Travelling

[Dyllymoo]

So I've had J around 10 months soon and we have only travelled him home from the dealer and to the new yard the other week. I know he did some pony club things with previous owners so he has travelled but we haven't together.

I have booked for me and friend to go to a XC place in a few weeks time. Its more of a wooded hack with optional jumps (tiny ones to big ones). I thought it would be less pressure than an actual open field XC course, and we may pop some little jumps if we are feeling happy.

Anyway... when J moved yards (less than 10 mins in the box down the road), he practically called the whole way and came off quite big and worried. now my nerves aren't great, and going to a new place with a young horse like that might worry me, he will however be with his friend (not travelling together but we will arrive together)….

Do you think I should do some small trips with him in the box around the block and home, or maybe aim to take him somewhere for a polework lesson (where we can both be focussed) first before the trip to the XC ride?

I want to set us both up to succeed. hacking this weekend has been a real eye opener and with his friend by his side he was as confident as any horse I have any seen (and more confident than any I have ever ridden!). But will the travelling (approximately 45 mins - 1 hour there) be too much for him.

Or is this a case of …. stop overthinking and just get on with it you big wimp!

 

[milliepops]

Or is this a case of …. stop overthinking and just get on with it you big wimp!

there's definitely an argument for this ^^

but on the other hand being well prepared so you arrive relaxed and at ease is never wrong IMO. if it's your own box and it's easy for you to do some little trips out before then I would probably do it, for your own peace of mine as much as anything. In the nicest way, you seem a bit of an overthinker (I am one too!) so while I think you'd be absolutely fine to just box over there and put on your brave pants, sometimes it's more comfortable to tick a few more of your own preparation boxes beforehand.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

there's definitely an argument for this ^^

but on the other hand being well prepared so you arrive relaxed and at ease is never wrong IMO. if it's your own box and it's easy for you to do some little trips out before then I would probably do it, for your own peace of mine as much as anything. In the nicest way, you seem a bit of an overthinker (I am one too!) so while I think you'd be absolutely fine to just box over there and put on your brave pants, sometimes it's more comfortable to tick a few more of your own preparation boxes beforehand.

What she said above!

I've made a point with mine that they have a couple of 10min trips round the local roads and back to the yard, then a couple of short trips to perhaps arena hire or to park and hack, before going off further. All just to reinforce that going in the box is a pleasant thing to do, also that we go out and come back again. I find it can very much settle a worrier in just 3 or 4 outings, particularly if they havent done much going out for a while except to move home.
Hope you have a lovely trip out

 

[Dyllymoo]

Thanks both.

I'm 100% an overthinker. Unfortunately. Its very hard to realise when there is a real need to maybe be "concerned" (concerned is the wrong word but you know what I mean) and when I am just thinking of every possible outcome and all the small details that probably wont even enter J's head. Like hacking at the weekend, he didn't worry about anything. Even when our lead horse stopped and reversed and said no to a lady with a push bike who suddenly reversed down a hill, J walked on when I asked.

I'm thinking a couple of little trips around the block and then possibly a mini outing the weekend before for something fun and then home. He is perfect to load and just walks on like he has done it all his life.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Thanks both.

I'm 100% an overthinker. Unfortunately. Its very hard to realise when there is a real need to maybe be "concerned" (concerned is the wrong word but you know what I mean) and when I am just thinking of every possible outcome and all the small details that probably wont even enter J's head. Like hacking at the weekend, he didn't worry about anything. Even when our lead horse stopped and reversed and said no to a lady with a push bike who suddenly reversed down a hill, J walked on when I asked.

I'm thinking a couple of little trips around the block and then possibly a mini outing the weekend before for something fun and then home. He is perfect to load and just walks on like he has done it all his life.

Just remember the old adage, set up to succeed
If it takes a 10 min practice loading session the day before, or 6 short trips out, as long as the horse does as asked and nobody gets too excited and you finish on a relaxed note, you have succeeded.

 

[Carrottom]

I would ask your friend to share an arena hire with you. That way you are in a less exciting place and have more control over the environment.

 

[Dyllymoo]

I would ask your friend to share an arena hire with you. That way you are in a less exciting place and have more control over the environment.

Friend did mention doing something this weekend and said if I wanted to go with her so might see what she has in mind. If I can do something with some poles to get us both occupied that might be a good thing.