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!!!!