Springy Second Weekend of March Plans

[DressageCob]

What a lovely weekend!

I had a clinic on Saturday and thought I'd better ride the hooligan on Friday, but only time for a quick hack. Not sure choosing the bridlepath of doom was the best route - we spooked, jogged and bucked our way up there so I made him do 2 circuits of the field margin in the hope it would use up a bit of energy. He also got a tube of that NAF magnesium calmer before the clinic. Not entirely convinced that did anything..... but the lady running the clinic has met him before so when I suggested it might be useful for everyone if we went at the front riding over poles in a group she happily agreed and having to focus on where his feet were rather than thinking we were racing the horse in front made his brain engage. The indoor arena heating up in the sun probably helped too - it got a bit steamy. Cracking session with a lovely group of ladies and some tricky lines for us to negotiate. Made the humans and horses think without drilling anyone over the poles. I school a lot with poles at home so he creates a nice shape over them unlike some horses who hollow.

Sunday was a trip up to the Cholsey hills to test our fitness. His absolute favourite place and he came off the lorry with a big grin on his face. Amazing to have the sun out and see the red kites circling around. I've had a rough week at work and really, really needed the gallop.

Have a photo courtesy of the wonderful Equifocus of the little man flying - and proving right canter is no longer an issue! (& yes we do dress up when we know there is a photographer present).

Those flying feathers are a thing of beauty!

 

[Trot_on]

Im currently a bit too porky to ride so have been getting myself and Sky fit by doing lots of long reining and walking, and this weekend was no different - we did a 4.7 miler early Sunday before I did another longer but non-horse friendly walk in the afternoon. Definitely making the most of the !

Sky is 20 today, so on Sunday his old loaner came with us on our walk to celebrate and take some photos

 

[southerncomfort]

We had a very bouncy hack this morning. Bo is feeling well!

So well that i diverted from the planned route to a long canter track to try and tire him out a bit. He bounced with excitement all the way there. The brakes just about held, but I was glad I had his neck strap on! He very much wanted to gallop.

He was very, very pleased with himself afterwards, and we marched home. Easily the fastest walk I've ever experienced and he's only 13.2.