He’s lovely, he still has that pony look but I think he’s grown into his face nicely now!
2020
Dec 2023
He’s still growing too, he’s a little bum high and has gone a bit lean again, so will no doubt go out once he’s done going up.
And we’re there...
- Thread starter Jessey
- Start date
2020
Dec 2023
He’s still growing too, he’s a little bum high and has gone a bit lean again, so will no doubt go out once he’s done going up.
Super successful first night ride for Monkey!
We set out in daylight (with the intention of coming home in the dark), I switched my head torch on at dusk and Monkey crapped himself
all 4 feet off the floor when the spot appeared in front of him but he landed in the same spot and held it together and very quickly got used to it.
It was a very dark cloudy night in the forest, but he was a champ, really not phased at all. We had a very pleasant hour first listening to the birds settling for the night, then an owl hooting away overhead
About a mile from home we heard a motorbike, and the asshole was coming flat out through the forest (the strictly no vehicle forest) along the track behind us
it slowed up a bit when I turned and shone my torch at it, but was still coming, so I spun Monkey round and trotted directly at it. I suspect he caught sight of my polite hiviz, because he spun his bike around and took off away from us! I’m so completely chuffed with Monkey being totally calm about this whole situation because our companion wasn’t nearly so cool about it.
Then on the drove home, every blinking horse had to run to the fence to check us out, and again he really kept it together although he felt a bit jangley about it then we left our buddy and did the last bit alone. Totally chilled like nothing was different from normal 
We set out in daylight (with the intention of coming home in the dark), I switched my head torch on at dusk and Monkey crapped himself
all 4 feet off the floor when the spot appeared in front of him but he landed in the same spot and held it together and very quickly got used to it. It was a very dark cloudy night in the forest, but he was a champ, really not phased at all. We had a very pleasant hour first listening to the birds settling for the night, then an owl hooting away overhead
About a mile from home we heard a motorbike, and the asshole was coming flat out through the forest (the strictly no vehicle forest) along the track behind us
it slowed up a bit when I turned and shone my torch at it, but was still coming, so I spun Monkey round and trotted directly at it. I suspect he caught sight of my polite hiviz, because he spun his bike around and took off away from us! I’m so completely chuffed with Monkey being totally calm about this whole situation because our companion wasn’t nearly so cool about it. Then on the drove home, every blinking horse had to run to the fence to check us out, and again he really kept it together although he felt a bit jangley about it
then we left our buddy and did the last bit alone. Totally chilled like nothing was different from normal 
Just so there’s a record here too.
Monkey took the lead last night on a short 20 minute bimble around the block.
It wasn’t dark but I put my head torch on for extra visibility, he only jumped a little bit at it this time
Monkey took the lead last night on a short 20 minute bimble around the block.
It wasn’t dark but I put my head torch on for extra visibility, he only jumped a little bit at it this time
A nice but meh ride today. He started out fine but as we got up the drove he could see reflections on the flood water and froze, he tried to walk on but couldn’t stop looking at it and froze again and again, I encouraged and cajoled but ended up hopping off and leading him past, knowing that there’s 1/4 mile of flooding to get by.
The rest of the ride he had the handbrake on and froze every time he saw anything through the trees, which on a busy sunny day in the forest was a lot. And with my duff shoulder and elbow I was struggling so I kept it short.
On the way home we saw our neighbours leading their 2 horses a couple of hundred metres ahead, he was eyes on stalks and starting to feel jittery, then as they approached a corner where we’d only get glimpses through the trees, and knowing they are not good with other horses so catching up wasn’t an option I got off again. He was actually great about following at distance, even once we got on the straight he didn’t fuss to try and catch up at all. It’s all good experience right!
Of note he’s dropped weight since I rode last weekend, on his normal girth holes my saddle was slipping as I mounted. Both him and Jess were wild on Thursday night as the flood was coming up and it has rained so much they have gone through 4 rugs each, so hopefully it’s just weather related or he’s having another growth spurt!
The rest of the ride he had the handbrake on and froze every time he saw anything through the trees, which on a busy sunny day in the forest was a lot. And with my duff shoulder and elbow I was struggling so I kept it short.
On the way home we saw our neighbours leading their 2 horses a couple of hundred metres ahead, he was eyes on stalks and starting to feel jittery, then as they approached a corner where we’d only get glimpses through the trees, and knowing they are not good with other horses so catching up wasn’t an option I got off again. He was actually great about following at distance, even once we got on the straight he didn’t fuss to try and catch up at all. It’s all good experience right!
Of note he’s dropped weight since I rode last weekend, on his normal girth holes my saddle was slipping as I mounted. Both him and Jess were wild on Thursday night as the flood was coming up and it has rained so much they have gone through 4 rugs each, so hopefully it’s just weather related or he’s having another growth spurt!
A better ride today, went out with our neighbour and he didn’t even look at the flood water, and was cool as a cucumber for pretty much the entire 2 hours, even when horses in paddocks trotted up behind us he did have 1 little panic when there was a camper van parked in the forest and a kid sat in a chair behind it, he shot backwards into our neighbour (but didn’t kick out in shock like he did in a previous incident, so that’s an improvement!) but he regained his head and walked by without issue so I think it was just a surprise.
he did have 1 little panic when there was a camper van parked in the forest and a kid sat in a chair behind it, he shot backwards into our neighbour (but didn’t kick out in shock like he did in a previous incident, so that’s an improvement!) but he regained his head and walked by without issue so I think it was just a surprise.
A quick schooling session after work tonight, he was good. Just working on simple bend from the leg, I got some cones so lots of weaving in and out, while maintaining impulsion which is always a challenge for him. Then some work on spirals and back up. He’s progressing slowly.
We had a nice ride after a slightly sticky start today.
He stepped out beautifully initially, but as we got to the naughty ponies on our left, a mobility scooter came out from the alley on the right, just past that and one of the naughty ponies came trotting over behind us, Monkey was holding it all together, but then there was a lady pushing a pram towards us and his bucket was full and the brakes went on. He stopped right next to the pram, and the lady kindly stopped to let him calm down, but I think he then felt she was a safe place and flat refused to leave
he did eventually but it took some persuading!
We went over to High Lodge as it’s normally too busy at the weekends so we generally avoid it but it’s was a nice change. Bearing in mind the terrifying pram, crossing the 60mph A road with lorry’s belting past didn’t even get an ear flick!
A log on that last track got a dirty spin but crossing back over the road a double decker bus was no bother either! Honestly!
He stepped out beautifully initially, but as we got to the naughty ponies on our left, a mobility scooter came out from the alley on the right, just past that and one of the naughty ponies came trotting over behind us, Monkey was holding it all together, but then there was a lady pushing a pram towards us and his bucket was full and the brakes went on. He stopped right next to the pram, and the lady kindly stopped to let him calm down, but I think he then felt she was a safe place and flat refused to leave
he did eventually but it took some persuading!We went over to High Lodge as it’s normally too busy at the weekends so we generally avoid it but it’s was a nice change. Bearing in mind the terrifying pram, crossing the 60mph A road with lorry’s belting past didn’t even get an ear flick!
A log on that last track got a dirty spin but crossing back over the road a double decker bus was no bother either! Honestly!
I didn’t ride yesterday as it was really gusty, which I don’t mind but the forest has been hit hard by the wet blowy winter and there lots of trees down, widow makers and broken branches hung up in the canopy, glad I didn’t as lots have come down since we were out on Wednesday (All the green bits at ground level are branches that have come down)
We got out early this morning before the wind picked up again. All was calm and I had Monkey tied in the barn eating hay while I pottered about. As I do every time, i put my hat on in the shed behind him, the clip clicks as I do it up, which today was so terrifying that he spun, lost his back end, broke away and tanked off out of the barn with the hay net tangled in his rope I went and fetched him back and fiddled with the clip a few more times, every time it got the same panic reaction. I’m guessing he took a belt off the electric fence last night, so any clicking will be an issue for a few weeks now 
Anyway, although now wired we managed a reasonably pleasant couple of hours out in the sun.
We got out early this morning before the wind picked up again. All was calm and I had Monkey tied in the barn eating hay while I pottered about. As I do every time, i put my hat on in the shed behind him, the clip clicks as I do it up, which today was so terrifying that he spun, lost his back end, broke away and tanked off out of the barn with the hay net tangled in his rope
I went and fetched him back and fiddled with the clip a few more times, every time it got the same panic reaction. I’m guessing he took a belt off the electric fence last night, so any clicking will be an issue for a few weeks now Anyway, although now wired we managed a reasonably pleasant couple of hours out in the sun.
I've been trying to get Monkey to jump for a while, I haven't tried very hard but I aim him at logs we find in the forest, he's very sweet about them because obviously I misjudge the situation, if they are too big to trot over he slams the breaks on and steps over them I also tried a couple of times with him on the lunge at home, loose poles are simply meant to be kicked around though, sometimes he can kick the same pole with all 4 different feet as it flies across the field!
But last night I duly tried again at home, this time I didn't mess about with trot, I put him at it in canter and he flew the tiny 30cm vertical I'd set up. I think I am just going to have to go and pick up a few straw bales to get him to understand jumping is ok! Then get my big girl pants on and ride him like a mean it!
I also tried a couple of times with him on the lunge at home, loose poles are simply meant to be kicked around though, sometimes he can kick the same pole with all 4 different feet as it flies across the field!But last night I duly tried again at home, this time I didn't mess about with trot, I put him at it in canter and he flew the tiny 30cm vertical I'd set up. I think I am just going to have to go and pick up a few straw bales to get him to understand jumping is ok! Then get my big girl pants on and ride him like a mean it!
I wasn’t going to ride yesterday, but getting off work just 20 minutes early meant I could, so I did!
Jess really wanted to come out at the weekend with us, but I planned to go further than she could so I left her, so last night when we only had time for a short one anyway felt like a good opportunity to bring her along.
So we had a nice 20 minutes of walk and trot, he’s getting the hang of leading now!
She’s so happy to be getting out and so far, staying sound with it ***frantically touches wood***, long may it last 
Jess really wanted to come out at the weekend with us, but I planned to go further than she could so I left her, so last night when we only had time for a short one anyway felt like a good opportunity to bring her along.
So we had a nice 20 minutes of walk and trot, he’s getting the hang of leading now!
She’s so happy to be getting out
and so far, staying sound with it ***frantically touches wood***, long may it last
Went for an early ride this morning, the sun was shining and it was beautiful 
Monkey was a bit wired, the first 3/4 mile was soft snorts all the way and eyes on stalks, but once we could get moving he settled right down
Canter was a bit hard work today, he decided he didn’t want to pick up left lead when asked, so we did a lot of starting and restarting! But, he did a lovely little log jump today one he normally trots, but the lunge session in the week obviously stuck and with lots of leg and a ‘hup’ he did a fabulous little pop over it
Then we worked on relaxation, dropping his head and moving out, and he did well, so well that we came home on the buckle! Not something I normally do with him as those 180s can come out of nowhere and on the buckle I have no hope of preventing them!
I’m bored of riding this same bit of forest, but the river is still very flooded which has pushed the highland cows up beside the bridge - likely to much for his brain today. South of the main road is high lodge, which is insanely busy on a sunny day as they have walking tracks, mountain bike courses and dozens of kids play areas, so also best avoided! I’m working up courage to go out to the west, it involves the high street which can be chaotic, so we have only done it on very quiet days! I’d better get him back out in the trailer!
Monkey was a bit wired, the first 3/4 mile was soft snorts all the way and eyes on stalks, but once we could get moving he settled right downCanter was a bit hard work today, he decided he didn’t want to pick up left lead when asked, so we did a lot of starting and restarting! But, he did a lovely little log jump today
one he normally trots, but the lunge session in the week obviously stuck and with lots of leg and a ‘hup’ he did a fabulous little pop over it Then we worked on relaxation, dropping his head and moving out, and he did well, so well that we came home on the buckle!
Not something I normally do with him as those 180s can come out of nowhere and on the buckle I have no hope of preventing them!I’m bored of riding this same bit of forest, but the river is still very flooded which has pushed the highland cows up beside the bridge - likely to much for his brain today. South of the main road is high lodge, which is insanely busy on a sunny day as they have walking tracks, mountain bike courses and dozens of kids play areas, so also best avoided! I’m working up courage to go out to the west, it involves the high street which can be chaotic, so we have only done it on very quiet days! I’d better get him back out in the trailer!
Lovely pics!Went for an early ride this morning, the sun was shining and it was beautiful
View attachment 121912
View attachment 121913View attachment 121914
Canter was a bit hard work today, he decided he didn’t want to pick up left lead when asked, so we did a lot of starting and restarting! But, he did a lovely little log jump today
View attachment 121917
Then we worked on relaxation, dropping his head and moving out, and he did well, so well that we came home on the buckle!
I’m bored of riding this same bit of forest, but the river is still very flooded which has pushed the highland cows up beside the bridge - likely to much for his brain today. South of the main road is high lodge, which is insanely busy on a sunny day as they have walking tracks, mountain bike courses and dozens of kids play areas, so also best avoided! I’m working up courage to go out to the west, it involves the high street which can be chaotic, so we have only done it on very quiet days! I’d better get him back out in the trailer!
View attachment 121915
I lunged monkey Tuesday night, he was all excited to jump again, and he did a tidy job but he quickly settled and did everything asked, nice transitions, lovely energetic turns, popped a few 30cm jumps, then some backing, unwinding and turns on the fore and haunches. The whole session was 10 minutes, I didn’t do any more as it just becomes nagging at that point!
We’re meeting a friend today, the forecast threatens some showers but I’m hoping they hold off
We’re meeting a friend today, the forecast threatens some showers but I’m hoping they hold off
We had 3 dry hours 
Monkey was wired going out, pinging at all sorts, you know, a leaf facing the wrong way, a horse eating twig! So when we got to the field of highland cows he froze, and didn’t know what to do with himself but eventually managed to creep past them unscathed
Then we met our friend and had a lovely couple of hours catching up, coming home along the other side of the cows field, no fuss as they were the far side. Then monkey had to give my friends horse a lead over the level crossing with his grown up head on
We then left our friends and go back past the cows again, only slowing to a crawl this time even though they were close, we stopped and looked back for a picture!
Monkey was wired going out, pinging at all sorts, you know, a leaf facing the wrong way, a horse eating twig! So when we got to the field of highland cows he froze, and didn’t know what to do with himself but eventually managed to creep past them unscathed
Then we met our friend and had a lovely couple of hours catching up, coming home along the other side of the cows field, no fuss as they were the far side. Then monkey had to give my friends horse a lead over the level crossing with his grown up head on
We then left our friends and go back past the cows again, only slowing to a crawl this time even though they were close, we stopped and looked back for a picture!
You could! When I moved from an area where you’d perhaps get 1 or 2 chances for a canter on a hacking route, I found it near impossible not to canter everywhere! Monkey was too wired for any cantering with our friends, when I cantered on the way home he put in a dirty spook at a shiny bush and nearly had me!
A really corking, all be it short ride tonight of just over an hour. As we got into the forest our neighbours were riding home, we stopped and chatted then carried on our way with zero drama which I was very pleased with.
I went out with no destination in mind, so we went to the jumping place in the forest, Monkey has lost his enthusiasm from earlier in the week and proved he can in fact trot over a 40cm diameter log!
We then headed up a wide sandy track away from home at a very slow canter that I had to work very hard for, before turning onto a little windy track (towards home) where he found the go-go juice and we had some proper Welsh trot and a couple of stolen canters
Then turned away from home again and he was miffed took a long stoney track and I realised that although I always aim him for the verge he is now choosing to stomp right down the middle of them, so his feet are obviously really good even after all the wet weather.
He kept the pep in his step and we had lots of fun on the way home, lots of whizzy trot. There was a family on bikes and he stood like a rock while they passed, then without me asking (or even ready) he leapt into trot and whizzed along, I was laughing so much we barely made a couple of the 90 degree turns through the trees and I had to steady him up before the slippy tight turns, I’ll have to try and video it one day, he loves that stretch!
Then back onto the drove for the last 3/4 mile with the setting sun
Off to meet our friends again tomorrow, and planning to do a route where I know he’ll find a couple of things really challenging, but I think in company it will be good experience for him.
I went out with no destination in mind, so we went to the jumping place in the forest, Monkey has lost his enthusiasm from earlier in the week and proved he can in fact trot over a 40cm diameter log!
We then headed up a wide sandy track away from home at a very slow canter that I had to work very hard for, before turning onto a little windy track (towards home) where he found the go-go juice and we had some proper Welsh trot and a couple of stolen canters Then turned away from home again and he was miffed
took a long stoney track and I realised that although I always aim him for the verge he is now choosing to stomp right down the middle of them, so his feet are obviously really good even after all the wet weather.He kept the pep in his step and we had lots of fun on the way home, lots of whizzy trot. There was a family on bikes and he stood like a rock while they passed, then without me asking (or even ready
) he leapt into trot and whizzed along, I was laughing so much we barely made a couple of the 90 degree turns through the trees and I had to steady him up before the slippy tight turns, I’ll have to try and video it one day, he loves that stretch!Then back onto the drove for the last 3/4 mile with the setting sun
Off to meet our friends again tomorrow, and planning to do a route where I know he’ll find a couple of things really challenging, but I think in company it will be good experience for him.
newrider.com