Spring Equinox Weekend Plans

[Ample Prosecco]

12 hours of daylight on Sunday - woop woop.

I am very pleased that we managed to get in an early hack before work and school for me and Katie, so I'll start us off this weekend.....

Went on a fast hack and enjoyed a few canters. Again Toby was back on the buckle afterwards while Dolly jogged along. I do feel very safe on him hacking. He is the perfect blend of forward/keen when we are trotting or cantering and chilled ambling when we are just walking.

I am test riding for E-Riders tomorrow and Katie has to record a dressage test for an U18s trainer to give feedback about in preparation for her U18s comps coming up. That should be interesting.

Then on Saturday Toby is off the the water treadmill and vita floor place for a week and I'm doing a confidence webinar in the evening. And on Sunday Katie has an SJ lesson which will simulate competition. So warm up, jump a full round, feedback, jump again.

Busy, busy...

Have fun everyone.

 

[Roxylola]

We hacked this morning too, with some short bursts of canter work.
Our best most settled hack for a couple of weeks which was nice.
We've subscribed to some off road private hacking and I'm going to meet someone to show us a bit of the route round there on Saturday afternoon, then Sunday will be a pretty quiet one I think.
I keep toying with water treadmill for Charlie for event fitness. I think ill hang fire for this year and maybe if we can competently get round a 90 we will look at that for a bit of extra oomph

 

[milliepops]

Not a lot on here, surprise surprise. I might see if I can have a half day tomorrow and then K and I can go for a trundle round the lanes in the afternoon.

then in the school on the weekend. K is still only doing 35 mins at a time but it's just her weirdness that means her fitness plan goes like this - there is literally no point trying to do 45 mins of easier work because in the spring her brain checks out and she just makes mischief instead, 35 mins of increasing intensity is a more productive way to get the work in. She was a good egg this morning, started putting the lateral work back in.

Nursery field has dried out again so will be doing some more leading with Hera

and catch up with my equipilates because I had to give up last week after covid jab, too achey!

this morning, was cold but the light was pretty.

 

[Michen]

Just hacking for the boys but not before the regular Friday afternoon vet visit ?‍

Completely self indulgent moan and not worth a thread but Arghhh has anyone had a young horse decide he only wants to canter on one lead? This started with Bear about five weeks ago. Originally only under saddle and now on lunch too. I’ve tried everything, leg yielding in, opposite bend, wrong diagonal etc etc. It’s so persistent. I’ve had saddle and back checked and am having a second opinion on saddle next week. He’s happy to pick up the left lead out hacking when he fancies it.

He is so good at cantering on the right lead on left rein now that I can hardly tell when he’s on the wrong leg!!!

Have just booked in a vet check for tomorrow as don’t want to push through if it’s a physical problem rather than a baby weakness that’s become a habit.

bleh

 

[Ample Prosecco]

MP she is soooo photogenic!

 

[milliepops]

Just hacking for the boys but not before the regular Friday afternoon vet visit ?‍

Completely self indulgent moan and not worth a thread but Arghhh has anyone had a young horse decide he only wants to canter on one lead? This started with Bear about five weeks ago. Originally only under saddle and now on lunch too. I’ve tried everything, leg yielding in, opposite bend, wrong diagonal etc etc. It’s so persistent. I’ve had saddle and back checked and am having a second opinion on saddle next week.

He is so good at cantering on the right lead on left rein now that I can hardly tell when he’s on the wrong leg!!!

Have just booked in a vet check for tomorrow as don’t want to push through if it’s a physical problem rather than a baby weakness that’s become a habit.

bleh

i think I've had a period of losing a canter lead on most green horses at some point, i find it usually follows some work to improve straightness, paradoxically I tend to not panic about it and it sorts itself out, i generally ride the correct lead and ignore the one that's gone "on holiday" to avoid winding each other up and avoid training in the wrong lead.

Good call with vet to set your mind at rest but I don't think I'd freak out too much, do you see him cantering on that lead in the field?

 

[Michen]

i think I've had a period of losing a canter lead on most green horses at some point, i find it usually follows some work to improve straightness, paradoxically I tend to not panic about it and it sorts itself out, i generally ride the correct lead and ignore the one that's gone "on holiday" to avoid winding each other up and avoid training in the wrong lead.

Good call with vet to set your mind at rest but I don't think I'd freak out too much, do you see him cantering on that lead in the field?

Thanks MP.. I worried because of him doing it on the lunge too? On the lunge the only way I can get him to canter correctly is to really whizz him up and then he does. If he gets it wrong when he’s whizzy he then sometimes does a clean change to correct himself. But when he’s relaxed he’s very happy to just sweetly canter on the wrong leg humming into the distance.



To be honest I haven’t noticed him cantering in the field for ages, he generally tends to just eat and leave that to Boggle.

Under saddle he’s basically on the wrong leg before he’s even gone into canter!

 

[milliepops]

I don't lunge a lot if they aren't that balanced so I don't generally use that as a diagnostic tbh, if I can't get them in the right balance to trigger a strike off correctly under saddle then I don't expect them to find the balance themselves if you see what I mean.

 

[Michen]

I don't lunge a lot if they aren't that balanced so I don't generally use that as a diagnostic tbh, if I can't get them in the right balance to trigger a strike off correctly under saddle then I don't expect them to find the balance themselves if you see what I mean.

Yep that’s a good point! I will have the vet check tomorrow, what’s another £150 for peace of mind after all ?‍?..

 

[ihatework]

My big horse, about 8 months after being backed, had been 100% on his leads then gradually lost his right canter lead to the point I couldn’t get it. Nothing else obviously wrong.

Took him to my trainer and we couldn’t see anything I was obviously doing to cause it, or any significant crookedness. He then rode the horse convinced it was me somehow. He couldn’t get right canter either, horse just confidently popped into left lead and counter cantered like a pro ?

He gave me some homework which I did for a month and it made no difference.

Do I got a vet. He flexed positive, we xrayed to discover a lot of remodelling on the outer hock joint and a little chip. Linked back to a very innocuous kick he had received in the field!!

Medicated and rested. Right canter returned and remained!

 

[Michen]

My big horse, about 8 months after being backed, had been 100% on his leads then gradually lost his right canter lead to the point I couldn’t get it. Nothing else obviously wrong.

Took him to my trainer and we couldn’t see anything I was obviously doing to cause it, or any significant crookedness. He then rode the horse convinced it was me somehow. He couldn’t get right canter either, horse just confidently popped into left lead and counter cantered like a pro ?

He gave me some homework which I did for a month and it made no difference.

Do I got a vet. He flexed positive, we xrayed to discover a lot of remodelling on the outer hock joint and a little chip. Linked back to a very innocuous kick he had received in the field!!

Medicated and rested. Right canter returned and remained!

Interesting thanks. Definitely worth a check then!

 

[Bernster]

Am sure there are lots of innocuous reasons but sorry to say that, in one of mine, it was due to ocd and she needed surgery and rehab. Came back to full work though so it got sorted. So if you’ve exhausted normal routes I think a vet check would be helpful. Hope it’s nothing though ?

 

[RachelFerd]

Both horses in work will go hacking on Saturday - 3 miles for the baby horse and 7/8 miles for the older boy. Hoping to find somewhere to do some canter work but not particularly hopeful. We're still doing weekly intervals in canter in the school to build a bit of aerobic work in.

Then on Sunday both of them have dressage lessons - final dressage lesson before the season restarts for the older horse. Feel like we've finally turned a corner with the lateral work and it is starting to feel like he understands and is much more established in it. It's only taken forever to teach basic leg yield, but hey ho... we've now got things like counter canter leg yield, shoulder in -> renvers and baby HP steps - big progress!


Baby Isaac will then have his first ever dressage lesson to wobble around for 30 minutes. Looking forwards to checking that we are on track and getting some pointers as to what to work on with him.

 

[Michen]

Am sure there are lots of innocuous reasons but sorry to say that, in one of mine, it was due to ocd and she needed surgery and rehab. Came back to full work though so it got sorted. So if you’ve exhausted normal routes I think a vet check would be helpful. Hope it’s nothing though ?

Oh heck! How was that diagnosed, did lameness show?

 

[Bernster]

I always feel bad when it’s not good news and only a single experience so obv not reliable data! I never picked it up and I put it down to us both being green, it was discovered later on by her new owner. Similar issue though, she wasn’t obviously lame, just not working evenly and struggled with the canter lead which led to vet investigations.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I shall mostly be hacking again......
Hoping farmer friend might pop round to harrow tomorrow afternoon, as long as we dont get much rain tonight. Its really only the top 2 and winter paddock that need dragging about etc.

 

[Michen]

I always feel bad when it’s not good news and only a single experience so obv not reliable data! I never picked it up and I put it down to us both being green, it was discovered later on by her new owner. Similar issue though, she wasn’t obviously lame, just not working evenly and struggled with the canter lead which led to vet investigations.

Not at all it’s good to hear experiences. The last thing I need is to rehab another bloody horse but that’s part and parcel of what we sign up to eh. He feels great otherwise so I’ll keep my fingers crossed but have asked my vet to bring the x ray machine anyway. It’s basically a standard Friday evening for me, seeing my vet ?

 

[ycbm]

I hope Bear is just being a baby M, I've known several do it.

Deza and Ludo will be increasing their school fitness after two months with very little work, in preparation for our first lesson in less than two weeks now! I'm ridiculously excited about that.

Both are beginning flying changes and it will be touch and go which one of them gets them reliable first.
.

 

[Michen]

Thanks! Sounds fab re your two!

 

[oldie48]

MP, seeing your pics of Kira is giving me withdrawal, missing riding and AM so much!
Michen, keeping finger crossed that all is OK and AE, perhaps you should sell Toby to me as a safe reliable hack!
So for Rose, much of the same this weekend. She's had 2 lots of being under saddle and she's been very good but that's with a mil of sedalin, tomorrow we're dropping the sedalin but hopefully she's pleased to be back in work. I did a pilates zoom session this am and tbh I found some of it quite hard, just a bit depressing as it's stuff I'd have romped through a couple of years ago but I still did a good hours pacy walk with dog this afternoon, so trying to get fitter!
Have a great weekend everyone!

 

[TheMule]

Busy weekend for my lot- schooling around the arena eventing course tomorrow for Elana, hopefully her little brain will cope with everything going on. She will go on a long hack with a friend on Saturday and the babies will do a short hack. On Sunday everyone can go in the arena- raised poles and in-hand lateral work is the focus for all to build a bit more strength behind.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Fingers crossed for you Michen. You've had more than your share of problems. Toby lost a lead for a few weeks but is reliable on both reins again now.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Fingers crossed Michen. When my mare was super green one canter lead would be ok and one would be shocking and hard to get into. Then after a few weeks nailing the weak lead she’d switch and the bad became the good and the good became terrible. It felt like 1 step forward 2 steps back. We seem to have finally cracked it. Fingers crossed it’s a lack of muscle/green etc issue for Bear too.

Not much this weekend. Mum finally after months of lockdown has a lesson on Rosie pony. She only managed 1 or 2 I think before the latest lockdown so I’ve got a few lined up for her!

 

[Accidental Eventer]

It's hot here this weekend, so staying inside in the aircon will be a priority. Hopefully get both horses out, they both need a flat ride and Coolie needs a jump before next weekend. May just set the jumps for during the week though, it will depend on how early I get up!

Have fun all.

 

[scats]

Working on Saturday but I have Sunday off. Hacking both days. I’ve decided to try a slightly different plan with regards the days Millie works, because, despite being on more of a strict diet than Polly, plus working, is just not losing any more weight (it falls off Polly as soon you restrict her)
I’ve always done 2 days on and a day off, for my benefit as much as hers, but I’m trying 4 days on and 1 day off. So we’ve done 2 sessions in the school this week and 2 hacks- 1 was fitness work and cantering all our tracks/fields.
Not quite sure how to fit Polly into this as I used to work her every 3rd day and I genuinely can’t manage riding 2 on top of my job, but I’ll sort something.

 

[Northern]

In some rather UK-like weather, it's going to rain in torrents allll week. Terrible timing as I have my first outing of the year next weekend... Eep. Looks like I'll be getting wet this week

On the plus side, the rain improves our school majorly and makes it an acceptable surface to actually practice dressage tests on. Always a silver lining!

Have a good weekend all, perhaps it will be dryer than the Southern Hemisphere for once

 

[j1ffy]

Very little planned here!

I'm loving the longer days - we managed to hack twice after work this week. I made the mistake on Monday of thinking the farm tracks would have dried out but we ended up wading through a pond-like puddle and trudging through mud over Danny's fetlocks. We did spot lots of wildlife though, including two roe deer, two muntjacs and a load of pheasants. Danny loves watching them all.

Probably school tomorrow and hack Sunday, and get the dogs out for a long walk if the weather is ok. Exciting day today as my new kitchen worktop is being installed - such a grown-up thing to look forward to!!

 

[dorsetladette]

Finish at lunch today so hopefully get a quick hack in on B if the livery is back from her ride. (not left little Robin on his own yet so tag teaming our time away with the ponies, obviously livery gets first dibs). OH will be building a stable door and frame for the little shelter for a safe place to contain the tiny taliban when we do start leaving him alone.

Mother is popping over to see the ponies tomorrow for a socially distanced coffee. She hasn't seen Robin since November so will be nice to see what she thinks of him now. (she's brutally honest when it comes to horses and conformation etc, its like she has no filter).

I plan to walk Robin out and ride B either in the paddock or out over the weekend but when is yet to be confirmed. OH has some fencing to do and a shed to felt for the Turkeys as they are to big for the chicken run now so I will most likely be his labourer for most of the weekend.

 

[mavandkaz]

I'm going to include Wednesday, as had a flatwork lesson on my boy. These are still quite a big deal whilst we test the waters on how much workload he can cope with without breaking.
So, new routine is a 15min walk and trot hack round part of the field first to loosen him up as he does get stuff through is neck. This really helps, and means I can get straight into some lateral work to finish suppling him up.
We have unfortunately lost one of our counter canters, so spent a bit of time on that (may start a separate thread for some tips). Then just ran through some half pass work. All very good.
Cob also had a lesson with sharer, focussing on rhythm as she can try it on and turn into a tank ?
Quick hack round field for coblet yesterday, trying to increase canter fitness with the aim of a cross country canter all the way round. Was great until the final uphill stretch when I just couldn't quite hold her, and off she went! But secretly pleased she had enough left in tank to do it
Hack on the boy today, and sharer hacking coblet.
Then more hacking over the weekend. But am going to film an online dressage on the boy. Only second test since coming back into work, and will try elementary 53 (so same level he was when he broke). Just want to see if the judges spot any of his physical issues, and if I can allow myself to dream of getting back out competing again - we will fluff up the counter canter, but will be happy if the rest goes well.

Hope everyone has a good weekend

 

[Xmasha]

Nothing remotely exciting for us. hacked out last night , think we are going over a few poles today, Saturday back at the water treadmill for Pip and Finn. They both seem to enjoy it. Pip has developed a knack of splashing in it. Have someone booked to come and tidy them all on Sunday, just to be ready for when we do eventually venture out. But to be honest they need it for just hacking as they all look a bit unkempt . Aria will get a tidy up as well. As a yummy mummy she deserves a bit of TLC ( we are on day 307.. not that im counting)

IHW & Michen-hope your lads are ok, theres always something isnt there
YCBM - get you and your flying changes .. perhaps you could pop over here and show mine too !