SALLYT
Well-Known Member
Its a standing joke on my yard that my horse is a saint, which he is, and is totally unflappable,and I think secretly many think he is a tad boring, beacuse he does what he is told, isn't flighty and is generally a good lad.
Well yesterday went for a super long hack about 2 hours, and he was walking out a treat and showed no signs of flagging. My friend out on her cob was frightened of puddles, drains etc, mine just ignored everything as usual.
On the last stretch we turned up this country lane and I felt him tense as I approached a corner I could see over the hedge tops about 20 people metal detecting, he went in to major meltdown, but as this point he couldn't see anything. His breathing was so rapid I could feel him pushing my legs with each beat, his eyes were wide and I got the feeling that something could happen, just then a head popped over the fence with huge multi coloured headphones on shouting hello!.
WHOOSH he took one look reversed and bolted up the road, I must admit I wasn't quite ready, lost my stirrups and ended up around his neck with one leg over the saddle, how I stopped on lord only knows, I kept thinking sh$t don't panic just keep on.
I did managed to stop him and he was so frightened, my friend could't believe it and had to escort him past, even then he was coiled up like a spring and breathing so quickly.
I wondered if he had heard the high frequency of the detectors and reacted to that as he really couldn't see them until this lovely but colourful head appeared.
I am going to hack him past this place tonight so hopefully he'll be ok,but If I see any metal detectors I think I'll make a detour, but its just goes to show that any horse can be unpredictable and take fright in strange situations, he will glady go past the local pig farm with squealing and grunting pigs that he cannot see, but obviously metal detectors are a big no no!.
Well yesterday went for a super long hack about 2 hours, and he was walking out a treat and showed no signs of flagging. My friend out on her cob was frightened of puddles, drains etc, mine just ignored everything as usual.
On the last stretch we turned up this country lane and I felt him tense as I approached a corner I could see over the hedge tops about 20 people metal detecting, he went in to major meltdown, but as this point he couldn't see anything. His breathing was so rapid I could feel him pushing my legs with each beat, his eyes were wide and I got the feeling that something could happen, just then a head popped over the fence with huge multi coloured headphones on shouting hello!.
WHOOSH he took one look reversed and bolted up the road, I must admit I wasn't quite ready, lost my stirrups and ended up around his neck with one leg over the saddle, how I stopped on lord only knows, I kept thinking sh$t don't panic just keep on.
I did managed to stop him and he was so frightened, my friend could't believe it and had to escort him past, even then he was coiled up like a spring and breathing so quickly.
I wondered if he had heard the high frequency of the detectors and reacted to that as he really couldn't see them until this lovely but colourful head appeared.
I am going to hack him past this place tonight so hopefully he'll be ok,but If I see any metal detectors I think I'll make a detour, but its just goes to show that any horse can be unpredictable and take fright in strange situations, he will glady go past the local pig farm with squealing and grunting pigs that he cannot see, but obviously metal detectors are a big no no!.
