At 17:35:04 on 16.05.11, Walsy wrote:
Hello everyone, i don't know if many of you help break in younger horses but i've recently been helping a woman with her horses, and part of this help consists of taking the young horses out and about. I've had some scary experiences when taking them out (cars revving their engines, polo ponies being exercised in the field next to us, at the same time!) And was just wondering what tips any of you might have to keep your confidence up around the younger horses. We're currently taking our 3yo, Archie, out. He is already 17.2hh so people can't always tell he's young and therefore get angry when he spooks and tell us to control him! Does anyone know of something we can do to help the cars/ other riders realise that we are breaking in a young horse?

At 18:33:52 on 16.05.11, Dazzle wrote:
I know this problem all so well. When I take the baby out I have L plates attached to his saddlecloth and am more than happy to have one pinned on the back of my jacket too. Car drives understand L plates and are on the whole more likely to slow down and give you time and space. It makes people laugh but it does make a difficult situation easier.

At 19:52:45 on 16.05.11, Walsy wrote:
Thats a brilliant idea! I don't know why we didn't think of it before- we do have a high vis vest saying "YOUNG HORSE" on the back but people can't see that if we're wearing body protectors or if they're driving in front of us! Thank you for your help! I'll talk to Alyson (the woman who owns the horses) about it :)

At 23:41:31 on 20.05.11, JessAndGrenville123 wrote:
Also if the horse you are riding get's tense take a deep breath and hum or sing a song to calm yourself down and relax, the horse will pick up on your mood and relax too, youngsters tend to be hypersensitive to moods anyway, oh and try to use your weight and seat to keep control instead of the bit because if you snatch at the reins or pull when you are tense it will intensify the problem, hope this helps

At 08:44:52 on 21.05.11, Walsy wrote:
Yes, taking a deep breath usually helps me :) I tend not to use the reins much with youngsters anyway as going forward is good. Thanks for the advice! :D My main problem is when a horse is bolting, rearing, spinning etc i always lean forward which unbalances everything and makes the horse feel even more uncomfortable. I don't know how to control this because i feel that if i sit up straight, i'll fall right off!!

At 09:16:31 on 21.05.11, Flicka wrote:
I love Dazzle's idea of using L plates-will do that when I'm on a youngster. It's a natural instinct to lean forward, we go into the fetal position to protect our vital organs, we also draw in a breath and hold it. Unfortunately this actually not only makes us unbalanced when sitting on a horse, so we're more likely to come off but also acts like a warning signal to the sensitive horse so they become even more nervous. Ha ha, it's so easy to say and not so easy to do, but if you sit up straight, and look up and keep breathing you're much less likely to fall off :)

At 11:17:07 on 21.05.11, Walsy wrote:
Yes, i think its a brilliant idea too! :) Haha, i agree, it is easier said then done! I'll try a lot harder not to lean forward and hold my breath in the future :) Thanks!

At 16:37:46 on 22.05.11, Walsy wrote:
Thanks for your help everyone! The ride today went well considering some cars were a bit stupid! The rider of the young horse used L signs, as Dazzle suggested! Most of the cars and other riders seemed to understand! :) I hummed pretty much the whole way, and it made me feel so calm! Once again, thanks!!! :D

At 10:49:17 on 23.05.11, kibby wrote:
dazzle best idea i have heard in a long time!!

At 18:57:16 on 25.05.11, blindhorsedancer wrote:
I ride young and older horses and talk to them all the time. I have better conversations with the horses than most humans. I constantly tell them how beautiful they are,, how good they are doing and thank them for allowing me to ride them. We also talk about what I will be asking them to do. By saying all these things and so much more I convince myself that I am ok and it relaxs me. Do not talk or make any noise if you are really scared because the horses will hear it in your voice. Wear anything that will make you easier to see and get people's attention like suggested, the crazyer and brighter the better. Center yourself in the saddle physically, ,nentally, and spiritually.I am sorry to hear that people in the UK are as rude and disrespectfull as they are in the USA. HAPPY TRAILS