Jinx94
Well-Known Member
Been on work experience at a small yard for all of last week, and yesterday the other groom brought in two horses that I needed to exercise as I hadn't been able to catch them earlier on. Tacked up one of them, but he didn't look right. I was about 90% sure that he didn't have the right markings on his feet but when I questioned the other girl, she said that no, I was imagining it - it was definitely the right animal.
He's known for being blimmin' lazy, so I was carrying a whip too. Got down to the arena and he pratted about a little (knew at this point that it would be interesting). Once I was on him, he started to dance about when I asked him to stand and then did a half rear when I wouldn't let him move forwards like he wanted. Now I was thinking "Oh *****" but wasn't convinced that I could dismount safely.
Next thing I know, he's bombing off round the school, completely ignoring my aids. I dropped the whip straight away but we carried on doing the wall of death. I did my best to relax, but the moment I felt that I had some semblance of control and tried to turn him in the same direction we'd been going, he ripped his head round and went off in the other direction. He doesn't know flying changes and wasn't even considering coming back to trot.
I lost my inside stirrup as he swerved and when he fumbled with his feet I went flying out the side door with my other foot stuck in the stirrup - panicked about the possible results of this as I was starfish-ing backwards with no bp on (stupid - I know! Won't be doing it again!!) and was wondering how the hell I'd be able to afford a new hat so soon after this one. So I grabbed out at the fence, now have a beautiful oozy skinned section on my forearm (only about 1/2" by 1 1/2") and scratches down the rest of it. In doing this I managed to slow my fall enough to kick off the other stirrup, twist and land on my bum/hip and roll away from the horse.
Surprisingly I haven't lost my nerve.. In fact, once I was off I decided that I'd untack him, lunge him a little and later on ask if I could bring in my favourite for a 10 minute session to end on a good note. As it was, I was shaking like an addict and we decided that I'd probably be better off carrying on with yard duties or taking the youngster for a walk so that I could chill a bit and get over the shock.
Spoke to the other groom this morning at which point she confirmed that I'd actually been on a horse notorious for not having any brakes that needs to be ridden in a pelham to have any semblance of control. I rode him in a snaffle...
As daft as it probably sounds, I'm kind of glad that I had this fall as its proven to me that coming off won't make me freak out and not want to ever ride again (how I have felt the last couple of times) and I don't blame the other girl at all as I should've stuck to my guns when I thought it was the wrong animal.
Oh yeah.. I also let out a beautiful banshee-like shriek: "I CAN'T STOP!!!!!" when I lost control again
I'm an idiot - I know
He's known for being blimmin' lazy, so I was carrying a whip too. Got down to the arena and he pratted about a little (knew at this point that it would be interesting). Once I was on him, he started to dance about when I asked him to stand and then did a half rear when I wouldn't let him move forwards like he wanted. Now I was thinking "Oh *****" but wasn't convinced that I could dismount safely.
Next thing I know, he's bombing off round the school, completely ignoring my aids. I dropped the whip straight away but we carried on doing the wall of death. I did my best to relax, but the moment I felt that I had some semblance of control and tried to turn him in the same direction we'd been going, he ripped his head round and went off in the other direction. He doesn't know flying changes and wasn't even considering coming back to trot.
I lost my inside stirrup as he swerved and when he fumbled with his feet I went flying out the side door with my other foot stuck in the stirrup - panicked about the possible results of this as I was starfish-ing backwards with no bp on (stupid - I know! Won't be doing it again!!) and was wondering how the hell I'd be able to afford a new hat so soon after this one. So I grabbed out at the fence, now have a beautiful oozy skinned section on my forearm (only about 1/2" by 1 1/2") and scratches down the rest of it. In doing this I managed to slow my fall enough to kick off the other stirrup, twist and land on my bum/hip and roll away from the horse.
Surprisingly I haven't lost my nerve.. In fact, once I was off I decided that I'd untack him, lunge him a little and later on ask if I could bring in my favourite for a 10 minute session to end on a good note. As it was, I was shaking like an addict and we decided that I'd probably be better off carrying on with yard duties or taking the youngster for a walk so that I could chill a bit and get over the shock.
Spoke to the other groom this morning at which point she confirmed that I'd actually been on a horse notorious for not having any brakes that needs to be ridden in a pelham to have any semblance of control. I rode him in a snaffle...
As daft as it probably sounds, I'm kind of glad that I had this fall as its proven to me that coming off won't make me freak out and not want to ever ride again (how I have felt the last couple of times) and I don't blame the other girl at all as I should've stuck to my guns when I thought it was the wrong animal.
Oh yeah.. I also let out a beautiful banshee-like shriek: "I CAN'T STOP!!!!!" when I lost control again
I'm an idiot - I know