Oh the shame..... (cringe)

[domane]

The "fields" at the yard opened today. There is 1.5 miles of fields which we are allowed to ride round the edges of - where Mr Farmer-YO grows all his hay and haylage... We MUST stick to the tracks!!! There is also a cracking cross-country course set up (no! no! no!). It's only accessible for us riders during the summer months so I have not been in there before. Anyway, newbies to the yard get the "tour" so we know where we can ride and not and if you want to use the fields, it's compulsory. It's a walking tour, on horseback or foot so that teensy-tiny ponies can keep up.

So today we were out with the "Big-boys".... the 16.3hh+ lot who were all acting like loons with a bit of soft ground under the feet. Cherry was no different and jogged most of the way, some of it sideways! Thank goodness for the Kimblewick (my shoulders are shaping up nicely :eek: ) So, in the absence of any tinies, when Mr Farmer YO suggested a "nice slow collected canter" we all nodded furiously.

So who spoiled everyone's fun by sticking her nose in the air like a camel, seizing her bit and GALLOPING past aforementioned "collected-canter Big boys"... coming "off-track" in the process.... ?? :o

Yep... you've guessed it!!

Canter came to an abrupt halt and I ran from the yard with my head under a blanket, straight to the tack shop!!!

Cherry now has a running martingale for group-riding :rolleyes:

So now I feel like a complete pleb who can't control her animal!!! Oh the shame......

[greeneyes13]

Been there!
Least you didnt pass out a hunt master or something :)
The martingale will work well Id say. Cherry might settle better up front or maybe you might like to turn her back past the last horse in the group when she joggs to teach her it wont get her any further?
Watch out for bucks! The sheer joy of an open field might cause happpiness to bubble over :)

[domane]

It's the group factor which sets her off.... she's better on her own or with one or two others....and she just LOVES to run..... :o

[Ginger Thing]

Poor you....but had to laugh:D

Bet they were thinking 'there's always one!'

ROFL at Greeneyes' expression - my horse must be very happy, 'cos he often lets it bubble over to show us just how happy he is!

You'll probably find she'll be fine on her own or with one other horse, mine is the same in company, but make sure you sometimes walk it or she'll expect to canter every time. I find the exciteable ones are better behaved when you spring it on them and they haven't already got worked up!

[chickflick1066]

Oh Jane, what are you like?!

[Whatanejit]

Hee hee hee.:D

What a madam.:p

Oh the shame domane:confused:

Don't you feel like a complete out - of - control - shouldn't - have - a - horsey - idiot when that sort of thing happens?

Bless you all!

xx

[Whatanejit]

Oh yes - look what I got in M&S:D

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f270/Whatanejit/Domainewine.png

Ok so I couldn't find wine with a horse on the label but this almost has one of my cybermates' name on the label:cool:

Any excuse:D

xx

[Imp]

:D he heee :D

Good for you staying on, I'd be off in gallop if not because of the speed but because of the fright!!!

I think W'jit's wine research is coming along nicely - I was going to say wine cellar but not sure whether it's being quaffed or stashed :confused: :cool: (it wouldn't see the light of day in this house ;) )

[Whatanejit]

The wine is gone already:D

xx

[domane]

Oh Jane, what are you like?!

What am I like???

A "passenger" - that's what I'm like!!!!! :D :D

LURVE the wine label W'jit!!! Raised a smile (and probably a glass or two!!)

[NoviceNic]

Domane - We all have an embarrassing moment. The thing is not to dwell on it and move on. Preferably straight ahead and not off the track.:p ;)

[Little Dolphins]

I'd be very proud to have been that embarassing, Domane! Fancy going out and GALLOPING round a farm:eek: I'm in awe.

[domane]

Fancy going out and GALLOPING round a farm
Not through choice.... :D

[Little Dolphins]

Not through choice.... :D

yeah, but you survived, didn't you! Red faced, mebbe, but not whey-faced with fear
:)

[cazrider]

Don't you feel like a complete out - of - control - shouldn't - have - a - horsey - idiot when that sort of thing happens?


Yep.. know that feeling very very well. Join the club Jane....:( :D

I did the little Handy Pony show at our yard yesterday, and my gorgeous non spooky BANANA of a horse wouldn't go within four feet of...... wait for it... a fluffy Easter bunny!!:eek: They're dead scary them:o :o :o We came seventh behind several very small children:o

[domane]

:D :D :D

Not the ...... SCARY EASTER BUNNY!!!!!

Horses are weird, aren't they???

But seventh is still good.... unless there were only seven in the class???

[cazrider]

Eight!:p Thanks for pointing that out, my friend Jane!!:o :o

Still, I've just heard from someone very nice re sharing him. Maybe she can do some bunny training.;)

BTW, I think you were brave contemplating speed when Cherry was bouncing. It is really nerve wracking I know.:)

[domane]

Oops, sorry Cazrider.... but at least you weren't LAST!!

I don't have a problem with Cherry's speed.... it's just getting her to stop when I want!!!

[NoviceNic]

I had a heart pounding day today I thought I was going to die. I wasnt riding Captain, I was being towed by my Dad to the garage for repairs to my 4x4. :eek: As I was getting fraught with fear (nearly passing out:cool: ) I realised I would rather be on Captains back whilst he is bolting home being naughty. ;) So my Dad has actually done me a favour and realised that there are worse things that trying to stop a 1 horse powered animal.:p I am hoping now that I stand sit tall and have the confidence to pull Captain up. ;)

[domane]

Ooh yes NN, I would rather have one horse-power any day than those scary motors with loads of them!!!

[cazrider]

I know what you mean NN. It's funny, I've never actually been scared when Sennie is galloping. I know he's sensible, and highly unlikely to put himself in danger, so even when I couldn't stop him on the sponsored ride, I knew he'd stop once he caught up with the others, so all I had to do was stay on. I'm more worried when he's getting wound up jogging beforehand. I must admit the road bit was scary. The thought of losing conrol on the road is VERY scary.:eek:

So, Jane, yes I completely understand the stopping thing. I am experimenting with bits at the moment, and am about to try a cherry roller snaffle. The theory being that he won't be able to take hold of it. I'm riding out with two friends tomorrow one on her lovely easy going cob mare, and the other on her highly strung gelding. He always gets competitive with the gelding, so it will be an interesting experiment.:rolleyes:

BTW, I found out this eveing that there were actually about 12 in the class, so not so bad.;)

[domane]

BTW, I found out this eveing that there were actually about 12 in the class, so not so bad.;)

There! WELL DONE!!!! :D Let me know how you get on with the bit, please :confused:

[janhebb]

Oh MY HERO!! well done - I am full of admiration.

Today, I had the opportunity to go on my second ever lone hack (gulp - the first was round the lead rein circuit, supposed to last 20 mins - we did it in less than 10).

Different horse - mental note "I CAN do this...."

First embarrasment was having to be lead out of the yard because horse had no gears other than reverse....

Second embarrasment was that as we passed said horse's turn out field, she planted in tne middle of the road with no forward gears and only reverse into a car......

After a full and frank exchange of views, I got forward motion but only as far as the field gate AND NO FURTHER. Flat ears and a back end ready to buck was the end of the road for me. I got off

I did try to walk her round the rest of the circuit but could not even persuade her to go any where but back to the yard.

I tried to creep in the gate but there was a group of confident and happy riders about to go out for 2 hours.....

Oh the shame of it. To make it worse I have found a safe as houses cob who is being vetted on Tues and seems ideal. But can I really own a horse if I cant manage to persuade a school horse to walk round the block???

Sorry - hi jacked thread and am feeling sorry for myself!! I am off to try the G&T treatment, pronto!!

J

[domane]

You mustn't tar all horses with the same brush. Having your own is not the same as riding a school horse. You will hopefully develop a close relationship and will get to know your horse quite well. My cob is "safe as houses" and VERY forward going... it's just the stopping I am having problems with as you have read!!! So much for "ploddy-cobs" Huh!!! :D
Riding school horses can be.... and I say CAN so as not to start a storm of protest.... quite dead to the leg due to the assortment of different riders they have to endure. There are a thousand different reasons why the mare today played up and I'm pretty sure that they were nothing to do with you. Were you going out alone or in a group, I'm not sure from you post. Sadly horses do have minds of their own and if they were operated by push buttons I am sure that ultimately we would all get bored. They redeem themselves by touching gestures that make us forgive them :D

Anyway, lets not dwell on today's activites.... tell us more about this horse you are having vetted...

[janhebb]

Thanks for the comfort! I was on my own for only the second time...and thats scary enough!

But to look forward...he is a 15.2 piebald irish cob gelding 10 years old and has a bit of the "Bob the Cob" about him! Nice soft eyes, great big feet and a laid back gentle attitude......

Just the job for an old nervous nellie I think! Pictures next week, if he passes the vetting. Fingers crossed.

J

[Little Dolphins]

Hey JH, the G+T treatment is de rigeur. Exciting news about horse vetting!
Soz, Domane, Hi to you, too!:)

[carrimclaren]

lol, it's usually me as well that ends up with the bucking racing muppet so know how you feel :) I ended up having to go first up a canter stretch because my thing was so "red rummed" up that she was trying to then kick everythings teeth in that tried to go past her, oh the shame of having to ride off infront and everyone else having to hold back :o That was a while ago and i haven't hacked in that big a group since. I just know the git would show me up again by having a bucking fit and making me unscheduley dismount or something. :D Oh and mine's 16.1 so supposedly one of the "big girls". Pah acts like a mardy pony most of the time.

[ANN H]

Oh Domane, I had a good old giggle at this. Been there, done that! You probably read my post about the 10 mile Good Friday fun ride. I had much the same experience. We had some 'gentle canters' (not!!) accross the Cheshire countryside. My friend and I decided to show off and canter the last stretch to the field we'd started from where all the horseboxes and riders were waiting to go home. However, we missed the gap through the hedge towards the home field and ended up cantering down a farmer's field (much to his surprise, as he was ploughing it at the time!) As you say, thank God for kimblewicks!!