First Outing and I'm Stressed

Well done what confuses me is the change of the riding hat I have not done that yet with the current riding horse I am having lessons on did the lovely horse behind you when you were all in a line did she get a rosette
 
AShetlandBitMeOnce said:
Oh my god, how kind of you all to remember! I have only just stepped back in the door and sat down - sorry to keep you waiting 😂

I am absolutely over the moon with the big man, I couldn't possibly have asked more from him. He put up with a numpty like me plaiting him in the morning (my excuse is I only have chin length hair with short back and sides so forgive the photo you're about to see!) and then he loaded like an absolute pro, travelled a dream despite it taking 45 mins to do a 20 min journey due to an event on locally, ignored entirely the 40+ motorbike club coming past on the single track road and then stood on the trailer when we got there. I popped his bridle on in the trailer and then took him out, he grazed a little, had a look around, had a wee and then scoffed for 30 mins till the class.

In the class he was very good on the whole, incredible for a 4yo on his first trip out but if I am being picky he was slightly mannerless in terms of speed meaning both me and my friend who took him in the class after mine circled him towards us at some stage - a major faux pas! In my class he did have a little rear and a jump around when the two horses in front did the same, so fair enough, but he got over himself very quickly. Stood in the line up, bit fidgety but totally okay by me.

After that we had a catch up with some people, tottled over the lorry, he walked straight back on despite the people in the next lorry having issues loading theirs, and then I unbridled, moved his haynet closer and left him to it while I put bits away and I even then went and got us a burger (within sight of the trailer, not that he could have cared less!) We eat that, he had a big drink and then he travelled home just as great as he travelled there.

I had 3 people come up to me to say they loved how well behaved he was being and they didn't know his age when they said it, so that was a super proud mum few moments! So despite coming 4th out of 4, and 6th out of 6 (due to bad handlers!) I am thrilled with today and will happily take him out on my own to anything in the future.

The only confusing bit is that despite qualifications for Sunshine Tour and Arena UK being given to only 1st-3rd, the judge gave me one in 4th and I overheard the steward saying to her 'thats only for 1st-3rd' and she replied 'Don't care, I don't play by the rules'.. so not sure why I was given it, or whether it was a pity gift, but it was very kind. I don't think we will go as they're very big shows for so early on but nice all the same.

Photos as promised, (these are of friend as she hasn't sent me the ones she took yet, but she won't mind) ETA: I did travel him on the correct side, but the camera I use mirrors it!

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If there are good pro ones I'll pop those in here a bit later on, I intend to buy a couple
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He is GORGEOUS!
 
Wow, thank you so much everyone, I didn't expect so many people to be interested in our little outing! I'm quite excited to be able to participate in the 'what are you doing this weekend' threads!

I think the following photo sums up exactly how I feel about him, so I had to buy it!

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ycbm said:
You aren't seeing it when he's moving. Super chest there in development 😁
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He's definitely getting there - hacking, hacking and more hacking at the moment, up and down The Downs.

angel7 said:
Well done, now get a heavy weight bridle on that gorgeous face, the wider the better.
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Yes, this is definitely on the shopping list!I think he'd look fab in a big thick noseband. The one he is wearing is actually half a cheapy flat bridle I got in an Ebay auction for £4, and half his Le Miuex work bridle with different colour metalwork on it and white stitching as he doesn't fit in Full cheek pieces! Not proper at all 🤣

Spotherisk said:
Well done, I bet you’re all mentally exhausted! How are your ankles?
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He was definitely tired when he got home bless him, I am under the weather today but that's mostly due to the pub outing to watch the football last night 🤣 God knows how I managed to make it to the pub! Ankles are all good, I trotted him up slower than I should have because of the footing, but the long boots and strapping did some good work!
 
Just a thought about the travelling with / without a bridle. When I first had Arch I had an issue with him being very stressed / excited (we never really worked out which as both resulted in the same behaviour!) arriving at places and tacking up but I also had a problem with him not travelling that well so didn't want to travel him in a bridle. I got an endurance combination headcollar and bridle in one. It's not the most attractive of things but it was a godsend. He'd travel in the headcollar part and when he arrived I'd clip the bit on one side, slide it into his mouth and clip the other side on while he was still on the trailer. It took seconds. I'd then attach the reins and take him off. I could then tie him up using the headcollar element. It was most useful for not having to swap them over as he'd take advantage of that split second where my control was minimal to leg it.

It doesn't sound like you need it with darling Dex and it's no good for shows as it's fugly but it's a good option for anyone who is struggling for, say, fun rides or hacking trips. It would fit him and it's sitting there doing nothing if you wanted to borrow it, I could send it over. BTW, I think some hacking trips wold be my next outing with him jut so he knows he'd no always going to a party on the trailer!
 
Annagain said:
Just a thought about the travelling with / without a bridle. When I first had Arch I had an issue with him being very stressed / excited (we never really worked out which as both resulted in the same behaviour!) arriving at places and tacking up but I also had a problem with him not travelling that well so didn't want to travel him in a bridle. I got an endurance combination headcollar and bridle in one. It's not the most attractive of things but it was a godsend. He'd travel in the headcollar part and when he arrived I'd clip the bit on one side, slide it into his mouth and clip the other side on while he was still on the trailer. It took seconds. I'd then attach the reins and take him off. I could then tie him up using the headcollar element. It was most useful for not having to swap them over as he'd take advantage of that split second where my control was minimal to leg it.

It doesn't sound like you need it with darling Dex and it's no good for shows as it's fugly but it's a good option for anyone who is struggling for, say, fun rides or hacking trips. It would fit him and it's sitting there doing nothing if you wanted to borrow it, I could send it over. BTW, I think some hacking trips wold be my next outing with him jut so he knows he'd no always going to a party on the trailer!
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Thank you! I really don't think it will be a problem with Dex but it's a great idea should he get more used to it and thus more excited! I'll have to see how the next few outings go, next weekend we are headed to a fun ride with my friends bombproof warmblood (two words that don't usually follow each other!) and we have picked the earliest slot so hopefully it shouldn't be too busy, then I may try a couple of school hires perhaps.
 
Really well done, he is lovely.

Next time I suggest you wear a tie with your shirt and jacket and ditch the denim for in the ring, possibly light coloured trousers?

The first time I took mine he either wizzed round at the end of the lead rope or trampled all over my feet. And then he kept neighing at the coloured ponies in the next ring, thinking his friend was there!

So your boy was wonderfully well behaved.
 
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