nikkimariet
Well-Known Member
Well... Where to start...
With some home improvements I think!
Thanks to Pappy T we've finally got rid of the mess created from soaked hay run off, shampoos and general dirt and grime. The yard feels huge now!!!!
And my fatty cat who looks permanently disappointed/offended has been a bit braver about wandering round the yard, which makes Loki's absence a little bit easier. He loves people but not too fond of the horses...
And besides grooming for 2 international GP riders at Somerford Regionals
(now THAT was fun!!!) we've just been busy training...
Had a very interesting session on CS... There was a (stationary) 4x4 and baler in the field that backs on to our land and this had him on red alert... And even worse the 4x4 then gave birth and expelled two aliens (clearly not people) one of which ran round screaming!
Normally he is the least spooky horse, second only to Bruce, and barely twitches an ear so tonight was the first time I have EVER felt him want to spin and get the hell out of dodge! It really bought home the importance of neck control and submission to the aids, being able to flex the neck down and round whilst riding the ribs over to stop the leaping around and to keep him in MY zone.
NMT came and watched the half steps and the walk pirouettes, reminding me to keep myself uphill and seat engaged in both. Finished up with simple walk/trot transitions each time asking for more engagement and as a result the trot became much looser over the top line
A really good session as it reminded me how to ride him when he gets ultra hot.
Whereas I was pleasantly surprised... It was the pocket rocket Mr Fig who IS usually spooky, who was completely unbothered by the hay baling going on in next doors field! On top of that, he really looked after me today (I've got sinusitis... Again!)
Just had a session of basic stuff; moving the neck and ribs around. Can I move the poll and his back stays round? Can I move the shoulders and the quarters stay still? Can I move the quarters and the shoulders stay still? If I put my leg on, does he bounce up underneath me or does the power go out the front door?
Trying really hard in the canter to sit on my bum and pull all that energy up into my stomach! And also really trying to keeps reins that half inch longer so I keep the bend in my elbows, which means Fig doesn't brace against me and hollow his top line.
Plenty of walk breaks and some electrolytes in his tea (with plenty of painkillers and antibiotics for me!) means we worked for a full hour as normal and then I shoved both of us under the hose it was so hot!
Horse eating alien goings on:
And looking at that first pic of Fig I am really pleased (as always!) with how his weight is coming along...
If we remember this was how he looked when he arrived:
And this was the other week, looking like a proper horse!
We think CS has put on a little weight too - have a play with increasing oats and decreasing slobbermash... Must try and get some pics of him soon too.
In other news, Fig still as daft as ever:
Had a late morning last week (security doors on office had a breakdown and we couldn't get in)... So had time to have a cuddle with the cats and Fig in the field, which has never happened before as I'm up at sparrow fart of 5.15am and leave the house at 8am for work!
Onto the main subject... We've never hidden any of the boys' quirks. Fig is sharp and forward. CS is sharp and either backwards or stationary depending on his mood! They've always been the way they have according to previous owners and trainers, and their current training works with that and not against it. There have been some inaccurate and unfair comments made in the past though; one that comes to mind is how poorly trained/unhappy CS must be if he can't get down our own driveway without rearing...
Well... We've been doing lots of this
And with all 3 too!
In fact on one hack recently we encountered just about everything you can think of including a pony and trap which we're not sure any of them have ever seen before. They were awesome, stood with a rested leg as it went by.
There are down days and up days for sure, days where it doesn't go right at all and days where everything is perfect! I can say without a shadow of a doubt that CS and PS are developing a true friendship now. Because the below wouldn't have been possible previously...
Fig very very confused...
Not much more to add to this little ramble! We've got a clinic with Steph Croxford this weekend, followed by Regionals and Area Festivals. Excited!!!
With some home improvements I think!
Thanks to Pappy T we've finally got rid of the mess created from soaked hay run off, shampoos and general dirt and grime. The yard feels huge now!!!!
And my fatty cat who looks permanently disappointed/offended has been a bit braver about wandering round the yard, which makes Loki's absence a little bit easier. He loves people but not too fond of the horses...
And besides grooming for 2 international GP riders at Somerford Regionals
(now THAT was fun!!!) we've just been busy training...
Had a very interesting session on CS... There was a (stationary) 4x4 and baler in the field that backs on to our land and this had him on red alert... And even worse the 4x4 then gave birth and expelled two aliens (clearly not people) one of which ran round screaming!
Normally he is the least spooky horse, second only to Bruce, and barely twitches an ear so tonight was the first time I have EVER felt him want to spin and get the hell out of dodge! It really bought home the importance of neck control and submission to the aids, being able to flex the neck down and round whilst riding the ribs over to stop the leaping around and to keep him in MY zone.
NMT came and watched the half steps and the walk pirouettes, reminding me to keep myself uphill and seat engaged in both. Finished up with simple walk/trot transitions each time asking for more engagement and as a result the trot became much looser over the top line
A really good session as it reminded me how to ride him when he gets ultra hot.
Whereas I was pleasantly surprised... It was the pocket rocket Mr Fig who IS usually spooky, who was completely unbothered by the hay baling going on in next doors field! On top of that, he really looked after me today (I've got sinusitis... Again!)
Just had a session of basic stuff; moving the neck and ribs around. Can I move the poll and his back stays round? Can I move the shoulders and the quarters stay still? Can I move the quarters and the shoulders stay still? If I put my leg on, does he bounce up underneath me or does the power go out the front door?
Trying really hard in the canter to sit on my bum and pull all that energy up into my stomach! And also really trying to keeps reins that half inch longer so I keep the bend in my elbows, which means Fig doesn't brace against me and hollow his top line.
Plenty of walk breaks and some electrolytes in his tea (with plenty of painkillers and antibiotics for me!) means we worked for a full hour as normal and then I shoved both of us under the hose it was so hot!
Horse eating alien goings on:
And looking at that first pic of Fig I am really pleased (as always!) with how his weight is coming along...
If we remember this was how he looked when he arrived:
And this was the other week, looking like a proper horse!
We think CS has put on a little weight too - have a play with increasing oats and decreasing slobbermash... Must try and get some pics of him soon too.
In other news, Fig still as daft as ever:
Had a late morning last week (security doors on office had a breakdown and we couldn't get in)... So had time to have a cuddle with the cats and Fig in the field, which has never happened before as I'm up at sparrow fart of 5.15am and leave the house at 8am for work!
Onto the main subject... We've never hidden any of the boys' quirks. Fig is sharp and forward. CS is sharp and either backwards or stationary depending on his mood! They've always been the way they have according to previous owners and trainers, and their current training works with that and not against it. There have been some inaccurate and unfair comments made in the past though; one that comes to mind is how poorly trained/unhappy CS must be if he can't get down our own driveway without rearing...
Well... We've been doing lots of this
And with all 3 too!
In fact on one hack recently we encountered just about everything you can think of including a pony and trap which we're not sure any of them have ever seen before. They were awesome, stood with a rested leg as it went by.
There are down days and up days for sure, days where it doesn't go right at all and days where everything is perfect! I can say without a shadow of a doubt that CS and PS are developing a true friendship now. Because the below wouldn't have been possible previously...
Fig very very confused...
Not much more to add to this little ramble! We've got a clinic with Steph Croxford this weekend, followed by Regionals and Area Festivals. Excited!!!
