Well im back in the saddle but didnt stay there too long when I rode AliG and it my own stupid fault!
The morning started off well rode Polo out with M and he felt a million times better Ellie couldnt keep up with his walk,which is a good sign, and he was pretty sharp and spooky so must be feeling better in himself:)
I was frozen time we got back so decided to go home to warm up then head back up after dinner to do something with Ali.
Well obviously I must have been on a bit of a high and common sense and reason flew out of the window!
I'd done 20mins rope circling with him last night so 'thought' he'd be okay for a short hack up the lane just to get him out as he's not been ridden in a good few weeks then tomorrow OH had said he'd walk out with us after tea to get Ali out on a circular route with him acting as back up 'just incase'.
I changed my mind and decided to go in the school if free but due to holiday time its been pretty busy and of course it was being used when we got there so I figured we'd go for a short hack.
He started of fine just with the odd 'oh can we turn back' moments but seemed to settle and was walking nicely.Well instead of being happy with that and leaving it there for the day I started thinking do I really want to turn him for home so soon incase he thinks his rides are getting shorter and shorter and he starts the silliness early next ride.So I decided to go up the field round and back that being a loopy sort of ride.
He walked up the field well if a bit distracted due to a man walking his terriers who were bouncing in the bushes we then turned right along the top of the field and other than a couple of jogs he was ok although not what I call settled.Then just as we were about to go through the gap in the hedge (the one he's been through before) I think someone came into the garden ,a house runs along the top of the field,giving him a huge fright.He shot off to the right down the field full pelt I thought I nearly had him under control as I'd managed to shorten the left rein and pull him towards the hedge but he swerved right at the last second and I could feel myself going ...luckily it was a soft landing!
He took off down the field, the guy with the dogs had his car parked at the entrance to the track so Ali turned right bucking and broncing as he was going.Ali then turned back obviously thinking the other way is home so he shot past the car onto the road.I ran down the field and the guy said jump in so off we went following him down the road:0
I was cringing thinking he's going to gallop all the way home along the road here but thankfully he spotted the horse's from the riding school in the field and stopped at their gateway.I jumped out the car and caught him he was pretty spooked so I let him settle while I sorted saddle out then spotted both stirrups were missing.
The guy drove back to the field to look for them so I thought rather than wait i'd lead Ali back along and look.Ali was not happy having to go back and tried to plant twice but I rocked him and he followed me he was a little jumpy but not OTT. We found one stirrup and I thanked the guy and said I'd come back along and look later and I led Ali home.
I thought it was important to get back on him straight away so when we got back into the farm I put my one stirrup on and mounted then rode him around the yard for a few minutes....he seemed fine no panicking.
Anyway im really kicking myself I should have taken it more carefully as he'd not had any work for a 3weeks(I think it is)the trouble is I feel like im struggling to crack on with him because of his legs but he feels like he needs more work if that makes sense..
Im not decided about whether to spend two weeks long reining him out or if its important to get as much work done under saddle now while his confidence is rattled,my OH has said he'll walk out with us and my brother is always willing to help so either way I'll have backup....still mad at myself:(
6 comments:
well if he had a humungous fright - would he had had the same fright had you been able to get more work into him otherwise? probably, so don't beat yourself up!
hope you're ok!
and nice of the bloke to help you as well!
I hope you've managed to forgive yourself by the time you read this. It really wasn't your fault, there was no indication before that he'd do anything quite so daft, it must be the spring grass.
I'm glad you aren't hurt.
C
We've all done it, so don't feel foolish. And do forgive yourself, you couldn't have expected such behavior after all the good rides he's been on. So happy it was a soft landing and you didn't get hurt.
My, the people around there are nice! When I took a tumble and broke my wrist, I was walking home and passed some hunters with a car. They asked if it was my horse that had galloped by. I said, "Yes, and I think I've broken my wrist."
They said, "Well, he went that way," and pointed to the trail towards home, never offering to help me at all!! To think, your guy even went back to help you with the lost stirrups!
Do some gound work with AliG first, but then make sure you get on him every day, even if it's just for a minute of sitting in the saddle, doing nothing. He needs to have you on his back to rebuild his confidence from his fright. Seeing you on the ground will not help that. He needs to feel you in the saddle.
You will both be fine. The scare will pass quickly and may have already. After all, he is just a baby. This won't be the last time something unexpected happens. *S*
Ah thanks!
I think why im so cross with myself is I didnt go with my gut feeling which was to have a pootle up the lane(not much about in that direction) keeping it short!
But today im realising hindsight is a wonderfull thing:))
My Mum said oh I thought that was all behind you.Meaning I'd come off Polo dozens of times during the first 12+months and Ali's been so good,does help put it into perspective!
I do feel like I should take a bit of a step back with him and do a bit more in the school both onboard and groundwork.These are the times when i could do with being on a yard with a school.
Ive got a bit of whiplash today so not doing anything with them..this is par for the course as I get whiplash easily.Tomorrow i'll be nearly back to normal so hopefully will be back on them both.
Please please please listen to your guts feeling especially with a "left brain" horse like Ali. You think they are okay and infact they are not. They trick you in false self-confidence.
*I* know it is how I broke my back!
I am glad you are unhurt. And well done for riding him afterwards.
Be carefull next time, he is a YOUNGSTER!
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