The Horse loves to go for a ride outside of the yard. I try to make sure The Horse goes out on a hack at least once a week. It’s fresh air, different scenery, a bit of a change to the four walls of an arena or the fields he lives in. But there is another reason for these regular rides – The Horse is scared of many things. Now you would think this would lead me to taking him on less hacks, but oh no. The aim is to desensitise him, which has worked with vast improvements since I first bought The Horse. However, he is by no means cured.
Still alert from the sound of the hunt, The Horse was not very attentive to me. I hadn’t even got on him and I already encountered barriers.
“What’s that?”
I was balanced precariously on the wobbly mounting block “Horse, I want to get on you, come closer.”
“What are they doing? So many children. And a pony!”
“They’re lunging, Horse. Come here!” I pull and push and grumble with no response and eventually give The Horse a slap on the neck to get his attention.
“What do you want…?!” He steps forwards and I get on.
Leaving the yard with one of his cob friends things seem to improve.
But then it begins.
*twitch* “What’s that?” *flinch* “I saw a thing!” *startle* “A bird!” *jolt* “The leaves rustled at me!” *spook* “I just saw a HEDGE!”
This was set to be a frustrating and butt clenching ride.
“There’s a thing in the field! OMG There’s a human in that field! The HUMAN has a DOG!”
“Yes Horse, how dare someone walk their dog. Now stop being a giraffe and focus on the road.
Horse, there’s a car coming we need to be careful.”
“Okay. WAIT! There’s a car PARKED behind that car! WHy is there a car?!”
“It belongs to the dog owner. Now focus on the one driving towards us.
There’s another car horse, let’s tuck in here.”
“Okay. WAIT! There is a boulder, right. Next. To me.”
“You see it every week Horse, focus on the car.
Ready to trot up this hill?”
“Yes! Let’s do it!
Oh no what’s that!? I must canter now.”
“NO Horse! If you mess around I’ll make you work harder.”
“Ok, ok. WHAT THE HELL IS THAT IN THE HEDGE?!” A couple of seconds of skittish zigzagging along the lane where The Horse suddenly seemed to have far too many legs. Finally he regains control of his senses. “Are we heading home now?”
With my nerves rubbed raw by the behaviour of The Horse, I make him ride through the village (where every garden is a spooky sensation) in a shoulder-in movement. On the final stretch home he finally gives in.
“OK, I give, I won’t do it any more, I just want to relax. Please?”
I gradually allow The Horse his head and body back, feeling him relax and calm beneath me.
I breath a sigh of relief as we arrive home in one piece.
Stupid Horse.