fine_and_dandy
Well-Known Member
I decided today was the day that Bailey was going to go for a little hack round the village as a part of his "backing education" before I hand him over to YO. We have a quiet lane outside the yard which the horses are led down to the fields, so traffic isn't strange to him, but I thought he was ready for his next step.
My friend had very kindly agreed to ride her horse (Bailey's fieldmate who is a fab "nurse" for younger horses) and lead Bailey, with me on foot to assist if/when necessary. As Bailey has been used to a contact on his mouth, he was lead out in his bridle by the reins so there was even pressure on his mouth.
He was a little confused by my friend being on Abs at first and was more interested in what she was doing "up there" but he lost interest before we left the yard! He settled very quickly and walked alongside happily although then started his favourite past time..."annoy Abban." Abban was a saint and it was good to see Bailey relaxed enough to try and annoy Abs like he normally does!
I thought he may get a little worried after we passed the points where we normally turn off for the fields but to his credit he was an angel. We had traffic pass us, and cars parked on the road and he didn't do a thing, didn't get worried or speed up etc. He was fascinated by the lights on people's houses and saw so many other things that he had never seen before - gas canisters, bright coloured pebble drive (someone near the yard has a blue one!) coloured lines on the road, speed bumps, playground etc. We also met groups of people out walking along the road, some with loose dogs, prams and others on bikes. The only thing we didn't meet out was a van or lorry! The only thing both the horses spooked at was when a chap who was putting wood cladding on a house hammered the wood on just as we went past - to be fair even I jumped at that as there was no warning of it!
He was a little tired on the way back but still carried on being a good boy.
All in all, he loved his first outing! I am lucky to have a good friend that has such a good horse for a youngster to learn from and was so impressed with the way he dealt with everything. He just wasn't fussed or worried by the experience.
I am so proud of him. Tomorrow will be a less intense day; just playing over poles in the school.
Anyway, just thought I would post as I am so proud I thought I would burst!
Love my pony!
My friend had very kindly agreed to ride her horse (Bailey's fieldmate who is a fab "nurse" for younger horses) and lead Bailey, with me on foot to assist if/when necessary. As Bailey has been used to a contact on his mouth, he was lead out in his bridle by the reins so there was even pressure on his mouth.
He was a little confused by my friend being on Abs at first and was more interested in what she was doing "up there" but he lost interest before we left the yard! He settled very quickly and walked alongside happily although then started his favourite past time..."annoy Abban." Abban was a saint and it was good to see Bailey relaxed enough to try and annoy Abs like he normally does!
I thought he may get a little worried after we passed the points where we normally turn off for the fields but to his credit he was an angel. We had traffic pass us, and cars parked on the road and he didn't do a thing, didn't get worried or speed up etc. He was fascinated by the lights on people's houses and saw so many other things that he had never seen before - gas canisters, bright coloured pebble drive (someone near the yard has a blue one!) coloured lines on the road, speed bumps, playground etc. We also met groups of people out walking along the road, some with loose dogs, prams and others on bikes. The only thing we didn't meet out was a van or lorry! The only thing both the horses spooked at was when a chap who was putting wood cladding on a house hammered the wood on just as we went past - to be fair even I jumped at that as there was no warning of it!
He was a little tired on the way back but still carried on being a good boy.
All in all, he loved his first outing! I am lucky to have a good friend that has such a good horse for a youngster to learn from and was so impressed with the way he dealt with everything. He just wasn't fussed or worried by the experience.
I am so proud of him. Tomorrow will be a less intense day; just playing over poles in the school.
Anyway, just thought I would post as I am so proud I thought I would burst!
Love my pony!
It is a good feeling when 3 years of hard work is paying off! I don't take anything he does for granted and am perfectly realistic to know that with youngsters they may be great one day and not the next - well goes for any horse I guess - but he does just never cease to amaze me.