Post by racaille on Mar 8, 2012 18:07:57 GMT
Went for a 'short' ride yesterday (four hours) and Paco had a bad case of spring fever and was a complete prat. 
To say I nearly fell off is the understatement.....
It all started so well. I was on a mission to find a new path to a pretty village nearby but did eventually get caught out by some vineyards bordered by very steep banks so we had to do a bit of mountaineering. P wasn't thrilled but clambered up, as asked.
Then we were coming along a track through vines, towards an area of garrigue and I wanted him to cross a small ditch to walk alongside the bushes. There was nothing around and I was meandering along, buckle end, when suddenly he did his famous spin and TORE off, as if the very devil was after him. There was I, hands under my chin, only one stirrup, and wondering what the hell was going on? It was touch and go, but I stayed on. Someone was looking after me, although it wasn't P!
I noticed that the hunting dog had suddenly also shot off, so I think P got a whiff of boar. The sows can be very aggressive this time of year when they have little piglets and, as we all know, P isn't the bravest horse in the world.
I eventually managed to stop him but he wasn't in the mood to turn around and go back, trembling and stamping and I could feel his front end go light. So discretion being the better part of valour, I got off and led him all the way back to the scene. Whatever it was had gone, thankfully. Here is he, looking a bit sheepish
So he was obviously spooked after that and was perfectly silly. We did have a lovely long canter along a sandy track through some woods but then we came down towards a flock of sheep. Horse eating sheep, obviously. Cue more silly behaviour. I was more worried that there might be a patou (a guard dog that lives wild with the flock and will kill wolves when they go up to the Alpes for the summer - but will also attack anything that comes too close to the flock). I was on foot again and wondered if I could outrun a patou. Answer: no. But luckily the flock was indside leccy fencing. Here is P trying not to look at the monsters, the divvie ....
Then, almost immediately afterwards we passed a stallie which shouted and danced, cue mirror behaviour from P. Honestly!!!
Then we were vaguely heading for home and he did his homing pigeon gig again: super speedy and refusing to stop. I was getting pretty annoyed with him by now, so I walked for while, it was good for my soul (not to mention my waistline..)
Finally had to cross a tiny stream, the poor dog was hugely thirsty
But P just wanted to play and lie down in it.
So, a bit eventful. Silly P!
To say I nearly fell off is the understatement.....It all started so well. I was on a mission to find a new path to a pretty village nearby but did eventually get caught out by some vineyards bordered by very steep banks so we had to do a bit of mountaineering. P wasn't thrilled but clambered up, as asked.
Then we were coming along a track through vines, towards an area of garrigue and I wanted him to cross a small ditch to walk alongside the bushes. There was nothing around and I was meandering along, buckle end, when suddenly he did his famous spin and TORE off, as if the very devil was after him. There was I, hands under my chin, only one stirrup, and wondering what the hell was going on? It was touch and go, but I stayed on. Someone was looking after me, although it wasn't P!
I noticed that the hunting dog had suddenly also shot off, so I think P got a whiff of boar. The sows can be very aggressive this time of year when they have little piglets and, as we all know, P isn't the bravest horse in the world.
I eventually managed to stop him but he wasn't in the mood to turn around and go back, trembling and stamping and I could feel his front end go light. So discretion being the better part of valour, I got off and led him all the way back to the scene. Whatever it was had gone, thankfully. Here is he, looking a bit sheepish
So he was obviously spooked after that and was perfectly silly. We did have a lovely long canter along a sandy track through some woods but then we came down towards a flock of sheep. Horse eating sheep, obviously. Cue more silly behaviour. I was more worried that there might be a patou (a guard dog that lives wild with the flock and will kill wolves when they go up to the Alpes for the summer - but will also attack anything that comes too close to the flock). I was on foot again and wondered if I could outrun a patou. Answer: no. But luckily the flock was indside leccy fencing. Here is P trying not to look at the monsters, the divvie ....
Then, almost immediately afterwards we passed a stallie which shouted and danced, cue mirror behaviour from P. Honestly!!!
Then we were vaguely heading for home and he did his homing pigeon gig again: super speedy and refusing to stop. I was getting pretty annoyed with him by now, so I walked for while, it was good for my soul (not to mention my waistline..)
Finally had to cross a tiny stream, the poor dog was hugely thirsty
But P just wanted to play and lie down in it.
So, a bit eventful. Silly P!
for so much hard work we thank ye!!
