Last Weekend Plans for Feb

[Caol Ila]

Took Gypsum on a 4.5k hack, her longest one since she went lame and January and I got back on her two weeks ago. I've been walking only, but didn't entirely achieve that when we ended up around 20-30m behind a fellow livery (who'd popped out of a different trail) on the home stretch. Fellow livery decided to trot down the road. I don't know if she knew we were behind her or not. But Gypsum started plunging, pulling like a train, and trying to trot off. I held her back, just about.

I was very happy that she was still sound in walk today, and we did a wee half hour wander.

 

[SibeliusMB]

After not jumping for two weeks for various reasons, we popped around some courses this morning and this young man was a complete star. Super soft and consistent like he had just schooled yesterday. ❤

It's fun and gratifying watching the young ones mature!

 

[TheHairyOne]

Well I hurt this morning having unceremoniously hitting the deck jumping yesterday - coming off on the flat obviously.

Playing with grids and horse went for a long one at the first (ok, we were on a bit of a misser but it was a tiny x pole), changed his mind, nearly over his head then, saved it and jumped the grid with no stirrups but fell out the side door on the corner at the end! I blame my instuctor for the 'well sat' shortly before i was eating sand.

Where it all went wrong. Did manage to do the 3 fences after this.


Just to show we arent totally incompitant this was earlier in the week!

Hope everyone enjoys their Sunday. Plus side, horses moved into the spring field yesterday so at least i dont have to lug out hay today.

 

[oldie48]

We had an early hack, but we baby sat another livery so we just had a potter round the estate. Baby horse was very good, and Charlie just goes in to "work" mode so my only input is speed and direction really, hes ace at playing nanny ? then his owners kids wanted a go at driving the shetland (whos actually quite nice) so I walked her 2 year old gelding out with them. He went upfront the whole way and mostly behaved very well - only mowed through me twice i think ?
He did however spend all his time shouting for company - not entirely sure he realised that the strange wheeled contraption out with him had a pony attached to it ?

Ah the joy of meeting shetlands pulling a cart when out for a hack, only trumped by meeting loose shetlands (had become detached from the back of the cart accidently) being followed by agitated driver in cart being pulled by shetlands! I remember it well!

 

[Roxylola]

Oh it is remarkable the level of chaos one small well behaved pony can create. We hacked with one of the other liveries a while back, he was fine behind the cart, fine up sides, had a mental breakdown when she was behind him ?‍
I can only imagine how upsetting it must be to meet one you didn't take with you ?

 

[iknowmyvalue]

Hacked yesterday, just round the “regular” loop, but still managed to do a 7min fitness canter. Schooled him today, he is feeling fantastic at the moment and I swear his canter gets better every time I ride him. We’ve struggled so much with his canter but I feel like things are finally slotting into place with it all.

Also took advantage of the nice weather to give him a much needed bath, though he will just go out and cover himself in mud again tomorrow ? think he’s looking pretty good all things considered!

 

[Roxylola]

Ooh he looks fab, we had a later than ideal but early enough hack so we got a couple of short canters in. And I've spent the day incrementally clipping. The blades get terribly hot very quickly so I do a bit, do something else and do a bit more. Its not my favourite way to do it, but the job is done now anyway. All off with a coarse blade so his original clip line still shows a bit, but all the horrid cat hairs are gone and he looks much smarter. Hopefully we won't have another horribly cold snap or i might have a very fresh supercob ?

 

[palo1]

Did a very quiet but hilly 12 miles today Alw was such a good girl apart from napping horribly at a farmyard with 24 (truly) sheepdogs in crates all barking along with a deadstock box, quad bike etc etc. Eventually we got past though it wasn't pretty. My poor girl! She was angelic for the rest of the ride but a diversion due to friend's horse being a total useless plonker meant miles of extra road and stony tracks so now her feet are rather worn down. Friend's horse really did not help at all, anywhere and is not the calm, confident companion that was required; in fact he kept losing the plot or napping rather severely meaning that dear Alw had to be the bold, brave, consistent horse. It was a glorious day though and at least the hours we were out she did not spend eating as she is working hard on her Springwear waistline!! I have apologised multiple times in the form of grooming and wither scratches but the poor thing does look mildly disillusioned this pm.

 

[DirectorFury]

We had a lovely hack today, as the weather was so nice we took a stroll down to the beach! I kept M in walk though as I didn’t fancy her p*sing off with me ?. We had a nice paddle though!

 

[GinaGeo]

What a difference the sun makes. All that much missed motivation has come flooding back and when the sun cracked through the curtains this morning, I bounced up to beat the cars and get out hacking.

Solo achieved superstar status looking after mum and babysitting the five year old out happy hacking. Another new, slightly busier route, and despite needing a firm kicking on at the beginning when his brain started to bubble over he did snap out of it and was actually very good on the way home.

And then had a spring sprucing session. Cat hairs off everyone, feathers trimmed up, tails tidied and manes pulled. It’s nice to have a smart looking herd again as opposed to the scruffy reprobates that were languishing outside ?

We also managed to get the fence repairs done. Didn’t want to end up trying to knock posts in again in summer like last year ?

 

[DabDab]

Took our Pebbles out for her first road hack today (up until now I have boxed her 10 mins up the road to the good forest hacking). And typically the roads were a bit hectic...bearing in mind I hack those lanes probably an average of 4-5 times a week, I can count on one hand the amount of other horse riders I have seen on them, but today we met 4 horse riders and a pony and cart. Also approximately 17,000 bicycles.

Fortunately Pebbles was pretty pragmatic about it all. She jumped a bit at the first couple of whizzing bikes but after that was ok. Good pony ?

As a side note, is there anything more smile-inducing than the native pony hacking march? She's just so much fun

I also ran the dog over with the clippers. Pic below to amuse you all ? I'll try to get her to the proper groomers in the next couple of months, poor girl.

 

[nikkimariet]

Hectic week! Work is manic as I have landed a near dream like new role at a new place so I am just completing my final 2 weeks of my notice. Very exciting. And terrifying. And stressful!

Rooni has been epic this week. He had his first ride in a double and felt lovely, confident and happy.



It was D Day for the jump saddle on Saturday! I was mildly bricking it tbh. He can throw some serious shapes and it’s been a long time since I’ve felt so exposed in a saddle. Luckily, he was bloody epic and gave me a real nice ride!






Fig has had a chill week and went for a 2 hour hack instead, he loved it!



And then Roonis turn today. A bit nervous as due to his 2 months off then a month fittening back up, he hasn’t been hacking in nearly 3 months.



Thankfully, he was just awesome and 99% was done on the buckle!

I have certainly made the most of the nice weather. My show entries from December have been transferred to April, so I’m looking forwards to competing kinda soon. And I have a lesson booked in. Starting to feel normal again!

 

[HufflyPuffly]

We did our favourite hack today ?

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Some amazing pics. That beach ride looks awesome DF x

 

[Roxylola]

Love all these hacking views, ours is mostly scrub or motorway
Pre and post clip attached - not the best post but he was quite fed up by the time I finished so I popped him away to catch up with his eating schedule lol

 

[TheMule]

Dramatic ginger was very good to jump today in the amazing sunshine. One moment of drama at fence 1 in the first round when she balked in horror at the shadow in front of the fence ? but then jumped super

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Enjoyed my double jumping lesson. Toby feels a lot stronger and straighter. And Dolly was fab fun! I've missed jumping. Nice to feel like I am getting back into the swing of it finally.

 

[Coblette]

Loving all the lovely pics ?. So nice to have some nice weather ! I’ve got a 5 month old so I managed to sneak out for an early solo hack Friday morning while he was still asleep. And hubby joined us on foot for a hack today with buba and took some sneaky snaps!!

 

[scats]

Went for a quick hack yesterday. I planned a longer one, but a bloke I haven’t seen for ages popped down to walk his dogs (he’s the resident pigeon shooter) so I went over for a catch up and it somewhat ate into my riding time.

 

[Chippers1]

I also managed a little bit of jumping this weekend! Set up a tiny grid (3 jumps..) in our school and managed to get up to an 80 before Buzz got too tired, really pleased as I haven't jumped anything large (large to me anyway!) in absolutely ages. I love how confidence giving grids are. Also really pleased with my new saddle when jumping bigger, felt much more secure.
Hacked on Saturday on the long route which was lovely and the ground was finally dry enough for a couple of canters. Even more pleased that I didn't use Buzz's boots and he managed the whole way barefoot perfectly his feet are coming along so well, it'll be a year in May since the shoes came off. I wouldn't say he was 'rock crunching' but he can definitely walk over the few stony paths on that particular route much better than he has been able to previously.
I'm planning an arena hire for the 30th of March, get in there as soon as I can!

 

[Bernster]

Love the beach, hacking photos and sunny pics and videos.

it was obv spa day this weekend as F got a trim and tidy up too. And we popped a few small jumps in the school which is the first time for months. Really good to do that so I don’t feel like it’s been ages since we jumped. And even better I managed not to throw myself back and get left behind, which I do when I’m nervous, and managed to go forward with him, which should really help us both confidence wise as I know it’s me that causes any issues with our jumping.

Lovely test result and feedback from our 2nd online dressage comp. Worked on the mistakes from the 1st test and our marks went from 59% to 71% (and 2nd place 0.3% behind my friend). It was a different and more generous judge but still, a nice result which shows that we can do some decent work. And a nice frilly to come in the post.

Also got the lorry battery done and took it for a quick spin. Wiped the mould off and checked there were no mushrooms growing in the back !! Almost ready to face the world from March 29 ?

 

[dorsetladette]

What a glorious weekend. We had lovely hacks and got some amazing work out of the very unfit fat cob. He is so eager to please and tries his heart out even though he is out of shape. Can't weight to get him back to fitness and bust some moves in a proper arena again.

We got so much done and even managed to successfully introduce new livery pony to the boys with out blood shed. Livery and I have both lost ponies to kicks in the field so hearts were in mouths for a while but a bit of spring grass and we are all happy.

Had a bit of a splurge on myself and the boys to this weekend. and for the first time in a long time I don't feel guilty. New inhand showing outfit for me (just need some good running shoes now) and a white halter for tiny taliban AKA Robin. New boots and breeches for me and a new girth for B as he is a little on the portly side and I keep punching myself in the face with his current one.

 

[ihatework]

Well that was a sunny weekend we all needed ?

Not much going on in IHW land, went to watch the 5yo - sporting his first shiny pair of shoes! More small technical jumping for him, completely nailing bounces and jumping on acute angles, holds his line better than Lewis Hamilton ?

Then went and attacked the 2yos with the furminator. Turnip was in heaven, poor Millie decided she was far too precious for such torture

 

[milliepops]

funny couple of days in Kira-land, Saturday she was grinning madly and storming around with great gusto, we played a little towards passage and just developed the intensity of the easy work she's been doing slightly.

Sunday... was a madly hormonal day I pushed my luck by leaving the doors open, then Darcy started neighing and Kira couldn't contain herself and legged it out of the school. Whoops! she did eventually agree to get on board with my ideas and did some good work. she feels absolutely full of beans and ready for action, just needs the edges knocking off her attitude

OH cleared up the fallen tree in the field. Bit of a weird one, it toppled down one very windy night so assumed it was just one of those things. but he said it had clearly been cut down, at least partially so that it would go when the wind took hold. Who cuts down a fully mature tree and lets it plop down on top of someone's boundary wall?? anyway, one step closer to getting it re fenced and the firewood has gone to a good home.

attempted to roll the nursery but it's still just a touch too wet, hopefully get that done tues or weds.

Doesnt she look sweet and innocent....? hahahahaha

 

[j1ffy]

funny couple of days in Kira-land, Saturday she was grinning madly and storming around with great gusto, we played a little towards passage and just developed the intensity of the easy work she's been doing slightly.

Sunday... was a madly hormonal day I pushed my luck by leaving the doors open, then Darcy started neighing and Kira couldn't contain herself and legged it out of the school. Whoops! she did eventually agree to get on board with my ideas and did some good work. she feels absolutely full of beans and ready for action, just needs the edges knocking off her attitude

OH cleared up the fallen tree in the field. Bit of a weird one, it toppled down one very windy night so assumed it was just one of those things. but he said it had clearly been cut down, at least partially so that it would go when the wind took hold. Who cuts down a fully mature tree and lets it plop down on top of someone's boundary wall?? anyway, one step closer to getting it re fenced and the firewood has gone to a good home.

attempted to roll the nursery but it's still just a touch too wet, hopefully get that done tues or weds.

Doesnt she look sweet and innocent....? hahahahaha

How bizarre about the tree! People seem to be getting very bored and doing very odd things...

Kira looks so sweet in that photo - you'd never know ?. I'm hoping AMD can open up again from 29 March, I'm happy to stay in the lorry to eat and sleep but would love two lesson days in a row and to get off the yard before heading back to comps. Justine's back to ours for a lesson on Wednesday so will see what she thinks!

 

[milliepops]

How bizarre about the tree! People seem to be getting very bored and doing very odd things...

Kira looks so sweet in that photo - you'd never know ?. I'm hoping AMD can open up again from 29 March, I'm happy to stay in the lorry to eat and sleep but would love two lesson days in a row and to get off the yard before heading back to comps. Justine's back to ours for a lesson on Wednesday so will see what she thinks!

she's very good at conning people, the vets think she's an angel too! heheh
It's been nice having the place to myself but I know if I was off site I'd be itching to get back so I hope they can open again soon the new railway cabin shower room/kitchen has been fixed up during lockdown (it's currently my morning office!) and the hook up has been revamped so I know S is hoping to see some overnighters soon too x

 

[j1ffy]

she's very good at conning people, the vets think she's an angel too! heheh
It's been nice having the place to myself but I know if I was off site I'd be itching to get back so I hope they can open again soon the new railway cabin shower room/kitchen has been fixed up during lockdown (it's currently my morning office!) and the hook up has been revamped so I know S is hoping to see some overnighters soon too x

I've not seen the cabin! Sounds great

 

[milliepops]

I've not seen the cabin! Sounds great

it was quite derelict before, next to the old greenhouse. Greenhouse gone, cabin looks pretty tatty on the outside still but inside there's a nice shower/loo, sink, microwave, kettle, HEATER!! etc. V civilised and nice for the overnighters to not have to trek down to the indoor for a wee in the night

 

[j1ffy]

it was quite derelict before, next to the old greenhouse. Greenhouse gone, cabin looks pretty tatty on the outside still but inside there's a nice shower/loo, sink, microwave, kettle, HEATER!! etc. V civilised and nice for the overnighters to not have to trek down to the indoor for a wee in the night

That will be most welcome ?

 

[Ample Prosecco]

67% & 3rd place for Dolly and Katie in E-riders. She is very happy with that.

Less successful with Toby but scores are heading up slowly. We scored a fairly depressing 59 in Dec, 62.5 in January and now 63.25 so we are progressing slowly. It's not great but it's in the right direction. He's still a bit wobbly and unbalanced. But the rhythm and connection are much better.