So many classes, so little time!
Baby steps. I know, there are all these cool-looking classes, you've got this really great horse, and you want to try them all! But just as your teachers at school try not to schedule tests in Science and English and Math and Social Studies all on the same day, you need to let your buddy concentrate on one set of skills at a time, and get really
good with it, before you try something else. Trying too many things too soon can confuse and frustrate a young horse, and turn one that is eager to please into one that is balky and resistant in a surprisingly short time. I watched it happen to the only Curly horse I have ever met, and he was a little older than your guy (about 5 yo). Curly had only been used for trail riding, so all he knew was pretty much turn, go, and whoa! His new owner was about 14. Curly was a sweet little guy with a "lets do it" attitude when they started, but his owner wanted to do hunter, and jumper, and dressage, and just go blasting around the pasture for the fun of it . . . . In less than a year, Curly was doing all his work with his nose in the air, doing whatever it took to avoid the bit and the hands at the ends of the reins. His owner finally quit riding him because she couldn't control him. When several weeks with a trainer didn't cure him of all of his evasive tactics, he was sold to a horse trader. He has been at that trader's barn for over a year, even the trader admits that he's unsellable, but he stays because the trader's kids like him (he is a lovable rascal, and "smiles" on cue for a treat).
I know, we all seem to be harping on the jumping thing, but you need to understand that there is a big difference between
can do and
should do. As an example, I have a 10-hand pony. When she was - oh, maybe two years old - I was watching her goof around in the pasture one day. There were some pine trees that had been cut down, and were lying on the ground, two of the trunks were almost exactly parallel. One of the pony's galloping circles took her near the trees. I saw her focus, gather, give a little extra effort, clear the trees, land beautifully on the other side. She had, in effect, free-jumped an 18" oxer with a 3' spread, slightly downhill, and done it perfectly. Nobody in their right mind would have
asked her to do that, because they'd have been afraid of her hurting herself (young, growing bones damage easily). She had the ability, clearly, but what she did while playing was a whole different kettle of fish from what I could reasonably ask her to do when working with her.
We really want to
encourage you, not
discourage you, but we're a bit afraid that you may be asking too much, too soon. Have fun, and stay safe!
