So excited!
I returned to riding (after a 15 year break) about 18 months ago. Have loved it and learned loads. Ds3 (aged 5) has started riding regularly and we've taken ds1 (severely autistic -age 11) to a friend's when possible (she is very happy for us to visit but it's a long way to go abd obviously hassle for her). We all went on a Horse Boy camp recently which even ds2 (scared of riding) loved.
Sooo I've been looking for a suitable pony. Last week I saw an article on a local charity. They rescue and rehabilitate equines and offer some to loan. They also run a scheme where you can have a part share and pay for three days a week (max of 2 sharers per horse). So we've been matched with a lovely little Dartmoor. Safe as houses. Because she's pretty much a leading rein pony -ideal for us- we're only paying £15 per week (nothing else to pay except riders insurance).
They do a lot of natural horesmanship at the charity and I'm hoping to learn some and do some ground work with her. I'm also going to try and learn more about equine therapy for ds1. One of the leaders is really interested as well. And of course I want to volunteer.
Am so excited - it feels a safe way to take a step
towards horse ownership. And she's such a sweet natured pretty pony.
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The tack room
Pony share starting next week!
saintlydamemrsturnip · 13/08/2010 18:18
Oh I've just come back from my holiday and seen this, what lovely news. 
Lol you can buy longer stirrups you know! You just wanted an excuse to buy something horsey.
Bareback pad is good, ds rides bareback most of the time anyway as he seems to prefer it but he always gets a dirty bottom. He doesn't like holding the reins either (won't even lead her down the field, he gets behind her and pushes which she tolerates from him but not from anyone else 
), he is just starting to get the idea now but to be honest he is a bit too heavy-handed as he doesn't understand that there is a bit in the pony's mouth. We put the headcollar on as well and attach the reins to that for him so he can't hurt the pony's mouth but he is still able to stop her if he wants. Obviously if you have a bitless bridle you've already solved that problem, as long as you don't mean a hackamore because they can actually have quite a severe action if not used properly. I've been letting him ride her back to the field without the lead rein lately as she is very trustworthy and he is slowly getting the hang of using his legs to move her on (when she heads for the grass ) and the reins to steer her a little bit. It is very slow going to get him to do anything but he is happy just being on her, very confident and has great balance. We have little improvements, eg he wouldn't put his feet in the stirrups for a long time but now he does, in fact he shoves them in a little too far sometimes (I think because he has discovered he likes the pressure) so we have bought cages for his stirrup irons to be on the safe side. like these.
I'm really pleased for you. Hope you have lots of fun and am not surprised you are ing a lot!
All sounds lovely. Bet you are looking forward to getting her all to yourself . Ds likes to stay at the bottom of the field while I poo pick and I don't mind leaving him for a short while as there is a little fenced-off paddock away from the other horses and he won't try and get through the electric fencing (I can see him the whole time). I put dshetland in there too so she can eat her feed in peace and ds sits on a log and keeps her company. It's very sweet.
I spoke too soon about his excellent balance as he had his first fall yesterday, oops. The pony wasn't even moving and I was looking the other direction at the time (bad mummy 
). Heard a dull thud and there was ds on the floor looking shocked. Not far to fall but the ground is so hard atm. He has taken to sitting casually with his leg over her withers sort of like side-saddle so I suspect that was what he was doing behind my back. I knew his over-confidence would catch up with him, perhaps now he will hold on when I tell him to!
Btw I think it's a sort of three-quarters moon. I noticed it last night when I was coming back from watering my allotment. Don't know if that helps
oh no to the fall! I love that there is so much space for ds1 when we go out to the yard. They have 50 acres and we're pretty free to walk through a lot of it.
three-quarters? If we're the week before the full moon then that explains it. Once we hit the full moon we're okay. In the meantime my nerves are shot to pieces
He's in respite next share day, so I'm going to take the younger two out.
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