Eve's first Main Road walk

[harveydales]

Well, it seems Photobucket will let me load photos but not videos so...

Yesterday my friend Lou came over and we decided it was time to walk Eve up the main road. To get to all my good hacking routes I have to do a small stretch of busy main road and I am nervous about it because there is a short stretch of deep dyke along part of it and the virsge is undermined by rabbits so not safe to stand a horse on. I knew I would pass my fears onto Eve so Lou is doing all the leading for now (she is a Horse Agility trainer).

I can't believe how well it all went. We had a car and trailer come from behind just as we got onto the road and then it was lorries, tractors, vans, motorbikes etc. All no problem. Eve is interested in looking at the vehicles ratehr than wanting to run away. We had to go past a building site with cement mixers running etc and again no problem. We then went onto a bridle way where we met a lady on a pony, leading another pony. This did excite Eve a bit but she stuck with Lou and walked past calmly.

She was then on her toes for a bit as we walked through a narrow wooded track but soon settled. On the way back we met some donkeys which fascinated Eve plus a lot more traffic. All in all, a very succesful walk out and Eve thoroughly enjoyed herself. I don't have any horse to walk out with Eve to act as a schoolmaster so she is doing extremely well - much of it thanks to Lou's calm ways.

[tinkeralison]

That's fab, she is going to be a super pony. It's so hard when you don't have a steady pony for them to lean on. I think Eve's inquisitive nature is going to be your friend ☺

Edited to add, what about you doing some deep breathing exercises while on board Pam, just to keep your aura calm x

[harveydales]

Yes, Alison, I do that and Lou is very good at reminding me all the time to breathe and keep grounded. She knows me very well!

[Debbie]

Brilliant! Hurrah for hi viz too, I'm a firm believer in being as visible as possible to help people know you're there.

If I'm in a nervous situation, I love to sing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" as loudly as possible, and if I"m overly anxious, I'll do it off key so I can get myself laughing. It helps get my mind off whatever's got me worried, and I'm breathing deeply if I'm singing loudly.

I think it's a great idea to have your friend take her out for you. This way Lou can give her the steady calm, and you get the chance to watch Eve. Over time you should come to see how she is around various traffic. That should help you overcome your fears. I love how nosey Eve is

[tinkeralison]

Debbie, I sing "you are my sunshine, my only sunshine"😁

[Fi]

Awesome, I love how you’re taking it slowly and not rushing anything.