My son and his pony (sorry self indulgent post from proud mother!)

nikicb

nikicb

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We bought Milligan 9 years ago as a lead rein for my then 3 year old son. To cut a long story short he was a fantastic lead rein pony and competed successfully at many local shows. Then when my son was nearly 6 he started to come off the lead rein. The next thing we had was a broken arm, so badly shattered that the surgeon opened it up and 'didn't know where to start'. Wires, operations, physio, a week in hospital, a very guilty feeling mother, a very distressed non horsey father, 2 cancelled holidays - we had it all! My son is now 12 and it has taken a lot of guts, patience (from the son and his instructor respectively) to sort this out. I didn't want him to grow out of the pony and never sort him out. So on Monday he had a lesson and finished off by jumping round the field. And yes the pony still tried it on, but son said 'no' you're going to do what I say and he did!! Milligan is not totally nasty, perfect lead rein pony, babies could crawl around him when tied up, but is a typical pony who will try it on if he can. He does love jumping however, and will clear 3 ft when he is loose schooled (not bad at 11'2"). I am so proud of my son, who is a sensitive chap and had a real problem giving Milligan a smack when required. It may not be the Olympics, but he can jump a course of jumps and still be smiling at the end of it! Sorry, totally indulgent, but proud mother, and now ready to get the next model for son to go out and compete on, do pony club etc. Also, sorry no pictures of pony actually jumping, kept missing it!!
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Edited to correct typos - hope there aren't any more!
 
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Thanks G!! So proud of him on Monday, they look great together don't they?!

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Having seen the not so angelic side of the grey one, I think a lot of good riding must've been going on! Long may it continue
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Fantastic, makes it all worthwhile when it comes together, well done him.
My son (8) broke his arm out hunting last year, not badly like yours but it really did knock his confidence, so WELL DONE!
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Thanks everyone for all your lovely comments. And just in case you're wondering, Mills has a home with us for life. How can I resist that handsome face and the whinny every time I walk on to the yard?! No. 2 son is now 6, but I'm getting something with 3 legs for him to come off the lead rein, and then he can have Milli!
Mrs M - I think you have one like this don't you?
 
They look lovely together and he looks so determined! I know (as we've one of the same) that he will have put a lot of hard work into working with the pony and I'm sure it's taken many weeks so well done your son for sticking with it and getting there, you have every right to be proud as it sounds a nasty fall to get over.
 
WELL DONE YOUR SON and pony.

I caanot wait until Daisy can do that even though she tells me she can do it by herself now, bless her she is only 3
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WEll done again and if you know of a pony just like that please let me know
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Thanks Dubsie, yes it has been a lot of hard work, but I'm pleased to say that we have not had to resort to any extra tack or gadgets - he is always ridden as you see him in the pictures, with a cavesson noseband and a wilkie snaffle (which just gives a bit of poll action which helps the kids get him in the right outline).

Gails, thanks for your kind words, but I sincerely hope you find an easier pony than Milli for your daughter - it has taken us 9 years and a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get this far! Keep her safe, I only realised how vulnerable my son was after his fall.
 
Oh, how fantastic and well done to your son for overcoming his nerves and anxieties.

I wish I had a wonderful pony my daughter could ride and build her confidence up again. After a nasty fall just over two years ago I cannot see her riding again. She was a cracking little rider and her nerves were shattered in a moment when the son of the lady whose pony we were trying out jumped out of a tree as she rode past, it bolted and she fell off down a bank onto a road.
 
Archiesmummy - I know how hard it is. I had to be really hard with him and say that we would sell the pony if he didn't ride it. I also refused to watch any lessons as he would throw a complete wobbler about even getting on if I was there. I did have a couple of people tell me I should leave it, but they didn't have children so I'm not sure they were in the best position to tell me this. I knew it would come right in the end, it was just hard going through it all. My son came off loads more times, but nothing serious, and he actually learnt that his broken arm was one of those freak things and falling off doesn't need to hurt. This in turn made him much less worried about coming off, which meant he didn't tense up every time the pony moved and then didn't come off - it's a cycle that has to be broken. He also had a weekly lesson at a local riding school (on school ponies) where I know the people really well so that helped him as well. And please believe me I am not the sort of mother that shouts at their children to perform if they can't, I knew he could, he just had to learn to believe in himself again. And now as they say - a picture paints a thousand words and he is loving it all again!
 
Well done, he's a fab looking pony (so ncie to see a kids pony that isn't overweight as well!) Think the combo of instructor, yours and sons patience has done wonders
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