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Quarabian
Platinum Member
 Wales
4340 Posts |
 Posted - 09 Jun 2011 : 3:28:40 PM
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I had a scary ride today. Smokey is my QH youngster who is doing really well out on the hills in a halter. She is very willing, attentive and obedient but still needs hours on the clock. Today we met some of the neighbours cattle who were a bit rowdy. We were right on the top of the hill with a long stretch of steep downhill field behind us. I tried turning her towards them which settled things a bit, but they kept leaping about and running up to the fence. Fortunately Smokes listened to my whoa and allowed me time to get off safely. Even with me on the ground it was a bit hairy. I walked her for a little while until we were away from the cows before re mounting. I think she did really well not to turn downhill for home and I am really pleased at the level of trust we are building, but......
This is just the sort of situation where I miss a companion to ride with. I feel sure Smokey would have felt safer with steady 'seen it all before' horse for company. Sometimes I despair, I think I am putting my safety and her training at risk for want of a riding partner.
Comforting strokes and hugs needed please.
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Offira
Platinum Member
England
1583 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2011 : 3:39:52 PM
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Sounds like you both did really well in a tricky situation. I have to do all my training on my own too although the few times I have ridden out with a schoolmaster I have ended up nannying them 
Cattle do like a good bronc when they see a horse. Think they have quite a sense of humour on the quiet  |
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sab2
Platinum Member
8467 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2011 : 3:41:22 PM
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Bless you, i like you have to ride out alone, my mare even at 13yrs is not good with cows, today riding her home they decided to canter along the fence line with us, poor girl lots of snorting and prancing. I know how you feel when i do my youngsters it can be quite worrying out on the moor , i always wear my hiviz then i hope that if i do come off up there at least the air ambulance will spot my easily  even just going round the block the hiviz is on just in case. Shame we don,t live closer to each other and i could of boxed over to you to ride out Heres some  to make you feel better  |
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hazelcat74
Silver Member
472 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2011 : 3:54:59 PM
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I know just how you feel, mine is spooky out on her own at 9 yrs old and there is rarely anyone else to ride with. We had a 'do' thanks to the cattle in the field next to our yard the other week. When she is out in the field she not bothered what the cows next door get up to,but out on the road on our own they are the most terrifying monsters and for some reason black and white ones upset her much more than plain coloured ones! Sounds like you handled it very well though,  |
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TanyanChewy
Gold Member
England
1092 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2011 : 4:01:37 PM
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Have lots of these Lynda, 
The positive to take from this though as you say is that she allowed you to dismount safely and most importantly she trusted you to stay with you through the scary moo moos instead of taking the easy option and hot-footing it home.
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Quarabian
Platinum Member
Wales
4340 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2011 : 4:27:18 PM
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Thanks for the support everyone. I was starting to feel like a wimp, but I suppose it's better to feel the fear and tackle it than go blindly into a lions den.
Probably right offira, the schoolmaster might have headed for home with me and Smokey in tow!!
Thanks for all the |
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Fee
Platinum Member
2601 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2011 : 5:26:31 PM
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Think it sounds like you handled the situation very well. I'm the same in that I need to venture further and get polka more miles on the clock, but I'm going to have to continue to build it up myself for now and tbh whenever I've had company I actually don't enjoy riding her as much because your focus is off them and she doesn't seem to care about another horse there or not.
I'd continue to do what you do and not think it would necessarily be better with company.
Fee
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hazelcat74
Silver Member
472 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2011 : 6:45:51 PM
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| I find that whenevr I do ride with anyone else they get left miles behind and we keep having to stop and wait for them to catch up which then winds my mare up, so its not always the best thing for us, need another arab to go out with |
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Kes
Platinum Member
England
1819 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2011 : 8:06:58 PM
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I concur with hazelcat, unless you want a wound up horse sometimes riding alone is better. I don't let him march along in a ruined walk but Arabs aren't slouches either.
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Carole & Kes, West Sussex. |
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Pasch
Platinum Member
2277 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2011 : 11:41:18 PM
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First of all,lots of !!
I also don't feel safe riding out alone(I used to and actually enjoyed it more before,when young and reckless!)
On the other hand,Pasch mostly spooks if another horse does it,although only if there IS something to spook at!Thank God not at all impressed by other horses panicking for no reason,like dogs,having to step in big poodles,creaking gates and the lot.He just wait for them to stop wasting their energy,
But I once had a situation like yours only with deer and wild goats chased by dogs and running toward us,I was on a bombproof mare but when the other 4 horses behind us completely lost itshe also decided it was really scary!So maybe being in a group is not always the best option,fear in horses spreads like a wildfire.. |
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Scary ride
