bobby is my first horse, although ive ridden for years and had a loan horse, people told me I was silly to get a youngster for my first horse, and maybe I was, but our friendship is turning out to be the special bond I was looking for.

He is almost four now and I got him just over 2, he is a chunky cob with the sweetest nature, but he is cheeky and playful. We have worked hard with ground work, longreining, freelunging and just learning to lunge with the line, we have walked out every week 7am sat and sunday mornings is the pouring rain to avoid the heavy traffic at first. Ive got him used to me being on him, and walking a little way.

This weekend it all came together with our first actual ride, he hasnt worn all his tack with me on him before so it was like the moment he grew up, I got up there and walked him on a few steps, asked him to stand and gave him a tickle, and his little lip curled up as it always does when he is enjoying his tickle, his ears forwards but one flicking back to listen to me. I told him good boy and walk on and then took up a little more rein contact and he worked fantastically, walking in lovely straight lines between my hands and legs, we did a few circles in walk and figure of 8, then we had a few rising trots, im made up with him, I know we have a long way to go and we will have issues im sure, but im so happy with how its going, we are going to have our first ride out next week, will be leading him to the paths and get on him there.

Has anyone else had such lovely experiences with their first youngsters? Would be lovely to hear your stories, or even about your first ride on a new horse?

emma

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emma x-x-x

Oh wow, I'm so happy for you. It is a great feeling isn't it when you start to see that special bond grow and feel it with every fiber of your body? ^_^ . The pony I have now isn't a youngster, but he is my first pony. He has been used as a school horse in the past and therefore has some bad habits. I am quite the adventurous sort and am always up for trying anything. I had no clue if my pony could navigate ditches or horse gates, or how he would react in the wide open fields with plenty of room to gallop.... but we have done all of these things and each time we achieve something new I am chuffed to bits!! Our latest is walking up to the large mountain block and standing still whilst I get on. As a school horse one of his bad habits was to bolt off as soon as anyone got near him on the mountain block. I discovered that I could get on him with the small one in the stable area, but he wouldn't go near the big one. And yesterday for the first time he did it!! And today, he walked up to it as though it was the most natural thing in the world. And yes, I know it isn't as spectacular as a youngster doing it, but for me it was magic! So I am very pleased for you hun and hope that you continue to have many good experiences on your horse <3

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Proud owner of 4 dogs--Cody, Babe, Ella and Bridie. 2 cats - Klimt and Mia, 5 ferrets -- Leola, Drucilla, Tommy, Spike and Pippin and 1 horse -- Puzzle

Well done. Sounds like you are making great progress. It always makes me smile to hear of someone taking things steady instead of pushing youngsters on before they are ready. You are doing a great job and will have many years of fun and pleasure ahead of you.

Thank you for the lovely replies, shady it sounds like you also are having a wonderful time with your horse, and its lovely to hear that you are working on his issues, as so many people take well schooled horses for granted, you on the other hand are working out how your horse feels and making him even happier, its clear he trusts you and sounds like you get so much out of this, as I do with my bobby.

We didnt have out first hack today as planned as his new girth hasnt turned up yet, and the one im using isnt the best so we just did a bit of work in the in walk, doing circles, loops and changing the rein, we do have a paddock but he gets quite excitable even longreining in there, so we are begining in the yard and hack where he is always calm. Got a pic of my chunky man, not impressed with my position today at all, I havent been able to ride since getting him as a 2 year old, and im regretting not having lessons on another horse at the same time, as I feel my riding has gone to pot a little, but money doesnt always allow. Im sure I will get back there, my partner is filming me each week so I can see where both me and bob are going wrong in order to improve us both, in the spring im planning to have lessons on bob every 2 weeks then practice practice, im so excited about this new venture, but i will still walk him out in hand lots as we looooovvvvve our walks

Attached Images

me and bob second ride yard.jpg (92.4 KB, 23 views)

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emma x-x-x

It seems you a great bond with your horse so specially take care of her and never let her go with your own life . i wish best of luck to you and your horse train her well and make her a perfect horse that can be shown to others .

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