I woke this morning all geared up to go for a ride. Teddy was wonderful to get ready etc, I saddled him and checked that all was fitting correctly and it seemed fine. After saddling up I decided that seeing as he is always "on the job" when I put the bridle on him that it wouldn't be fair to ride in his own paddock as this is his sanctuary, so I decided to walking him down the road to the riding centre at the reserve.
Robinson Reserve is totally equipped for horses, is free to residence and I can literally walk him there within a couple of minutes so I thought this would be perfect... boy I was wrong.
Walking along the road we had trucks pass us at 80km an hour and Teddy was totally cool about it. None of the cars or the new surrounds fazed him at all. The only thing he took a second glance at was the weird totem pole thing at the front gate of a neighbours place.
When moving the branches from in front of the entrance gate of the reserve, again Teddy was totally cool about it. But when we walked into the reserve and Teddy saw the other horses, the jumps in the paddocks, the menage etc, he totally freaked out! He started spooking at everything he saw, jumping around, running from one side of me to the other, backing up, rearing a little of the ground like he was bunny hopping ... it was like he was in a hostile war zone and he wasn't prepared to fight.
I know horses are flight animals but there wasn't anything to be worried about. The menage and the 3 other horses were very far away, to the extent that I couldn't work out if they were being handled by men or women, yet Teddy was making a total pork chop of himself. It took me a while to calm him and I was thankful I wasn't on his back (I didn't want to be surprised if he flipped out on the road - a smart move as it turns out!). When he stopped prancing but remained on full alert we walked up to the people and I went in the menage with two women on ponies. I had to walk him around until he calmed right down, trying to act casual while chatting to the older guy lungeing his horse.
Teddy did calm for the most part but it took about 20 minutes and he was still on full alert. By this time I had lost confidence with getting on his back. Also all of his prancing around made his saddle settle and I discovered that the pommel was too low down on his withers for my liking. I will be returning the saddle for one with a better fit.
When we got home - literally the very moment we walking into our drive way, Teddy let out a sigh and was as relaxed and as calm as can be; head down, swanking along the drive by my side and licking his lips.
I should have realised that the pacing he did when he first got here was a good indication that he had difficulty with change and I should have eased him into it more; perhaps just taking him to the reserve in a halter and lead and played some games with him. Or maybe just riding him at home. I guess I have to live and learn. And I also have to consider the fact I want him as a trail riding horse which may prove a challenge.
I'm sure Teddy came into my life for a reason, that we are meant to help each other, but it's days like today that I wonder if I have bitten off more than I can chew.
At least I know that the saddle has to be returned.
Ah well, I love my big punky la la horse so I'm not giving up on us yet!
No comments:
Post a Comment