The Avon Valley ride is just over an hour from me so there wasn’t really any logistical need for me to travel the night before, however, Estrid hasn’t done any stay away competitions yet and I’m aware that as we up the distance we’ll also have to stay at venues. So I wanted her to start getting some practice in.
She is an anxious horse that loves the company of others, whenever we’ve been away she’s had Tissy as her comfort blanket. I wanted her to be corralled so that she could see lots of other horses but I also didn’t want her to get attached to any one in particular. So I positioned us so that half the corral was obscured by vehicles and the other she could see about 6 other horses.
I fully expected her to pace all night, be too on edge to eat or drink and generally be quite stressy. Well, she made me eat my words. She had moments of pacing and much to my embarrassment at 5am whinnied at anything that moved. But she ate, she drank and she stayed in her corral.
I love staying away with my horses, I think it really builds your bond and I’d forgotten how lovely it is to go to sleep and wake up with them nearby. I think it really improved Estrid’s trust and dependence on us too, she wanted to be in our company and she wanted our attention. Furthermore, our attention actually comforted her and she would relax without other horses around, which is a huge step for her.
Beth Endurance 