Trixie
10th Jul 2006, 08:41 PM
Three weeks ago tomorrow, I was due to ride Phoenix for the first time since April, but I chickened out due to a storm. I was disgusted with myself! Then I went to the Royal Highland Show and watched kiddies riding with ease and I felt even worse.
Over the weekend, I made a decision and on the Monday (two weeks ago today), I went up to the yard and announced that I was riding Phoenix. Yard owner was gobsmacked.
Since then, I've ridden him quite a few times and I'm walking and trotting him with comparative ease. His tendency to turn his head to the left and veer to the right when on the right rein is gradually getting better. He's listening to me, he seems to be getting confidence from me and we're having a complete ball!
To cap it all, I've been riding him down the road from the yard and back alone! Today I managed to get him to the end of the road, about a quarter of a mile, with a horse led in hand in front!
I can't believe the change that's come over me and Phoenix! If he spooks, I don't panic, I calm him down. If he trots unexpectedly, I'm able to bring him back to walk easily and his steering is getting better and better. When he takes the mick, I'm firm and insist.
Today he followed the in hand horse out of the school when he shouldn't have and I had quite a time getting him back in. Managed it on the third attempt using lots of leg and voice. Then I managed to stop him doing it again on the next circuit!
I plan to be cantering him within two weeks, I have a fitness programme worked out for him and my goal is to pop him over cross poles by the end of the summer.
For the first time in ages, I feel like a rider! Yeehaaaaa!
Over the weekend, I made a decision and on the Monday (two weeks ago today), I went up to the yard and announced that I was riding Phoenix. Yard owner was gobsmacked.
Since then, I've ridden him quite a few times and I'm walking and trotting him with comparative ease. His tendency to turn his head to the left and veer to the right when on the right rein is gradually getting better. He's listening to me, he seems to be getting confidence from me and we're having a complete ball!
To cap it all, I've been riding him down the road from the yard and back alone! Today I managed to get him to the end of the road, about a quarter of a mile, with a horse led in hand in front!
I can't believe the change that's come over me and Phoenix! If he spooks, I don't panic, I calm him down. If he trots unexpectedly, I'm able to bring him back to walk easily and his steering is getting better and better. When he takes the mick, I'm firm and insist.
Today he followed the in hand horse out of the school when he shouldn't have and I had quite a time getting him back in. Managed it on the third attempt using lots of leg and voice. Then I managed to stop him doing it again on the next circuit!
I plan to be cantering him within two weeks, I have a fitness programme worked out for him and my goal is to pop him over cross poles by the end of the summer.
For the first time in ages, I feel like a rider! Yeehaaaaa!