Hi everyone – I’m mostly a dressage rider (well, I fail miserably at it, but that’s what we try). In my late 20’s and kind of an all around chickensh*t with jumping, trails, etc… an all around suzy safety.
I’ve been out of the saddle mostly for two years, and got back into riding in July/August. I bought my new horse, a 15.2h 10 yo gelding of PMU breeding less than 4 weeks ago. He’s generally a bit of a worrier type, insecure, but never DOES anything, doesn’t react. I’m starting to figure out he’s quite brave despite his apprehensions (except when it comes to sheep, llamas and geese).
We’ve hacked down the road – first in hand with another horse, then mounted with another horse, then solo with my bf walking beside us. Handled all great. I got brave and hacked solo down the road, and even had the loose german shepherd come barrelling out of bushes at us. Pony skittered in place till I yelled at the dog, when he promptly planted his feet (guess he thought I was yelling at him?).
Barn Owner graciously took me on a trailer ride to the park with a babysitter horse, and he did good though was nervous about groups of pre-teen kids.
Today, BO let me hop on the trailer when they went to a clinic so I could ride the nearby park. 11km/2.5 hrs of trails, solo. I figured I’d handwalk if things went off course.
Besides passing the sheep to GET to the park (he just snorts and prances in place, I handwalked since it was on the road), he was AWESOME! He felt nervous but he walked out very forward, and if a runner or someone came around a corner, he just paused. He had one “spook” (his first with me as owner) and just did the in place jump, and split second later was fine. Handled going over bridges and water (with a minute of coaxing) like a pro. The last 20 minutes of our ride ended up being a downpour, so we trotted the last few km back to the trailer, where he earned himself some extra treats.
I’m so pleased with how he’s turning out, and keep feeling even more confident that he was the right horse for me. I’m so relieved after today, and feel like I can trust him that much more.
Thanks for letting me brag 
Just so overwhelmingly happy with Pony!
