chillidragon
Well-Known Member
So last week I found that my RS has a ponio, A, for sale. I asked YO if A is bombproof (yup), novice-ride (yup), hacks alone (erm, yeeees) so I asked if I might have this week's lesson on her. YOs comment: "Oh good, at least someone will ride her!" (Ah.) Yesterday I took A into the school and spent two minutes teeth-dodge-dancing as I tried to winch up her girth. Put my foot in the stirrup and the saddle shot round. She's a sausage pony. I finally floundered my way on to find the saddle more torturous than an upside-down deckchair. After warm-up I asked for trot, A grunted, pinned ears, whipped tail and moved into a jerky hybrid trot-walk. RI handed me a dressage whip with the words, "Don't get on the wrong side of her" (oh, yay me) so I asked again with a light tap. A grunted, pinned ears, whisked tail and jerked into an I-have-five-uncoordinated-legs canter, at which point the saddle promptly destroyed my backside and, for good measure, began to slip round and back. As I was enjoying this interesting turn of events, we were jallopying our way towards the other rider walking on the inner-track and as we passed, A swung into a beautiful quarters-in, pinned, whisked and aimed both cannons. It took a spectacular amount of leg to save the poor gelding's hide and I pulled up at a safe distance to find the saddle nearly horizontal (though it was hardly any more uncomfortable in that position). Anywho, at the end, whilst weakly collapsing onto a bench and mopping sweat from my face, I suggested to the YO that perhaps A and I might not quite have 'clicked', so she suggested another mare, B, who was in the school right then. Seeing as I needed time to recover, I sat and watched. B was lovely; quiet, calm, snaffle mouth, easy on the leg, not at all temperamental, etc. In fact, she seemed perfect, but I couldn't help noticing - was B possibly a wee tiny touch lame? (Like, three-legged, crippled, dead lame?) Ah yes, her front tendons went last year, but YO hoped to get her fit and past a vet. I doubtfully watched till the lesson ended and when the RI came out I crept over for a quick chat out of YOs hearing. What did she think of A? (Like I needed a second opinion!) Bad-tempered, inconsistent, nappy. Okay, what about B? B doesn't possess one sound leg. No good vet will pass her for anything. Ever.
So, long story short, it was a disappointing weekend and my backside is absolutely killing today. Good news is the RI is keeping her ear open for any promising neddies as she does her rounds, but mainly, thank god she was honest! I suppose given the circumstances I wouldn't have gone for either but it's reassuring to know I have someone disinterested to point out the obvious and steer me safely.
So, long story short, it was a disappointing weekend and my backside is absolutely killing today. Good news is the RI is keeping her ear open for any promising neddies as she does her rounds, but mainly, thank god she was honest! I suppose given the circumstances I wouldn't have gone for either but it's reassuring to know I have someone disinterested to point out the obvious and steer me safely.
