Second (Sunny?) October Weekend Plans

[SaddlePsych'D]

Can't see a thread yet and I actually had horse plans this weekend

Beautiful day to ride, bit chilly with sunshine and the autumn colours really coming through. Long may this last!

I opted for a lesson today as haven't been in the school for a while and I am soooo pleased with how it went. My RI read my mind - I wanted to play with 'gears' in trot using my seat to practice not going to my hands to slow down if I get anxious. I thought this will help with my hacking confidence too. And I wanted to do poles just because! One day I'd like to jump and if I can do the ground stuff I hear that is at least half the battle

A bit of anxiety there but instead of going 'oh I'll just walk', I exhaled, looked up and around the school, smiled and kept going. The horse I ride is a bit over obliging to slow down which isn't always helpful but he gave me some of his proper working trot today. He is 17.2/3hh and it feels huge and fast to me, but today I really enjoyed it and if we can get more consistent our next e-riders test will be cracking! He is certainly teaching me to be more effective with my leg aids and aware of tension in my seat. They physio exercises I've been doing continue to make a huge difference despite being very low intensity exercises.

 

[DressageCob]

I've been on holiday this week, so at the yard every day. it's been lovely. Today the weather was perfect so I went out for a hack in the local woods and had a little explore to see if any new routes had opened up. My lad was very excited by it all so we had a great time. We have our regular fancy lesson on Sunday and I'm hoping to ride my YO's horse at some point again this weekend

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I've been on holiday this week, so at the yard every day. it's been lovely. Today the weather was perfect so I went out for a hack in the local woods and had a little explore to see if any new routes had opened up. My lad was very excited by it all so we had a great time. We have our regular fancy lesson on Sunday and I'm hoping to ride my YO's horse at some point again this weekend

Sounds like a wonderful week! Hope your lesson goes well.

I opted not to hack as felt a bit anxious after a few weeks' no riding but was definitely jealous of the people I saw going out from the yard today.

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

I've got a jumping lesson tonight in preparation for a competition on Sunday, where we're going to attempt Enormosaurus first 85cm. We will be hacking on Saturday.
Enormosaurus saw the osteopath last week and seems looser and happier when ridden since. He said she was quite blocked in the lumbo-sacral area which might explain her bucking. No bucking when ridden since, though she did buck on the lunge yesterday, but they looked more like high jinks bucks than "I'm stiff" bucks. Time will tell if I'm right.

 

[Red-1]

BF and I took BH to an arena hire. I left a glove in the horsebox and, when I got back to the arena, BF was warming BH up on foot, at trot now that is dedication!!!

I have no ambition jumping now, BH has no ambition either, but we had a bit of fun.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7424517734144216352

This afternoon BF has a lesson on the mechanical horse at the National Racing College. Need to get his ass in the saddle in canter as we *may* be going for a beach ride in Lanzarote next month. Cantering on the beach, yay!

 

[Kirstd33]

Coblet hasn't been ridden for a week as he pulled a shoe and we couldn't get the farrier to the yard until this morning, so I may take him out for a short hack this evening after work. Anxiety is running fairly high also as when I rode him last Saturday in the field we had broncing and no brakes when we cantered alongside another livery. This week I've arranged for a freelancer to come out and ride him with the aim of helping me bring him back into the faster work that the vet has said he's ready for.
Sunday morning I have a lesson booked at a local riding school on one of their horses, which I've been having fortnightly and they're helping me maintain my confidence and keeping my hand in schooling also and popping small jumps and then Sunday afternoon out hacking with my daughter on our friends gorgeous pair of horses.

 

[SEL]

Currently sitting in the yard trying to ignore the feral cat who has reallocated herself here. I know where her home is, but the owner says she doesn't get on with the other cats. She's welcome to stay but at the moment she likes an acre between her and any humans!

Jumping clinic tomorrow and hoping last weekend's sponsored ride halo is still intact. Canter work is improving weekly but I'm having to remind myself to let him bowl on forward at the moment and trust that forward means no bucking bronco silly stuff. 20m in an arena feels very short but he's getting more balanced by working it out himself instead of me micro managing. I have given myself an almighty "remember you know how you ride" kick up the backside.

At somepoint I need to film the new Intro 4 dressage test for e-riders, but I left it on the printer so that won't be today.....

 

[J_sarahd]

Second viewing of a horse! I’m very excited but very, very nervous

 

[millitiger]

Lots of maintenance for me this weekend.

3 X horses to trim
1 x horse to full clip (again!)
Move the fencing and clean out hay boxes, ready to move to winter field
Rake the edges of the arena, as we have a surface top up arriving. 22 ton bags of surface to hand rake out
Then have a roller hired to roll the new surface and roll the 10 ton of stone we have already raked in the winter field gateway, ready for the 30 new Jelka mats to be laid.

Then I might go for a lie down

Enjoy everyone!

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Second viewing of a horse! I’m very excited but very, very nervous

I can't think of anything which is more simultaneously exciting and terrifying as viewing/buying horses!

Fingers crossed for you that it goes well

Lots of maintenance for me this weekend.

3 X horses to trim
1 x horse to full clip (again!)
Move the fencing and clean out hay boxes, ready to move to winter field
Rake the edges of the arena, as we have a surface top up arriving. 22 ton bags of surface to hand rake out
Then have a roller hired to roll the new surface and roll the 10 ton of stone we have already raked in the winter field gateway, ready for the 30 new Jelka mats to be laid.

Then I might go for a lie down

Enjoy everyone!

I need a lie down just reading your list

 

[southerncomfort]

First post-clip hack this morning and, oh my days! He was absolutely full of himself!

Very, very forward and silly. All good fun until we got to the school, and it was playtime.

Picture a very giddy Fell pony piaffe-ing sideways at speed past kiddies running, jumping, shrieking and kicking balls at the metal mesh fence! It blew his tiny mind!

Out for 2 hours and I don't know which of us was more knackered this afternoon.

Working tomorrow, then either hacking again Sunday or long reining over poles, depending on what the weather does.

Have a good one everyone!

 

[Red-1]

Something different this evening...

In preparation for cantering a horse on the beach next month in Lanzarote, BF had a lesson on a mechanical horse. You'd never know he's only ridden 15 times. It will be good to see if the progress carries forward to a real horse.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7424624636769422625

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

Lesson went well last night, Enormosaurus was (too) full of energy. We had a couple of bucks, but they weren't at the transition to canter which they were before and might still be high jinks / nappiness as I was before last to go and the horses that had finished had all moved over into the warm up area, meaning Enormosaurus rather wanted to join them there. A bit of negotiating later, she was flying over the jumps by a good margin and I've had my adrenaline shot for the week. I'm ridiculously nervous at attempting 85cm with her, which is silly as she is bold and scopy, but I suppose she still does need a lot more experience before I can fully relax.
I did have to laugh at my instructor's comment: 'that was good, it makes you want to ride her'. I did point out that he was the only one to say that, everyone else was sat on their horse shaking their heads! I will also point out that he is welcome to ride her whenever he wants. She is liveried at his yard and he is in charge of her exercise schedule, I just happen to be the one riding her. He somehow never seems to find the time to ride her. (to be fair, he's got his own slightly crazy mare to ride as well as a lot of liveries to exercise, which is why he's more than happy that I taken over Enormosaurus)

 

[Bernster]

Woke up this morning thinking how incredibly lucky I am to have horses (I have 3 actually as one is happily retired). I have a long yard day today to spend messing about with two of them. This year has been tough (I lost a close friend and it’s hit me hard) and busy and I’d lost my riding mojo a bit. I’ve not done any competing, which isn’t like me, but today I will just enjoy being around them and pottering about the yard with my friend. And that’s my idea of bliss.

 

[SpotsandBays]

Was really hoping to get to the tack shop to replace my hat after last weekends plop - but covid strikes! Desperate to get back on as I know I need to before it becomes “a thing” if you know what I mean…

 

[Ample Prosecco]

I'm running a Somerford camp with Nicola Wilson. She went into the wrong camp when she arrived which gave everyone there rather a surprise!
I've brough Lottie as a lesson with Nicola was too good a chance to pass up, even though I'm working. Hopefully @photo_jo will be aling in a bit to post a pic she kindly took of us!

 

[Ample Prosecco]

 

[Red-1]

Eeek. I was possessed on Friday night. It was because I was so impressed with BF's hard work to improve that I...

seem to have entered BH in a small hunter trial for today. I think wine had a part in the decision making process too.


I have barely ridden all summer. BH has done a XC fence precisely twice in the last 15 months, since my husband died. Once was at Somerford this summer. He prefers to examine the fences before jumping

It will be what it will be. BF is currently making a picnic that includes prosecco. On Friday's arena hire, he learned to drive a horsebox smoothly.

Should be memorable, at least.

 

[SEL]

Eeek. I was possessed on Friday night. It was because I was so impressed with BF's hard work to improve that I...

seem to have entered BH in a small hunter trial for today. I think wine had a part in the decision making process too.


I have barely ridden all summer. BH has done a XC fence precisely twice in the last 15 months, since my husband died. Once was at Somerford this summer. He prefers to examine the fences before jumping

It will be what it will be. BF is currently making a picnic that includes prosecco. On Friday's arena hire, he learned to drive a horsebox smoothly.

Should be memorable, at least.

I very nearly read that as you'd entered BF in a hunter trial - which really would have been eeeek after his mechanical horde ride!!

Good luck on BH

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Eeek. I was possessed on Friday night. It was because I was so impressed with BF's hard work to improve that I...

seem to have entered BH in a small hunter trial for today. I think wine had a part in the decision making process too.


I have barely ridden all summer. BH has done a XC fence precisely twice in the last 15 months, since my husband died. Once was at Somerford this summer. He prefers to examine the fences before jumping

It will be what it will be. BF is currently making a picnic that includes prosecco. On Friday's arena hire, he learned to drive a horsebox smoothly.

Should be memorable, at least.

Good luck today Red!

Woke up this morning thinking how incredibly lucky I am to have horses (I have 3 actually as one is happily retired). I have a long yard day today to spend messing about with two of them. This year has been tough (I lost a close friend and it’s hit me hard) and busy and I’d lost my riding mojo a bit. I’ve not done any competing, which isn’t like me, but today I will just enjoy being around them and pottering about the yard with my friend. And that’s my idea of bliss.

Pottering about on the yard is one of the things that I miss most about having a share horse. I'm glad you can find enjoyment and bliss in that and just having some horse time with your friend. I'm so sorry to hear that you lost a friend this year. It's good to be gentle with yourself, your mojo will come back when you're ready.



I think I'm going to enjoy a warm bath, hot chocolate and some horse vlogs this afternoon; after a day out in the chill, painting pebbledash wall in my garden (really questioning several of my life choices). This morning I have the soundtrack of a neighbour who seems to be having a psychotic episode. Thankfully there is an ambulance here so hopefully he will be taken to a safe place soon - his outbursts are swaying wildly from sounding like having a great time to really very much not having a great time/being very frightening.

 

[Red-1]

Hunter trial, done!

It was such a small thing, but I was genuinely nervous! I used to do BIG events, but, since then, life has kicked me time and time again. Today felt like a huuuuuge thing. It's a long time since I entered anything.

BF has been amazing. I dared to BE nervous with him as I knew he'd know how to deal with me and he wouldn't hold it against me. I'm not snappy or rude when nervous, just blow-ey and Eeek-ey and hypervigilant. I *could* have hidden that, but our relationship is built on trust and truth, so I did not.

The amazing man. First he made good with the bacon butties. But then, he could see that BH was alert (he probs thought he was out hunting) so he took the horse out of the box to walk him round. Then, he deliberately trotted him round so, if he was going to be fresh, he'd do it with him and not me. Wow. That is one heck of a man!!! That is teamwork; that is caring, and I really appreciate it.

BH was fresh when led, but immaculate under saddle, like an old pro in the collecting ring. On the actual course, he reverted to being Mr Health and Safety, liking to have a good look at a fence before committing to leap it. Some fences, he could do this on the approach, some he had to stop for a proper examination. I am so happy with how BH dealt with it. I mean, of course I would prefer he was bold and brave, but I am happy that we jumped everything we had to and he was thoughtful and careful. He just needs mileage.

I'd rather that than a horse who jumped clear but nearly decked me in the process

Back at the box, the now almost professional groom put the horse away, provided Prosecco and snacks and drove me home.
Once home, BF went straight to, on with yard jobs that need doing.

How the heck did I be so lucky to find such a wonderful man??? Plus one who is so understanding about how I can have ups and downs about my husband dying??? I am so lucky, it almost makes me nervous!

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7425243200887016737

This is a man who'd never touched a horse until January. He is amazing.

 

[Michen]

It’s so lovely to hear how happy you are and how much you clearly adore him!

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Wonderful @Red-1 . So happy for you x

 

[Cloball]

My OH is still pretty wary of D especially when she's being sharp ... All 13.2 of of her. No way he'd unload her ...ever

Had a lovely weekend went for a hack on Saturday in the sunshine with a friend who D is notoriously sharp and anxious with and we always seem to meet scary things.... Started off reversing and refusing to wait for me to do her girth and then ..... She was so good super chill and patient

Had a lesson today and she was also super good managing our canter leads and feeling much stronger. The best bit was we managed a couple of strides of actual grown up feeling shoulder in

I'm also feeling brave enough to do canter by ourselves now in our evening schooling sessions so that should help. I also cut several kgs of tail off and she seems to like it she kept lifting her tail a little on the walk back to the field must be feeling quite a bit lighter. Feel very productive with my winter prep chores.

 

[Alibear]

Friday I hacked out after work and Amber was foot perfect, we had a nice trot and canter around the headlands.
We had a really good dressage lesson yesterday, used the new myler snaffle and she was really good. We got some nice swing in the trot. Canter right was fine, canter left she found harder so we need to work on suppleness that way. She managed at good spook at the start but settled down and cracked on nicely.

Today another solo hack around the headlands, we tried a new route and she was really good again. Settled relaxed and forwards.

I really hope this continues.

 

[humblepie]

Wonderful @Red-1 and so pleased for you both.

 

[Red-1]

Bought a photo from today...

 

[rara007]

Schooling the young one between night shifts Off for a lesson this week then weekend after next his indoor debut

 

[AandK]

Took my lovely ginger boy to his second ever go at XC Sat morning. Again, he was awesome, did a mixture of the 70 and 80 jumps and went into the water with no lead. So proud of him!!

 

[dapple_grey]

Great to see everyone enjoying their horses this weekend!

Friday we went to HOYS and had a fab time. Got there at 10am, didn't leave until gone 10pm. Bought a fair bit from the shopping village - some practical, others not so much (including Mulled Wine scented horse shampoo? I'm a sucker for pretty packaging)

Saturday was spent pottering around with my 4yo and getting older horse washed and bathed for Sunday. That turned out to be a waste of time as by the morning she had poo stains on every visible surface

Sunday we went Team Chasing! We had great fun and the organisers did very well to put the event on. My horse is quite used to hunting conditions so the soft ground didn't phase her. We had a lot of fun and even got a nice photo out of it