Joys of baby horses!

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hazza_s

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I hope you'll all excuse a totally gratuitous "proud of my baby pony" post! She's the first horse I ever bought for myself, as a 2yo last summer (obviously a sensible decision, but I couldn't resist her). After my mother-funded teenage first horse retired when I was part way through university I was expecting a break from horses as I knew if I wanted to carry on it was down to me and I couldn't afford a ready made eventer at the time, but she happened to catch my eye. We backed her in late August and at the moment she's just out tootling about going on little hacks down the bridle ways and round the fields. Because of our set up at home she has to go out by herself and she's only ridden about 3, max 4 times a week.

So today I set out on my big (mostly)TB 3 year old who's had a week off over christmas. She stood quiet when I got on, without any lunging or anything, left her friends at home, goes by herself down the bridleway through massive muddy puddles on a very windy day. Over the motorway bridge :O . Meets another horse going the opposite direction and doesn't make a fuss. Down a bit of road, past a car. Down another bridleway where she has a little trot and canter, doesn't light up or pull even when I turn and canter coming back home. Stops when I ask, hops over all the puddles. And I'm just pleased as punch! I've never come back from a hack with a bigger smile on my face, how much happiness you can get from small things from a youngster :D :D

This was her as a 2yo earlier this year (if I can make photos work - technophobe me!):

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And a wee clip I took today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gRlOvBtirk

<3
 
How sad for a 2/3 YO (or any horse really, but especially a youngster) to be out alone - is there really nothing else she can go out with?

ETA: Or did I misunderstand? Perhaps you meant she is *ridden* by herself rather than *turned out* by herself? Apologies if so.

And best of luck with her anyway.
 
GirlFriday said:
How sad for a 2/3 YO (or any horse really, but especially a youngster) to be out alone - is there really nothing else she can go out with?

ETA: Or did I misunderstand? Perhaps you meant she is *ridden* by herself rather than *turned out* by herself? Apologies if so.

And best of luck with her anyway.
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Oh yes, sorry - definitely not kept alone, lives in a mini herd! Just there's one of me, so most of her riding is on her own. On the odd occasion I've been able to hack in company, which I do prefer even if its just for a sense of personal safety that someone's there if something goes wrong. When she eventually goes out on the road I think I'll be trying very hard to find some company...!

Thank you all :) Splashgirl45 - amen to that! She's big and if I had my way wouldn't be doing anything at all, but sadly she had a small issue with one hock and vet advice was to try and give her some slow consistent work to reduce muscle wastage. Its a proper conundrum to try and plan how to work her a bit without stressing joints. I'm going for straight lines on soft ground, not very often, and hoping for the best :/
 
She looks gorgeous, lovely type, and sounds a super temperament. Lucky you and well done! You should feel really proud of yourself as there are so many people with nappy horses who can&#8217;t hack alone, and you won&#8217;t have that problem. She obviously trusts you.
 
Jellymoon said:
She looks gorgeous, lovely type, and sounds a super temperament. Lucky you and well done! You should feel really proud of yourself as there are so many people with nappy horses who can&#8217;t hack alone, and you won&#8217;t have that problem. She obviously trusts you.
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I have one of those horrible nappy types and I just can't help but feel if he had been started properly it might not have been an issue. You've given her a lovely start in life :)
 
Thank you all for indulging me and being so kind :) I was very lucky that when I bought her at 2 she had been handled well and I've got amazing support at home from another who rides her and who did her very initial backing for a couple of weeks. Sure there will be many ups and downs but I'll enjoy the ups while I have them!
 
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