It just hit me (pointless happy post!)

Shantara

Shantara

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Today, while I was riding along through quite a busy university town, I realised what a good horse Ned really is.

I remember the end of last year, I had to walk him around and around the school before I could even THINK about getting on him. When I eventually did get on, I had to start with a very small circle and gently push out so he could have a proper look at everything with me on him. I daren't get on without someone there, in case he did something.

I seemed to spend all my time like this...
Dressage0211_zpsfb61350d.jpg




Then at the beginning of this year, I was just walking him out in-hand. When I finally got on outside of the stables, it was like the biggest thing ever! Even though it was just for 10mins or so, at a walk, with my Mum at my side.


I can't believe I'm out doing proper hacks on him. Trotting, cantering and even galloping! We did about 7 miles today, like I said, through the busy town, past an airfield and even through a very swollen (2ft 6 deep) ford! Past all sorts of other scary things too. Until a few months ago, I could never have imagined doing anything like this!

FordNed008_zpsf5803e89.jpg



What a good ponio.
 
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Congratulations, this is a great feelgood thread and shows what can be achieved with thinking outside of the box and dedication. Nothing remotely pointless about it!
 
I love a happy story - not enough of them in life. Well done. Also love how you and your horse are so perfectly matched in your red and black!
 
Thanks guys :) as I always say, we're still a W.I.P and we probably always will be, but it simply didn't hit me until today, how far we've actually come and how well he's taking it all!

He's *touchwood* started to relax on hacks too, probably because I am! I rode one handed, like a cowboy most of the way :P
No horse will ever replace Archie, not even Ned, but I'm starting to feel like I'm on Archie again. We used to go for miles, not scared of anything. Zooming about the countryside! I never ever ever thought I'd be doing it on Ned.
 
It sounds as if you are really making rapid progress:), the way to get somewhere with most horses is by building confidence, at first it seems as if you are hardly getting anywhere, little steps forward, sometimes a backward one or two. Once you have a good foundation those forward, positive steps become bigger, more consistent and you are flying, onward and upwards, he trusts you now and you can trust him so it becomes a real partnership:D
 
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