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Expert
Posts: 1543
  
Location: MI | So, I'm pretty much holding my 4yo gelding back. He's 4.5, and he enjoys the pattern and tries really hard at it - he's super smart, watches other horses run and is trying. We are slow - 5sec off the the leader was our 'fast time' so far. We go about 1x/wk, maybe every other week, I've really been having a great time getting out there with my kiddos this year and we're just playing.
We did go to a clinic in May and I feel we got a really good start. We don't practice the pattern much at home right now (no arena, just pasture), and the only time I've exhibitioned was our last show where we did 3 exhibitions before our run (trot, canter, a little push) - and the following 'run' was the best we've had. I found myself holding him back though, I think I'm scared that he's too young and that I'm going to do this wrong (as well as being hesitant about how little practice we do on the pattern), so if we have had a safe run where he has listened, I safety up at the end. At the same time, this is a time game and I want to get there - and he seems to be good with it up until this point.
I know there are numerous opinions about seasoning, but any thoughts? Is it ok that I'm safetying up, or should do I need to cowgirl up and push him through?
So at the clinic in May, Lynn McKenzie said, "Sherry Cervi made your body type work"...so I googled her and Stingray and put it up next to the picture of G and I at the last run - we totally failed!
(photo credit http://www.boston.com/ae/radio/edging_the_xtreme/2013/09/saddling_u... will take it down if not allowed)
Edited by Ridenrun4745 2015-07-05 8:33 PM
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 Expert
Posts: 1482
Location: on my horse | love your title and the comparison! Good job seeking help and working toward your goal, my theory is if his mind is holding together and he's handling it well then you're good to push him a little bit more, step up your game for a while then notch him back if he seems like he's starting to struggle or stress. If you're careful you won't blow him up and if you keep him soft and keep your activities varied there's no reason for him to get hot or blown up especially if you gauge how much speed you add while you both get confidence. |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12841
 
| My theory is that if you are not going to a futurity, what's the rush. Do not go any faster than you can control the horse. |
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 "Hottie"
Posts: 1373
Location: Okemah,OK | If you're having fun, accomplishing some goals and everyone is safe and sane, I'd say you're doing right. But...... On my young ones, I actually add speed opposite of how you're going about it. If they're doing well, I start asking for speed on the way home. Not always but here and there. Making sure I can control them and keep them under control once we cross the timer. Then I add speed between second and third. Once all is well consistently, add between first and second. And then finally from the start. But there isn't any ONE way and again, if fun and sanity are being accomplished, you're doing great! |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | shorten your stirrups
compare your leg position to her leg.
PS I did not watch your video lol |
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| The pic is obvious that you are safetying up....most of us tend to that at one time or the other. But, what about this if you're worried about his age and blowing him up....let him pick his speed? Let him loose without pushing him? He'll go at the speed he's comfortable with at the moment and gain confidence in doing so....then when he is good and confident, you can ask him to bump it up at notch...a little at a time. "Sherry Cervi made the body type work,"...should give YOU a lot of confidence...build on the positives!
Edited by runs4fun 2015-07-06 9:36 AM
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Expert
Posts: 1543
Location: MI | He's incredibly soft and listens awesome, on and off the pattern. He's starting to figure it out - when we're going up the alley and I pick up the reins he's starting to get ready, but he's always ready to slow if I need him to and is rating at the barrels nicely. He seems to really love it and is very sensitive/listening on the pattern, I just need more confidence in my jockeying and I feel like I need more practice to be sure that I'm telling him the right thing. And of course, not blowing him up in the process is a goal as well. :) He is young, I'm totally ok taking it slow, I just don't want to give him mixed signals in the meantime.
On this particular run, my goal was to get to the first and maintain the right lead the entire time, and then straight to the 2nd. Along the side of the arena on the 2nd sit horse-eating people and he hasn't gotten used to cameras/people at the 2nd when on the pattern (generally we look like we're running a pole pattern, weaving to the 2nd...minus the poles). He did awesome with that this time (I think the exhibitions really helped), so I letup the rest of the pattern - I thought! Evidently, I didn't just letup, but held back.
And I'm not trying to *be* Sherry Cervi, lol (although I love her riding style and would certainly be flattered if I got anywhere near!) :) I love my stirrups where they are at and for now they work, I don't think I've ever lost one. I'll keep it in mind though, thanks!
Thanks peeps :) |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | You are hunching up your back a bit and look insecure. Your toes are pointing downward, as if you are reaching for them. That is why I suggested raising them. It would help you drop your heel and put your leg in a better position.
If you can't quit holding him back, that could be why. Personally at this stage I would be cruising him but not pushing yet. Have fun and good luck |
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Expert
Posts: 1611
| Go to a futurity trainer for help not a rodeo girl.
Yes I know she's ran at some but Ryan Lovendale starts them first. Go to someone that has 20-30 colts go through their barn a futurity season. They will give you realistic expectations and methods with proven results. |
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 Chasin my Dream
Posts: 13651
Location: Alberta | I agree with letting him cruise thru at the speed he wants.....one thing I've learned is its ok to let colts make mistakes, but also best to let them know we trust them to go do what we've taught them.......holding back or correcting too much can cause frustration in some colts and then it's no longer fun for them.
Your posture in the photo says whoa to me........have you breezed him off the pattern? |
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 Jr. Detective
Location: Beggs, OK | astreakinchic - 2015-07-06 1:39 PM Go to a futurity trainer for help not a rodeo girl. Yes I know she's ran at some but Ryan Lovendale starts them first. Go to someone that has 20-30 colts go through their barn a futurity season. They will give you realistic expectations and methods with proven results.
She was at a Lynn McKenzie clinic...not Sherry's. Lynn just made a comment about her body type. |
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