Weekday Plans - w/c 10th Nov

sheep

sheep

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Well folks, how is the week ahead looking?

I’m pleased that I hit my plans for last week, although I may have forgotten to do any AYS, oops 😬 I’ll try and slot a couple of sessions in this week.

Here’s my plan anyway… top row Ace, bottom row Charmer.

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Night off tonight for them, I’ve had to rejig management for everyone slightly as the mare has an abscess so yard jobs will take slightly longer tonight I reckon.

Thankfully she is now walking relatively well, so I have popped her into our outside stable (it’s a double sized wooden stable / field shelter) and the boys are out in the trash paddock / hardstanding immediately in front of her, so they will get out, and she still has company to a degree.

I feel like a poulticing pro, I can get the whole thing done in less than 2 minutes 😎
 
Monday: school, lots of trot work to get tickles out of toes. Will set up some nice easy straight poles.
Tuesday: saddle fitter, likely in pissing rain. Hope and cope.
Wednesday: either day off or repeat of Monday
Thursday: Lesson
Friday: Groundwork if schooled Weds, or another school session with poles.

sheep said:
I feel like a poulticing pro, I can get the whole thing done in less than 2 minutes 😎
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😱 This is such a skill

My medical task for this week is cartrophen injection this evening. She is always a saint to inject so not much to boast about tho 😂
 
Today is our rest day, tomorrow will attempt to learn our dressage tests, wednesday I have to go into the office, Thursday is the vet for vaccinations and dectomin, Friday lunchtime hack, saturday lesson and sunday a stroll around the village.
 
Love this as it keeps me accountable and I'm nosey so enjoy reading what everyone else is up to!

Monday - Long day at work so essential care only
Tuesday - As above
Wednesday - Half day at work, so hopefully saddle fitter coming out to check saddle and widen slightly. In-hand walk around block for retired coblet as he's been a bit neglected lately with newbie
Thursday - Half Day so another lesson booked for Standie, walk work, poles and some trotting?
Friday - Long day at work, and friend does the ponies :)
Saturday - 1.5 hr local brisker hack planned meeting a friend and her daughter. probs include some pacing/trotting in this one to build fitness
Sunday - My daughter will ride Standie boy and I'll ride the endurance pony, probs another 1.5hr relaxed hack out
 
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So, this is my plan:

Monday: Day off - he's done about 30k of quite hilly hacking this weekend, so well deserved!
Tuesday: Brisk hack
Wednesday: Polework or jumping
Thursday: Brisk hack or interval hack
Friday: Flatwork

But, I've woken up with a razor blad throat and a cough so it's all a bit dependant on not feeling any worse. Pony is brilliant and v.geniune but he's also an absolute boundary tester & isn't the sort to fill in if the rider isn't 100%. Your not on your A game? That's not his problem ... 🤣

I hope everyone has a good week!
 
starting the week off well today!

monday: farrier for both, lily hacked - and the dog walked, followed by the gym!
tuesday: lily is at the water treadmill in the morning, then has a massage in the afternoon
wednesday: day off after massage
thursday: inhand poles or a gentle schooling session
friday: possible arena hire to work on our dressage test
saturday: a longer hack
sunday: day off
 
Brill, sounds like we all have our backsides in gear!

I ended up riding tonight, so they can have tomorrow off instead - weather looks pretty crap so that will work better, I think. Plus, I managed to get stables 90% done this morning and had leftover Sunday roast so I had a bit more free time than I thought!

Both boys were great. Ace is very buzzy and just a really jolly little guy, so earnest. He seemed to enjoy his walk poles, then we did some leg yielding in walk and trot and rounded off with a little bit of canter which was very exciting.

With Charmer, we did our walk poles and then just focused on a nice, soft marching walk, and finished with a couple of short trots.

Two very good boys!

So they are out tonight, Queen Bee is out in the field shelter overlooking her kingdom (2 bay eejits) and they can all come in tomorrow morning before the rain hits. Then hopefully back out tomorrow night, once it dries up.
 
Monday DONE ✅ straight line trot poles and some little serpentines. Asked for canter just to see and right is fine, left is a "no thanks actually" but she's full of The Juice now so will have to let that work and just build up again 🥲 didn't even stop eating when I jabbed her, wee dote.

Also, saddle fits better again now she's got fat again, which is annoying 😂 dont think we will be making it into a medium after all lads!
 
smolmaus said:
UP TWO GULLET WIDTHS back in the extra wide 😭😭😭 but fitter said she looks a much better shape than she last saw her so some must be muscle 😭😭😭
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Chunker!

That’s great though, esp if fitter is happy with her! Mine had their day off yesterday, with the weather etc it seemed like the best time to do it. They were in all day but went back out last night, I’ve stables all done and ready so they’ll be tortured tonight 😃 equibands apparently, going by the schedule (I say that as though I didn’t write it)
 
Monday - rode at trainers
Tuesday - travel home
Wednesday - Morning schooling session
Thursday - Hack
Friday - Morning schooling session
Saturday - Hack and take photos of saddle fit
Sunday - TBD

First morning of getting up at 6 this morning and made it , routine needs work but schooling session went well and the rain stayed away.
 
successful day yesterday for lily, fab on the treadmill and the massage lady was chuffed with her, after having her saddle refitted next week!

tweaked our plan as i’ve hired an arena for friday morning, so i think ill long rein over poles tomorrow night after work!
 
So, my razor blade throat has developed into the lurgy so our week's tweaked a bit. So far, it's:

Monday: Day off
Tuesday: Lunged & in-hand work over poles for 40 minutes
Today: In-hand 3km walk in equi-bands (well, my poor man's ebay equivalent). Pony jogged most of the way, so extra workout for him 🤣

You are doing so well Sheep! I am loving this thread too- it's great to hear what everyone is up to. So thank you for starting it! 🙏
Glad saddle fitter is pleased with Sadie ❤️ @smolmaus
Well done @Alibear 🎉
Great news @dottylottie 👏
 
I’m enjoying nosying at what everyone else is up to! And it’s really helping with accountability 😄

Both lads had equibands tonight, might have to try an in hand hack with the sensible one (Ace) at the weekend!

Ace was very good, just did what he was asked.

Had a real lightbulb moment with Charmer. This is going to sound ridiculous! But I realised how much I am blocking him with my seat, then over-correcting with my rein aids - so our straight lines are anything but. Note this was in walk only tonight…
Apparently if I can let my hips follow his in a nice figure of 8 sort of shape, we can go poker straight. Sounds so bleedin obvious. I think I’ve been trying to maintain straightness by going with him, but only really forward and back, rather than almost following his steps with my pelvis.

My core is on fire 🤣🤣🤣
 
I work from home on a Thursday so got up early to bother the horses 😂
I can’t remember who, but one of you fine folks did mention that riding first works well cos you’ll always still have jobs to do regardless 🤣
Rode Ace, he was very good. Just a quick 25 mins, did one of Miri Hackett’s ridealong podcasts which are super for giving a bit of structure!

IMG_3694.jpeg
 
sheep said:
Apparently if I can let my hips follow his in a nice figure of 8 sort of shape, we can go poker straight. Sounds so bleedin obvious. I think I’ve been trying to maintain straightness by going with him, but only really forward and back, rather than almost following his steps with my pelvis.

My core is on fire 🤣🤣🤣
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The little feet on your pelvis!!! 😂 where this catches me is like emotional tension, I stop moving and pony goes "if ur a statue I'm a statue" and its like, thinking about a meeting i had 2 days ago where I said something stupid or "remembered we will all die one day" so stupid 😂

My incredibly obvious learning from last night was that I can say out loud "I am not going to collapse through my ribcage" and then pony doesn't fall out through the shoulder. Magic spell I think?

Lesson tonight, going to ask instructor to help with correcting in the halt. She CAN halt square these days but has a many years long habit of leaving a hind out to save the weak stifle. Now I know she can, I will ask that she does!
 
smolmaus said:
The little feet on your pelvis!!! 😂 where this catches me is like emotional tension, I stop moving and pony goes "if ur a statue I'm a statue" and its like, thinking about a meeting i had 2 days ago where I said something stupid or "remembered we will all die one day" so stupid 😂

My incredibly obvious learning from last night was that I can say out loud "I am not going to collapse through my ribcage" and then pony doesn't fall out through the shoulder. Magic spell I think?

Lesson tonight, going to ask instructor to help with correcting in the halt. She CAN halt square these days but has a many years long habit of leaving a hind out to save the weak stifle. Now I know she can, I will ask that she does!
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Brilliant!
Funny, during the podcast at one stage Miri goes something like: “look up, cos their neck isn’t going to change colour” and it tickles me every time 😂
 
Schooling session went really well yesterday, despite it being first day back, windy and trying to setup a new saddle under time pressure. I think me getting on and off several times to adjust everything helped her settle before we started. She had thoughts about the far end of the arena, but I just focused on our homework and she was angelic. Although perhaps a little onward bound in the canter.
Then this morning's hack out, the world threw everything at us, another horse being led up the drive as we set off, lorry loading sugar beet on the corner (took the field route round so we could watch from a bit of a distance), having to overtake a flashy lights road sweeper that was going our way. All no bother, then the usual little spook at nothing on the headlands, then home past all the new solar farm works and diggers and traffic on a very small back road and no issues at all. I really can't fault this mare.
Tomorrow schooling has been cancelled though at 100% change of heavy rain and strong winds.
Saturday doesn't look great either but if I see a break in the weather we'll do something and hopefully Sunday we can hack out.
 
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The start of the week was a write-off horse wise thanks to work. BUT I did do something pretty cool on Tuesday evening - a lesson on a simulator with a dressage trainer. It was really enlightening - turns out I actually need to bounce more in trot, not less (!) by allowing my spine to move up and down, then use upper abs to stabilise my sternum and allow the ankles to move as well. Also 'ankles out' instead of 'toes in' is brilliant. I've ordered a Franklin Ball so I can loosen off my hip flexors as well, walking on it for just a few minutes really helped.

Despite coming down with a cold I rode last night to put it into practice and Sammy felt great. The trainer is going to run sessions monthly through winter, unfortunately it's a long journey for me (130 mile round trip, 1hr 15 each way!) but I'll try to get there a couple more times if work allows.
 
j1ffy said:
The start of the week was a write-off horse wise thanks to work. BUT I did do something pretty cool on Tuesday evening - a lesson on a simulator with a dressage trainer. It was really enlightening - turns out I actually need to bounce more in trot, not less (!) by allowing my spine to move up and down, then use upper abs to stabilise my sternum and allow the ankles to move as well. Also 'ankles out' instead of 'toes in' is brilliant. I've ordered a Franklin Ball so I can loosen off my hip flexors as well, walking on it for just a few minutes really helped.

Despite coming down with a cold I rode last night to put it into practice and Sammy felt great. The trainer is going to run sessions monthly through winter, unfortunately it's a long journey for me (130 mile round trip, 1hr 15 each way!) but I'll try to get there a couple more times if work allows.
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Fantastic!

Funnily enough I was also working on my hips last night (hence my figure of 8/ walking revelation) - I need to dig out my gym ball, my hips are so tight - probably not helped by saddle tbh as I ride Ace in a jump saddle that doesn’t do loads for my position.
The downside of sharing a horse with a 6ft tall man is that he dictates saddle choice 🤣
 
sheep said:
Fantastic!

Funnily enough I was also working on my hips last night (hence my figure of 8/ walking revelation) - I need to dig out my gym ball, my hips are so tight - probably not helped by saddle tbh as I ride Ace in a jump saddle that doesn’t do loads for my position.
The downside of sharing a horse with a 6ft tall man is that he dictates saddle choice 🤣
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You should try the Franklin ball! I'm terrible at doing regular stretches and spend all day at a desk, so my hips get very tight. The Franklin ball feels very odd to sit on, I've not tried it on a real horse yet (but mine arrives today!), but it basically helps to stretch and release your hip flexors without you even thinking about it. This is the one she recommended: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00N26TZSW?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
 
j1ffy said:
You should try the Franklin ball! I'm terrible at doing regular stretches and spend all day at a desk, so my hips get very tight. The Franklin ball feels very odd to sit on, I've not tried it on a real horse yet (but mine arrives today!), but it basically helps to stretch and release your hip flexors without you even thinking about it. This is the one she recommended: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00N26TZSW?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
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Ohh interesting!! How do you use it?
 
Lesson cancelled for weather. Will be a groundwork/ physio exercises/ prehab day instead, I think. Think we might have the farrier tomorrow AM now too as someone else has pulled a shoe so she might have an easy day tomorrow as well!

The plan is in tatters! But the pony never knew the plan anyway so who cares!
 
j1ffy said:
You should try the Franklin ball! I'm terrible at doing regular stretches and spend all day at a desk, so my hips get very tight. The Franklin ball feels very odd to sit on, I've not tried it on a real horse yet (but mine arrives today!), but it basically helps to stretch and release your hip flexors without you even thinking about it. This is the one she recommended: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00N26TZSW?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
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i’m another with awfully tight hips & hamstrings, id be interested to know what exactly im supposed to do with it!🤣
 
sheep said:
Ohh interesting!! How do you use it?
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dottylottie said:
i’m another with awfully tight hips & hamstrings, id be interested to know what exactly im supposed to do with it!🤣
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I’ve found a video:

The trainer on Tuesday recommended using the purple Franklin ball at the start in walk only - whereas the video includes the mini ball as well and all paces! Not sure I’d fancy trying it in trot and canter 😳
 
j1ffy said:
I’ve found a video:

The trainer on Tuesday recommended using the purple Franklin ball at the start in walk only - whereas the video includes the mini ball as well and all paces! Not sure I’d fancy trying it in trot and canter 😳
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oh wow, i might give it a go!! i love stuff like that😂
 
I really like my Franklin balls. I need to look into the purple one as I have the two green balls - trotting is OK with them but we've not managed cantering with them though 🤣The purple one looks smaller to put in my pocket than trying to fit two in.

I also absolutely swear by Meg Parkinson Aligned Rider Academy for online rider pilates & strength based work. I do use Activate Your Seat too but personally find Meg's sessions a whole other level. P.S I'm not affiliated with her in any way except a v.happy customer, I promise.

I loose schooled today as not quite feeling well enough to ride yet.
 
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j1ffy said:
I’ve found a video:

The trainer on Tuesday recommended using the purple Franklin ball at the start in walk only - whereas the video includes the mini ball as well and all paces! Not sure I’d fancy trying it in trot and canter 😳
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That's really interesting! I have a set but not the purple roll. I was using the blue one during my initial walk work though and found i sat much better after using it. I've also used the red ones with a trainer, they really opened my thigh and stopped me gripping so much.

I have the green balls too but no idea what to do with those 🤣.
 
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