They were so lovely! And the carrots really helped Woody get over his trauma 🤣 I'm actually planning on riding this route again with Tara and Bourbon, stay tuned!
I'm trying to build trust for the long term. We can only do that if i keep showing him leadership that he can trust because he feels safe not because he's more afraid of "disobeying me" than of his instincts - that kind of leadership always crumbles eventually in my opinion 🥰 you have to go at your own pace. You know your horse best ! ❤️
Woody shying at the concrete bear reminded me of the time my Thoroughbred shyed at a brightly painted concrete tiger. He basically did the horse version of swearing and threw himself sideways. Was riding with other people. There was some gentle laughter and I was told all the horses do that when they first see it. Still miss him. Am ready for another Thoroughbred in my future. Enjoyed this video. Edited again to add that your confidence in dealing with situations has come on in leaps and bounds. You are doing really well.
It's funny you say that because that's exactly what my coach said about the bear - that they all spook at it first time! And thank you re your lovely mention of my confidence. Definitely learning (and actively trying) to be less reactive to difficult scenarios, more quietly confident: gentle, but firm, respecting the trust between myself and my horse, respecting his "reaction" but also stepping in to be his leader and say "you can trust me, come with me" rather than a vibe of "get on with it because I say so"
Hats off to you Rhi for doing all that on your own. You were very brave and brilliant with Woody giving him loads of encouragement all the time. What lovely staff at the pub too.
You guys did such a good job!! Woody is going to love going there next time, he'll have good memories from those lovely carrots. The young girl was fabulous and it just helps to have someone that understands! Also, shout out to all those cyclists you met along the way, they were so thoughtful and considerate. X
Awww it's so sad when they get spooked by something like that. I'm sure in their heads they think they're going to be eaten by the bear. Don't get me wrong, I own the spookiest standardbred mare and I know how frustrated you get when "it's friggin not going to eat you, you dork, and if you spook again you're gonna throw me!" But it's still cute afterwards when you're fine and you look back at the footage of them thinking the world is ending because someone planted a petunia.
Great vlog Rhi and what a scary bear it was. Woody was so brave and after your reassurance and guidance Woody was brave enough to pass it. When you both left he even rode past 😃 How kind were the staff to help and also kindly treating Woody to some scrummy 🥕🥕 😃 You must ride out again maybe with a friend and I'm sure Woody will confidently pass the bear.
What a great trip to the pub, so many friendly people and the staff at the pub were great! Exactly what you both needed. Woody will be walking with a spring in his step next time 😊
Is this a thing, a pub ride? So funny, I've never seen something like this before! And the pub staff is soooo super nice to Woody! Did they have some water for him? And I can't believe how super nice the cyclists are in your area, everyone saying hi and shouting out and being considerate. Amazing!!!
Haha it is! Although you usually go in groups and stop for lunch. I know, the staff and cyclists were lovely! I have to admit I didn't offer him water at the pub, but he had some as soon as we got home 🥰
I used to live in the Chilterns and we used to have a pub ride every now and then. We used to hitch the horses up in the garden have drinks nibbles and a laugh and then ride home. Really fun and the horses always got treats.
You've reminded me of my love hate relationship with self closing gates 😂 as well as being an equine behaviourist I'm also a BHS access volunteer for Swansea. Luck has it my local routes don't have gates 🍀 I hope I can also share a professional tip if I may? Giving a really good rub/scratch on the withers instead of patting actually helps lower a scared horse's heart rate and can help with settling during and straight after spooky moments ;)
What lovely cyclists your way!!!! Can I ask. When he picks up a keen canter across those meadows is he slowing down stopping from a bit of rein? Or are you doing anything else to get him to not race. Most horses I’ve ridden for first times on hacks would take off haha
Loved this! Have just started hacking out my share alone and seeing you handle Woody and the bear 🐻 has given me so much confidence dealing with spooky episodes. Thank you for the great vid! ❤️
I love how you handle these types of situations ☺️ Very patient and reassuring to the handsome boy! I'd absolutely love it if you could post an unedited day/hack, super long videos of you and Woody would be the best! ❤️🐎
Ah I loved this, I think it’s my fave video you’ve done so far. It’s just the sort of thing i want to start doing with my boy.. I haven’t hacked out on my own ever, or even with company for a long time. I was wondering how you were going to order your drink, but of course you just phone them! Haha never thought of that. how lovely were the pub staff! Thank you for showing this ‘warts n all’ video, I feel inspired now, and will definitely use equilab
Hi Rhi! I'm looking at buying my share horse but there are still a few things I've not yet learnt ... one is clipping 😂 and the other is fairly complicated it's about horse passports and certificates to prove they are yours / finding the right livery / vet / farrier / saddle fitter / dentist, and how you get permission from a livery to allow the vet etc to come to the yard. It would be really helpful if u could do a video on how to find the right livery / vet / farrier etc and the ins and outs of all of that xx
I answer a lot of these in existing videos - one is my new horse Q&A and the other is my updated yard tour with the Q&A at the end - both below! New horse Q&A - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-VtxQ-r2mKmQ.html Yard tour - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-gPjeh8Rdx4k.html
It's funny isn't it the things they spook. Although I think woody had just cause on this one. My daughters pony got himself in a state over something tonight out on a hack. We was both looking couldn't see what he was reacting to. We was two mins from home aswell he had been perfect the whole ride. Loved the vlog. X
Aw bless, it is funny! I was a bit confused at his first spook as I couldn't see anything. But I realised later there was a big tractor in the field opposite and I wonder if he could hear something I couldn't with that
He was unsure: for five minutes of a one and a half hour ride, one of many, many rides where I go out alone (with safety measures in place) without incident and without issues, many of which I share here. We can't predict everything, we can only assess and respond to the horse we are riding in the moment.
I’m not understanding why you are continually patting that horse that way. I consider that pressure. You pat him and say “good boy” but you pat him when he’s spooked as well and trying to get him to cooperate. I really don’t understand your way of thinking. It’s a little excessive.
I suppose no one is going to agree on everything , but I think the point is right here in your own comment: "I consider that pressure" - it's all about what the the way our horses have been individually taught. This horse has never been taught that a Pat on the neck has negative connotations. It's part of how I greet him, it's part of how I connect with him when grooming and he knows it means "good boy" or has positive connotations. Someone further down mentioned that scratching can be a nice way to connect too, which I love!
