Brandy
Well-Known Member
There was a thread yesterday about how riders can make their horses worse whenthey are out on the road, rider tenses up, horse therefore spooks. Something that I do agree with in some way, as my bombproof pony became spooky with a nervous rider.
But, my welsh creature is not good to hack alone, but is good in traffic - its everything else that bothers him. I am normally a confident rider but there have been a few incidents with welsh that have knocked my confidence a bit, and I am well aware that he will and does pick up on nerves - hence I had a plan to get him going out alone. This involved starting with taking him out a few times in hand, then hacking with another horse (he is fine in company and in hand) then going round the same route several times with another horse, then going it alone - but Iwould get off at the scary bits and lead him past - rather this than him turn tail and flee which he has done before.
So, things have been improving, and yesterday I was determined that we WERE going to stop pussy footing about and get on with it.
Which we did, set out at a brisk trot, and stayed on rather than lead along the first road bit, along the river bank, encountered lads fishing, bikes all over the place, swans taking off in two directions, and about 20 lads ont he bridge jumping int the river and larking about.
He had a few looks which is fine, and a VERY bouncy canter on the spot at the swans but all was good and I think he really took his confidence from me, am sooo chuffed!!!!!
Oh and the traffic was all nice and slowed down and waved.
Pointless but pleased....
But, my welsh creature is not good to hack alone, but is good in traffic - its everything else that bothers him. I am normally a confident rider but there have been a few incidents with welsh that have knocked my confidence a bit, and I am well aware that he will and does pick up on nerves - hence I had a plan to get him going out alone. This involved starting with taking him out a few times in hand, then hacking with another horse (he is fine in company and in hand) then going round the same route several times with another horse, then going it alone - but Iwould get off at the scary bits and lead him past - rather this than him turn tail and flee which he has done before.
So, things have been improving, and yesterday I was determined that we WERE going to stop pussy footing about and get on with it.
Which we did, set out at a brisk trot, and stayed on rather than lead along the first road bit, along the river bank, encountered lads fishing, bikes all over the place, swans taking off in two directions, and about 20 lads ont he bridge jumping int the river and larking about.
He had a few looks which is fine, and a VERY bouncy canter on the spot at the swans but all was good and I think he really took his confidence from me, am sooo chuffed!!!!!
Oh and the traffic was all nice and slowed down and waved.
Pointless but pleased....
