I'm..............

50, fat, unfit and have no muscle tone whatsoever!
Well, I knew that, but it was confirmed in no uncertain terms the other day trying to do rising trot on Remy. He's a young horse and we've only just started the trot work, and I haven't done any trot work in yonks, but that's no excuse because Remy's got pretty good balance in the trot work and the fact that I'm all over the place is totally down to me. I've got to get fitter, so yesterday got out my exercise dvd which has lots of different programs to choose from - I've started with toning exercises, followed by a rather enjoyable boxing routine and finish with a session of stretches Zen style. LOL someone should video me, now that would be entertaining!
My session in the school with Remy today was pretty good. He started off not really paying attention, but once he'd tuned in he was very attentive. The walk and halt transitions were cleaner today, we did shoulder in on both reins, but mostly I was moving him forward with an active walk, soft in the hand before asking for a trot transition. One or two sloppy ones which I immediately brought back to walk  and tried again, but mostly he gave me nice fluid transitions into a nicely balanced trot which I could rise to and we both remained in balance.We finished with figure of eights on a long rein, bending and stretching nicely.
As I halted and started to dismount he gave a little whicker - not sure if he was saying 'thanks mum, that was ok' or 'thank god she's getting off'!
Our baled hay has been sitting in the field for the last couple of weeks as the farmer who cuts it hadn't been round to bring it in ( he'd left his out too) but this morning I noticed that he'd got all his in from his field adjoining ours and left ours in the field. He's had 3 good years out of us, taking whatever hay we don't need (30/40 big round bales on a good year) but  this year he's been very conspicous by his absence, avoiding us like the plague.  It's been such an horrendous year and we've only got 10 bales, half of what we need. He obviously doesn't think that the maize he's planted in our far field (which we stupidly allowed him to do) is enough. It all changes next year, it's not an official arrangement and he'll have nothing to do with our land. We've got a good horse pasture seed mix to completely reseed the fields and next year we won't cut for hay, we'll rest them and top them when necessary to thicken the grass. A horsey friend said to me that people will show their true colours this year because of all the problems, and it's very true.

No hay :-(

It's very hot again today so a light session with Remy.  Started in-hand before I rode and, as usual, I wonder how much benefit he's actually getting from this as, yet again, I come away thinking that It just ends up with us both a little frustrated and confused. I keep convincing myself that I have to do it, know all the reasons why, but I'm pretty crap at it and don't seem to be improving, so is it actually worth it?  :-( When I get on, it feels much better, but then I'm doubting whether what I'm feeling is actually correct. Aaaagh.
A cyclist came down our track whilst I was riding him in the school. I can't remember if Remy's ever seen someone on a bike before, but it was quite unusual to see someone coming down our track and he was snorting at him. We halted and I rested the reins on his neck while he sussed it out and he stood still and calmed pretty quickly. Sweet, sweet boy.
I'm actually really tired, a bit under the weather and a bit fed up to be honest.  A pretty disastrous day in Limoges yesterday to pick up the kitchen order which had finally arrived, only to find that they'd ordered the wrong doors! My french is improving all the time, but I'm so glad I don't know enough to swear in french !
I'm really worried also that we don't have enough hay for the horses this winter. Everywhere I look, folk are searching for hay and I'm not sure what we're going to do.
The lump on Obi's side is growing.
Feeling a bit weepy, I'll blame it on the hormones!