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Post by brigadier on Jul 29, 2014 15:02:30 GMT
So today I had a lesson with a lovely girl whom my farrier recommended. Told her where I was up to and we were off.
A short lunge on either rein with a canter to remove any bucks!! Then up and off on the right rein (her preferred rein) she felt sharper than yesterday so after a couple of circuits she went into trot and I let her go. We did some nice big circles and she was nice and balanced and came soft in her outline. Then we walked and changed the rein with a bit of napping at the gate but nothing serious, she is less happy on the left and her circles came in a bit but she was still forward enough and then I asked for trot and she was happy enough to give trot as well.
I was a bit of a monkey as I kept letting my outside hand drift out to take her onto the circle instead of using my left leg, so I grabbed the balance strap with my right hand to stop it happening and that helped. She then started to get a little tired so we stopped and she halted beautifully so I gave her a mint and then we just chatted with Harriet standing there like an old sheep (which was fab) I was really happy to end it there as that was money well spent.
Have booked the same for Thurs as it has really helped give me kick having someone there.
Very very positive about Harriet.....
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Post by racaille on Jul 29, 2014 15:33:16 GMT
I couldn't be more thrilled for you Brig! You deserve some good times after all you've gone through with Basil and Harriet seems a lovely uncomplicated but fun girlie. What a great idea to have some lessons on her - your trainer sounds lovely too.
Do you have any long-term plans for Harriet? Is she a keeper for you or will you produce her and sell her on?
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Post by brigadier on Jul 29, 2014 16:54:41 GMT
I almost daren't say Rac but hopefully she is my forever horse, she is a good size and build for me and she does seem to have bonded with me. She has enough quality to be interesting and seems to cope in hot or cold weather so will be great for endurance, yet she has paces also for dressage, and I'm sure she will jump nice. I've gone for a trainer who events so will try and do a bit of everything with her. I'm 48 so with good fortune and care and no nasty surprises she should take me towards my pension.
Its funny but I wasn't buying Harriet when I bought her- but she was a niggle that wouldn't go away, and as you know I'm a firm believer in going with ones gut!
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Post by pboy on Jul 29, 2014 19:17:20 GMT
That sounds great Brig! You're doing a lovely job with her  |
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Post by fleabitten on Jul 29, 2014 21:14:55 GMT
Sounds brill! Trainer sounds like a good find!
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Post by fleabitten on Jul 29, 2014 21:15:05 GMT
Sounds brill! Trainer sounds like a good find!
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Post by racaille on Jul 30, 2014 6:01:06 GMT
Connies have a great jumping reputation, haven't they? They are much sought-after here on the competition circuit. I shall be following Harriet's progress avidly.
After your geldings, do you find her different?
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Post by brigadier on Jul 30, 2014 6:58:33 GMT
Connies have a great jumping reputation, haven't they? They are much sought-after here on the competition circuit. I shall be following Harriet's progress avidly. After your geldings, do you find her different? Yes they are fab jumpers so plan to start pole work early and take her to riding club training. Although I've never owned a mare I've ridden a few and always got on well with them. I've had a really good think about this and I don't think there is much difference except it seems more important to make sure mares know their place in the herd? When she first arrived she tried to dominate me by getting in my space etc and whereas a gelding could be sorted quickly with this she took more time, I had to be careful to make sure she never inadvertently got a victory by always pushing her away from me and protecting my space. Once I'd got this she was a doddle. And the only other thing was she has to be given time to look at things and make her mind up, I will stand with her for ages just giving encouragement if there is something she doesn't like, so fer she will then oblige, but if I try and push it she puts up a hell of a fight, but I'm not sure if this is typical of mares or just her. |
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Post by brigadier on Jul 30, 2014 6:58:37 GMT
Connies have a great jumping reputation, haven't they? They are much sought-after here on the competition circuit. I shall be following Harriet's progress avidly. After your geldings, do you find her different? Yes they are fab jumpers so plan to start pole work early and take her to riding club training. Although I've never owned a mare I've ridden a few and always got on well with them. I've had a really good think about this and I don't think there is much difference except it seems more important to make sure mares know their place in the herd? When she first arrived she tried to dominate me by getting in my space etc and whereas a gelding could be sorted quickly with this she took more time, I had to be careful to make sure she never inadvertently got a victory by always pushing her away from me and protecting my space. Once I'd got this she was a doddle. And the only other thing was she has to be given time to look at things and make her mind up, I will stand with her for ages just giving encouragement if there is something she doesn't like, so fer she will then oblige, but if I try and push it she puts up a hell of a fight, but I'm not sure if this is typical of mares or just her. |
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Post by brigadier on Jul 30, 2014 7:03:19 GMT
Connies have a great jumping reputation, haven't they? They are much sought-after here on the competition circuit. I shall be following Harriet's progress avidly. After your geldings, do you find her different? Yes they are fab jumpers so plan to start pole work early and take her to riding club training. Although I've never owned a mare I've ridden a few and always got on well with them. I've had a really good think about this and I don't think there is much difference except it seems more important to make sure mares know their place in the herd? When she first arrived she tried to dominate me by getting in my space etc and whereas a gelding could be sorted quickly with this she took more time, I had to be careful to make sure she never inadvertently got a victory by always pushing her away from me and protecting my space. Once I'd got this she was a doddle. And the only other thing was she has to be given time to look at things and make her mind up, I will stand with her for ages just giving encouragement if there is something she doesn't like, so fer she will then oblige, but if I try and push it she puts up a hell of a fight, but I'm not sure if this is typical of mares or just her. |
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Post by brigadier on Jul 30, 2014 7:03:24 GMT
Connies have a great jumping reputation, haven't they? They are much sought-after here on the competition circuit. I shall be following Harriet's progress avidly. After your geldings, do you find her different? Yes they are fab jumpers so plan to start pole work early and take her to riding club training. Although I've never owned a mare I've ridden a few and always got on well with them. I've had a really good think about this and I don't think there is much difference except it seems more important to make sure mares know their place in the herd? When she first arrived she tried to dominate me by getting in my space etc and whereas a gelding could be sorted quickly with this she took more time, I had to be careful to make sure she never inadvertently got a victory by always pushing her away from me and protecting my space. Once I'd got this she was a doddle. And the only other thing was she has to be given time to look at things and make her mind up, I will stand with her for ages just giving encouragement if there is something she doesn't like, so fer she will then oblige, but if I try and push it she puts up a hell of a fight, but I'm not sure if this is typical of mares or just her. |
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Post by brigadier on Jul 30, 2014 7:03:28 GMT
Connies have a great jumping reputation, haven't they? They are much sought-after here on the competition circuit. I shall be following Harriet's progress avidly. After your geldings, do you find her different? Yes they are fab jumpers so plan to start pole work early and take her to riding club training. Although I've never owned a mare I've ridden a few and always got on well with them. I've had a really good think about this and I don't think there is much difference except it seems more important to make sure mares know their place in the herd? When she first arrived she tried to dominate me by getting in my space etc and whereas a gelding could be sorted quickly with this she took more time, I had to be careful to make sure she never inadvertently got a victory by always pushing her away from me and protecting my space. Once I'd got this she was a doddle. And the only other thing was she has to be given time to look at things and make her mind up, I will stand with her for ages just giving encouragement if there is something she doesn't like, so fer she will then oblige, but if I try and push it she puts up a hell of a fight, but I'm not sure if this is typical of mares or just her. |
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Post by zara on Jul 30, 2014 8:28:57 GMT
Thats great news Brig, so happy that you have found a lovely horse that you feel you can progress with. Onwards and upwards!
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Post by racaille on Jul 30, 2014 9:41:01 GMT
So it's really true: tell a gelding but ask a mare.  |
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Post by brigadier on Jul 30, 2014 17:33:49 GMT
Yes that would seem to be the case!
We had our first solo school session today (no husband or trainer). Lunged her briefly first- more to get any bucks out! She felt sharper as it was windier, and she did some hellishly big bucks on the lunge which made me whimper- but deciding not to be faint hearted I got her ready to mount- she was a trifle clever with the mounting block but at the third attempt I got on and she stood happily enough for her mint! Asked her to walk forward and the leg came out in temper but a swift kick and she walked fine. I needed lots of leg and encouragement- particularly at the gate, but she changed reins ok and despite some mini flashes of not wanting to go forward she was docile enough. I ran out of time though so rather than rush a trot I decided to end on the good note of her walking forwards and halting with simple aids, her last walk was lovely, just a tiny squeeze and she strode out, lovely and soft in the jaw and neck- what a good girl!
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for so much hard work we thank ye!!
