A 'not quite out of my bad books, but getting there' DP update

[vallin]

Last time I updated, the honeymoon period with DP was well and truly up and tbh not enough has changed to make me think that she is going to still be with me this time next year, however I have had a few fun days with her so I thought I'd share

Following on from XC schooling at LD I decided she needed to strengthen up her 'jumping muscles' so I booked in for a couple of grid work lessons. Ignoring ,the part where I fell off and took at 1m upright with me, both sessions were really good and DP's getting much quicker with her front end - she's always been careful, but she's really starting to tuck up these days. However, in between jumps she still felt really 'flat'

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10202038203631488

I then had the vet out to give her a full MOT, just to check her dopiness was just her/change of season and not something clinical. He did a full work up and ran her blood, with nothing obvious/specific turning up. We came to the conclusion that if she gets any dopier I'll do a bute trial, but for now it was worth focussing on tweaking her management and seeing if that makes any difference.

Apres vet we managed another hack round the block, on our own, past the cows, with all four feet on the ground, and then a couple of 'ok' schooling sessions.

And then today...D-Day, or should I say H-Day...mine and DP's long awaited hunting debut Not going to lie, I felt physically sick before we set off, and seeing a rider nearly launched from her horse before we'd even got going did nothing to calm my nerves. However, after many renditions of twinkle, twinkle, little star, we were off and away. It was great, DP ran when the others ran, stood when the others stood, jumped when I asked her, and didn't kick anybody/thing The only slight blib being a dodgy moment was on the second line where I lost my stirrups, breaks and steering all in one go and ended up doing some weird kung-fu movements to try and kick my lost pedal into a useful position, but I like to think no body saw, so that's OK

No high quality, both of us looking spiffy pics, but some questionable pony and Michelin rider ones for your amusement

Excited to be going to a party

Ready to go

Waiting to set off (the cows definitely caused me more problems than anything else!)

Sweaty head!

An unattractive action shot

Back at the box, doing what she does best

Over and out!
V and DP

 

[Bernster]

Aww I love her fluffy big ears! Maybe hunting will give her that extra spark you're after? But saying that my previous horse was fabulous and safe and we did loads together, but he was always naturally slow and steady and that was just his way. I never changed that and I realised he was fab as he was, just not the horse for me any longer.

I hope you have lots of fun with her whatever happens in the long run

 

[vallin]

Aww I love her fluffy big ears! Maybe hunting will give her that extra spark you're after? But saying that my previous horse was fabulous and safe and we did loads together, but he was always naturally slow and steady and that was just his way. I never changed that and I realised he was fab as he was, just not the horse for me any longer.

I hope you have lots of fun with her whatever happens in the long run

Haha, yeah, she has mahoosive ears, especially when covered in fluff!

That's pretty much it, hopefully it'll be the making of her, but if not, come next year I'd rather find her a more suitable home than try and fit a square peg into a round hole

 

[Orangehorse]

What is her breeding? I had a dark brown mare with big ears, she was Hannovarian x TB.

I like your horse! If I was looking for something she would suit me - nice and quiet and well behaved but can jump a bit. Perfect.

 

[vallin]

What is her breeding? I had a dark brown mare with big ears, she was Hannovarian x TB.

I like your horse! If I was looking for something she would suit me - nice and quiet and well behaved but can jump a bit. Perfect.

She's westaphalian http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/della+prima

Had to post this picture from yesterday, ha!

 

[lurcherlu]

My girl is exactly like this ..... Makes me work harder than her doesn't get excited out hunting and is mrs cool .

The exact opposite of everything I've ever had where I could of put barbed wire in their mouth and they wouldn't stop , my girl is young I can feed her up for a bit of sparkle tho . Ad I only got her to hack as that's all I've ever done but she's taken me out in the last 6 mo ths (had her 3 years backed and broke her myself ) and we've sj for my first ever time , Xc (virgin to that too) dressage (another first ) and hunted in a sane and controlled manner and I wouldn't change her now

 

[ester]

Hunting might help

what do you feed her? Frank does tend to be oated up .

 

[vallin]

Hunting might help

what do you feed her? Frank does tend to be oated up .

She has grass and unmollassed sugar beet as has to be low protein, unfotunatly that means pretty much any form of cereal/bean/mix is out! Debating moving onto mollassed sugar beet when I've finished this bag, or a feed called gain 10 elite.

 

[ester]

Bummer, we're annoying barefooters so rock unmolassed beet and oats. Other mare who has tied up before get's beet/linseed/copra depending on work load.