I finally have chance to share my experiences from last weekend. I had no one to go with, so Wish and I headed out alone. We have this huge cornfield on the farm that we can ride around the entire perimeter. I had just started and was up on top of the hill when there was a horrible screeching noise from about half-way down the hill. Wish immediately spun and did his little "running away" number (spin and then run about 20 feet!). I got him stopped, but the screeching was still going on. He was beside himself - backing and turning in circles. I finally got him to stop for about 2 seconds and jumped down. I just didn't feel safe staying on his back. We just stood there for the longest time listening to this ear-splitting noise. He was very tense and ready to run. I had no idea what it was but thought that maybe the neighbor was working on a piece of machinery - it sounded like metal against metal. It finally stopped and I debated whether to turn around and go back or continue on. I decided to continue on, thinking that if it was the neighbor perhaps I could signal to him to wait until I was back up on Wish and out of the area.
So, I started leading him down the hill with him about ready to jump out of skin, but feeling a little better with me in front since the gremlins would eat me first! We were about 1/4 of the way down the hill when out of the cornfield pops this huge bird - then another, and another, and another...
I think it was about a dozen all told. After doing some hunting on the web, I now think that they were guinea hens. So much for a piece of machinery!!!!!
They headed down the hill and over to the neighbors. So, I led Wish along until we could see where they went - they started chattering a bit, and I think he realized they were what made the noise.
Next challenge - mounting. I had never mounted Wish alone on the trail - a zillion times at the barn and in the ring but never on the trail alone. So, I was a little nervous. He's not large but I had on my tighter jeans, so I needed a little boost. Up on the next hill I found a large tree limb that had fallen down. I tested it and found it sturdy but the part I needed to use to mount was partially in the tall weeds. I pushed some weeds down with my foot and led Wish into them. He hesitated, pawed with his front foot (his way of checking out uncertain ground), and then walked into the weeds. He stood there like a perfect gentleman while I climbed up on the limb and mounted. He waited (with his head in the weeds) until I asked him to back up and move on.
For a while, he was quite nervous, but before we were completely back at the barn, he had really settled down.
I was very proud of both of us. I think we handled it quite well. It was brave of him to stand with his head in the weeds and his back to the area where the birds had been and not move while I mounted. I like to think that was showing his trust in me to patrol the rear flank!
I must admit, though, that it makes me a bit nervous to ride by that area again. We used to just have to worry about barking dogs there, now I guess I have to worry about screeching guinea hens, as well as the dogs. Oh well, so goes life...
Wow!!! You met and conquered the guinea hen monsters!!!! Yes, they do sound awful. I have 2 and I'm very glad I don't have more! I'll bet Wish will do just fine with them next time because now he knows what they are. I think the guineas would let you know in advance - they are good watch dogs and would give warning - rather than just fly up in your face like a quail or pheasant would. You did an awesome job! You got past the monsters, got you both calmed down, remounted, and got home safely and calmly. That REALLY IS an acomplishment! You should feel very proud of yourselves. Now for the next ride, yes, you will be nervous about the guineas again, but you have to risk facing them. At least you know what the worst is and that you can handle it and can get off safely. Try to master the area by riding back and forth through it, and if the guineas are there, try to make it into a training session with Wish to desensitize him. Use all your tools - circle him, back him, flexions, move his hips. It's the Monster Game! (Parelli should add that one to his list - using all of the first 7 games to ultimately play with monsters.) I attended a clinic one weekend with Dixie. The place had lots of guineas and peacocks. She was terrified. By the end of the weekend, however, they were walking through her pen and she didn't care. Our guineas and turkeys don't bother her at all now. So it doesn't have to be a permanant fear - Wish just needs some exposure to desensitize him, like to dogs, goats, motorcycles, or whatever. You did great!!! It's such a huge step to be able to go out on your own, knowing that you can handle stuff and get back home calmly. You should feel your confidence surging! Just the fact that you could get yourself back together and continue your ride is HUGE!!!! That means you can put fear right back in the saddle bags where it belongs and not let it take over your ride. Congratuations!!!!! ----------
Dixie Mom
"The art of riding: Keeping a horse between you and the ground!"
Hello determined, WOW!! I'm impressed! I think you did fantastically and should be VERY proud of yourself. It sounds like a similar experience to my one attempt to ride out by myself that ended in disaster. Well done! Megan
You both did great! I can imagine how scared you both must have been at first. It's bad enough that you're hearing this terrible noise, but it's even worse to not know where the noise is coming from! But you both figured out what was making the noise, realized that the guinea hens weren't going to eat anyone, and moved on. Congratulations again! I think that was an awesome bonding experience for you and Wish! :o) ---------- ~RedsMom
When I mentioned my experience to one of the other boarders, I discovered that these birds were around last year! Wish and I have never come across them before. I am very glad that I did not meet them last year - it would have been a whole different outcome I'm sure, since this year my confidence level is higher than last year.
DixieMom, your suggestions are good (as always). Unfortunately, it rained all weekend, so I never had a chance to get back up there. But we will...
Good for you! One day at a time...one lesson at a time.
I had a similar experience a short while back. Decided to ride and there just isn't anyone to ride with close to me. So I headed out with Sampson, my 7 yr old APHA gelding into the BIG 300 acre field behind the house. Granted Sampson and I have not ridden together a handful of times...but he is pretty easygoing and I am an experienced but 'fearful' rider at 48...
The ride was going great at the walk/trot...we've NOT cantered together...Yet :-) We did see lots of deer. I decided to ride down in a draw closer to the woods and the grass/clover was up to Sampson's knees...well...up flew a turkey right in our faces and Sampson spooked and went right and I 'exited stage left'...right onto my butt while he cantered back up the hill. I was stunned but not hurt--HUGE CONFIDENCE BOOSTER! Wiped myself off and walked up the hill hoping that Sampson hadn't headed back to the house. He was at the top waiting for me :-) I am a larger gal and wondered how I would mount in the middle of nowhere. I just found a piece of ground where he was a bit lower than me and he stood while I mounted. We continued our ride :-)
So I now know that things can happen and I can recover 'on my own' if need be. We just need lots of saddle time. I'm going in for surgery next week and so will be off from riding for 6 to 8 weeks, bummer. But we'll get at it again as soon as possible and I'm really glad Sampson is young and has many years ahead for me to get 'back in the saddle again' with more confidence!!
Good for you. (I can relate to turkeys!) I'm glad you weren't hurt, but I hope you always wear a helmet, carry a cell phone in your pocket, and let people know the general area you are headed if you ride alone. ----------
Dixie Mom
"The art of riding: Keeping a horse between you and the ground!"
