Sunny or Snowy - Second Weekend of Jan Plans

[Bernster]

Brilliant NM! Looking fab.

We might have been better for having had a blast yesterday too. Too tense to do good work today - was going sweetly in the warm up then another horse started playing up and it unsettled him and I couldn’t really get himrelaxed again. Oh well, we have to deal with these things. Still managed 5th despite the tension, an incorrect canter lead and i could have been more accurate ! I need more practice in a proper size arena (ours is short and wide) so might look for arena hire next weekend. Lovely day though with some sun and not too cold.

 

[MuddyMonster]

Counting Thurs/Fri I've had a polework lesson, a Franklin ball session, a lovely long hack on Saturday and I was supposed to be Trec session today but it got cancelled so went for another hack in the sunshine Making the most of whilst it lasts as next week does not look inspiring, weather wise ...

 

[Cloball]

After being a complete loon last weekend (showed our hacking buddy just how high we can get our back feet) and then doing the wall of death on the lunge the next day. I was going to do ground work Saturday, hack Sunday and then lesson Monday hack again Tuesday as I'm not working Monday to Wednesday so I can make the most of the daylight. Turns out normal service has resumed this weekend and we ended up having a very sweet if a bit unfit school yesterday so my meltdown last weekend was unnecessary.

 

[Wishfilly]

Very very proud of my pony today- we went to a new venue for a clinic, he jumped a course of jumps in a strange location, and he was an absolute saint- didn't look at anything even though some of the jumps were a bit spooky, and he was forward and keen. Only tiny cross poles, but it felt like a real achievement!

I had a bit of a confidence wobble in the middle- he's so good and really looks after me, sometimes I feel he deserves someone who has some confidence and could just crack on and take him out jumping, because he so clearly enjoys it.

But onwards and upwards- I've done it once, so it can only get easier, right?

 

[Chippers1]

Buzz had a great time seeing his old yard friends, neighed at them all! The arena hire was good too and I jumped a few more than I thought I would which was great fun.
Puppy was super cute all being well she will come home in a month or so. Can't wait!
We have built my cat an 'upstairs landing' around our living room so he's much happier being able to keep out of the way of the dog we recently adopted (he's an old man and very chilled out!) so I'm hoping that will make him more relaxed when puppy arrives as he will easily be able to keep out of the way. He also has the whole of upstairs to himself which he's enjoying!

 

[j1ffy]

Our quiet Saturday hack was more eventful than planned as my friend had a health crisis 20 minutes in. We had to call someone to pick her up, thankfully she's absolutely fine but it was quite upsetting to see (plus I was infuriated when a car flew by inches from Chilli's back leg and my other friend's stirrup while I was helping my friend safely dismount - why are people such idiots??). The three horses - all Spanish - were all so well behaved despite all the kerfuffle, they are so clever and empathetic, unlike aforementioned car driver.

Sunday's blast up the hill was much needed by all and P and Chilli enjoyed themselves, I think they needed a good blow out!

 

[LEC]

I have had a brilliant week - Shared Lesson with @TheMule at Tom's which was just fabulous. Friday I had a lesson on the now 5yo with Cameron Beer which was great. Saturday both horses went up the gallops and on Sunday I had a very useful xc lesson where Insey felt amazing and was all over it even if the rider was semi crap. The horses are going great which happens every year before disaster strikes. Will wait with trepidation for this years disaster.

2020 - Covid
2021 - Actually was not too bad though season didn't finish as planned due to pulled muscle.
2022 - Cancer
2023 - Leptospirosis

 

[SEL]

I'm generally not having the best start to the year......

I've just read an email I sent after falling off on Friday and think I should probably have retired to a darkened room - it was gibberish. Obviously hit my head a bit harder than I realised. Anyway, have new hat and although Babycob was a bit stiff after his exploits around the ploughed field he loosened off OK schooling yesterday and is non the worse for dumping me and broncing until the quarter sheet was destroyed. I am feeling my age though. More splat than bounce these days.

Microcob hasn't been herself since pre Xmas and I got bloods pulled last week. Still waiting for a couple of results but very elevated AST with nothing else really showing up. So liver or muscle damage but I'd expect the other liver markers to be up if that was it. She's like a slug to ride at the moment which is very unlike her and a hack which would normally take 45 mins was almost twice as long yesterday. I didn't push her for obvious reasons but there's a stretch she likes to canter along and she just wasn't interested.

Can't see us doing much for the rest of the week. Minus 4 in the fields and I don't like driving the van on icy roads with a horse on board so quiet week expected.

 

[humblepie]

@SEL - do take care. Sounds like perhaps you shouldn't be working and just resting the brain.
@Jiffy - that sounds horrendous, hope friend okay.
@LEC - eek to all that but sounds a good weekend.

 

[Alibear]

Condolences and best wishes to all those who've had a rough weekend; I'm really sorry plans went awry.

Amber travelled well and worked hard in her lesson but still backed off at certain points on the left rein. Whereas the Saturday before lesson at home she was fine. I'm wondering if the long travel straight into a lesson just isn't suiting her. I don't have any more planned like that so I can compare it with the upcoming travel the day before ones and see what we get.
She was pretty good to hack out again yesterday. She just blotted her copybook slightly going over the railway crossing; not had a problem before, but i think she caught a toe in the gap and panicked. She stayed with me though and got it on the third try.
She's had a pretty busy 4 weeks so I'm happy to step back a bit if this predicted cold weather really hits East Anglia.

I brought us a really nice new 1 ear headstall with the money she won for winning the Versatility Ranch all-around year-end award. Then I promptly left her work bridle behind at Sovereign. We're back in a fortnight, so I'll pick it up then. A couple of weeks back in her snaffle one will probably do us both good.

 

[mavandkaz]

The week didn't start brilliantly with a phone call from the yard to say the my two had broken through their fencing and we're having a jolly time in the massive crop field attached to the yard. Luckily liveries were able to round them up and get them back in their stables. They then had to stay in on Friday due to broken fencing.
On Saturday I took Shambles to our first ever go at Working Equitation. Was great fun and had a good go at everything. Need to work on the rope gate though.
Then Sunday went for a good canter hack with Belles potential new loaner, who rode her really well considering how up for it belle was and wasn't put off when she starting jogging as soon as her hooves hit the grass.