Experienced horse people - I need help

Ok so, firstly I am SO ashamed of how long its been since I have riden my gorgeous boys so please please don't shoot me down.

They still get regularish handling but no work so I can still catch them, pick up their feet and they come when they are called (mostly) when I am out in their big "lets get fat" paddock.

When I decided to buy my QH the Breaker/Trainer we'll call him M only started breaking him in. Previous to that QH had been a pet.
I started riding QH only two weeks into his being broken and he was so lovely and quiet. SO really in my inexperienced brain I have the idea that he really didn't take much ITMS.

Now QH has been out withthe CxQH who is a bit of a rat bag. I really should sell CQH on but I'd never get the money I have spent on him back and well quite frankly I do love him:rolleyes:

Both boys are quite green. My goal is to ride AT LEAST QH up and down the driveway before I fall pregnant again. I know it doesn't seem like much of a goal but my confidence is by the way side and I just want to be on QH back before I fall pregnant again (mind you that could take longer than expected too).

Its been three years ... yes thats right THREE friggin years ... since they have been ridden. After Nikita died I started doing some circles inthe round yard with the lunge line AND saddle on their backs and I was sooooooooo close to getting on QH but was talked out of it.

Anyway my very long winded way of asking this is simply .... when I start working darling QH again .... what should I be doing with him to prepare him to be ridden again? He really needs to get his weight down for a start but aside from going through the paces in the round yard with and without saddle what else should I do with him so we regain a relationship?

Should I separate CQH and QH ?? I only have 3 paddocks to rotate them between and we're making hay this spring so that brings us back to my two jenny craig paddocks and feeding out hay.

I really really would like to send QH back to M or even get M to come out home here to give me some direction/advice BUT because of all the trouble between SIL and M I don't even get a text back from him (she fell pregnant to him on a ONS and kept the baby despite his not wanting it).

Can anyone offer me any help? I really would prefer someone to come out, SIL doesn't have a clue when it comes to how much work a horse needs/should be doing after such a long spell she's a "just get on and see how you go" type. I really cannot afford to break anything or have my confidence any further shot.

I can start working QH this weekend and next week while DH is home but once he is back at work I'll onl;y be able to really put serious effort in on weekends when DH can watch DD. BUT When the boys are in my Jenny Craig paddocks they are close to the house so I can leave DD in her pram on the other side of the fence and go and talk to them ITMS.

Maybe I am biting off more than I can chew and should just sell them both and start again but there is $10k of horse between them and I really don't want to give up on either of them ... I am far too stubborn and determined to not quit on them even though it might be beyond my experience




Gahhhhhhhh help please

Nae Nae (he he get it neigh neigh)

NaeNae- The very first thing I would do darl is seperate the horses get QH by himself so he has to turn to you to be his comfort blanket/protector. You sound alot like me with your confidence atm, I am now like that after having my DD nearly 5 years ago now before DD I would just get on and go no matter what the horse did. How long was he ridden for after being broken in? If it wasn't for long it would be worth re-mouthing him again and driving him in long reins just to make sure he is going to be soft in the mouth for you and to make sure he understands what WHOA means. I would lunge him with saddle on both ways for a good 20-30mins every 10 minutes of lunging equals 20 minutes of riding time. Don't lunge him in big huge circles though make the lunge circles no bigger than 15m in diameter. If he responds well to you after driving him and the lungeing I would then get on him even if you only sit on him until you feel at ease with being on him then get off as long as he just stands there for you until asked to move off you have accomplished alot darl. Every step in the right direction of what you want is a win in helping you build your confidence back up. Take your time and don't rush anything if you get scared don't get on him as that will make him scared and a horse has to be able to see you as his protection from anything scary. Feel free to pm me if you would like to know anything else darl. I'm more than happy to try and help you out.
Cheers and happy riding.
Home - CorbettsCreek A.S.H & Performance Horse Stud.

Hey nae. I have an American QH and a full blood Clydie and an ex racer as well as 2 ponies! I havnt ridden my boys since falling preg either. I would start ur boy off on the lunge with a roller to put a bit of pressure on his back. I would do that for a week or 2 then lunge with the saddle fir a week or so and then jump on for a quite walk.
Goid luck and enjoy!

Can you pay someone to get him going again to save you the hard yards? It might not be as rewarding but you will him back ready to be ridden again. I am sure it would only take a week of some good training to get him back to scratch if he was previously quiet.

I'm in a similar position or will be. I haven't ridden my 5yr old mare for a few months due to pregnancy and have no one else that can ride her without paying someone and by the time I am ready it will be atleast 6months away and 9-12months with no riding at all. I think when I am due to have bub I'll send her to someone to put a week or two into her so I will be ready to start with her as soon as bub is born.

Thanks so much ladies I REALLY REALLY appreciate your help and advice.

Mildez, because I am no longer working and Dh won't pay for anything to do with my animals (my resoponsibility and he wants me to get rid of the horses) I cannot afford to send QH to a trainer again, even just for a week. What little money I have left of my mat leave I really have to spend elsewhere. :hug:

Jakabella - thanks so much for your advice :hug:

Clairesmummy - Thanks you so much, I reckon I'll be in touch soon LOL :hug:

I will bring the boys home tomorrow and keep you all up to speed. I might (if I can get the upload to work) pop some video of my efforts on FB so if you ladies are on there can you add me and off some words of wisdom?? search naomi naenae and it should come up ;-)