Starting Again

[JenniD]

Oh!..I've been to Dubai! I have a friend who works there. We went to school in Ireland together. How lovely to have a house on a Greek island. Why not go riding in Greece when you're there? Then you'll have a 'friend' here and one there! Simples! I'm glad you like the posts..I do too. You're very positive, so it's good for me. Fancy your hubby hunting! It's a shame he doesn't ride anymore. You'd both make a fine hacking duo I'm sure! Yes, I like the frog too..but like the leg crossing over other leg as well. I can really feel the 'pull'. I shall go and put the kettle on. Have a nice afternoon. I shall pm you soon.

 

[Rumtytum]

Greek island volcanic, not a square metre is flat, equine count= 1 Shetland, plus 2 mules to carry alcohol to tavernas in the rebuilt Old Village which was destroyed by earthquake in the 1960s. Def. not horse country poo! Hacked out twice with adrenalin junkie husband on hols, both white knuckle rides as he has only one speed and that's flat out, still amazed how I stayed on yes, the leg stretch one is good, will do it too. Look forward to pm as and when

 

[JenniD]

Greek island volcanic, not a square metre is flat, equine count= 1 Shetland, plus 2 mules to carry alcohol to tavernas in the rebuilt Old Village which was destroyed by earthquake in the 1960s. Def. not horse country poo! Hacked out twice with adrenalin junkie husband on hols, both white knuckle rides as he has only one speed and that's flat out, still amazed how I stayed on yes, the leg stretch one is good, will do it too. Look forward to pm as and when

Haha!take a bicycle pump and inflate the shetland! That's the one thing that terrifies me. An unplanned 'take off'! It happened to me aged 12 on a large cob in Ireland. We were on a beach...everything else stood still, and my hitherto placid mount Lucy took off like a rocket. I stayed on too....I just defied gravity! I fell off with nasty results in Scotland in 2004 when my 'school' nag Deli was spooked by a rat that dived out of a bush by the manege. I stopped riding from then really...it lurks at the back of my mind all the time!

 

[Surbie]

I have made the decision to help out at the livery yard up the road as much as I can. I'm going there tomorrow in the afternoon anyway. I shall groom, clean tack and muck out and try to relearn as much as I can and deal with different horses personalities. I want to learn about horses illnesses, their different types of feeds and anything else that might stand me in good stead if I decide to get a 'friend' of my own. If I don't do it now, I never will. I'm sure that I won't learn everything there is to know. I enjoy reading everyone's posts on this forum and I have to say that a lot of you deserve medals!! Some of the horses I read about sound like real handfuls but they all seem to be dealt with and come up trumps. Anyway, I'll bore you no longer...just wanted to share what was on my mind. My husband and I don't talk about it much...he has his interests and I have mine!

How did it go? Are there many horses there? I like mucking out & cleaning tack, it's very satisfying. I don't know much about horse ailments, other than what Archie has had, which is minimal thankfully. Though if you want a hoof abcess poulticed, I'm your woman!

I had my first proper dressage lesson on him today, and finally 'got' half halts. We repeated them loads with LOUD encouragement from the instructor, and I genuinely fear for my ability to walk tomorrow...

 

[JenniD]

How did it go? Are there many horses there? I like mucking out & cleaning tack, it's very satisfying. I don't know much about horse ailments, other than what Archie has had, which is minimal thankfully. Though if you want a hoof abcess poulticed, I'm your woman!

I had my first proper dressage lesson on him today, and finally 'got' half halts. We repeated them loads with LOUD encouragement from the instructor, and I genuinely fear for my ability to walk tomorrow...

Sorry for late reply! Well funnily enough FFAQ has replied to a post I put on (can't remember where now!) There's quite a few horses there...of varying types and sizes. I've been up a few times now. They're very friendly and won't tolerate nastiness of any kind. It's run really well, and nothing is too much trouble. Horses are very well cared for too. They even go on hack picnics! It's a small yard compared to some but nice. It's not a riding school so you don't get lots of people all the time. They're on facebook and have lots of pics.
Ooh! did Archie have a hoof abcess??? How painful!!! Poor little soul. I like cleaning tack and mucking out too. I lose myself cleaning tack. I was saying in my other post that they go on hack picnics! They all go out together and help each other - I'll need a lot of that! - seems quite a happy family! Well done with the dressage! I think I have a way to go before I start that! Isn't it great when you 'GET' something?? you'll never forget it now kid! I don't know an instructor that isn't loud! They're a breed of their own...but loud is good to get things across. I think you try harder when they shout and mean business though. Either that or you start blubbing and never turn up again!
I shall look forward to hearing your progress. Have a nice evening!

 

[JenniD]

Me again!!!....sorry I repeated myself!.......s'truth, hope it's not dementia! Did I mention that they go out on hack picnics!!!!...duh!!

 

[Rumtytum]

I had my first proper dressage lesson on him today, and finally 'got' half halts. We repeated them loads with LOUD encouragement from the instructor, and I genuinely fear for my ability to walk tomorrow...

Have your legs recovered? I had a couple of lessons doing 'half halts' a while ago, was so concerned about when the nervy horse I was riding would have its next spook I didn't learn a thing Different horse now and it's back to the drawing board.... My instructor shouts loud and long too, when she takes videos of me she turns the phone volume to zero so there's no proof!

 

[Surbie]

Legs were suprisingly ok, thanks both! I didn't ask her to take videos and should have! Next time. I have booked a session on a mechanical horse for next week to get a really clear view of my many weaknesses... Constant spooks are unsettling, I'm not surprised you couldn't focus. I wouldn't have either.

Arch had a recurring abcess that went on re-appearing for 4 months and ended up with a partial hoof wall removal and box rest/tiny turnout for 4 months. I was totally useless at poulticing to begin with - my efforts were genuinely laughable and usually off within 5-10 minutes. I am now an utter ninja with the vet wrap/duck tape combo, and my forecep wielding is ok too. Those and eye drops are about the only things I can do though. There should be badges, like in Brownies...

The livery yard sounds immense fun. When's your first picnic? Are they explaining the 'why' behind things? My yard is also small and people come and go at different times. I do prefer it that way.

When are you riding again? Would love to hear how you're doing. Good luck with Mount Cantle!

 

[JenniD]

Sorry for late reply. I'm trying to visualise a partial hoof wall removal. Sounds quite an operation.Poor Arch. But at least he's abcess free now. It's amazing what you can do with duct tape! You can get multicoloured tape now and even tape with glitter!

Yes the yard is small. I'm hoping there'll be people around my age wandering in and out to get tips off. I shall be asking lots of questions don't worry. It's literally starting again! I can't see myself having a picnic for quite a while yet surbie....I won't be the one laying out the rug on the grass...I might not be able to get off to do it...so I'll be eating my hard boiled egg and sandwich sitting in the saddle! Riding again week after next. Got my granddaughter staying from today for a week. I'll let you know how I get on.

 

[Skib]

Lovely that so many of us started or re-started so late.
I began aged 62 and at my second lesson was taught by the RI to dismount cavalry fashion with my left foot in the stirrup - it is a variation allowed in the Pony Club Manual for less physically able riders.

The RI taught me very decisively when we saw an experienced rider in his eighties fall on the cobbles while dismounting after a hack. Neither I nor my OH have ever dismounted any other way. Tho if dismounting bareback I need to lie along the neck of the horse and roll off.

 

[Rumtytum]

were suprisingly ok, thanks both! I didn't ask her to take videos and should have! Next time. I have booked a session on a mechanical horse for next week to get a really clear view of my many weaknesses...

You are officially awarded 3 virtual Brownie badges for poulticing, forceps wielding and administration of eye drops! Poor Arch, a tooth abscess was bad enough for me, so glad he's recovered well
Please post an account of the mechanical horse, I'm very interested as there's one not far from here and I'm pondering on whether to give it a go. Have heard they make quite a clunky noise.

 

[JenniD]

Sod the noise! haha! at least it won't spook or rear!!...be in touch soon C. xx

 

[JenniD]

That's worth bearing in mind too Skib....I'm game for anything as long as I reach the ground! ....

 

[Rumtytum]

Sod the noise! haha! at least it won't spook or rear!!...be in touch soon C. xx

How embarrassing would it be to fall off a mechanical horse
Looking forward to hearing from you but know you are busy so no rush

 

[JenniD]

Hee! Hee! Not as embarrassing as it would be if you couldn't get off!!! speak soon

 

[Tiddlypom]

A good riding simulator + trainer is great. I've had a few sessions on Rocky fron Cheshire who is well schooled in the basics, he does transitions if asked nicely. He's surprisingly realistic.

Set up a camcorder to record the whole session.

*whispers* I found mounting and dismounting from Rocky more difficult than with a real horse . Also, do not automatically grab hold of your mechanical steed's mane to help you on, it is only decorative and you will be told off. Yes, that was me...

 

[Surbie]

Sod the noise! haha! at least it won't spook or rear!!...be in touch soon C. xx

 

[Rumtytum]

A good riding simulator + trainer is great. I've had a few sessions on Rocky fron Cheshire who is well schooled in the basics, he does transitions if asked nicely. He's surprisingly realistic.

Set up a camcorder to record the whole session.


*whispers* I found mounting and dismounting from Rocky more difficult than with a real horse . Also, do not automatically grab hold of your mechanical steed's mane to help you on, it is only decorative and you will be told off. Yes, that was me...

Thanks for the tip about not balding the mh, that's so funny and just the sort of thing I would do.. Rocky sounds fab, have just tried the website for the one near me but it's redirecting to weird things. Will ring the stables where mech horsey lives.

 

[JenniD]

A good riding simulator + trainer is great. I've had a few sessions on Rocky fron Cheshire who is well schooled in the basics, he does transitions if asked nicely. He's surprisingly realistic.

Set up a camcorder to record the whole session.

*whispers* I found mounting and dismounting from Rocky more difficult than with a real horse . Also, do not automatically grab hold of your mechanical steed's mane to help you on, it is only decorative and you will be told off. Yes, that was me...

Oh well that's it then! There's no hope for me!...but hang on....is there a button that can lower Rocky to 2ft off the ground? You know, like the tail lifts of lorries when they deliver your new washing machine?....* perks up optimistically*

 

[Rumtytum]

Oh well that's it then! There's no hope for me!...but hang on....is there a button that can lower Rocky to 2ft off the ground? You know, like the tail lifts of lorries when they deliver your new washing machine?....* perks up optimistically*

 

[Rumtytum]

Oh well that's it then! There's no hope for me!...but hang on....is there a button that can lower Rocky to 2ft off the ground? You know, like the tail lifts of lorries when they deliver your new washing machine?....* perks up optimistically*D

 

[Tiddlypom]

If Rocky had a lowering option, the trainer never let on about it to me! I think that's the same mounting block...

I think this is him. I see that he has a neck strap now, that could come in handy! I took my own saddle with me and rode in it. I thought I'd look silly wearing my crash helmet so I went bare headed, which felt odd, but wore normal riding gear otherwise. There are big mirrors to the front and side which are very helpful.

ETA there were saddles available for those who didn't bring their own.

 

[Rumtytum]

He's very handsome
Can see how the mirrors would be very helpful, I never get time at my RS for more than a quick glance

 

[Rumtytum]

Surbie have you had your session on the mechanical horse? If you have how did it go?

 

[Surbie]

I haven't - had to cancel due to family stuff. Good reminder to rebook it though!

 

[Rumtytum]

Ah, hope all is O.K. now with you and your family, look forward to reading about it when you do go.

 

[JenniD]

Yes, me too! I can imagine that if I was to have a go the MH would develop a mechanical glitch and I'd get stuck in 'gallop mode'...something like Del Boy on his jet ski in Miami Twice....Luvly Jubbly! Haha!

 

[JenniD]

I have good news!......Today I got my leg over!!! ....ahem! sorry, I forgot myself!! What I mean is that I have conquered Mount Cantle!! Yayyy.....having had a great lesson on Big Beau I was convinced that it would end with the ridiculous spectacle of one leg caught on the cantle. On the never ending slide down to the ground I automatically assumed that my instructor had unhooked my right leg from the saddle but she was in front of me. All this must be very trivial to those of you who can jump on and off their nags with ease. So many apologies for boring you all...but it's made my day! I shall keep doing the exercises and battle on regardless!

 

[Rumtytum]

Hurrah!
JenniD : 1 , Mount Cantle : 0
Best score ever! Am very very proud of you

 

[JenniD]

Hurrah! JenniD : 1 , Cantle : 0 Best score ever! Am very very proud of you

Aww shucks! Thank you!!