Training a dressage horse

Esporado II is a 9-year old Pura Raza Espagnola from outside of Barcelona.

 

He was a breeding stallion and then sold to a stable in France training sulky horses. Then, he was sold to someone who hoped she could use him for carriage driving. This was an extremely negative experience for him and to calm him down, he was gelded. 

 

I bought him as a gelding about a year ago, when he was dead-mouthed, longed with a light driving bit and refused to canter on the right hand.

For one year now, I  have left him alone and just longed and observed him. He passed veterinary examination with x-rays without any problem.

 

Esporado is extremely sensitive and affectionate. His problems is that panicks when he is facing a new situation and is feeling unsure about it, i.e. he starts off in a high speed trot and does not want to stop. He's not particularly apprehensive, actually even over-eager to please. When he's stressed out or not concentrated, he stumbles. My assumption is that this fear and lack of confidence is a heritage from the sulky training.

 

He will be longed with a heavy large snaffle bit with big loose rings in German silver and then I will start riding him in 5-minute intervals to keep him in his comfort zone and to avoid any pressure. 

 

I will regularly let you know how it goes.

 

 

 

Esporado II is a 9-year old Pura Raza Espagnola from outside of Barcelona.