Recent content by handbagsandhay

Well! What a wonderful day!!! Thanks so much for everyone's replies. i had a great time. Friendly, relaxed, reasonable paced - there ended up being no jumping but I think it was due to ground conditions (very boggy and wet) I couldn't really hear the speech at the start due to the wind so it...

Thank you all so much for your friendly, helpful responses. I have everything washed and hung up ready. I am half mega excited and half terrified. but I am going to have a jumping lesson on the hireling I will be taking tomorrow evening so looking forward to that!

Thank you. I did think a tie would be fine but my thermal shirt is a stock shirt so thought it wouldn't look right with a tie. I could wear a normal shirt but worried about getting cold. Thank you for your help - I am already nervous without the worry of being called out for not dressing...

Thank you for your helpful response. It is the Lauderdale newcomers in the Scottish Borders. It is this weekend so (I think) still classed as Autumn hunting. I think I will struggle to get another stock in time for the weekend. How strange you would think that a children and newcomers would...

I am going ona newcomers meet.... I have never hunted before in any way shape or form. I contacted the secretary who basically just said its a shorter day with optional jumps....I would like to jump but don't want to be hedge flying haha. So if there is a "jumping" field and "non jumping"...

I have had whippets at opposite ends of the scale - one untrainable little cutie who was only really on this earth for a laugh. lost him 2 Christmasses ago bless him. And my remaining little gal who is highly trainable

Oh no I never could. It gives me the fear. Not so long ago I was on along drive and really needed a drink and guessed the dog probably would too - wasn't prepared so I stopped at a shop on the road with a space RIGHT OUTSIDE (because I panic leaving the dog in the car too even for a split...

Ah leg yielding out a circle, yes that sounds like a good idea actually. My thoughts on the transitions was to keep him focussing on me instead of all the scary horse attaching things around the school which scare him :) I am quite conscious about not fiddling on the reins. Thank you he seems...

Thank you for replying. The taking up contact with the reins definitely makes him speed up! I have been getting lessons focusing on position and controlling with seat and balance rather than being heavy handed. i started these before I started riding this boy but it is really really helping...

I should say he isn't fresh of the track. He has been out of racing for a good few years and has been ridden/schooled. His owner hasn't worked him properly (the odd wee hack here and there) in almost a year though and is now away travelling so he is rather fresh. I am bringing him back into...

Thank you! I was so annoyed at myself doing exactly what I promised to never do to him! Back on board tonight and see how he goes!

Hi, I have posted a couple of times before about progress with the beautiful ex racer i am exercising just now. We have got over the spooking in the school which was a big achievement. I am now trying to build up more trot to up his fitness. Last night he was very "rushy" feeling and trying...

We don't use an exercise sheet as he isn't clipped. It's not really for me I worry about the cold - doesn't bother me at all I am happy to ride in any weather really - it's more so the horse's lungs and th ecold air I worry about particularly as he is quite unfit I wouldn't want to throw him...

We don't do anything too strenous anyway as he is still unfit but a little is better than none I think! Though the school surface was getting a bit crunchy as the night wore on. Because I can't really ride any earlier than 6 it starts to freeze over again by then. But we will keep plodding on...

I am definitely not a fair weather type. I'll go out in any weathe rto walk the dog or ride and have been riding 3 times a week over winter. However last night was the coldest it's been here and I was speaking to another girl on the yard and the conversation got to riding when it is really...