As the year draws to a Close ---- achievements and aims?

[LiffWee93]

What did we all achieve this year? whether it be something little or large!

This year, we made the decision to sell Tiger - a pony i had on loan (the owner and I's joint decision) after having a HUGE career change and starting a new degree, so i would just have one pony to ride -- as much as i loved the little welsh, it was the best decision i ever made!


We nearly lost our oldest pony rufus, after he nearly went into liver failure, it was touch and go for a while, but pleased to report he has gone from strength to strength and managed to go out to a few outings with his sharer and just be wonderful!
a month or so after repeated biopsies and well into treatment, and put on a good 50 kg...

recently, after a little bib clip while we wait for his annual bloods to see if the liver damage creeps back in .... hairy happy boy!

having sold tiger, it gave me loads of time to work on my little mare, Lola, aka witch pony she has gone from strength to strength, we have done tonnes of dressage, up to scoring 70% in a novice, made our BD debut a winning one, working higher at home and did our firt dressage to music test at novice! done her first proper sj competitions, done her first xc schooling and sponsored ride, did an open ridden class at the new forest show and warmed up next to scurry pairs and the household cavalry, and generally had loads of fun properly getting to know each other! we also celebrated our 8 year anniversary after owning her since a weanling, wild off the new forest!
shes gone from wild, to just about quirky, and just lovely to ride, despite the odd days we also had a photoshoot with lights and all and managed to get my mum back riding ---- soooooo pleased, after having a big accident when she was 5 and bveing told she would never do anything- she is the best thing ever
some of our favourite photos from the year, soooo many to choose from!

next year, id love roo to get out a little more and have more fun with his sharer, and with lola, i want to have a go at some hunter trials and a bit more sj, to prepare a go at doing some working hunter classes affiliated as a laugh - go back to the new forest show and have her behave even better than previous, and hopefully increase our placing by one! also make our affiliated novice debut and qualify for area festivals and make our elementary debut
please follow lola's page on facebook if you are a user just a little page to help me keep track of our progress https://www.facebook.com/groups/897906510287525/?fref=ts

GO!

 

[ycbm]

I managed to get through a year without having a horse put down! First time in four years. That's a record I never want to try and beat. On the plus side, I have two and a quarter horses I've never loved more, and I've reached an age and stage where I am content with what they do today and not striving for what they might achieve tomorrow. It's not as exciting a world as I used to live in, but it's a lot less stressful. I feel in a good place, I hope others can say the same.

OP, you look about a quarter of my age, lovely pony, lovely photos, go for it!

Best wishes for the New Year to everyone who lost a loved one, horse, pet, or human, this year.

 

[DirectorFury]

What a brilliant year you've had! Especially scoring 70% at Novice and only starting BD this year too .

Horse and I have had a quieter year due to a few unlucky illnesses (colic, then on-off lameness on her off hind [turned out to be a splint, lame for 4 weeks!], then all-round lame because farrier trimmed her too short, colic again, and eventually diagnosed and treated for ulcers) and lack of time on my side. I've also had my confidence knocked quite badly and am afraid of riding in public because I can't handle the bitching. Must toughen up.

We went out to our first unaff dressage in April and came 4th in Intro B, scoring 64%, and unplaced in Prelim 13 with a score of 54%! Canter work was poor.

Then spent a lot of time just hacking and playing and trying to get back into jumping again. Schooled around a few XC courses and got the mare over her fear of water. We progressed to jumping 90cm courses at home but the stars never really aligned to get us out to a competition as OH was working all the hours available and he is the only one who can tow the box. And when he was available we were between jump saddles :/.

Took horse to the beach in September and had a blast - she discovered that there's actually some racehorse in the Section D breeding and managed to overtake two ex-racers and maintain the lead for about a mile which I was impressed by, guess she's fitter than I thought . We went out to another unaff dressage a few days later and came 2nd in Intro B with a ridiculous (and over-generous) 79%, and 3rd in Prelim 4 with a much more realistic 65%.

Since then we've been mostly hacking and she had a few weeks off. I'm starting to increase her work ready for the BE80 at Howick in April, though we're now without a jump saddle for 6-8 weeks which is going to make things interesting. As soon as we have a jump saddle we'll be doing a lot of hiring SJ and arena XC courses, and OH has been made redundant so he's always free to tow the box now.

We're working Novice/Elem at home but I really need to make sure the contact is always 100% before we consider stepping up a level as we lose some of the relaxation and 'throughness' in transitions. I think next year is going to consist of Team Quest with my YO and friends, a summer of BE, and looking to step-up to Novice unaff and maybe 'proper' BD at the end of the year . I'd like to finish our BE season with a 90 but if she's not ready I'm not going to push the issue. I'm also aiming to be jumping 1m courses at home by the end of the summer but, again, if she's not ready I'm happy to stick to 90cm and not knock both of our confidences.

I don't have much in the way of pictures of us, so here are some random ones I've taken:
Grid work

Raised poles

Dressage in April

Dressage in Sept

 

[LiffWee93]

ycbm - bless you, so sorry for your losses, but glad you have had a wonderful year with your horses and enjoying yourself!! im 22 ha

director fury - what a roller coaster year for you!! your pony is gorgeous and i wish you all the luck in completing your aims for next year! i only have a dressage saddle and do all my jumping in it haha i know the pain of getting a really consistent contact and getting "throughness" -- ponies dont always find it easy and mine is a little ball of tension when shes allowed to be, cant wait to see reports next year!!

 

[Pigeon]

Lovely thread

Our year started off with Pony being not quite right, unlevel and horribly grumpy. He was eventually diagnosed with ulcers in April, and after treatment was a totally different horse, and came on in leaps and bounds.

We started competing, and he got his highest ever score in July, 80%! Obviously very generous, but it convinced us to finally go out and do some BD.

Here's a couple of pics from that test;

Went straight out at Novice, and me being nervous, made some errors of course :S But, we got 62%, so achieved my goals of not falling off and getting over 60.

We did our first winter qualifier and he got a smidge under 67% and 3rd place (moron rider got lost again, or we would have won!)

Since then he has just been an absolute angel, and in his last 6 times out, has placed top 3 and got loads of points! I never thought I would be competing at dressage, let alone moderately competently at Novice BD. Never in a million years

We did our last show last month, and since then it's just been hacks and snuggles. He's having a few weeks off over christmas, hopefully we can start working on Elementary next year.

So much love for this little horse!

 

[LiffWee93]

pigeon - i have always lurked and read your posts! he is stunning!! i wish you all the luck in the world and glad hes made a recovery from his ulcers

 

[star]

Fabulous year. Horse has gone from strength to strength. We completed eight BE100's placing top 10 in all, top 5 in the last 6 of them. We also completed the BE100 Champs at Badminton going clear XC which was such a major buzz after falling off in the BE90 last year. We worked so hard over winter on our XC and it paid off. Looking forward to going back next year with maybe a few less nerves and enjoying it a bit more! Perhaps the weather might decide to be kinder too!

In dressage we have progressed to Advanced Medium and gained 9 points, qualifying for Area Festivals and next year's Winter Regionals. Top score of just under 65% and that was with mistakes so still more to come there. Also did our first Advanced Medium Freestyle which was a great aim of mine. We continue to progress and now have pretty reliable 4 time changes and the 3's are getting there too. The aim next year is Advanced - tailcoat here I come!

We also have done a bit more BSJA and are now confident in Discovery/1.05 second phases and looking to do our first Newcomers. XC training is still coming on and next year's BE aim is a Novice - eeeek!

He is also still enjoying some hunting, lots of hacking and having fun.

Best of all I took him to Liphook last week and he had a full MOT and the vet said he would pass him at a vetting with flying colours which is better than what he said 5yrs ago when he actually vetted him.

That horse is a total and utter superstar - I just wish he could last forever. He's 16 now

 

[ahml100]

Gosh everybody has done so well this year!

I have had an very different year, spending 5 months working for a grand prix dressage rider out in Spain, seriously hard work but had the most amazing experience, Spanish and dressage have come on leaps and bounds so hopefully my dressage scores will start to improve!

Horse now enjoying the winter hunting, then will have 2 weeks holiday before commencing dressage and sj before the event season start. With the main aim moving up to novice and if all goes to plan maybe a sneaky cic*

 

[Tiarella]

Nothing to report on in 2015....had a horse on loan, horse broke, she went back. Bought a horse, turned out to be a vertical rearer/blind bolter and very dangerous in every way, he went back, bought a connie and can't get a saddle to fit.

My only aim for 2016 is to find a saddle that fits my new horse!!

 

[FfionWinnie]

Loving this thread so nice to see these horses doing well. More pics please.

I have had Daisy (mega cob) for a year now. In that time she has been diagnosed with PSSM and I've spent a lot of time tweaking her diet and now she is basically a normal horse. Which is nice. Still needs lots of special supplements, food and rugs tho (she says more food is the most important thing!)

Couldn't begin to explain how much I love her!

Day she arrived off the boat bought from a video from Ireland:

Now:

 

[MungoMadness]

I've had an amazing year. Only managed four competitions though. Competed at the unaffiliated hickstead championship as my boys second ever prelim test, (and second ever comp), then came fifth in our first Novice, then went out again and came 4th in one prelim and won the other, then a few weeks later won another prelim with 74%. I myself haven't competed outside of university except for an intro here and there so it feels amazing to prove I can do it. Very proud of him

Next year I'd love to affiliate BD, go for area festivals at prelim, get established at novice and maybe attempt an unaffiliated elementary at the end of the year. We'll see how it goes

 

[el_Snowflakes]

great thread lots of positive stories!

Started the year terribly with my horse out of action from being injured by another horse. After recovery we started competing at dressage, being placed every time out & won my first prelim

In the new year we will be moving up to novice & hope to do some affiliated BD as well as aiming to do some showjumping

 

[LeannePip]

Loads more pictures please everyone!!

This has been an odd year . . . Brilliant, Heart breaking and so exciting all rolled into one - i am exhausted from it all!

My first horse and love of my life; Pip, semi retired to hacking with my farrier and his partner, it was the most heartbreaking decision as so much was left unwritten but from a top placing in her first 1m class, curing 4faul'itus, first novice dressage, storming the hunting field and just being a star, within 4 months she endured treatment for grade 4 Ulcers, TMJD, UFP and a tendon scare. We decided some one, somewhere was telling us to stop so she's now a hugely happy pampered pet on loan to people i trust implicitly! Token picture from a couple of weeks before everything started; This horse made more dreams come true than i ever dreamed possible when we first dragged her from the field looking like the bottom picture 6 years ago;

To fill the void and the time that was now apparent, we started tentatively looking for something to carry on where we left off with, something about 16.2, 8/9yo, bit of life experience, pref Irish.

Enter Ruby;

4yo, 15.something (bought as 16h, now measuring 15.2!), wobbly just backed, Hann x ISH(one tick atleast)

She is just wonderful, and we've made good progress;
leaving the lunge line, hacking solo and in company, travelling solo and in company, XC schooling, trips to the gallops, school hires, first dressage test, 2.5day residential camp, first hunter trial, clear at second hunter trial. She's the polar opposite of Pip in absolutely every aspect but just as brilliant. I cant wait to see what next year has in store, she's just come back from a 2 month winter holiday and whilst she started off a bit Sharp and feral we've had a few break through moments and i'm starting to see more of pre-holiday Ruby thankfully!

and now a tonne of photos!;

First XC schooling

First Hunter Trial

After Winter Holiday!

 

[nikicb]

I did a post yesterday so won't repost all the pictures, but will just say I have had a few twists and turns on the way..... http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?716307-Our-2015-not-what-I-had-planned

Lola is looking fab - well done and good luck for next year. xx

 

[monte1]

So, this year has brought some very big changes for me, during January I sold my 12 year old horse (who I have had since yearling) as I wanted to move up the levels and he had just gone as far as he could (went to lovely new owner, so all fine)
in February I bought a 5 year old Irish Sport Horse, who was green as grass ( and grey- I dont DO grey! but something just clicked and I liked him as soon as I got on him.
we have worked on a few issues, mounting was interesting at first and he was quite a nervous soul, but we have worked really hard all year, he has turned into the most affectionate little horse and I have had to learn to ride a totally different type of horse - there have been plenty of ups and downs - we have been showjumping, xc schooling and done a few low key dressage tests, plenty of hacking and getting to know each other.
Back in August we were so lucky and won a XC lesson with Harry Meade at Boomerang and that was just brilliant - learned loads, shortly after that we did our first little ODE. score 34 dressage and double clear, it was less than 80cm but still super pleased with his attitude all day.
November- dressage to music debut,(prelim) 68% and 3rd place at Wellington.
December - not so good - riding club dressage for our team and made a real mess of the novice test for 57% as we both got so tense and he didn't relax or settle, my canter transitions were very poor ( did some lovely counter canter by mistake ) but it wasn't called for ...LOL
onward and upwards as I said ups and downs, we have lots to work on and I am still loving riding him.
gratuitous photo cos i love him so much !

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Super pictures and stories, LeannePip Ruby is just stunning!

Had a topsy turvy year, with none of the success of 2014 but still lots of positives!

Started the year ok, had some good scores and our first Horse and Hound write up .

Change of pace and went to a Hunter trails and did the pairs class with my bonkers friend and her equally bonkers, blonde bombshell of a horse , we came third and it was terrifying , she should go team chasing!

Had an excellent time at the Petplan championships at Hartpury in April.

Then had saddle issues with Topaz leading to physio and re-hab work, which meant we missed qualifying for summer regionals and are behind where I'd liked us to be (plan was for Elementary summers and Medium Petplans...), so we're still at Elementary but at last the scores are going up and she feels so much stronger and more established for the jump up! We have a very expensive eek fancy saddle which seems to be doing a good job for us, our instructor is still singing our praises and we were doing canter pirouettes in our last lesson . Plus lots of training at home means more chance for matchy matchy . We went to Petplan Elementary Area's but sadly didn't manage to qualify again, but have qualified for Winter regionals so watch this space, there is chance for us at Hartpury yet!

Then my little veteran show horse is where the poo news is , I retired her from competition last year after her cushings diagnosis (anyone who doesn't know the drug to treat it is banned in affliated comps). This was ok until she injured herself April this year in the field, 8 months, £1500, remedial shoeing, ulcers, box rest and a much closer relationship with my vet than I wanted, she is still not right . Though is now in the field so not quite so bad, but something needs to be done, vet is coming next week to reassess so fingers crossed .
Picture because she's pretty, whilst on pen rest

Finally baby Skylla, big year for her! She moved to my main yard in the Spring (the joy of having all the horses on the same yard is immense!). She then decided she was jealous of Doodle's relationship with the vet and got kicked in the head, which led to three absecess's, lot's of puss, lots of vet visits and another £700! And so she became Skylla-the-s'pensive . We did a few in-hand shows with some success. Into September and backing commenced! Fairly straightforward though somewhat sensitive about the first forward steps with a human on board. We have walk, trotted, cantered and were hacking out before I turned her away for winter. I've sat on her twice since and she's been a star so I'm excited what the new year will bring for her.

So hopefully next year will have less vet visits and more fun stuff .

x x

 

[monte1]

oops dont know what happened here, meant to add this to my thread!

 

[TPO]

Lovely stories everyone

I had a good year in that no horse died and we reduced our vet visits down to only two emergency call outs all year instead of monthly!

My TB ex-racer was scheduled to be PTS Sep 2014 as he'd managed to stump three vet practices, one uni hospital and two specialists after two surgeries and numerous other procedures. A diagnosis, let alone a cure/treatment, had been unobtainable so it was the end of the road. I've been there before and similar to ycbm I lost 3 of my mares one after the other annually from 2008-2010 and it was heartbreakingly devastating. I would never have a horse suffer just because I didn't want to PTS but I just had a niggle in my gut that I couldn't quiet (despite good attempts to drown it out with alcohol and chocolate!) so I decided to go it alone and give him another shot. So far so good, we've had hiccups and set backs, a retirement from the hope of getting him back under saddle was announced and his tack sold off but slowly and surely he's gotten sounder, stopped relapsing and is looking well. So that's my biggest achievement of 2015 and my tentative plan for 2016 is to get him going under saddle so he can enjoy pottering about.

I bought my QH youngster direct from stud in June 2014 and he arrived in a horrendous condition (photos in the album on my profile page). He'll be 4 in April 2016 but is a year behind development wise because of such a bad start. He's improved 100x over so having a healthy, happy, bright little horse is my achievement for 2015 with him. He's so trainable and quick to learn. My aim for 2016 is to start him under (western) saddle and have many happy years ahead.

I would try to post pictures but photobucket makes me lose the will to live! There are some pictures on my profile page. If anyone knows of an easier way to upload pictures to here I'll happily bombard you next year when Chip is being started and ridden away
Merry Christmas everyone and all the very best for 2016

 

[Twiglet]

Lovely stories...Pigeon, your horse is stunning. Star, as you know I continue to be ever in awe of Monty....

I've had a very rollercoaster year....I lost my beautiful, wonderful Buzz, after a two year battle with his bone cancer. He'd beaten one tumour but the secondary growth wasn't one that he would have been strong enough to fight, so he had 6 months living out in a field with a bunch of pals, and being spoilt rotten, before we let him go on a lovely sunny autumn day, surrounded by lots of people who adored him - I'd never seen him look so happy. Utterly heartbreaking but the right thing to do. I have never cried so much about anything in my life as I have that horse

When he was turned away I got an enormous Selle Francais schoolmaster on loan, who did a great job of helping me get my riding legs back, and giving me tons of confidence and experience. A very kind and gentle chap, who unfortunately was owned by some rather unscrupulous people, so after 4 months he had to go back.

In the meantime I finally bit the bullet, and did my HGV test and bought myself a lorry, which I love and gives me freedom!

Then, after much boring horse hunting, I came across Harley, a Buzz-lookalike 6 year old ISH x KWPN, who'd been produced in Ireland, doing the Young Event Horse series, who was being sold due to his owner's illness. Within a minute of meeting him I knew there wasn't a chance I wouldn't buy him. He reminded me of Buzz in so many ways - in looks, and in nature - and had buckets of talent. I picked him up in August, taking him straight to riding club camp, where he was utterly confused but foot perfect. Since then he's impressed me every day - winning every time we enter unaffiliated dressage, giving me confidence showjumping, and coming second in our first hunter trial (by 2/100ths of a second!). We're training with a GP dressage trainer who thinks that we could be at medium within a year, and my jump trainers both think he's the bees knees Equally importantly, he's lovely, friendly and easy to be around, and has provided a good distraction since losing Buzz. We're booked in for a January of dressage and XC schooling, a botocamp at Nick Gauntlett's in Feb, then our first BE will be Munstead in March, with hopefully many more events after that.

I am heartbroken to start next year without my horse of a lifetime, but excited for the future with the young pretender. I've also been told by Harley's producer that due to a fence jumping incident whilst he was still entire in Ireland, he has four 'accidental babies' on the ground....so there may be a shopping trip on the cards next year too

 

[dibbin]

My main achievements this year have been fulfilling two lifelong dreams...

1 - I passed my B&E test and bought a trailer, so we are now mobile! Well, we would be if the car hadn't broken down but we won't go into that ... This does mean that we got to go on a trip to the beach, and there are completely gratuitous photos of that below!

2 - OH and I bought a beautiful house with stables and 4 acres of land, so Jazz and Harley will be coming to live with us early next year once the stables have been re-roofed and we've electric fenced the field.

I couldn't be happier with this year, despite Jazz being off for the best part of the summer with hindleg lameness, and the weather having been generally rubbish for the last couple of months.

The aim for next year is to get the horses moved in and settled, and get them both out and about for some dressage once the towing car's back on the road.

Beach photos!

 

[leflynn]

Ooh great thread! I ended 2014 just being happy to have got round a few unaff DR and to have a sound horse after years of box rest thanks to lots of injury and even attempted leaving the ground in a fashion! Aims for 2015 were:
Try a Prelim (BD) and get more than 60%
A small ODE (60cm ish)

So what we actually manage to achieve in 2015 (which is small to some but big to me)
Got 67.5% in August at BD Prelim, regularly scoring 64% or higher (big thing as we loitered at 60-62 unaff)
TBE-050415-0745 by Laura, on Flickr
11202661_10207449978472854_5868745738980771339_n by Laura, on Flickr

Qualified for the BD Area Petplan (almost didn't realise) for Prelim and managed 64.5% in our class Not bad for a wonky useless rider
show pic by Laura, on Flickr
We did not one but two ODE, both at 65cm and if ithadn't been for jockey failure in the 2nd one we would have placed 4th (lesson learnt)
GL ODE 28th June 15 by Laura, on Flickr
ivesley xc 1 by Laura, on Flickr
GL ODE 28th June 15 by Laura, on Flickr

We're now confident jumping a 80cm course of SJ
We've done a few xc clinics including one with Karen Dixon and the pony hopped over a 95cm rolltop like it was a twig and shocked me at how awesome he was (excuse my position btw)
12113333_1144334505596010_4951161657354823349_o by Laura, on Flickr
12087172_1144333538929440_1288002895693887300_o by Laura, on Flickr
12113313_1144333762262751_6889198452887526994_o by Laura, on Flickr

We've had some fab lessons with some ace instructors, had some fab hacks with friends and on our own (2yrs ago he used to take an hour to get down the drive of the yard) and we have even turned our hooves to hunting and Sir Red has taken to it like a duck to water

SJ lessons
Sj @ ivesley feb 2015 by Laura, on Flickr
ror by Laura, on Flickr

Glorous view out hunting:
hunting pony by Laura, on Flickr
Untitled by Laura, on Flickr

I never imagined doing all this and every year little pony surprises me yet again (he was almost written off as a light hack post injury) Plan to try a novice, do a spot more hunting, more XC and SJ lessons and some ODE's planned with half an eye on a BE80 but there is no hurry for any of it Plus lots of hacking and having fun as ever

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Well done, jealous of your hunting, Topaz is too nutty to attempt without doing Autumn hunting first to ease her in and we missed our shot this year!

lovely pictures and I hope 2016 is just as successful for you .

x x

 

[leflynn]

Red used to be a bit of a nutter but he has grown up recently, hope you make it next year as it has made a huge difference to his attitude! x

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Red used to be a bit of a nutter but he has grown up recently, hope you make it next year as it has made a huge difference to his attitude! x

Oh it makes a difference to her attitude but not in a good way , tried when she was 6 and it was too dangerous for all involved. Waited a few years until she had matured and chilled a little, and took her again when she was 10/11. She was as good as she's going to get Autumn hunting (fine when going but 'bouncy' when first setting off), and then a ratbag again the first proper hunt my mum took her on...

She's a fabulous hunter in that she is tough, sure-footed and WILL jump anything, but once you've lost her that's it. She jumped my mum off on the second leg and kicked her accidently (it was actually an identical fall to the one I had on her second hunt with us as a six year old), so they had to come home. I'm hoping that if we can do the Autumn hunting then take her out in quick succession it will shut her up but we need to plan for it accordingly and missed our chance this season.

Picture from Sept 2014, I want to do this agian!

 

[milliepops]

Another one with a mixed year. Started the year with 2 sound horses, ending it with 2 lame ones... Hopefully one on the long-term mend and the other (fingers, toes & eyes crossed) should bounce back quickly.

Millie started the year in a good way - recovered at last from the previous injury, fit and firing on all cylinders. Went to AM Dressage boot camp, got her changes, qualified for Medium summer regionals in her first outing, ready to go Adv Med and then bang! Came in from the field on 3 legs. Back to square one, but the other front leg this time. More pen rest, more rehab, more scans, more ice, more everything. She's hacking and doing very very tentative schooling now. Hoping next scan in the new year will allow us to canter and then we'll be on our way again.
I am so over making plans with horses, but in my head I'm dreaming of just cracking on at Adv Med when she's fit and seeing where we end up. Please, god, no more injuries.

Kira - where to begin. Kira started the year pretty much unrideable and with a deadline on her head - the only way I could stay sane with her behaviour was to set a date after which she would be hound food.
Fortunately she started to unravel her weird tangles just in time, and hasn't looked back since.

First show was very green but really a very honest attempt. Since then, the more I challenge her the better she goes - I just love riding her and I'm so so glad she is still with me. Managed to quickly squeeze in qualifying for an area festival so did her first stay away show, which was super. She's been over 70% several times at BD Novice and collected more 9s than Millie ever will... (shhhh, no one tell Millie ) really really excited about her.

Until yesterday - kicked in the field!!
She's seen the vet and we are all hopeful that it's a minor thing which is just unusually painful. Wait and see. Assuming she's not seriously hurt then she has winter regionals in Feb, and then we carry on training

Other life stuff is all over the place, but the great event of 2015 for me was buying a lorry, so I have independence at last. Amazing. Love it.

Pics!

Millie doing her thing in the spring

Kira doing hers in the Autumn

 

[asommerville]

Its nice to see everyone enjoying their horses – exactly the way it should be!

We have had a bit of a rubbish year, it started out really well with some success at SJ and our first XC comp with the wee darling 8yo boy, its hard to belive that he did XC in May and by the end of September I had to make the decision I never thought I would and he was put to sleep due to ulcers, kissing spines and terrible arthritic changes to his hocks. My boy was always so so happy and loved to play and by the time it came to making a decision he was on danilon every day and was still in pain with the only option being retirement or PTS. I couldn’t bear the thought of him being in pain so had to make the decision, my heart goes to anyone in the same boat because it was the hardest thing I have ever had to do and I still miss him so much it hurts.



He was put to sleep on a beautiful sunny day having stuffed his wee furry face with carrots, that night the sky was lit up like nothing I have ever seen before – I hope it was him.



My oldie big Amber Millie horse is happily retired, living the life of riley and generally being a big pot licker – she owes me nothing and at 20 odd years old is happy, sound on an arthritis supplement and generally mooching about the field and being spoilt – I just cant help but wish I could have done the same for Rory.



On a (hopefully) more positive note after making the deicion to cut my losses, give up and just have Amber as a pet my amazing OH pretty much frog marched me round various horses for sale (said he didn’t want me mooching about the house), driving up and down Scotland we found my new horse Izzy half an hour away – that was my Christmas present sorted! Somehow after being determined that I wanted something Irish I have come home with a Warmblood……however she is lovely, we are still very much getting to know each other and I feel like I am just getting back to my old self and actually asking her to work instead of just sitting there and comparing her to Rory. It’s really hard as I think she is a seriously good horse and I keep thinking about how crap I am lol! We’re hoping next year to get out and enjoy ourselves with lots of RC and hopefully some BS and BE (gulp).



Lifes to short to have regrets so heres to 2016! All the best everyone. Ax

 

[milliepops]

My oldie big Amber Millie horse is happily retired, living the life of riley and generally being a big pot licker – she owes me nothing and at 20 odd years old is happy, sound on an arthritis supplement and generally mooching about the field and being spoilt – I just cant help but wish I could have done the same for Rory.

Sorry to hear about Rory

but isn't she clever ^^ pooing on the mats and keeping her bed clean!!

 

[asommerville]

Sorry to hear about Rory

but isn't she clever ^^ pooing on the mats and keeping her bed clean!!

Haha she is the easiest horse to much out in the world! My clever big Amber Millie 💖

 

[LiffWee93]

tthere are some absolutely wonderful stories of people having huge amounts of fun with their trusty neddies! in awe of some of you - Goldenstar - ive followed your progress through the forum for AGES, huge congrats for everything - Leannepip - Pip was my FAVOURITE HHO horse!!glad she has a happy home! however your Ruby is absolutely stunning!!
is it weird i feel bizarrely proud of everyone, for achieving what they have, or overcoming adversity - i hope all those that have lost their best friends this year are okay and are looking forward to next year with their new found friends
may 2016 bring all the luck in the world for everyone, hopefully we will all have lots to report on and keep the forum busy with lots of lovely chatter

 

[LiffWee93]

tthere are some absolutely wonderful stories of people having huge amounts of fun with their trusty neddies! in awe of some of you - Goldenstar - ive followed your progress through the forum for AGES, huge congrats for everything - Leannepip - Pip was my FAVOURITE HHO horse!!glad she has a happy home! however your Ruby is absolutely stunning!!
is it weird i feel bizarrely proud of everyone, for achieving what they have, or overcoming adversity - i hope all those that have lost their best friends this year are okay and are looking forward to next year with their new found friends
may 2016 bring all the luck in the world for everyone, hopefully we will all have lots to report on and keep the forum busy with lots of lovely chatter