The horse appreciation thread

I've owned little Jezza for 13 years and for the majority of his life he's been an uncatchable nervous boy! I've never asked anything of him, just to have his feet and teeth done regularly!
a year ago I moved yards and he no longer had a free choice shelter, so had to be rugged, for the first time ever. this seemed to help us build a stronger connection but unfortunately the field was just too wet and he didn't cope well, so we moved back to our old yard in December, and he's just grown so much in confidence since then. he no longer runs away when I walk towards him, he actually turns to me and asks for scratches and I finally have that little pony that I can almost pick up and squeeze! he greets me at the gate with an adorable neigh, and chases me around the field while I poo pick!

this is an old pic from one of the first times I managed to catch him back in the day
 

Attachments

  • jezza.jpg
    jezza.jpg
    271.2 KB · Views: 48
I wanted to write my appreciation for Enormosausus. She is not my horse, but I'm currently her only rider. She can be a strange and quirky mare, who often doesn't really show you what she likes, but I think some cracks are starting to appear in her tough exterior.

This Monday, for the first time, I was available to hold Enormosaus for the farrier (she is on full livery and the riding school normally take care of this). I was worried she was going to be a monster: she's large, often impatient and not necessarily very careful of where she puts her feet or her head. Well she was an angel. She just stood there for most of it and when the farrier was actually putting her shoes on (fronts only), she nestled her muzzle in the crook of my arm and sort of dozed off. I could feel her lips and nostrils twitching. It made me feel all fuzzy inside as she is not the most affectionate of horses, so I felt very privileged to be shown such a sign of trust and affection (even though her head weighs a ton!).
 
Titchy Pony said:
I wanted to write my appreciation for Enormosausus. She is not my horse, but I'm currently her only rider. She can be a strange and quirky mare, who often doesn't really show you what she likes, but I think some cracks are starting to appear in her tough exterior.

This Monday, for the first time, I was available to hold Enormosaus for the farrier (she is on full livery and the riding school normally take care of this). I was worried she was going to be a monster: she's large, often impatient and not necessarily very careful of where she puts her feet or her head. Well she was an angel. She just stood there for most of it and when the farrier was actually putting her shoes on (fronts only), she nestled her muzzle in the crook of my arm and sort of dozed off. I could feel her lips and nostrils twitching. It made me feel all fuzzy inside as she is not the most affectionate of horses, so I felt very privileged to be shown such a sign of trust and affection (even though her head weighs a ton!).
Click to expand...
Lovely report! For me, to be trusted by a horse is one of the greatest honours (and yes I go fuzzy inside too!).
 
Rumtytum said:
Lovely report! For me, to be trusted by a horse is one of the greatest honours (and yes I go fuzzy inside too!).
Click to expand...
It is a great honour and I do my best to notice and appreciate when it happens. It's the little signs of trust and communication that add up to the relationship I have with the horses around me that make me tick:
Little Madam turning to show me the horse fly on her chest so I can swat it
Old Lady knowing she can come to me for a bum scratch
Adorable little Pippin already letting me hug him around his neck and his girth (my arms won't be long enough to do this for long)
Green TB now walking straight into the shower area and letting me tie her up and hose her down (this used to result in broken baling twine or lead ropes)
Enormosaurus slowly coming out of her big grumpy shell for me and learning to be careful of the small delicate human on the floor so we can spend more time together
 
The pony who bit and kicked and was just all round unpleasant to anyone who wasn’t my husband for the first 2.5 years of her life… mellowed this year.

Then on actual ride no.2 my son messed up the leading leaving me and jockey (daughter). So I took a leap of faith, let go of the kid’s jacket and led the pony. Perfect. Absolutely perfect despite the kid being more than a little worried! Then after the child got off she patiently stood and watched her while she dug in a log for…who knows what. Then we walked around again with the child on, using the reins. Pony was amazing.

I guess the ones with a ‘strong’ character really do make the best children’s ponies!!
 
Ozzy was a little star on his hack today. No napping, did everything his dad asked him to do.
And because his hacking partner was so good, AJ was a star too.
They got home, lots of fussing and a treat each - and then back to the wondrous haybell.

I absolutely love days like this where they put a massive smile on your face.

1757160573741.png
 
Oh my goodness what a wonderful thread and such amazing and gorgeous babies you all have... I am scrolling at work (bad girl I am) and have only a couple pics i can access - so the pic is my 4 year old i started in February then turned away til May. She did an intro endurance ride in appauling weather (well appauling for here...) and not only took the commotion and 120+ competitiors in her stride, remaining calm amidst excited arabians, but she managed to win the vets choice award out of the whole field of participants........... what a wonderful day and wonderful group of people. I think i will be pursuing the shorter endurance rides rather than dressage (no offence Dressage QLD). This is Bell'Heir CPA - my girl EllaDSC_9781-ZF-7789-76288-1-001-006 copy resized 2.jpg
 
I’ve had such a good few weeks with my lovely chap, culminating in a brilliant pole work lesson today, which we both enjoyed so much. The plan is now for me to start a bit of jumping, for the first time in about 10 years, and I can’t think of a better horse to do it with.

It’s made me reflect on how far we’ve come over the last few months. At the start of the summer, he was just coming back into work after having a tooth out, and was then struggling to put on condition. This was after a winter during which we’d moved yards, partly because he wasn’t settling at his first place.

Now, he’s looking fab, is fit, has gained muscle, and a couple of weeks ago we went out and did our first dressage test together. He’s such a star and I couldn’t have asked for more in my first horse.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_9558.jpeg
    IMG_9558.jpeg
    152.3 KB · Views: 25
  • IMG_9557.jpeg
    IMG_9557.jpeg
    250.2 KB · Views: 25
AthenesOwl said:
I’ve had such a good few weeks with my lovely chap, culminating in a brilliant pole work lesson today, which we both enjoyed so much. The plan is now for me to start a bit of jumping, for the first time in about 10 years, and I can’t think of a better horse to do it with.

It’s made me reflect on how far we’ve come over the last few months. At the start of the summer, he was just coming back into work after having a tooth out, and was then struggling to put on condition. This was after a winter during which we’d moved yards, partly because he wasn’t settling at his first place.

Now, he’s looking fab, is fit, has gained muscle, and a couple of weeks ago we went out and did our first dressage test together. He’s such a star and I couldn’t have asked for more in my first horse.
Click to expand...

What a handsome chappy he is ❤️
 
I bought my cob 6 months ago after losing my mare, I haven't ridden in years, I am not always competent or confident- and even though she's a bit cheeky at times and quite inexperienced for her age- she's been a total gem, even as I write this I am waiting for it to change or somehow come crashing down- but I just love her so much, such a sweet, funny, gentle soul.
 
Massive appreciation for my wonderful girl. Been having confidence issues the last few years after a freak fall and this weekend she jumped her socks off around the 120, maybe we will eventually step back up to 130 in time.
We will be together 16 years next year, I remember the day she was born, her long legs and massive ears.
Here's to another 16 years with my special lady.❤️
IMG_4181.jpegIMG_4182.jpegIMG_4183.jpeg
 
Baggs was totally awesome on our hack last night!

We went out with a few friends and their horses walk quite fast compared to Baggs, so we were at the back of the ride pretty much the entire time. He didn't panic at this like he used to, he just plodded along on the end of the buckle all chilled. We had a group canter and he pulled up beautifully afterwards and gave a reassuring hoof to hold for a friend's horse who was getting slightly wound up with the traffic. He also strolled through water first time without stopping which is a massive achievement for him, as usually he is terrified of the stuff! Lots of scratches, neck rubs and stud muffins for him when we got back 💜
 
I took cobbus to a fun ride on the weekend - we did the kid's leadrein route as neither of us are up for riding at the moment and I fancied a gentle potter.

Despite not having done anything in months he loaded, stood quietly to be bridled with ponies yelling in the lorry park, walked with 'enthusiasm' around the whole course, just about kept a lid on it when there were sheep fields to go through, didn't lose it with horses cantering past and jumping next to him, said hello to all the lovely stewards on the gates.

Very, very impressed with him. ❤️❤️❤️

PS While I've driven with other people's horses on before, it was my first time driving My Precious. Apologies to anyone who was behind me. My tailback was pretty impressive at times.
 
D has her first injury. Very small cut and bruise but she's been such a good patient and even let me scrub it loose in the field and apply sudacrem and arnica whilst just resting her leg 🥺 she was bordering on dangerous with her back legs when she arrived but now anyone can pick her feet out, she gets glowing reports from the farrier and I can poke the hole in her leg! She's very trusting now.
 
I was standing by the barn door texting last night and Sadie said very clearly, "c'mere please" with a little nicker. I said "me?" and she replied "yes you, c'mere". She thought I was going to leave without putting her net in 😂 I chat away to her constantly and every year she gets a bit chattier back. In another 4 years she will be conversant, I'm positive.

Her paddock buddy was also being a horrible creature last night and biting her on the bum so I would pay him attention, I chased him and got the loveliest big sigh from her. She said thanks.
 
JacquelineR said:
Oh my goodness what a wonderful thread and such amazing and gorgeous babies you all have... I am scrolling at work (bad girl I am) and have only a couple pics i can access - so the pic is my 4 year old i started in February then turned away til May. She did an intro endurance ride in appauling weather (well appauling for here...) and not only took the commotion and 120+ competitiors in her stride, remaining calm amidst excited arabians, but she managed to win the vets choice award out of the whole field of participants........... what a wonderful day and wonderful group of people. I think i will be pursuing the shorter endurance rides rather than dressage (no offence Dressage QLD). This is Bell'Heir CPA - my girl EllaView attachment 166256
Click to expand...
I think I had a dream about your horse! She's stunning 😍
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top