spookypony
Well-Known Member
Somewhat pointless post, I suppose...I went to the yard in a hell of a mood tonight, after a long day at work. And the pony most definitely didn't want to come in from the field tonight: I found him beside the hay feeder, and he planted every few steps on the way to the gate.
Even as I was leading him into the yard, I kept flip-flopping between riding and not riding: it was already nearly 7:30, and snowing heavily in large wet flakes, and there was no way we were going to get into the indoor school.
Nevertheless, off we went...and the pony did perk up once we got going. We went for a long hack through the woods and around the golf course. It was so very quiet; I couldn't even really hear his hooves. And the snow was already covering the ground even in the woods, so that the whole forest was illuminated in a gentle grey light.
As we passed the golf greens, their pale expanse was so inviting for a run...but we behaved ourselves and stayed on the paths: I think the riding school gets sent a bill for every hoof-print, regardless of whose horse caused them.
Shortly before getting back to the yard, the pony got a pebble stuck in his off hind: I could hear it clicking on the pavement. He didn't want to trot with it there, but was forging ahead steadily in walk, so I left it until we got back, since we were almost there. I didn't really want to hop off and root around for the pebble in the falling snow, and then have to get back into a wet saddle.
I hauled him inside the barn to untack, it being dry and light in there. The pebble having been removed, I set about trying to trim his bridle-path. Usually, this is a tricky endeavour, involving two people: one to hold the pony as he leaps about and tries to run backwards, and one to do a hit-and-run with scissors. But today, since I had him in a stall with nowhere to go and no people about, I was able simply to take my time and insist gently, with lots of scratches and murmuring, and one little snip at a time in between his irritated head-bobbings and neck-contortions. And by the end, he stood quietly, and just let me finish. So now I have a neat-maned pony! He got a big carrot, too.
I feel quite content now. I'm glad I went for that ride. It made the whole day so much better!
Even as I was leading him into the yard, I kept flip-flopping between riding and not riding: it was already nearly 7:30, and snowing heavily in large wet flakes, and there was no way we were going to get into the indoor school.
Nevertheless, off we went...and the pony did perk up once we got going. We went for a long hack through the woods and around the golf course. It was so very quiet; I couldn't even really hear his hooves. And the snow was already covering the ground even in the woods, so that the whole forest was illuminated in a gentle grey light.
As we passed the golf greens, their pale expanse was so inviting for a run...but we behaved ourselves and stayed on the paths: I think the riding school gets sent a bill for every hoof-print, regardless of whose horse caused them.
Shortly before getting back to the yard, the pony got a pebble stuck in his off hind: I could hear it clicking on the pavement. He didn't want to trot with it there, but was forging ahead steadily in walk, so I left it until we got back, since we were almost there. I didn't really want to hop off and root around for the pebble in the falling snow, and then have to get back into a wet saddle.
I hauled him inside the barn to untack, it being dry and light in there. The pebble having been removed, I set about trying to trim his bridle-path. Usually, this is a tricky endeavour, involving two people: one to hold the pony as he leaps about and tries to run backwards, and one to do a hit-and-run with scissors. But today, since I had him in a stall with nowhere to go and no people about, I was able simply to take my time and insist gently, with lots of scratches and murmuring, and one little snip at a time in between his irritated head-bobbings and neck-contortions. And by the end, he stood quietly, and just let me finish. So now I have a neat-maned pony! He got a big carrot, too.
I feel quite content now. I'm glad I went for that ride. It made the whole day so much better!
