Tuesday 22 April 2014

...easter...





...a bank holiday to remember...
....amazing weather, great riding.  Exclusive access to open fields - recently tilled, soft and perfect surface for hooves.





The floor of the woods covered in a blanket of bluebells...Tom being a great horse as usual, Henry being Henry (as usual).


















Fittening trotting and transitional work.












...then Monday....a day off in the pasture...




Tuesday 15 April 2014

...photography...





...sunrise & sunset...
An iphone is such a great device, not only can I 'face-time' Mother from the yard, have a helping hand in case I need to contact anyone horse-related, but it means a photo taking instrument is in my hand  - a lot!

Tom & Henry don't shy for the paparazzi thats me, so there's thousands - and I'm not kidding, thousands of photos of them.

This week I've been lucky enough to be doing the horses at sun up and sun down - this makes for some very beautiful photos - enjoy!












Thursday 10 April 2014

...springtime....





...and the land needs attention...
...the top 2 fields are done, but the final one - the 'pony paddock', the one that gets the maximum hoof-fall needs some serious harrowing,  and this is the weekend to do it, because the grass is growing fast.








My neighbours land, Boob-tube Lisa's, was being farmed last night, through the night.  Tractors with their lights on working all night in the dark.  It reminded me that time - like land - can wait for no man.  I need to get out in the Landy at the weekend myself and see to my paddock, with Placebo playing to keep me in rhythm.





























You'll see from the photos with Min modeling the deep hoof-shaped ruts, there's lots of hard divots from rampaging Trakehners - I will work this to the extreme, re-seed and make this a perfect surface for growing healthy grass.


As you can see Tom and Henry are very proud of their grazing.

















.... Coco, get off my land!  






Sunday 6 April 2014

...springtime riding...






...out and about...
Getting started riding again after the horrible weather of winter can be daunting.  But taken in small chunks is the way to do it.
 
 
 
 
 
Ride a short comfortable distance, and each time you go out  - make it a longer ride.  Try to be circuitous so it's got a beginning and end, and don't attempt anything you're uncomfortable with.
 
 
 
 
 
 


Repeat everything - your horse won't get bored - he'll be happy and feel safe since it's repetition that's key for him, he'll have seen it al before, so if anything new does occur, its one thing against a backdrop of familiar - and easier to cope with. 







If your horse is fresh and paying attention to everything but you, bring him back with repetitive transitions, this will focus him very quickly.  I favour ten paces walk and ten trot, followed by eight paces sitting trot, eight rising.  I do this for at least quarter of a mile, slow for corners but don't give up.  You'll be amazed how this works. 








If you felt a wobble, or you get a little worried take a massive breath in and slowly out as you continue.  It'll communicate to your horse and calm you too.  Don't be scared to turn back and go home, or change your route whilst your riding to favour a quicker or easier ride - do it another day.

 


 
 
 
 


 Henry for example might take exception to something up the lane, I simply bring him back to the safety of the yard, sit there a few minutes, and go again - each time he goes further, until he is happy to pass.
 
 

 
 




Be kind and gentle, give your horse time to work things out for himself - never be cross, you'll only feed his fear with more fear.
 
Take someone out with you, on a bike or walking with a camera - this always makes me feel happier x
 
 
 
 





 I don't like roadwork - its tough on the feet and brain - and traffic can cause problems too - I prefer to be in the wide open spaces, where I can see everything coming - there's room for spooking and a nice soft landing!
 
...be safe, wear hi--viz always...
 
 








 
 
 

Saturday 5 April 2014