JenHunt
Well-Known Member
OH (for those who don't know) has been riding about 4 years, having 4 lessons before going hunting the first time, and loves it. He loves it, especially galloping and jumping, he has no fear and after a few close calls for friends has chosen to use this all to the advantage of the air ambulance. Today OH had a lesson on Ron, without a saddle. This is all in preparation for doing a full day's hunting later in the season bareback in aid of the Air Ambulance.
Ron is feeling rather full of himself, so OH had actually had an hours hack first thing, given Ron 2 hours recovery time and then hacked the mile or so up to the lesson, and still had his hands full!
This was the first lesson bareback, and my instructor is donating 2 lessons, and putting the notice around her yard to help raise sponsorship.
She had him schooling on the flat to start with, to see how both were coping, and to get Ron listening (fat chance!). Then she popped up a few little fences and told him to approach them like you do out hunting... trot along, turn, pop, turn and trot (like following a fence line, crossing it and following it up the other side). She got him jumping a little (showjumping) gate, and a water tray etc.
After the lesson he hacked home, but Ron, still feeling full of himself, and now excited by having seen a jump, spooked at something/nothing and shot sideways up someone's driveway. OH stayed on, but bashed a part of himself on Ron's withers and is now walking like..... well, kinda like he's got wet pants on
or has sh@t himsel' 

Instructor, apart from thinking that OH is mad, said that she's never yet met anyone who looks more stable jumping a fence with no saddle, than on the flat with one...
Like I said - only the OH!
Ron is feeling rather full of himself, so OH had actually had an hours hack first thing, given Ron 2 hours recovery time and then hacked the mile or so up to the lesson, and still had his hands full!
This was the first lesson bareback, and my instructor is donating 2 lessons, and putting the notice around her yard to help raise sponsorship.
She had him schooling on the flat to start with, to see how both were coping, and to get Ron listening (fat chance!). Then she popped up a few little fences and told him to approach them like you do out hunting... trot along, turn, pop, turn and trot (like following a fence line, crossing it and following it up the other side). She got him jumping a little (showjumping) gate, and a water tray etc.
After the lesson he hacked home, but Ron, still feeling full of himself, and now excited by having seen a jump, spooked at something/nothing and shot sideways up someone's driveway. OH stayed on, but bashed a part of himself on Ron's withers and is now walking like..... well, kinda like he's got wet pants on
Instructor, apart from thinking that OH is mad, said that she's never yet met anyone who looks more stable jumping a fence with no saddle, than on the flat with one...
Like I said - only the OH!