Rodeo Ponio

It's been a lovely few weeks with Carats he has been really happy and I am pleased with his progress.

My wonderful friend & YO Jo has finished off the wood chip paddock so he has been having a few hours turnout each day and we have been slowly upping it so we can aim for full days by next week.

On Monday we had our second hack ever (in our usual head collar and bareback pad) and he was angelic, I really felt connected to him and we had a lovely forward walk, some great halt transitions and a really brilliant time. I could 'whisper' at him, soft leg on- forwards etc.

Carats and his buddy Rambo!

He had some hand walking and a days rest and today I decided to hack him again in Louisa and Rambos company. He was quite unsettled today being groomed etc which is unlike him but I cracked on regardless, you know you sometimes think you should really listen better to your horse, well I didn't! I jumped on board (bareback pad & head collar). We were fine at first and then he got quite reluctant to go forward, I realised I had lost Louisa so we stopped for a graze, he happily shovelled grass down his gullet, we then turned around to head home and he was on a mission! As he is still rehabbing, I wouldn't let him trot so he got grumpier and grumpier until he ended up trying to keep jig jogging sideways with the grumpiest feelings ever. As we got closer to Louisa and Rambo he got more grouchy and as I still wouldn't let him trot, he had a total toddler tantrum! He stomped his feet, he swished his head around and bucked. This is the time I thank god they have manes to grab hold of as the bareback pad offers no support- so grab it I did, and sit up I did (thanks Jules C x). He soon got over himself and behaved impeccably for the last part of the ride, I don't think he was impressed with my laughing at him. Silly Pony!

Anyway, he is hilarious. It was not pain related, just silly spring behaviour I think, and as he was so amazing Monday I am not at all worried. Its very our of character for him to behave that way. He pulled towards every big grass field we passed so I think he had a yearning for a hoon and I felt sad I couldn't let him. He had giggles and a big pat as always when we got back even though I told him I was trading him in ;)

Today I am appreciating that horses, dogs etc are all living, breathing, thinking and feeling things and that they have their own thoughts, feelings and opinions. My ginger one makes me smile every day!