Esja’s first ride out

Esja went for her first ride out.  She has been backed/trained in the indoor school and her 1/2 mile walk to Thordale.   Bjørn Roar Larsen, her trainer, has taken everything slowly and, totally based on Esja’s progress, today was considered an auspicious day.

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I accompanied Esja/Bjørn on Haakon, who I chose carefully as the safest and calmest option, after careful thought and consideration.

Fool, that I was.  The ears tell a different story.

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Esja was hoof-perfect.  The proof is Bjørn’s cheesey grin.  He said she felt incredibly safe and he trusted her completely.

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Even Tiddles running up and down the fence, plus meeting Delia and Vitamin in their grazing field, had no effect on Esja.

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She tölted beautifully when asked, trotted enthusiastically up the hill and enjoyed herself immensely.

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Haakon, on the other hand, was horrible.  He bounced, threatened, wanted to go fast, refused to walk slowly or nicely, and we fought every inch of the way to the point I was jealous of Bjørn and the nice time he was obviously having.

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We didn’t go far – a few miles in walk, trot and tölt (Esja) while Haakon did what is known as “indignant chicken”.

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So, well done Esja and Bjørn.

Maybe I should sell Haakon and keep Esja as my riding horse.  At least I would have a nice peaceful ride without any histrionics keeping me on my toes.  I even told the old fool that I would prefer to get off and walk home than ride him and that is my ultimate threat.

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3 thoughts on “Esja’s first ride out

  1. jan

    No you don’t really want to sell him, he’s perhaps a bit jealous of all the attention paid, quite rightly to esja. Have a g and t and sleep on it.

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