...it's getting closer...

oh! Happy Holidays....

....I have been checking the weather over the holidays, and it's not looking good for riding!  Strong winds, driving rain, thick wet mud everywhere. But it's not going to stop me spending quality cuddling time with the boys.  Tom and Henry...watch out, hugs are coming!

If you are riding, be careful out there people, be safe.  High-viz a must in dim light, and even if you're 'off-road' remember there are people lurking in bushes with guns this time of year (sadly), you might be wise showing them you're coming too! xx

Merry Holidays

...Happy Xmas xxx

...this weekend

make the most of the good weather....
...and ride the good ride.
 Sunday was great weather, it occured to me there may not be many of those left....

 
...though I do like crispy cold frosty mornings too.

So I got out and about.

Road Safety Update:

...another letter to The Editor
the downside of reading horse magazines, is sometimes it just plain makes me cross!

Dear Jo,

Thank goodness Spring is coming! I can't cope with any more mud!!

Yet another letter appearing in a HORSE magazine by a motorist that provokes me to write. I am beginning to wonder whether you do it on purpose!

And, not unusually, I'm cross…again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alison, whilst your talking about 'respect' like a rap-star, and complaining about the 'snobby' attitude of riders, a gross generalisation by the way,you fail to remember that the law tells you to behave a certain way towards 'vulnerable road users' (which horse riders are according to the law), so stop moaning, and do the right thing.

 

It's certainly true that there are bad folk in every walk of life, but that shouldn't preclude driving safely should it? 

 

What kind of people need recognition and praise before doing the right thing? the safe thing? and operating within the guidelines of the law?

Furthermore, what has a perceived attitude, deciphered in a few seconds by watching riders, to do with driving safety?

The riders that ride 2 abreast do so for safety. It's quite terrifying being the rider on the outside I can tell you, but when you’ve got a young or inexperienced rider or horse, its the correct thing to do.  It's how we all learn. Monkey see, monkey do.

In all likelihood young riders, not old enough to drive will have little appreciation of drivers, they wont twig their needs, and  because they're trying to stay alive on the roads, they're quite busy with their own problems 'selfishly', riding on the roads is terrifying.

My Mum and Dad, enrolled me into the Pony Club road safety course before they were happy for me to take to the roads with my pony Brandy.  And a great service they did too. The Pony Club is how we all learn, at least that was how it was years ago.

Give riders a break, and don't take any risks with other peoples life just because you don’t get a thank-you, a cup of tea and a bun!

We're not at school any more, grow-up!

TCJpart58 Jubilee Celebrations

BUNTING ANXIETY:

And how to deal with it.

Yes, it's Jubilee fever!!  The country has gotten patriotic without a single thought for those of us who have to ride past all the celebratory decorations!!

it's BUNTING ANXIETY!!

Not since England played in the last World Cup has the UK been adorned with this many Union Jacks (and not all the right way up - did you know there's a right way up?).  And I can tell you now, the horses wont like it at all. 

Of course my own village bunting won't be a spectacular as Oxford Street this morning (above), can you imagine riding your horse through the West End??!! Me either, I'd rather stay indoors with a nice cup of tea and some street party inspired cake - what could be more English country village than that?!!

 

    

 











Flags all flapping about in the wind, garden

gates that until now have been a safe place to ride past are now a minefield of movement and colour.

There are a few things you can do to prepare your horse for this madness, namely buy him some bunting of his own and get him used to it, like we have done in our yard.




This is Henry of course, eyeing up the new bunting, he's always the first to go near something.....


.....and we suspect actually Tom sends him in. Much like they did on StarTrek to see how the new monster worked!!

Then of course the next stage in any horse related encounter like this is the 'acceptance of the mouth'.  By this I mean, if they chew it, they think it's ok. 

When I got to the yard this morning Tuesday 5th June, this is what I found.  And this would be the work of Tom - he chews everything as a sign of his acceptance! so eaten, I guessed the boys were happy about the bunting finally. 





Tonight we will take it down, not just because the Jubilee will be over, but they need to get used to the fact that things change, I'll have to get them something else to eat!!

So, lets assume you're happily riding past a house you've been past for years without a second thought - be prepared - there may be monsters lurking, all in the name of Patriotism!! God Save the Queen.

Grace Tully's House: Tom & Henry would have a fit!!

Your horse has spotted something red, white and blue flapping about in the hedge, or like Grace's house above, the whole house could be alive with scary flag activity: he stops of course, because he's still a horse even though he doesn't mind the neighbours steam engine!! Sit still, relax, take a series of long deep breaths, don't make a fuss, wait if it's safe to do so, until your horse has decided for himself that everything is OK.

 

If he still doesn't like it after a few minutes, and begins shuffling about, get off, stay calm and quiet, and lead him past.  Get between him and the foe, and he should be happy that if the worst comes to the worst, you will get eaten before he does - thus giving him time to run away, but of course he wont need to.

If he still doesn't like it, there's no shame to turn around and go the other way, don't take any risks with yours or his safety, it's just not worth it.

Eat cake, drink tea...relax.....

Stay safe this weekend people!!!!

TCJpart 12 Road Safety

ROAD SAFETY:
...it's serious

 Tom all kitted out in Hi-viz, looking incredibly handsome and showing his lovely bum xx

 Here, we are meeting lots of traffic, but we're staying calm.

Horse & Cycle Safety Campaign:

Jayne Toyne the photographer for HORSE Magazine, amongst other things, dropped some photos of my boys this week.  Some she took of the morning she spent with us photographing Tom & Henry for the safety feature due in Novembers issue.  here are some of them:

Henry bends, and demonstrates why Trakehners are famous for their gorgeousness.

Henry, wearing his hi-viz neck strap and I am putting his bridle on - I always do the saddle first.

Tom keeping an eye and ear out for possible danger, which may or may not include white flowers and sheep.

Tom is wondering what John is up to....me too xxx

ever wondered what body protectors are for!?

John is usually behind the camera not in front of it.

Try to spot potential hazards ahead, and  look out for safe passing points too.

I go out of my way to give way and let traffic by, especially if they've been patiently waiting behind me, if  you get someone impatient who comes right up behind you and revvs their engine, try to stay calm, In my narrow lane you canm see above, i might ride in the centre of the road to prevent cars trying to squeeze past me, it makes them wait, until I am happy I have found a safe spot for them to pass.  I don't have to do this very often, as you can see from the picture above, people are very nice in WW.

There is so much to keep an eye on on the roads, you can't let your concentration go, I find sometimes it's safer for me to ride down the centre of the lane, this way I can control the situation, and let traffic pass when it's safe.

Jeffrey from our village having a chat, obviously this is only safe if nothing's coming along the road.  Don't antagonise people by deliberately holding them up.

Remember, it's a small world, the chances are you'll meet the same people when your out riding, be pleasant and courteous, they'll remember a rider who's friendly, and slow down for you again - and the chances of them behaving cautiously if you're having a problem, say with white flowers that weren't there yesterday, they're much more likely to stop and wait it out.