Firehorse
Well-Known Member
my 7 year old son sat on my pony today for the first time in many months!! and i'm so proud i've gotta share it.
when i had a share horse 4 yrs ago, he used to love bouncing around the field on all 15.1 of her! then he rode a couple of other ponies and enjoyed it. when i bought my mare 3 and a half yrs ago he also loved to ride her. in from and back to the field, round the yard and in the school. and then he fell off her when she spooked and it really scared him
I sold her a while after that anyway as she was difficult in almost every way and i wasnt enjoying her. i wanted a nice easy horse to enjoy, not one that challenged me. anyway, then i got Ben and my son has been too scared to ride him. i've never forced it, jst suggested he have a sit on now and again. he's watched me ride and jump in the school and seen his older brother ride in the school and do all sorts with him. anyway, in april last year my son felt brave enough to hve a little sit on Ben while he grazed quietly. but since then he hasn't wanted to.
recently he's been getting closer and closer to Ben, giving him big cuddles and brushing him. so today while he had his arms right round Ben, i suggested he had a little sit on and he said yes! so i fetched his hat and he climbed onto the gate while i held Ben still and he climbed on all by himself and sat there for a few moments!!! and after that he asked to lead him back to the field too. i was gushing by now
so,hopefully if i can keep encouraging this, he might slowly progress to enjoying bouncing around again. i think he just needs to see he can trust Ben and feel confident with him. Ben adores my kids even though they dont do much with him, it would be so lovely if they could experience a bond with him coz he is a lovely gentle pony at heart. (he saves his moments for me!)
when i had a share horse 4 yrs ago, he used to love bouncing around the field on all 15.1 of her! then he rode a couple of other ponies and enjoyed it. when i bought my mare 3 and a half yrs ago he also loved to ride her. in from and back to the field, round the yard and in the school. and then he fell off her when she spooked and it really scared him
I sold her a while after that anyway as she was difficult in almost every way and i wasnt enjoying her. i wanted a nice easy horse to enjoy, not one that challenged me. anyway, then i got Ben and my son has been too scared to ride him. i've never forced it, jst suggested he have a sit on now and again. he's watched me ride and jump in the school and seen his older brother ride in the school and do all sorts with him. anyway, in april last year my son felt brave enough to hve a little sit on Ben while he grazed quietly. but since then he hasn't wanted to. recently he's been getting closer and closer to Ben, giving him big cuddles and brushing him. so today while he had his arms right round Ben, i suggested he had a little sit on and he said yes! so i fetched his hat and he climbed onto the gate while i held Ben still and he climbed on all by himself and sat there for a few moments!!! and after that he asked to lead him back to the field too. i was gushing by now
so,hopefully if i can keep encouraging this, he might slowly progress to enjoying bouncing around again. i think he just needs to see he can trust Ben and feel confident with him. Ben adores my kids even though they dont do much with him, it would be so lovely if they could experience a bond with him coz he is a lovely gentle pony at heart. (he saves his moments for me!)
