Just wanted to share this..

[claireh]

Hi all,

I just wanted to share my day with people I know will understand why I'm so excited!

I have a 4 year old very green Cob X, who, as anyone who has seen my posts on 'any advice for a bucking T-rex' will know, has a nasty habit of depositing me on the gound head first!

It got so bad, and I got so bruised, that for the past month or so I have been taking him right back to basics and only working him from the ground- lunging etc.

If i'm totally honest, I lost my nerve a bit and was quite aprehensive of getting back on!

Anyway, I'll stop rambling and get to the point, which is I rode him today, and he was a perfect gentleman! He had one small spook, which I didn't panic about and he (obviously having learnt something from our groundwork) actually listened to what I was telling him instead of depositing me and making off on his own!

Sorry, Im sure this doesn't sound that exciting to most of you, but I am over the moon!!

Happy Horsing all!

Claire

[Carolynn]

Congratulations! It sound like things are looking up for you and I am excited for you. I can relate to being nervous about getting back on a horse and everytime you get on and things go well it gets better. Keep up the good work.:)

[Maci]

I know how it feels to have a great ride after numerous bad ones! PURE BLISS!

Good Job!
Maci :)

[judyl]

Well done ClaireH

By going right back to the beginning and starting to build a relationship from the ground by working him in hand, you now have a good understanding with your horse.

Things can only get better and better from now on. I can quite understand how excited you were and wanting to let other like-minded people share with you. Again, well done.

Judy

[claireh]

Thankyou Carolynn, Maci and Judy for your replies and encouragement!

Things really are looking up- we had another great hack today and although he spooked again (at something moving in a hedge) and we had another unexpected burst of speed, he listened to me again too and was very quickly standing quietly!

The nicest thing is that Pageant isnt trying to dislodge me anymore- which was his sole intention whilst we were schooling before, so I know that he was genuinley spooked and not just trying it on!

My confidence is coming back too, which im sure is helping him to relax and enjoy himself more.

Anyway, thanks again for your replies! Any words of wisdom or advice from anyone on working with a young, spooky horse will be greatfully recieved!

Best wishes,

Claire

[Jess]

That's great. I have a greenie and for the first month that I rode him, anytime I would tighten my leg or cue for an upward, he'd take of like a bronc. After that experience, I was thinking of taking up saddle bronc riding! Congrats... it's a great feeling, isn't it?