City Mare
Well-Known Member
Okay so - went out for a quick evening hack last night on the ned last night (my share horse).
We were trekking through the woods (he knows this route very well, does it twice a week) no spookiness at all and he was behaving so well. I was also really concentrating on everything, heels, arms, hands, back straight and was relaxed but observant and cautious (ie no fiddling with stuff in pockets etc etc).
So, we came out the the side of the forest and out onto the common; when all of a sudden there was a bolt from no-where.
As he set off - I heard a loud squeal and instantly knew then that he was scared of something - initially I though it was a pig, but still hadnt seen what it was. He took me round the common and back into the woods on the other side (he was following the route we would usually take to get home) I was panicking inside, but didn't scream just held on tight and tried to steer him out of harms way. He was totally unstoppable.
I managed to stay on and as we entered the woods again he stopped, I was just patting him down and calming him, when out of the corner of my eye - I saw the "creature" again running up behind off - realised it was a tiny dog sized Shetland. Cue another bolt.
It was now almost 7pm, and for some reason as we're carreering through the trees AGAIN, I knew I had to think logical. I knew there was a house nearby and I had passed a dog walker earlier. I was really worried about coming off and getting knocked unconsious and not being found, so I screamed as loud as I could "Help, Help, Help" .and then I came off (I think I let myself come off). Hit my head hard and when I stood up I couldn't walk in a straight line.
BUT My shouting worked, a man from the neighbouring house had heard me and came out to see what was going on! As I walked (in a very wobbly line up to him) the tiny shetland came along too, and had a little roll at my feet!
Anyway, Ned now missing. Phoned the yard as knew he could potentially be on his way back home - via a Road. He was found by a man about a mile and half away away. Ned WAS indeed on his way home (the long way for some reason, he must have missed his turn off!) and was sweating and shaking. So he was walked back to where I was (by the road entering the woods). by said man, with his wife driving behind.
Next thing a car stopped - "have you seen a loose horse?". In the confusion I kept insisting that they must have meant mine, and saying that I had it now and it was all okay - then realised that they meant the shettie in the woods! Next thing, another car - the shettie's owners! Apprently the brother had left the yard gate open and he had wandered aimlessly onto the common .just waiting for me and the ned to come along and scare the bejeezus out of .
What a night .I am now fairly bruised, headachey and scratched up (first time riding in t-shirt).
I rode him back - he was very good. I, however, was being a bit of a sniveller once the adrenoline had worn off.
Just thank god for my hat, body protector and mobile phone.
So we're out tonight - and hopefully everything will be okay and I might just have a pleasant ride! Cross your fingers.
We were trekking through the woods (he knows this route very well, does it twice a week) no spookiness at all and he was behaving so well. I was also really concentrating on everything, heels, arms, hands, back straight and was relaxed but observant and cautious (ie no fiddling with stuff in pockets etc etc).
So, we came out the the side of the forest and out onto the common; when all of a sudden there was a bolt from no-where.
As he set off - I heard a loud squeal and instantly knew then that he was scared of something - initially I though it was a pig, but still hadnt seen what it was. He took me round the common and back into the woods on the other side (he was following the route we would usually take to get home) I was panicking inside, but didn't scream just held on tight and tried to steer him out of harms way. He was totally unstoppable.
I managed to stay on and as we entered the woods again he stopped, I was just patting him down and calming him, when out of the corner of my eye - I saw the "creature" again running up behind off - realised it was a tiny dog sized Shetland. Cue another bolt.
It was now almost 7pm, and for some reason as we're carreering through the trees AGAIN, I knew I had to think logical. I knew there was a house nearby and I had passed a dog walker earlier. I was really worried about coming off and getting knocked unconsious and not being found, so I screamed as loud as I could "Help, Help, Help" .and then I came off (I think I let myself come off). Hit my head hard and when I stood up I couldn't walk in a straight line.
BUT My shouting worked, a man from the neighbouring house had heard me and came out to see what was going on! As I walked (in a very wobbly line up to him) the tiny shetland came along too, and had a little roll at my feet!
Anyway, Ned now missing. Phoned the yard as knew he could potentially be on his way back home - via a Road. He was found by a man about a mile and half away away. Ned WAS indeed on his way home (the long way for some reason, he must have missed his turn off!) and was sweating and shaking. So he was walked back to where I was (by the road entering the woods). by said man, with his wife driving behind.
Next thing a car stopped - "have you seen a loose horse?". In the confusion I kept insisting that they must have meant mine, and saying that I had it now and it was all okay - then realised that they meant the shettie in the woods! Next thing, another car - the shettie's owners! Apprently the brother had left the yard gate open and he had wandered aimlessly onto the common .just waiting for me and the ned to come along and scare the bejeezus out of .
What a night .I am now fairly bruised, headachey and scratched up (first time riding in t-shirt).
I rode him back - he was very good. I, however, was being a bit of a sniveller once the adrenoline had worn off.
Just thank god for my hat, body protector and mobile phone.
So we're out tonight - and hopefully everything will be okay and I might just have a pleasant ride! Cross your fingers.
