OMG - Had a fabulous ride today (pony fans)

[RainbowDash]

Just had to share this - still buzzing even 12 hours later.

We had such a fabulous fun and fizzy ride today. One of the ladies from our next-door yard asked to join us on a ride out today and I saw another side of Ponio I'd never seen before - what a revelation!

Background: Ponio (mixed heritage) 14hh (16 Years) usually a plod on solo rides out (I know he's quick but he's never had a test with other horses at our yard because they're pretty slow).

I've brought him a hunting breastplate - he pricked his ears up when it went on - surely been hunted at some point in the past (?) one of the ladies from the neighbouring yard is loaning a young ex-racehorse - only had him three weeks and a little nervous on him - she asked if she could ride with us (oh yes me says).

We went out on a warm up hack and ponio plodded in walk - had to trot to keep up - later on a long trot he kept pace beautifully and tried to take over (got his heckles up) - we went for it at canter and ponio turned into a monster - tail up and loving every minute - I had to hold him back - later we went for the canter again and ponio really opened up - i've had him nearly 9 months and never seen him behave like this - if i'd let him he would have taken right over and given the TB a run for his money - There must be Arab or TB in him somewhere.

I'm soooo proud of my powerful little mini-racehorse (i'm sure this ride has done his reputation or ponio-kind no harm at all (;¬)) and am so I'm looking forward to our next ride out with our friend and her TB ...

 

[POLLDARK]

My New Forest (13.3hh) is the same. If he's out with another horse he grows 2 hands higher. He goes out a lot with a 17.3hh eventer & even his extended trot will keep pace with the others canter on a narrow track. If you take the brakes off he can really motor & has great stamina too. I really enjoy him, though on one memorable fun ride the slowest he would go was a jog trot & I was regretting not having a stronger bra He seems to be able to keep going for ever. I think it is a pony thing , amazing.

 

[Princess Jess]

Haha aww bless him, he obviously fancies himself as the next Frankel!

 

[TrasaM]

That's lovely..funny you finding out about his alter ego after all this time. Coblet I sometimes ride does a similar trick and has taken to racing a WB mare who's at least 2hands taller and has a much bigger stride. First time he did it he got this determined feeling about him and surprised everyone including himself by overtaking. Certainly made a change from our usual position tailing along behind everyone. I've had to rein him in since as his owner wasn't keen on him learning to gallop great fun but must not let him do it anymore.

 

[RainbowDash]

Hi,

I've only had him 9 months and we usually ride out solo - so this was a shock - very welcome one mind .

Thinking about getting him a blue saddle cloth with a big red 'S' on it - .