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Crusaders Angel
Gold Member
 England
531 Posts |
 Posted - 13 Jul 2009 : 3:28:31 PM
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Just got to share with everyone - I RODE MR ROO OUT ALL BY OURSELVES
My mum has taken Alex away for 17 days (whooo hooo) and I've been hacking Mr Roo out with a variety of new friends - he's been very well behaved, and going to some new woods near us which he took in his stride.
He has been so good that I've even taken him out with the 4yr old Welsh Cob from next door as (not) recommended in my BHS handbook of Sensible Things To Do With A Just Backed Arab In A Halter
On Saturday I'd arrange to meet up with a friend in the woods but as I was getting ready she rang to say her horse had a snotty nose and wouldn't be coming to play. Mr Roo by this time was all dressed in his party clothes so I took a deep breathe, hitched up my britches, resisted the urge to have a 5th wee AND LEFT THE YARD 
Walked sensibly down the road even when the nasty man overtook us with his caravan, got half way down the track into the woods and Mr Roo stopped dead, almost level with a banking I had used a few days before to get on, so I did my girth up, dropped my stirrups, refused to lose my breakfast AND GOT ON 
Rode him for about an hour in the woods, he was lovely and calm and felt fabulous. Met another horse coming the other way and so we stopped and me & the rider had a chat and Mr Roo had a picnic, said our goodbyes and carried on with our little adventure.
He was so chilled that I even managed to get my phone out and take a "between the donkey-devil ears" view of the woods . Unfortunately I've inherited my mothers technical gene so I've no idea how to get it off my phone and onto the computer  
We did a big circuit of the woods and I got off at the same place I got on and had a really lovely stroll back to the yard. I snook a look at Mr Roo's face as we were walking along and his bottom lip was really relaxed and he looked like he was smiling as well 
As you can tell, I'm so chuffed with him. I can't believe that this is the same horse that, in April, I was thinking I would have to sell as I didn't think I would ever be confident enough to even lead him to the yard, let alone venture out on my own with him.
Thanks for reading
Lucy
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Marie-Molly
Gold Member
United Kingdom
929 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2009 : 3:46:55 PM
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Fabulously well done!
Had a big smile reading this - as you must have writing it!
Enjoy the summer with Mr Roo!!! 
Marie |
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geegee
Platinum Member
England
3682 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2009 : 3:58:43 PM
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Oh well done to you and Mr Roo....
So what is the secret of the success??? |
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Crusaders Angel
Gold Member
England
531 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2009 : 4:09:51 PM
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Thanks guys 
Lisa - the only thing I can think of that's changed has been my attitude. Since going on the Mickey Gavin clinic I've stopped trying to make everything perfect and trying to second guess everything that could wrong, I've also stopped walking on eggshells around Mr Roo. I'd got into the habit of stopping doing something everytime he reacted. In the end I couldn't do anything with him, he was confused and looking for me to take charge but I was backing down all the time.
Now I feel like I have the tools to deal with any situation so I don't need to worry about it happening in the first place. If he leaps about I know how to defend my space without escalating any anxiety he might have, I feel confident about getting him to move around me and he is repaying that by being just as confident around me and by listening to what I'm asking him and trying to work out what I want him to do.
Instead of seeing any potential problem as something to be avoided I have started to tell myself that its just an opportunity to learn how to deal with something new & that it's ok if it's not perfect as it'll give us something to practice and stop life being boring
Sorry for droning on but its kind of a hard thing to put into a simple sentance
Lucy
edited to correct appalling spelling |
Edited by - Crusaders Angel on 13 Jul 2009 4:37:21 PM |
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Susie T
Silver Member
257 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2009 : 4:27:51 PM
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| I have returned to riding after a 10 year break and have to admit I am quite nervous around horses at the moment, but Lucy, your words have really inspired me. Thank you!! Susie |
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geegee
Platinum Member
England
3682 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2009 : 4:32:09 PM
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Lucy,
Great stuff!  I know exactly how you feel. I have gone down the Parelli route myself, but the concept is the same.
Good for you for making that change. You are certainly reaping the rewards now and the relationship with Mr Roo (love the name, by the way) will get stronger and stronger because of it.
 |
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Kharidian
Platinum Member
England
4297 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2009 : 8:48:41 PM
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Well done! No wonder you're chuffed to bits.
Caryn |
Kharidian (Prince Sadik x Khiri)........ Alkara Cassino (H Tobago x Rose Aboud)
aka "Roger".................................... aka "Chips"
     
The first image is from an original painting by Pat Shorto.
South-East Essex |
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nikki83
Silver Member
427 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2009 : 9:09:56 PM
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Thats fab news, you sound like your chuffed to bits!
Long may it continue.
Nikki x |
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debs
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3218 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2009 : 10:17:17 PM
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| Reading that made me smile too! Sounds like you had a great time! Am so glad someone else wee's with excitement .... |
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Honeyb060674
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4301 Posts |
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Nichole Waller
Gold Member
England
1168 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2009 : 10:53:25 PM
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| This did make me smile.. I'm so pleased for you both. Keep up the good work and keep us posted on how its going. |
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karitaz
Gold Member
England
622 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jul 2009 : 09:37:18 AM
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Well done!
Like the sound of him chilling out having a nice picnic while you chat |
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Jessica
Silver Member
England
442 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jul 2009 : 1:40:49 PM
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You've come on leeeaps and bounds, its totally brill, I knew you would.
Congratulations.
PS - I dont know how to get images off my mobile either, so cant help you with that! |
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1st Solo Adventure
