Very pleased today, as I hacked for 45 mins on my own (big thing for daft old me ).
I've owned Ed for just over a year (share him with my daughter). However, I had three months of private lessons before getting him, but apart from that had only ridden a few times for 30 years. I really am a mature beginner
Over the 13 months of owning him my riding skills have improved considerably, but the starting points really was quite low
One thing that continues to make me feel a little anxious is hacking alone..... before Christmas I started hacking him 3/4 mile to my lesson and then back. Until in Dec, he had a huge spook as a Heron took off right next to us he took flight in canter, jumped a water ditch, but did stop after about 100m (not really his fault but unnerved me). Then we started to get better again and about 2 months ago, he took flight at the site of an enourmouse ag vehicle. But again, I stopped him after 40/50 m and dismounted, lead him past got back on. These things are unfortunately set-backs for me....
Today I hacked half a mile with a friend and then left her and ambled off for 45 mins on our own. He played up a bit as decided he didn't want to go anywhere without his hacking bud, but after a couple of minor battles, requiring leg, voice and whip we had a lovely hack.
Still don't think lots of lone hacking is my idea of fun, but that's quite a milestone Bit of a gloat but feeling 'chuffed'
I've owned Ed for just over a year (share him with my daughter). However, I had three months of private lessons before getting him, but apart from that had only ridden a few times for 30 years. I really am a mature beginner
Over the 13 months of owning him my riding skills have improved considerably, but the starting points really was quite low
One thing that continues to make me feel a little anxious is hacking alone..... before Christmas I started hacking him 3/4 mile to my lesson and then back. Until in Dec, he had a huge spook as a Heron took off right next to us he took flight in canter, jumped a water ditch, but did stop after about 100m (not really his fault but unnerved me). Then we started to get better again and about 2 months ago, he took flight at the site of an enourmouse ag vehicle. But again, I stopped him after 40/50 m and dismounted, lead him past got back on. These things are unfortunately set-backs for me....
Today I hacked half a mile with a friend and then left her and ambled off for 45 mins on our own. He played up a bit as decided he didn't want to go anywhere without his hacking bud, but after a couple of minor battles, requiring leg, voice and whip we had a lovely hack.
Still don't think lots of lone hacking is my idea of fun, but that's quite a milestone Bit of a gloat but feeling 'chuffed'