Holly Hocks
Well-Known Member
A rather self-indulgent post, but I'm so happy!
Some of you may know that I have a mare who has been very sick and was in hospital for two months. She came home about three weeks ago. I've been walking her out in hand for short distances and all has been fine. I have to point out that this horse is from racing and has NEVER been on a road before as the gallops were on the yard, and I was warned about this when i bought her.
Well today, I was running out of light, but I wanted to exercise both of mine as they had been in all day due to the farmer not allowing turnout whilst he did some farm work. So I took the plunge and decided to ride the old boy and lead the mare. She was absolutely brilliant. We had to ride past the school where there were minibuses picking up the children, and loads of parents and kids milling round, and she never batted any eyelid. She kept her head right by my knee. In fact it was the old sod who started farting about - the supposed ""safe" one! The most difficult part was trying to get off on the wrong side when I got back - I had no idea how hard that was!
I'm hoping that when she comes back into proper work, I'll have a superstar!
On another note, will leading her out increase her fitness levels? I would prefer to do roadwork with her as I can't see the point in doing constant circles on the lunge in the school with a horse which has been on box rest for two months...
Some of you may know that I have a mare who has been very sick and was in hospital for two months. She came home about three weeks ago. I've been walking her out in hand for short distances and all has been fine. I have to point out that this horse is from racing and has NEVER been on a road before as the gallops were on the yard, and I was warned about this when i bought her.
Well today, I was running out of light, but I wanted to exercise both of mine as they had been in all day due to the farmer not allowing turnout whilst he did some farm work. So I took the plunge and decided to ride the old boy and lead the mare. She was absolutely brilliant. We had to ride past the school where there were minibuses picking up the children, and loads of parents and kids milling round, and she never batted any eyelid. She kept her head right by my knee. In fact it was the old sod who started farting about - the supposed ""safe" one! The most difficult part was trying to get off on the wrong side when I got back - I had no idea how hard that was!
I'm hoping that when she comes back into proper work, I'll have a superstar!
On another note, will leading her out increase her fitness levels? I would prefer to do roadwork with her as I can't see the point in doing constant circles on the lunge in the school with a horse which has been on box rest for two months...
