New Year resolutions!

It’s been 9 months now since I bought Zano, but for one reason or another, we haven’t really got going yet. First of all there was his saddle not fitting, then his back was sore, and then it turned out that maybe he wasn’t as experienced as I thought! And not long into a gentle return to work he tripped over and was out for another 3 months with a seriously grazed knee!

Riding in the (almost!) dark...

So, my resolution for this year is to get Zano up to full fitness and off to shows. I’m going to get serious with Zano’s training (and my riding!) and get him ready for his first ever competition! I want to introduce him to shows very slowly, so that he learns to have fun when he leaves the yard.

Well, part of getting Zano fit has involved me riding him in the dark after work. This is to make sure I carry on the schooling that Jo, my riding instructor, teaches me in our lessons! There are a couple of big lights over the school, but it’s still a bit spooky! I can’t wait for the evenings to get lighter again!

First time in the trailer, having his carrot reward!

Apart from the schooling, the first step for preparing Zano for shows is to get him out and about in the trailer. Whenever he’s been loaded before he’s moved home, so to begin it was important for him to realise that getting into a trailer doesn’t equal upheaval. So, first time up I loaded him, gave him some carrots, then led him straight off again without taking him anywhere. I realised two things that day. One was that he could virtually load himself he’s so good. Two was that – once he’s loaded (and finished his carrots) – he doesn’t like to hang around! He paws and paws the ground impatiently!

So, a few days later we were ready for our first trip out of the yard. So Zano didn’t have to hang around once he was loaded, my boyfriend did the trailer checks to make sure all the lights were working. Then we loaded him up again. This time we jumped in the 4x4 as soon as he was safely in and we were off. For his second time in the trailer with us, we just took him round the block and straight back to the stables, not stopping anywhere in between. He was quite surprised but very happy to be back, calling out to all his friends!

A week later, we were back in the trailer again. This time, the destination was Zano’s first ever show! It wasn’t to compete, but just so that he could soak up the experience of being around so many horses. They were coming and going to the warm up arena and lorry park, so he had lots to look at. He grew to at least 18hh as soon as he stepped off the trailer and remained like it for the whole time we were there! Considering it was his very first experience of a show I was really proud about how he took it. He was curious and excited, but not unmanageable. In fact, when I unloaded him he felt like he wanted to burst from the trailer and leap from the top of the ramp. But he kept listening to me. He may have walked down like a bouncing bunny, but at least he didn’t jump!

We arrive at our very first showground together!

Next time we go out I’m going to work him at the show ground. Somehow I think that might be a bit hairier! I’ll definitely be wearing my back protector, because I suspect I might get a few of Zano’s speciality high bucks! I’ll put a green ribbon in his tail to warn other riders that he’s still a novice, especially when it comes to riding with other horses and ponies in the same ring.

The next place I’m taking him to is a dressage training day. I’m going to enter the novice section with my local riding club. This will give me a chance to introduce Zano to being ridden with other horses somewhere new, all in preparation for the first time he competes. Fingers crossed, that might be in early March! I’m not expecting much first time out, but as long as we both have fun I’ll be one very happy, and enormously proud owner!