So much fun!!!

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Kia and I pootled off to a local arena for a play today. We had a blast

He was stiff as I expected, we haven't done any schooling since summer 2015 but I asked for him to stretch down and change the pace of the walk and trot and then I left it at that, no collection even attempted as he was finding this a challenge.

We put some poles out as well and trotted and *ahem* cantered over them then I though oh hell why not and we had a Tiny jump, intact I wouldn't have called it a jump but hey it's more than he's done since 2015 so I'll let him off

We didn't just do the one rein all the time but my photographer was one sided it seems I also learned that layers and stripes don't make for a good picture but hey ho

Enjoy the pics

Warm up pics







Pole work









Small jumps

This was our first attempt lol he stood on it with one back foot but lifted it so he didn't bring the poles down, I'd post the vid but it's not pretty lol





Trying again




He hasn't jumped since summer 2015 so he was a little rusty and so was I lol but we had fun and he was certainly willing, not bad for a 26yr old. It's given me some mojo back as well so I think more schooling and stretching will be included in out hacks instead of just wandering the countryside

 

[SaddleUpSin]

26!! Omgosh bless his heart <3 What a lovely boy!

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

26!! Omgosh bless his heart <3 What a lovely boy!

Thank you

 

[SpringArising]

Aww he looks like a cutie. I had no idea he was as old as 26 either - he looks great for his age.

 

[Damnation]

He's looking good, also looks like he really enjoyed himself

 

[Annagain]

He's lovely and doing great for his age. I was about to ask if he was an older horse but you answered by question so I'll ask another. Is the grey age related or has he always had those marks? My old boy was black and went a bit grey in his mane but not on his body. He made it to 27.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

He's lovely and doing great for his age. I was about to ask if he was an older horse but you answered by question so I'll ask another. Is the grey age related or has he always had those marks? My old boy was black and went a bit grey in his mane but not on his body. He made it to 27.

He has Appaloosa in him so he has always had roan and also being a rabicano but he is getting whiter and developing more spots as he gets older. He was almost black when I bought him, now in summer he is very roan

Thanks damnation and SA He was diagnosed with Cushings in sept with quite high levels, it hasn't been plain sailing but we are doing our best to enjoy life again

 

[milliepops]

lovely to see him looking so well and enjoying life Well done OP, you're obviously caring for him so well - I've followed your threads about his cushings so this must be extra special for you.

 

[Lintel]

I must have missed you... Looking at your pictures I was thinking.. I recognise this arena. Its the yafs we are at lol! Hope to see you back didn't realise you were as close Black Beastie
Pictures are lovely looks like you both had a ball!

 

[Hepsibah]

Oh it's so nice seeing the two of you looking so enthusiastic.

 

[MissTyc]

He looks really keen! And amazing for his age!

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

lovely to see him looking so well and enjoying life Well done OP, you're obviously caring for him so well - I've followed your threads about his cushings so this must be extra special for you.

Thanks you I have been worried at loads of different points but I've decided we just have to enjoy the little things the most and deal with what comes our way now

Oh it's so nice seeing the two of you looking so enthusiastic.

Thank you very much, he was very up for it today, I couldn't get him to walk for the first 5mons of being seated lol

He looks really keen! And amazing for his age!

Thank you I try my hardest for him within my abilities.

I must have missed you... Looking at your pictures I was thinking.. I recognise this arena. Its the yafs we are at lol! Hope to see you back didn't realise you were as close Black Beastie
Pictures are lovely looks like you both had a ball!

Hi yes we will be back we were there for an hour just before lunchtime he had a blast, first time in an arena in years

 

[Cecile]

5th picture down I would want framed, your smile says it all. I really enjoy such lovely photo's thank you for posting them
Well done he is a credit to you

 

[Lintel]

Thanks you I have been worried at loads of different points but I've decided we just have to enjoy the little things the most and deal with what comes our way now



Thank you very much, he was very up for it today, I couldn't get him to walk for the first 5mons of being seated lol



Thank you I try my hardest for him within my abilities.



Hi yes we will be back we were there for an hour just before lunchtime he had a blast, first time in an arena in years

Great, glad you had a lovely time! Weather has been pretty good to us recently!

 

[mytwofriends]

He looks amazing for 26! And you sound like a lovely, kind and sympathetic owner. He is lucky to have you!

What a lovely happy post. Thanks for sharing with us! &#128512;

 

[Amye]

Oh you both look like you're having so much fun <3

What a lovely old boy, he looks amazing and sounds like he has a lovely owner too

I love these kind of posts, thank you for posting. Reminds you what we all do it for!

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Great, glad you had a lovely time! Weather has been pretty good to us recently!

It has long may it continue

He looks amazing for 26! And you sound like a lovely, kind and sympathetic owner. He is lucky to have you!

What a lovely happy post. Thanks for sharing with us! &#55357;&#56832;

Thank you

I appreciate your kind words

Oh you both look like you're having so much fun <3

What a lovely old boy, he looks amazing and sounds like he has a lovely owner too

I love these kind of posts, thank you for posting. Reminds you what we all do it for!

Thank you

I was actually half expecting someone to come on and pick us apart (it is HHO after all ) but I'm glad people are just enjoying the pictures and fun for what it is, veteran pony and his mad long suffering owner having some fun

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

5th picture down I would want framed, your smile says it all. I really enjoy such lovely photo's thank you for posting them
Well done he is a credit to you

Thank you very much he makes me smile a lot, every day infact, I just have a terrible grumpy looking concentration face

 

[sav123]

I love old horses! And yours is no exception. He looks fantastic, a true credit to you.

(PS - looks like there's a bit of brake failure going on in the last pole pic (green & yellow)! Only old horses are allowed to do this ;-))

 

[poiuytrewq]

Makes me happy seeing oldies well cared for and having fun

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

I love old horses! And yours is no exception. He looks fantastic, a true credit to you.

(PS - looks like there's a bit of brake failure going on in the last pole pic (green & yellow)! Only old horses are allowed to do this ;-))

Lol the one with the blue pole wasn't supposed to be an levitation exercise either but he was keen

He does get more slack than I would ever give a youngster but on the other hand I trust him more than anything, had him 15+ years now

Makes me happy seeing oldies well cared for and having fun

Thank you, his vitality is something I honestly enjoy, even when he's being an opinionated twit

 

[sav123]

He does get more slack than I would ever give a youngster

The oldies get away with absolute murder! My friend's 30-ish y.o. is probably the most opinionated, demanding horse I've ever met, proper grumpy old man who is always shouting at everyone to attend to his every need. He has his own routine which is completely different to all the others and heaven help anyone who tries to change it. However, he thrives on it and looks set to carry on for a good while yet (he's just coming through his seventh or eighth 'last winter'....).

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

The oldies get away with absolute murder! My friend's 30-ish y.o. is probably the most opinionated, demanding horse I've ever met, proper grumpy old man who is always shouting at everyone to attend to his every need. He has his own routine which is completely different to all the others and heaven help anyone who tries to change it. However, he thrives on it and looks set to carry on for a good while yet (he's just coming through his seventh or eighth 'last winter'....).

He lost his attitude when he was first diagnosed with Cushings and some other things were going on as well, if he hadn't perked up and his character hadn't returned than I was seriously not considering his future but as the pics show he is feeling good and although not the best muscle wise at the moment it's a work in progress.

They need cheek and character when they are older I think, it is great isn't it to see the oldies demanding stuff they never would have when younger lol I love his I have to admit lol