Stephen Gowling

Bishop Auckland, United Kingdom

Englishman trying to ride western!

Fantastic pics and great job, very satisfying when you get them working right ground driving, glad it has made a big difference. 

Send some of that weather over please! 

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In case your not on Facebook and missed this, it’s happening 

Keep an eye on https://horseclinichub.com/

also follow the FB page

https://www.facebook.com/share/1EHRF7XecK/?mibextid=wwXIfr

We need this in the UK also!!

Good luck with the launch, please follow and share

23 Apr 14:39

Undoubtedly that’s what I would do, let her buck it out and she will soon realise it’s a pointless exercise, then tie her up saddled and let her figure it out. 

I’m sure Richard and others far more experienced than me will confirm or give different thoughts shortly! 

23 Apr 14:33

Richard Boatwright

22 Apr 12:31

Are you working the code with this mare before riding or do you bring straight in from pasture or stall, tack up and ride? 

How old is she? 

Do you a have a 1 stop rein built into her yet? it’s a sure fire way to stop them running away with you

I know Richard will respond, but I always (with my younger horses) give them a bit of time in  the round pen now to ensure they are switched on to me and get any silliness out of the system. 

22 Apr 12:25

Richard Boatwright

21 Apr 15:59

Richard Boatwright

And lastly I took Moony out to work the code and see how she responded, as a traditional English trained mare she associates the round pen and flag with lunging (previous life) so just just goes in circles until she gets tired! 

well it took a while and several dozen laps before I got an eye and ear, immediate release for her and same on other rein, but writhing minutes I had her giving me full eye and head and turning in, just shows you can teach an old dog new tricks, more mouth action than me at an all you can eat BBQ!

It may be bank holiday mo day but time to do my VAT return and accounts

Enjoy your day all 

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21 Apr 07:15

Due to the inclement weather today we opted for the kids to have a slumber day and stay in and save them tearing up the pasture so I had fresh horses to work…..

Using my brain for once I opted to work on speed control for Sarge and really drill it home, great results & had him working from voice commands only in trot whilst obeying the code, wish I had videoed as the rear end action was quite spectacular to start with but great results, getting somewhere I think in moving forward!

Stan out next and he was full of himself but continued ground driving and it was fantastic from the goof ball, nice trot action and soft head coming in whilst moving forward, again wish I had the video on as I was over the moon with him

Opted to use the roller today as opposed to the saddle which worked just as well, I’m going to harness him soon to be able to work the harrow in the round pen and also maybe put him on the cart, no hurry to ride him away as he is still growing but at least all the basics in play

Posted

20 Apr 11:43

Had a Great few days with the horses since I returned from SC.

I’ve taken Sarge the Friesian back to basics with speed control and moving forward on command and it’s paying dividends as things are getting softer and less pressure to get desired results, a little ground driving which went really well but until I’m happy with this momentum I’m keeping that in the locker.

Stan the youngster is flying along, started the ground driving and he really is taking to it well, moved out of the rubber bit into a French link snaffle and he’s becoming really soft, slight hesitation and resistance in one eye and we are patiently working through it and each day I’m seeing an improvement. 

Due to the imminent arrival of a foal into the herd I’ve let Seeta the young mare go to pastures new, she really was a disruptive force in the herd, all the horses are much more relaxed.

even managed a few rides on the old girls, ditched the mecate for Richard Boatwright’s flat rein set up and wow they are so good to ride with, thank you for the extended length on them Richard, very thoughtful and definitely needed. 

If you don’t have a set, get some is all I can say! 

I did get them for the wife’s horse but she is not getting them now 🤣🤣

Well maybe a set for Christmas 

Hope your all making good progress 

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