Pony update *long*

[Smallhorses]

Afternoon all!

Just an update on my new Pony

Things are going really well - no more mental incidents to name of since "the buckaroo episode" a couple of weeks ago. He has really calmed down and feeling allot more confident about his surroundings (although he goes on his toes walking past the "episode" area lol!)

I've had the saddler out to measure him up and she thinks that although the saddle is a little on the small size for my butt, its not uncomfortable for him or will cause any pain in the short term. I am picking my new saddle up next week - very exciting!

Since the "episode" I have got back on and ridden him round the woods daily. Most of the time my partner has been there or I have gone out in company. Nothing too hectic. The biggest thing for me at the moment is to learn to relax and let go of the reins a bit more. I have been discussing (with myself) not to worry so much about riding and to enjoy it. I am determined to get out of my nervous mindset by saying "if you carry on like this you might as well give up." My Ex-racer shattered my confidence so much - its only now that I realise how bad we were for eachother.

I spent allot of time with him on the ground on Sunday. I tied him up outside his stable with some hay and I got a chair and a copy of Robinsons latest magazine and just sat next to him for a couple of hours. Every now and then he popped his head over the mag and had a browse at the latest rug designs modelled by a gorgeous ginger filly He got a bit bored towards the end and grabbed hold of the mag in protest. We played tug-of-war for bit but he won and decided to swing the mag across the yard Cheeky Pony!

I bought him a new lite weight to keep this nasty rain off him. He look sooooo cute!! He's only a 5"6 bless him! Very stylish I also got him a new royal blue numnah and a sheepskin girth cover. I can't believe how much I have spent this month!!

My YO has organised a clear round jumping day at the end of August which I really want to do. My Pony (apparently) has a great jumping background and way ahead of me in the skills area - so I have organised some lessons to get up to speed Bit nervous but I really really want to do it. All my other (limited) experiences of jumping consists of me falling onto my horse's withers when we land or losing my balance which I need to sort out. And I will A few of my friends are going too - they are all hot shot cross country riders so I relly need to sort myself out if I don't want to look like a doughnut!

I am so so so happy with my little Pony - he is my dream come true!!!

 

[Hippona]

Fabulous post hun

Must admit I was a bit worried when you posted about the 'episode' but you seem to be going in the right direction.

Aim for the summer.....relax and have fun.

 

[Brandy]

I missed details of the 'episode' but did see your post when you were thinking of buying him. He does look fun I have to say! But with fun also come 'episodes' sometimes.

Glad to hear you are getting a new saddle - the one you had when you tried him definately looked very small, so that should help both of you.

I know its easier said than done but I find if I ride with confidence, even pretend confidence, it helps a lot and my pony picks up on that, therefore is less likely to have any challanging episodes!

Have you been schooling him or just hacking out? One thing that helped settle my boy (who ius quite tense) was to get on a circle in the middle of the school, in walk. Really try to move with him, and use alternate nudges of the leg to encourage him to walk out, gradually feed him a little more rein, until you are at the buckle and he is strecthing right down, I do this for 10 minutes or so (changing the rein) and it helps a great deal to relax him. It is hard to let the reins go like that to start withthough!

 

[trendybraincell]

Was just wondering the other day how you were getting on! Glad to hear things are going well, I think we need some update pictures too

 

[indie999]

Glad its going well...it just takes time to get to know each other. Took me a year.
Re the episode dont remember what it was but YES they always remember where they dumped you etc...mine does. I remember my sister told me roughly where she was dumped and on her horse I was able to describe exactly the log tree etc etc etc. But you just have to ride through it.

Good to hear the saddle is sorted and good luck with the jumping too. At least with this rain the ground is softer now

 

[Smallhorses]

I will get some pic updates this weekend!! (none of me on the ground after a dodgy fall though! lol!)

 

[ELFSBELLS]

What a lovely post, pleased you're getting on well together, pics are a must!!!!

 

[KVH]

Fantastic! So pleased for you, he certainly sounds like a character!