Easter weekend plans

[Roxylola]

Oh no Sheep, I nearly copped it yesterday- instructor shouts leg as I'm a stride away and right next to him. Charlie bless him panicked and just took off there and then - had me right out the plate with 2 strides to an oxer on landing. Instructor casually says yeah you still need more leg in between though...
Sorry, I'll try and remember that while I'm recovering my position enough to not fall off backwards at the second element ?

 

[Season’s Bleatings]

Oh flip me that sounds like a proper near miss!!! I’ve watched the video back a few times and don’t think there’s much I could have done, I was maybe a wee bit too forward for the height of the fence but in my defence, he was starting to take off, he just abandoned it then decided to go for it ?
He is a good boy though really, he hasn’t been out sj schooling in a long while. Last year he was mega spooky at fillers, colourful fences etc but he has grown up a lot so we are really pleased with him. He was very confused at me being on the ground, bless him!

 

[mavandkaz]

Things haven't quite worked out as planned this weekend.
Friday started off well and took my boy out to meet up with a friend for a hack. He was a little hesitant to load - fair enough as over the last 2 years he's only boxed either to the vet or a different yard for rehab. Travelled like a pro and was so sensible hacking somewhere new, with a different horse who was being a bit spooky. He was very happy to be back in his own stable at the end of the day.
Today I was supposed to be taking the coblet to a jumping comp, but the horsebox chose this moment to have a flat battery. So our first competitive outing will have to wait a while.
Did go out for a lovely hack though, with sharer on coblet and me on the best boy. He has cantered a couple of times on hacks, but always his small 'teacup' canter (dressage working canter). Today he realised he could open up - resulting in a lovely big powerful stride. Unfortunately went to his head, and the next one resulted in a couple of bucks (always fun in a dressage saddle) some sideways moves and him taking a hold and trying to run off. He has never ever done that, but I'm so happy he feels well enough to act this way. Big grins all round.

Lots of lovely pics, and great to see so many making the most of being able to get back out and about.

 

[LEC]

My back is screwed - I have sent the grey horse off to a friend to be ridden this week so she can carry on in work before eventing on Sunday. I think I just need a few more days for inflammation to sort itself out then can go and see chiro. Not ideal but aiming to pick horse up on Friday and xc school.

 

[Northern]

Well the saddle fitter did not tell me what I wanted to hear. Saddle don't fit, horse not comfortable and Henry is most certainly lame. But, at least it's not in my head that my jumping saddle in particular didn't seem right when it should have been, since it has now been fitted 3 times in less than 12 months. The lameness we will go to the vet for and work out what is going on. Frustrating but thats horses. Hopefully nothing too terrible. So Henry seems to be officially off work until after baby is born. Thankfully we have al the time in the world to get him right, then bring him back in slowly and find a new saddle.

Coolie and I had a great session schooling this morning before our lesson tomorrow morning. Flat work is not his favourite, but he did some good work and I am pleased with how well he is going post semi retirement. No one tell him he is no 1 horse again, I don't want him broken too!No hiding the bump now either!

Sorry to hear about Henry, sounds just about what my TB did a few years ago. Had a vet chiro out to her this week who has told me to crack on with work and see how we go. I don't have a saddle for her either at the moment, wracking my brains now about what could fit her. Some time off usually does them wonders (mine has had 2 years!) so chances are he'll come right with time hopefully

 

[GinaGeo]

We’ve been hacking. But not just the boring roads. We’ve been out doing loads of exploring. Made a start on the rides I’ve been mapping optimistically over lockdown.

Ladybower with the bay boys on Tuesday on a super guided ride. There was a tough climb and Pod was a little star struck when he saw what he was expected to go up ? . But he really impressed me, went in front and really enjoyed himself. It’s been a bit of a turning point for him really. He’s spent most of winter being an utter clown, and having to knuckle down has been good for him.



Solo went up to the Peak District Thursday and we went exploring around the River Lathkill and the surrounding villages. I’d have gone the other way round if I’d realised, but we ended up coming down a very steep path. He looked after us and very careful got us down.



And then yesterday we got up early to beat the Easter madness and went down to the river with the ponies and had a good canter down the riverbanks.


It is so nice to be able to get them out and get some proper fittening work into them. Especially when it doubles up as a lovely outing! The difference in them has been notable, they love it as much as we do ?

 

[nikkimariet]

A lovely relaxed weekend here.

Rooni went off to the gallops on a very sunny Wednesday!



Despite a few excited cartwheels he was really great!

We had lesson on Saturday and it was just what we needed. But caused me to grapple with the vice and pliers to swap his metal curb chain for a leather one as per Sonnar’s advice!



And Fig has had a chilled week with some light schooling and a nice hack!



Couldn’t ask for much more really!

 

[nikkimariet]

We’ve been hacking. But not just the boring roads. We’ve been out doing loads of exploring. Made a start on the rides I’ve been mapping optimistically over lockdown.

Ladybower with the bay boys on Tuesday on a super guided ride. There was a tough climb and Pod was a little star struck when he saw what he was expected to go up ? . But he really impressed me, went in front and really enjoyed himself. It’s been a bit of a turning point for him really. He’s spent most of winter being an utter clown, and having to knuckle down has been good for him.
View attachment 69125

View attachment 69126
Solo went up to the Peak District Thursday and we went exploring around the River Lathkill and the surrounding villages. I’d have gone the other way round if I’d realised, but we ended up coming down a very steep path. He looked after us and very careful got us down.

View attachment 69128

And then yesterday we got up early to beat the Easter madness and went down to the river with the ponies and had a good canter down the riverbanks.
View attachment 69127

It is so nice to be able to get them out and get some proper fittening work into them. Especially when it doubles up as a lovely outing! The difference in them has been notable, they love it as much as we do ?

I recognise that first pic! Glad you had a super ride, Danielle is a good friend of mine and she’s been pivotal in shaping Roonis attitude to hacking.

 

[GinaGeo]

I recognise that first pic! Glad you had a super ride, Danielle is a good friend of mine and she’s been pivotal in shaping Roonis attitude to hacking.

Danielle’s super and it was a brilliant hack - it’s just what these young horses need!

We might see you at some point - we’re booked in for a couple of other rides with her ?

 

[Bernster]

What a great plan GG, pics look fantastic.

 

[rara007]

we’ve been out out and it was great. These are the only pictures of him I have because sitting in the sun is as much part of it as the doing (And we didn’t take anyone). Really stayed with me in the dressage for 72.5% just a couple of mistakes but it’s a 23 move test so that’s not a shocker and double clear cones.

 

[Squeak]

Sounds a very positive day Rara. GG that hacking looks amazing. LEC I hope you make a speedy recovery and haven't done any proper damage to it.

Thanks for the encouragement all, going out to a course hire again today and will try and get another lesson booked in asap. Doing all sorts of healing vibe rituals for youngster.

 

[Sprat]

We had a lovely hack yesterday that was unfortunately ruined by a complete pillock from a local yard.
A group of us from the yard had been out for a couple of hours, stopped off at a little outdoor cafe and had cake and drinks with the horses which was wonderful. Bean was a little unsettled and lost her brain a bit over a truck and trailer combination coming out of the driveway we were going into, so I hopped off while we had our snacks and enjoyed the sunshine. We trundled back home and were met on a blind bend by the same truck and trailer combo screaming around the corner, on a very narrow path towards us. I popped my hand up and asked the driver to slow down, while I indicated that we would get out of his way into a nearby driveway. He completely ignored my request and drove straight at me (I was leading). Bean was beside herself, reared up, spun around and clattered onto the pavement which was a good 2 foot drop from the road. The trailer scattered the rest of the riders, it came so close to two of my friends that their stirrups were clipped. It was carnage. I’m so angry, even after calming down and making sure that everyone was ok, it was just so irresponsible. The man was clearly horsey, as he was towing! His horse was going mental in the back of the trailer once it heard the commotion outside.
I have reported it to the BHS, though I’m not sure what that will achieve.
We often hack with children, thank goodness that we had none with us today, but a lot of confidence has been shattered and I will certainly think twice about road hacking again ?

 

[Floofball]

Well my plans nearly backfired!!
I’d never been to the venue before and the SatNav completely led me astray. Good old maps on my phone got us there but we were nearly 45 minutes later than planned - stress! Got us both tacked up and up to the work in with 5 minutes spare - stewards were shouting for me! Soon realised that my lad was knackered from the +1.5 hour journey and was giving me nothing, then another realisation that he’d never seen whiteboards, either at all or for a VERY long time!, so I entered at A on a spooky but backwards horse. I hadn’t had time for my planned breakfast so neither of us had any fuel in the tank, but we managed to finish (he tripped into his final halt which basically summed the test up ?) Then to top the day off the photographer missed us, so I have no evidence that I did my first dressage test in over 10 years, or that we looked smart - gutted
Anyhoo, many many positives and things learned.......
I’ve been out out with my bestie who was almost written off in 2017 ??
We completed our first dressage test without forgetting it and didn’t disgrace ourselves ??
There is LOTS of room for improvement so can see us hopefully getting much better scores in the future ??
It didn’t rain ??
He actually didn’t put a foot wrong and was very well behaved ?
Travelling tires him so need to plan recovery time for him ??
I need to get quicker at plaiting up ?
Remember to get someone to take photos, or at least take some yourself when you’ve gone to all the effort.
Make sure you have something to eat to avoid wobbly legs/shakes when you get off!

Had such a nice weekend though, still can’t believe we did it, all on our own as well - go team Floof ?

 

[TPO]

@Sprat that sounds awful. Did anyone get the registration? I'd definitely report to the police; he could have killed someone

 

[Floofball]

@Sprat sorry just read you post - sounds horrible for you all! I’d be reporting to the police as well!

 

[Accidental Eventer]

Sorry to hear about Henry, sounds just about what my TB did a few years ago. Had a vet chiro out to her this week who has told me to crack on with work and see how we go. I don't have a saddle for her either at the moment, wracking my brains now about what could fit her. Some time off usually does them wonders (mine has had 2 years!) so chances are he'll come right with time hopefully

I am hoping it just needs a bit of time, what ever it is. I'll ring the vet tomorrow and then we will hopefully know what we are dealing with. Hopefully it is something easy (hah, he's a horse, it will never be easy!).

Coolie and I had an awesome jumping lesson today. He was so lovely, consistent, easy and up for what we were asking of him. It was cool but humid which he finds hard work. However he put in 100% and made what we were doing feel easy peasy. He has stepped up so well over the last 10 weeks or so and is also looking fab for 18 and nearly 2 years of very little work. I feel very secure and confident jumping him, though my leg position isn't quite as secure as it should be. We have a bit of a right drift, and he prefers the left lead but I'll keep working on getting him stronger while I can.

I love my special orange pony, he never ceases to amaze me!

 

[quiteniceforacob]

First competition was going well until Frankie got tangled over a jump and fell. I fell and broke my collarbone but luckily he’s fine. Awaiting surgery to plate it tomorrow but so happy with how he was going. Wasn’t jumped since he’d been backed, and I started jumping with him early feb. Love this horse

 

[TPO]

First competition was going well until Frankie got tangled over a jump and fell. I fell and broke my collarbone but luckily he’s fine. Awaiting surgery to plate it tomorrow but so happy with how he was going. Wasn’t jumped since he’d been backed, and I started jumping with him early feb. Love this horse

Wishing you a speedy recovery

 

[Sprat]

Yes we got his reg. one of the other liveries went up to his yard and spoke to him directly, apparently he was very remorseful and pleading for us not to go to the police ? personally I think it was all a bit crocodile tears, if he was truly remorseful surely he wouldn’t have acted in such a manner in the first place...

 

[milliepops]

sorry to hear about injured WPers, speedy recoveries all round.

Nice relaxed homebound weekend here. Getting up to speed with jobs, winter TO rugs scrubbed, fencing done, general pottering, foal wrangling, schooling, pony walking and most importantly, the resumption of Gin Club at the nursery field with a friend

Here's topcob on her walkies today to pretty the post up.

 

[scats]

First competition was going well until Frankie got tangled over a jump and fell. I fell and broke my collarbone but luckily he’s fine. Awaiting surgery to plate it tomorrow but so happy with how he was going. Wasn’t jumped since he’d been backed, and I started jumping with him early feb. Love this horse

Here’s to a speedy recovery xx

 

[Roxylola]

So having clipped supercob we hacked today. Boxed out for off reading, I put his quarter sheet on though as the wind was a bit cold and he was certainly feeling it at first. Had a couple of canters then, walking down hill on some very sandy soil he stopped and bent to scratch his leg I thought - quite understandable, his mallanders is a bit inflamed and the sand might sting. Nope he rolled! Less Ben and Mulry, more penelope and kipper! I thought shouting and kicking might get him up but nope, I had to abandon ship and chase him up before he rolled on my saddle ? tbh, I was more laughing than cross, hes never done anything like that and I can only think it was the clip and he'd perhaps got a bit warm under his sheet ?
Managed to climb on off a handy bit of fence and canter up the next hill, kept him firmly on the move til we were back on proper grass though
Good vibes to all injured weekenders hope everyone is well soon

 

[Sprat]

That’s hilarious Roxy ?

 

[palo1]

sorry to hear about injured WPers, speedy recoveries all round.

Nice relaxed homebound weekend here. Getting up to speed with jobs, winter TO rugs scrubbed, fencing done, general pottering, foal wrangling, schooling, pony walking and most importantly, the resumption of Gin Club at the nursery field with a friend

Here's topcob on her walkies today to pretty the post up.

So pretty!! Lovely bridle too - Sabre I think?

 

[milliepops]

So pretty!! Lovely bridle too - Sabre I think?

Yep it's an old friend, and has fitted everything ?

 

[Chippers1]

Haven't been online so missed updating all my weekend plans!
Thursday we headed out to SJ/XC arena hire, Buzz was fabulous. He was so excited we had squeals and bunny hops (he doesn't do bucking ) and was zooming round with his ears pricked, it was so cute, if a little unnerving! He also loaded really well, only hesitated a little and even went back on with a horse not loading in the trailer next to him. I was so so pleased as it's getting closer to us not having loading issues!

Then Saturday we went for a long hack (for me!) it was 17 miles, 4 and a half hours around some lovely local villages and - if it wasn't lockdown - three pub stops! Not a hack i'd done before but it was really nice and Buzz was still up for jogging on the way home so i'm happy it didn't wear him out too much, especially as all the other horses were much bigger and he struggled to keep up when cantering! He's so good though, he just canters along at his own speed and doesn't get worried or speed up when they go off into the distance

Sunday was box cleaning day, it was power hosed inside and out and looks fantastic, all the moss growing on it has gone it also got a fan belt replacement to match the new alternator so we're all ready to go for the summer.

Then yesterday spent a few hours putting our Working Hunter jumps out and building a course in the field, I always look forward to having these jumps out! Jump club can now go ahead as the school is being taken over again by the riding school...

 

[j1ffy]

First competition was going well until Frankie got tangled over a jump and fell. I fell and broke my collarbone but luckily he’s fine. Awaiting surgery to plate it tomorrow but so happy with how he was going. Wasn’t jumped since he’d been backed, and I started jumping with him early feb. Love this horse

That sounds painful - get well soon! And well done on the jumping up to that point.

We had a good middle and end to the weekend. A friend came to play ponies (she's been deprived all lockdown!) on Saturday. I was keen to see how Danny would go for someone else, so she hopped on and he was fab despite her being a very different rider to me. She then got on Chilli while I led him around and he was great again, so on Sunday I rode without a lead. What a star! The 'stop' was a bit sticky to begin with but being Spanish trained he has an emergency stop installed, so a couple of goes with a low whistle and he picked up the seat aid again. We had a short trot and accidental canter and he was very sweet. I feel he's done enough to be sensible for the saddler on Friday, then we can properly get going once he has his own saddle

Danny's also going well. Unfortunately our comp next weekend has been pushed back to Monday due to the indoor school issue, so we've had to withdraw. Lesson this Wednesday, which will be our first for a couple of weeks.

 

[Bernster]

Hah chippers, mine‘s getting its greenery removed this week too. Had moss growing in the windows! Thought i might have a field of mushrooms in the horse area but luckily all clear. I feels like we’re all getting scrubbed up and ready to get going !

 

[J_sarahd]

My Easter weekend was eventful. It was my birthday on Good Friday so pony had Friday and Saturday off. Took him for a hack on Sunday with another girl at the yard and it’s the first time in a long time that I’ve been scared on him.

Started off with both boys being spooked by a tractor on the other side of the hedge before we even got on. Should’ve taken that as a warning of things to come. We went down the lane, everything was fine. Then a load of DofE or Scouts guys came in the other direction with big rucksacks. My boy hates anything that makes a rustling sound as much as I’ve tried to desensitise him to it. So we had spinning, rearing, trying to bolt home - for a good 5 minutes. We both got off to walk them past it but both boys were wound up by then and did the same thing at two random people. Luckily there are no cars on this lane and the people all stopped to let us past. We decided enough was enough and went home. So absolute disaster of a hack. And it’s really knocked my confidence