Rogo Keeps Surprising Me

Maybe this is typical of young horses and I just don't know because this is my first time backing and training one? I'm talking about how Rogo was so quiet to start and had to be pushed to go forward all the time, and now his energy and forwardness are suddenly through the roof.
Yesterday I went over to ride, but he was wet from being out in the rain (Cheryl wasn't home or she would have had them in. I brought him in when I got there) so I just longed. Honestly I've never seem anything like it in all the time I've had him. He galloped to such an extent that I was afraid he'd hurt himself but I couldn't get him stopped. He was just racing and kicking dirt against the side of the indoor, round and round and round. When I would manage to get him slowed to a trot he'd passage. Then back to galloping again. I'd slowly pull him in and get him settled, but off he'd go again.
Cheryl said later that he's matured enough to find his balance and is enjoying it, and that he's having a break through. I know lots of other horses are like this (energized), but definitely not Rogo. He's been the opposite since I started longing him almost two years ago.
This energy will be needed to go up the levels in dressage, so it's wonderful that it's appeared. I just need to be able to harness it.
I also wonder if the good grass turn out he's on is contributing. He got energized for the first time when the grass came up in the spring (after being pretty lazy over the winter), then lost it over the summer at home (where there isn't much grass) and got it back again when on grass at Cheryl's. Other than that, feed and supplements are the same in both places.
Anyway, it's kind of interesting and exciting. A new, and good, training challenge.
Tomorrow we have a lesson and then go to brunch and we may go audit the Ron Postlieb clinic in the afternoon.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Could very well be the extra nutrition he's getting from the grass - you might need to reduce his other feed (particularly grain if he's getting anything other than vitamins/mineral pellets). Vitamin B1 can help, as well as magnesium (make sure you're getting magnesium oxide), in the case of horses with excess energy.
Unknown said…
Grass can do amazing things to horses....especially if they are't used to it ... seems to me like you have intelligently eliminately anything else that has changed.
TBDancer said…
And just be happy you're not on his back when he's doing his whirling dervish impersonation ;o) I love it when I've ridden my guy and he bucks and runs afterward. Everyone thinks I'm a really good rider. They don't know it's that my OTTB has always taken really good care of his peeps.
Carol said…
Thanks for the feedback. I'll definitely consider reducing his feed if the energy continues to be over the top; also adding calming vitamins/minerals if needed. I just can't believe I may be having an 'issue' of this nature. My issue has always been the opposite.
Now to find the happy medium! He hasn't done it under saddle so I'll try to keep it channeled.
TBDancer, you're lucky to have such a nice horse!
Valentino said…
I'd agree with Kate re monitoring his diet. Learned that from experience. Feeding is such a balancing act and seems to requires constant fine tuning.

I unwittingly transformed Val into a "typical" ottb when I first brought him home, with some extra nutrition he didn't need. :)