After bathing and application of some ointment yesterday, Anky's eye was fine this morning so after breakfast I tacked her up and went out for a hack. As usual, she was going forward (just) but thinking backwards, looking left and right, but the key thing today was that she continued going forwards. We had a couple of stops and hesitations, but when I asked she responded and gradually she started to relax and think forwards. To cut a long story short, we had a proper hack, we did the whole of the circular ride ( first time on a solo ride) through the local stud fields,which can sometimes be a problem with the young horses running up to the fence. Today they were all pretty laid back with the heat and we walked calmly by. She came back much straighter and much more relaxed and by the time we reached home she was walking on a long rein with a really nice stretch down over her neck.
It was scorching by the time we got back so instead of going in the school, I decided to take Remy and Bonbon for a walk out.
First Remy - he's not been out for a walk for a while, but he was fine, looking at things but not over-reacting. We went up the same track that I take for hacking out, we headed into the little wood around a little circular track and then headed for home. We were out for about 20 minutes, further than we've been before and he was great.
Bonbon's never been off the property before, and was a little surprised when I led her up to the front gate, but being the girl she is, didn't make anything of it and followed me willingly.
She was looking at things and became a little concerned by a large pot plant at the side of the lane????, but after investigating it, decided it was harmless and we continued without any problems. We went down the same track, past the neighbours house, dog and chickens, no problems, up the track towards the wood, past the big shiny silage bales, no problems, halted and stood quietly for a few minutes, no problems. She looks at things, investigates and accepts them, no problems.After about 15minutes we turned around and headed for home, arrived home, no problems!! I love that little girl!!!
5 comments:
Bonbon does sound like a treasure!
She sounds lovely!
Well done for Anky! We're having great fun on our hacks now that most cars are sporting the English flag. Luckily I have worked on 'de-sensitising' my little fellow, but the horse I hack out with turns himself inside out through fright. Makes for interesting hacks! Wish we didn't have to use the roads so much!
I'm really hoping to be able to enjoy all those km of countryside tracks now with Anky, we'll see, it's early days!! :-)
excellent news!
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