A non-fun ride!!

[scattymare]

Well we did our second and possibly last pleasure ride yesterday! We went back to one I did last year on P so had some bitter sweet memories for us. Loaded and travelled perfectly and arrived at the venue. There was also a professional endurance ride going on and even the pleasure riders had to join in the vetting and farrier check - we only had to trot up for the vet and they listened to the heart rate, then farrier checked shoes. Given the all clear we set off. After last time, I had given Eddie a calmer in the morning to see if it helped. The first half hour was lovely. Two calm horse. Even though we could see others ahead she was being relly calm and not pulling me at all. Then after about half an hour she started to get a bit joggy. Not too bad, but got worse with every endurance rider she could hear behind us that would then overtake. I go a bit peed off with them tbh as all the pleasure riders would give warning when behind and ask if OK to pass (as do we if passing others) Not one of the 'proffessionals' did this (they had different bibs to us) They would just pound on past not giving us time to stand to the side. The last hour was just horrible. We made the mistake of having a gallop - in the hope it would knacker them out a bit. But all it did was make Ed worse. For the last hour she jogged, she pulled, she kept pulling the reins forward - nearly having me out the saddle a couple of times. I tried everything, dropping the contact and relaxing - she just went off at a trot, half halts (she just ignored them and pulled some more) holding on for dear life - wound her up even more!! I managed to hold her - just - but a few times thought we were off! She was performing some beautiful dressage movements - half passes really seem her strong point!!! And her passage on the spot - my instructor would have been proud (now we just need to learn how to do it in the school!!)
It had got really hot as well by this point and I had two massive blisters on my fingers - gloves are a must from now on - and we were both pretty fed up! I have never been so reieved to see the end of a ride. Today my shoulders and legs are killing me!
So I'm not sure if we'll do another one. It wasn't really any fun for either of us - I felt bad as I was pulling so much on her. She just got more and more wound up as the ride went on. She was brilliant in that she didn't spook, buck or do anything really silly and I didn'nt at any point feel unsafe (apart from when she nearly pulled me out the saddle!) - I think it was all just waaay too exciting. She was dripping with sweat and I didn't think it was good for her at all.
Back at the lorry however she was cool as a cucumber again munching on the grass, not at all bothered by the goings on around her.
So a bit of a dissapointing ride really. Means I'll need to rethink taking her hunting - I think it will just blow her mind - and my fingers!!

[fimacg]

that sounds really tough, I can't ride without gloves ever, it hurts too much. If you do take her hunting definately move up at least one strength in bit, I discovered even Chompy the ultimately safe horse has no brakes when on the hunting field and I woudn't take Brave as it would simply blow his mind.

but the professional riders could have been more courteous, there is nothing worse than a horse coming up from behind you at speed, its their herd instint to think there is something to fear and run with them.

Well done for getting through it.

[racaille]

Shame. But it's not fun like that.

You might try taking a hard look at her feed for another event and eliminating anything 'fizzy' like luzerne-based products. I can fine-tune Paco's behaviour like that (which may be why he wasn't nice yesterday) - he responds minutely to luzerne.

But it also takes experience - perhaps she will learn to settle if you can face another one! But ...

[racaille]

.. some horses never accept being overtaken. I did a two-dayer on one and it was murder.

Good luck if you have another go.

[fleabitten]

I know, we made sure we went to rides where it was just pleasure riders as the endurance ones just fly past. It was bad enough the pleasure riders passing us!

Its a pity she wasnt settled enough with a horsey buddy.

Pleasure rides can be really stressful!!

[FirenLady]

I've had lots of people say too me that The pros are v. rude. I spouse they are trying to get round fast as the can, and don't have time for manners! Bit like most cities...

I would try a fun one, ie a fix the church roof one. Where its mostly happy hackers out for a ride. Sorry it didn't go great.

[brigadier]

Hi scatty, sounds like a similar experience to a friend of mine. The horse really didnt settle and in the end she gave up. She thought the horse kicked into its herd instinct and was worried she should be running with all the ones passing her!
I would say give it another go, she has now completed one and knows there is a destination where she can munch grass etc, but wear gloves!!!!
And as for the professional riders- some a downright rude! ! had a similar experience with so called professionals at the last one I did, no time for the rude ones at all!
Doing one on Sunday and Basil got worked up at the last one so hoping he settles more at this one!!

[duckles]

Its a pity she is like that Scatty but she may relax more if she goes on a lot of things. I think most horses do.