Backing, Hacking and Bucking

And so to the weather report!!!  Its been Hot. Yes HOT.  18c hot!! An Early spring!. (It can't last)

And so we have been backing!!!!  Last week I lent over Lily (no reaction), and got on Charlie (no reaction).  A couple of days later, Shona came over, and sat on Lil. Again no reaction. Meanwhile i got on Charlie on the qt, no holder etc. No reaction.  This is all brilliant.

Shona on Lily



















Me on Charlie















Then it was Saturday!!!! Sammi's Birthday Party.  Before the party there was lessons.  All the ponies were in, doing various things. Eli brought Twix, her very handsome bay gelding. Not sure if it was the presence of another boy, the warm weather, some spring grass or what.  But the Big herd went wrong!! 

First up I tacked up Charlie to join in a lesson with Tia on board (small, quiet and light).  He was nothing short of a GIT.  He was behaving like a teenage boy, throwing his toys out of the pram. He had a serious case of FOMO.  The parrot mouth was present, and he just wanted to be somewhere else. So I ended up just leading him in the lesson and on the Walk Out.  When I turned him out......

Next up Daisy and Lu.....  Between lessons and Party, we thought we would let Chanice Who Helps On Saturdays, and Grace (Eli's 2nd daughter), ride the mares.  Lu was already tacked up, so went up to the school, while I tacked up Daisy.  Jo thought I would be using the western saddle which takes a while, and as Lu was a bit full of it, went for quick ride down the lane.  Meanwhile I thought she was waiting for us, so opted for quick English tack. Daisy was already agitated, so I told Chanice Who Helps On Saturdays, to take her up to school while I grabbed a drink. I meant lead her up, but Chanice had hopped up already.  When we got to school I realised Jo had gone out.  At this point I should have got Chanice off.  Isn't hindsight a wonderful thing?? EXCEPT.... Daisy may get excited.....But its never unseating!  And Chanice has been riding her a long time and knows her as well as I do, and can cope with her.  

And so... i told Chanice to do her usual circling, cones, disengaging Daisys rear end, chill, relax etc.  They understand each other. Normally.  Daisy had started to relax, when she heard Lu coming up the drive. Daisy went nuts!! She must have thought she was at a rodeo!!! She went into proper bronc mode....Never thought she had it in her.  Chanice did really well and sat out the broncing, until Daisy finished with a huge buck, and face planted poor Chanice. 

Chanice has had a few falls with us (learning process), and usually gets up and laughs.  Daisy normally stops and waits.  This was different.  Chanice didn't get straight up...or laugh...and was pouring with blood from her nose.  Daisy was galloping round wildly! We caught the pony, and helped Chanice to the tack-room, just as the Birthday Girl turned up!!

All turned out Ok.  Chanice went off to A&E and was just bruised.  The Party Ponies behaved and Sammi had a good Birthday Party. 

So we concentrated on Daisys odd behaviour.  We put it down to Spring Grass, but were not happy with her reaction to Lu being missing.  So we have turned her out with the minis and fenced a large gap between them and Lu. Buddy sour horses not allowed!  Its not something we expect, as they all get worked alone, and go off to different places. 

Having brought Daisy in and lunged her for 2 days, I hacked her out today with Jo and Lu.  Its what she needed. Slightly "springy", but normal Daisy we were out for an Hour and a Half, in the glorious sunshine.  It was really nice to be hacking along the country lanes in t-shirts!! But this is England. Expect rain or snow by next week!