Valentines Weekend plans

[Baccara]

Nothing. Had my Covid jab yesterday and feeling like sh**. Which Ive been told is a good sign! So staying warm and doped up with paracetamal

 

[racebuddy]

Morning everyone is so cold ? ive braved long reining this am , thankfully treadmill tommorow for him xx

 

[Reacher]

Sorry you are upset @SaddlePsych'D - sleep on it and see how you feel. I quite understand how upset you were at having your concerns ignored.

Well due to frozen ground I haven’t ridden since last weekend either - and currently 47 mph winds so there is no way I’m venturing out - yesterday I took mr H for a little graze and walk in hand (he preferred the graze part). Today he looked very fed up when I turned him out so they are now moping around the yard / stable.

I am a complete beginner where ground work is concerned so I found an online resource link on an old thread on here and am currently on lesson 1 - getting him to back up using my body language etc as a cue. First day he just stared me down but 2nd day was a bit more successful (though he looks disgusted by the indignity).

 

[Sail_away]

Can I just say... I am so glad I have this horse? I’m sitting in her stable (sorry, H&S people) and she’s standing over me. Sometimes she’ll groom my hair, sometimes she’ll prick her ears and look around. Honestly feels like she’s looking after me.
And now she’s gone back to her hay. Well she is a horse
The last two rides on her have been so lovely, when she gets in the zone it’s just amazing - she’s so clever and talented everything feels easy for her. It does help as well after the early retirement of my first horse to have one who’s already at the same level as him. It makes it feel like the time spent getting him competition ready really was worthwhile, because if I hadn’t put in so much effort I wouldn’t have a clue how to ride this one!
On a different note everything is still iced up so no hacking this weekend, but by Monday we’re in positive figures again so not long now.

 

[Wishfilly]

We were back the right side of freezing today despite the rain and the wind. Someone else from the yard wanted to go hacking, so I went with- we crossed the main road and she showed me some of the routes over there. I'm not sure I'd be brave enough to cross the road without someone who's used to doing it (it's a proper A road and the traffic does come across fast!). Blue enjoyed himself and thought having a hacking buddy was very exciting, but mostly behaved. There's some good hills over there to trot up, so if we can get across more it will be great for fitness!

I don't think there will be any riding tomorrow, but it is warming up so hopefully this will be the last week without much riding!

@SaddlePsych'D That sounds really tough- my PMs are open if you fancy talking it through. I can guess the sort of scenario you are talking about and it is really, really tough.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

Absolutely nothing doing here. Poor DP had an adverse reaction to the drugs for his cough and was a bit poorly yesterday. 24 hours have cleared his system and he has changed to the Ventapulmin granules tonight which he hasn’t reacted to before but he will have as long as it takes until he stops coughing before I ride him again. B has been a miserable old bugger all day and hasn’t even wanted to leave his box for the turnout pen and as it was bitterly cold I left him to his hay.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

We had to turn back and go with hack plan b today as sheet ice covered the road ?, was impassable even with bare tootsies!

Also does Equilab count trotting as cantering for anyone else? We were definitely just trotting ???‍ though Skylla does trot fast...

 

[iknowmyvalue]

More schooling today, got into the arena and someone had left some jumps set up so regretted not putting the GP saddle on but there we go. Maybe they’ll still be in there tomorrow... didn’t have any extra moves today though! Just a 5 minute disagreement about whether or not he was going back into the field (he thought he’d rather stay inside, I don’t blame him, was blinking freezing outside)

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

We were back the right side of freezing today despite the rain and the wind. Someone else from the yard wanted to go hacking, so I went with- we crossed the main road and she showed me some of the routes over there. I'm not sure I'd be brave enough to cross the road without someone who's used to doing it (it's a proper A road and the traffic does come across fast!). Blue enjoyed himself and thought having a hacking buddy was very exciting, but mostly behaved. There's some good hills over there to trot up, so if we can get across more it will be great for fitness!

I don't think there will be any riding tomorrow, but it is warming up so hopefully this will be the last week without much riding!

@SaddlePsych'D That sounds really tough- my PMs are open if you fancy talking it through. I can guess the sort of scenario you are talking about and it is really, really tough.

Thank you Feeling a bit better today although I felt a bit weird at the yard today and me riding out yesterday was brought up, in good humour - none of them are aware of what happened, and I just wanted to say 'actually I'm pretty upset about x because y'. I'm think they would probably be understanding but I really don't want cause issues by saying something out of turn. It also sort of confirmed some of the reasons I wasn't comfortable in the situation in the first place.

 

[Wishfilly]

Thank you Feeling a bit better today although I felt a bit weird at the yard today and me riding out yesterday was brought up, in good humour - none of them are aware of what happened, and I just wanted to say 'actually I'm pretty upset about x because y'. I'm think they would probably be understanding but I really don't want cause issues by saying something out of turn. It also sort of confirmed some of the reasons I wasn't comfortable in the situation in the first place.

That does sound like a tough situation to be in- I think keeping quiet is probably the best way forwards if you haven't spoken to the person you're upset with yet. You don't want things getting back to them via chinese whispers.

But if you are not happy, I would consider getting out of the share ASAP. There will be other shares, and now you've got experience with one, you will be more likely to find another quickly via word of mouth etc. Sharing is often tricky, and it can take a while to find the right set up for you!

 

[Accidental Eventer]

We had a brilliant lesson yesterday! Coolie doesn’t feel like he missed a day, he is going better than ever, plus we did it all in his snaffle with no drop nose and which would have been unheard of 2 years ago. My coach agreed with my feeling that he is jumping better than ever and thought he was looking fantastic, moving well, sound and very happy. Not bad for 18 and 2 years of mostly hacking.

 

[Northern]

It appears to be quite cold in the other hemisphere, ‘aye? ?

I won’t have the last laugh, the horses here are already moulting and autumn is on its way.

I’ve had an interesting weekend. My saddle fitter asked if she could do a bit evaluation on L and gave me a few to try out. She went best in a ported Trust bit interestingly enough, it makes sense in terms of leaving room for her tongue but she must prefer the material to metal. Was great to try out a few different ones in any case. Today I took her out bareback in a halter and practiced canter transitions in the riding paddock. She’s getting much better at using her inside hind leg to push off rather than fall and run into the canter. Hopefully I can get her out to a few outings soon!



Also took out the breaker and long reined her in the big field yesterday. Over and around poles and had a super nice canter each way on the double lunge reins. She was really attentive and on my voice aids which made it very easy to enjoy working with her. Today I took her out for a ride and we rode home solo for the first time. She was nice and relaxed on a long rein. Very happy with her!



Hopefully my Sunny photos will warm you guys up!

 

[milliepops]

Kira looking angelic there's an indoor yard on the other side of the wall and they have a roundpen which had a fairly lively horse in when we got into the school so she spent the first 5 mins trying to join in, snorting and wheeling around..... Darcy was neighing his head off on my yard which was not helping either. I was about to admit defeat but figured we had to test the temperament at some point so now was as good a time as ever

well she came through for me, a couple of months ago she'd have just jacked it in so that's progress.
She was a good egg yesterday too though I did have to lunge her first to get the springs out of her feet. Hopefully be able to get back in the fields tomorrow

 

[nikkimariet]

A mixed weekend.

Rooni is back in work and seems to have relocated his brain... New saddle day yesterday. Love it. So much. He was fab.



Quick ride for Fig after who felt great in his new pedals.



Today was a good hack for Fig. Just in walk, just under 8 miles. He loves exploring and is so safe and steady when NOT in company on grass.



Sadly my weekend stopped being great there as Bruce broke his hip in the field when I got back. He had a crashing fall as he tripped whilst he galloped over to be brought in. Devastated doesn’t cover it, he deserved better. But I have a lot of closure from playing witness. The whole event was very quick and his body has already gone to be cremated.



The yard will never be the same without him.

 

[J&S]

What a shock, very sad for you nikkimariet.

 

[Roxylola]

Liking for the good bits and sympathy. So sorry for your loss

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

A mixed weekend.

Rooni is back in work and seems to have relocated his brain... New saddle day yesterday. Love it. So much. He was fab.

View attachment 65868

Quick ride for Fig after who felt great in his new pedals.

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Today was a good hack for Fig. Just in walk, just under 8 miles. He loves exploring and is so safe and steady when NOT in company on grass.

View attachment 65870

Sadly my weekend stopped being great there as Bruce broke his hip in the field when I got back. He had a crashing fall as he tripped whilst he galloped over to be brought in. Devastated doesn’t cover it, he deserved better. But I have a lot of closure from playing witness. The whole event was very quick and his body has already gone to be cremated.

View attachment 65871

The yard will never be the same without him.

Oh no! I am so sorry to read this. That must have been a huge shock.

 

[Squeak]

So so sorry about Bruce, what a terrible thing to happen. Thank goodness you were there and able to help him straight away.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

NM, how awful for you, v sorry xx

 

[Sprat]

Nikki I’m so sorry, lots of love. What a beautiful boy xx

 

[Bernster]

Such sad news, so sorry x

 

[Ample Prosecco]

I'm so sorry. He was absolutely beautiful x

 

[SEL]

I saw your post on FB - I'm so so sorry.

 

[milliepops]

Very sorry, horrible thing to witness ?

 

[shortstuff99]

I'm sorry to hear that NM. I remember when you first started posting on here and about going to the trailblazers champs. How far you have come and what a fabulous horse he has been. Xx

 

[nikkimariet]

Thanks all, I knew he wasn’t walking away as soon as he flipped over. I felt sick watching him desperately trying to get to his feet and was already on the phone to the vets as I ran to him. I kept hoping he would just jump up, even though I watched him go I still had this flicker that he might have somehow righted himself from under the tarp in the field.

The yard is very empty without him.

 

[McFluff]

So sorry to hear about Bruce

 

[nikkimariet]

I'm sorry to hear that NM. I remember when you first started posting on here and about going to the trailblazers champs. How far you have come and what a fabulous horse he has been. Xx

Strange, that popped into my head earlier. He gave me that push back into dressage. He has given so many people so much.

There’s a lot of thank yous I feel like I never got to say to him.

 

[shortstuff99]

Strange, that popped into my head earlier. He gave me that push back into dressage. He has given so many people so much.

There’s a lot of thank yous I feel like I never got to say to him.

I think he would know how special he was to you all x.

 

[Wishfilly]

I'm so sorry to hear about Bruce. He sounds like a very special horse and I'm sure he knew he was loved.