brighteyes
Pooh-Bah
I'd have brought him with me, too! He looks awesome.
Sig's Excellent European Adventure
- Thread starter SibeliusMB
- Start date
tinselbobs
Well-Known Member
He's just so cool. I bet you're glad you brought him over!
cauda equina
Well-Known Member
Now he just needs to learn that we hack on the left 
Tarragon
Well-Known Member
Glad that you made the decision to bring your beautiful horse over - looks like it is all falling into place
How are you finding the contrast between an American barn livery and what you have now? I think that the facilities look wonderful.
How are you finding the contrast between an American barn livery and what you have now? I think that the facilities look wonderful.
humblepie
Well-Known Member
Lol. My old horse liked hacking on the right which I think was because his father was American or at least that is the basis I worked upon.Now he just needs to learn that we hack on the left
Looking forward to more Sig updates.
SibeliusMB
Well-Known Member
SO GLAD!!
He's just home to me, and having him here has made me so happy. Also...I cannot imagine trying to horse shop right now with the market the way it is - being new to the country, not knowing anyone, prices through the roof....this definitely worked out the way it should. And knowing that Sig seems very happy lets me know I made the right decision for us both. Thank you! Thus far I'm not finding it too different, but I'm on full livery (as I was in the States). So for us, not much has changed, which has helped us both settle into the routine better. The mix of DIY/part/full livery is pretty unique to my experience in the US, though there are farms that have the same set up in the US too, I've just never boarded at them. I've also seen more likelihood around here for livery yards to turn out individually as well - I'm hoping Sig gets to go out with others soon, because he's well socialized and very civil, and I just feel very strongly like I owe him the opportunity to be a horse. Back home it was default to go out with others (a lot of care went into matching pairs/groups up for compatibility) unless specific reasons required individual turn out. At least at the yards I've inquired to, it's the opposite approach. He's out on grass adjacent to other horses, but still separated by a fenceline. I understand not wanting the animals to get hurt, but...horses gonna horse.Glad that you made the decision to bring your beautiful horse over - looks like it is all falling into place
How are you finding the contrast between an American barn livery and what you have now? I think that the facilities look wonderful.
As we go on I'm sure I'll find more similarities and differences, but I'm really only working off a week or so of actually experience since he arrived. I think the comparisons between horse worlds is half the fun of this adventure!
SibeliusMB
Well-Known Member
We keep doing things, he keeps impressing me. ?
Had another light dressage school in the indoor today, paying close attention to how he felt after yesterday (he felt great). We then went for a very short hack to see how he'd handle being on the road. He's a phenomenal hacker, but we've never hacked on roads/in traffic before.
Perfect. Paid no mind to the two cars (whose drivers thankfully were very polite) and was very happy in exploration mode. Saw some cows, wants to be friends. ?❤
Very chuffed with himself
Just because I knew everyone would appreciate the Osprey flyby?
Had another light dressage school in the indoor today, paying close attention to how he felt after yesterday (he felt great). We then went for a very short hack to see how he'd handle being on the road. He's a phenomenal hacker, but we've never hacked on roads/in traffic before.
Perfect. Paid no mind to the two cars (whose drivers thankfully were very polite) and was very happy in exploration mode. Saw some cows, wants to be friends. ?❤
Very chuffed with himself
Just because I knew everyone would appreciate the Osprey flyby?
ycbm
Einstein would be proud of my Insanity...
If he's a 1m 20 horse it would have cost you more to buy him than to fly him, but in any case who'd want to leave a lovely boy like him behind!
.
.
spookypony
Well-Known Member
Wow, sounds like you're both off to a flying start! LOVE the pic with the foaly over the fence!
eahotson
Well-Known Member
Welcome to the UK to you both.Your horse is smashing.
SibeliusMB
Well-Known Member
I see what you did there! ?
Sig and I had our first proper hack this evening, with high vis and everything. ? Was perfect. ❤ Happily marched along on a loose rein, didn't mind the passing cars or the dual carriageway noise some 50m away. A couple of the other liveries have offered to hack with us in the future to show where all the routes are (and the forest, which is 10 minutes away allegedly).
He's also back on 24/7 turnout and doing well. Met a friend, impersonated a donkey. ??
Dasher66
Well-Known Member
Lovely pics. Glad he’s settling in so well.
SibeliusMB
Well-Known Member
Thought I'd post another update. Sig's been an absolute star and winning everyone over with how chill and sweet he is. He's back into full work and while we're still slowly increasing his fitness level, he's now back to jumping as of this week as well.
This was from last night's lesson, our first jump school since the end of May! He was foot perfect. Everything felt good even if my sense of feel and eye we somewhat off, that will come back soon. He wasn't sharp, maybe slightly more forward than usual, but only slightly. He didn't look at the fill and felt like he's been going around courses this whole time. ? We kept the jumps low, but as our fitness improves I'm looking forward to getting back to the 1m we had been doing.
Last weekend we also attended our first "Poles and Pimms" with the yard family. The ladies set up some very fun pole combos in the indoor and we all spent the afternoon taking turns in groups and had pimms and cakes together afterward. Sig was perfect here too. I apologize for my crap riding but I'm proud of how he's looking. ❤
The last two weeks have been sad and stressful for me and my team at work with everything going on for the evacuation efforts. Having Sig here and lovely new friends at the yard made an otherwise super sad weekend a positive one. Very grateful to Sig and these wonderful people! ??
This was from last night's lesson, our first jump school since the end of May! He was foot perfect. Everything felt good even if my sense of feel and eye we somewhat off, that will come back soon. He wasn't sharp, maybe slightly more forward than usual, but only slightly. He didn't look at the fill and felt like he's been going around courses this whole time. ? We kept the jumps low, but as our fitness improves I'm looking forward to getting back to the 1m we had been doing.
Last weekend we also attended our first "Poles and Pimms" with the yard family. The ladies set up some very fun pole combos in the indoor and we all spent the afternoon taking turns in groups and had pimms and cakes together afterward. Sig was perfect here too. I apologize for my crap riding but I'm proud of how he's looking. ❤
The last two weeks have been sad and stressful for me and my team at work with everything going on for the evacuation efforts. Having Sig here and lovely new friends at the yard made an otherwise super sad weekend a positive one. Very grateful to Sig and these wonderful people! ??
The Xmas Furry
🦄 🦄
What a great update on how he is doing, hope you can get out and about a bit before winter comes in x
AandK
Well-Known Member
He looks like a lovely chap, I can see why you decided to bring him over. Well worth it I'd say! I hope you guys continue to have fun while you're in the UK!
Bernster
Well-Known Member
Lovely, he’s a smasher! You both look great together.
Wishfilly
Well-Known Member
Looks like he has settled in fabulously!
Poles and pimms sounds like an excellent way to spend an afternoon!
Poles and pimms sounds like an excellent way to spend an afternoon!
Trouper
Well-Known Member
So glad you have a happy place to go to de-stress from all the serious stuff - and the perfect equine partner to help out!!
SibeliusMB
Well-Known Member
Our newest blog for The Chronicle of the Horse is up!
https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/air-horse-one-an-american-thoroughbred-in-england
Sig has been such a rockstar. I parted company on Monday after I missed huge to a big oxer - came off over the jump and got banged up, but no serious injuries. Completely my fault and Sig knew better by putting in an additional step. Got back on and he jumped around like a star, and we finished the lesson strong. Trainer seems very chuffed with Sig and thinks he has talent for some big jumps...not sure I do though. ?? I think 1.10-1.15m might be my max, but we'll see what happens and enjoy the journey. ❤
Dressage lesson on Saturday. ?
https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/air-horse-one-an-american-thoroughbred-in-england
Sig has been such a rockstar. I parted company on Monday after I missed huge to a big oxer - came off over the jump and got banged up, but no serious injuries. Completely my fault and Sig knew better by putting in an additional step. Got back on and he jumped around like a star, and we finished the lesson strong. Trainer seems very chuffed with Sig and thinks he has talent for some big jumps...not sure I do though. ?? I think 1.10-1.15m might be my max, but we'll see what happens and enjoy the journey. ❤
Dressage lesson on Saturday. ?
teapot
Well-Known Member
Great update Unashamedly followed you on insta too.
Unashamedly followed you on insta too.
The Xmas Furry
🦄 🦄
What a great blog update, am so pleased for you that you've been able to enjoy him in decent weather and that (excluding fall) you 2 are going well ??
Trouper
Well-Known Member
Lovely to read the whole story while remembering all the agonising you went through at first to decide whether to bring him and then making all the arrangements.
He is such a star he deserved all the hard work it took!!
He is such a star he deserved all the hard work it took!!
AandK
Well-Known Member
What a great blog, really enjoyed reading it! So pleased you and Sig are settling in well over here
Slightlyconfused
Go away, I'm reading
teapot
Well-Known Member
In Sib's post from 1st Sept ^^ - she's gonna think she's got stalkers.
Slightlyconfused
Go away, I'm reading
SibeliusMB
Well-Known Member
Need some positive vibes please...Sig was admitted to the hospital this evening for a bad colic. Hoping he turns a corner overnight to avoid surgery.
I don't care to elaborate more because I'm sitting at home alone bawling my eyes out. I"ve lost two heart horses to colic (been through three surgeries) already in this lifetime.
I don't care to elaborate more because I'm sitting at home alone bawling my eyes out. I"ve lost two heart horses to colic (been through three surgeries) already in this lifetime.
teapot
Well-Known Member
Crossing everything for you Sib, and for dear Sig too x
janem_g
Well-Known Member
Keeping you very much in my thoughts x
Roxylola
Well-Known Member
Oh, thinking of you and sending vibes to Sig xx