My next equine project horse

I think it's well done alround!

Ted is being such a grown up for you! And I do think that mental projection makes a massive impact (good and bad) and learning to have expectations of positive outcome is a great tool.

It takes a lot to ask for help- after that it's all easy.

Chin up and kick on lovely x
 
buddylove said:
Well done to all, what a positive day! Onwards and upwards (dig out those steps) ��
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The step the breakers use is called the naughty step, I remember Ted spending a lot of time on the naughty step at home !

Ted remains awkward around his ears if you stand on the floor, get on the step and he is a different horse. Head goes down, ear cuddling is enjoyed and the bridle goes on easily. The breakers keep telling me how intelligent the horse is, shameful I have spent 2 years convinced he was the thickest equine I have ever dealt with. He is actually far from thick as the step business shows.

I was very surprised to see them mount him off the floor yesterday. I need a large block and tackle to get me on board and wouldn't be the biggest fan of mounting from the ground, given the twist on the saddle and back. Their view was there is a lot of things that are less than ideal but Ted has to accept them even if he is never mounted off the floor again, he is able to cope with it. Fair comment really ! They also do a lot of patting and thumping the top of his quarters whilst on board - fab I thought, at least when I do a beached whale effort of dismounting and kick him on the way down he will not go into orbit !

There might be a few pictures of Alice at the weekend, all being well she will be sat on. Can't let Ted advance without her, she will sulk. There is a nice show in July with novice cob classes, they could compete against one another, that would be fun, just imagine the name calling across the ring, Alice would be calling him a furry fart and Ted would be calling her fat bird. Sadly I am judging so things might be biased !
 
Genuine question - are they allowed to enter if you're judging? I used to show my Sec D about 20 years ago and thought then that any horses owned by the judge weren't allowed to be in that class?
 
Oh how wonderful! :) Aw go Ted! :D So pleased for you, he's just lovely! :D

I always look forward to a Ted update, I even mentioned him to the MIL the other weekend as one of my favorites, wondering how he was getting on at "Big School" :)
 
So much news! I am amazed about Ted. These people must be worth every penny, I'd say. Just fantastic to read about his progress - what a relief, too. Has OH seen him?

Happy birthday to Alice - think I'd thump anyone if they gave me a muzzle though <g> - and as for Martha's hedge-tunneling...wow.
Also very impressed by you attending that course: takes quite a bit to even put yourself forward for something like that. Sounds as though it was good.
 
annagain said:
Genuine question - are they allowed to enter if you're judging? I used to show my Sec D about 20 years ago and thought then that any horses owned by the judge weren't allowed to be in that class?
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No !! annagain I was joking. Even if I sold them/loaned/leased them they could not compete in a class I was judging.
 
teacups said:
So much news! I am amazed about Ted. These people must be worth every penny, I'd say. Just fantastic to read about his progress - what a relief, too. Has OH seen him?

Happy birthday to Alice - think I'd thump anyone if they gave me a muzzle though <g> - and as for Martha's hedge-tunneling...wow.
Also very impressed by you attending that course: takes quite a bit to even put yourself forward for something like that. Sounds as though it was good.
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The course was brilliant, I have never spoken to a mental health specialist and having an insight into how the mind works was fascinating. I kept it all together until we talked about how the horses kept me going and the occasional ride during chemo, the look on the lovely lady's face was a picture.

Husband was with me last night and was like a proud parent when he saw Ted.
 
Ah, it's so difficult sometimes to judge without hearing tone etc!
I'm quite sarky in real life but don't risk it on here in case people don't get it when they read.
 
annagain said:
Ah, it's so difficult sometimes to judge without hearing tone etc!
I'm quite sarky in real life but don't risk it on here in case people don't get it when they read.
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Very good point. If Ted and Alice competed with me as judge they would give the game away anyway, Alice would be screaming 'mummy mummy keep that ecking cart horse away from me' and Ted would rush over for a kiss off me, fail to stop in time, mow me flat and step on my posh hat.

Occasionally you will see a conflict of interest in judging, most often at championship level where a horse has been judged and won in qualifiers only to find the championship judge bred, produced or sold the horse at some point. Very frustrating situation for an owner.
 
Caol Ila said:
Expectations are funny things.
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This is SO true.

Friend finds her mare hard work to handle, stressy and a bit of a pain at times. Horse tends to be a stresshead type, who lacks a few manners, but I have no issues handling her or with her misbehaving badly (although have no particular extra experience!!). Only difference is our approach and attitude towards her. I expect her to behave and give her an opportunity to do so. Everything is done in a calm, slow and 'listen and work it out' type manner, which she very much respects. Friends expects her to be fidgety and unpleasant, and so that is what she seems to get. I feel awful when I say 'Your horse has been fine this weekend!' when I look after her whilst she is away, plus I actually find her quite sweet when she is given a chance to work things out!

AA- I have popped in and out of this post occasionally, but never commented. Ted looks like he will make a very lovely grown up horsey. I hope he brings you lots of joy on his return, and less bruises and frustrations!

ETA- Just read you had your first meeting with a counsellor. Amazing how much insight they can give you, and how normal they can make you feel. Some of them are very special people with the work they do, so glad to read you actually enjoyed it and long may the positivity continue :)
 
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Ted has been given his Ipad back so he can read Carl Hesters dressage books. Sadly this means contact with the outside world and Alice has received an email.

My Darling Alice, you must help me for I have been kidnapped, disfigured and sat on. I need MI5 and fast.

My lager shandy was spiked and I was bundled into a get away ambulance. I am in a secret location and they removed my compass so there is no hope of tunnelling home, in fact I was strip searched which was so embarrassing. You must tell MI5 that I am in a field by a rail track so they can find me by train or aeroplane. Tell them Mum will pay a ransom.

Love from Ted.

Now Alice is busy herself at the moment and the reply quite possibly won't impress Ted.

Hello my furry farting fool,

You can stay where you are, I get all of Mum's attention now and my education is improving daily. I scored a nine in last nights lesson, bet you can't trot like me. Mum told me I have better paces then you and I am incredibly balanced for my age. Let's face it Ted you are unbalanced in more ways than one. Look at my picture Ted, when my legs are shaved and Mum stops hacking my mane off with the kitchen scissors I am going to be gorgeous.

Your ever tolerant Alice xx

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I love this thread. Some things are eye opening as well. I had a horse who would be an idiot on the way back so I had to be aware. Friend rode him, he came home on a long rein very relaxed. I rode my friends horse (same friend) who was prone to bucking and tanking with her. Never did it with me. If I felt him start to coil up I would push him on. Different expectations. So glad you saw a councillor and you must be amazed at how much this has helped you. Don't best yourself up too much about Ted..we are all capable of getting too close to our horses and you have had such a lot to deal with. Ted, has, with the best will in the world, thrown quite a few curve balls at you as well so it's not totally one sided!
 
OldNag said:
Yed and Alice really are coming on in leaps and bounds (hopefully not too many leaps though!).
How much longer will Ted be at boarding school? He is going to be one heck of a cool dude :)
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A long time yet, he cannot come back until he is safe for me. Common sense is telling me to find a home for him. Husband will leave if Ted leaves. Do I need three ridden horses at my age ! I need a lottery win and empty days to devote to the horses. Dream on.
 
Borstal report in, with a video that I can't get onto here sadly.

He is hacking out, going first or last without issue and is happy with cars, motorbikes, push bikes, joggers, dogs and cows. Other horses don't bother him either. He loves his hacking and his breakers are rather fond of him.

Alice is now trailing in his wake. Her lessons are going ok but she is not comfortable in her mouth even in just a straight nathe. Time to wedge her in the stocks and get the gag on I guess.
 
Ted is going to become even more of a superstar! Poor Alice............it's the D time :( . I am proud of Ted and I have never even met him! :) :) :) x
 
Ted...the teacher's pet?!?
Do hope you didn't say anything silly to anyone like 'I'll eat my hat if they get him to do x', or at least pray that they didn't record you saying it.

If Alice bet her pocket money she has probably lost the lot. Maybe she is not uncomfortable in her mouth but doing an ' I swallowed a wasp' face every time she is reminded of Ted's progress. <g>
 
Aw, so good to hear that Ted is making great progress. Alice is probably in a state of shock having read his report card and a bit off balance, hence apparent lack of progress.
 
It has been quite a day in Ted and Alice land.

Alice was given a stiff gin and when she was suitably three sheets to the wind, her mouth was winched open and inspected. A few points and a lot of changes going on in there, she was made more comfortable and whilst she was away with the fairies we shaved her legs, armpits, belly and bikini line, plus her beard. She scrubbed up nicely.

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Then a trip over to see Ted, who is no longer allowed to be called The Twit or feral. In fact he is now officially Super Ted.

The boy hacks, with a mate but needs no lead, he coped with everything nicely, including the canal bridge and a huge tractor.

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Then he moved yards, took a few minutes of investigating the ramp but walked on and travelled the 20 minutes well.

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I think the furry farting fool is growing up into a stunningly handsome horse. Undecided about trimming him up or leaving him traditional, what do you think.
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Yes, I like it, the shape, the colour, everything - have you got one in a smaller size please? :-)

I'd leave Lord Ted as is - his feathers look nice and silky, so won't take too much sprucing up for the beauty parades.
 
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