First weekend in April plans

[CanteringCarrot]

Ok, I know on the last thread that I started I said that I wouldn't start these threads anymore due to a little jealousy problem that I have (as I sit in quarantine watching the world go by), but I succumbed to a bit of boredom whilst in quarantine. I will, however, be unleashed on society at the weekend. So that's my plans! Busting out of quarantine and finally seeing my horse.

Lovely livery friend has been doing some of his chores/care and sending me photos/video/and also a FaceTime chat ? a good young rider has been riding him every few days and they'll do a pole/small jump lesson today. So this atleast helps control his weight a bit. Mine on the other hand...

So I'll be cleaning my tack, catching up on other yard housekeeping, and maybe riding! We were supposed to be at a dressage clinic, but I had to cancel. I hope you all have a nice weekend, whatever you may be up to, and despite the weather.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I've also realized that these have turned into more of a "week plans" thread

 

[milliepops]

more of the same, here... trying to manhandle unruly horse around the arena and trying to nudge young horse up the learning ladder

Praying for weather better than forecast so OH can get the eff on with my lorry, i have PLANS this spring that require getting mares to vets!!! Grrrrrrrr

Hopefully slip another lesson in next week, we are not achieving a lot but it's keeping me focused and improving my faith in myself

 

[Roxylola]

Nothing specific for this weekend but I am off next week so I am hoping generally to fit in some cross country schooling - maybe Smallwood - so that I inspire myself enough to enter for Eland for 1st of May. Other than that, just general ridings, our fields are open for riding so we have a set of showjumps out and a 40x20 arena laid out but if the weather is as the forecast that might not be very usable

 

[Ambers Echo]

WE ARE GOING EVENTING ?????

And I think my fabulous sparkly Christmas competition boots are finally arriving today. What a saga that has been. But just in time. ?

 

[Chippers1]

I have horsey plans! Going to a local hunt ride with some friends from the yard. Will definitely be taking him in a pelham.
Hopefully the snow will be gone by then!

 

[J_sarahd]

It’s my birthday on Saturday!! So pony is having the day off but we have a dressage lesson on Sunday to run through our test, which I am excited for as I rode him on the flat yesterday and he was actually very good, apart from a few leaps in canter and spooks.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Not a lot planned this weekend - and looking at the forecast, I'm happy enough as temps are allegedly v cold.
Been saving up as the following 2 weekends are v busy!
Good luck to those competing and have fun whatever you are doing x

 

[iknowmyvalue]

I’m visiting my parents so no horsey plans for the actual weekend. But have a Dr lesson tonight and an XC lesson Monday ?

 

[Alibear]

Another quiet one which seems fitting given the weather forecast. Amber and I both have minor health issues so taking some time out together. All should be resolved in a couple of weeks and we'll be back invigorated & getting ready for a fun-packed June

 

[Bernster]

Some fun things planned it seems. OP I have visions of you bursting out your front door!

It snowed here today. Only lightly but what the hell is that all about?!

Ok pole work session yesterday as dressage saddle is being re flocked. Less rushing and losing balance which is good, but I’ve still not got the right balance between killing the pace, allowing him to open up, keeping the energy and not rushing off or falling onto the forehand. But this doesn’t bother me now, which is also a positive, I just need to work on my aids and not getting stiff when it goes wrong. And I also do this stupid thing of firing him into even just a single canter pole. I do it with Finn too but he ignores me better. Don’t know what it is but it improves when I close my eyes! Not a great long term tactic, and something I need to work on.

Hack Saturday. Munstead hunter trials on Sunday.

 

[palo1]

It's 'Schooling Thursday' again for us Last week I had a clear plan of what I wanted to test and 'achieve' and thankfully all ticked off. I need a plan for this afternoon so will do that during my coffee break this morning at work. I 'think' it will be about canter transitions, square corners and lots and lots of bending/transitions. Jumps are up in the hired arena so I will make the most of those for bending around and if they are suitably inviting we may pop one or two as well!!

Things have changed a bit for me in terms of 'goals' recently and I am not sure where that is all going sadly but at least it means that I am focussed on quality of work rather than hustling for specific outcome or event!! I have definitely been guilty of that in the past and I know it doesn't necessarily result in real progress. Alw prefers the cooler weather so hoping she is full of energy and enthusiasm for the sand pit today lol.

 

[palo1]

Some fun things planned it seems. OP I have visions of you bursting out your front door!

It snowed here today. Only lightly but what the hell is that all about?!

Ok pole work session yesterday as dressage saddle is being re flocked. Less rushing and losing balance which is good, but I’ve still not got the right balance between killing the pace, allowing him to open up, keeping the energy and not rushing off or falling onto the forehand. But this doesn’t bother me now, which is also a positive, I just need to work on my aids and not getting stiff when it goes wrong. And I also do this stupid thing of firing him into even just a single canter pole. I do it with Finn too but he ignores me better. Don’t know what it is but it improves when I close my eyes! Not a great long term tactic, and something I need to work on.

Hack Saturday. Munstead hunter trials on Sunday.

I have to confess, though I know it to be wrong, that a certain pony rider inside me loves firing horses at jumps....!! It IS wrong but there is a kind of guilty pleasure in it too. #don'tjudgeme hahahahahaha!!!

 

[palo1]

WE ARE GOING EVENTING ?????

And I think my fabulous sparkly Christmas competition boots are finally arriving today. What a saga that has been. But just in time. ?

Have a lovely time; a fun outing will be very well deserved for both you and lovely Lottie.

 

[sheep]

*raises hand* pity party here ?

This weekend we should have been going to the DI winter nationals.. despite our best efforts, the big lad still isn’t right so we have withdrawn. Frustratingly he trotted you looking FABULOUS on Tuesday for the farrier, but got on board last night and the lameness is still there. Absolutely gutted for us both; for him, because he’s such a dote and for me cos it would have been the biggest thing I’ve ever done.

Booked in for lameness workup on Tuesday so wish us luck that it’s something minor and fixable.

He’s currently out in our all weather turnout like the bionic man, with ice vibe boots on in front and arc equine behind ?

We had considered going to watch the dressage but instead are going to go fence judging at EI instead. Less FOMO that way ?

Have a lovely weekend everyone and wishing you huge luck for your eventing debut with Lottie, AE!

 

[milliepops]

awww sorry to hear you'll be missing out, Sheep. hope he is back to full strength again very soon.

 

[sheep]

awww sorry to hear you'll be missing out, Sheep. hope he is back to full strength again very soon.

Thanks MP! He’s the most important thing and tbh I’m glad he isn’t right NOW rather than getting to the comp and something going wrong there - his well-being has to be at the centre of our decisions. I am really missing riding though and it has only been like 10 days ?

 

[palo1]

*raises hand* pity party here ?

This weekend we should have been going to the DI winter nationals.. despite our best efforts, the big lad still isn’t right so we have withdrawn. Frustratingly he trotted you looking FABULOUS on Tuesday for the farrier, but got on board last night and the lameness is still there. Absolutely gutted for us both; for him, because he’s such a dote and for me cos it would have been the biggest thing I’ve ever done.

Booked in for lameness workup on Tuesday so wish us luck that it’s something minor and fixable.

He’s currently out in our all weather turnout like the bionic man, with ice vibe boots on in front and arc equine behind ?

We had considered going to watch the dressage but instead are going to go fence judging at EI instead. Less FOMO that way ?

Have a lovely weekend everyone and wishing you huge luck for your eventing debut with Lottie, AE!

That is such a shame for you Really sorry you are missing out - it is always just horrible.

 

[RachelFerd]

I took both boys for XC lessons at Somerford yesterday and they were both excellent. Sadly no videos as OH had to work. Baby Isaac jumped everything first time - confirming that everything we did last Summer was still installed. Ditches, water, steps, skinnies, owlholes - all absolutely no bother. He's entered up for a 'have a go' non competitive ODE at Epworth next weekend - v excited about that!

Simon just did a short session as he's eventing tomorrow at Thoresby. He was quite fresh (surprising given he's already run in 2 novices this year - perhaps the chillier temps??) and he was jumping well over some coffins and water fences.

Looking forward to running in the novice at Thoresby tomorrow. Course pics are up and it gives the appearance of being a bold but not too technical track - but you can never truly tell until you walk them in the flesh. Not particularly looking forward to the journey though - I already plan to load at 5am, but given the temperatures are so low, I'm not sure I should drive over the Woodhead pass across the Peaks - so may have to take a lengthy detour to come across on the M62. So maybe a 4.45am loading time instead...!

 

[Bernster]

I have to confess, though I know it to be wrong, that a certain pony rider inside me loves firing horses at jumps....!! It IS wrong but there is a kind of guilty pleasure in it too. #don'tjudgeme hahahahahaha!!!

Haha. I’ve just about stopped the awful pony club kick, which initially sent Bertie into orbit ? but I seem to feel the need to charge towards the teeny tiny pole on the ground ?‍

 

[palo1]

Haha. I’ve just about stopped the awful pony club kick, which initially sent Bertie into orbit ? but I seem to feel the need to charge towards the teeny tiny pole on the ground ?‍

I have never had a horse that needed the pc kick but I have many times had a keen one that means as we come round to look at whatever knitting needle we are trotting or cantering over we get a surge of energy and I just end up tucking in due to a feeling of immient loss of 'control' or 'communication' and then we just end up firing ourselves at it lol. I have learnt but need to remember that the 'canonball firing' style is not as safe or effective as the sit up, half halt and 'think' style!! I still love that feeling though of the horse taking it on and not actually requiring the rider to do much. It's not actually a particularly safe tactic though so these days I try harder to maintain a conversation about things.

 

[TheMule]

I've been stuck in with Covid this week so my plans depend on testing negative tomorrow- I may take Nova to his first show on Saturday, if I'm feeling brave. More likely I will just go hacking and maybe bring him to jump a course at work on Sunday

 

[j1ffy]

CC - enjoy your freedom!!
Sheep - that's such a shame, I hope it's nothing serious
TM - I hope you feel ok and test negative!

I should be at my trainer's having a lesson right now, and another tomorrow morning, but my lorry is leaking power steering fluid ?. The second half of March has been a catalogue of issues - covid, Chilli's lameness scare, one of my dogs needing a vet trip this week, and now the lorry! Bring on April ?

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Oh j1ffy, what a right royal pain, hope you can it fixed soon x
Sheep, hope you get to the bottom of lameness.
Covid people, hope it goes soon!

 

[scats]

Working Fri and Sat. I’m not having a good week health wise and then this sudden cold weather hasn’t helped. Roll on summer!
Girls will hack and school at some point.

 

[Red-1]

Baby horse is going to an indoor SJ lesson on Sat, looking forward to it being inside!

However, Sunday is a day on a cow working clinic. We did a private lesson there last weekend and he was absolutely fine with cows; the clinic is for me as I hate being in an arena with strangers on their horses. I worry that they won't be in control and they will do random stuff. Not these people in particular, it is my fear whenever I am in any collecting ring too! So, I am there to desensitise myself!!!

 

[nikicb]

Can't like that @j1ffy - hope you get it sorted, and hope the big lad is easily fixable @Sheep .

I am still feeling exhausted from Covid, but schooled briefly, very briefly!!, yesterday and did a test clinic today - a smidge under 73%, so very happy with that considering we have had next to no preparation. I only did it as I needed a third score to qualify for the ICC at Bicton next month, otherwise I would have quite happily stayed on the sofa! I was also pleased with myself as despite not having been ridden for nearly two weeks, I got on Maddie yesterday without getting trainer's daughter to ride first. The thing I am most pleased about though is that I have my normal Maddie back again. I haven't really posted much recently, as Maddie hasn't been quite herself since she had her vaccination (flu & tet) more than 6 weeks ago. She reacted very badly despite bute before and after, and you can still feel a golf ball size lump in her chest. She ended up tweaking her back through not wanting to move properly - understandable, but she needed to move in order to help break down the lump. The back issue was resolved with some physio/body worker treatment, but she was still just rather flat. The vet came out last week, ran bloods to check the lump wasn't an abscess (it wasn't), and prescribed a blood tonic (high Vit Bs dosage). I lunged her gently on Tuesday, and she definitely looked more her normal self, and after two rides I think she is. I am stewarding for a couple of hours tomorrow for BD at my trainer's yard, and writing at Wellington on Sunday. Maddie has a follow up body worker appointment on Monday, just to check there is no residual soreness, so probably won't get back on again till Tuesday.

Hope everyone has a great weekend, whatever you are up to.

Gratuitous picture of pretty pony!

 

[Bernster]

Yikes that is a strong reaction to the jab! Glad you both appear to be on the mend.

 

[J&S]

Yikes that is a strong reaction to the jab!

My companion pony reacted like that the first year she was vacinated, since then we have had a bute injection aswell and it does seem to have lessened the effect. Hope your pony can reduce her reactions over the years.

 

[TheHairyOne]

I was supposed to be doing dressage Sunday, but i feel awful and my partners covid test was positive today. Am thinking after all these years of avoiding it my luck has well and truely run out so I suspect I will be doing nothing.

Good luck to all those out and about and good wishes to all those nursing themselves or their horses.