One useful skill you have learnt this year?

Bills said:
Give us a hint about the medication, and getting horse to eat it please, pretty please :) :D
Click to expand...

Jam sandwiches!

I have learnt this year that slow and steady wins the race. After having spinal surgery, followed by my mare consistantly injuring herself and having what I now know was a equine equvilant stroke whilst out riding, and having to make the decision to PTS. I have found my perfect little pony!

Roll on 2014 - it really has to be time to kick on and ENJOY the ride!!
 
Determination helped me get over major issues I had with my mare. It's also made me to push myself and do things I never thought I could/would do.
 
That shouting that's my ball on a pitch with a load of French players means nothing so shut up, get a*se out of saddle and get the ball quick!
 
Canbrica - what excellent timing for me to read your post, you inspired me to resolve what was turning into a sticky situation with a friend & business partner. Life is too short to fall out over a tax return, thank you.

Flosii - I wish I'd known about jam sandwiches last week!! Thank you.

What have I learnt this year? That my horse and bloodhounds is an embarrassing recipe for disaster, that air jackets are worth every penny and Greenguard grazing muzzles are my saviour!

Happy 2014 everyone :-)
 
I finally, after years of breeding horses and knowing what to do but never having done it, took the plunge and successfully artificially inseminated the last of my unbred mares. Next breeding season I will quite happily do it if I find myself in a similar situation.
 
I have learnt a lot about hind suspensory ligaments after George was diagnosed with PSD, really wish that wasn't something I'd had to learn.

As a result of the above and George nearly injuring himself badly (or worse) coming round from his op I have learnt that just being with him is the most important thing of all. I have enjoyed hand walking him, brushing him and just spending time with him when we couldn't do anything else.
 
I'd like to think I've mastered the skill of staying on the daft beast. Despite lots of bareback, bridleless, garrocha and other games I've managed to only hit the deck once, and that was when there was a whole pony/floor interface, so technically I didn't fall off, pony ceased to be upright. However, after his performance today I can confidently say there is still plenty of time for him to deck me before the year is out!
 
that horses can and do break sometimes, and often all at the same time!

I've been very lucky in that I've gone years with no problems, but 18 months ago my wonderful grey injured his tendon so badly he's retired, my warmblood went lame a few months ago (unknown why) and I believe this is him now so he's only good for a light hack (I don't hack) and my little shetland we've been struggling to get sound due to cushings (been considering PTS). The only sound one I have is my very first pony who is about 28 years old now! But hey ho, got a new horsey coming soon which is very exciting and my shetland does seem to be improving so perhaps looking up finally??
 
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
Ditto this...... particularly when my boy was trying to "tell" me that his saddle wasn't right.

Also; have learnt to sit back and observe, and watch horses more (like, in the field when they interact together) rather than rush in and spoil it.
Click to expand...

Definitely listen to your gut instinct. I learnt this with Ruby this year. Now if I feel there is something wrong I don't hesitate to act.
 
Patience. Humility. A sense of humour ;)

Seriously though, I think riding dobbin in dressage tests has given me more confidence and a thicker skin - I needed it :)

Also that you don't need to sacrifice equitation to get a horse going well - the two go hand in hand. For years that one eluded me for some reason.
 
I learnt how to take a horse's temperature last winter as we had a strangles scare on the yard. A valuable skill but not sure I have quite got over the embarrassment of enquiring at several pharmacies about rectal thermometers.

This year I have learnt to clip.
 
How to drive a trailer :-) and after my friends beautiful young horse passed away, that life's too short, stop worrying about what you don't do and enjoy your amazing horses while you have them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top