Sometimes we need to look back to appreciate how far we've come...

[almrc]

Back in 2004, I moved 250 miles away to Surrey to study at University. Having ridden for the previous 15 years of my life, I wanted to keep riding. I advertised online and found this beautiful horse to exercise.

2004 - He would be about 5 in this picture, broken in about 7 months earlier. He was destined to the meat man previous to this and as a yearling, was, as I recall, beaten back from the gate with a stick and whatever else, we don't know...

Chap (as I lovingly call him) is a 15.2ish Hackney x Welsh cob (and prob something else thrown in). I rode him one day every week. In no time at all, my quiet ways started to build a real bond with him. His owner was absolutely lovely and we got on (and still do) really well. She is fantastic.

Relaxed riding - as we got to know each other we were achieving more and more all the time. We rode in the school, but mainly crossed the rode and rode around the jumping field and sometimes went on small hacks in company.

He had done a little bit of jumping by this time but not a great deal. Its something that we worked on and both loved it.

In 2005/6 (can't remember which exactly) chap moved to a competition yard. Here he did a lot of schooling and was stabled a lot. However, there were better facilities and better hacking. Unfortunately the owner had to stop riding and so a loaner was found. I still rode once a week, I would have like to have ride more but I was unable too due to uni and he was about 45 minutes away.

He was a scardey cat at times, but due to our natural bond we overcame a lot of things....

I would have like to have hacked him out a lot more, but there was rarely anyone to hack with. I did take hm out a few times on my own when my then BF would walk with us.

Our strong bond continued. I was able to do things with him that others weren't able to.

He was being schooled a lot in the week and was turning into a proper horse. However....

......he started to pick up habits and his behaviour started to change. He started to become strong, taking the bit, a lot of problems getting on.....as I was only there once a week there was little I could do. You have to remember the bad times to appreciate the good so here are the pics:

I had finished uni in 2007 and was going home. I had seen great changes in him from back in 2004, due to numerous reasons. I was not enjoying our rides so much at this time. Below is the pic of the last time I saw him 2007. We had built up such a great relationship. I dont know what it was but this horse meant so much to me. I cried so much. After 3 years, I didn't think I would see him ever again.

 

[narkymare]

a beautiful history for you both - i do hope you saw him again x

 

[clairefeekerry1]

and did you see him again????

 

[Izzwizz]

Beautiful pics and a stunning horse, looked fabulous as he shaped up. Have you seen him again?

 

[La Fiaba]

Noooo! That can't be the end of the story?! Please tell me you've seen him again and he's doing brill! Pweeeeeez

 

[almrc]

I had asked his owner a few times if I could have him on loan. Every time I got excited thinking about him, but she was reluctant of course and quite rightly so, as she had had him for so long. I stopped thinking about him and bought a horse. I then a year later bought a 1 yr old (she was offered to me really, so kind of got her by accident but it was a good thing!) Having just moved yards and renting 7 acres of land on my own I contacted his owner again. He had always been at the back of my mind, never forgotten.

She told me how he had in short, lost trust in all humans. He was now on grass livery and she had been looking for someone to loan him. I said instantly I would have him. She agreed I would be perfect and almost 2 years after I had last seen him in 2007, he was coming home to me. I thought I was dreaming.

Chap arrived in March 2009. I had no idea what had happened or what he would be like. He had traveled 7 hours to get to me, not a drop of sweat. I was literally ecstatic. I have never been happier in my whole life.

However, I knew all was not as it used to be in 2004 - as soon as he was unloaded he put his head down and ran off. I soon realised he didn't want to be with me or anyone. He literally kept running off, you could not lead him anywhere. I had everything checked as soon as he came.

He wasn't keen on being stabled. He used to run off before he got in the stable. Once in, he would start weaving shortly after. I realised A LOT had changed. We had to start right from the beginning.

I spent a lot of time with him again. I quietly hoped he remembered me.

Bonding with us all.

I spent so much time doing various bit of ground work with him. I won't lie, there have been days where i have literally been in tears, so upset and thinking I had got no where. Just simple things like walking 1m, he would set his head and run. You couldn't to anything with him. But my persistence started to pay off, I started to notice small changes in him.

I did various training with him after bonding for a while, like using the tarpaulin

I was the following year, also able to lead him across the massive bottom field on his own.

I started introducing him to his tack again in about 2010. I still was not riding yet, this seemed so far away. To date at this point, he had not been ridden for about 16 months.

He was not keen on things being above him. I swung ropes over his back (gradually of course!), swung numnahs over him, stood on a step next to him...like backing a horse but it took much longer, it feels. Where as one day you could stand over him, the next day it would seemed like you were at square one and couldn't stand over him. So as frustrating as it got, I persevered with him. This horse is like a million dollars to me. We had already come so far there was no way I would give up now. Dreams of riding felt like so far away....

 

[LaurenM]

I'm loving this story I'm glad the owner loaned him to you.

 

[La Fiaba]

Poor Chaps
But good to hear you guys are back together and you seem to be doing brilliantly. Much better story also.

 

[Izzwizz]

Fantastic story and pics, next chapter please now, quick!!

 

[almrc]

I remember towards the last time I rode him, things weren't great so as I mentioned before, I spent a lot of time getting him used to everything again. He was not keen on being long reined in large areas, so we stuck for now to the small schooling area. I also made a dummy to put on him. I am aware of what horses can do and was unsure of what he had been like. I was totally surprised and absolutely pleased with him...not long of leaning the dummy over him we were at this stage

I kept on getting him used to everything. It was all done at his pace. Not long after, this happened.....June 2010

Looking more than a little nervous!! After seeing him run off so much with me in the past, I was of course more than nervous.I know he has been known to rear and bronch. So I was asked to be led...and I am not a nervous rider usually! My mum led me up the field. I was in tears. I thought this day would never come.

My mum made me get on him at least once a week. Every time I was worried, but everytime he was as good as gold, never put a foot wrong.

Riding on - both a little nervous

I kept the riding area small. We kept to walk and one day we tried a trot. The feeling was amazing. Riding on a bit more in school:

Not long after this we cantered! I was amazed!!! He could sometimes become a little strong in the school but nothing bad at all.

We had still at this time stuck to riding in the school. He was leading across the massive top field all by him self and not running off. He will also stable beautifully now. He runs off about 5% of the time, probably less than that.

I was amazed I was getting on his back. At the mounting block he would play up. But we just kept practicing this, as with everything with him, time and patience. I would get on and off, on and off. The next day he would forget all of this, so I would have to repeat it again. On, off, on off. He was getting used to the idea but still not overly keen. I won't lie, mounting wasn't something I looked forward to, but I needed to do this for both of us.........

 

[Honey08]

Fantastic story and pics, next chapter please now, quick!!

Yes please. I should be in bed!

 

[am3l1a]

ah this should be made into a film like black beauty !!!! im so happy for you both!!! i think he does remember you i like to think horses never forget, maybe he remebers the smell?

keep going, tell me more!

 

[almrc]

Things have literally gone from strength to strength. My friend (who I like to call a professional) has been of amazing help to me. She hacked him out for the first time with me riding in company. He was a star! Quite nervous of everything, but we just kept to the lanes and of course stayed in walk. My other friend said I HAD to hack him out the following day. I was a nervous wreck, she suggested I have a drink before, but I didnt. I just remember my other friend riding him and all of my courage came from that. I knew I have to be strong for him, which is what I did.

He didnt put a foot wrong. I had to get out of my head he was going to run off.

One of the first hacks out

My friend has been brill. She has been hacking out with me on my other horse. Without her and a few other people I wouldn't be where we are at now. Our confidence has grown and grown. I soon realised that he wasn't there to be mean to me. He was all along scared. He would never hurt me. And everytime he ran off, I knew WHY he had done it. So far, we have been hacking out in company twice a week. He is barefoot so his feet have gradually been transitioning.

He has always reacted badly to the weather. One day we braved it and hacked out in the wind. I was feeling al lot more confident now. Out on the hack this happened....

He was such a good boy. It was howling! By this time, his feet were getting better. Recently he has been brave and hacks out in front. Although a little wary of certain things, I would ask him on and he goes. The time came to try a canter in the hack! I really wanted to do this but again was a little nervous. I cantered in front..... WE LOVED IT! Since then he has cantered in front and cantered behind. No trouble at all.

Also on a hack, I have ridden away from the other horse to see what he was like. He got a bit wary but I just asked him on. He seems to get confidence from me. We have not yet hacked out on our own, but we did ride down the lane shortly on our own and back. Our next hurdle is to hack out on our own and I am going to try this soon, with someone on foot of course.

I'm not really sure on our plans for the future. It took 16 months of work to be safely riding him, but time spending on him, to me, is nothing. To date (touch wood) since re-riding him he has never bucked, reared or tanked off. He means the world to me. And get this, he will now stand at the mounting block absolutely perfectly. Even better than my other horse! On Christmas eve I rode him around the big top field, on his own. True star. We have had bicycles come past us, mope heads, cars, vans and even 3 off road bikes. He was very unkeen of these, as were my other horse. We are also going hacking on a busyish road soon, meeting a double decker bus will be an experienced but seeing as he used to live and hack up a 60mph road in a busy place he should be fine.

This horse keeps surprising me time and time again. I wont lie, at times its been extremely hard, the things we have gone through. I have had him now 21 months. But I know he is there to give his all as I am to him. No one I doubt will ever ride him. He is like that. 16 months ago I could never dream of riding him. I can't believe how well he has come a long. Next year I hope to take him into an indoor school and see what he is like. I know his is not keen on schooling and that is why he misbehaves as he used to be schooled a lot. But I will try it and see what he thinks of it. If he does like it, they do mini SJ comps down there, so next year...who knows?! All I know is, like I have always done, I take one step at a time with him. This horse means the world to me and I would do anything for him. He owes me nothing and just to let me ride him is in itself a miracle.

The end...for now!

Oh PS: After about 14 months the owner offered him to me to buy. I did and he is now mine!!!

 

[Izzwizz]

How nice to read a happy thread instead of all the bitchy drivel that has kept popping up over the last day or two. Well done you. Time and patience are the key with all horses and you have proved it. My mare was a nappy and lacking in confidence when I got her. We hack out all over now and on our own. Took time. We do a bit of schooling out on our hacks, just little bits but it keeps her mind ticking over. Shes not keen on the school and tends to be naughty after a time in there.

Glad he is yours now. Keep us informed of your future plans and how you both are getting on.

 

[Honey08]

Awww. Nice story. Glad you bought him.

Haven't you grown up on the photos too!

 

[sandy3924]

Really, lovely inspiring story. Well done. Good luck for 2011.

 

[charlie_brown1]

Such a truly wonderful story. xx

 

[maletto]

what a lovely story! thanks for sharing

 

[almrc]

Yes I have grown up a lot, though still look 16 hehe. I like to think my riding has improved but we are always forever improving. I have been meaning to introduce him to you sooner, but I just need to realise how far we have come. Thank you all for your kind words.

 

[LaurenM]

I'm so glad you got to have him to yourself in the end! Well done for remaining positive and riding even though you are nervous. Just hope I can overcome my nerves too!

 

[Jayde87]

What a beautiful beautiful story. A big big well done to you. All that hard work deffinately paid off, and that horse clearly loves you dearly.

 

[Janette]

You are so right when you say 'it is the journey...', and what a journey.

Well done, you have done so much for this beautiful horse.

 

[horsiegal_1987]

This was a great story! I love the fact that he is now yours as you clearly both care and love eachother!

I would like to say that you are an inspiration in the way you have perservered with him and it just prooves that time and patience really does pay off!
Also love that as the pictures go on you can see your smile get bigger and bigger great work and good luck for 2011! xxx

 

[1stclassalan]

Your story is truly fantastic - I especially enjoyed looking at the lengths you went to educating Lad - highly commendable, lots of youngsters seem to want to rush things when funnily enough, it's them that have more time than us oldies.

Lots of ghost stories round where you live now is there? Headless riders seen in daylight!

I hate this modern term "journey" but I certainly had a similar tale with the mare in my avatar - she was a school horse where my wife learned to ride - I bought her ( the mare, ha,ha) as a secret pressy.( The only things I have in common with the Aga Khan, buying our wives horses!)

Once said mare was ours she changed somewhat and took to being a spooky rocket, so much so that after six months my wife decided to give up but I was hooked and spent inordinate amounts of time just horsing about - in fact, I think it's almost true to say that I was far more interested in "being a horse" than making her do all the things that humans usually require.

I'm not sure that any animal loves us as much we do them - I don't think it would pass the bucket test - but we did have an extraordinary bond for seventeen years when she drifted off to the Happy Paddock in my arms. This year's anniversary will be 17 years - so she is now further away than all the years we had together - and I still miss her!

 

[almrc]

Its so nice to hear all of your stories too! Haha yes lots of headless riders Thank you for your ind words. I did think that people riding down the lane next to me looking in, would think I was a bit nuts at time but I wasn't interested. The amount of time and interesting things I have thrown over his back getting him used to things, you wouldn't think that when I first gently threw a rope over his back he spun in circles around me...the time I have spent asking him to flex his head, the time I have spent just flapping his stirrup until he puts his head down and relaxes. The amount of time I have spent putting one foot in the stirrup until he also relaxes and drops his head...and the next day for him to forget it and be scared again. but time for that chap is nothing. My main thing is that he is a happy boy. I will of course keep you all informed of our doings. In a dream world I would love to show him, but I can just imagine him running off as soon as I unload him somewhere -doh. But who knows, it wasnt so long ago I didnt think I would be riding him again! Little steps at a time and where we are both comfortable. Its a lovely feeling jut mounting him as he stands perfectly, no fear now, that fear has gone and the little chap hasnt put a foot wrong! Sorry, I'm going off on one again blabbering!

 

[almrc]

May seem like a sall thing, but I usually get on chap by the stables and ride from there and someone else does the gate. He likes his routine a lot. Today, we got on at the gate, good as gold. Also went in front first time up the busy road and was very forward going. Went on a new ride today and he loved it! Onwards and upwards all, it can be done, anything is possible and can be achieved

 

[Cadfael&Coffee]

Well done you!!!! What a lovely boy, and what a state he was in the second time you got him :-/

You should be bloody proud of both yourself and him!!!

 

[almrc]

Well Just thought I'd give you a quick update. There is always something to tackle, which I am more than happy with as it means I am learning and chap has started doing mini rears and spinning when he is really scared of something (not often at all, and doesnt worry me). Saying that he has been doing brilliantly recently, hes been on a short hack on his own (with someone on foot) and was as good as gold. He was taking his confidence from me but was soo good.

We've been to the stream

Been hacking in company with different horses

and lots of horses!

He's been having cheeky moments recently sometimes running off going into the stable so I have been putting his bridle on seems to behave a bit more with this! As usual, they are all little phases we have to get through together

And we have even had 12 tractors go past us!!!! I think they were on the way to a rally

As soon as I get on him he is raring to go, get so excited!! I think he is enjoying his days of hacking dont you?

 

[SavingGrace]

Lovely to see how far he has come with you K x

 

[Toffee44]

Beautiful

I think it must be the hackney in him. I have known two hackney x's over the years and own one now (My Samba in my avatar is hackney x welsh) and I feel that they are very expressionate (sp?) and very much one person horses. After getting Samba going I let my sister ride her and she was a cow, bronked, paniced and came charging over to me in the school, I took hold of her and she calmed instantly, I got on and she was chilled licking and chewing happily.

Horses never cease to amaze. Good luck with him, and if it ever helps im on the journey with you somewhere as I have only had Samba since June and but we are very much on our way now Oh and she has just started to stand still for a rug to be put on and I can "brush" down her legs without her stamping about.