Cherry updates

[Debbie]

Wowsers!!! Sounds like the 'sneak attack' in the night set her dead to rights as far as good...no GREAT behavior!!!

What a STAR!!! And long may it continue!!! Good on you for 'getting on with it'. I would have been thinking of crawling into bed rather than loading up with a fresh pony for lessons

[valerie n scout]

wow your doin really well with her she really is a star x

[greydales]

I can't believe my little girly! Today was her fourth hack and she was such a (again ;D).

Firstly I had arranged to meet Cilla coming to meet me up the lane, and we thought it would be a good thing to see how Cherry coped on her own. Well she just walked out of the drive and set off down the lane, even wanted to trot! She was looking in the hedges but didn't do anything silly.

We got a fair way down before we met Cilla then we went off to the bridle paths and some of Cilla's fields. First there was a large herd of cows by the gate, I had no idea how Cherry would react, but all she did was spook a little bit when they started to run. Cilla shooed the cows away and we went over several fields, I cantered Cherry off in front and away she went, what a good girl.

We did lots of trotting with her in front and behind and she was a star ;D, didn't get silly at all (she did kind of nap towards home but all that succeeded in her doing was cantering sideways as I aimed her in the opposite direction!). We then headed for Cilla's farm, and around some of her fields. Cherry got a bit strong headed for 'home' but was controllable.

In one field near the farm another horse was loose and spotted us, and came bombing over. Cherry got rather on her toes, but again she did listen to me and went where I put her (even though she wanted to take off after the horse). At one time the loose horse was right up her bum and I thought, 'oh-oh, we are going to have a bucking fit in a minute' - but she didn't, even though her ears went right back .

The only thing she took exception to was a large hose snaked across the grass and wouldn't cross it lol, but I managed to get her around it. She also didn't like puddles or water, that is something we will have to work on! There was a lot of agricultural machinery in action so we took Cherry onto the yard where Cilla's hubby was manouvering a large Manitou (big tractor for those who haven't heard of one!). I rode Cherry up to it while the engine was idling and she just strode straight over and sniffed the wheel arch, wasn't bothered at all ;D.

Next we went over some more fields, to get the cows in!! I rode Cherry right away from Ryan (Cilla's horse) across the field to herd the cows from the other side, and she just went - I was amazed. Although I could tell she was a bit stressed and wanted to go back to Ryan she went everywhere I asked her.

Finally we had a canter across a very large field, by this time she was pretty tired out LOL!

But I am even more thrilled with her, I think she is going to make a superb riding pony ;D ;D ;D

[sunny]

Oh this is such a good read Gill. I am soo pleased for you. You must be doing something pretty good to have her so responsive to you. Brilliant.

[SuzieP]

What a wonderful pony she's turning out to be Gill. I'm so pleased.

[leannwithconnie]

:)Sounds as if you have a real good one there Gill.

[harveydales]

Wow Gill that is incredible for just the fourth hack out! She is going to make a fantastic riding pony!

[dalesponyrider]

Just caught up with all this Gill. What a fabulous pony Cherry is! You must be over the moon! How fantastic that all that forward movement is there but she still listens. The perfect combination as far as I'm concerned. Please give her a pat and a scratch (on her front end) from her Auntie Linda!

[Debbie]

I think you've had an incredible bond with Cherry from the get go, Gill. And from what you described with yesterday's hack, just confirms that.

What a !!! You two are having such great fun together

[greydales]

I was supposed to be going out with Cilla again today but she couldn't make it, so Cherry got some schooling in the arena. This girl is sharp and VERY strong LOL!! Sooooooo different to Saturn, you just need to touch her and she's off at warp speed. Her canter was more a tank and on one occasion I had to ride her into the fence to stop her , little monkey.

I think she is still anxious about everything and tends to take hold of the bit, but it's early days yet. I do need brakes though, and don't want to be hauling on her mouth - so may have to look into different bits (as if I haven't got enough of them ).

She is amazingly responsive which I love, just got to work on calm and steady LOL ;D.

[bevbob]

Wow she sounds amazing Gill, put some pics up on here.

[greydales]

Took her out again on her own to the end of the lane (I was supposed to meet my neighbour but she hadn't arrived). There was a cow which kept charging at her on one side of the road, and three horses whinnying at her the other - she was so good! And when I turned her for home to look for Cilla, she just went calmly off and didn't get silly ;D ;D

I met up with Cilla and we went to stand on a large driveway by the side of the main road while traffic whizzed by, Cherry looked but did not move even when some lorries passed. Afterwards we went around the fields again, had a few canters side by side where Cherry did get a bit onward bound but controllable. She did try and boot Ryan at one time when he got a bit close! . Ryan stood still while Cherry cantered around him and then they swapped places, and she was good as gold.

She certainly has the potential to be very strong but hopefully if we keep on doing stuff like this she won't see the need to take off ;D

[sammy]

Absolutely brilliant, you must be so proud of the way she is progressing.

[harleydales]

She sounds amazing Gill, fantastic progress!

Harley would have a FIT if we were in a field with a loose horse he didn't know - he'd have to see it off!

[dalesponyrider]

She is amazing - but she's had some pretty amazing training!