Pre Christmas Bay Boys round up :)

nikkimariet

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Long time no update!!!!

Both boys been really well behaved recently :)

The year is winding down for Fig... He did the splits in the field a little while back, so had a few weeks off work. We've had a little play around with bits and he loves his turtle top borrowed from big bro. He then lost quite a bit of weight due to ulcers but that seems to be sorted now :)

As of yesterday, we've had Fig for FOUR years now!!! Bonkers. How time flies.

This was the day he arrived:
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Absolutely love this horse. So much...
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We've had some fab lessons recently...

Went to see Michael Eilberg in November. LOVED my lesson. Brain is still crammed full with ideas! Worked on the suppleness which is a major thing for Fig with his tension. I'm trying really hard to keep my reins longer and the neck out (but the jaw closed) so he can track up and swing through properly. Can't wait to go back in 2016!

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Held a clinic at ours with Steph Croxford early December too. Although Fig had a *think I've finished now* tantrum, he worked through it really well. We were able to do some very calm single changes, and also play with the suppleness of the pi/pa (which helps the quality of the trot and canter in turn).

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Our last few competitions of 2015 started in Dec with Moulton - total write off! Due to a mix up it turned out I didn't have a judge for my classes :grr: So took the time to school him through his tests in a competition atmosphere, which was really helpful actually. He warmed up great to be fair to him and wasn't spooky at all.

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Then last weekend we went to Vale for 2 x Advanced Mediums. He was super, totally solid warm up (got that down to 45 mins now!). Loads of stuff still to polish and correct but mega pleased and will upload the videos shortly. 65% and 66% so just an irritating lone point away from securing our summer regionals qual!

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And Mr Goofark! He has also been a super boy. Steph really pleased with how he's come along. He does 3 sessions a week. 2 are 20 minutes in the school. And 1 is a hack :)

He's been swapped to a nathe as is soooo quiet in the mouth he really needs to gain some confidence in the hand. Otherwise, he's started a little leg yielding in trot and gear changes in canter. He really is very level headed, despite a tricky start to his ridden career. Totally unspooky and we've ditched the lunging at home.

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Took him to a friends to use their arena. 3 very pretty mares hanging at a nearby gateway! Had a little huff huff huff, we did lunge as it was his second time away from home and well, that's just being sensible. Once PS was on, he looked 100%. Needed a few minutes of spiral circles to get him concentrating and relaxed over the back.

Had a momentary blip that looks more impressive than it was, more of a happy hump than any naughtiness! And then settled down to some fantastic work.

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As we've both got some (well deserved, if I do say so myself!) time off over Christmas, taken the opportunity to have some fun :)

Yesterday the boys both had jumpies!!!! Goofy bless him, first ever jump. He's really unfazed by... Well... Everything these days!!! Fig loves his jumps but he was SO calm and we were just shy of jumping 1m (I totally lost my nerve when I had my jumping pony, so quite a big thing for me!!!). As you can see, he still remembers his seasons hurdling ;)

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And today... We went hacking! As a group of 3!!!! Goofy is great. Proper fearless leader. Fig did well to contain himself at not being in front, but was actually very well behaved. Bruce had a little spring in his step today too!

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And um, I forgot to tie Fig up. Was like this probably for about 10 minutes before we realised. Good pony, he is so lovely to handle round the yard.

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Over the break Fig is going to the gallops (Goofy not confident enough in *forwards* things currently, so not fair to ask that of him just yet), and then they're doing their first arena hire together! Fingers crossed they will behave :)

Have a good one guys!
 

_EVS_

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NMT do you have any advice re ulcer supplements? My horse has lost a lot of weight since moving yards in October and there are a few other symptoms that concern me. I've followed your progress with fig and would be interested to know what you've sound successful with feed vs performance etc. My boy is v reactive to certain feeds so it's a constant issue! Thanks and sorry for hijacking! X
 

nikkimariet

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Thanks guys :)

EVS - I put Fig on a course of omeprazole. I would have kept him on this a little longer but he was hardly eating and it's hard to syringe down. We have had great results with Protexin acid ease before. So I started syringing a loading dose down him. Once he was eating up again I've been adding it to his feed. I'm using Apple juice to keep him interested in his grub and he is one hundred thousand percent better.

With regards to feed fig is very reactive too!! He is on fibre and oil diet - winergy condition, oats, linseed, mollichaff calmer.

The elite equine mega build supplements have been amazing at building in back up to weight. I really rate those. They are totally organic and amino acid based, so no chance of adverse reactions :)
 
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_EVS_

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Ahhh thanks for that - Ive ordered some acid ease so it will be interesting to see if there is any difference in him. I'll explore the mega build supplements too if there is no improvement in his weight/topline. Thanks very much and a happy new year to you xx
 
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