Hack Last Night (bitless/nutter on road/spooky horse) *long1*

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alison_oliver

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Went for an "eventful" hack last night, wanted to share..
Put new bitless bridle on him, he's shaking his head less and seems happier in it.
Tootled up the lane, met a quarry lorry, reversing round bend
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wtf!! he was a good lad tho and we got out of its way!
Man hammering sign onto footpath post, queue nerves, man was kind and stopped!! bless, some people do have a brain when it comes to nervy animals.
Turned for home, walked up to house (we'd already been past!!) and its mirror in opp hedge (helps them to see to get off drive) had the sun reflecting off it!! queue napping
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spinning in lane, panic, sweating! At this point car comes other way - so i hopped off put myself between him and the car/scary mirror, led him past, eyes on stalks, mounted back up and carried on, he seems to take more confidence from me with the really scary stuff if i'm next to his head!! I will add this is only the 2nd time i have ever dismounted to do this, but needs must!
Worst part now by a mile...
Lane to get back up to my yard has traffic lights and a canal bridge just up from it, i'm signalling to turn right into the lane, arm goes out, along with hi vis whip, i am also wearing hi vis, move into middle of road, clearly visible from at least 300yards back and some flaming nut job speeds past me nearly hitting us just to get across bridge before lights changed to red, if he hadn't had been driving so fast i'd have took his reg!! If Ollie had have spooked it'd have been curtains for us
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Luckily he stood stock still, he's not always stupid!! I'm thinking he quite possibly like me was in shock and had an open mouth!!!!
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Some people are just beyond belief!!

On another note, glad to see you are getting on with the Dr Cook, I hope all continues well. Just be prepared for 'helpful' people who will be willing to blame any unusual/naughty behaviour on him not having a bit in his gob. Smile and ignore is my policy on this one!
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As to getting off to go past spooky things, I do this all the time, I don't view it as a sign of weakness or giving in. I want to go past, FB doesn't like the look of something, I get off, lead him past - stopping for a good hard look and a sniff if possible, I look for a mounting point, get back on and away we go. No fighting, no stressing. Next time he just goes straight past the bogey point.
 
I used to ride out with a friend that when a car came to close she would whack the roof with her schooling whip........till one day an idiot she had done it to,pulled over and jumped out of his car and said 'Try doing that again, and I'll report you!' My friend looked him up and down and smiled sweetly,and said 'If you should ever drive that close again it won't just be my whip, it will most likely be my horse your car will be wearing!'
He got into his car without another word...and drove off,seemed to work!
Glad your back in one piece and you coped very well.
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chicomio, he seems to really like it
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we can steer better in school now too, out into corners no probs, also put some cones out yesterday and he weaved well, so looks like we're on the right track!
He would have done all of that if not worse with the bit in his mouth, i know that, you know that, the bit would have made no difference, i actually found him easier to lead in the bitless bridle too.
I used to see it as a sign of weakness (hopping off) as he is the first horse i've ever had or known that this has worked well with, so if it works we'll do it!! Its also safer as he wont spin with me next to him but he will with me on his back if he is mega scared! Plus he settles quicker afterwards, still learning about him and his quirks
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even after nearly 2 years together! xxx
_oc_ i too have friend who does this, but she does have a bombproof pony and she's not one to be messed with, i think Ollie would wonder what i was doing beating up a metal monster while he's in the firing line too!! lol x
 
Sadly their will always be some irresponsible drivers on the road which means we all have to ride defencively.

My best aid at controlling traffic is my long sleeved Hi-Viz jacket, hat band, reign covers and nose band. Works a treat with most motorist as they think I am a mounted policeman. Best of all having Hi-Viz long sleeves ist that they can see my hand signals from a distance.

Also make friends with your local rural community police officer as they are always happy to visit bad drivers and warn them of the erros of their ways in the event of getting their registration number.

..and take the BHS Road safety course which will provide you with a number of usefull tips on how to ride safely on the roads and comunicate with other road users.
 
I did my riding road saftey when i worked at a yard when i was in my teens. Its like u say no matter how well you ride or communicate with other road users u still get the odd nutter who does stuff like the above!!
Never seen a rural community police officer round this way, but may very well be worth investigating if there is one, as he may have some hint & tips as my yard is fairly remote and security does worry me in winter, however we have great neighbours on our lane!!
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