Back Home in La Belle France

Got home this afternoon after spending 6 days in the UK with family. I hadn't been looking forward to it and there were too many people, too many cars and too much noise and rubbish, but I had a great time catching up with friends and family.

So true to my word, this is my new boy. He'll be arriving in the next couple of weeks.



I wonder what the others will think of him?

Tiger Tiger, Burning Bright

Second ride on the treeless. The very large pommel is definately an issue. Perhaps it'll help to open my hips! :-) I'll stick with it, see how it goes. Anky certainly doesn't seem to mind it.
I have 3 friends who all ride treeless and they are coming over for a lunch bringing their gear with them so I'll be able to test another 3 saddles, it will give me more of an idea.

I'm off to the UK tomorrow to visit family so won't be blogging unless something fantastically interesting happens whilst i'm there ( highly unlikely).

However, I may be visiting a stud who have developed this new breed, so you never know!!


Cats and Horses, my two favourite animals ;-)

Experimenting Treeless

I really want to back Remy before the winter but he's quite an awkward shape at the moment so i've decided to try treeless.
The budget won't allow an expensive purchase so I've been looking at mid-range, well made brands with a good name.


I know nothing about treeless saddles and after a little investigation I've looked at several including the Heather Moffet, Barefoot, Trekker and Torsion saddles. I really would like to trial the HM Vogue Fhoenix but as I say the budget won't allow,and trying to get a treeless agent in the sticks in France may be difficult. I've been keeping an eye on treeless saddles on ebay and came across a like new Trekker with all accessories, numnah, leathers, stirrups and two very nice neoprene girths. The bidding was very low, so I put in a bid and 2 days later, voila! it was mine. Hmmmm, I didn't really think I'd get it and was in the process of ordering a Barefoot. Never mind, I paid for it and it arrived yesterday.

Its a rather ugly saddle but the quality looks ok. It has nice soft leather flaps and a nubuck leather seat. It has memory foam panels on the underside which give spine clearance. I'm not so sure about that, the panels dont look very deep, but we'll see, the blurb on their website assures me it can be used without a special numnah. The numnah that came with it has an insert for panels, but unfortunately not the panels themselves. I do have a gel pad which I could use though.

So, this morning Anky was the guinea pig. She came in looking ok, ate her brekky and set to eating the hay, so I thought I'd test the saddle on our hack.
The saddle is very light and the stirrup leathers attach with traditional bars and not rings. It came with a set of bates t-bar leathers which I have on my other saddle and really like.
It looked a bit strange on her, bigger than a treed saddle. It felt secure when I got on and the first thing I noticed was that it felt wide. The rather large, ugly pommel at the front seemed to be forcing my legs apart. As we progressed on our ride and i settled into it, placed my seat more central between the pommel and cantle it became rather comfortable.
It's true that you can feel far more of your horse moving underneath you, Anky really was moving my seat more today. She seemed unconcerned by the saddle, walking out purposefully, relaxed and soft to my hand. So, we'll see how we go with it, but my first impressions are positive. If I intend to use it on Remy I am going to have to get used to it and feel confident riding in it. As my first foray into treeless I feel that it was rather sucessful:-)

Work on the lunge again with Remy, this time at the bottom of the garden. He was fine, if a bit sluggish. Walk on both reins out on the circle. A short session.

2 goods and a not so good.

The two goods this morning.
Rode out with Anky and she was the best she's been. The walk was forward and purposeful, but relaxed and loose. She was soft in my hand and responsive. We were out for almost an hour, she was alert and just felt 'good'.
Remy in the school, lunged on both reins without assistance from Jim and he stayed forward and out on the circle. He started to slow and come in a couple of times but I put the whip towards his shoulder and asked him to walk on and he did. A very short but sweet session.

The not so good this afternoon, Anky stretching in the field.
I brought her in as the flies were also bothering her. She had a little feed of Alfalfa nuts and then lay down (sigh). She got up again after a few minutes and continued to eat her feed, then lay down again. After another few minutes she got up and started to eat her hay apparently feeling better. Not rolling, pawing or sweating, just uncomfortable. It is around her season time, so perhaps that is affecting her. Ho hum onwards..............

Lungeing Remy

Anky was in some discomfort when we brought them in last night. She was lightly stretching and when we brought her into the stable she lay down. She wasn't rolling, but definately uncomfortable. She only stayed down for a few minutes, then she got up and ate her tea. We kept them in for a couple of hours and she seemed fine, eating hay and acting normally. He coat was staring as if she was cold, so I put a (very) light rug on her for the night. I know it's been a little chilly the last couple of nights but it has warmed up a bit now so not sure what to do tonight.

This morning she came in fine, tucked into her breakfast and started on the hay. If i'm going to continue doing anything with her I'm definately going to have to assume she's feeling fine unless evidence to the contrary. I can't keep second guessing or I'll never do anything.
So, we hacked out and she was alert and forward but reasonably relaxed and soft in my hand. I was very pleased.
Remy in the school again. Jim took him out onto about a 15m circle on the left rein and I asked for walk on. Jim walked at his croup encouraging him forward and discouraging him from coming in. He was excellent and we even got a short trot. On the right rein he wanted to come in and resisted the driving aids so we went back to walking a smaller circle and getting a good walk-on and staying forward on the circle. After a few revolutions on the circle I asked him to halt and called it a day. We'll continue tomorrow.
I'm going to introduce him to trotting poles but can't find any for sale around here. Trudi can you remind me where you got yours please? (memory like a sieve!)

Chasse

The horses were edgy this morning when we brought them in.
After a few minutes I realised why! The Chasse (hunting) season has begun.
I hate the chasse, I hate what they do and although the chasse in our area have been courteous and mindful of our horses, I always have that feeling of unease and threat when they are around. I know this is France and I know it's what they do. I don't intend to try and stop them doing it (would be futile)and I'm not getting on my soapbox, I just wish they would go and do it somewhere where I can't see or hear them!! (a bit nimby, I know) To be fair, they only use the land immediately surrounding us once every 5 or 6 weeks, so I know I'm better off than a lot of people I know.
Last year on one occasion they got very close to our top field and the sound of the dogs and guns was very loud. Our horses were in there so I went through the field to the boundary man ( the one who tries to stop the dogs going haywire and running on to our land!!), not to complain (I'm always polite :-)), but just to remind him that the horses were there and they would be afraid. I had just started speaking to him at the fence when I felt a nudge on my shoulder followed by a head coming over my shoulder. It was Bonbon, closely followed by the others, they'd also come over to chat to the nice man!! How could I possibly tell him they were afraid!

Anyway it put paid to our plans for riding so I lunged Anky followed by a massage.
We took Remy up to the school again to continue from yesterdays lungeing session.
The noise of the chasse was very distant now, but of course, Remy could still hear it and he was very distracted. What I like about him though is that he doesn't panic or throw himself about (perhaps he just can't be bothered). He stopped several times obviously listening to the chasse in the distance, but then when I asked him to pay attention, he calmly resumed his work. Not as consistant as yesterday, but I was pleased with the way he behaved.

Solution for Dubious Training Methods?

We hacked out today, we were out for 50 minutes and Anky was very relaxed and forward. She was walking out nicely and stretching out to my hand. She's much better taking the lead, much more alert. Corky looks to be getting fitter also, according to Jim she was on a mission today!

We took Remy up to the school for his first real experience on the lunge. I was the lunger and Jim was the whip holder. Remy will now walk on from the voice so it was Jims job to keep him moving and out on the circle. He responded really well and moved off from the signal, continued at walk and on the couple of occasions he tried to come in to me, Jim pointed the whip at his shoulder and pushed him out. No problems, no confusion, out on the circle on both reins. A good session. He's a cool character. I just hope he's not cool verging on dull. ;-)

I'm wondering if this would be a good solution for all those dubious training methods? It could save many horses from their suffering. Perhaps the FEI should look into it?

Support and Inspiration

Following on from something Horse of Course said I've been thinking about how much I've learned since moving to France 3 yrs ago. When we moved here I knew nobody, especially anyone with horses. I'd corresponded with Trudi who's since become a good friend and a constant source of help and information, thanks Trudi.
I missed the stimulation of the yard, the reassurance of having people around to discuss things with, ride out, just general support. I turned to the internet, dusted off my horsey books and gradually got to know many other horsey people in the area. It has opened my mind to different methods of training, different ways of interacting with horses. I find that I now have the support that I need, which gives me confidence and inspiration. So I'd like to say thanks to my friends and fellow bloggers.

Had a good day with Anky and Remy today. I'll write it up later.

Dodging the rain..........

....this morning with Remy and Anky. I took Remy into the garden to practice our lungeing technique (said in the very loosest of terms!!). I had an "I am totally useless at this" moment when he got confused and instead of walking on he kept coming in to me, but we continued and he did 'get' it and we walked around on both reins. For our next session I will take him up to the school and with Jims help, take him out onto the circle properly.

Anky has a scratch across her back where the saddle would lie, so she's having a couple of days off hacking. I took her up to the school again for a short lungeing session followed by a little in-hand work. This is all experimental for me but I'm taking Trudis advice and I think with a combination of Anky moving better and perhaps me starting to get to grips with it we're making some progress. Today we got some nice steps in shoulder-in and then leg-yield.

I've just put some Himalayan Salt Licks in the stables and Anky spent a good five minutes licking it this morning. She obviously needs it. Bonbon thought she'd like to share!!

:-(

Mum and Dad have gone home today. It always leaves me feeling a little lost. They were here for a week and it's gone so quickly. I'm going to the UK in 10 days though so I'll see them then.
Had a short session with Anky on the lunge this morning, much looser again. We finished with a short session in-hand and her walk was much more purposeful and the lateral work ( shoulder-in and leg yield ) was much more fluid.
Here's a pic taken by my Dad just before our hack on Monday.

A sigh of relief.

Our land was breathing a sigh of relief this morning as the heavens opened. We desperately needed some rain. The horses loved it, they were playing and rolling, loving the freshness and the lack of flies after the last few weeks of hot sticky weather.
It's my parents last day today, they go home tomorrow (sigh)so we went off for lunch in our local town. Whilst out we finally bought some water tanks (it's only taken us 2years) to collect the thousands of gallons of water that come off our roof and run straight into the gateway of the field. Hmmmm, we may get them set up before winter. :-))
Just been and checked the horses, they are absolutely filthy!! Happy though.

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.

"Horse, Follow Closely"

Ok, so I nicked the title from here but it sums up how I feel about todays session with Anky.

I took her up to the school for our 5 minutes each way lungeing session, which was ok, she is definately looser than she was, more relaxed. After the session, I let her loose in the school to see how focussed she was on me. She followed me, changing direction, halting etc. I then walked out of the school across the grass track and into the field, down to the stables. I wondered if she would get distracted and either stop to eat grass or just leg it down the field to the yard, but she didn't. She followed me all the way down the field, I halted, changed directions and she just followed me. I do love this horse.

I took Remy into the picadero. I want to start lungeing him, so today we worked on him moving off from a signal, rather than just following, me walking more to the side. He seems to be getting the hang of it. He doesn't seem to worry about anything I ask him, if anything he's a little too laid back and easily loses focus. That's to be expected though. I've noticed a change in his attitude since I started work with him, he is growing up, less babyish, he's very calm now in most aspects of his training.

Corky's swelling is going down and she looks more level, I'm hoping that when the osteo sees her it won't be too serious.
It's been a good morning. I'm off this afternoon to a friends house to play piano, sax and hopefully a girly afternoon by the pool!!

Anky in the school.

I took Anky up to the school today and she is definately moving more freely. She is far less tight over her back. As she's improved her belly has become less bloated and she is softer from her loins down to her belly. Now that we have an idea of what's going on I can start to build her up slowly and I'll go back to my lungeing and stretching program.

Anky, Remy and Corky

I could really see today, how much better Anky's feeling. She has a calm look in her eye, she's not gassy or stretching and she's moving around much easier. Also she's put on a bit of condition and started to get a shine on her coat. It's only now when I see her start to look much better that I realise how miserable she must have been feeling. I feel guilty about it, have I been looking at her with my eyes closed? I think the biggest red herring along the way was thinking that it was a problem with her seasons, because that was when she was the most uncomfortable. But what about the in-between times? I dread to think what kind of discomfort she has been living with. She's on the Gastrogard now though so I'm really hoping all will be well.

Continued the same with Remy over the last few days. He's very well behaved on the lead rope and fairly focussed for most of the time. He's happy with the bit, mouthing nicely, happy and relaxed in the school and I think he's ready to start some lungeing and in-hand work.

Corky's been on bute for the last couple of days. She has a swelling over her croup, along the sacral area. The swelling's on the near side and watching her walk away, she looks to be dropping her offside hip. Now, I don't know if she's actually dropping her offside hip or not using her nearside hip properly. The bute has reduced the swelling, but she's still unlevel behind, though not as much as before. So, I think a visit from the osteo is in order. I'll ask Lucinda to come along with her osteo and he can look at both Anky and Corky.

Vogue

Had a lovely day today with Claire (here) and Alison. They came over to see us. We played with Corky in the school and I got the opportunity to try out the Heather Moffett Vogue Dressage saddle. I was pleasantly surprised, too much so, I don't think my bank balance can stand it. LOL

Anky seems a little better today, a little stiff but quite bright, I really do hope the treatment is working.
I may get Lucinda (equine masseuse) over to give her a massage and also liaise with the osteo as we noticed that Corky wasn't quite level on her hips today :-(

A brighter horse.

Anky was a little colicky yesterday afternoon. Hardly surprising after the night she'd had. I think (as Kate commented) she was in shock. Really not herself at all. They stayed out last night, it was forecast localised storms, but she needed to be out and moving around.
Anyway, I don't think the weather was too bad, it rained and hailed a little, but it was very warm. This morning Anky looked a little brighter, moving easier and was ready for her breakfast. I gave her a massage which she seemed to enjoy, and she certainly felt more relaxed. We'll see how she goes.

With Remy this morning, we had a bitting session. He's quite happy with the bit, I put his bridle on and then groomed him. He gets a little worried when I try to touch the bit rings and tries to pull his head away. But he's getting more relaxed and today I held the bit rings lightly and he kept his head nice and still. So, his education with the bit progresses.

Storms

We kept the horses in last night as we had storms. I think it was going for most of the night.

This morning when we went into the barn to feed we found that Anky had been cast in the night. She was up and ready for her breakfast, but she was covered in dry sweat and had a few scrapes here and there. Aaaggghh. We didn't hear anything, I dread to think how long she was cast, her bed was a real mess and there are scrapes and gouges on the walls of her stable.

After their breakfast we put them straight in the field and she looks tired and a little stiff, but, I hope, OK.

Remy in the School

Took Remy up the field and into the school today, he was a very good boy. He's very interested in his surroundings, but sensible and fairly focussed and relaxed.
Led him around the school, halting and changes of direction.

Anky and Remy

Second day of medication for Anky, she really has perked up. I hope it's for real.

Lead Remy out with with his bridle on, line attached to a lungeing cavesson, just a short walk around the field. He was stirred up by a dog walker on the chemin (green lane) at the top of the field, but he wasn't silly and stayed quite focussed on me.

I'm looking forward to starting with some in hand and lungeing in the school pretty soon.

Lovely Afternoon Out.

Went over to Trudis this afternoon and met Claire (here) and Alison. We had a lovely time chatting about horses, a lovely lunch provided by Trudi and we were entertained by Trudi's very charming daughter Lydia.

We started Anky on the ulcer treatment this morning. When I returned tonight, OH said that she had been skipping around with the others in the field. The vet said that we would see improvement very quickly if, in fact, she has ulcers, so we are cautiously optimistic that maybe we can move forward with a definate diagnosis.

A day of two halves.

Today started off well with Anky in the school, she seemed perkier this morning. Then I took Remy out, led him up through the field and into the school. The first time in there and he was a little surprised, had a good look at the pallet lying at the entrance that we use for levelling the school and then just walked in. He was a star, a little excited and distracted but then focussed on me and we had a walk around on a loose line, did a few halts and changes of direction. Then back down the field all very relaxed and calm. Great.

This afternoon, the masseuse was due so went to get them in and Anky was showing signs of Colic, stretching, pawing lying down, just very restless. She wasn't sweating and her temperature was normal. I brought her in and she lied down, obviously very tired. Her breathing was slightly fast, but her heart rate was normal. After lying down for about 15 minutes she got up and started eating.
Her droppings were soft and I found some intestinal lining in there. ( I know, YUK)

The vet seems to think that she has an intestinal infection which we will treat with a five day course of antibiotics, and it is highly possible that she has ulcers.
I find this hard, because she has always been well wormed, is on a high fibre diet, good grass and hay and has almost 24/7 turnout. She has never been in hard work and although the vet says it has nothing to do with my management I feel responsible.

Anyway if it is ulcers, we can treat it.

So, a day of two halves. Remy makes me really happy, Anky gives me great cause for concern.

Holiday Neighbours

I picked up the stuff for Anky, it's called Sedochol and we have a course for 6 days. I started the probiotics 3 days ago, and I don't know if its wishful thinking, but Anky seems a little less tired and uncomfortable, I've only seen her stretch a couple of times since her massage and she looks much better in her eye. So, usual routine, lungeing, then stretching, I do think she's looking easier on the lunge. I'm sure the stretching exercises are much harder for me than Anky!! Today she pulled her leg back and I fell over. Ridiculous, I think I'm the one in need of a suppling and fittening routine.
Walked Remy around the field, he doesn't seem to mind, he's relaxed and interested. He's a lovely chap. I may introduce him to the school this week.

Our neighbours have arrived for their annual summer holiday. They are an Irish family and bought the house from an elderly french couple 2 years ago. It is their holiday home. We were very sorry to lose our french neighbours and it is a great shame that the house is empty most of the year, but over the last couple of years we have become used to the peace and quiet. We still have our privacy, and they are a lovely family but the thought of someone just being there............
Oh what a horrible, unsociable person I am!!!!!

Well, I received Ankys blood tests in the post yesterday. I spoke to the vet and she wasn't too concerned, they seemed ok but her liver levels were higher than normal.
She said that in a seemingly healthy horse she would be happy with the tests, but as Anky is showing some discomfort we will give her a course of something (?) to be sure.
So, does that make any sense? I don't know!! I'm going the collect the whatever it is today.

Same routine again today, she seems ok, not brilliant and she does seem tired, but ok. She's eating and grooming with Bonbon doing normal things...... it's really difficult not to over analyse things!

I took Remy out again, leading, halting etc, he seems to be getting it. He was relaxed, less distracted so I took him into the field and walked him around in there. All on a loose line and he followed me willingly, lots of changes of direction and halts. I'm very pleased with him.

I had an email from Tara (here) yesterday, she told me that Tia is doing really well, sent me some lovely pics and told me that her Mum had passed away, and that "she's going to try and make her really proud". Apparently it was very sudden and now they are left to try and carry on with their lives. She was the driving force in the family and after a very bad prognosis for Taras future, she made it her life to give Tara the best possible chance she could.
It's a great sadness.

Connection.

Well, I haven't heard from the vet. I hope that's a good thing as she said she would contact me immediately if the tests showed up anything serious.
The probiotics arrived today so we'll see over the next week if there is any improvement. Another couple of days gone by and I haven't seen her stretching.

Usual routine today, up to the school, she was reluctant to go, I could almost hear her sayin, oh no, not again Mum.
Anyway we got in the school and I led her around the perimeter, she was very calm. I started to lunge her, walk and a little trot, came to change the rein and she walked right up to me and stood quietly. I asked her to walk on, but she seemed reluctant, I walked at the side of her, holding her on a loose rein, she was very focussed on me so I moved around the arena, circles, changes of direction, I walked a small circle, crossing my legs over and she mirrored my movements one way and then the other , she halted as I halted and when I moved backwards , so did she. I don't know if it was, but it felt very special. I've never felt as connected to a horse before.
Back in the stable, stretches and then I massaged her. By the time I'd finished she was very relaxed , I sroked all around her head and face and she was falling sleep with her head in my hands.
Same again with Remy today, leading work in the garden, he was really good, less distracted than yesterday, apart from when he discovered the apple tree in the corner of the garden and tried to pull the apples off.

Corky's been on duty all day eyeing up the gateway into our front field. She loves that field, she knows when the hay's been cut, when it's been baled and, best of all, when it's gone into the barn!! This means that, finally, she gets to go in there!! Changing fields is always a big event for the horses, so , camcorder at the ready I thought I'd get some action shots of all the joyous chasing around and kicking up of heels!!!

Huh, what a let down, Greedy Pigs!!!!! LOL

L'Analyse de Sang

Blood tests that is , for Anky. I need to know if there is an underlying problem that could be connected with the stretching and the gassiness, or causing problems in the back. The vet came out today so we should have a better idea in a couple of days.
The vet pointed out the obvious to me that Anky appears to be well, but the blood tests will tell us if there is a problem.
The probiotics haven't arrived yet. I continue to Lunge, stretch and massage her, Lucinda (masseuse) is coming back next week.

I took Remy into the picadero ( hee hee, there I go again - bottom of the garden!!) for the first time. He was really good. We did some leading / halt work, trying to get him to focus on me. He was a little distracted at first, he had a little skip round whinnying to the others in the barn, but he soon settled to some nice halts and following on a loose line with lots of changes of direction. I am very pleased with him.

Oooh, Look at this!

Just noticed on Anja Berans website she's bringing out two new DVDs. I am quite excited. (does that make me a really sad person?)

Hay's in the Barn!!

Another couple of days lungeing, stretching exercises and massaging Anky. I still haven't seen her stretching her back, she seems better in herself and a little looser on the lunge.
I am really enjoying giving her the massage, it's something I'd like to explore further. I know of a couple of courses not too far from me so I think I'll book one and see how far I can take it.

The farmer Pascal came this morning and brought our hay into the barn. It is lovely, nice and sweet and not been touched by a drop of rain. We are happy bunnies.

I groomed, massaged and did some leading work with Remy. Lots of distractions, Jim making a gate and Pascals very large red trailer in the field, but he was a very good boy. He feels very big now, he's the gawkiest ( I'm sure that's not a real word!) he's ever been, tall, all frame and no body. I'm hoping he'll start to fill out soon.

Up, up and Away..........

Second day of lungeing Anky today. Yesterday she was quite lethargic, today she was totally on her toes. When I went to bring them in this morning they were snorting in the corner of our top field. As I looked down towards the bottom field I saw a hot air balloon and I could hear them firing it up!!
The horses all thought it was the biggest most frightening monster they'd ever seen.
They wouldn't come up to the gate so I walked half way down and Corky came up to meet me. She wasn't so worried she was going to miss out on breakfast! As I brought Corky in, Anky legged it back down so that she could keep an eye on the monster.
They all came in fine eventually, but were still a bit edgy in the stable.

Told you it was frightening!!
No, really, it wasn't Darth Vader!!!!

An hour later when I wanted to lunge Anky, she was still on the lookout for the balloon and was distracted and on her toes in the school. Having said that she looked ok and I haven't seen her stretching ( of course she could have been stretching and I haven't seen her) since her massage on Thursday.

After lungeing I did the stretching exercises and she was a lot more willing and relaxed today.
I wanted to lead Remy out, but thought I'd give it a miss as he was VERY frightened of the monster and kept looking out of his window to see if he was safe!!!

I've got a couple of dvd's and books on massage and also Lucinda (masseuse) took me through a basic relaxation routine so this afternoon before they went back out in the field I gave Anky a massage. I think she enjoyed it.

Oh Dear.

Anky had a massage yesterday and the upshot is that her pelvis is slightly twisted. It has done this before and the osteo corrected it. It is very slight but it is probable that the osteo will have to come and correct it agan. This time we will work together with the masseuse to make sure that the muscles are also attended to. The muscles on her back are tight and have gone into spasm on one side from the point of hip to the back and going down the stomach. So we have an exercise plan for the next two weeks which is lungeing at walk and trot each day, starting five minutes each rein building up to 10-15 minutes, followed by some specific stretching exercises. She will liaise with the osteo for a second appointment in two weeks.
When she's around season time Anky is gassy and stretches (I mean really stretches) but she's been doing it more often recently nowhere near her season which was part of the reason for making the appointment. I showed her a pic of Anky stretching and described how she gets uncomfortable and gassy, and she said she had seen exactly the same thing in her friends mare who had something called "Leaky Gut", i've never heard of it, but it's a deficiency in the digestive process and she said perhaps I should try some probiotics as it had really helped her friends mare. It would be interesting to see if she improves with the probiotic. I've had a recommendation from the vet as to which I should buy and it's on it's way.
This is Anky stretching.

Playing in the Sunshine

I had a lovely morning today, Trudi came over and we took Anky into the school.
I had some very much needed (and appreciated) instruction on the in-hand work, which is relatively new to me. It was very helpful to see Anky being worked this way and has given me the motivation to continue.
After a very short sit-on, Trudi got on and I had a chance to see Anky being ridden. It was great to see someone else riding her, and her responses. She was a very good girl, and Trudi made her look good. Why didn't I take some pics?????

We then had a little bitting session with Remy in the stable. I've done very little with him recently but I'd like to start some basic in-hand work with him. I'll just practice my technique on Anky first!! Oh, sorry, did I say that out loud!!



Thanks for coming over Trudi.