Thank you all for your notes of concern for Tess, and Chin Chin, we are back in the saddle and both once again have big smiles on their faces (Everyone is Fine; Pony Therapy; Chin Chin). I swear, that pony has a fabulous smile! We are working with a trainer to get both Tess and pony riding better.
Yesterday we had our first session, together with Chin Chin’s other “mommy” and daughter. Since the lessons are for me too, it’s been since the dark ages that I’ve lunged a horse, there aren’t any photo’s of Tess riding. I choose to focus on her riding vs. my passion for the camera.
Chin Chin is a pony. By definition it means he’s a little more stubborn than a horse. What he likes to do is follow me, or Emma (the other mommy). If not directly behind us, then shoulder-to-shoulder. Literally. Sometimes, after a long walk with Chin Chin, my hips hurt from the pony companionably leaning on me as we walk. I love his weight, his warmth, his smell… my hips? Not so much. This is where lunging comes in handy.
Lunging involves a lot more equipment. We use not just a bridle and saddle, but also a martingale (additional stationary reigns to keep his head just right), a lunge rope and a whip (for noise! not whipping!) and boots for his hocks, or ankles. Lunging means tighter circles and that can hurt his ankles if one brushes against the other. Once we are all set, and tucked away inside the closed indoor ring.. read no bolting possible… we walk small circles, slowly bigger, slowly faster, to get Chin Chin walking away from us, the mommies, and putting the rider more in control.
Selin and Dane both happily rode Chin Chin on the lunge rope. Fast and slow. Much to my surprise Tess, who couldn’t wait to go back, who couldn’t wait to get back on, was reluctant. She was worried. She was a little scared. The trainer was smart though. We unloaded the little ones, let them out to play, roam the stables, pet the other horses, and we walked with Tess back to the ring where it all happened. Tess on solid ground with her own two feet. Chin Chin happily walking politely next to us.
I managed one photo of her worried little face (and her beautiful hair, green this week) before taking over and focusing solely on her and the pony. She did get back on. We walked the ring where Chin Chin bolted for freedom earlier this week. We even managed a trot. And that was enough for the first day back in the saddle. She wasn’t ready to run again. She did have a smile back on her face. Mission accomplished.
The Green Goblin rides again!
Happy after her ride
Chin Chin showing off his moves
Wonderful!