Emerald's had her first hack out for over a year...

[dalesnfellfan]

...and she was such a good girl, Sam got on her and she was so relaxed from the start, she didn't feel the need to walk her round the paddock more than once first, just as well as our fields are resembling a swimming pool after all the rain. She waited calmly while I got on Connie and we set off, she was very excited to be out and walked down the road at 100 mph, she soon settled after a few 100 yds  and settled into a nice calm forward walk.  She was a little tense when cars passed at first and had a very little jump when a bus past us from behind. 

We were out for about 40 min and went further than originally intended as she was just so relaxed walking along on a light contact, she even walked calmly past 4 horses cavorting round a field next to the road, even with Connie being a bit of a prat and bouncing past them.

I was  so pleased with her and I can see myself riding her in a few more weeks, you really wouldn't have thought her last hack out was last September and this was only her 3rd ride since then, I feel like I've got the old Emerald back, I can't tell you how good that feels!!!

Sam's coming again on Thursday and we'll do a different route around village with maybe a short bit of bridle way.

I'm just so pleased she's coming good at last, it's been worth the wait.

[colmworthdales]

What brilliant news. Well done for persevering with her all this time. Hope she continues in the same manner and you can be riding her yourself before long.

[harveydales]

Wonderful news.

Sent from my Nexus 10 using proboards

[maggie]

Wonderful news and well done you for sticking with her

[Fi]

That's wonderful news, so pleased for you and her

[Tynedale]

Brilliant

[nedales]

so happy for you--great news!

[dalesnfellfan]

Another lovely hack in the sunshine this morning with Sam riding Em, she was less excited setting off today, just walked out calmly and took the lead for some of the way. She was much more confident not bothering at all about the vehicles passing her, we went off road across a long open track where Sam let her trot a short way to catch up with Connie who has a faster walk and across a meadow where she did get a bit excited and wanted to trot but instantly listened to Sam and remained in walk.

Sam coming again on Saturday, I think I'll be riding her myself in a couple of weeks at this rate, I didn't really anticipate riding her much, but I'm finding myself wanting to ride her again now.

So pleased with her, I just hope all her problems are behind her now.

[5natives]

Lovely! She has made you very happy by the sounds of it and wish you both luck that it continues.

[dalesnfellfan]

Another good hack today in icy wind and rain, we had 2 empty beet lorries pass us within a few minutes, we were able to get in driveways for both, the first passed us slowly but the second came whizzing past, bumping and rattling, I thought he hadn't seen us but the driver waved to us as he tore past. Even Connie had a little jump and she's usually rock solid with everything, Emerald did have a tiny jump, but no more than Connie so I was very pleased with her indeed.

[NFK Dumpling]

Hopefully you'll be able to ride her on the President's ride next year

[dalesnfellfan]

Dec 3, 2015 12:10:10 GMT -1 NFK Dumpling said:

Hopefully you'll be able to ride her on the President's ride next year

I had the same thought myself this morning as I was riding her back up the road after a lovely hack!! I had intended to do it on Connie but it would be brilliant to do the ride on a registered Dales.

Yes I rode her myself today.

[NFK Dumpling]

Brilliant! Connie will be most welcome anyway