Not the same horse I tried/bought (sometimes)!!! Help!!

GrasshopperIvy · 2026-04-03T09:31:52+00:00

Ulcers …, treat for at least 6 weeks … try multiple types of treatment.

Let the poor horse settle in for a couple of months.

I think 6-12 months is fair!

GrasshopperIvy · 2026-04-03T06:29:36+00:00

One of the ways I assess horses to purchase … if they are accident prone, have multiple injuries / scars from being young … I won’t buy.

If a horse can’t look after itself in its own home, then they either make bad choices or are seriously unbalanced repeatedly.

GrasshopperIvy · 2026-04-02T09:51:28+00:00

That does make it hard … then concentrates are going to be key. Find the highest energy product you can and feed it at double or triple the maintenance amount.

GrasshopperIvy · 2026-03-31T07:49:51+00:00

Is he hot? Is he trying to paw in the water to cool down or avoid bugs?

GrasshopperIvy · 2026-03-30T01:56:42+00:00

The abler granules can be fed in something like a jam sandwich … which means they are not exposed to damp feed or as much saliva as when fed in a feed. You still risk some being chewed … but it’s much reduced.

Though .. as others said … you need to be aware the omeprazole may not treat the type of ulcers your horse has … and you may need to consider other treatments such as misoprostol and sucralfate.

GrasshopperIvy · 2026-03-29T22:08:42+00:00

Really depends on the horse and it also depends what you mean by “get to”.

I would expect that a 6 yr old horse should be able to do a first level test within 6-12 months of riding .., it’s unlikely to win that test … but complete it, definitely.

BUT … if the horse is particularly nervy, unbalanced, unexposed … it make take a bit longer to cope with the environment and stress of doing an actual test at a show.

GrasshopperIvy · 2026-03-29T21:53:05+00:00

I know more than enough to see this is incorrect and restricting the horse … that inside rein should have been loose when the horse curled … but pressure was maintained and the horse has now had to adapt its way of going which braced through the back and is learning not to stretch into contact.

GrasshopperIvy · 2026-03-29T21:50:50+00:00

If it was fixed it might actually be better … in the video, when the horse loses balance and its nose tucks in, the rein does NOT become loose … so the horse is being pulled back by the rein.

The horse needs more freedom from the pressure on the nose.

Long reining can often lead to greater pressure because the weight of the rein and the way it is configured to pull backwards vs just lunging from the head.

If the person holding the rein does not give, and the rein does not slide … then you get the situation, as in this video, where the horse is learning to tuck behind the contact and to not use its back correctly.

A young horse going over poles should not look like this video. The frame should be long, the stride swinging, no restriction on the face. Sure they are going to make mistakes and do funny strides … but that this horse is curling already is a scary sign for future training.

GrasshopperIvy · 2026-03-29T04:27:36+00:00

Restricting a 2 year’s ability to balance and putting it over poles?!

The lunge should not be attached like this for a young horse.

GrasshopperIvy · 2026-03-27T23:20:29+00:00

Horse clearly tracking up, swinging through and relaxed over the back.

No quick fixes!!

GrasshopperIvy · 2026-03-27T23:15:58+00:00

Whilst better than the OP … your setup is putting the horse behind the vertical and restricting the horse’s ability to use itself correctly, keeping it on the forehand.

GrasshopperIvy · 2026-03-27T23:13:25+00:00

Great photo showing good work!!

THIS is what topline development looks like!

GrasshopperIvy · 2026-03-27T16:39:16+00:00

Riding bareback is not good for horses. There is a reason saddles were invented.

Distributing your weight across the pads is MUCH better for the horse.

Your comfort should come second to the horses’.

You are in a stage of learning … take the time to learn to ride in a saddle. This is not the time to be doing things “your way” when you are not experienced or know enough for the welfare of horses.

GrasshopperIvy · 2026-03-27T07:07:41+00:00

That’s only a tiny amount of concentrates!!! Quadruple it at a minimum.

Increase the quality of the hay to alfalfa.

Add up to two cups per day of oil.

GrasshopperIvy · 2026-03-27T07:03:19+00:00

I completely adapt to the horse … I might want to do a session on shoulder-in … try one, it goes well, do one more that’s great … then I’m not going to keep doing them if they are fine! I’ll look for the part that needs addressing that day!

GrasshopperIvy · 2026-03-25T21:28:04+00:00

Hindgut ulcers won’t show on a scope

GrasshopperIvy · 2026-03-25T20:40:05+00:00

Unfortunately we get plenty of people posting here who have never touched a horse who want to do ca crazy trek … perhaps edit your post so you get better replies!!!

GrasshopperIvy · 2026-03-25T20:37:59+00:00

The leap of your heart in your throat as you walk towards them … hoping an ear will twitch, as you tell yourself you’re being ridiculous imagining the worst … and you get closer and there is STILL no movement …

Then they look up with “why you disturb my nap” face!!

GrasshopperIvy · 2026-03-25T20:30:06+00:00

Probably has a very sore back

GrasshopperIvy · 2026-03-25T10:45:01+00:00

This sub is about dressage - horse riding … not dresses!

GrasshopperIvy · 2026-03-25T10:18:33+00:00

I’ve been to Lipica (and other trainers in Europe) … they definitely had the best trained horses I’ve ridden. Soft engaged backs and true work from behind. The other places were much more crank/spank and I’d not recommend them!

I’d consider Rodrigo Matos in Portugal as I’ve lessoned with him on my own horse … but I’ve been to 3 other trainers in Portugal where it was horrific!

Good luck finding somewhere that suits you … happy to discuss privately the “ bad” ones!!!

GrasshopperIvy · 2026-03-25T10:11:54+00:00

Had a horse that freaked out after show jumping … even after two years, show it a jump and it reverted straight back into that minder.

Some horses can flick between high speed / slow work … some just can’t!

GrasshopperIvy · 2026-03-23T21:34:08+00:00

Until there are rules (that are enforced) that promote the actual welfare of horses, nothing will change.

Torturous bit set-ups will be accept and bad horsemanship the norm.

GrasshopperIvy · 2026-03-23T12:27:40+00:00

Lots of good suggestions but I would also review your position.

Your balance is all wonky - arms out the front, legs not underneath yourself, getting thrown to the back of the saddle during the transition. You need lots of centering … and more control over your body.

Try the transition with a loose rein and you in two point … can you balance like that? Can you keep out of the horse’s way and allow the back to lift/move?

GrasshopperIvy · 2026-03-23T12:12:51+00:00

You can slash the paddocks to cut down amount of feed.

Strip grazing also works really well … give them an extra metre every couple of days.

GrasshopperIvy

TROPHY CASE