Barking mad or what??!

[lucydales]

As the fields are soo bad at the moment I decided that in our Claire lesson today would be good to have a a little ride out and a bit of fun (as lessons are usually very serious and hard work...NOT!). Logistically this was a problem 'cos Pants hasn't been re-backed yet, Amy's growing a foalie and hasn't been ridden for a while, Choc scares the poo out of me and also hasn't been ridden for a year, and it's difficult to get 3 peeps on Isaac at the same time! LOL! Also both Choc and Pants go ape-sh*t if they are left on their own!
I needed a cunning plan!

So I decided that Wiz and Choc could be ridden, Pants led from Choc (as he loves her so much!) and Amy long reined. Both Claire and Sue decided on riding Wiz and long reining Amy, so that left me with Choc and Pants! Gulp!!! At least if it all went horribly wrong I'd only have myself to blame! Val kindly took some piccies though she was without glasses so they were best guess!

I'd forgotten how big Choc was!! But VP wins the biggest bum competition! "Wot you doing up there, Mum??"


All dressed up and ready to go.


God bless fluorescents!!


Well the good news is we all got back in one piece! LOL!

We went up a little lane to the park as "it would be quiet"! Hadn't calculated on the hugest ever tractor with a hedge cutter! Choc doesn't do tractors or big traffic! The man stopped cutting and I was so worried about Isaac that I forgot about Choc and we all got past without any alarms or excursions! Good ponies!! We also met him coming back and did well a second time too.

Everyone was really good (we only went out for about half an hour) Pants was really good being led, Choc was as good as gold, Amy thought it was Xmas again as she didn't really do any work(!) and Isaac was a good lad too. I really noticed how the long reining has paid off with all of them, especially Vanty, if he was getting a bit in front of my leg I could ask him to stand and he did even though Choc was still walking on.

The worst bit for me was getting off Choc, I dismounted with gay abandon forgetting the floor was much further away than normal!! LOL!! Oh my poor knees!

It was only when I got home I remembered I'd not put my air-bag vest on! LOL!!

[PonyGirl]

God bless fluorescents!! WOW. You do stand out! Well done.

Do you really have an air-bag vest?

[harveydales]

Oooh that looks fun, you all look to be enjoying the ride! Well done you riding Choc! I hope you didn't admit to OH that you'd forgotten to wear the vest!

btw, what happens if you dismount and forget to unhook the vest first? That would be my big worry! Other than that, they are a great idea and must be so much more comfortable to ride in than a normal bp.

[lucydales]

Yes, Anne, I do have an air-bag vest which OH bought me for xmas!

We were enjoying the ride cos we hadn't gone anywhere yet and we were still in one piece! LOL!

Ref forgetful dismounting, if your string is long enough you're okay! Otherwise you inflate and have to buy a new canister! LOL! I haven't actually tried it yet so will let you know how I get on. I'll get some pics if anyone is interested?

Choc was actually an angel, it's wide open spaces or schooling that causes problems!

[Debbie]

I'm not sure I'd want to see a pony's reaction to an airbag vest accidentally inflating

Man that really shows what a huge difference the flourescents make.

As for your outting ~ you are far, far braver than I!! Glad you've made it home in one piece

[harleydales]

I've neve heard of an air-bag vest!!
You all did very well to manage and cope with the tractor and everything - well done!

[PonyGirl]

I thought my friend was kidding when she said there are airbag vests.

[harveydales]

I've seen a web site for these vests and think they are a great idea. They are expensive but then so are good conventional body protectors. It's the accidental inflating that would worry me! Yes, do show some pics please.

[PonyGirl]

I ride with my eventing vest and my helmet every time.

[Debbie]

Lucy I'd love to see some pics of it too. Very curious about them

Ouch! Just reread the dismount bit. Man that hurts for ages when you land on your feet like that ~ OUCH!

[tinkerdorisalison]

Lucy, I think only you could decide that was the best (read most complicated! ) option!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glad you all had fun......

[clara]

Lucy you have a team!!!!!!!!! Go girl!

[zeldalithgow]

Well done Luce oops about the airbag ;D


www.hit-air.com/horse/english/lineup/jmodel/index.html

www.cavalmundo.com/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=21

[SuzieP]

I could do with a pair of inflating trousers to protect my hips if I fall off!

[PonyGirl]

Do they do a "body suit".....I have my moments......