Now that Diva has been with me for several months, she is really beginning to find her feet and at times can be cheeky.
Although at maturity she’ll be only around 40 inches in height, it is important that she is taught manners just like a larger horse. Though small, Shetland ponies are renowned for their strength.
Although at maturity she’ll be only around 40 inches in height, it is important that she is taught manners just like a larger horse. Though small, Shetland ponies are renowned for their strength.
One day a friend offered to lead Diva out to the field for me so I could lead Mabel and Florence and only make one trip from the stables. I was in front as we walked along, and then all of a sudden I heard Ginny say quite calmly, “Diva is a bit fresh.” Before I could react, I heard sounds of a scuffle and Ginny saying, still in a calm voice, “Um… she’s a lot fresh.”
I turned around to see Diva bouncing around on the end of the lead rope with Ginny valiantly holding on despite the deep and slippery mud. With me leading a horse in each hand, the best thing I could do was to hurry the last few yards to the field so I could let them go and then help Ginny.
Diva looking settled in field having found her feet!
To say I found it funny is an understatement, and giggling like mad, I turned to Ginny and Diva. She still had hold of the lead rope, and Diva was still leaping about but luckily was going in the right direction.
With a bit more kerfuffle, we safely released Diva into the field and shut the gate. She went tearing off to catch up with the big girls whilst Ginny and I leant on the gate, laughing so much we could scarcely breathe! How Diva didn’t trip up Ginny I’ll never know!
The next morning Diva’s stable door had a cartoon by Ginny taped to it … Dangerous Diva! Indeed!
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Diva and Jackson have travelled to shows together several times but, as we try to enter Jackson for gelding-only classes rather than mixed mare and gelding ones, they had never competed in the same class.
Bob and I had our second lesson with out new instructor and all I can say is wow (plus I also stayed aboard – just!)!
As mentioned in a previous blog, the way the grass is growing this year is causing problems for people with good doers. This time last year Diva and Mabel were out 24/7 and I was getting to the stage of giving a little hay at night as the grass just wasn’t growing.
While there are plenty of benefits to a beach ride there are also particular risks you need to plan ahead for. If you want to try out beach riding then you need to make sure it is safe. If you’re wondering where to start, then read our top tips.