henryhorn
Well-Known Member
We've had a lovely little Welsh Cob mare in for backing recently, CCJ started it off then my husband carried on, it's been here four weeks, three of which it's been hacked out then a little schooling.
She's a sweetheart, forward going but very spookproof and willing.
Her owner arrived today to have a little ride on her and we got her ready.
Now how to put this without being rude, well I would guess she is over 70 and as far as we were aware, last rode a couple of years ago. She's borrowed her daughter's hat, put some stout shoes on and was about to get on (husband hacked mare for 30 mins first) when she happened to mention the last time she rode was twenty years ago...
Both of us looked at each other in shock, the mare is as good as you get but not yet four, and had never carried the extra two and a half stone we were about to give her.
A high mounting block was found and a bowl of feed, I stood out accompanying horse directly in front sideways on in the hope any nonsense would be averted.
The mare jiggled about a little as she clambered on, then walked off good as gold.
An hour later she arrived back onto the yard beaming, only to attempt to dismount keeping one foot in ths stirrup.. The mare beetled forward a few strides unsure what was wanted and the owner managed to remove her foot.
She is being hacked home tomorrow and we will go up and ride her for a while just to ensure no problems occur..
Not sure whether to say it was our good backing techniques or just a super little mare, but I don't ever want that sort of worry again!
She's a sweetheart, forward going but very spookproof and willing.
Her owner arrived today to have a little ride on her and we got her ready.
Now how to put this without being rude, well I would guess she is over 70 and as far as we were aware, last rode a couple of years ago. She's borrowed her daughter's hat, put some stout shoes on and was about to get on (husband hacked mare for 30 mins first) when she happened to mention the last time she rode was twenty years ago...
Both of us looked at each other in shock, the mare is as good as you get but not yet four, and had never carried the extra two and a half stone we were about to give her.
A high mounting block was found and a bowl of feed, I stood out accompanying horse directly in front sideways on in the hope any nonsense would be averted.
The mare jiggled about a little as she clambered on, then walked off good as gold.
An hour later she arrived back onto the yard beaming, only to attempt to dismount keeping one foot in ths stirrup.. The mare beetled forward a few strides unsure what was wanted and the owner managed to remove her foot.
She is being hacked home tomorrow and we will go up and ride her for a while just to ensure no problems occur..
Not sure whether to say it was our good backing techniques or just a super little mare, but I don't ever want that sort of worry again!
