First loan pony!! (kind of)

[ArklePig]

As the title really, I've got my first loan pony! Kinda.

A chunky 14 2 grey mare. She is gorgeous and so sweet and friendly. She belongs to a riding school who have shut due to covid and are loaning out a couple of ponies to keep them in work. Win win.

Anyway, I have her for four weeks, which may increase depending on how it all goes covid restrictions wise. Anyway, I'm ridiculously excited. We start on Sunday, I was thinking of giving her a good groom to get to know her and taking her out on a light hack-ambling about the lane ways etc. Does that seem like a sensible approach for the first day and getting to know her properly or should I be going straight into the school with her? As for care and stuff there is some back up on the yard so I'm happy enough that I can get help if needed and I don't have to be there for feeding etc if I don't want to be.
It's basically unlimited access to her to do as much or as little as I want to, but I'm just struggling to know what to actually do with her. I know riding school loans can be poor value but this one seems good and suits me perfectly right now in terms of access/commitment.

I appreciate any and all thoughts as always

 

[JackFrost]

Congratulations! She sounds ideal. If you've already ridden her a lot at the riding school, then you will know how she goes as a ridden horse, and a little hack out sounds lovely. If you're not sure, do check that she is ok with traffic etc, and if she is used to being hacked out.
If she's just been used in the school, being asked to go out and away from her friends ) may be a lot for her to deal with, so you may need to just gauge how she is about it. Find out from the school if she has hacked out alone, or find someone capable who can ride out (or walk and lead a horse) with you.
If you haven't ridden her a lot, take her in the school first and get a feel for her. Check the brakes, steering, gears etc.
Once you get to know her, you will find out what you both enjoy doing. keep her work with you varied, and identify a few goals, however small, that you can work on together. The way things are, you may have her for a lot longer than 4 weeks!

 

[Pmf27]

This sounds like the exact same set-up that I have just started with! Takes the pressure off a bit, doesn't it?

I went and rode for the first time as the 'loaner' yesterday and knew that I would have the school to myself, so had planned ahead a few things I wanted to work on.

As I usually ride with an instructor, I was quite excited to spend the time alone improving on some of the things I'd been working on in lessons.

Next week I'll be joining YO on a hack, as I have never hacked alone so want to at least get a feel for the local routes before venturing out without company!

That doesn't really answer your question, but I think if I'd hacked alone before then I'd probably be going for a hack first as you're considering - hacks are more fun!

 

[ArklePig]

Thanks all for your replies!
I've not ridden her much so I think i will pop in to the school for a bit and see steering and breaking as suggested. Seems very sensible, which is why I didn't think of it! YO says she hacks lovely alone her only issue is she likes to nibble alot on grass if you drop contact, I can cope with that from one over eater to another. I'd really like to get to know her so I'm thinking: a groom, a quick session in the school and if that goes well we'll go for a Potter about the lane ways. I'll probably bring OH on foot. I haven't got great pics of her (yet!) but here's the lovely lady I'm just obsessed with her she is gorgeous.

 

[smolmaus]

Oh look at that freckly nose!! ?

Sounds like a great arrangement! And a good plan for Sunday, I'd be bringing the OH as well, just in case. And sure why not get everyone out for a walk lol

 

[ArklePig]

I am OBSESSED with the freckles smolmaus she's such a good looking girl. Yeah OH is actually allergic to horses but he loves a walk lol. Anyway nothing else to do in NI these days ?

 

[smolmaus]

Anyway nothing else to do in NI these days ?

Tell me about it!! I'm gagging to get to Tescos for the groceries this evening, just for the dander ?

She's a very pretty lady, the OH will be on the Benedryl so he can join in on the fussing in no time!

 

[Cutgrass]

She's gorgeous! Sounds like a great arrangement for you both. Enjoy!

 

[HashRouge]

She looks lovely and this sounds like a great set up for you both. I bet she will love being one person's special horse for a bit!

 

[Rumtytum]

Congratulations Arklepig! I know you had been suffering from horse deprivation so this is fabulous news! Your mare is a very pretty girl, she sounds perfect for you. Looking forward to lots more pics and updates ?

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

This is very exciting and sounds like a great set up to get started with. It's interesting making the transition from 'just' riding school lessons to "ooh options for what to do - hack or school, where shall we go, what shall we work on in the school today?" Keep us updated with how you get on!

 

[ArklePig]

Thanks to everyone for your help and advice.
Okay so, we had our first day today. I got to the yard about 9.30 went in and found my mare. She was filthy! Set about grooming her, had a little niggle in the back of my mind ignored it and continued. She was spick and span and I was just doing her mane when YO turned up and said... 'you know that's not James right that's Betty?' yes, my mare is called James (long story) and yes I groomed the wrong pony! But hopefully Betty enjoyed the attention.

I think then I was so nervous of doing stuff wrong that she picked up on it a bit. Brought her into the school and just tried to work on some transitions and stuff etc but I found she was super reluctant. Don't know if she was taking the piss out of me cause I was a bit nervous or if I wasn't being firm enough with her. It should be noted at this stage that it's not the usual riding school I go to so everything is new to me. Hopefully we get on a bit better the next time. To be honest though, this is what I need someone who is safe but not a push button as I need to learn. Just don't know how to get her being more forward going and listening to me a bit more. Decided not to take her out on a hack will wait til I've got someone more experienced with me for me and James to take our lead from. As far as grooming, hoof picking etc went she was an absolute dream and has lovely manners. We'll find our groove I'm sure and I'm happy enough. It's a big transition for me coming out of lessons and now having to be 'the boss'. Any suggestions or thoughts would be good as I'm not sure the best way to get her to take me seriously.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Thanks to everyone for your help and advice.
Okay so, we had our first day today. I got to the yard about 9.30 went in and found my mare. She was filthy! Set about grooming her, had a little niggle in the back of my mind ignored it and continued. She was spick and span and I was just doing her mane when YO turned up and said... 'you know that's not James right that's Betty?' yes, my mare is called James (long story) and yes I groomed the wrong pony! But hopefully Betty enjoyed the attention.

I think then I was so nervous of doing stuff wrong that she picked up on it a bit. Brought her into the school and just tried to work on some transitions and stuff etc but I found she was super reluctant. Don't know if she was taking the piss out of me cause I was a bit nervous or if I wasn't being firm enough with her. It should be noted at this stage that it's not the usual riding school I go to so everything is new to me. Hopefully we get on a bit better the next time. To be honest though, this is what I need someone who is safe but not a push button as I need to learn. Just don't know how to get her being more forward going and listening to me a bit more. Decided not to take her out on a hack will wait til I've got someone more experienced with me for me and James to take our lead from. As far as grooming, hoof picking etc went she was an absolute dream and has lovely manners. We'll find our groove I'm sure and I'm happy enough. It's a big transition for me coming out of lessons and now having to be 'the boss'. Any suggestions or thoughts would be good as I'm not sure the best way to get her to take me seriously.

That sounds like a good first day to me (wrong horse bit aside, although bonus extra horse time seems pretty sweet!) I'm still making the transition from RS to share riding so probably not the best to advise. The little bits I have done in the school have just been really short (even just 10 mins) and doing transitions halt/walk/trot/canter, circles, figure 8s - just trying to keep it easy. I did find having a couple of lessons first really helped me be more confident about how I ask for my transitions and get a better idea of what a reasonably good walk/trot/canter feels like on this particular horse. I think if you keep what you do short and simple that will help build you up. Not sure what's possible for you at the moment in terms of lessons but could the RS give you any tips for the riding?

 

[smolmaus]

'you know that's not James right that's Betty?' yes, my mare is called James (long story) and yes I groomed the wrong pony! But hopefully Betty enjoyed the attention.

Oh no!! ?? Too many pretty grey mares at that place! At least you've only just met her, I've known the lot at sanctuary for almost a year now and still got caught putting the wrong black shetland to bed last week.

I'm also probably not any more knowledgeable than you are but agree with SaddlePsych'd, if I'm on a new pony and it's not a lesson format then lots of transitions, making them accurate, serpentines, loops, figure 8's, asking for a bit of bend on either rein etc just to get a feel of what's easy and what's less easy for them.

Asking for a "lesson" might be dodgy but definitely ask for some guidance from the YO, I'm sure she wants you to enjoy your loan time. First day, you're a bit nervous and not sure what to ask her, it's maybe understandable she isn't giving you a lot. Once you have a plan you'll be more confident and she'll pick that up. If you're not already carrying a schooling whip (you might not have to even use it) it will maybe give her the extra little hint that she will be expected to work a little bit for you!

 

[ArklePig]

Just wanted to post a wee update here to let ye know how James and I are getting on. Rode her again yesterday after a chat with YO changed my mindset decided she wasn't taking the piss out of me and hopped on. Boy did she go, super responsive and decent breaks. She's actually a super lil pony so I'm happy out now. I think Sunday was maybe just a bit of a mess cause I was in a new school, with a new pony and just a bit unsure of everything.

Now, if anyone knows how to clean a grey tail in the winter/minus actually washing it (it's basically yellow) I'd be the happiest woman in Ireland ?

 

[EASTIE17]

muck off, buy you might need a bucket of it!

 

[smolmaus]

Just wanted to post a wee update here to let ye know how James and I are getting on. Rode her again yesterday after a chat with YO changed my mindset decided she wasn't taking the piss out of me and hopped on. Boy did she go, super responsive and decent breaks. She's actually a super lil pony so I'm happy out now. I think Sunday was maybe just a bit of a mess cause I was in a new school, with a new pony and just a bit unsure of everything.

Now, if anyone knows how to clean a grey tail in the winter/minus actually washing it (it's basically yellow) I'd be the happiest woman in Ireland ?

Fabulous news! ?

No tips on the tail from me I'm afraid, old fashioned warm water and purple shampoo is all I've got!

 

[muddybay]

I use naf tail spray and it works wonders! I do have a dark bay but I used it on my ex loan and it did make it slightly less knotty and yellow!