Regular readers of Equiads will already be familiar with Slipper’s story and his struggle to overcome the trauma in his life. Well, having recovered from a horrendous leg injury which left him crippled at the end of last summer and with everything looking very grim and recovery a very slim chance, he is now well on his way to recovery and a bright future.
After becoming sound he was re-introduced to the herd and immediately slotted himself into top position (he is a ladies man and the girls just love him, which suits the boys as they get peace and quiet!). He has hopefully learned a vital lesson about keeping his legs well out of kick range and not annoying horses that don’t want to be annoyed!
Over the months he was brought back into work carefully and his training towards being a western horse began. This is a real challenge for him as jogging is such an alien concept, but, he is getting there and although not the most comfortable in sitting trot, he is doing his best. We will one day complete my challenge and enter a western pleasure class, the only ex-racing standard bred to do so!
In the past Slipper had been a fabulous horse to hack out, eagerly taking lead file and happily going out alone. However, in his last home a horrific accident happend as he and his rider were involved with a hit and run which left him lying in the road next to his unconscious rider! Needless to say this really shook him up and his confidence (and rider’s confidence) were seriously dented. This left Slipper with some issues about hacking out. I had only just begun to help him regain his confidence out on a hack when he received his leg injury and so had not really managed to conquer his fear of people coming towards him, being in front, not spinning and running off, not planting and panicking etc!!
Now he was back into work and schooling well but still struggling out on hacks. Even with a horse in front he would plant and start to walk backwards, not too alarming you might think but bearing in mind he has no sense of self preservation and we hack in a country park with some serious gullies, embankments and ravines it was quite nerve wracking. He had in the past reversed over the edge of a very steep embankment and we had both nearly tumbled down to the bottom!! However, when he planted, if he was given a quick pull forwards from another rider (bridle or reins or whatever they could grab) he would start on his merry way again. Slowly but surely his confidence was returning.
One of my clients competes in endurance riding and she suggested it might be fun to do a nice pleasure ride with Slipper. I thought about his potential planting and wasn’t so sure but knowing that I would be surrounded by experienced riders I agreed to give it a go. I talked to one of my liveries and she was really excited about doing this with her 20 something mare, a real auntie type horse who was a go anywhere do anything maniac!
So both Andrea and I set off with Sophie and Slipper to Scottish Endurance Riding Club event in Hoddam, Dumfrieshire. We arrived on time looking every bit the complete novice and were immediately impressed by the relaxed friendly welcoming atmosphere with a real sense of camaraderie. Everyone was so helpful to us, the stewards, the organisers, the vets, the other competitors (we must have looked lost and desperate). Our experienced friends had been held up and Andrea suggested we just have a go ourselves! I was really bricking it now! I had never had to read a map in my life, my horse might not go more than a few hundred yards and here we were preparing to set off on a 19km hack in unknown territory! I was really worried that all the pressure would be on poor Andrea and Sophie to give us
We made the first checkpoint!!!!
a lead and keep us going. I needn’t have worried. Slipper had been so relaxed since he came off the box he was just so happy to be going somewhere. We set off as lead file and he led virtually the whole 19km, with his little ears up and a really confident step. There were a handful of “oh I’m not so sure” moments when auntie Sophie had to come along side and lead for a few yards then his confidence would come flooding back and off he would go again.
When it came to a section to be ridden through open countryside and fields (I dare not think how big the fields were) Andrea and I were really worried. I had never ridden Slipper in an open field and had no idea what he would do and Sophie is a maniac in an open space, her usual routine is to snatch the reins from the rider’s hands and leg it up the field as fast and she can go! Obviously Andrea did not want to be responsible for the potential carnage this sort of behaviour might cause with me and Slipper and she gamely hung on to Sophie and kept her in walk for the 2 – 3 miles of open fields. Sophie was disgusted and champed at the bit, foamed at the mouth and rolled her eyes in fury, but they held it together. Slipper on the otherhand did not seem to notice that we were on open countryside and happily strolled along taking in the view!
You go first Slipper!!
Then there was the short section on a road with traffic. This was a really scary moment. Sophie is not good in traffic either but thank goodness for the fantastic members of SERC who were stationed along the route at strategic points and who were controlling the traffic. I told them the problem and they smiled reassuringly and told me they would make sure every car would be very slow and careful and they were true to their word. Andrea and I agreed we would just go for it and set off at a spanking trot. Slipper was a star, staying in lead and ignoring the cars and vans creeping past him. To say we were relieved when we were off road again would be an understatement!
Ok let's go!
We did raise a few incredulous looks and quiet smiles at our completely novice innocence at one of the checkpoints. There is always water etc available to horses (and as we thought) riders along the route and when one steward offered me an old plastic milk carton of water I politely started to drink as did Andrea. I noticed the look of horror on the stewards face as she quietly explained that the water was to be poured over the horse to cool them down! I didn’t want to ask where the water had come from! Needless to say I didn’t pour water over Slipper, this would have been too much for him to cope with as he simply cannot stand rain!
This is my water!!!
We finally made it back (a minor miracle in itself considering I was navigating!) in a very good time of 3hrs. We did not get placed but did manage to get a rosette for completing the course, a very nice gesture for all competitors to help them with their confidence. I was as stiff as a board, the old knees not being what they used to be, and realised I had done more rising trot that morning than I had done in years (being a western rider I sit to all my trots) but both Andrea and I were delighted and the horses, though tired, seemed to really enjoy themselves.
Andrea and I will certainly do this again as it was such good fun. I was worried about how Slipper felt about it, I wasn’t sure if it would put him off. The next morning I was cleaning the horsebox and Slipper was watching me intently from the field. I wondered if he would disappear off down the field away from potential work, but, much to my surprise he wandered off, collected Sophie and they both came to the gate with a “Where are we going today” look on their faces. Here’s hoping they enjoy the next event as much!
Slipper brave pants!!!
Slipper and Sophie Do It Again!
Well guys, looks like we have got the bug! Yes Slipper and Sophie are just back from yet another big adventure, this time in Maybole. It was absolutely fantastic and we are both so proud of ourselves and the horses, they were outstanding. Slipper has kept up his brave pants routine and led the route for most of the way. I would occasionally let him go behind Sophie and give her a chance in front but he wasn’t scared of anything and was really up for the challenge. He even did some really great canter work in the open fields and tracks of the hillside and forest we were riding through and because we could crack on a bit we were both back to base inside the time allowed, our speed down to 2hrs and 12mins! We are now planning our next adventure and I really think that Slipper has found something he can do very well. What a great wee guy.
Ailsa told us you had been out to try endurance!!! Well Done – hope the knee is better soon and you manage another ride before the end of the season
Lesley Bell (Colin’s Mum)
Hi Lesley, thanks for the comment, yes we both loved it, we are looking forwards to doing one more this year (if my old knee doesn’t give out!) and definately will be doing quite a few next year. Got some of our liveries interested too, so looks like we could make up a Ross Dhu Team!!!