Sarah1
Well-Known Member
Re-backed my big lad today, after 9 months off work...he was a super star!
My Sister convinced me it would be a good idea for my Niece to get on him 1st (she's much more experienced than me, has quicker reflexes and much more upper body strength if he wanted to get his head down and b***er off!), which I eventually agreed to. So with me hanging onto him she gently laid across the saddle for a short while then slid off and mounted him from the block...he behaved impeccably, tensed through his back at first but relaxed and walked round the school (with me firmly hanging onto the lunge line) in the howling wind like a little trooper! I was so proud!
I put him on a small circle in walk and my Niece asked for a few strides of trot - he looked like he might think about doing one but he came back to her as soon as she asked, what a little star!
We are sitting on him again tomorrow, my Niece is doing some trot work with him and I'm going to get on but we're keeping him on the lunge for now - I think it'll be like starting again when he comes off the lunge as he probably behaves better when he knows we have control from the ground, but hey ho, I'm really pleased with him so far!
Sorry if it's a bit self indulgent but I can't tell you how proud I am that he's been so brave and mature!
My Sister convinced me it would be a good idea for my Niece to get on him 1st (she's much more experienced than me, has quicker reflexes and much more upper body strength if he wanted to get his head down and b***er off!), which I eventually agreed to. So with me hanging onto him she gently laid across the saddle for a short while then slid off and mounted him from the block...he behaved impeccably, tensed through his back at first but relaxed and walked round the school (with me firmly hanging onto the lunge line) in the howling wind like a little trooper! I was so proud!
I put him on a small circle in walk and my Niece asked for a few strides of trot - he looked like he might think about doing one but he came back to her as soon as she asked, what a little star!
We are sitting on him again tomorrow, my Niece is doing some trot work with him and I'm going to get on but we're keeping him on the lunge for now - I think it'll be like starting again when he comes off the lunge as he probably behaves better when he knows we have control from the ground, but hey ho, I'm really pleased with him so far!
Sorry if it's a bit self indulgent but I can't tell you how proud I am that he's been so brave and mature!