Valentines Weekend plans

Girls have their jabs today and the ground is rock solid so I don’t imagine there’ll be any riding this weekend. I’m working tomorrow anyway, got a couple of dogs in who are desperate and prone to matting.
I’ve been suffering from horrendous headaches all week, not sure if it’s hormonal or to do with lack of sleep (older dog had a tummy bug so I’ve been up 3-4 times a night with her) so might try to have a chill out on Sunday, no screen time and maybe a nap.
 
Glaring at the snow and ice. Horses are all fine mooching about so I don't need to worry about them. But can't get them down the lane to either next doors frozen school or the road for a hack. Looking at the forecast it won't be thawing until we get rain Sunday evening. So I guess I'll be walking the dog dreaming about Summer!
 
This is the extent of my riding.. bareback riding and leading with rugs on around the school in walk ?‍♀️ Horses on no turnout until it thaws, school too firm to do more than walk.

I don’t think there’s many horse pairs you could do this with when they’ve been in for 4 days and not been allowed to break out of a walk ?

Boggle finds it quite demeaning and generally is quite grumpy about having Bear ponyed off him, and Bear I have to keep a close eye on as he loves to swing his teeth at Bog with his ears pricked (quite literally an annoying toddler).

 
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Roxylola said:
Aren't they good. I reckon I could do the bareback bit, but ride and lead would result in squealy bucks
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Haha, I did think I was a gonner when a horse was turned out and galloped straight at the fence alongside the school but luckily the boys were kind to me this morning.

It's quite amusing tbh and I can even use my phone whilst doing it so fairly productive for work etc :D
 
Confirmed that the arena is frozen and it has no chance of thawing out by tomorrow (it will probably take a couple of days even once the weather warms up on Thursday - considering it's a very new, well-built and has an excellent waxed surface it's a bit of a nightmare!) so we've postponed lessons to next weekend.

I guess we'll be plodding around and trying to avoid ice / frostbite instead! Thankfully the horses are still turned out every night so they're fine.
 
Blooming wind!
Thought B needed some mental work this morning so chucked a bridle in the car. Took her for a good march round the little block that usually takes 13 to 15 mins walking under saddle (A takes 20 mins, her leggies are v short and slow). B really enjoyed marching out, back to the yard in 11 mins! My ankle didn't enjoy it so much. Glad I removed my old thick coat as was quite warm on body due to said marching.
I did think about hopping on from a tree stump but then was logical in remembering I didnt have BP on and haven't yet sat on B bareback, I'm also not as mobile as I used to be.
Well done Michen :)
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
Blooming wind!
Thought B needed some mental work this morning so chucked a bridle in the car. Took her for a good march round the little block that usually takes 13 to 15 mins walking under saddle (A takes 20 mins, her leggies are v short and slow). B really enjoyed marching out, back to the yard in 11 mins! My ankle didn't enjoy it so much. Glad I removed my old thick coat as was quite warm on body due to said marching.
I did think about hopping on from a tree stump but then was logical in remembering I didnt have BP on and haven't yet sat on B bareback, I'm also not as mobile as I used to be.
Well done Michen :)
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The wind is vile!

Ha I only do it as in summer I regularly ride and lead them down to the field. And sometimes mess around riding Bog tackless. I would not get on Bear and do this, he’d probably be fine but I don’t think I’d take my chances ?
 
Michen said:
The wind is vile!

Ha I only do it as in summer I regularly ride and lead them down to the field. And sometimes mess around riding Bog tackless. I would not get on Bear and do this, he’d probably be fine but I don’t think I’d take my chances ?
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My brain says do it, but the body isn't willing these days ?
 
Hoping to get some hacking in this weekend. Blue hasn't been able to hoolie round her field, because it's a bit too slippery, so is feeling distinctly bouncy and needs a good, long hack to get the tickle out of her toes.

We had a very, um, 'forward' lesson on Wednesday. Instructor is no longer allowed to say 'trot' or Blue takes it as an excuse! However, we're getting close to mastering 'walk-to-trot transitions at slightly less than light speed' and are making progress on 'free walk on a long rein in a vaguely straight line without doing a bloodhound impression', as well as 'trot-to-walk transitions without plummeting onto the forehand and ploughing to a stop'.

I'm also planning to record our first online dressage test either this weekend or next week. It's a very simple one, so fingers crossed the fact that Blue moves nicely (for a brick outhouse) will make up for all our other many flaws!
 
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Apart from a bareback (well, in two rugs) walk and trot round round the school Monday morning, I’ve not ridden all week. So frustrating after having a breakthrough lesson last week, can barely even remember what it was never mind recreate! ?
A not so fun weekend on a personal level coming up as well as a very low chance of riding. Booooo ☹️ Roll on spring and all it brings.
 
My covid test was negative, I do just have a cold! So hacking is back on. I also need to visit a tack shop to pick up new trimmers, my super cheap ones finally died so I'm investing in something a bit more powerful
Edit to add, it is necessary to keep on top of Charlie's mallanders and I've been waiting 2 weeks for a set that it seems aren't in the country yet ?
 
Hmm...so not sure what to say after today really. I think I am done. Maybe with riding full stop, maybe just with my share. I'm not sure how much detail to go into on the public forum but put very basically, I am really upset (like, crying upset) at having my boundaries and sense of safety completely disregarded. I was put in a situation I was not comfortable with in the first place and when I reached a point to speak up and say "actually I really don't think this is a good idea, I'm very uncomfortable" I was ignored and dismissed/slightly had a go at. What really grates is that I suspect I was being made to do something this person was not willing to do theirself. There's not a formal agreement in place and although I'm upset and cross I don't want to be a tit about things so trying to work out what's a reasonable way to do 'notice'. What a shame :(
 
SaddlePsych'D said:
Hmm...so not sure what to say after today really. I think I am done. Maybe with riding full stop, maybe just with my share. I'm not sure how much detail to go into on the public forum but put very basically, I am really upset (like, crying upset) at having my boundaries and sense of safety completely disregarded. I was put in a situation I was not comfortable with in the first place and when I reached a point to speak up and say "actually I really don't think this is a good idea, I'm very uncomfortable" I was ignored and dismissed/slightly had a go at. What really grates is that I suspect I was being made to do something this person was not willing to do theirself. There's not a formal agreement in place and although I'm upset and cross I don't want to be a tit about things so trying to work out what's a reasonable way to do 'notice'. What a shame :(
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Oh lawks, I feel for you.
Please, sleep on things, whatever has happened might seem clearer in the morning.
I'm happy if you want to bounce things off me this evening or over the weekend x
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
Oh lawks, I feel for you.
Please, sleep on things, whatever has happened might seem clearer in the morning.
I'm happy if you want to bounce things off me this evening or over the weekend x
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Thank you. that would be helpful :) I will see how things go over the next couple of days and get in touch with you. Others at the yard are nice but I don't feel like I can really talk it through with anyone as I don't want to create issues.
 
Bugger SPD - that doesn't sound good. Sorry you've been treated like that. Just want to say well done for speaking up. Obviously I dont know the ins and outs of what happened but I hate hate hate caution around horses being dismissed and it happens all the time! From people on hacks ignoring requests to stay in walk or drop back and catch up if they want a canter, to people who agree to go on a slow hack who then bomb off, to people who take you on dangerous routes or cant control their horses and find it funny. I've got a few friends who I just wont ride out with anymore because they dont respect that if I say I want to keep the ride slow/controlled, I actually mean it! They think I'm just being silly. Obviously they can go as fast as they like but if they agree to a slow hack then ignore that agreement I get very wound up!

I hope you get it sorted though. I agree with not making hasty decisions.
 
SPD that sounds rough, I’m sorry you have been made to feel like that but I echo what others say, good on you for standing up for yourself. Pour yourself a large glass of something delicious and get some choccy down you. Happy to lend an ear if it helps.

I actually rode tonight, in -2! Ok, I had 3 pairs of trousers, a tshirt, 2 jumpers and a coat on and consequently felt like the friggin Michelin man, but I still rode. Did some very sweet stretchy work concentrating on not losing the right shoulder in the canter trans and called it a day.

Keep warm everyone!
 
Sprat said:
Also, I tested the waters with the savings account / boots scenario and it didn’t go well ?
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Did you point out warm functioning toes are important too?
#clutchingatstraws

I asked mum who is normally the voice of reason and she sent me ‘?... you only live once... and cold feet are most unpleasant’. So felt I had to buy them then!
 
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