Recent content by Skib

Miller who wrote the authoritive 19th century book on Polo reported on the year when he had kept the best ponies stabled over winter and the not so good ones were turned away, unrugged but with some supplementary hay. When spring came, the polo pones that had been out all winter were in better...

My long socks are woof wear for wearing under long boots. But since I got old and returned to short boots I wear normal M&S men's wool socks over a thermal liner which OH got when he went to Antarctica.

I started riding aged 61, began to hack aged 62 and fell in love with this Connie the following year. So yes, I was a novice but I had read books by Rashid and by Kelly Marks. This is how I fell for the Connie. I was mounted and waiting for my RS escort to fetch her horse. My horse began to...

My favourite ever horse was an oversize RS Connie. She was not a dopey type. She was sharp, intelligent and went like the wind. Think Halt to full canter in one step when I asked. She cantered with her head down, spread out head to tail in an effortless flow. She didnt like putting her feet in...

I think many people (including myself as a child) do not understand the importance of training a dog and the extent to which some "good" dogs have been well trained. My parents were given a well trained wire haired fox terrier as a wedding present. He went with them on their honeymoon, was...

Not exactly but similar. Our hospital Dr daughter worked 3 days a week and we puppy walked her Irish terrier female puppy 3 mornings a week and had her in our house for the rest of the day. We bought her a dog's bed identical to the one she has at home. Also the same toys and treats. She was...

About my Shires leather head collar. I completely dismantled it and treated the leather . 3 coats I seem to remember before putting it back together.

I bought a Shire's leather head collar before Covid lock down. It is left out overnight and I had to replace the head strap at one point after foxes chewed through it but it is still going strong.

Years ago at Olympia there was a leading UK dressage rider who rode her own horse. She had no school and did her schooling out hacking.

Yes, that is the same with my Charles Owen. Also mips. But it is a massive design improvement compared to the hats with which I started riding 24 years ago which cut into the back of ones neck when one fell.

I think "only" hacking might belittle us hackers. Not that I have ridden since last March. I got frightened of mounting and have been investigating higher mounting blocks. Then got worried about falling off them. I have shared and hacked solo for about 16 years.

It may be yet again the Brexit problem. Some of my riding wear is made in Germany and always was. However there were retailers in the UK.

Not my experience. It may be different now, but some years ago at Olympia, I was very pressured by Tree House at their stand to buy a bp which in my opinion did not fit. It was a youth fit. If you go to the stand of a good retailer at the Horse show, rather than the brand, you can try on a...

It is a long way for you but before Covid lock down, I used to go to the shopping village at the Olympia horse show. Looking at the website for 2025 (Excel) it does now seem a lot to buy a ticket even just for the shopping. I had thought of going this year but maybe not

I go to a particular shop which is an hour's drive. They have fitted me with hats since my original saddler closed down. But I dont just turn up. I always phone in advance to make sure that their hat fitting lady will be there and that they have the most likely hat in stock in my size. For...