Suggestions to help me move my pony please

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alibanni

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I am moving my pony at the weekend to a different yard as where she is currently is a working farm with no off road riding (not even in the fields)

The new yard is about a mile and a half away and has an outdoor school and off road hacking!! OOH the luxury!

Yep, I know most of you would load them up and away you go, unfortunately Suzi wont load and I mean wont.

She also hasn't been ridden for about 3 months due to lack of facilities and rubbish weather etc.

She's not too bad on the roads, not keen on big traffic but ok with cars etc.

So my plan is to get up really early on Saturday morning, lunge her, tack up and leave the farm by about 0630 to miss any traffic. The road right outside the farm is busyish but will be before the buses start. Then its through a housing estate, down a lane, across the main A road, lane again and then the bridle path. Also OH said that he will follow either on foot or on his push bike

Anyway, i'm half thinking about giving her a one off calmer before we leave (and probably a large brandy for myself) just incase (of what i'm not sure) probably more for my peace of mind than anything as I've been losing sleep over this since i gave the farm notice over two weeks ago so as you can imaging i'm starting to get myself into a bit of a state.

What would you do if you were me?

I believe that hot chocolate and cookies are the norm if you've got this far! xx
 
Bit late to suggest you persuade her to load, it's times like these you see the need to conquer that one! Have you got anyone with a steady horse to accompany you? Or someone on a bike if all else fails? I'm sure you'll be fine, you seem to have thought it all through nicely. Good luck!
 
I dont think there is alot else you could do apart from if there is someone else at the farm that would hack there with you if you think suzi would be calmer with another horse with her? or walk her in hand if you are worried about riding her?
 
this is another reason we are moving as there are no other horses to ride with. The others on the farm are either youngsters, or 25+ and retired!

I think possibly im just imagining the worst, it will probably all go without a hitch, still bricking it though!!
 
Yes agree, it sounds a good plan. Definitely get OH to come, on bike perhaps as it's easier for him to keep up, lunge first is good, calmer if you think she needs it, and double brandy for yourself perhaps!
 
I think you need to take some time to visualise how lovely it will be to be out riding before Joe Public is awake, when the sun is coming up, nice and fresh - bit chilly maybe but looking like it'll be a lovely day, all the birds singing loudly (and you can hear them clearly in the absence or airplane noise too) and well before the traffic is on the road - then I am sure it will just be that!
 
If you get a chance before moving day it might be worth taking her for a short practice walk around your local area - just to minimise the shock to the system of seeing the saddle for the first time in 3 months! Good luck, and hope she settles well
 
I would do what you are doing but on a Sunday as it is even better at that time. There will be very little on the road.
If you are worried could your OH walk beside you?
 
Agree about practice, quiet time and company.

Having said that when I hacked my Unsuitable Chestnut Arab share horse to his new yard it was by far the furthest we'd been from home, we had to go along side and cross the A1 and I'd never seen the area before so was trying to hold a post-it-note of written instructions... but no map! It was quite an adventure but we were fine despite a hairy moment with a muck spreader starting up behind a huge hedge!

Good luck!
 
Think I might be tempted to just put a bridle on and go for a walk! much less stressful for her and you , saves all that time lungeing and tacking up , dont even need to make a big fuss about grooming so the whole thing is toatally chilled. A mile and a half really isnt very far and you can spend some real quality time chatting on the way, Would still go v early tho.
 
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