Youngsters first fun ride

[Greyhorses]

I am debating taking excitable baby horse on a pleasure ride this weekend.

She has hacked lots, walk trot and canter with one or two other horses but hasn't really been in a big group. She gets excited cantering and can throw in a buck or bronc.

What can I do to make it go smoothly. Should I stick a martingale on for safety?

Stressed already for nothing and I'm sure it will be fine

I personally wouldn't put a martingale on for the first time (presumably first time?) for a pleasure ride. Just go with the flow and accept it's going to be a bit hairy at times. Hopefully enjoyable though. 😄

Make sure you have a neck strap, and a back protector, and enjoy! Do you have a sensible friend to go with you?

Thankyou both of you!

She is ridden in a simple snaffle and cavesson currently and has never needed anything else. I've cantered her in groups and she can get strong but hasn't done much else bar the odd buck or leap into the canter so hopefully this continues.

She's quite unfit so maybe this will work in my favour

We are going with 5 others, a range of sensible cobs and a few that are a little more firey but definitely seen more of the world than her!

She does get very excited when others are being silly and seems to feed off it at times so hopefully not!

I don't have a body protector but perhaps I should invest in one!

I'm no expert but would it help to do some work with her on her own beforehand to take the edge off the energy level?

I would also suggest that you turn up nearer the finishing time rather than right at the beginning. You are more likely to get overtaken if you go early which can really upset some horses. Maybe also put a green ribbon in her tail as an indication that she's a learner!

Take an oh shit strap and see if one of the steadier horses can nanny her.
I have a field ornament Stone Age old thoroughbred who doesn't do much now but is amazing in situations like this. Raced for years then was a lead horse at a race horse trainers yard so totally unphased by overexcited horses and a complete gent if needed to give a baby a lead/ something for them to run in to.