LiffWee93
Well-Known Member
Well today, little Lola, our 13.2, now 6yo forester mare, and I, went for our first solo hack today! We set out, very confidently, with a spring in our stride and a little bit of jogging, ears pricked right forward and she was on a mission, was out for about 45 mins to an hour along the roads near us which arent the kindest, but did she spook? no! did she run about? no! was she completely unreasonable? no! WOO!
it wasnt too long ago that i thought i would never have the confidence to ride this little mare again, nor did i think she would trust me enough. After our accident and subsequent problems, when i got on she would stand there braced and quivering, no matter how settled i tried to make her, just getting on and off without issue was a big step (she was fine with everyone else) i took a back seat with her education and a friend came and rode her through her antics after some time off, finished on a good note and turned her away last winter-- this year she has come back strength to strength, has taken being ridden by me perfectly, and slowly slowly we have rebuilt confidence in each other, progressing to canter work in the school and our field- we even had a little extension in our canters yesterday, which is something i never thought i would be able to manage with her! She now feels soo confident and happy and strong in her body, like she is totally physically and mentally ready for her ridden career, im so glad we took the time with her, she is so smashing and willing to please (and soo much fun!)
Today we met a tractor with trailer and all she did was "dance" on the spot, then stop and walk on like it was nothing (and i didnt freak out or tense up! i just laughed at her for being silly and patted her when she settled, yay!) and we met a bus, which she barely noticed! im so proud of both of us for managing this, i know its not alot to a lot of people, but it really marks a big point in our lives and our partnership, absolutely chuffed, i havent been able to stop smiling whenever i have ridden her recently!
sorry this is really long! she will have her 2nd ever show this weekend to take her to have a look around and maybe ponce around in the m+ms class thankyou for reading! ceasar salad on offer for anyone who got through my rant!!
token photo of her being a sweetie..
(ps, no crit, this was taken a while a go when i was still getting confidence on her (no recent photos) and i have pulled it apart already 
)
it wasnt too long ago that i thought i would never have the confidence to ride this little mare again, nor did i think she would trust me enough. After our accident and subsequent problems, when i got on she would stand there braced and quivering, no matter how settled i tried to make her, just getting on and off without issue was a big step (she was fine with everyone else) i took a back seat with her education and a friend came and rode her through her antics after some time off, finished on a good note and turned her away last winter-- this year she has come back strength to strength, has taken being ridden by me perfectly, and slowly slowly we have rebuilt confidence in each other, progressing to canter work in the school and our field- we even had a little extension in our canters yesterday, which is something i never thought i would be able to manage with her! She now feels soo confident and happy and strong in her body, like she is totally physically and mentally ready for her ridden career, im so glad we took the time with her, she is so smashing and willing to please (and soo much fun!)
Today we met a tractor with trailer and all she did was "dance" on the spot, then stop and walk on like it was nothing (and i didnt freak out or tense up! i just laughed at her for being silly and patted her when she settled, yay!) and we met a bus, which she barely noticed! im so proud of both of us for managing this, i know its not alot to a lot of people, but it really marks a big point in our lives and our partnership, absolutely chuffed, i havent been able to stop smiling whenever i have ridden her recently!
sorry this is really long! she will have her 2nd ever show this weekend to take her to have a look around and maybe ponce around in the m+ms class
thankyou for reading! ceasar salad on offer for anyone who got through my rant!! token photo of her being a sweetie..
)
xx