Spring Equinox Weekend Plans

[Ample Prosecco]

Dolly flying today in her SJ lesson. We put up a full course and simulated competition riding. The jumps were freshly painted in new colours too. Just need a couple of XC sessions and she will hopefully be ready. She was super feisty warming up and super-keen all the way round. Just did not hesitate at anything and took a few flyers. So I think she is saying she wants to get out and do stuff.

 

[Roxylola]

Charlie had a nice little amble round the local estate this afternoon with his owners kids driving their shetland and another young livery. Just a nice stretchy potter after he worked hard yesterday.
Dolly is looking fab, some very productive weekends all round by the sound of it.
Dorsetladdette hope you're feeling better soon

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Still counting down the days until my next lesson... (9, I think it is). Missing riding on these beautiful Spring days we've been having but been up to cover jobs for (now ex) share horse and enjoyed being able to go to the yard.

 

[scats]

Lovely evening jaunt last night. We went to check on the sheep and lambs.
We did treat the neighbours to a gymnastic display when Millie decided she didn’t want to go up the lane and proceeded to stand upright whenever I asked her (cow bag). Fortunately I was more than happy to sit out her tantrum and we got going again after about 10 minutes of ridiculousness... albeit she was mincing along spooking at everything once we got going, but that just amused me. Daft bat.
It was a lovely ride nonetheless.

 

[Alibear]

I had lovely session on Amber on Saturday morning, played obstacles in the indoor a bit and then as I had time and the weather was nice. I rode round to the outdoor and stopped in her comfy corner and just waited. It seemed to take forever but was probably only 5-10 mins and she was then relaxed enough to do some nice walk circles in both directions. That's a win so put her away very happy.
Went back over in the afternoon to ride Daisy and had just finished our warm up when yard owner appeared to tell me Amber had come in with a cut leg. 1 weekend vet call out and 7 staples later and she will be fine. She's done a neat vertical slice inside her off fore through all the skin but no deeper thankfully. I think she hit herself as she came with over reach boots turned upside down/inside out so had probably had a good jolly out there. So no lesson on Sunday She should be fine to ride quietly in day or so and and staples out in 10-14 days.
Daisy isn't fit enough to take over the lesson spot but she had a masterson method session which she seemed to enjoy and hopefully will help keep her comfy as she gets fit again.
Horses hey, if Ambers cut heals as expected we should just make our arena hire booking but we won't be as practised for it as I wanted.

I looked it up and it was the same week of the year that Daisy came in with her paddock injury. I've always been a don't boot them up person as I was more concerned about over heating their legs. However these two are starting to make me question that approach. I'm signed up to the David Marlin site and he's been doing a webinar all about boots and the last part comes out tomorrow, so I'm going to watch that and make a decision. I'm open to the idea of booting up for turn out in spring! Then there was the plan to turn them out together in the summer... that might not be such a good idea! Its difficult isn't it? I know quality of life is so very important but if they go and cause injuries that require box rest/ or alter their life, is it really a benefit?

 

[milliepops]

i'm happy to bung some boots on if they are shredding themselves. and Kira has her own paddock to keep her and others safe, though i also have a preference for pairs/small groups.
you can play about with different types of boots, when Darcy was shod I alternated between fetlock boots on his fronts and a sausage ring because he would keep opening up the same old scar. i think as long as you have lightweight boots and keep on top of the hygiene it can be the least-worst option.

 

[Roxylola]

Liking for the good bits Alibear.
I've turned out in boots for an afternoon or something short as a one off eg first proper turnout etc. I don't think its a good idea as a long term thing but a bit of protection outweighs the heat risk imo

 

[j1ffy]

Northern - I hope the weather improves soon. The pictures on the news are awful (including the swarms of spiders escaping the floods - eek!)
DL - I hope the trapped nerve resolves itself, they really are horrible
Alibear - No advice on the boots unfortunately as I've not had a self-harmer, but I'd go with the 'lesser of two evils' approach suggested by MP. Sounds like the ridden session went well at least!

Lovely to see lots of people getting on well We had a pleasant weekend - the school had been completely cleared of jumps when I rode on Saturday morning, which was great. We did centre line practice (we can rarely manage the full 60m without kinking around a jump!), lateral work and general way of going. Danny felt fantastic by the end, I could have trotted round on cloud nine for the rest of the day.

I then got Chilli in for a groom and to remind him about the bit and bridle, thankfully he was perfectly happy to have it on for the first time since early November. I'm hoping to get back on him at Easter, I just need to get his teeth and vaccination done first.

Sunday we did a longer hack and saw motorbikes, noisy flappy geese, a donkey that dared to pee right next to us, huge tractors and scary-looking machinery, numerous cars, bikes, walkers. Danny and Pocholo weren't bothered by any of it and I was again reminded of how lucky we are to have such reliable horses. If Danny never competed again he'd make someone a wonderful happy hacker!