Hi all
Being a mother of 2 little kids a teenage stepdaughter and a full time job has landed me in the situation where I constantly have to put my beloved horses on the back burner. Thankfully I am blessed and my horses live at home with me so at least I see them daily and get to manage their care and maintenance. One horse is 7 and I backed him at 3 years old and we have done small competition and trail riding but although talented is ready to learn more and eager too. The other is 4 now and was a semi feral appaloosa x who we backed about a year ago and is keen to learn but doesn't suffer fools gladly and is still a bit nervous of anything new. I go through patches where I manage to work them both a few times a week and we make good progress. However it is hard to predict my workload and invariably I keep getting real busy and have to stop training. This is most frustrating and I am concerned about the affect it will have on my youngster. He seems so far to have handled it well and has been on some quiet hacks after a long break and been very good. Normally I would start with long lining for a few days with tack on before attempting to ride to re familiarize him and desensitize him. With my older horse I worked with him most days for the first 2 years of his ridden life and he is now pretty solid. Do I need to be concerned about how this may affect my youngster as I hope some day he will be suitable for my kids to ride. Any advice much appreciated.
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Horse Behavior and Training
Sporadic training schedule the pitfalls?
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If he is tolerating it and seems to be making progress Helene I reckon you need to not be so hard on yourself ;-) A steady training plan is of course ideal, but we don't all have the luxuries of lovely facilities and loads of time. It is the quality of your training that matters and it seems as if things are going ok. It may take longer to get him solid but make sure the time you do have with him is peaceful and of high quality. One idea might be to grab some very short times with him where you just 'hang out' with him rather than thinking you have to do some 'training' - just reminding him you are there, reminding him to be respectful of space, 10 minutes groundwork inbetween his main 'training', going for a short walk together - all these things build up the relationship between you; the most important part of his development. Good luck, keep us updated!
Helene - this is a concern many of us have and I think you are doing brilliantly - I didn't even own a horse while my two daughters were little and I was in a full time job and you have a teenage step daughter thrown in as well. Relax and just enjoy spending some quality time with your horses whenever you can. My Tricka's training has always been fairly spasmodic and she seems to have handled it - generally they seem to be pretty adaptable and it doesn't take long to get them back to where you left off even after a year or so. I am working Tricka who is now 7 again now after almost 18 months of very little work because of a back injury she had. She hasn't forgotten anything and is doing well so just do what you can do and don't worry too much. It is a pity to lose those valuable training/riding years but sometimes it just can't be helped. Good luck and enjoy your horses for relaxation in your busy life.
Hi Helene, I totally agree with viccihh1 and MaggieF and I like your post because it is indeed a point many of us think about: "Am I doing engough ? or too little ?..." My experience with my first own horse during the las almost two years is that they do appreciate a longer brake and that they do not forget anything. Be with your young horse if you feel you have time, no matter how much, and do whatever makes sense on that day for that free time and you will achieve a lot, maybe more as if you would train five days a week with two days off. Times will change also for you and sooner than you think you will find more days a week to stay with your horses. Hey, I must travel 30 min to see my horse and have a 14 hour job. I decided that he will adopt to my rythm and he does. We have all the time in the world... and he yet learned so much with 3 and a half ! good luck and let us konw how it goes !
Thanks so much for the encouraging words. It is indeed an issue most of us have to deal with given how much it takes to support a horse finically and having family commitments too. I will take the advice and look for hose moments of quality time. I certainly look forward to the years ahead as the kids get easier and having 2 young horses they will still hopefully have plenty of good years left in them. I will keep you all posted but as I said so far so good:) happy riding!