Stephen Gowling

Bishop Auckland, United Kingdom

Englishman trying to ride western!

Terrible to start with from the ground but good from the saddle bizarrely, think she wants to be an Indian now! 

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Posted

09 Feb 12:25

Just for a bit of fun but with an interesting point to make, my good lady today went on a horseback archery tester day, I played groom for the day, her ride today was Flicker, her 27 year old Vanner who only last year converted from English to Western riding, not just tack but also riding method, a forward horse at times and nervous but she has done a few Clinics and has taken to non contact and pressure free riding well having previously been ridden full contact and constantly on the bit. 

All the other attendees were 100% English riders in every way, and not 1 of the 5 others could sit at standstill with no contact on the bit and shoot an arrow without having to mess around with reins and be out of balance, the worst horse was dancing around and bolting. 

If I ever doubted the decision to change our riding style and follow new principals like Richard teaches then today was vindication, other people were saying oh well she is just a relaxed horse and not wanting to acknowledge a different approach makes a difference to a horse that used to be highly strung! 

Now I have to buy her an archery set as she has the bug! 

8

09 Feb 12:14

Richard Boatwright

06 Feb 17:41

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Well the operation sort of went well, the 2 wolf teeth (1 blind growing outwards) were removed and then the vet found another 2 on the bottom jaw which is a very rare occurrence apparently, all removed and apparently healing time is a week before the bit can go back in and work can continue 

Nice job 👍 

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Mckenna Merrill decently know what you mean, when I’m working the yearling, rising 3, rising 4 then maybe my 15 year old one after another it’s so hard to not think some of them are not progressing when in fact they are but at their own pace, stepping back and analysing the sessions when travelling home helps me put it all into perspective.

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05 Feb 01:22

That’s brilliant to hear and great job, I look forward to hearing about your progress and I’m sure Richard Boatwright will be delighted to read this and will be able to help further 

Lynn Morrison Thanks for the thoughts on this, sounds like your lad is a real character!

This little girl came to me unhandled and with a real sassy attitude and I’m pretty sure her ears were put on backwards at birth!

She has come on loads and to be fair to her is learning the code really well but she is developing a habit when put under pressure of lashing out and being bargy which I can deal with moving her feet and getting her away from me, we did a bit more today on leading training.

I know what my response would normally be to kicking which can be harsh and direct (referring to meaningful kicks not fresh play) 

I just want to make sure I’m not missing a trick and making it worse, I get those feet moving and make sure she knows my space is mine! 

This mare has agility and moves like none of my others have and I’m relishing her breaking next year but in the meantime I don’t want her becoming dangerous and every time she doesn’t like something she kicks out.

She is a bully and forceful in the herd! 

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Yesterdays antics were explained today, the young mare is in season, might only be mid February and cold as ice but she was stood doing her thing for the geldings today! Hormonal teenager so I will cut her some slack although I will admit the more work I do with her the handier she is with those legs front and back, I know it’s a colt thing but I think I’m going to have to address it soon before someone gets a proper whack, suggestions from all would be appreciated! 

Many thanks Lucas Truax looking forward to running him through the ES programs once he gets his operation done tomorrow, might sneak a little ride on him today if I get all the stable chores finished, got high hope for this big lad, never going to be a cutter because of his breed but going to be a steady reliable ride for myself or the good lady! 

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