Horses Archives - Page 11 of 12 - Conversations through the middle

Another cold day today…

February 1, 2010

I’m getting a bit fed up with the weather now, it’s so cold it’s beyond a joke. I lunged John yesterday afternoon – I thought the school had defrosted enough and the sand seemed quite soft. But he fell and I feel terrible about it. He went down on both front knees.

I have rested him today but he seems out of sorts, he looks a little depressed. I can tell when he’s not feeling right – I know my horse well. There doesn’t seem to be excess heat in his legs, no more than normal anyway (he often feels warm in his front legs, I think it’s his age). I’ll keep a careful eye on him over the next few days.

I hope he’s better tomorrow…

Outlook sunny

January 30, 2010

Why am I now so interested in the weather? I can’t go to bed at night without first watching the weather report after the news. Darren tells me I’m obsessed! He doesn’t get it but other horse owners will understand I know. Since having a horse what it’s like outside has taken on a whole new importance. Is it going to be sunny – yay, great for riding; windy – not good as he spooks if it’s gusty; rainy – oh not so bad, I can cope with that, though torrential is miserable; icy or snowy – well, we have to stay at home if it’s too slippy. You see, the weather forecast is crucial.

Then there’s the question of rugs. How many and what ones depend on the temperature – one, two, stable rug, sheet, blanket or both?

If the taps freeze there’s no water, poo picking the field is easier though when the temperature is below zero, snow means it’s harder to get to the grass, while too much rain makes for a quagmire.

Yes, the weather forecast has definitely taken on a new significance since I became horsey.

The first of 2010

January 29, 2010

I am so rubbish at this blogging lark and there have been so many good things happening that I should have written about. I’ve tried to remember them but of course, I can’t.

I’m going to put it right now though and from now on will try hard to post regularly.

We had another milestone yesterday, honestly, John is such a star. We hacked out alone, did the short block, about 35 minutes and he only tried to turn back once! He did call a few times but that’s all. He was so brave and he’s obviously trusting me more. When he did try to turn for home I managed to get him going in the right direction again quite easily, he didn’t put up too much of a fight, which means he is getting used to me being in command.

In the past few months we have also mastered the big block – over an hour’s ride – and we have hacked out in company most weekends.

I also fell off, which knocked my confidence a bit I can tell you. That was in the school during a lesson. We were almost finished and were cantering on a circle. I suppose I got too complacent, the end of the lesson and all that. He spooked, shot off sharply, then changed direction sharply and shot off again – and I went out the side door. I haven’t really worked him in the school since and I know it’s silly, but I’m a bit nervous about riding in there now, especially canter, which I’ve hardly done since my fall. I know, one more hurdle to master!

What a day!

September 21, 2009

John and I passed a crucial milestone today. We hacked out – properly – for the first time. I am so proud of him, he was perfect, in fact I was more nervous than he was.

We rode out with a friend from the yard and her horse, Croppie, choosing the ’short block’ (around 35 minutes) for our first time. Passing other horses, cows and dogs made my heart jump more than a few times but John took it all in his stride; yes he looked around, he was interested, but he did nothing more. What a superstar.

Just six months at our new yard and we have come so far already. This was the first time we’d hacked out in the nearly four years we’ve been together and an occasion that, many times in the past, I never thought I’d see. Absolutely wonderful.