As some of you may, or may not know I've recently started riding rtk's gorgeous cob called Tilly. I've been riding her for about 3 weeks, either in the school or round the fields. We've been out once, but with rtk and her oldie (even if he doesn't act it), Rocky.
Today I took her out on my own. I didn't really know where I was aiming for, we just pottered about and hoped for the best. We did have to navigate some gates, which I'm sure anyone watching would have had a good laugh at, but after the first complete disaster, I got better and Tilly helped by pushing them with her nose (and then running backwards if they came back and I didn't get them in time!)
Tilly is bombproof but today it became apparent she doesn't fully trust me just yet. She spooked and span at a quad and trailer, at a man (on the quad)sneezing, and at some birds flying out of a tree/undergrowth...the latter had me on the floor as she spooked sideways on a downhill slope and it didn't go very well. I have to say though, despite being very bruised from falling on rocks and stones, I wasn't bothered. As a novicey rider and a fairly nervous one I was impressed, even if I do say so myself.
We did have a really nice ride and I hope that Tilly enjoyed it, her ears were pricked forward all the way round and when we had quick canter in the field on the way back she was still raring to go and reluctant to slow, so I think she did. I've never been out hacking properly alone and despite a few minor disagreements with Tilly, I hope that I did ok.
All in all, I had a really good day, so thank you rtk and Tilly.
Sorry for the huuuuge post, I do have obligatory earshots, but I'm not sure how to transfer them from my phone to my laptop
Today I took her out on my own. I didn't really know where I was aiming for, we just pottered about and hoped for the best. We did have to navigate some gates, which I'm sure anyone watching would have had a good laugh at, but after the first complete disaster, I got better and Tilly helped by pushing them with her nose (and then running backwards if they came back and I didn't get them in time!)
Tilly is bombproof but today it became apparent she doesn't fully trust me just yet. She spooked and span at a quad and trailer, at a man (on the quad)sneezing, and at some birds flying out of a tree/undergrowth...the latter had me on the floor as she spooked sideways on a downhill slope and it didn't go very well. I have to say though, despite being very bruised from falling on rocks and stones, I wasn't bothered. As a novicey rider and a fairly nervous one I was impressed, even if I do say so myself.
We did have a really nice ride and I hope that Tilly enjoyed it, her ears were pricked forward all the way round and when we had quick canter in the field on the way back she was still raring to go and reluctant to slow, so I think she did. I've never been out hacking properly alone and despite a few minor disagreements with Tilly, I hope that I did ok.
All in all, I had a really good day, so thank you rtk and Tilly.
Sorry for the huuuuge post, I do have obligatory earshots, but I'm not sure how to transfer them from my phone to my laptop