First weekend in June plans

[ycbm]

One raised pole session for back muscle building.
One half hour barefoot in the grit arena for foot conditioning.
One solo 30 minute hack booted on the front for R&R and confidence building (him and me! ).

Bloody horse is so flipping intelligent! He was great last time(first time) but already he's worked out that all he has to do is tap the raised poles and they fall. "Raised poles" in future will be all the 12-18 inch cross country fences!
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[Red-1]

Bloody horse is so flipping intelligent! He was great last time(first time) but already he's worked out that all he has to do is tap the raised poles and they fall. "Raised poles" in future will be all the 12-18 inch cross country fences!
.

I am struggling with BH's intelligence sometimes too. For example, he likes minties. He gets a mintie for specific things, one of which is standing whilst not only mounting but then faffing. He is now good at standing and allowing lip salve, gloves, tissue, gloves again etc. He waits for the mintie and would not consider moving off when he knows one is on the way. Only... now he drops the first mintie.

Originally, it was the occasional accident. It is too much faff to get off and retrieve it, so originally I would leave it on the drive ready, as he also gets one when I dismount at the end of the ride. Took about three times before it he would drop the first one, I would produce another, he would then 'ask' to pick the one up from the floor.

This has become suspiciously regular!!!

I am now frantically re-training so no, he does not be permitted to retrieve the dropped one!

 

[little_critter]

I am struggling with BH's intelligence sometimes too. For example, he likes minties. He gets a mintie for specific things, one of which is standing whilst not only mounting but then faffing. He is now good at standing and allowing lip salve, gloves, tissue, gloves again etc. He waits for the mintie and would not consider moving off when he knows one is on the way. Only... now he drops the first mintie.

Originally, it was the occasional accident. It is too much faff to get off and retrieve it, so originally I would leave it on the drive ready, as he also gets one when I dismount at the end of the ride. Took about three times before it he would drop the first one, I would produce another, he would then 'ask' to pick the one up from the floor.

This has become suspiciously regular!!!

I am now frantically re-training so no, he does not be permitted to retrieve the dropped one!

Yes, they can be frustratingly intelligent sometimes.
A while ago I gave my boy a treat ball. A spent a little time kicking it around dispensing treats to show him how it works. He didn’t appear to grasp it.
After a while I needed to get on with something else so left him….at which point he started kicking it round like a pro. He’d just been using me as a treat dispenser.
And I’ve written previously about how my grass addicted mare worked out a way to ditch me so she could scoff grass without me trying to stop her. It actually took some real thought on my part to gain the upper hand on that one.

 

[scats]

Horseflies are out to ruin our lives now. I’ll be hacking Millie this weekend and long reining Polly.
My friend is home from Australia for a month, for the first time in 6 years, so I’m going to catch up with her on Sunday and meet her 2 children.

 

[Bernster]

I am struggling with BH's intelligence sometimes too. For example, he likes minties. He gets a mintie for specific things, one of which is standing whilst not only mounting but then faffing. He is now good at standing and allowing lip salve, gloves, tissue, gloves again etc. He waits for the mintie and would not consider moving off when he knows one is on the way. Only... now he drops the first mintie.

Originally, it was the occasional accident. It is too much faff to get off and retrieve it, so originally I would leave it on the drive ready, as he also gets one when I dismount at the end of the ride. Took about three times before it he would drop the first one, I would produce another, he would then 'ask' to pick the one up from the floor.

This has become suspiciously regular!!!

I am now frantically re-training so no, he does not be permitted to retrieve the dropped one!

Especially where food is concerned! Finn is the same. I first used treats years ago to get him to stand still when mounting. He now waits before moving off to remind me to give him his ‘standing still’ treat!

 

[TRECtastic]

No plans for this weekend but can I include next Tuesday?

I had a big birthday in January and we booked an escorted ride in the wyre forest with bank farm , its on their horses and called a 'bubbly bumble'
Post ride bubbles and buffet , hot tub and swimming pool included
We're also staying in their lodge tue night so we can really relax and make it a short break
Really looking forward to it , one of my friends that is coming has her big birthday in Oct so I may even bake a cake

 

[blood_magik]

We survived
He was an absolute idiot in the warmup but we got there eventually and there were some nice moments in the actual test. We had a few mistakes as well but the main aim was to see it through to the end, which we did.

Not sure he really deserved that score as it was pretty messy in places but I’m certainly not going to complain

 

[tda]

We popped Bo on the trailer and travelled all of 7 minutes or so to the Trans Pennine Trail!

Had a fantastic 5 mile hack including lots of trotting and cantering. He was pulling like a train to begin with but settles much more quickly in new situations now.

Just an absolutely lovely morning.

Working tomorrow, then hacking out from home on Sunday.

View attachment 114933

One day, in the future I will go on the trans Pennine trail (I've been saying that for the last 20 years)

 

[millitiger]

What a beautiful day today!

I was good and 'did my bit' this morning, volunteering at our RC show.

Came home and had a jump, practicing proper corners (trainer said not allowed to think or them, or build them, as funny oxers if wr want to move up to 100) and Dima was a really good boy, very bold!

Then a quick session with little Welsh pony, getting him used to roller and long reins flapping about, as he is ready to start going on slightly more grown up walks around the field.

In spite of loving this weather myself, I do REALLY wish for a week of rain, so we could go eventing.
I see lots of other people out and about and do wonder if I am too precious about his legs...

 

[southerncomfort]

I am struggling with BH's intelligence sometimes too. For example, he likes minties. He gets a mintie for specific things, one of which is standing whilst not only mounting but then faffing. He is now good at standing and allowing lip salve, gloves, tissue, gloves again etc. He waits for the mintie and would not consider moving off when he knows one is on the way. Only... now he drops the first mintie.

Originally, it was the occasional accident. It is too much faff to get off and retrieve it, so originally I would leave it on the drive ready, as he also gets one when I dismount at the end of the ride. Took about three times before it he would drop the first one, I would produce another, he would then 'ask' to pick the one up from the floor.

This has become suspiciously regular!!!

I am now frantically re-training so no, he does not be permitted to retrieve the dropped one!

Bo also gets a mint for standing quietly at the mounting block.

He has somehow worked out that sucking them makes them last longer!

 

[southerncomfort]

One day, in the future I will go on the trans Pennine trail (I've been saying that for the last 20 years)

You definitely should!

I expected it to be busier than it was. It was very quiet until about 11am. It was lovely having it all to ourselves!

We don't have many bridleways here so it's great to have the TPT nearby.

 

[ycbm]

Bloody horse is so flipping intelligent! He was great last time(first time) but already he's worked out that all he has to do is tap the raised poles and they fall. "Raised poles" in future will be all the 12-18 inch cross country fences!
.

He redeemed himself with a super solo hack today. Three hesitations, a few backward steps but went on once allowed to survey the risks. My biggest fear, common with ex racers, that he would always try to catch up with any horse in front of him, has failed to materialise at all.

 

[ycbm]

You definitely should!

I expected it to be busier than it was. It was very quiet until about 11am. It was lovely having it all to ourselves!

We don't have many bridleways here so it's great to have the TPT nearby.

Anyone want to organise an HHO ride out? I'd love to do it.
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[scats]

Anyone want to organise an HHO ride out? I'd love to do it.
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Id be up for that with Millie!

 

[southerncomfort]

Anyone want to organise an HHO ride out? I'd love to do it.
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Brilliant idea!

If anyone is anywhere near me, we usually join at Dunford Bridge. They've just refurbished the car park to include 3 very generously sized horsebox spaces and there is a small cafe along the trail.

 

[Caol Ila]

We have a castle. Hermosa went into it on Friday. Not many of you are very close, though.

 

[Boulty]

We’re off to the Fuzzball’s first ever TREC comp tomorrow having convinced some poor soul to pair up with us! Last time I competed was 2018 and it was when the Orange one was starting to go wrong again so think we actually only completed one comp that year (I mean the first withdrawal was my fault for getting heatstroke in flipping SCOTLAND of all places but the other was definitely due to pony starting to not enjoy himself partway round) Fair to say I’m a wee bit out of practice and as is consistent for Fuzzball he’s not quite where I’d hoped he’d be when I was originally planning the entry. (Kinda hoped maintaining canter for 100m in a straight line might be a thing by now but unless he finds something to nap towards (perhaps if I get my helper to stand at the finish?) I’m not optimistic and thus expect nil points in the MA as there’s slugs that walk faster than him!)

Our last TREC camp involved rearing & other baby having a tantrum behaviour because he wanted to eat the lovely lush grass in the XC field… luckily the grass at this venue appears to be mostly half dead, ground super hard though so don’t think we’ll be setting any speed records. Almost tempted to boot him for the PTV course as it’s rutted in places and I’m paranoid about his sidebone but there’s water & if it gets in his boots they’ll be minging & worried they might then rub (& I’d never normally boot on grass)

 

[southerncomfort]

Good luck Boulty!

Can we have a full report afterwards please?

 

[southerncomfort]

Another day, another glorious hack! Hope everyone is having a good Sunday!

 

[Accidental Eventer]

Henry was super today at riding club! Honestly foot perfect show jumping and he gave me the best feeling cross country. He was all class, it felt like he’d have jumped anything I pointed him at. It was an incredible feeling.

 

[little_critter]

I’m starting this thread because I’m actually doing something for a change!
We are off to a fun dressage show (more like a day of test riding clinics because you get extra judge feedback)
We‘ve not competed in over a year, we went back to basics (still lots of basics to work on!) and have only recently got to a point where I feel we are ready to strut our stuff again.

Well I’m glad I did that. I’m very pleased with Theo. He was on my aids and giving me the energy I wanted even though it was a hot day.
We had a couple of blips that brought the score down a bit. He did a nearly-buck into R canter which is unheard of. I think he was just in a bit of a tizz. Unfortunately it took a couple of movements to get him back on side.
Then he tripped over his feet in medium walk.
Judge / trainer feedback was good and as expected. It’s all very pleasant at the moment but he needs to come up in front more and be more together.
I agree with this, and now I have some energy to work with I can work on that. While he was going along like a slug I had no chance.
We ended up on 64%.

 

[oldie48]

Monday week ago I got on Mr D and he was very lame, he'd been a bit reluctant to walk out to the yard but once i was on board he just said "no". Initially a question mark over nearside rear hoof, possible abscess brewing but it turned out to be a muscle spasm in HQs.. I have been sick with worry but was with him when our excellent physio treated him and the change was remarkable. He's had time off, been long reined and I've now hacked him out quietly three times and he feels good. Actually he feels very fit and jolly, a bit "naughty" today which was not helpful as we met lots of farm vehicles and my companion horse is not great in traffic so relies on Mr D being sensible. Tomorrow we'll have a quiet school but physio is going to come back just to check all is OK. I am still totally thrilled at having tickets for the Olympic dressage and have booked accommodation. If anyone else is going, please private message me as it would be great to have others to share with.

 

[Red-1]

Saddler today, just a check-up. The dressage saddle was best as-is but the jump one had a little tweak.

We are now off XC schooling on Tuesday!

 

[blood_magik]

Well, Jack decided to play ball today and loaded with zero hesitation. We actually ended up leaving 20m early as we didn’t need the extra time I’d allowed to get him on the lorry

He travelled so much better as well and felt much softer in the warm up as a result. We needed one 66% test to get his final points and ended up with 2x 68% and 2x 2nd, so it was worth having to get up at 4.45am.

Definitely looking forwards to my day off tomorrow

 

[maya2008]

One first show for my mare and son’s pony. Both of us got dumped in the clear round - me after the last fence (rodeo of relief/protest at being away from friend so long) and son at fence 10 (fish swimming in the sea). Both placed in the class afterwards (phew!). So an expensive trip (new hat for me) but a really good transformation from one round to the next!

Kids also took the 4 year olds out. Things to work on and successes there too.

 

[mavandkaz]

Have had this past week off so have been doing an intensive driving course to do my C1.
I had already bought a 6.5t and sold my 3.5t, so no pressure to pass the test on Friday!!.
Luckily it all paid off, and so Saturday was spent getting the lorry ready, taking it for a quick spin and fill with fuel.
Today the horses went in it for the first time (luckily loaded and travel well), and myself and a friend went off to a fun ride. Lovely ride in the sunshine, although had to keep mainly to a walk with just a couple of canters due to the ground being so hard. Really hoping we get some rain soon or I'm going to run out of grass again.

 

[Bernster]

Congrats on the new wheels - v exciting !

 

[scats]

Went to my friends party yesterday and finally met her two children. We grew up together as our mums were (are) best mates, then friend moved to Oz in her twenties. I haven’t seen her for about 6 years so it was lovely to catch up. My brother turned up with my baby niece aswell so that was nice.
Then I took Millie out for a quiet hack because I was a bit ‘peopled’ out. Two hours at a garden party with a lot of people I don’t know or haven’t seen for years is mentally exhausting and I feel like I need a few weeks to recover!

 

[dorsetladette]

Mr Ben was amazing yesterday. I was really worried it would all be a bit much and I'd be flying a welsh cob shaped kite all day, but he took it all in. A bit jumpy by the lorry to start with them he settled and soaked it all in. We came home with 2 5ths and a 2nd which I am over the moon about. lots of lovely comments about him, we just need to practice a little ring craft. bursting with pride that my nervous nelly may have found his 'thing' it may only be in hand showing to some but with all Ben's issues the way he behaved yesterday was pretty overwhelming.

Well done everyone that competed and glad everyone had what looks like fab weekends.

 

[Boulty]

Full report tonight when I’ve got time to write it but for now a few photos (hopefully, if they’re small enough to post )