K
kturner
Guest
Hacked him out alone today as child sharer was ill, too many situps at school gave her a sore stomach, she is at secondary now, so she may start to come less an less. She;s away this weekend as well.
The yard owner and other horse owner and husband were there, and I started tacking up without thinking, then started getting nervous about going on my own, usually one of the kids is with me. But it was too late they had all seen me tacking up. One of them held him at the top of the drive which I avoid because it is steep and gravel (feet), and I had to get on at the wall and ride off into the sunset as they were all there!!!
Talk about backing yourself into a corner, he only gave one little buck and a tickle with the crop reminded him to behave and off we went. He was very good, except for jumping 4 foot at every pothole. It was his first time without kids to follow and lots of chatting going on so I think we were both feeling insecure. He shied about 3 times, once nearly turning all the way round, but stayed in walk, that is when I did another 30 feet forwards and turned back. Same happened going home, only went to the top of the road, less than 1/4 mile, but I will stick to my motto of 'little and often', I am sure my courage will come flooding back one of these days. Afterall we had an unplanned canter in the field the other day and he stopped when asked to.
So I achieved my dream of a sunset walk on my little monster. Although short, I am sure they will get longer, the wind was up as well. He may feel more secure at the weekend if the sun comes out and it is nice and warm and he is more chilled.
He is surprisingly easy to stay on now, I think the sidereins stop him diving about and I am using a proper saddle instead of bareback pad with stirrups, so that part is probably my fault anyway.
The yard owner and other horse owner and husband were there, and I started tacking up without thinking, then started getting nervous about going on my own, usually one of the kids is with me. But it was too late they had all seen me tacking up. One of them held him at the top of the drive which I avoid because it is steep and gravel (feet), and I had to get on at the wall and ride off into the sunset as they were all there!!!
Talk about backing yourself into a corner, he only gave one little buck and a tickle with the crop reminded him to behave and off we went. He was very good, except for jumping 4 foot at every pothole. It was his first time without kids to follow and lots of chatting going on so I think we were both feeling insecure. He shied about 3 times, once nearly turning all the way round, but stayed in walk, that is when I did another 30 feet forwards and turned back. Same happened going home, only went to the top of the road, less than 1/4 mile, but I will stick to my motto of 'little and often', I am sure my courage will come flooding back one of these days. Afterall we had an unplanned canter in the field the other day and he stopped when asked to.
So I achieved my dream of a sunset walk on my little monster. Although short, I am sure they will get longer, the wind was up as well. He may feel more secure at the weekend if the sun comes out and it is nice and warm and he is more chilled.
He is surprisingly easy to stay on now, I think the sidereins stop him diving about and I am using a proper saddle instead of bareback pad with stirrups, so that part is probably my fault anyway.