eahotson
Well-Known Member
What a fabulous post
The horse appreciation thread
- Thread starter AShetlandBitMeOnce
- Start date
suestowford
Well-Known Member
Mine are old now, and I would like to appreciate the fact that they are still here.
One of them had colic last Christmas, he will be 28 years old next month so I suspect he may be on borrowed time, but it just makes it more important to appreciate every day that he is still out in the field.
One of them had colic last Christmas, he will be 28 years old next month so I suspect he may be on borrowed time, but it just makes it more important to appreciate every day that he is still out in the field.
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
I love my two. I used to have fancy ones, then life gave me a kicking and the type of horse I needed was different. Neither of mine would have been what I wanted a few years ago, but they are absolutely the ones I need now and I appreciate them for it.
This is they, with my boyfriend (who'd never even touched a horse before, let alone ridden one), who they have taught to ride, including cantering on the beach. We are here on a pub ride.
The grey one could be smartened up to 'be something' but I'm not fussed and he is the type who can not be ridden for weeks, then be pulled out, a saddle slapped on, and off he goes on a nice hack.
This is they, with my boyfriend (who'd never even touched a horse before, let alone ridden one), who they have taught to ride, including cantering on the beach. We are here on a pub ride.
The grey one could be smartened up to 'be something' but I'm not fussed and he is the type who can not be ridden for weeks, then be pulled out, a saddle slapped on, and off he goes on a nice hack.
IrishMilo
Well-Known Member
My gorgeous Rocket! He's the horse who feels like 'home' for me. You know when they just have something about them you can't explain? I've loved and enjoyed most of my horses but Rocky gives me a different buzz. Not even riding but just to be around. He's my perfect combo of sharp but (usually!) safe. I dread the day I have to retire or lose him because I don't think I'd ever be able to replace the enjoyment I get from him.
P.forpony
Well-Known Member
AutumnDays
Well-Known Member
I am actually looking for a little pony companion, but ideally a mare as girl horse is fed up of the two boys and would like back up!Amazing! That looks great, It looks perfect for my little pony.... would you like him?
poiuytrewq
Well-Known Member
I forgot to say he’s a mare…
GrassChop
Well-Known Member
There aren't enough words for me to describe the appreciation and love I have for my mare. She is 20 this year and I can't even begin to imagine a second of my life without her; I think about it too much which I hate, I know she could live for another 5-10+ years but even forever wouldn't be enough. I love my younger boy too but my mare to me is my entire world and my heart horse as they say. If there was a stronger word than love to describe it, it would be that.
Last night, I was walking back through the field after she'd come down to the trough with me. She turned to head back to her hay and when she saw I was coming too, she stopped and waited until I got beside her head before carrying on with me.
Last night, I was walking back through the field after she'd come down to the trough with me. She turned to head back to her hay and when she saw I was coming too, she stopped and waited until I got beside her head before carrying on with me.
J_sarahd
Well-Known Member
I feel like I could write essays about the three horses I’ve owned over the past 6 years. And even though two of them aren’t mine anymore, I still appreciate them just as much as when they were.
Badger was my first and I regret selling him every single day - he was just too small for me. He wasn’t easy but I have genuinely never felt as confident on a horse as I did on him. He is small but mighty - making every single fence feel easy and making me howl with laughter as he wanted to canter on every single patch of grass and got really frustrated if I didn’t let him. Every horse will be compared to him and I annoy my friends regularly by not shutting up about him.
My sweet, darling Nova. The horse that made me the overthinking, super vigilant horse woman I am today. I would’ve crossed oceans or bled myself dry to fix her. She was the sweetest mare I’ve ever come across and I genuinely would do anything to have her back in my field.
Shadow was the glue to help fix my heart. He’s the calmest horse I think I will ever own and sometimes I don’t think there’s a brain between those ears. But he really has picked me up when I was at my lowest. I struggled with the idea of loving another after Nova, but I just fell head over heels for Shadow immediately. I genuinely think he would walk through fire if I asked him to. And, despite current unresolved lameness issues, he has never once put a toe out of line.
All three of them mean different things to me - which may be a strange thing to say. I hope, in an alternate universe, I have all 3 of them at the same time - Nova being the boss, Badger being the annoying kid hyped on sugar and Shadow being the sensible one.
Badger was my first and I regret selling him every single day - he was just too small for me. He wasn’t easy but I have genuinely never felt as confident on a horse as I did on him. He is small but mighty - making every single fence feel easy and making me howl with laughter as he wanted to canter on every single patch of grass and got really frustrated if I didn’t let him. Every horse will be compared to him and I annoy my friends regularly by not shutting up about him.
My sweet, darling Nova. The horse that made me the overthinking, super vigilant horse woman I am today. I would’ve crossed oceans or bled myself dry to fix her. She was the sweetest mare I’ve ever come across and I genuinely would do anything to have her back in my field.
Shadow was the glue to help fix my heart. He’s the calmest horse I think I will ever own and sometimes I don’t think there’s a brain between those ears. But he really has picked me up when I was at my lowest. I struggled with the idea of loving another after Nova, but I just fell head over heels for Shadow immediately. I genuinely think he would walk through fire if I asked him to. And, despite current unresolved lameness issues, he has never once put a toe out of line.
All three of them mean different things to me - which may be a strange thing to say. I hope, in an alternate universe, I have all 3 of them at the same time - Nova being the boss, Badger being the annoying kid hyped on sugar and Shadow being the sensible one.
AthenesOwl
Well-Known Member
I love this thread so much!
I’ve had my boy very nearly six months, and I absolutely love him to bits. It’s been a massive rollercoaster, with me having had a nasty fall that has really knocked my confidence hacking, and him struggling with a few health issues. But we’re getting there and he’s the most gorgeous, cheeky and lovable horse. I wouldn’t change him for anything.
We had a lovely in hand hack today, and shared some Polos. Perfect!
I’ve had my boy very nearly six months, and I absolutely love him to bits. It’s been a massive rollercoaster, with me having had a nasty fall that has really knocked my confidence hacking, and him struggling with a few health issues. But we’re getting there and he’s the most gorgeous, cheeky and lovable horse. I wouldn’t change him for anything.
We had a lovely in hand hack today, and shared some Polos. Perfect!
Attachments
AppyLover1996
Well-Known Member
I was sitting in the fields last night watching Baggs and Rabbit grazing in the evening sun and I was hit with the realisation of just how lucky I am to have two wonderful horses in my life :
Baggs was the pony I never went looking for but needed. Our paths crossed at an odd point in my life and it was meant to be when I look back. It was quite a funny story as I was absolutely set on a nice 15hh coloured cob type horse, who'd been there and done it for me to jump into owning my first ever horse - a very sensible choice and one my Mum applauded me for coming to the conclusion of. I ended up with Baggs instead - a 14.2hh Appaloosa x New Forest sports type pony, who was green as they come as he was only used for hacking, had the most awful fear of large machinery, tractors and large vehicles, couldn't canter on the correct lead to save his spotty life, was an absolute walking, neighing vet's bill for the first few years of horse ownership, was not affectionate in the slightest, had no problem depositing me on my ass on a regular basis and was a terror to handle on the ground.
Over the last 10 years, I can hand on heart say that both of us have gone through a hell of a transformation - and for the better! Baggs is now the go to pony that I pop my nieces and nephews on for a pony ride round the block (despite him being retired he does little plods around the block to keep his mind out of mischief land
), he's completely gotten over his fear or large machinery, tractors and large vehicles, he can now canter on the correct lead every time, has come round to the idea of the occasional morning kiss and cuddle (but ONLY if accompanied by a butt scratch!), his ground manners are now impeccable (the other liveries argue over who gets to bring him in if I can't make it!) and has turned from a pony that I was genuinely terrified of and considered selling - to the pony who I would bleed myself dry for and give my last breath to save him. He's been there for me through some of my lowest times in life and I have lost count the amount of times I've sat on the floor in his stable, absolutely breaking my heart and he's been the one constant that hasn't changed - he truly is my heart pony and has taught me so much as a horsewoman - I'll be forever in his debt 
Then we go onto Rabbit - my sweet giant T-Rex of a 2 year old who is currently dwarfing me at 15.3hh and showing no signs of stopping! When I said to my parents I was going to retire Baggs and get a second horse that I could go and do more stuff with, they were really supportive and even helped me go through adverts. Again I had some criteria in mind of wanting something freshly backed and ridden away with the basics, so that I could go from there. I have always had this dream of owning a buckskin purebred Appaloosa - Appaloosa's are my favourite breed and buckskin is my favourite coat colour in a horse - but I was sensible and realised that I would be severely limiting myself if I went for this criteria, so I went with the basis of as long as the new horse fitted a decent height of 15.2hh ish and the criteria of being backed and ridden away, then I wouldn't really mind what gender, colour and breed.
I was trawling the internet one day and came across a stud that specialises in the breeding of Appaloosas. I clicked on the website link and lo and behold - there was Rabbit - a buckskin, purebred Appaloosa. I excitedly ran down stairs (tripping over the dogs in the process and sending my poor tablet flying across the living room floor!) and showed my Mum who promptly said "But he is only 6 months old, not backed or ridden away- he'll be a hell of a project - are you sure you can handle it?", to which I said "Well I will be totally honest and upfront with his breeder and then we can go from there - she'll be honest and say if I'm not experienced enough" - and the rest is history. I walked into the barn at his breeders and promptly became the most snivelly, snot nosed, hysterical human known to man and beast and choked out a "Hello my darling boy you are perfect" in between flooding the barn with my tears and snot - Rabbit responded by shoving his nose in my arms and nuzzling me - of course that set me off even more. From that moment, I felt that same spark that I had when I brought Baggs - I knew I was going to make it work no matter what. I went up to the stud a few times over the next 8 months to be a part of Rabbit's life and to start forming a bond with him, in preparation for when he came home to me.
Over the past year and a half Rabbit has taken me to a whole new level in my horsemanship and training - I've done everything with him since he came down to me and it really shows in our connection and bond. He is such a clever horse and I truly think that he will take me to places I can only dream of. We've had some ups and downs but for a 2 year old who can casually stroll down a main road with traffic going past at way over the speed limit and not give a toss - that's worth its weight in gold to me! His T-Rex nickname will forever stick, as he was the tallest born in the herd of foals that year and he continues to dwarf them all - it's a blink and all of a sudden he's shot up half an inch kind of thing! Rabbit is an old horse in a young body and not a lot phases him - ground work he is awesome and shows of his tricks at any given opportunity. He's big and has such a presence - but at the same time he is so gentle and soft - a quality that all the horses from the stud have which is truly testament to how wonderful a life they have there. I have truly found my heart horse in him and I cannot wait for the future.
With Baggs I was undoing a lot of issues that had cemented themselves before I had him, but with Rabbit I don't have those issues to undo, so it feels alien to not have problems to "solve" as it were, but at the same time it is so wonderful to experience what a horse with no issues is like to train. I wouldn't change my time with Baggs for the world as it truly has made me more self aware and elevated my training skills - but it is nice to have the curiosity of a young horse that is for sure. My boys have saved me in so many ways and they don't even realise it
Pictures attached of my handsome boys as I've finally figured out how to
Rabbit - who adores cuddles and can often be found flat out in his stable, echoing the barn with his snoring
Baggs - on our last fun ride where I had absolutely no breaks and no control but he bounced along for 2 and a half hours like he was at the races
Baggs was the pony I never went looking for but needed. Our paths crossed at an odd point in my life and it was meant to be when I look back. It was quite a funny story as I was absolutely set on a nice 15hh coloured cob type horse, who'd been there and done it for me to jump into owning my first ever horse - a very sensible choice and one my Mum applauded me for coming to the conclusion of. I ended up with Baggs instead - a 14.2hh Appaloosa x New Forest sports type pony, who was green as they come as he was only used for hacking, had the most awful fear of large machinery, tractors and large vehicles, couldn't canter on the correct lead to save his spotty life, was an absolute walking, neighing vet's bill for the first few years of horse ownership, was not affectionate in the slightest, had no problem depositing me on my ass on a regular basis and was a terror to handle on the ground.
Over the last 10 years, I can hand on heart say that both of us have gone through a hell of a transformation - and for the better! Baggs is now the go to pony that I pop my nieces and nephews on for a pony ride round the block (despite him being retired he does little plods around the block to keep his mind out of mischief land
), he's completely gotten over his fear or large machinery, tractors and large vehicles, he can now canter on the correct lead every time, has come round to the idea of the occasional morning kiss and cuddle (but ONLY if accompanied by a butt scratch!), his ground manners are now impeccable (the other liveries argue over who gets to bring him in if I can't make it!) and has turned from a pony that I was genuinely terrified of and considered selling - to the pony who I would bleed myself dry for and give my last breath to save him. He's been there for me through some of my lowest times in life and I have lost count the amount of times I've sat on the floor in his stable, absolutely breaking my heart and he's been the one constant that hasn't changed - he truly is my heart pony and has taught me so much as a horsewoman - I'll be forever in his debt Then we go onto Rabbit - my sweet giant T-Rex of a 2 year old who is currently dwarfing me at 15.3hh and showing no signs of stopping! When I said to my parents I was going to retire Baggs and get a second horse that I could go and do more stuff with, they were really supportive and even helped me go through adverts. Again I had some criteria in mind of wanting something freshly backed and ridden away with the basics, so that I could go from there. I have always had this dream of owning a buckskin purebred Appaloosa - Appaloosa's are my favourite breed and buckskin is my favourite coat colour in a horse - but I was sensible and realised that I would be severely limiting myself if I went for this criteria, so I went with the basis of as long as the new horse fitted a decent height of 15.2hh ish and the criteria of being backed and ridden away, then I wouldn't really mind what gender, colour and breed.
I was trawling the internet one day and came across a stud that specialises in the breeding of Appaloosas. I clicked on the website link and lo and behold - there was Rabbit - a buckskin, purebred Appaloosa. I excitedly ran down stairs (tripping over the dogs in the process and sending my poor tablet flying across the living room floor!) and showed my Mum who promptly said "But he is only 6 months old, not backed or ridden away- he'll be a hell of a project - are you sure you can handle it?", to which I said "Well I will be totally honest and upfront with his breeder and then we can go from there - she'll be honest and say if I'm not experienced enough" - and the rest is history. I walked into the barn at his breeders and promptly became the most snivelly, snot nosed, hysterical human known to man and beast and choked out a "Hello my darling boy you are perfect" in between flooding the barn with my tears and snot - Rabbit responded by shoving his nose in my arms and nuzzling me - of course that set me off even more
. From that moment, I felt that same spark that I had when I brought Baggs - I knew I was going to make it work no matter what. I went up to the stud a few times over the next 8 months to be a part of Rabbit's life and to start forming a bond with him, in preparation for when he came home to me.Over the past year and a half Rabbit has taken me to a whole new level in my horsemanship and training - I've done everything with him since he came down to me and it really shows in our connection and bond. He is such a clever horse and I truly think that he will take me to places I can only dream of. We've had some ups and downs but for a 2 year old who can casually stroll down a main road with traffic going past at way over the speed limit and not give a toss - that's worth its weight in gold to me! His T-Rex nickname will forever stick, as he was the tallest born in the herd of foals that year and he continues to dwarf them all - it's a blink and all of a sudden he's shot up half an inch kind of thing! Rabbit is an old horse in a young body and not a lot phases him - ground work he is awesome and shows of his tricks at any given opportunity. He's big and has such a presence - but at the same time he is so gentle and soft - a quality that all the horses from the stud have which is truly testament to how wonderful a life they have there. I have truly found my heart horse in him and I cannot wait for the future.
With Baggs I was undoing a lot of issues that had cemented themselves before I had him, but with Rabbit I don't have those issues to undo, so it feels alien to not have problems to "solve" as it were, but at the same time it is so wonderful to experience what a horse with no issues is like to train. I wouldn't change my time with Baggs for the world as it truly has made me more self aware and elevated my training skills - but it is nice to have the curiosity of a young horse that is for sure. My boys have saved me in so many ways and they don't even realise it
Pictures attached of my handsome boys as I've finally figured out how to
Rabbit - who adores cuddles and can often be found flat out in his stable, echoing the barn with his snoring
Baggs - on our last fun ride where I had absolutely no breaks and no control but he bounced along for 2 and a half hours like he was at the races
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AutumnDays
Well-Known Member
Send him/her over!I forgot to say he’s a mare…
Cloball
Well-Known Member
I honestly think I'm mre scared of big farm machinery than she is 
she completely ignored the tractor coming through the gate carrying a trailer in the air right next to her. She has also discovered I am good for scratches recently and it's so cute watching her communicate this to me.
she completely ignored the tractor coming through the gate carrying a trailer in the air right next to her. She has also discovered I am good for scratches recently and it's so cute watching her communicate this to me.
Dave's Mam
Well-Known Member
Appreciating how he's getting my confidence back hacking by being wonderful & also appreciating a friend who is helping us!
smolmaus
Well-Known Member
I will have to come back to this thread, as it is peak hormone mess day and even trying to think of what to write about her is making me think about crying. Everyone please keep posting so I can find it when I am more emotionally stable.
AppyLover1996
Well-Known Member
Barton Bounty
Just simply loving life with Orbi 🥰
Appreciation for no other reason that I love this horse more than life itself. he is the sweetest kindest, cheekiest big darling in the world 
he is the sweetest kindest, cheekiest big darling in the world blodwyn1
Well-Known Member
DabDab
Thinks the luddites had a point...
Lovely post. Out of interest (if you don't mind sharing), what is the name of the stud that bred Rabbit?I was sitting in the fields last night watching Baggs and Rabbit grazing in the evening sun and I was hit with the realisation of just how lucky I am to have two wonderful horses in my life :
Baggs was the pony I never went looking for but needed. Our paths crossed at an odd point in my life and it was meant to be when I look back. It was quite a funny story as I was absolutely set on a nice 15hh coloured cob type horse, who'd been there and done it for me to jump into owning my first ever horse - a very sensible choice and one my Mum applauded me for coming to the conclusion of. I ended up with Baggs instead - a 14.2hh Appaloosa x New Forest sports type pony, who was green as they come as he was only used for hacking, had the most awful fear of large machinery, tractors and large vehicles, couldn't canter on the correct lead to save his spotty life, was an absolute walking, neighing vet's bill for the first few years of horse ownership, was not affectionate in the slightest, had no problem depositing me on my ass on a regular basis and was a terror to handle on the ground.
Over the last 10 years, I can hand on heart say that both of us have gone through a hell of a transformation - and for the better! Baggs is now the go to pony that I pop my nieces and nephews on for a pony ride round the block (despite him being retired he does little plods around the block to keep his mind out of mischief land
Then we go onto Rabbit - my sweet giant T-Rex of a 2 year old who is currently dwarfing me at 15.3hh and showing no signs of stopping! When I said to my parents I was going to retire Baggs and get a second horse that I could go and do more stuff with, they were really supportive and even helped me go through adverts. Again I had some criteria in mind of wanting something freshly backed and ridden away with the basics, so that I could go from there. I have always had this dream of owning a buckskin purebred Appaloosa - Appaloosa's are my favourite breed and buckskin is my favourite coat colour in a horse - but I was sensible and realised that I would be severely limiting myself if I went for this criteria, so I went with the basis of as long as the new horse fitted a decent height of 15.2hh ish and the criteria of being backed and ridden away, then I wouldn't really mind what gender, colour and breed.
I was trawling the internet one day and came across a stud that specialises in the breeding of Appaloosas. I clicked on the website link and lo and behold - there was Rabbit - a buckskin, purebred Appaloosa. I excitedly ran down stairs (tripping over the dogs in the process and sending my poor tablet flying across the living room floor!) and showed my Mum who promptly said "But he is only 6 months old, not backed or ridden away- he'll be a hell of a project - are you sure you can handle it?", to which I said "Well I will be totally honest and upfront with his breeder and then we can go from there - she'll be honest and say if I'm not experienced enough" - and the rest is history. I walked into the barn at his breeders and promptly became the most snivelly, snot nosed, hysterical human known to man and beast and choked out a "Hello my darling boy you are perfect" in between flooding the barn with my tears and snot - Rabbit responded by shoving his nose in my arms and nuzzling me - of course that set me off even more
Over the past year and a half Rabbit has taken me to a whole new level in my horsemanship and training - I've done everything with him since he came down to me and it really shows in our connection and bond. He is such a clever horse and I truly think that he will take me to places I can only dream of. We've had some ups and downs but for a 2 year old who can casually stroll down a main road with traffic going past at way over the speed limit and not give a toss - that's worth its weight in gold to me! His T-Rex nickname will forever stick, as he was the tallest born in the herd of foals that year and he continues to dwarf them all - it's a blink and all of a sudden he's shot up half an inch kind of thing! Rabbit is an old horse in a young body and not a lot phases him - ground work he is awesome and shows of his tricks at any given opportunity. He's big and has such a presence - but at the same time he is so gentle and soft - a quality that all the horses from the stud have which is truly testament to how wonderful a life they have there. I have truly found my heart horse in him and I cannot wait for the future.
With Baggs I was undoing a lot of issues that had cemented themselves before I had him, but with Rabbit I don't have those issues to undo, so it feels alien to not have problems to "solve" as it were, but at the same time it is so wonderful to experience what a horse with no issues is like to train. I wouldn't change my time with Baggs for the world as it truly has made me more self aware and elevated my training skills - but it is nice to have the curiosity of a young horse that is for sure. My boys have saved me in so many ways and they don't even realise it
Pictures attached of my handsome boys as I've finally figured out how to
Rabbit - who adores cuddles and can often be found flat out in his stable, echoing the barn with his snoring
View attachment 159603
Baggs - on our last fun ride where I had absolutely no breaks and no control but he bounced along for 2 and a half hours like he was at the races
View attachment 159606
AppyLover1996
Well-Known Member
Thank you xx
Of course I don't mind sharing (thanks for asking though
) - the stud is called Redheart Appaloosa xAutumnDays
Well-Known Member
@AppyLover1996 being partial to a spotty myself, seeing your boy and looking at that page has made me think "or could I buy another?" 
smolmaus
Well-Known Member
Because I'm getting care reacts I just want to state there is nothing sad to write, I just love her so much that I will cry about it today
DONT WORRY ABOUT HERI will post a picture tho
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Barton Bounty
Just simply loving life with Orbi 🥰
We are just care reacting because we careBecause I'm getting care reacts I just want to state there is nothing sad to write, I just love her so much that I will cry about it today
AppyLover1996
Well-Known Member
@AppyLover1996 being partial to a spotty myself, seeing your boy and looking at that page has made me think "or could I buy another?"
I'm happily owned by my two boys and Appaloosa's are my fave breed - so I'm gonna say go for it!
There are this years babies for sale from the same stud that Rabbit is from too.....hint hint hint
DabDab
Thinks the luddites had a point...
I know, I shouldn't have looked really...I really like the look of the filly called Ruby, but am firmly telling myself that I do not need another@AppyLover1996 being partial to a spotty myself, seeing your boy and looking at that page has made me think "or could I buy another?"
AppyLover1996
Well-Known Member
There's no harm in window shopping - I look myself even though I know I can't have any more aha xx
She is quite lovely isn't she x
AutumnDays
Well-Known Member
They are seriously good looking horses! I wouldn't want to jinx a poor baba though, I've said on another thread my bought ones end up breaking themselves and I seem to be given every one else's quirky, problem non riddens to keepI'm happily owned by my two boys and Appaloosa's are my fave breed - so I'm gonna say go for it!
Titchy Reindeer
Well-Known Member
As I'm not riding my own horses at the minute, it's the little shared moments that I appreciate.
Little Madam leaning closer to her stable door so that I can reach to swat the horse flies of her neck, when she was stood just that little bit too far away for me to help her otherwise.
My two girls leading beautifully and helping to guide my young foal past the various obstacles he will have to face in life.
The trust Little Madam shows in letting me handle her foal.
The trust Pippin already has towards humans, coming to meet new ones and not batting an eyelid when the chiro had to step over his legs as he lay down so that she could treat his mum.
Old Lady's no nonsense attitude to life in general and Pippin in particular. She will let him share her dinner, but not if he's rude.
Little Madam leaning closer to her stable door so that I can reach to swat the horse flies of her neck, when she was stood just that little bit too far away for me to help her otherwise.
My two girls leading beautifully and helping to guide my young foal past the various obstacles he will have to face in life.
The trust Little Madam shows in letting me handle her foal.
The trust Pippin already has towards humans, coming to meet new ones and not batting an eyelid when the chiro had to step over his legs as he lay down so that she could treat his mum.
Old Lady's no nonsense attitude to life in general and Pippin in particular. She will let him share her dinner, but not if he's rude.
Jinx94
Well-Known Member
I always have huge appreciation for Tris ❤ we might drive each other up the wall from time to time (I'm hoping we're through that and that I've grown enough as a person to not let it get to that point again), but he has been my rock through everything and I can't imagine life without him.
This morning we met a double decker bus for the first time (in hand). We stayed well over on the grass, but he stuck with me when I asked him to move on even when he was getting a bit nervous. Tris has always bubbled over quite quickly when things make him anxious/uncomfortable and his go to is to rear, spin and run. He didn't do any of that today. He kept his nose at my shoulder, shifted his weight a little and that was the extent of his reaction ❤ I'm actually looking forward to stepping on the scales this weekend to see if I'm happy enough with my weight to get back on board.
This morning we met a double decker bus for the first time (in hand). We stayed well over on the grass, but he stuck with me when I asked him to move on even when he was getting a bit nervous. Tris has always bubbled over quite quickly when things make him anxious/uncomfortable and his go to is to rear, spin and run. He didn't do any of that today. He kept his nose at my shoulder, shifted his weight a little and that was the extent of his reaction ❤ I'm actually looking forward to stepping on the scales this weekend to see if I'm happy enough with my weight to get back on board.
fidleyspromise
Well-Known Member
I love this thread.
Fid - She gave me a huge appreciation for how much I didn't know and to find other ways to work with her. She is retired due to injury but she loves people, is affectionate and despite still being scared of her own shadow some days she is my little angel.
Tilly - I could write a book about this little mare.
She's always been safe to ride and over the past 18 years we have competed, done training days, hacked in multiple woods and along various roads. My biggest appreciation is that she has been there through most of my adult life and seen me through lots of tough times. She's not affectionate but she's always been my rock. I can't say any specific thing except I appreciate her for her.
So a happy memory I cherish of her is her first cross country competition. Very low key, local and 45cm. She had popped over cross country jumps once before this.
Off we went and she was wobbly going over the logs and wall but she did them. We then came to a horse shoe shape jump with brush (she's never jumped brush before) and she wasn't sure so came to a stop. Tried again and same thing so tried a third time and she went half over and then stopped so I tried to turn her but she stayed still. Looking down I saw her leg was caught in the fence so I jumped off to free her and true to Tilly style she started eating the brush while I sorted her out. It could have been nasty but she doesn't panic when she gets in a pickle.
I got back on, ignored that jump and carried on. She jumped the ditch, houses and everything else without missing a stride.
That day is generally how Tilly gets through life. She does something silly and waits to be rescued and if there's food she'll eat while she waits.
I cannot imagine life without her making me smile (although this week she's testing my friends patience as she's in her field and so far has broken a few posts, been in various parts of the field she's not supposed to be, hauled silvermoor haylage out and opened not 1 but 3 bags and has emptied my friends grooming kit and stable boxes that her horses never touch).
Fid - She gave me a huge appreciation for how much I didn't know and to find other ways to work with her. She is retired due to injury but she loves people, is affectionate and despite still being scared of her own shadow some days she is my little angel.
Tilly - I could write a book about this little mare.
She's always been safe to ride and over the past 18 years we have competed, done training days, hacked in multiple woods and along various roads. My biggest appreciation is that she has been there through most of my adult life and seen me through lots of tough times. She's not affectionate but she's always been my rock. I can't say any specific thing except I appreciate her for her.
So a happy memory I cherish of her is her first cross country competition. Very low key, local and 45cm. She had popped over cross country jumps once before this.
Off we went and she was wobbly going over the logs and wall but she did them. We then came to a horse shoe shape jump with brush (she's never jumped brush before) and she wasn't sure so came to a stop. Tried again and same thing so tried a third time and she went half over and then stopped so I tried to turn her but she stayed still. Looking down I saw her leg was caught in the fence so I jumped off to free her and true to Tilly style she started eating the brush while I sorted her out. It could have been nasty but she doesn't panic when she gets in a pickle.
I got back on, ignored that jump and carried on. She jumped the ditch, houses and everything else without missing a stride.
That day is generally how Tilly gets through life. She does something silly and waits to be rescued and if there's food she'll eat while she waits.
I cannot imagine life without her making me smile (although this week she's testing my friends patience as she's in her field and so far has broken a few posts, been in various parts of the field she's not supposed to be, hauled silvermoor haylage out and opened not 1 but 3 bags and has emptied my friends grooming kit and stable boxes that her horses never touch).