Thankyou Heather - again

[Mossy]

As I mentioned, Moss and I went out and played silly games yesterday. A very long day and we were both wiped out at the end of it, but both had fun, and, I hope, were of some use in the proceedings. Moss was telling me where the ponies were hiding by his ears. Anyway just to say that hip turning works just as well instinctively at a loose rein canter over heath land as it does when concentrated on in a schooling session at trot. He was turning on a sixpence. I was very impressed with him. No overheating due to excitement, just sensible, obedient and got on with it.

[Heather]

Sounds like fun, Jill. I envy you your access to the moor. Although we are only four miles from the nearest access point, it is too far to hack with our limited time. Lucky you!

Heather

[Mossy]

The moor is indeed wonderful for hacking out. [I took advantage of the lack of livestock today and took the dogs with me. Moss was having a gentle slow muscle relaxing stretch after yesterday's efforts] However having either a field or the open moor when you are trying to bring on a youngster or re-entrant is rather going from the sublime to the ridiculous!
The only way I have found to solve the problem is a LOT of inhand work and longreining, together with saddle work in the field, to get them fully confident and listening in such a vast expanse and then hop on for very short periods on the lanes, then cut the odd corner off across the moor and build it up slowly. A scared bolt on the moor is quite an experience! The other option is always to go out with a buddy but that just leaves you with a horse who won't go out on their own. I use up an awful lot of shoe leather!