask him to perform actions that place undue pressure on his joints. |
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Posted on Friday, Jul 14, 2000 - 11:16 am: I've known a couple of young school horses that would just decide to lie down for a rest part way through a lesson (one turned out to be very pregnant but it didn't show until the last few weeks). My own mare occasionally forgets I'm on board and tries to roll in the dust or better still in a muddy puddle. Once she even got down in a lake and I was left standing over her - luckily the water was shallow, but the audience who had gathered to watch her playing with the water beforehand thought it was great and gave us a round of applause!I think you are seeing a young horse who cannot cope with much mental or physical work - let him grow up in a field a while longer. |
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Posted on Friday, Jul 14, 2000 - 1:35 pm: It is obviously better to not let a horse roll while you are on board – normally they do warn you, by nose down, pawing, whatever, specially in water, and you can prevent it by moving them on and saying “No” firmly, so that they learn that this is totally unacceptable behaviour. And horses know that is not the right thing to do.However, if a horse simply collapses on the ground and lies down, and this can happen, you can simply sit on top of him, light a cigarette or eat a boiled sweet and admire the scenery until he gets up again! Extreme coolness of head and control of your temper are necessary. Don’t let him eat grass near his head. However, if he then makes a habit of rolling, you need a very old saddle that won’t come to much harm, and as soon as he lies down, you take your feet out of the stirrups. Then when he rolls over, you step over his tummy so that, as he comes up the other side, he gets up under you, and you’re still in the saddle. When he finds that lying down and rolling over doesn’t get you out of the saddle, he will decide that this particular avoidance technique is no use to him, and he can then put his mind to finding something else that will dislodge you. It is preferable to be in your twenties, very supple and fit, for this exercise. I knew a horse that used to just DrOp once he got into water – no warning. It was most inadvisable to ride him across rivers, etc. I guess then one needs a Wintec and a snorkel! |
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Posted on Friday, Jul 14, 2000 - 1:40 pm: My 10 Year Old QH gelding tried to roll on the trail once before. He is very sensitive to flies and I think he had one on him that he was trying to brush off. When he stopped, I urged him forward, but he was on the ground before I had a chance to really protest. He realized fairly quickly that it was too painful to roll with the saddle on and he hasn't tried it again. |
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Posted on Friday, Jul 14, 2000 - 3:33 pm: Once again, this forum has proved to be an interesting and productive way to think out the little problems that our "horse kids" may be experiencing. I'v learned much and enjoyed my own memories of buddies with "tired" horses.I'v been thinking hard about this colt's way of going since the posts started coming in. I would tend to challenge that I'v asked to much of him physically, as he's been ridden very lightly and without a lot of weight. However, Helen's comment about mental readiness set me to thinking again. He is very intelligent and learns new concepts quickly. He is, for the most part, willing but seems unhappy. He doesn't have that perky "I'm listening" look that I'm used to seeing when they learn new things and know they got it right. So, I guess my conclusion is that, mentally, he's not ready. Guess I'm going to let him grow awhile. I'm not in any real big hurry. Thanks everyone for the great comments and information. |
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Posted on Friday, Jul 14, 2000 - 4:01 pm: Alexa wrote:"However, if a horse simply collapses on the ground and lies down, and this can happen, you can simply sit on top of him, light a cigarette or eat a boiled sweet and admire the scenery until he gets up again!" But... what if you don't smoke?? |
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Posted on Friday, Jul 14, 2000 - 11:53 pm: Wendy, I've found a G-R-E-A-T change in attitude (positive) when I give the horse plenty of time.I have a 3yo in my barn right now that most people thought I should have started last year. But, you should see the difference in how he accepts new "things" now, as opposed to last year. Likewise, my 6yo is much better now than she used to be--and it isn't just experience, because I wasn't able to ride much at all during her fourth and fifth years. Maybe some horses get their brains later than others. Amy--If you don't smoke, just pick one of your favorite vices and indulge. Nearly any vice will do. |
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 15, 2000 - 9:21 am: Wendy,Thanks for this question...as I too, have a young 2 year old that we have been working with only this last week. We thought we would just ride him 5-10 min and get him used to balancing a rider and as you mentioned walking out, whoaing and turning and then quit til next spring. I have noticed a baby-attitude yet though...and difficulty in staying focused on us. I believe fighting the mental imaturity will be more challenging than the physical.... After reading the posts from your question, it was very helpful and we will wait now until he is three. Thanks for the question and to those with great responses! |
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 15, 2000 - 9:30 am: I think you're right, Eveo. I started this colt's half-brother the same way (easy walks at two, then put away to finish growing). There was no doubt that he was ready. He always looked forward to his morning walks and stepped out like he was on a great adventure. The two boys are of the same personality, friendly and easy-going, so I can only conclude that it is their rate of mental maturity that is different.Alexa, I really liked your suggestion of taking a break on your resting horse. That sounds like just the sort of thing I would be likely to do! |
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