Always dreaded this.......

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figgy

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Hi all,

Out hacking my horse today, I could see 4 travellers and there very fast trotting horses coming towards me :O
I really don't have much confidence when riding, but I had to bring myself to feel that everything was fine as I didn't want my lovely boy to think there was much to worry about..
I have to say, as soon as I stood my horse and started talking to him and rubbing he's neck, the travellers slowed there trot down, which I thanked them for.
I'm so very proud of my big beautiful boy as he was just looking, once they went past I started to cry as I think it was two mixed a motions.
One.....my horse was fantastic and the other I was really scared..
Has anyone else comes across this ??
 
Eeeek! We have trotters out and about around us, but not more than one at a time!

I'm not ashamed to say that I usually make a hasty exit down a lane if I ever see them :o
 
Phew, that would have been a brown pant moment for me. Glad they slowed down, and how fantastic was your horse (and you) for coping. My lad was good today too. Our 'up the lane' neighbours have just had a digger in and have built a scramble bike mound, today they were roaring about and flying over it on their bikes (very impressive), our lads (5 & 6) were a little wary but coped well.
 
We have quite a few around our way, they get into the country park we ride in, they aren't allowed, not that they give a damn. Most seem to think it's very funny to scare the ****e out of horses being ridden, my lad is terrified of them.
 
My ginger boy was scared of trotters, either that or he wanted to join in. If they were coming towards him he'd try to run away, once they'd gone past he wanted to follow. The day we saw four together I thought I was going to die!
 
Today, out on a hack with a more experienced friend we came across a traveller family in a carriage, they too slowed down once they saw us and again they slowed down further up the road as we came level with, very friendly and happy to walk to make it easier for us!

My horse had a moment and was looking to run away but managed to stay in control thankfully!
 
Lol definitely brown pants for me !!!
Glad your lads where good :-D my boy is only 7 years old, and only 3 rd week into work after 2 years off.
 
I've had this happen! It was awful Oscar lost his mind and started doing some very scary things on two legs!!
One of the trotters stopped and was yelled and beaten which obviously added to the fun..
I'm pleased you were ok :) what a clever boy you have.
 
Met them a couple of times on hacks and have to say they've always been incredibly polite. Shouting a warning when behind, asking permission to pass and slowing to a walk to do so. What did send my mare crazy was approaching the end of the drive to have three of the old fashioned painted caravans drawn past each with a couple tethered behind, given the perspective from the road I doubt they even saw us but we made a bid for freedom in the opposite direction!
 
No trotters round our way but mine was quite startled to see a traditional gypsy caravan as it was meandering along?

Happyclappy - how old is your filly, if you don't mind me asking? I know they can be referred as a filly up to 4 but I don't really think of them as filly's from say 2 onwards.
 
It was really considerate of them to slow down for you, glad it went well.

We have a local man who drives his cob and cart past our yard quite often and it has a big set of cowbells on the harness so you can hear a lot of jinglebells along with the clip clop. The first time new pony heard it she grew about 6in and trotted off towards the noise for a better look. He was good enough to stop on the road level with her and give her time to sniff over the fence and listen and she has accepted them ever since.

Every year a small group of bow top caravans stop near us on the way to Appleby and they are always very clean and careful with their ponies' welfare. As with most things in life, there are the good and the bad groups and it's always the bad ones that have a bigger reputation.
 
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