abi31
Well-Known Member
Apologies as this is a bit long so get ready with wine and biscuits as I thought I would entertain you with this evenings exploits.
So, Lucy and I have been progressing well with her napping and rearing and have been having lovely hacks as a result. Two weeks on from her return from the pro's and the backing out of the yard technique has been working well and I was really looking forwards to hacking over to them for a jumping lesson and telling them all the good news.
Then, tonight it all went tits up. I was running late from work and the horses were all over the far side of the field. There was thunder and lightning but no rain so I got her in and got tacked up. She trotted off very keenly from the mounting block and headed down the lane which we normally back out of and I thought we weren't going to have any problems.
However, as people stopped to admire our progress she planted right in front of the on-site shop and did her Lloyds TSB rearing horse impression. I'm thinking, that's fine, we'll turn round and reverse out as per normal.
The mare was not for turning! She stood there happily flexing her head and neck left and right whilst helping herself to a mouthful of flowers from the planters outside the shop!!
I sat trying everything I could think of before my friend came and rescued me and led me off the yard like a 5 year old and the ten minute walk down the road to the pro's menage.
Here she was an absolute star. We had a couple of early refusals as we were both a little wound up with each other and then she jumped like an absolute star. The rain came down in torrents, the storm rumbled overhead and she was brilliant.
Lessons learnt: give myself plenty of time, don't feel embarressed if people are watching just get on with things and keep calm and carry on. I know these things are obvious to everyone but in the heat of the moment rationality goes out of the window.
My instructor also put things in perspective as she pointed out that one bad day in 2 weeks was not a set-back but a minor glitch.
So, Lucy and I have been progressing well with her napping and rearing and have been having lovely hacks as a result. Two weeks on from her return from the pro's and the backing out of the yard technique has been working well and I was really looking forwards to hacking over to them for a jumping lesson and telling them all the good news.
Then, tonight it all went tits up. I was running late from work and the horses were all over the far side of the field. There was thunder and lightning but no rain so I got her in and got tacked up. She trotted off very keenly from the mounting block and headed down the lane which we normally back out of and I thought we weren't going to have any problems.
However, as people stopped to admire our progress she planted right in front of the on-site shop and did her Lloyds TSB rearing horse impression. I'm thinking, that's fine, we'll turn round and reverse out as per normal.
The mare was not for turning! She stood there happily flexing her head and neck left and right whilst helping herself to a mouthful of flowers from the planters outside the shop!!
I sat trying everything I could think of before my friend came and rescued me and led me off the yard like a 5 year old and the ten minute walk down the road to the pro's menage.
Here she was an absolute star. We had a couple of early refusals as we were both a little wound up with each other and then she jumped like an absolute star. The rain came down in torrents, the storm rumbled overhead and she was brilliant.
Lessons learnt: give myself plenty of time, don't feel embarressed if people are watching just get on with things and keep calm and carry on. I know these things are obvious to everyone but in the heat of the moment rationality goes out of the window.
My instructor also put things in perspective as she pointed out that one bad day in 2 weeks was not a set-back but a minor glitch.