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Post by dalesnfellfan on May 29, 2015 12:25:12 GMT -1
We have just moved the ponies onto their summer grazing a lot later than usual due to only just having a fence erected where the conifers were removed in January, the grass is now over knee height so they all have just a small paddock until they have eaten enough to then strip graze across the field.
I took Connie out for a lovely ride this morning and had some wonderful canters along the headland in sunshine and just a light breeze, on the way home the wind got up very quickly and we had torrential rain, Connie was so good she just tucked her head against the wind and rain, didn't get at all silly even with it blowing a gale and making some very frightening noises in the trees. When we came out onto the road we met everything at once as we were going under the railway bridge, cars coming in both directions, then a 4x4 and horse trailer on our bum, a train going over the bridge on top of her and a lady with an umbrella coming towards us then waiting to walk under the bridge. She didn't bat an eyelid, just carried on walking calmly through the bridge and out the other side and past the umbrella.
By the time we got home I was soaked and cold so was not impressed when Emerald, on seeing her friend return, ran through the electric tape and galloped around the main paddock calling at the top of her voice. Connie remained calm while I untacked her and led her across the field that Em was still galloping around and returned her to her little paddock.
Still p***ing down and blowing a gale I then mended the fence and attempted to catch Em, she was having none of it continuing to career about running circles around me, she really can move nicely when she puts her mind to it, but by this time I was in no mood to admire her action. I couldn't get anywhere near her and in the end had to go and get more tape and posts and pen her into a smaller area then drive her back into her paddock.
I was now soaked through to my undies and very cold, I was so not impressed with Emerald who was now calmly munching grass back in her pen as if butter wouldn't melt.
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Post by zeldalithgow on May 29, 2015 19:27:21 GMT -1
Well done Connie superstar pony, as for Em what silly girl - hope you have warmed up now
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Post by dusty on May 30, 2015 5:04:57 GMT -1
Well done Connie it sounded like a fab ride barring the weather. I feel your pain with Em as Rory as done this before when I've taken Duke out of the field. It really does make you want to throttle them.
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Post by harveydales on May 30, 2015 5:37:03 GMT -1
Lovely to read this - I bet this time last year you couldn't imagine enjoy a hack like that on such a well behaved pony. Shame Em had to spoil the day! Hope you warmed up quickly  |
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Post by Fi on May 30, 2015 11:47:12 GMT -1
Well done Connie! A long hot bath required for you.
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Post by maggie on May 30, 2015 20:25:04 GMT -1
Oh dear, naughty Emerald! Hope you got warm and dry alright. |
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Post by kathnsonny on May 31, 2015 7:58:32 GMT -1
Thats great that you are enjoying your riding again  I feel your pain my exmoor escapes at every possible opportunity but thankfully comes trotting happily up to me when I have to retrieve her! |
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Post by Debbie on May 31, 2015 13:32:37 GMT -1
Wow, wow, WOW!!! I'm uber impressed with Connie's display of unflappable. So chuffed you got in such a brilliant albet soggy ride  LOL, I agree about Em, though..sometimes you just want to throttle them  |
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Post by dalesnfellfan on May 31, 2015 15:01:19 GMT -1
Lovely to read this - I bet this time last year you couldn't imagine enjoy a hack like that on such a well behaved pony. Shame Em had to spoil the day! Hope you warmed up quickly You're right Pam, I couldn't have imagined it last year, each ride I have like that lets me trust her a little bit more, especially when she behaves well in less than ideal conditions and situations and still I seem unable to totally let go of the fear and trust her completely though.
It's coming in very small improvements, like now I can canter and trot on a slightly looser rein and trust that she won't take off or put in a spook, I can't yet let go of the neck strap out hacking though in anything more than walk, but I can in the schooling paddock now, so I'm slowly getting there. She has never once taken advantage of me being tense and nervous on her but she is definitely much happier if I'm relaxed.
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Post by jaycee on Jun 1, 2015 15:56:51 GMT -1
Oh super well done, I guess your story really shows the ups and downs we all have when we own ponies. They are worth it though aren't they? |
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I feel your pain my exmoor escapes at every possible opportunity but thankfully comes trotting happily up to me when I have to retrieve her! 
