The bonkers black pony is being rather special...

[BBP]

Now in days gone by that would mean he was doing something ridiculous and often life threatening (either to me or himself), but at the moment he is being genuinely special and brilliant! Ok, so I know most peoples horses at age 7 will walk, trot, canter, jump and hack without it being a big deal, but we are a little behind!

I backed him myself and he proved far from simple (given I was far from experienced with backing horses). He was a real panicer and we didn't have enough confidence in each other. I wondered so many times what on earth I had done buying an unbacked 3 year old who was so sharpe and sensitive. I thought I had bitten off way more than I could chew and that I would ruin a lovely lovely horse.

We had issues hacking (still do occasionally, but so so much better, he is polite and well mannered, alone and in company, its just when he panics its full blown panic). his balance was terrible in the school and I didn't ride him well enough to help him. he couldn't get to many shows etc as his sensible buddy suffered a DDFT injury and I slipped my disc so my riding got worse.

But now, at just turned 7, my horse is polite, well mannered, fun, happy and an utter joy to ride and be around. I have learnt and am learning so much from him, and in return he is showing me flashes of what we might achieve when I get my act together and start to really learn to ride him (and once we get rid of the massive muscle under his neck he gained from staring at everything in the whole world!!). All my terrible habits are still there, but they are lessening!

So, my super star pony, who I am so proud of!:

And my favorite ridden photo so far.

He is going to be the first pony to get to grand prix dressage AND do the trec championships (not sure when, but one day!) AND be trick trained!

 

[cobmum]

It sounds like you have come a long way and have a lot to be proud of

Those who back and train youngsters have got to start somewhere, no-one is born experienced with youngsters so give your self a break. You are human and you will make mistakes but good thing is it sounds like you and hossy have learned from them

 

[pixiebee]

gorgeous, he looks very much like my boy, what breed is yours?

ps...I shall be heading your way with some scissors for that tail and mane in the dark of the night ;-p haha

 

[BBP]

Hands off the tail! Although the mane is actually not that great, so if you took it you'd save the the mental battle of wanting to trim it! He's 75% andalusian and 25% Welsh b...and a massive character for a small person!

 

[brighteyes]

Hands off the tail! Although the mane is actually not that great, so if you took it you'd save the the mental battle of wanting to trim it! He's 75% andalusian and 25% Welsh b...and a massive character for a small person!

Love him - always have. Fab job you have done with him, too!.

 

[Wildforestpony18]

Bless! Such a stunning horse!

 

[BBP]

Aw thanks, he's just being utterly amazingly good at the moment, thought he deserved to have his pictures posted!

 

[ZondaR]

What a lovely post. Sounds like he woke up one morning and said "that what she wants!" It's great when everything clicks and comes together. Well done, you were obviously doing something right. He is gorgeous btw.

 

[Joanna710]

It sounds like you have come a long way and have a lot to be proud of

Those who back and train youngsters have got to start somewhere, no-one is born experienced with youngsters so give your self a break. You are human and you will make mistakes but good thing is it sounds like you and hossy have learned from them

Thank you for this, I'm starting to despair with my complete turd of an unbroken 5 year old... We're currently taking 2 steps forward one day, then 3 steps back the next. I have all the time in the world to spend with him so I'm not worried about taking it slow, just feel so low on "backwards" days and I hate thinking that the other people at the yard think I'm too inexperienced for this malarky

KatPT- Your horse looks amazing, he's such a credit to your hard work When I first saw the picture I thought Friesian and was about to ask for tips as that's the breed of my delightful pony, fancy a swap?

 

[pixiebee]

Hands off the tail! Although the mane is actually not that great, so if you took it you'd save the the mental battle of wanting to trim it! He's 75% andalusian and 25% Welsh b...and a massive character for a small person!

not even an inch or two off the tail ;-p

weird, looks so much like mine but he is a warmblood/friesian x i'll find a pic

 

[pixiebee]

 

[BBP]

I'm amazed anyone thinks he looks fresian related, means he must be muscling up as he's always been such a whippety beasty! He has these tiny slender boned legs that look like they must snap any second and yet he seems tough as iron!

 

[Parker79]

I'm amazed anyone thinks he looks fresian related, means he must be muscling up as he's always been such a whippety beasty! He has these tiny slender boned legs that look like they must snap any second and yet he seems tough as iron!

Weirdly enough...I thought the same from the first photo! then when you see the others it is clear he isn't.

My piggy 3yo has been naughty today...Like Joanna I am also pleased to read your post! gives me faith...thank you

 

[BBP]

Absolutely, don't give up! Personality wise my pony has always been a sweety, and I don't believe he has ever wanted to be naughty. So that helped me want to persevere as I couldn't bare to part with him. But he had a buck like a rodeo bull and a very sensitive panic button. He still does, but I'm learning how to manage it. If he's had a few days off or comes in from the field abit high, I loose school him before I ride, so he can get the kinks out. I stick to a familiar route when hacking alone so he feels relaxed, and go scarier places in company. And I trusted my instincts. I turned him away when he or I needed it, I ignored people who told me to smack him to get him to go forwards when I felt he was struggling to cope mentally. We aren't perfect yet (and I'm pretty sure I may die at my Trec competition tomorrow!) But I'm proud of both of us!

 

[JoJo_]

He's beautiful! I love proper allrounders! A lot of people say to me why dont I get my horse doing just one discipline really really well. Currently we compete Novice dressage, working elementary at home, jumping 90cm courses, going xc schooling, always winning or placed at showing shows and we did the best out of the whole day of people doing a le trec taster day. Why should we just concentrate on one thing? Allrounders are a lot of fun!