Bit of a hitch.....

So, 9yo girl rider was on for the second time and all was going well. Happy, happy, joy, joy, rainbows and puppy dog tails.

Then pony spooked badly and 9yo fell off. Pony did not freak out, just stood there. Which was very lucky. Anyway after deciding there were no broken bones she hopped back up and went off again. Took a bit to get her to trott again but she did and she was tougher for it.

It is difficult as a parent to get kids to do stuff with the realisation it might hurt them. It was a genuine spook from the biocycle outflow and any horse would have done it.I usually have it turned to the orchard when on the arena but forgot.

So, do I persist?

If she wants to ride yes. But, I will not force her to ride.

Stop Press! The girls ride him already.

Nelson has been going so well that the girls had a ride. First on the lunge at the walk and trot and then around the arena at the walk off lead. Nelson really seemed a bit confused that I was on the ground and one of the girls was on him instead, but he went through some bending poles (good steering) and over some trott poles. The 9 yo was so pleased with herself and really started to bond with him. Nelson just loved the additional attention. He is certain the universe revolves around him! I will get pictures next ride as I left my camera at work!

Family Snaps

So here is proud Mum (chestnut) and Dad (Bay) and even Nelson's half brother (top)! He comes from a family of stunning ponies.

Baby Photos

No pony story would be complete without baby photos. So here is Baby Nelson. Isn't he a cutie!

Pony comes Home!

Nelson has been home now for a couple of months and in that time we have ridden around the arena and out in the paddock. I have been concentrating on walk/trot/halt transitions and getting a steady headset. I don't want any form of collection but he was really flinging his head around so I put a martingale on him and that really helps. It was not teeth, he had his teeth done already. So I am up to ride 16! The little lady who will take over the reins will hop on after ride 30 if all has gone well. Fingers crossed!

Time to Ride!

So, time to ride the little lad. He had not put a foot wrong for 5 rides with "Girl Breaker". Here he is with me on his 6th ride, he was a bit unsettled with the bit, but rode forward well. He might even make a kids pony yet. But he is only 2 3/4 so I don't want to push him. We even did a little canter (accidently).

Off to the "Breaker"...

So I decided to send Nelson to get a few rides on him. The only time I have broken a bone was off a 13.2 hh pony, so I was a bit nervous. Let's face it ponies are really hard to sit on. There just is not that much around you. Anyway, Nelson was away for 3 weeks, came back with only 5 rides and left a hole in my pocket that was larger than what I paid for him. I really appreciated the girl's efforts but think I should have done it. I could have waited until my holidays and bitten the bullet. So, one nice thing was the girl took lots of photos for me. So here he is, getting used to stuff. He is a really nice moving pony who is very sensible.