For Wilson and me, it's hacking.
Today was our second hack in less than a week. We really don't enjoy it but we know we have to do it. He's been doing such a lot of schooling lately that he deserves a break, but I don't want to not ride. I suppose I could ride Rocky but it never occurs to me!
Wils is a terrible wuss so hacking out is Definitely Good For Us: each time he becomes a little - a very little - braver, and each time I become more confident that he isn't going to do anything dangerous.
Usually when he is feeling unsure he backs off; today I extended my comfort zone a bit by asking him for Forwards. This is the aftermath of Day Three of grass nuts and thus far I've noticed more energy but nothing more, no bounciness or silliness. He went forwards far more happily than he generally does, and maintained it far more easily.
He's really very well-behaved when hacking even though he is always on the alert for monsters. There were a couple of occasions today when he was uncomfortable about things so I put him on the bit - he was going forwards beautifully so it wasn't difficult! - in the hope that he would recognise it as a Safe And Comfy Place and it seemed to work.
When we got back, after no mishaps except a baby-giraffe-type star jump when we were almost home :rolleyes: we encountered B who has just qualified her LR pony for HOYS. We chatted about her ponies and mine, and she remarked how well Wilson looks (second such comment in a few days :proud: ) and opined that he has a look of quality about him. Well, I nearly fell off. The surprise is twofold: firstly, B NEVER says anything nice unless she has to, and secondly (as I told her) Wils is just an unregistered nothing horse imported from Ireland.
Quality, eh. Mmm, it's a nice thought!
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Well done!
ReplyDeleteIt gets better. Until I had T-Jay, I was just a happy hacker and never thought anything of not hacking.
Then I had T-Jay and he was SIX before I could get him out and about. I used to really REALLY NOT enjoy hacking him but now ... I love every minute of taking him out and he now also loves going out :)
You'll get there, keep persevering and then one day you'll come back and think "oh. actually, that was NICE"
:)
Thank you for that! You may even be right ;)
ReplyDeleteTwizzle is right - it does get better. Remember only 18 months ago neither Tali or I hacked, then our early hacks were adventures for all the wrong reasons. Yet now we are out there stubble bashing with the rest of them with grins on our faces.
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