Alfie

Facebook - love it or hate it, it's a remarkable resource. I've had friends contact me from way back and it sure does bring back memories.
Uncle Erics livery yard 1992, great days, great friends, good job, plenty of time at the yard. I get quite emotional when I think of those days.
Out of nowhere, Yvette a good friend sends me a message to say hi, we get chatting and it all comes flooding back. Whatever happened to Winston and Alfie, she says?
Winston, if he's still alive would be late twenties now, I had to stop riding so I sold him to a lovely lady who said she would keep him forever, I visited him for several years and I'm sure she did keep him forever.

My next horse, Alfie (he's the one in my blog title) was a big strapping chap, very loving, but quite a lazy boy,loved hanging out in the field, couldn't see the point of hacking out or schooling heaven forbid.LOL I had him for five years, he had an accident when he was nine and after several days he died. I remember the worry and fear, then the hope of those days, only to be devastated when he died. Futile hopes, thank god we don't know what the future holds.
Here's a very scrawny looking me with my boy.


This is a pic of them all (thanks to photoshop Winston, Shea and Alfie.

Cantique

I was last up this morning, had a lovely lie-in. The horses were all in and breakfast was made. Great.
I took Remy up to the school, he was a little on edge as they'd all come in a little spooked.

He was very good, a short session, no confusion, he got it straight away. Walk on up the long side, I let the lunge line out to a couple of yards (showing my age now) and walked as if lungeing, level with his shoulder/girth, small circles in the corners and off again on the long side. He also kept out of my space today. I was really happy with him.

Jim had other plans so I also took Anky up to the school. I rode her at walk for about 20 minutes. Started on a long rein, encouraging her to stretch out to my hand, lots of changes of rein, walk/halt transitions, then leg yield from the quarter line, into the corner asking for inside flexion, out of the corner to shoulder-in. Trying to keep relaxation and softness. She certainly feels like she's starting to loosen up, less resistance, I hope it's a sign that she's feeling better in herself.

We were invited to a concert this afternoon by a friend who sings in a local choir-Cantique.
We were entertained to an hour of choral music in the beautiful church at
Montbron. The accoustics were perfect and the sound was excellent.

Brantome

We had a good day out yesterday with Mum and Dad, we went to Brantome, a beautiful town surrounded by the river Dronne.
It was market day and there was a lovely atmosphere

We had lunch out at a lovely cafe by the river, it was a really lovely day.


The horses had a day off and were all well when we returned. Anky seems to have renewed appetite and I hate to tempt fate but she really does seem to be improving. As we put them out in the field last night, she did an almost normal poo ( not the kind of thing that makes good blogging, I know, but it made my day!) and set off with Remy down the bottom field. I may be wrong, but I swear she had a swing in her step!

Today we hacked out, she seemed less distant, more involved somehow and she certainly was more relaxed through her body.

Les deux boulangers

Mum wanted to go shopping today :-( not my favourite pastime (unless it's for something horsey!) so we rode out early, Corky still acting up, she's a funny old mare, just taking the mickey out of her dad, I think! Having led her past the frightening whatever it was, Jim remounted and we continued on our short hack. Anky felt ok, fairly relaxed and willing. I've spoken to an equine vet in the UK who's been helping me with Anky, providing advice and information and we've got a feeding and supplement regime sorted out for the next few months.We're going to give her a course of oral aloe vera gel which should help heal any damage to her intestines, and follow on from the gastrogard with a product called Neigh-Lox which will buffer any excess acid and also protect the stomach lining in order for it to continue to heal and then remain healthy.

Worked with Remy in the school, he learns quickly, but he is so big and must learn to keep out of my space in the in-hand work. He's a joy though.

We got a nice surprise on our return from shopping, the men had decided to bake ( I know, bizarre) and the kitchen was filled with the lovely smell of lemon sponge and oaty biscuits! Yummy.

Noisy Haylage Monsters

What a lovely evening we had last night.
As we were putting the horses in the field around 9pm we could hear music coming from the village so decided to go take a look. We hadn't seen any posters so were surprised to see the village square full of tables and chairs,various stalls a bar and a bandstand. There was a lovely atmosphere and people were dancing to music from a combo of sax, guitar drums and accordian. They played french folk songs and a few jazz classics, we even got a rendition of Mac Le Couteau!! It was great.

We had an eventful ride this morning. We set off for our 30 minute ride, down the same track we've been down many times before, but this time Corky would not go. And so Anky would not go!
We could hear banging in a far field just as we were approaching the haylage monsters behind the hedge, so can only presume that the combination of both things set Corky off. The problem was that we were on a narrow track with electric fencing on one side and after last time I really didn't want Corky backing on to it.
We managed to get into the field on the opposite side and approach from that direction, but Corky wouldn't go and I didn't want to pressurise Jim :-) so I got off Anky and led her past. She was quite worried, but very well behaved and further down the lane I managed to get back on. After that they were ok if a little on their toes. Jim commented that Corky was lovely to ride when a little bit huffy!!! And it was nice to ride an Anky with a little bit of spirit.

My parents have arrived this afternoon for the week, so I'm hoping for lovely warm sunny weather and we have lots planned.

Through Billies Eyes

I didn't do anything with the horses yesterday, still recovering from my exertions the day before! :-)

Today we rode out, just for 30 minutes up the lane round the fishing lake and back again. Anky came in looking perky, ate her breakfast and did a semi-solid poo! (Believe me, poo watching has become a way of life recently).
There was very little energy in the walk, but she felt very relaxed and was stretching down to my hand, so I'll take that as a positive.

We've changed her over to Luzerne (alfalfa) nuts instead of the Alfa A as there is no molasses in the luzerne nuts. She's now having corn oil in every feed and we've ordered some psyllium. She's had the last full syringe ( 1 per day for 28 days) of her Gastrogard today, she'll now have half a syringe per day for another 14 days. I'm really hoping she doesn't revert to having the discomfort she had before once the dosage is reduced.

I took Remy up to the school, it was a good exercise as we had tractors and trailers (harvesting the corn) coming and going along the lane all the time we were up there.
He got a little worried at one point and jumped away on the lunge line, he didn't try to get away though and soon calmed. I led him around for a couple of minutes to reassure him and then we did a little walk work up and down the long side. He's starting to respond very nicely to the walk on signal and I can walk at the side of him rather than leading from the front. I say I can walk, but when he really walks out I have a job to keep up with him.

This is something a friend of mine wrote today, she's going through a bad time at the moment. I wish I could help her.

Through Billies Eyes.

I remember a different place, before we came here.

We all had our own rooms, we didn't stay in them much though we spent our time running through the fields, playing, or just grazing and sleeping. Whatever we wanted to do.
Sometimes we would get excited, we just knew something was going to happen, different to other days, we could smell it, we could feel it, we would watch her approaching, we always did, but these days were special. She would come and greet us in turn, I always speak to her, she understands what I say, its funny she doesn't make a sound back but I know what she is thinking.
When she walks away I follow her, we all follow. We don't know where she is going but we trust her, its always somewhere good. We walk across the now short stubby fields that only a short time before had been lush and green. Now and then she stops and listens and looks around, we understand and wait behind, wait for her to move again, onwards we follow, she disappears between the trees and bushes, we can't see what is on the other side, we are anxious, then she is back again and we are happy to follow, through the trees and out the other side, and there before us is another magical place, a green expanse where the breeze is cool and we can see for miles around, we are still not sure and wait patiently for the signal, as she steps aside and lowers her head we know we are in a safe place , we run as fast as we can, leaping and racing each other as far as we can go and then race back again where she is waiting, we roll in the long grass which feels wonderful on our backs, we are happy and relaxed because she is watching for us.

It is not the same here, there are no magical places, we still follow her on the special days but we can see where she is taking us, we can still run and roll and eat, but is not the same. It is hot and we don't stay long, we prefer to stand back in the big room, we all stand together helping to keep the flies away. Sometimes she sits with us, quietly in the corner, she makes a strange noise and there is rain on her face, but it is not raining outside. I have heard this noise before on the day I couldn't find my friend. I saw him when we were all together in the field, but then he started running around and I tried to follow him and he kept rolling in the grass but he wasn't happy. We were taken back to our rooms, he didn't come, I could hear him but I couldn't see him. When she came for me and took me to where we were, I could see him but couldn't hear him anymore. There were others there, they all stood making noises I couldn't understand and they had rain on their faces but it wasn't raining on me.
I stood with them and whickered low, but he didn't answer me, so I turned to her and she nuzzled me it made me feel better, so when she sits in the corner with rain on her face I nuzzle her, it makes her feel better.

A weekend of ups and downs.

The Up.
I had a lovely morning on Friday when Trudi and her daughter Lydia came over. It was a lovely warm, fresh morning and we were able to work with Anky and Remy in the school.
Trudi did some in-hand work with Anky and then helped me as it's all pretty new to me. She made me realise that I have to find my own way with the in-hand work(thanks Trudi), find out what works for both me and the horse. In other words, "don't follow in the footsteps of the masters, search for what they sought." The quote is in my head, I'm not sure where I've read it, but it seems to sum it up.

Lydia, the video queen and budding film maker charmed both Jim and I. Before going off with Jim to oversee harvesting of produce in the garden she took this little vid, she's such a star.
Watch it with the sound on.

We took Remy up to the school and played, he's learning to walk on ahead now, he's quick to learn and apart from getting a little bit excited he was a good boy for his Auntie Trudi:-)



The Down.
We returned from an afternoon with friends yesterday to find Anky a little colicky in the field, she was stretching and lying down and rolling. My heart sank, I'm so emotionally tied to this horse now I can't be objective and it's really starting to get me down. We brought them in and she lay down in the stable, she wasn't rolling or pawing, just quiet. I kept a close eye on her and after about 30 minutes she stood up and whickered at me for her tea. By the time we put them out for the night she seemed fine. Jim did remind me that although she is still showing symptoms, she is much better than she was. Having started the Gastrogard treatment, we are now taking steps to try to heal any inflammation in the hind gut, which often goes hand in hand with gastric ulcers.

This morning she came in looking fine so I took her up to the school for some in-hand work. I concentrated on getting her focussed and motivated and we did some nice walk work, including a little shoulder in and leg yield down the long side of the school.

Another Up.
We've just spent a lovely afternoon with some friends, playing silly games in their pool and having a laugh. Like big kids we were - just what I needed.

Aaaaah, a cool breeze!!

It was lovely this morning, warm but with a lovely cool breeze. Couldn't be better.
We rode out with Corky and Anky, we investigated a new track and Anky went down it no problem. She is tight in her back, only to be expected really, but today she was forging. I'm hoping she'll gradually start to relax over her back, it's only occasionally that I feel her really moving my seat.

I've been gathering quite a bit of information on Gastric Ulcers and associated problems. It seems that Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) and Right Dorsal Colitis (RDC) often go hand in hand. The only FDA approved drug for the treatment and prevention of recurrence of gastric ulcers in horses is GastroGard®, which is what Anky's on, but this won't treat colonic ulcers. Feeding corn oil daily is recommended, to be added to the feed to increase Omega-3 fatty acids. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids may help to reduce inflammation in the colon. Also Psyllium mucilloid can be added to the feed. Psyllium increases the concentration of short-chain fatty acids in the colon of other species which reduces inflammation and may reduce inflammation in the horse colon. I don't know anything about Psyllium, but I've heard of it being sold as a supplement for horses so I'll have to investigate. We feed the horses sunflower oil, so I'll change Anky to corn oil from now on.

After riding out, I took Remy up to the school. He's not been up there in a while and he was a little reluctant, but once he'd got his head round it he went up there ok. He was distracted this morning, but he settled once in the school. We've been doing little sessions, asking him to walk on from the voice and a light touch on the girth. I want him to walk on of his own accord, which has confused him a little after all the leading work we've done. I think he's starting to get it and today in the school it seemed to click and he gave me a purposeful but relaxed walk stride. I think he's got quite a good walk. Early days, but I find him a very exciting prospect.

It's so hot!

We managed to ride out early this morning, but it was still too hot. I don't know how people manage to get anything done in this kind of heat. On the way to the hairdressers the car recorded an outside temperature of 39 degrees. Thank god for air conditioning!!

The heat was obviously getting to me as I told the hairdresser to "cut it as short as you like".
Never, ever do that!!!!

Horse Flies.........Ughhhh

I took Anky in the school today, Jim had to go out so I thought I'd ride her at walk for 20 minutes in the school. Hacking Anky out alone doesn't make for a relaxing time. She felt ok. She felt straighter in the walk with a much more genuine bend on the left rein. She's still reluctant to bend to the left and wanted to tip her nose, but after a couple of minutes she started to give a more genuine bend and stretch the outside, with a much softer feel in the outside rein. She felt quite soft on the right rein.

I always feel sorry for the horses in summer, having to deal with the flies, the mouche plats are gross, crawling around under their tails they must be so annoying. The ones I hate the most are the big brown horse flies, they give a terrible bite. The only good thing about them is that they are pretty dozy and easy to kill.

Yesterday whilst riding, one of them got me on the arm and by the end of the day the swelling was from wrist to elbow, tight, hot and very itchy. I'm not a hypercondriac, at least I don't think so, but last night I felt like I was starting with flu and I'm sure it was the bite.

Anyway I made the mistake of looking for info on the internet. Now that could make you into a hypercondriac..........

Anyway general concensus for treatment is anti histamines, aloe vera and an iced towel.
I'd love to grow some Aloe Vera, I wonder if they have it at the local garden centre. :-)

Blip in transmission......

...yesterday. Today was better. I felt better, Anky seemed better so we rode up the lane and back. Both Anky and Corky were fine. On our return I did Ankys stretching exercises and she seemed nice and relaxed.

It's been so hot and dry recently that the only thing growing on our lawn at the moment are the dandelions, so I decided to mow them. Unfortunately I ran over a coil of rope in some long grass at the side and it stuffed up the mower :-( Needless to say Jim's not very happy as he's spent all afternoon trying to fix it.
I blame the dandelions!!!



Thanks to my fellow bloggers for their kind words and for not telling me I'm a twit :-)

Merde

It's been a shit day today.
I can't say it in any other way, I can't pretty it up, make it sound deep and meaningful, thoughtful or dramatic. I don't have the literary prowess for that anyway. It's just been a shit day.

I awoke feeling far from my best this morning, but Corky and Anky need their ride out and I want to ride. So off down to the stables. As I approach with the tack Anky does a cow pat dropping, stretches (that horrible extreme stretch) and lies down with a sigh. She looks pathetic and weary. I feel desperate, frustrated and also very weary. Also pathetic because at that point I feel very low, inadequate and powerless. Am I feeling sorry for myself, yes I am!! And I hate myself for it.

I don't know if Anky's getting better, some days I think she is, other days like today I think she'll never be right. I'm definately neurotic about her, I watch her, looking for signs of improvement, is she eating, is she moving ok, is she stretching, is she gassy etc, etc, etc.......it's very wearing and I shouldn't do it and I am now overreacting, yesterday I was so up beat about the whole thing. Today, I don't feel great and I know that it's colouring my judgement with Anky and also making me question my own role with the horses full stop.

I did nothing with my beautiful boy, I'm sure he's all the better for it.

Today, and for a few days , Ive thought that I don't want my head filled with PK, NO, PB, R, AB, Rollkur, German, French, this way , that way, high hands, low hands, the incessant backwards and forewards of conflicting methods and ideas...........Aaaggggh. My head is spinning. I'm not up for it!!!!!

Back Onboard

I had a lovely day yesterday at Trudis'. Moo was looking very well and after a short session in hand with Trudi it was good to get a sit on, thanks Trudi.
We then had a nice relaxing lunch and entertaining conversation with Trudis' daughter Lydia.
After getting the all clear from the etiopathe we rode out today, just 20 minutes up the lane, but it felt good. Both Anky and Corky were fine, Jim said Corky felt really quite loose (wow, the magic of osteopathy!!!!)and Anky was walking out quite well so i'm happy.
A short session of bit work with Remy after which they were all turned out in the field.
It's going to be very hot again today, so won't be getting much done this afternoon.

Tack Talk

Same again today with Remy, work in hand. I started with a short session with the bit asking for relaxation of the jaw and the beginnings of flexions and I was pleased with him. We worked on the giravolta and he moves forward and crosses his hind legs over in quite a controlled way, but he's not very consistent in his head and neck. We have either too much or too little bend. Something to work on.



I was out this afternoon at our local horse group, today was really just a horsey "ladies who lunch" but was quite interesting as everyone brought some unusual items of tack. Saddles, bridles, headcollars. bits, gadgets etc. we had a room-full, which provided us with some stimulating discussion. We even had a few examples of hoof boots which I'm very interested in as I want to keep the youngsters barefoot if possible.

A busy but enjoyable day.

All Three

A short session with Remy today. He seems perfectly happy with the bit now. He's mouthing nicely. I put the numnah and circingle on him today to see how he would react - hi didn't. I took him out to the picadero and we worked on the giravolta on both reins. He was a little distracted, but he did ok, he's definately getting the hang of it. I have to be careful now though as he's anticipating. I moved to his side to tighten the circingle and he started to move away from me. Asked him to stand and tried again and he stood quietly. He's had a swelling on his hock, there is a graze on the side, probably where Bonbon (our 2 yr old) has kicked him. He teases her something rotten and when she was little he got away with it, but she's more or less the same size as him now and quick to let him know she doesn't like it. Anyway it's going down slowly so I don't think it's anything too serious.

We walked Anky and Corky out today as planned, they were a little confused wondering why on earth we would want to do this. They were very well behaved and on the way back we came through the front field. I decided to walk round the perimeter with Anky, but Jim went down to the yard. Anky didn't realise that Corky had left her until we were half way round. When she realised she whinnied and pulled away, half rearing and kicking out, trying to get to her. I had her on the long rope so I let her canter around and sort herself out. She started to trot and then walk and I walked with her and then halted and asked her to come in to me. She was still focussing on Corky, by now in the bottom field almost to the yard but she came in and halted. I turned and led her around the field with a loose line, halting and changing directions and she just calmed, halted when I halted, walking on when I did, her focus returned to me. So I was really pleased that she calmed so quickly and walked down the field happily and calmly.

Lise L'Etiopathe

The etiopathe came this morning to see Anky and Corky

Because of the problems Anky's been having, probably caused by the ulcers her caecum is swollen which in addition to making her carry herself differently is actually dragging down her pelvis on one side. So today the etiopathe rectified the problem and gave her a good look over. After discussion with Lise the training program is to ride out as often as possible at walk, starting at 20 minutes and gradually increasing the distance, and short sessions on the lunge or in-hand in the school. We need to encourage her to be more active behind which will increase blood circulation and help to keep the gut moving and hopefully take down the swelling. Also tone up the stomach muscles which will help support the gut.

Corky's swelling has gone but her pelvis is still very unlevel so Lise manipulated around the sacroiliac joint and she's now level, she released some of the tension in her shoulders and neck and says she is good to go. The training program for her is the same as Anky including short sessions of hill work to strengthen the quarters.

So, with instructions in place I'm also good to go. I'm feeling more positive about Anky and now (hopefully) we have the full picture I feel much better prepared to continue with the training plan.

Pumpkin Soup

The horses stayed in last night as we expected feu d'artifice (fireworks) from the fete.. It didn't happen, I feel sad for all the efforts that had gone into it only to be rained off!!
So the horses went out first thing and were glad to go out to lovely sunny weather.
They've just come galloping up the field, Anky in the lead, she had a buck and a squeal and a general scamper about so I think she's feeling a bit better.

I've made soup with one of our pumpkins, it's rather nice.

Raindrops keep falling on my head.

We do need the rain, it's just a shame that half the villages in France have arranged their festivals and vide greniers(empty attic - jumble sales) for this weekend!!

I spent a couple of hours in the barn with the horses and Frankie this morning. Frankie and JC are two kittens that we rescued last year. The photo below was taken when we first got them and they're grown now, but we still call them the kittens.


Frankie likes the horses, and I think they like her, she spends a lot of time with them.

I gave Anky a relaxing massage and she was very chilled out. Bonbon was asleep and I could hear her snoring gently on one side, and Remy was snuffling at his hay on the other. Frankie was curled up in the corner of the stable and I could hear her purring.

I am a very lucky girl!!!!

Veggies, Hats and Mr and Mrs Frog

Good sessions today with both Anky and Remy. Same as yesterday with Remy, practised the giravolta on both reins, which he seems to be understanding well. Started lunge work at walk around the perimeter of the picadero, good on the left rein, but was a bit confused on the right rein and kept coming in on a small circle around me. Jim walked on the outside for a while and he seemed to "get"it.
Lunged Anky in the school, she's started stretching more over her back and today she seemed tuned in to me, we walked and trotted on both reins and she was really responsive to my body movements.

We've started getting quite a lot of veggies from our little plot so today I thought I'd take some piccys.




We've picked the onions and garlic, but we have tomatoes, beetroot, peas, beans, carrots, cabbage, rhubarb, raspberries (we've eaten all the strawbs and because I've been so lazy they've been overun with weeds :-( )

We have, melons, pumpkins, peppers, squash, potatoes (although, they don't look too good) and fennel.

I can't take any of the credit, Jim does the veggie plot. The only things that I do are the strawbs and the garlic!!

It's been so hot here recently so today Jim bought me a ventilated riding hat. Yipeee.


We were hosing down the terrace tonight and suddenly an enormous frog pushed it's way out of the drain hole closely followed by it's mate. The first frog had to dash for cover, but as you can see, it's mate stayed put!!

Philippe Karl's Petition

Took Anky up to the school today, usual lungeing, five minutes each rein, she is looser and more relaxed, starting to stretch over her back and neck.
Worked with Remy for a very short session, practiced the giravolta on both reins. He was very calm and responsive. A short, sweet session. (thanks for the info, Trudi)

Just been on Philippe Karl's website reading the correspondence between him and Christoph Hess of the German Equestrian Federation.
Philippe Karl is certainly passionate, but, unfortunately, I think he's banging his head against a brick wall.

It would do no harm at all for all riders to watch the vid below to see what good training can achieve and how beautiful a horse and rider can be.

Working Equitation

Just seen this vid , it is Pedro Torres and the horse is Oxidado, a Lusitano. They're doing the working equitation speed test.


What a brilliant horse and rider!!!

Mum, there's a monster in the grass!

Had a quiet couple of days, not too much with the horses. I think Anky is coming in season and I've seen her stretching a couple of times. Not the extreme stretch that she had been doing, the same stance but a much gentler stretch and for only a few seconds a time. If she is coming in season, she's certainly not showing the level of discomfort that she has in the past.

Took Remy up to the school today. A short session concentrating on keeping his attention, walking on, halting, moving him around the school.

Obi greets us every morning with the blanket off his bed and he'd left it in a heap in the garden. Coming back to the stables this morning, Remy spied it lurking in the grass and for the first time since starting working with him, I saw him react suspiciously and warily. He raised himself up and started to snort at it, it was funny, the little (well, not quite so little) love was quite prepared to stand his ground. Jim brought it over to me and I let him sniff at it, put it back on the ground in front of him and he sniffed it on the ground. No problem, he relaxed and followed me back to the yard. Good boy.

Haras De Pompadour

I spent yesterday afternoon at the very beautiful Haras de Pompadour. I went with a friend to watch a Pro/Am Dressage Competition. Why do I do it??? I've never seen so many beautiful horses being ridden so badly. They were pushed and pulled about, lots of spurring and whipping. Overbent, mouths strapped shut, tense, tight, held like a vice.
I'm not saying this from the standpoint of an expert, but I can certainly see bad training and riding when I see it. I despair of competition dressage, I really do.

A beautiful young horse, full of vitality and potential, moving easily and joyfully. Good training should enhance this, but over and over we see this being replaced by resigned acceptance, dead, sad eyes, bodies pushed to the limit.
Oh, dear, it's a bad day today!!! I can't bear the thought of Remy ending up like that. No happy blogging today.