Your Proudest moment competition

[Lorraine L]

The prize for this competition is one IH Hoodie ( which i can vouch is the best product for warmth and washing ;D )

Basically, for an entry fee of £2.00, ( paid in the usual ways listed in this section ) we would like to read about your proudest moments whether that be your first event / rescue horse or pony / child's first rosette etc Anything that made you proud.

Please include photos where necessary but write your story in as much detail as possible.

This competition will close on 31st December and judged by one of our RA's. Good luck and please PM me with details of how you paid your entry fee.

[Deleted]

OK I'll start the ball rolling .....

This all happened in the shopping centre and busy roads of a major town, during rush hour.

A couple of months ago I was cycling home from work along a cyclepath when I heard the unmistakable sound of horses galloping on road. As I was trying to find out where it was coming from I saw two very big, riderless, horses coming galloping down an adjacent road amongst the rush hour traffic. Without even thinking about my bike I jumped off, dumping the bike on the cycle track and ran onto the grass field between the cycle track on the road. Calling to the horses and trying to get them to slow down and frantically trying to think of all the things I've learned through IH about body language. Of course there isn't another soul to be seen.

The two horses saw me, galloped along the road to the hedgeline of the field but I could see the lead one had an ear focussed in my direction, so I continued calling and frantically doing my best soft, inviting body language.

Then to my complete amazement they both did an about turn onto the field, slowed down into a canter then a trot, and then walk, back the way they'd been coming and walked diagonally across this rather large field, directly towards me. Heads lowered and calm, I continued to do the best inviting in and non threatening body language I could manage, frantically hoping I could get hold of them. At this point I realised they were police horses and were HUGE. I managed to invite them into within an arms length when something spooked them again and off then went, but this time down into a far corner of the open field on the cycletrack side, well away from the road.

At this point both horses put their heads down to graze and were quite a bit calmer and it was obvious one was seriuosly injured and her grey leg was completely covered in thick blood. They also by now had got their legs through the reins. I was slowly and quietly approaching them again using very quiet non threatening body language to try and get them when I realised half the police force had turned up.

I did have to laugh at the "step away from the horses" command by one of them !!! I didn't get a chance to point out that I'd actually managed to get them off the road for them. Both horses had been attacked by a dog, thrown their riders and bolted out into the rush hour traffic. I am still gutted that I failed to get hold of them in that final second but the sight of two panicked and injured horses doing an about turn and calmly approaching me in a high stress situation is one I will never forget and still humbles me.

The injured horse had an arterial bleed due to the dog bite and I am proud that I played my part in getting them calmed down and off to the road. I will never know if they would have come onto the field on their own but the fact is they appeared to listen to me and to respond which removed them from further danger to themselves and everyone else on the roads that day.

If I hadn't have had the skills I've learned by following the IH principles and the wonderful people I have met on here, I would have approached the situation differently and probably panicked the horses more. I wish someone had been there to see the two horses walked quietly towards a competely loon who had been standing in the middle of an open field and not appearing to do much at all. To me it was my proudest IH moment and I cant' think of another instance that has shown how powerful a tool body language is.

[prissypaws]

Thank you sooooo much for what you did ! We met today which I still think is a strange fate thing !! I was the rider of the dapple grey Toffee and as I said to you to today, I was thrown from her onto a duel carrageway and the sight of the two horses galloping down the road towards traffic was an awful sight !! I was sure they would both meet a tragic end but luckly you were there and helped them. I know your actions and your body language helped two traumatised horses and saved their lives. You should be very proud and once again it was a pleasure meeting you and thank you

ps thanks from Rosie and Toffee and they would like a visit soon x

Jo

[Deleted]

awww I'm just so glad I was there, it was definitely fate because I normally leave work half an hour later than I did that day. It was so lovely to meet you today, I still can't believe that, and such a relief to hear both you riders were OK

will definitely come and see Rosie and Toffee, will bring some apples for them , I might root around and see if I can find some chocolates for you riders as well ;D x

[prissypaws]

I would like to share with you my proudest moment. I was drawn to a little bay pony that was going to the meat man in France. It was once of the impulse moments and I called it my good deed for Christmas. He arrived a week before Christmas 2008. He came off the horsebox after a long journey and was terrified. He had never been touched by human hands and cowered away from even a glance towards him. My livery yard manager fitted a grill over the stable door as we feared he would jump over the top of the door. Little did I know then what an absolute inspiration this horse was to be. After a week he sniffed my hand and it was a heartbreaking moment of trust that I will never forget !. We began a partnership of trust that I dont think I would ever be lucky enough to find in a horse / human partnership again. We named him Splodge as he was an Appoloosa and was covered in them !!. From that moment of trust he gave me he came on leaps and bounds and just lapped up anything new I taught him. He never flinched when he was introduced to a saddle and allowed me to sit on him even when I could feel his apprehension. After a few weeks he began to play in the field with me i think he truly thought that I was a strange two legged horse !!. I think we looked a strange sight running and trotting up the field changing directions and generally being rather silly !!. Splodge progressed so quickly and completed all his bombproof training and nothing fazed him !. I loved this pony to bits and that why I had to face the hardest decision ever to let him go !!!. This pony had so much potential and needed someone that could go on and continue to teach him new things and use him and have fun with him. With three other horses I just could not give him what he needed. That where his new mum Jo and her daughter came in !. this brings me to my proudest moment !!!!. Splodge was entered into his first dressage test this year ! at 4yrs old and only after eight months after coming to the UK he came 7th out of 34 in his first walk trot test !. He is truly an inspiration to me and the attached photographs show a before and after of a special little pony that gave me the proudest moment of my life !!!

Attachments:

[prissypaws]

cant work out how to attach the photos togther so sorry had to do them one at a time

Attachments:

[prissypaws]

This is Splodge when he arrived from France

Attachments:

[rummi]

My proudest moment is a rather simple one, but I don't think any future achievement, rosette, trophy etc could make me prouder!

On Tuesday 11th August 2009, I sat on Bailey for the first time! He was a total star and took it beautifully calmly. It had been a long journey to get to this point, but every frustration and 'challenge' had been worth it for this precious moment.

I bought Bailey in May 2005 as a 15 month old:





Although he was a rather straggly, lanky looking youngster, I fell in love with him and thought he would grown into a lovely Haflinger like his parents:





I bought a yearling as I wanted a challenge, my older New Forest has always been such an easy and honest sort, no challenges there!

Boy, did I get a challenge ;D!

Like many other Haffies, he constantly tries to push the boundaries and check who is boss! I have had to learn to be a very consistant and clear leader, not given an inch in aspects of personnal space and leadership.

We have worked thorugh many issues, including barging, nipping, biting, head-butting, 'you-can't-touch-my head', rope chewing, destroying electric fencing, tanking off in groundwork, etc.

When I started doing groundwork with him, and he wasn't totally happy with what was asked of him, he'd throw his head and charge off - hard to stop a Haffie tank! I used electric fencing to fence off a small roundpen area, and steadily managed to increase the size, to the point that I can now do rope-circling anywhere in the open field and he won't try to bomb off.

He accepted the saddle and bitless bridle without question and lots of inhand leading and long-lining progessed our partnership. He proved to be a brave, forward going chap!





We even had help from a certain RA (thank's Sarah!), whose advise really helped, especially with our leading issues, making sure he never went past my shoulder. This made a BIG difference in our leadership issues.



The, after lots of preparation with leaning over and rope-circling with tack on, one day, I was stood next to him, on the mounting block in the schooling paddock...........

............as normal, I was leaning over the saddle, letting him take my weight. It then seemed that NOW was the time! Foot in, and on I got. He was perfectly happy, I asked him to walk on 3 steps, then got off. BIG HUGS! I did this twice more, then called it a day.

The next day, I did the same, several times in the yard:




Bailey is now hacking out happily on his own. As always, there have been issues, but he no longer tries to eat grass or drag me up every driveway!!! ;D And the best part is, he really seems to LOVE his work and follows me across the field everyday to the gate after his tea, asking "So, where are we going today, Mum?!"

We may never get to Olympia, Hickstead or even win a rosette.....

.............but my boy is my little star, will be with me for life, and I couldn't be prouder of my 'Hairy Hooligan'!

Thanks for reading!

[Admin]

ONLY ONE DAY LEFT !!

[3pinkmonkeys]

My proudest moment happened standing at ringside in a small agricultural show watching my mum and daughter take Reserve Champion.

Last year I decided it was about time I got a small pony for my girls. I have 3 of them so thought it would be worth while, but I also wanted to get something for me to play with to. After looking at the price of the 'mothers dream ponies' I had to look down a more affordable route.

As our (mine and mums) horse Solo came from the RSPCA we thought we would inquire with them, to see if they had anything suitable. They didn't have anything thing that was already backed, so we took a chance and went to see and bought home an unbacked 3yr old, Gremlin!

Gremlin turned out to be most genuine pony I have ever met. We spent the winter going through Kelly Marks perfect manners and perfect partner books. He accepted a saddle and a rider with no problems at all.

In the spring the girls took him to Pony Club where he was hoof perfect. We thought we would try our hand a little bit of showing. This was the start of the best summer I've had in years. My mum who has never had the confidence to ride competitively herself managed to overcome her fears to lead my daughter aboard Gremlin in the lead rein classes.

At only their second show they were in the ribbons and soon I was standing at the ring side watching them parade with the winners of the other sections. I really could not believe they were pulled in as reserve champions. I was very proud of all 3 them.

I love Holly's face in this pic ;D


This was taken by a friend on their phone after winning reserve champs ;D

[SarahW]

Lorraine the Loot, has asked me to judge this competition. Congratulations, you are all winners and I've decided that you all deserve a prize. Lorraine is going to conjure another IH hoodie from the office and I'm going to sponsor two more.

I am just going to go out riding and when I get back I shall explain my reasons more fully.

[SarahW]

Right here goes. The horses are all fed and exercised so now I can concentrate. First of all, I thought I oughtn't to judge at all as I have links with Rummi with Bailey (indeed you can see me in one of her photos) and have recently been chatting away to Runningloon about her new pony (which I had contact with at the Dartmoor Pony Training Centre). However, having declared an interest, I was told I could carry on especially as I felt that all of the entries were worthy of first place. In Runningloon's case, I felt that this was a great example of IH techniques being used in an emergency (not easy when you have no time to think and your adrenalin is off the scale) and probably saved the life of those horses and any that they met on route. I also felt that there was a great lesson in not just doing it for the glory.

In Prissypaws and 3pinkmonkey's cases, both of them have worked with rescued ponies and brought them on using IH methods. As you know, I always like ponies to land on their feet and have a great interest in throwing starfish back into the sea one by one(if you excuse all the mixed metaphors). It takes time patience and technique and great commitment.

The same can be said of Rummi's pony - although he wasn't a rescue case, he was quite slight when he arrived, and I felt that he has been brought on using careful incremental training in the true spirit of IH. There are lots of ponies that are wrecked by the time they are four and I feel that he is an very fortunate place.

Please don't think that you are all just "highly recommended", I think you've all come first. (And if I ever sound patronising, I don;t mean to!!!!)

[Deleted]

awww what a lovely thing to do, I shall wear mine with pride

thankyou and happy new year xx

[SarahW]

Good, and when it's suitably scruffy, you can let me have it!

[Deleted]

lol !!!