Daughter and Dolly - a little update (and a chuckle!!!)

redmone said:
Daughter is 10 so really should be wearing a BP. She feels stiff in it and says it restricts her!!! I WILL get her back into it, but I'm being a bit soppy and loving her being so happy at the moment. OH wants her to wear BMX armour instead :rolleyes:

Might post video......we'll see......:p
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If you can afford it see if you can get her to try on a racesafe. I had the exact same problem with my other BP until I tried one of these on - now I completely forget I am wearing it and have almost driven home in it!
 
Spudlet said:
I am no expert on jumping, but I thought she looked very neat and tidy, no flapping, just a nice job done.:)

Better than me, that's for sure... I go to pieces when faced with a terrifying wooden pole two inches off the ground:o
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What Spudlet said :)
and I think jumping from Canter is easyer as it flows better especialy WHEN the jumps get bigger ;)
 
DEFINITELY easier to jump from canter than trot, without a doubt as you can get your stride and most horses seem to find it easier too :confused: Kelly HATED jumping from trot, but was a star from canter. More power too for when those poles go up.....;) (your poor nerves!!)
She did really well, didn't get too behind or too in front and just popped over, no fuss, no flappy legs arms or reins :) I bet you're a very proud mum!!
K x
 
LauraWheeler said:
Great video. I think your right Jumping "IS" Dollys Thing. Daughter is doing well to :D As I said just now there'll be no stopping them soon. (Better get a shift on with the horsebox :p :D :D )
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Thank you!! She just needs to catch Dolly up, but you can see they'll have years together - no worries of outgrowing her (in size or ability) any time soon.

I'm so glad we persevered. She's a lovely pony! And I'm proud of them both!

:D
 
Spudlet said:
I am no expert on jumping, but I thought she looked very neat and tidy, no flapping, just a nice job done.:)

Better than me, that's for sure... I go to pieces when faced with a terrifying wooden pole two inches off the ground:o
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Awwww thank you!!

And I bet you don't go to pieces! :D
 
Oh no, believe me I do. Arms, legs everywhere, knees wobbling, grabbing handfuls of mane, eyes shut... countless instructors have been reduced to slack-jawed amazement as the reasonably competant-ish rider they had been teaching disintegrates into a heap of jelly as soon as the first pole appears!:D
 
broke_but_happy said:
If you can afford it see if you can get her to try on a racesafe. I had the exact same problem with my other BP until I tried one of these on - now I completely forget I am wearing it and have almost driven home in it!
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Will definately have a look into this.

The kids BPs do seem a bit bulky and so few people we know wear them it makes it difficult for me to make daughter be the odd one out. But as a very helpful member on here said to me recently, she'll need to wear one if she competes, so better get used to it.

Thanks for your advice. :)
 
redmone said:
Thank you!! She just needs to catch Dolly up, but you can see they'll have years together - no worries of outgrowing her (in size or ability) any time soon.

I'm so glad we persevered. She's a lovely pony! And I'm proud of them both!

:D
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Awww you should be proud of yourself to for letting them form this wonderful partnership. Many parents would have just freaked out and got rid of the pony strait away. Just look at what they would be missing out on :) They are a great pair and I love reading your updates and seeing pictures of a happy smily daughter riding a happy pony who she loves very much. :)
 
KellysHeroes said:
DEFINITELY easier to jump from canter than trot, without a doubt as you can get your stride and most horses seem to find it easier too :confused: Kelly HATED jumping from trot, but was a star from canter. More power too for when those poles go up.....;) (your poor nerves!!)
She did really well, didn't get too behind or too in front and just popped over, no fuss, no flappy legs arms or reins :) I bet you're a very proud mum!!
K x
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VERY proud!

Can't believe she's gotten this far so quickly (I know 10 months isn't quick, but they've come on so well together!).

xxx
 
Spudlet said:
Oh no, believe me I do. Arms, legs everywhere, knees wobbling, grabbing handfuls of mane, eyes shut... countless instructors have been reduced to slack-jawed amazement as the reasonably competant-ish rider they had been teaching disintegrates into a heap of jelly as soon as the first pole appears!:D
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:p Loving the image you painted!!!!

At least you have the guts to get on the horse! I'm still trying to lose weight before inflicting myself upon a poor unsuspecting equine!!!

:D
 
She did great!! Jumping from canter is much easier untill you get you eye in and know the pony well. Great photos too she looks like she is having a fab time with dolly.
 
they look fab together, definately lots of fun years ahead of them:D:D
my daughter is 10 and refuses to wear her bp too;) and i can't say much because i've had mine about 5 years and worn it about 3 times:o I survived my teens falling off ponies with no protection other than a hat and sometimes not even one of those if we were hoolying about bareback:eek:
 
Massive LIKE from me. I know you have had equally big saddle fitting problems so am wondering if the saddle is supposed to fit so far forward. We had a pony whose confo 'pulled' the saddle up and it would sit exactly where yours does. Or, is it an illusion caused by a slightly longer back? Not a criticism, just curious as I have been victim of this typical pony issue and it wasn't due to a big barrel either. Dolly looks in perfect shape :) She has another good 12 months plus getting the jumping even better (bigger ;) ) then you'll have to adopt another small child :eek: because you do know you can't sell her on, don't you...
 
brighteyes said:
Massive LIKE from me. I know you have had equally big saddle fitting problems so am wondering if the saddle is supposed to fit so far forward. We had a pony whose confo 'pulled' the saddle up and it would sit exactly where yours does. Or, is it an illusion caused by a slightly longer back? Not a criticism, just curious as I have been victim of this typical pony issue and it wasn't due to a big barrel either. Dolly looks in perfect shape :) She has another good 12 months plus getting the jumping even better (bigger ;) ) then you'll have to adopt another small child :eek: because you do know you can't sell her on, don't you...
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Hi brighteyes!!

Thanks!!!

We did struggle with the saddle (and had loads of comments about it appearing forward) but it is an illusion as she has a super long back, and the saddle is quite small as daughter has a tiny bum (unlike mum!!). Her barrell like belly didn't help at first either!

It fits very very well now (the first one didn't and went back) and doesn't slip at all (the first one went up her neck a couple of times :eek:). It seems the more weight Dolly shifts, the better it fits her, although it's actually going back to saddlers this week as a crease has developed in the seat and it's being replaced. When it comes back, it's being refitted to her new slender (well not quite!) shape! There was mention that the crease may be due to her losing weight, but I can't see that to be honest.

I'm no real help about getting the saddle to fit, apart from having a great saddler who knows much more than me, and a top riding school who jump straight onto any tack problems (they spotting the crease, not me who tacks her up god knows how many times a week with daughter!!!). They're very keen on tack being checked etc... so I'm always grateful for their help.

I've been told working hunter type saddles suit ponies built like Dolly, and might aim in that direction for our next saddle. But it might have been you that told me that!!!

No way Dolly will ever be sold on! She's stuck with us for life now. And I think daughter will have ages with her. I'm only 5 foot, and daughter doesn't weight 5 stone yet, so no fear of her outgrowing her any time soon. I'd have her in my garden as a pet before we got rid of her!! Love that grumpy mare!!! :D
 
If you can afford one, a racesafe is a fab BP for little children (and big ones! My Alice has one and loves hers too) as they're very very light and flexible. They don't seem like they'll offer much protection but Al has had some impressive falls in hers and they have provided really good protection- she's hopped up and walked away from each fall with only slightly bruised pride and lost wind.

Your daughter is so stylish over fences- have you looked inoto things like PC camp? Bet Dolly would love that :)
 
dafthoss said:
She did great!! Jumping from canter is much easier untill you get you eye in and know the pony well. Great photos too she looks like she is having a fab time with dolly.
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Thanks dafthoss!

I always thought trot would be easier and was a big nervous of her doing it in canter, but it did look easier once she'd balanced herself a bit!

She is loving every minute of it at the moment, lovely to see them getting on so well together.

And to think, all my worries.........:o
 
Ibblebibble said:
they look fab together, definately lots of fun years ahead of them:D:D
my daughter is 10 and refuses to wear her bp too;) and i can't say much because i've had mine about 5 years and worn it about 3 times:o I survived my teens falling off ponies with no protection other than a hat and sometimes not even one of those if we were hoolying about bareback:eek:
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Thanks!

My daughter is 10 too - perhaps it's something about that age!

She had a bad fall a few years ago and broke her arm in 3 places, so really that should have been enough to make me force her, but she keeps reminding me it wouldn't have stopped that from happening. And I keep reminding her that there's worse things than limb breaks!!

We do wrap them in cotton wool these days don't we, but usually for good reason. I must work harder to get her to wear it.

Scary when we think what we did as kids......:eek:
 
Lolo said:
If you can afford one, a racesafe is a fab BP for little children (and big ones! My Alice has one and loves hers too) as they're very very light and flexible. They don't seem like they'll offer much protection but Al has had some impressive falls in hers and they have provided really good protection- she's hopped up and walked away from each fall with only slightly bruised pride and lost wind.

Your daughter is so stylish over fences- have you looked inoto things like PC camp? Bet Dolly would love that :)
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Hi Lolo!

How soft and bendy are the racesafes? I did like the look of them from the link someone above gave me, and my little un (also Alice!) didn't look too put off when I showed her (particularly as I said they come in jockey colours!!!).

Might have to stump up the cash for one!!

Thanks for what you said about her. At the moment we're sticking with doing things at the riding school (pony club, the odd little show etc..., bigger show there coming up in August) but aiming to get her out and about next year. She'd love to do pony club camp, and we're thinking about getting a horsebox!!! Other things she wants to do is pony club racing school and a beach ride (who doesn't!!). So good for them at this age isn't it!

:D
 
Very soft and bendy, and easily adjustable with laces up the sides. Finding one which fitted Al well when she was little was difficult as she was quite short and very skinny and so she ended up with awful ones. Once we discovered racesafe she hasn't looked back, and now willingly puts hers on for non-jumping activities!

We did a similar journey to you with ponies, and started by lift sharing with any other willing mum! Got to know people very quickly :) Beach rides are the best! Living on the coast means that I've always taken how awesome they are very much for granted.
 
Lolo said:
Very soft and bendy, and easily adjustable with laces up the sides. Finding one which fitted Al well when she was little was difficult as she was quite short and very skinny and so she ended up with awful ones. Once we discovered racesafe she hasn't looked back, and now willingly puts hers on for non-jumping activities!

We did a similar journey to you with ponies, and started by lift sharing with any other willing mum! Got to know people very quickly :) Beach rides are the best! Living on the coast means that I've always taken how awesome they are very much for granted.
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Can I ask where you got the racesafe BP from? Is it all online or do shops stock them?

I suspect we'll have exactly the same problem as you, as my Al is 4 foot 5 inches and about 4 stone!!!

I'd just worry buying it online, that it wouldn't fit and I'd have endless back and forth issues until getting the right fit. I do prefer actual shops still!!

Beach rides sound great, although I would worry Dolly would just keep on going.....!!!
 
redmone said:
Daughter is 10 so really should be wearing a BP. She feels stiff in it and says it restricts her!!! I WILL get her back into it, but I'm being a bit soppy and loving her being so happy at the moment. OH wants her to wear BMX armour instead :rolleyes:
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When did you buy it? Does it still fit? Did it ever fit properly? Might it be too small hence too stiff/tight, or too big hence too bulky? We bought a new one in a shop, had it fitted, assistant said that it was the right size and we just believed her. However daughter just couldn't get on with it compared to the old one (which was outgrown), and complained it was too bulky, too stiff, got in the way etc. She's a size 8 and this was an adult XS. In the end, we happened to be in Robinsons and saw the rows of BP so I got her to try on a bigger one of her old one and an assistant came over and got her to try on a few different styles till she found the right one - it's a child XL with a long body (she's taller than you :p) - and she's worn it ever since w/o complaint, it's certainly a LOT less bulky being it's actually the right size, and allows her full movement unrestricted as it doesn't have surplus overlap under the arms/at the front.

I'd suggest go to a big shop with lots of choice or somewhere they have specialist trained fitters and try a load on. Meanwhile must get round to selling the unwanted on eBay because I don't think it'll ever fit properly!
 
Dubsie said:
When did you buy it? Does it still fit? Did it ever fit properly? Might it be too small hence too stiff/tight, or too big hence too bulky? We bought a new one in a shop, had it fitted, assistant said that it was the right size and we just believed her. However daughter just couldn't get on with it compared to the old one (which was outgrown), and complained it was too bulky, too stiff, got in the way etc. She's a size 8 and this was an adult XS. In the end, we happened to be in Robinsons and saw the rows of BP so I got her to try on a bigger one of her old one and an assistant came over and got her to try on a few different styles till she found the right one - it's a child XL with a long body (she's taller than you :p) - and she's worn it ever since w/o complaint, it's certainly a LOT less bulky being it's actually the right size, and allows her full movement unrestricted as it doesn't have surplus overlap under the arms/at the front.

I'd suggest go to a big shop with lots of choice or somewhere they have specialist trained fitters and try a load on. Meanwhile must get round to selling the unwanted on eBay because I don't think it'll ever fit properly!
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Hi Dubsie,

It was a couple of years ago now when we bought it. I think it fits ok, it's just of a very bulky type. It was from decathlon, so perhaps I should pay a visit to somewhere like Robinsons etc... to have more of a selection, and better staff for fitting.

Although I am quite taken with the type which a user mentioned above (racesafe I think???) - I know they're expensive, but if they're as flexible and comfy as mentioned, it'd be worth it.

Yes - get ebaying - free listing weekend this weekend!! yey!!!

RM :D
 
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