Towards Phase 2 of hacking out then swiftly backwards.

Friday 15th feb

All horses out Today so t was lovely to pop Charlie out in the sunshine. We have had yet more plusses today and a humph.

When I got down to the yard after lunch both Charlie's field buddies were in and so were the three cobs who live in the paddock next door. Before Christmas this would have triggered a very fretful gelding. He still had the women next door (the mares in their turnout frocks) but this had no effect on him before it was the other geldings that mattered. But here was my lovely boy alone in his paddock munching contentedly.

We worked in the school later on and did have a little cheekiness on the lunge but we will brush that under the carpet. He had a moment of thinking he was in charge.
Some nice ridden work not perfect but perfection will come later.

Saturday 16th feb.

So Saturday duh what can I say. Phase 2 of hacking out was a bit of a disaster. Hacked out in the sunshine with 3 friends. Charlie had a little moment going up the cows field but was ok then as we hacked down the lane we had to stop for a car and it started rear after rear after rear and spinning to go home. No I wasn't wound up and tense and I was practicing using my stomach to slow him.
I got off and walked him down the hill. One of our party was not happy and we split into two they went counter clockwise we went clockwise. I walked him halfway then got back on and he was just as bad so I got off and led him the rest of the way. When we got to the very last gate I got on and rode him back to the farm.
It was a blinking long way to walk and he was fine as soon as I was on the ground. In fact it was 4.2 miles I measured it.

So what have we learned.
I admit his back was a bit up under the saddle but unfortunately I can't necessarily lunge then hack out but it was the first time I had ridden without lungeing. Note to self try this in the school next session.

It was too much too soon for him so we need to take a step back.

7 weeks of schooling have left me with a horse who walks to heel so it ain't all bad.