Annagain
Well-Known Member
Charlie had his first outing over the weekend. My riding club normally does a local camp over the bank holiday weekend but, with covid restrictions, we did two days of "day camps" instead. It was almost as if the situation was made for Charlie. We went for the first lesson on Saturday while it was nice and quiet with Monty as wingman. I'd been trying to get him out in the trailer before we went just as a trial run but for one reason or another it didn't happen so I wasn't sure how he'd travel or if M would beat him up (he's not a big fan of horses in 'his' space but if they're submissive he's normally ok). They travelled together brilliantly, stood to be tacked up without squabbling and were generally happy with each other. On to the lesson - it wasn't as quiet as we thought it would be and there was a lot going on around us. His eyes were on stalks and we did just have to stop to take it all in a couple of times but as soon as he got his head round what was going on he'd carry on perfectly happily. We have a lot to work on, but he just has such a sensible, trainable brain that I think we'll be fine.
On Sunday, he flew solo. Travelled like a dream and stood on the trailer like a rock even when I arrived an hour early because I can't tell the time. I was in a panic thinking I wasn't going to arrive until about 3.20 for a 3.30 lesson when the news came on the radio and told me it was 2 o'clock! It worked out well as he had time to meet his adoring public and chill for a bit to see what was going on around him. This was a poles lesson which I was worried would be a bit ambitious but I wanted a lesson with this particular instructor and she was only doing poles / jumping that day. I needn't have worried - she pitched the lesson perfectly and he was a total star. He strode into the arena like he owned it and all the lookiness of the day before was gone. He was calm, confident and listening even when the relatively fresh off the track TB next to him got a bit excited. We even managed a canter with the correct lead twice on each rein with one half decent transition - this is a big thing! He did get a little bit nappy towards the end when he got tired and the exercise we were doing meant everybody else had to wait in the middle of the school for one person to do it but he didn't really argue when I told him to get on with it. As I said we have a long way to go but we've started on our journey and I can't wait for the rest of it.
After the lesson, I left him tied to the trailer while I went to get water to wash him down. As I was filling the bucket I could hear a very low flying helicopter (the venue is close to the search and rescue helicopter base) so I ran back to him expecting an issue. He didn't even look up from his haynet.
I can't remember the last time I had a horsey smile as big as I did on Sunday night.
I'm always on my own at these things so not loads of photos but a friend sent me this one.
...and this is him on the trailer - have hay, will travel.
First Fun Ride next weekend - I'm actually looking forward to it rather than worrying!
On Sunday, he flew solo. Travelled like a dream and stood on the trailer like a rock even when I arrived an hour early because I can't tell the time. I was in a panic thinking I wasn't going to arrive until about 3.20 for a 3.30 lesson when the news came on the radio and told me it was 2 o'clock! It worked out well as he had time to meet his adoring public and chill for a bit to see what was going on around him. This was a poles lesson which I was worried would be a bit ambitious but I wanted a lesson with this particular instructor and she was only doing poles / jumping that day. I needn't have worried - she pitched the lesson perfectly and he was a total star. He strode into the arena like he owned it and all the lookiness of the day before was gone. He was calm, confident and listening even when the relatively fresh off the track TB next to him got a bit excited. We even managed a canter with the correct lead twice on each rein with one half decent transition - this is a big thing! He did get a little bit nappy towards the end when he got tired and the exercise we were doing meant everybody else had to wait in the middle of the school for one person to do it but he didn't really argue when I told him to get on with it. As I said we have a long way to go but we've started on our journey and I can't wait for the rest of it.
After the lesson, I left him tied to the trailer while I went to get water to wash him down. As I was filling the bucket I could hear a very low flying helicopter (the venue is close to the search and rescue helicopter base) so I ran back to him expecting an issue. He didn't even look up from his haynet.
I can't remember the last time I had a horsey smile as big as I did on Sunday night.
I'm always on my own at these things so not loads of photos but a friend sent me this one.
...and this is him on the trailer - have hay, will travel.
First Fun Ride next weekend - I'm actually looking forward to it rather than worrying!
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