I survived (for horsey people)!!

So I managed to survive with the 4-year-old horse today

When I saw that they had put a 3-ring bit on him and that the reins were on the bottom ring, I thought oh-oh - this could be interesting.

He acted like a typcial "green" 4-year-old... pulled like a tank to get to the front of the line, then didn't know what to do when he got there a bit wobbly in his paces and didn't know what to do with his feet when we were going downhill

He's not the easiest ride and it wasn't quite the relaxing afternoon that I had in mind but he was a real gent (most of the time). His name's Kodiak (I think that's an island off Alaska??) and he's going to be a great horse when he's matured a little (should make a nice jumper/hunter too) - he's a lot of fun, with a lovely canter.

They described him as an "anglo-normand" - I looked it up and turns out that's a cross between an English thoroughbred and a Normand mare i.e. "strong build, good blood, good muscle structure, slightly heavy but elegant head".

Anyway, definitely my kind of horse I'll take my camera next time so I can get some shots.

I think that's what we would call a "warmblood."

Been there done that re: the young ones. These days on the rare occasions when I go riding I tell them to give me a horse I don't have to fight (although I've not had a battle of wills I've lost ... yet!)

Congratulations on making it through unscathed!

Are you thinking of buying him? This horse sounds like he needs some groundwork to me. Good luck with him-

Glad you surived. I agree with Hissy it sounds like he needs some more ground work. Possibly some ground driving

Gotta love the young ones!

Originally Posted by hissy

Are you thinking of buying him? This horse sounds like he needs some groundwork to me. Good luck with him-

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He may actually be up for sale (he's just on loan for the summer to the stables where I ride). Hopefully I can ride him some more. I doubt I will buy him though, as it's not practical for me to have a horse with the amount of traveling I'm doing for work at the moment

Kodiak certainly needs loads more groundwork and he's got such nice paces and solid quarters already, I'm thinking he might make a good jumper eventually.

Let's see how he turns out!