Stubbon mule!

[irishredwood]

My mate came from a riding school and I have accepted that she won't hack out alone as she is good in all other respects. Except this weekend when I went on a Pleasure Ride with my daughter and granddaughter. About a mile out we came to what was described as a filled in ditch but was more of a deep muddy swamp. First two horses ploughed through it but my mate refused point t blank to set hoof in it. I tried everything I could to get her through it but to no avail. Then my daughter who clearly thought I wasn't tryinv hard enough began round two. Without going into any detail, she also failed and in the process of trying to drag her across broke the bridle
At this point I gave up and let the others go and enjoy the ride and I returned disappointed on foot to the trailer. My horse didn't seem bothered that her two besties had left her. What would you have done. We have another ride planned for the weekend and needless to say I am not looking forward to it!

 

[doodle]

I would see that as being sensible. She knew it was a swamp and so quite rightly knew it wasn’t safe she could easily get hurt.

 

[rabatsa]

I would say that she felt the ground was unsafe and so felt better safe than sorry. Most likely the more you tried to force her the more she felt unsafe.

 

[KittenInTheTree]

Sensible mare. Good for her.

 

[ycbm]

Shame on the ride organisers ?

 

[Gloi]

Sometimes the horse knows best.

 

[J&S]

Bogs are not suitable features on fun rides! Both you and /or your horse could get hurt/panic. I have seen and felt the effects both here on Dartmoor and in the New Forest. They should have given you an alternative way round.

 

[Widgeon]

Shame on the ride organisers ?

Yes this, it wasn't your fault if you were left with no choice but to "plough through" it. Equally I wouldn't really blame the horse either. I think I would either have found another, probably much longer, way round, or I'd have done exactly what you had to do. And then sent a grumpy email to the organisers!

 

[scats]

I’d be very annoyed that there wasn’t a way around a boggy swamp as I certainly wouldn’t expect my horses to go through it.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I wouldn't have gone through it either both my horses would potentially run panic if they felt the ground was very wet and soft, and I don't want any pulled ligaments and tendons thank you.