Connecting With Connie

Connecting With Connie 6 year old, 15.1hh cob & my journey to create a connection with her. Making it up as we go along

I joined 13 other horse & riders at Twinstead Riding School to go on a walk to the Kings Head Pebmarsh - Village Pub & R...
29/05/2026

I joined 13 other horse & riders at Twinstead Riding School to go on a walk to the Kings Head Pebmarsh - Village Pub & Restaurant. There were so many of us!

These outings provide such valuable experiences for Connie - she gets to walk with horses she doesn’t know, she saw cows for the first time, went past tractors, learnt patience (well….we’re still learning patience!), & had to travel in the horsebox.

I love going out & about with her, & although she still won’t really go anywhere on her own, these hacks are helping build her confidence & life experience in the world.

25/05/2026

She listens.

There we were, mid canter, following another horse as he cantered off ahead, when I lose my stirrup.

I wouldn’t normally fret about a lost stirrup, but -
• Connie is very bouncy
• Her saddle had been prone to slip that day
• She’d been spooky
- so I knew that I would be off if anything happened.

With Paddy cantering off into the distance, I used my vocal “emergency stop” to bring Connie back & sort out my stirrup. And she stopped! To stop so easily, mid canter, whilst her buddy disappeared ahead of her, was so good! I’m so pleased & proud that she listened & responded.
It’s something I’ve practiced in the school, but to work in a completely different environment is fantastic!

Long time family friend gets to meet Connie after a lovely lunch together. I was in my early teens when we first met, & ...
24/05/2026

Long time family friend gets to meet Connie after a lovely lunch together.
I was in my early teens when we first met, & spent many hours riding ponies together, going to Pony Club together, supporting each other at shows. I hope one day to be able to ride Connie with we once again.

20/05/2026

Something a bit different.

I’m a huge fan of the Toni and Ryan Podcast & have been listening from the start. I distinctly remember listening to them on my way to view Connie 4 years ago. Hosted by Toni Lodge & Ryan Jon, this Aussie pair are highly entertaining & have created a wonderful community of supportive, fun-loving ‘TARPers’.
And somehow, Connie & I have become a meme - a way for the two of them to connect when they feel a little vulnerable.
Thanks to the photographic efforts of the talented Katie Rowe Photography , we’ve been immortalised.

This cracked me up! Connie tried to jump, I flew out of the saddle, but still found it hilarious! Photos by Foxhall Crea...
18/05/2026

This cracked me up! Connie tried to jump, I flew out of the saddle, but still found it hilarious!

Photos by Foxhall Creative

18/05/2026

Little snippet from a fun ride over the weekend - the photos just cracked me up!

Connie still doesn’t really know how to jump!

I did a thing. Yes some of you will be horrified, but it’ll grow back. I did it because I’m tired. Tired of maintenance....
15/05/2026

I did a thing.

Yes some of you will be horrified, but it’ll grow back.

I did it because I’m tired.

Tired of maintenance. Tired of worrying about it. Tired of looping it up & being concerned if it was irritating her. Tired of not really seeing it as I ride/groom/hang out with her.

IF I do any shows with her this year, they will only be small, fun shows. It will take maybe another year to get to the length it was, but right now, I don’t have to worry about her eating it, standing on it, falling out, getting to heavy, or anything.
I can go back to just plain plaits.

Plus, I think she looks neater.

14/05/2026

The Good
The Bad
And down right frustrating.

I’ve not posted as I’ve found it hard to be positive. Connie was nearly put on “Pre-loved” a couple of days ago! Her attitude has made things very difficult and I’m currently going down all the avenues I need to go down to make sure it’s not something physical, & how I can go about helping her.
But it’s tough.

It’s especially difficult when you constantly see everyone around you progressing & moving forward & having fun, when you’re fighting a battle & trying to stay sane & positive.

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Essex

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