milliepops
Wears headscarf aggressively
Been holding off doing a proper introduction for Darcy as I wanted to see what he was really made of first 
When Salty scanned in foal it became apparent that I needed a new spare, so she could go and live in the field while she cooks her baby
I have to have 2 horses on the yard because Kira has to have a buddy, and I'd rather have a rideable horse in the second stable than an expensive pet! My OH shoes a couple of ex racers that his clients got straight from a local trainer and he said they were nice people, so the clients put in a good word for me and I was delighted to be invited to come and meet some retired horses looking for new homes.
I explained what I wanted to do with a horse (dressage and a bit of hacking), and they thought Darcy would like to do the job as he wasn't brave over fences and had nice paces.
Went to meet him in the field where he'd been dossing, and he seemed like a very nice character so I arranged to go back and collect him a week later.
Day one, just off the lorry at the end of June
Kira gave him her usual welcome
but she and I swiftly came to be quite fond of him!
Started out just doing some easy groundwork to get to know each other.
Then he had his teeth done, started vaccinations, and I got a saddle sorted.
He looks nice in purple!
Got some stills from schooling at home
And a very boring little video of him trying his bestest but still being very green and wobbly,
So on to today.
I've been taking him out for little journeys in the lorry because he is taking a while to find his sea legs, and gets quite hot when travelling. So today was a day of firsts - first proper trip out, first time indoors, first time working with other horses, first time seeing his handsome face in the mirrors... I had decided to take him because I had the lesson booked before kira got injured, and I need to have things to aim for to make me keep stretching our comfort zones. I knew it would be a nice sensible environment for his first outing - even so, he got off the box with his eyes swiveling in their sockets, shouting his head off...
Decided we better just crack on rather than start to worry about what he was going to do. He wasn't sure about entering the indoor school, and once in, shook like a leaf, worrying - but as soon as I got in the saddle he really settled into his work. He's been under saddle again for about 8 weeks now, but he forgot the last 6 of those weeks when we got there so it was very green babyish work. But I can't fault his attitude, when the other horse joined us he was distracted for a bit but then got on with his tasks, and although he got tired he kept trying and even did some sensible canter on both reins too - we've literally only just started cantering under saddle this week, so very pleased with him today.
Trainer had nice things to say about him, he's got a nice trot and will have a good walk when he relaxes, the canter has a good natural balance even though it's wobbly and wonky at the moment so it never feels too uncomfortable
Travelled home well and was happy to chomp his tea and then go out in the field to tell his mates all about his adventure. I was a bit apprehensive earlier today, wondered if we were going off the deep end a bit, but he absolutely rose to the challenge and tried his socks off. It's such a nice change to have a horse that is straightforward about life, he lets you know when he doesn't like something but he never says no.
Excited to see what this winter brings now, hopefully we will get out and about to some arena hires and little clinics and then eventually start some prelim classes.
Comedy face to finish, he was very interested in all the sights and sounds when we finished!
When Salty scanned in foal it became apparent that I needed a new spare, so she could go and live in the field while she cooks her baby
I have to have 2 horses on the yard because Kira has to have a buddy, and I'd rather have a rideable horse in the second stable than an expensive pet! My OH shoes a couple of ex racers that his clients got straight from a local trainer and he said they were nice people, so the clients put in a good word for me and I was delighted to be invited to come and meet some retired horses looking for new homes.I explained what I wanted to do with a horse (dressage and a bit of hacking), and they thought Darcy would like to do the job as he wasn't brave over fences and had nice paces.
Went to meet him in the field where he'd been dossing, and he seemed like a very nice character so I arranged to go back and collect him a week later.
Day one, just off the lorry at the end of June
Kira gave him her usual welcome
but she and I swiftly came to be quite fond of him!
Started out just doing some easy groundwork to get to know each other.
Then he had his teeth done, started vaccinations, and I got a saddle sorted.
He looks nice in purple!
Got some stills from schooling at home
And a very boring little video of him trying his bestest but still being very green and wobbly,
So on to today.
I've been taking him out for little journeys in the lorry because he is taking a while to find his sea legs, and gets quite hot when travelling. So today was a day of firsts - first proper trip out, first time indoors, first time working with other horses, first time seeing his handsome face in the mirrors... I had decided to take him because I had the lesson booked before kira got injured, and I need to have things to aim for to make me keep stretching our comfort zones. I knew it would be a nice sensible environment for his first outing - even so, he got off the box with his eyes swiveling in their sockets, shouting his head off...
Decided we better just crack on rather than start to worry about what he was going to do. He wasn't sure about entering the indoor school, and once in, shook like a leaf, worrying - but as soon as I got in the saddle he really settled into his work. He's been under saddle again for about 8 weeks now, but he forgot the last 6 of those weeks when we got there so it was very green babyish work. But I can't fault his attitude, when the other horse joined us he was distracted for a bit but then got on with his tasks, and although he got tired he kept trying and even did some sensible canter on both reins too - we've literally only just started cantering under saddle this week, so very pleased with him today.
Trainer had nice things to say about him, he's got a nice trot and will have a good walk when he relaxes, the canter has a good natural balance even though it's wobbly and wonky at the moment so it never feels too uncomfortable
Travelled home well and was happy to chomp his tea and then go out in the field to tell his mates all about his adventure. I was a bit apprehensive earlier today, wondered if we were going off the deep end a bit, but he absolutely rose to the challenge and tried his socks off. It's such a nice change to have a horse that is straightforward about life, he lets you know when he doesn't like something but he never says no.
Excited to see what this winter brings now, hopefully we will get out and about to some arena hires and little clinics and then eventually start some prelim classes.
Comedy face to finish, he was very interested in all the sights and sounds when we finished!
