Firehorse
Well-Known Member
all 5 of us went down. a 4 yr old mare, her first time, 5 yr old gelding, his first time, 10 yr old mare, her first time, 8 yr old mummy of the 4 yr old, she'd been once before, and my 14 yr old Ben, who'd never been before. well it all went well, no one fell off or got rolled on!!!! all the horses were quiet tense and excited as it was all so new for them. My Ben was petrified of the kite surfers in the distance, so he was like a giraffe with eyes out on stalks all the time. He waded into the water eventually, and got to about knee deep before he decided that was far enough, and threw himself sideways to get back out!!!. And then he was spooking at all the seaweed on the ground. So much so, i almost came out the front door on one occasion. We just walked them up and down a few times, really just to give them a chance to take it all in. As soon as we turned for home, Ben started doing his usual canter on the spot "lets go home now", but he stayed under control, which is something I was concerned about. But all in all, they were all well behaved despite the nerves and excitement. Ben was actually shaking with nervous excitement and snorting and sneezing at the salt.
Its certainly given me a wonderful riding experience with him. Going somewhere totally new for both of us. A few months ago, he would've bolted when scared, but he listened to me, despite being all wound up. I just kept talking to him and kept him moving. He didn't like standing still while the others played, so I just walked him round, in and out the water. I now feel I'll be fine at this show in Sept. Altho they may need to hold a class for the sweatiest horse!! Hopefully he wont be so wound up, as he'd been to shows with his previous owners, very regularly. So, next adventure ride.....pub ride!!!!
Its certainly given me a wonderful riding experience with him. Going somewhere totally new for both of us. A few months ago, he would've bolted when scared, but he listened to me, despite being all wound up. I just kept talking to him and kept him moving. He didn't like standing still while the others played, so I just walked him round, in and out the water. I now feel I'll be fine at this show in Sept. Altho they may need to hold a class for the sweatiest horse!! Hopefully he wont be so wound up, as he'd been to shows with his previous owners, very regularly. So, next adventure ride.....pub ride!!!!