Annagain
Well-Known Member
Charlie's had a couple more 'firsts' since my last post about him.
At the weekend we came across not just one, but two ponies and traps, out in convoy. Monty is petrified of them, just can't work them out and Arch is a bit bemused by them too so I was half expecting a moment, but once again Charlie just shrugged his shoulders and carried on his merry way.
This morning, my semi-pro friend came to ride him. In the school, Charlie is a bit anxious for about 10-5 minutes, then breathes and works nicely for about 5 and is then "far too tired, honest mum" to do any more. She felt a schooling whip would help him get over his "tiredness" but his reaction to anything stick-like has been a bit panicky so we haven't tried since the first time, months ago, when he was beside himself and banana shaped the whole time so he could keep one eye on what the stick was doing. He has been happier being lunged with the whip recently although I just waggle it in his direction, never touch him with it so we thought we'd try again.
She started without it and when he got to the exhausted "can't possibly do any more, mum" stage, I quietly handed it to her with a "watch he doesn't panic" warning. She was ready to drop it if needs be. She's a lovely quiet rider anyway and just gently made him aware she had it with the faintest of tickles. All of a sudden, the boy found his second wind, but without any anxiety about the stick, just in a nice positive way. It was also very handy to tickle his rogue left shoulder and even that came back into line. He didn't like her changing it to her other hand but settled quickly after a brief moment and went the best he's ever gone. Result!
I don't think I could have found a better horse for me. He just makes me smile so much and this is the latest sign that he's really settled now. Well worth the wait!
At the weekend we came across not just one, but two ponies and traps, out in convoy. Monty is petrified of them, just can't work them out and Arch is a bit bemused by them too so I was half expecting a moment, but once again Charlie just shrugged his shoulders and carried on his merry way.
This morning, my semi-pro friend came to ride him. In the school, Charlie is a bit anxious for about 10-5 minutes, then breathes and works nicely for about 5 and is then "far too tired, honest mum" to do any more. She felt a schooling whip would help him get over his "tiredness" but his reaction to anything stick-like has been a bit panicky so we haven't tried since the first time, months ago, when he was beside himself and banana shaped the whole time so he could keep one eye on what the stick was doing. He has been happier being lunged with the whip recently although I just waggle it in his direction, never touch him with it so we thought we'd try again.
She started without it and when he got to the exhausted "can't possibly do any more, mum" stage, I quietly handed it to her with a "watch he doesn't panic" warning. She was ready to drop it if needs be. She's a lovely quiet rider anyway and just gently made him aware she had it with the faintest of tickles. All of a sudden, the boy found his second wind, but without any anxiety about the stick, just in a nice positive way. It was also very handy to tickle his rogue left shoulder and even that came back into line. He didn't like her changing it to her other hand but settled quickly after a brief moment and went the best he's ever gone. Result!
I don't think I could have found a better horse for me. He just makes me smile so much and this is the latest sign that he's really settled now. Well worth the wait!
