zoeshiloh
Well-Known Member
Well, we took my little man out for a hack on Saturday. He has been longlined on roads, and is good with traffic, but this was the first time he was ridden on the roads. We took along my 15yo as a companion, and my OH walked with us as well.
I couldn't have been more pleased - Bex, my fab little rider, handles him beautifully, and jumped straight on (first time he was mounted without being lunged first). He stood still while she tightened his girth and while I jumped on Ben, then we left the yard, Ben leading the way.
Wonky was a bit unsure/slow to begin with, but he soon got the idea. He was such a star, and has learnt to start going off the leg. He had one small spook when a car came around the corner and surprised him, but he settled straight back down again and was completely fine.
I purposefully chose a hack down a very quiet country lane, but it was like the M25! We must have had over 100 cars pass us - normally I can ride the loop and not see a single vehicle!
We passed a field with two very scary Highland bulls in - Ben ran backwards and started doing passage down the road - Wonky walked straight past Ben (probably thinking "what a prat") and then led my 15yo "calming influence" past the scary cows!
Later on a lorry came trundling down the lane, and yet again, Wonky had to calm his 15yo babysitter down.
I am so pleased with my little lad. He wont be ridden much for the rest of this year, just very lightly hacked out over the winter - learning to go off the leg on a hack rather than round and round a school. I am so proud of him though - he just doesn't seem phased/worried by anything at the moment.
(Also in breeding)
I couldn't have been more pleased - Bex, my fab little rider, handles him beautifully, and jumped straight on (first time he was mounted without being lunged first). He stood still while she tightened his girth and while I jumped on Ben, then we left the yard, Ben leading the way.
Wonky was a bit unsure/slow to begin with, but he soon got the idea. He was such a star, and has learnt to start going off the leg. He had one small spook when a car came around the corner and surprised him, but he settled straight back down again and was completely fine.
I purposefully chose a hack down a very quiet country lane, but it was like the M25! We must have had over 100 cars pass us - normally I can ride the loop and not see a single vehicle!
We passed a field with two very scary Highland bulls in - Ben ran backwards and started doing passage down the road - Wonky walked straight past Ben (probably thinking "what a prat") and then led my 15yo "calming influence" past the scary cows!
Later on a lorry came trundling down the lane, and yet again, Wonky had to calm his 15yo babysitter down.
I am so pleased with my little lad. He wont be ridden much for the rest of this year, just very lightly hacked out over the winter - learning to go off the leg on a hack rather than round and round a school. I am so proud of him though - he just doesn't seem phased/worried by anything at the moment.
(Also in breeding)
