As this season comes to a close...

[JenHunt]

I was looking at the meet cards, and worked out that Ron has had 22 days so far this season, with 2 left for him. Of those, I've had 13 days and OH has had 9, with 1 each left.

It's been a wonderful season - hunting unfamiliar country, over less familiar terrain, with new people, and some familiar faces. I've missed our moor tops, and forestry days (when you can get out of the wind!) and our incredible views, but I've loved the hedges and old turf too.

I've had a blast, and conquered a fear of hedges. I've realised that my horse is actually a legend, and I'm not just biased. I've realised that much as I love the Bilsdale and its country, there's more to hunting that just our little corner of God's Country.

Never, in a month of Sundays, did I imagine that Ron would have coped with the faster days, with more jumps, and fewer hills. But he has, and though his backside isn't quite the same shape as after a season charging up hills, he just looks incredible at the moment.
Bare in mind that these were taken last Sunday, after Ron had hunted on Saturday and just finished an hours XC schooling bareback with OH.

and after all of that, I usually get to the end of the season thinking that I'll be glad of the rest, and not usually had so many days... this year is different. I'd be happy for it to continue another month or so before I'd want a lie in on a Saturday!

One last thing before I sign off... Keep an eye on H&H next week for a mention of OH and his day hunting bareback, and please help him raise lots of money by donating on www.justgiving.com/teams/withoutasaddle

Summer Well folks

 

[jmb]

What a wonderful horse. Looks great, especially when you consider the amount of hard work he has been doing. Hope he gives you more seasons of happy hunting, and good luck to the OH - not sure I would brave bareback hunting!

 

[JenHunt]

So, that's my last day done... and it was a suitably lovely day to finish with. We covered a lot of ground, in a mixed bag of weather and ground, and of course with good company.

how's everyone elses season been?

 

[chestnut cob]

So, that's my last day done... and it was a suitably lovely day to finish with. We covered a lot of ground, in a mixed bag of weather and ground, and of course with good company.

how's everyone elses season been?

Great Two years ago I said I wouldn't hunt my horse again - he has arthritis and I'd decided it would be too hard on him so he was going to do DR... he had other ideas. He hasn't particularly enjoyed much of his work since stopping him from hunting so last year I decided I'd do one last season on him. I was well aware it would probably shorten his ridden career but came to the conclusion that at 16 (now 17), he'd prefer to enjoy a shorter ridden life than a longer, boring one. He's also not the easiest horse in the world to hunt because he's big, strong and incredibly opinionated. He knows his job very well so when I'm able to just shut my eyes and let him get on with it, we have great days. He's done 7 days this season, which is far more than I thought he'd ever manage again, and has one remaining (probably last day of the season).

I think we've had every type of day imaginable... had disastrous days (when he got caught in wire early on, ripped a shoe off and now has some serious scars ), had a fantastic long day where we stayed out 'til it was nearly dark and jumped everything. He started the season v strong and tricky, got over that and was a delight, then he got injured and needed some time off. Been out 3 times since coming back into work and appears to have now become a fire breathing dragon... but he's jumping out of his skin so all good fun. I also had a day on a lovely hireling, much slower and more steady than my horse but incredibly safe and we even jumped a little gate

So overall a great season (though I haven't done 22 days like you JH!!), feel like I've got to know my horse much better, we've both become a bit braver and even if he retires to just hacking now, I know he's had a fab final "hooray"

 

[L&M]

Chestnut cob - your post made me smile x

 

[chestnut cob]

Chestnut cob - your post made me smile x

Good Makes me smile when I think back over this season, though I could also kick myself for things I should have done that I didn't, and things I shouldn't have done that I did do! I am really hoping he'll manage 3-4 short days next season but no matter if not, at least I know we've both enjoyed this one.

 

[JenHunt]

Chestnut cob - your post made me smile x

same here...

If he's fit and well CC don't retire him too quickly!! Try noBute or similar to help him be a bit more comfortable the following day, or vetrofen (we've used it a few times when we've had a tough day). Ron turns 18 this year, and this has been just about the best season I've had on him yet!

he's still a monkey at the start of the season, but he's settling more quickly, and even when full of himself he's safe and sensible, just strong and impatient! He'll have an easy few weeks after this weekend, then we'll gather him back up for some HT and a few little events over the summer, and get going again if he's still full of it. And he's not particularly one who needs to be busy, he's happy to be busy or roughed off, or anywhere between!

 

[spotty_pony]

He is looking fantastic.

My season has been good thanks. Managed to get out cubbing three times and hunting five times this season. Had some fantastic days and jumped some amazing fences! I have also conquered my fear of hedges - I jumped three at our closing meet on Tuesday! My boy has been amazing and I am so proud of him.

I don't want the season to end yet either - can't believe I've got to wait until September until we can get out with the hounds again!!