Eriskayowner
Well-Known Member
Normally, reports go in Competition Riders, but I don't think a fun ride counts somehow!
Tacked Jazzy up - went for major brakes which I tested yesterday and he seemed happy with the set up. He had . . . pelham (myler MB04) with two reins, grakle noseband (I know pelhams aren't supposed to be used with a drop but he opens his mouth out of habit and I lose all brakes), five point breastplate, with the martingale on the top rein of the pelham. I buckled the curb rein of the pelham through the wither-pad on the breastplate to save me having to carry it, but was easily grabbable if needed! As it turned out, I didn't really need the bottom rein, apart from when the ex-racer overtook me!
We hacked over to the "meet" which took about 45 minutes. 2 others rode over with me, and 4 others went in boxes. Jazz had never been to anything like this before, but he stood very calmly whilst the last two horses turned up. Had a photoshoot and set off.
Had an ex-racer with us, who was lacking in the brakes department, and a 22 year old with navicular and god-knows what that was buted up (might have been his last hurrah) but was also lacking in brakes and too sound for the riders liking!!
Had a few trots and canters around some orchards, and even popped over some little logs. We galloping (oops!) round one of the orchards when Jazz suddenly spied a very large, hidden log in the undergrowth to the left, and jumped right to find Fay, a grey arab mare, next to him, promptly pushing her into an apple tree! Just about managed to stay on, as did Pam but pulled up anyway. We headed onto the road, and figured the ride was going to take us across the racetrack on the moor (which is really close to the yard). With the horses in cavalry mode, we decided against this, so took a short cut (one of the organisers was on the ex-racer so she knew the route!)
Came to some open fields where we had some good canters, then found some rivers that we could cross - not compulsory. Jazz loves water so I wanted to see how he'd react - I don't think he's ever been through a river before, but he went straight in and out the other side, despite a fairly strong current. Had another canter across the field to find that we had to cross the river again! This time, you had to go in, turn left and walk across an island, then turn right out of the river (it was too deep to walk in and straight out). Jazz being Jazz though didn't go across the island - he headed for the 2'0" deep bit of water at the side of the island. This meant getting out of the river was tricky so took him even deeper to find another bank - this worked well. However, the ex-racer did not want to go in the river, despite much encouragement, but did so eventually.
Another canter ensued, and another river crossing, which was much worse than the others. The ex-racer was in front at this point and (predictably!) baulked at the river. I thought Jazz would also nap, having seen Jasmine nap but he went on. The slope to the river was surprisingly steep, a stride in the river, then an equally steep bank up the other side. We walked across the next few fields (didn't want Jazz to learn that fields means gallop - we have enough trouble in the brakes department!) which was a sensible plan as we were pretty near the end, and gave those being boxed back a chance to cool down. Jazz stood like a rock again at the "meet" which was nice, as his blood was up, but he stayed the perfect gentleman! He has evidently not met rosettes before, as when the lady tried to put it anywhere near him he freaked, so carried it home. However, when I got back and jumped off I wanted to see how he'd react if I presented it to him, so put it near his browband (didn't want to try to clip it on to him just in case he freaked again and couldn't take it off quickly) but he didn't flinch - I think he trusts me!
Sorry if you have read all my drivel - it's fairly pointless really, but just wanted to right it all down so that I don't forget it! Very pleased with little (17hh!) horse. The thing that worries me is . . . horses are generally pretty good the first time out - it's the second time that is the real test as they know the rules of the game!!!
Tacked Jazzy up - went for major brakes which I tested yesterday and he seemed happy with the set up. He had . . . pelham (myler MB04) with two reins, grakle noseband (I know pelhams aren't supposed to be used with a drop but he opens his mouth out of habit and I lose all brakes), five point breastplate, with the martingale on the top rein of the pelham. I buckled the curb rein of the pelham through the wither-pad on the breastplate to save me having to carry it, but was easily grabbable if needed! As it turned out, I didn't really need the bottom rein, apart from when the ex-racer overtook me!
We hacked over to the "meet" which took about 45 minutes. 2 others rode over with me, and 4 others went in boxes. Jazz had never been to anything like this before, but he stood very calmly whilst the last two horses turned up. Had a photoshoot and set off.
Had an ex-racer with us, who was lacking in the brakes department, and a 22 year old with navicular and god-knows what that was buted up (might have been his last hurrah) but was also lacking in brakes and too sound for the riders liking!!
Had a few trots and canters around some orchards, and even popped over some little logs. We galloping (oops!) round one of the orchards when Jazz suddenly spied a very large, hidden log in the undergrowth to the left, and jumped right to find Fay, a grey arab mare, next to him, promptly pushing her into an apple tree! Just about managed to stay on, as did Pam but pulled up anyway. We headed onto the road, and figured the ride was going to take us across the racetrack on the moor (which is really close to the yard). With the horses in cavalry mode, we decided against this, so took a short cut (one of the organisers was on the ex-racer so she knew the route!)
Came to some open fields where we had some good canters, then found some rivers that we could cross - not compulsory. Jazz loves water so I wanted to see how he'd react - I don't think he's ever been through a river before, but he went straight in and out the other side, despite a fairly strong current. Had another canter across the field to find that we had to cross the river again! This time, you had to go in, turn left and walk across an island, then turn right out of the river (it was too deep to walk in and straight out). Jazz being Jazz though didn't go across the island - he headed for the 2'0" deep bit of water at the side of the island. This meant getting out of the river was tricky so took him even deeper to find another bank - this worked well. However, the ex-racer did not want to go in the river, despite much encouragement, but did so eventually.
Another canter ensued, and another river crossing, which was much worse than the others. The ex-racer was in front at this point and (predictably!) baulked at the river. I thought Jazz would also nap, having seen Jasmine nap but he went on. The slope to the river was surprisingly steep, a stride in the river, then an equally steep bank up the other side. We walked across the next few fields (didn't want Jazz to learn that fields means gallop - we have enough trouble in the brakes department!) which was a sensible plan as we were pretty near the end, and gave those being boxed back a chance to cool down. Jazz stood like a rock again at the "meet" which was nice, as his blood was up, but he stayed the perfect gentleman! He has evidently not met rosettes before, as when the lady tried to put it anywhere near him he freaked, so carried it home. However, when I got back and jumped off I wanted to see how he'd react if I presented it to him, so put it near his browband (didn't want to try to clip it on to him just in case he freaked again and couldn't take it off quickly) but he didn't flinch - I think he trusts me!
Sorry if you have read all my drivel - it's fairly pointless really, but just wanted to right it all down so that I don't forget it! Very pleased with little (17hh!) horse. The thing that worries me is . . . horses are generally pretty good the first time out - it's the second time that is the real test as they know the rules of the game!!!
