Didn't expect that!

When I went down tothe stables this morning, they were all having a snooze, sleeping off the nights exertions.
When Anky saw me collecting the bowls she got up as if to say 'more please'. So instead of working Remy I decided to ride Anky first and try the saddle again.
She wasn't too impressed when I started to tack her up, but we set off with no problems. She was huffing and puffing, over-reacting to everything, but I'm quite used to her by now and with a little encouragement we usually get where we're going.  She was different today though, just in a 'no' kind of mood. I know, we all have them, and I am very patient with her, but today it wasn't working. We sat for five minutes just before the stone cutting place when she refused to go past the sign that she's seen at least 50 times, then she huffed and puffed her way down the field sideways when she decided she didn't want to go down the lane that we always go down.  At the bottom of the field she decided she wanted to go back up the lane towards home and not the other way, but I couldn't let her do that so we sat quietly for a couple of minutes and I asked her again. Well, she was having a real paddy by now, she spun round  quickly and fell backwards into a ditch at the side of the lane. Well, of course I didn't expect that and I remember thinking 'this might just hurt' as she slipped sideways and fell over onto me.  The gods must be smiling because somehow she got herself up without causing me too much grief. It's frightening how much it rattles your brain even when wearing a hat and my brain is rattled enough without any extra.
I was worried she might run off, but I think she was a bit shocked and I managed to grab hold of the reins. She didn't seem to have injured herself so I decided to lead her for a short distance, I could feel my back creaking but it eased as I walked so I continued leading her for about 15 minutes.  By this time I'd led her past all her usual scary places so I got back on and we turned for home.
On the way back I kept her attention by asking her lots of questions, keeping her soft and straight ( not an easy task) , trying to keep the walk active and more responsive to the leg. We came home without further mishap and she was fairly attentive by the time we reached home. Hmmm, we'll see how she behaves on our next hack. ;-)