Bad Frog

On Thursday I had to go into town to bank some cheques because of the postal strike I couldn't put them in the post. I left Doug riding Dream and Amy on Frog. We thought that a bit of gentle female riding may improve Frog's mood. They took them to the circular gallop and did one circuit, then Doug wanted to jump the tyres, he took the lead on Dream, assuming that Frog would follow - she jumped the first two sets beautifully but then ran out at the last. Amy tried again but then she did exactly the same but this time had a complete throw-down. She reared up and leaped in the air. Amy got a nasty smack in the nose and did really well to stay on but she was well blooded. Doug then took over and she did just the same - jumped the first two but then ran out at the last, bucked, reared and Doug fell off. He got back on and eventually got her to do all three sets beautifully. He then bought her back and thought he would just pop the logs by the farm as he had done numerous times before - once again she ran out and had a throw down. Eventually she jumped them really well.
When Doug phoned to tell me the 'damage report' I was so disappointed. She jumped those tyres perfectly well last year. There just doesn't seem to be any explanation for her behaviour. We have had her back and teeth checked, we have tried being kind and gentle with her and the firm approach but nothing seems to work. She just doesn't trust humans. That's the problem with buying fillies from Ireland - if you don't buy them young enough and the Irish have already had a crack at breaking them in then it can ruin them for life. With geldings you can get away with it as they are not as sensitive/intelligent.
Anyway, after considering the options, and getting rid of her was one of them, we decided to let Ben ride her and this time open her up on the gallop to see if she had enough speed to run her in a bumper race (National Hunt flat) up until now Doug had been the main jockey and because he is a little on the heavy side (!) hadn't really galloped her. So, on Saturday I was on Dream as pace-maker (and because she doesn't mind being behind) and Ben on Frog, with Doug as spectator, the first time Ben opened her up her legs were everywhere and she didn't really get into a good rhythm, the second time she was electric and stretched away beautifully. Ben was delighted with her and reported that there were a lot more gears yet. She was also happy in herself and looked as though she had really enjoyed herself. If she can put half her belligerence into a race then she should win doing handstands.This was a real relief to us as if she had also been as slow as a boat then we really didn't have any options with her as she certainly isn't saleable as a hack. So - the plan now is to run her in a few bumpers (you can only do three before you are supposed to progress to hurdles) and then we will give her a season off to mature before we try the jumping again.