Brill!

We've been busy the last couple of days chain harrowing and seeding our top field and fixing the fence on the side where next doors cows have been pushing to get some grass. It's hard work!

I had a lovely session in the school with Remy this morning. We started on a long rein with a nice active walk, soft in the hand on both reins. Then walk/rein-back/walk into small circles left and right and after a break on a long rein, shoulder-in on the circle and turn around the quarters on both reins. We then worked on trot transitions with good impulsion but staying nice and soft and round. He's getting nice transitions on the left, but still sticky on the right so tried transition to trot in the corner after shoulder-in on the long side. This worked great, helped to keep him up off my inside leg and kept a nice soft bend through the corner. His balance is improving in the trot too and he's able to keep a nice rhythm for longer. When we'd finished I rode him home and had a nice trot up the lane. Brill!

Need a tractor!

I didn't ride up the track today, but I rode to the school and back again. It was a good session in the school, we worked in walk first, loosening up on a fairly long rein, then halt, rein-back walk, with emphasis into walk with right bend which seemed to get him off the inside shoulder. We then did shoulder-in on the circle on both reins and turn around the quarters on both reins, with a noticed improvement on the right rein.
Before finishing we practiced a few trot transitions trying to keep the softness in the hand, some from reinback and some from leg yield on the circle. We're getting a much improved response now when I ask him to move his quarters which is good because he's a little sticky sometimes and I'm starting to get a much more comfortable feel on the right rein. Not like the left, but getting there, I think.

We spent the afternoon down the field tidying up the fencing after having someone come and top all the brambles, it's amazing how much more field we have now! It all needs keeping on top of now, so we really must think about getting a tractor. We have two in England, not much good to us there!!

A Little Wobble

I had a short session on the yard with Remy, walk on the circle asking for soft, even bend and then shoulder-in on each rein, nice and slow concentrating on each step.. A very short session before I took him out on the track.
I wanted to take him up the track towards the little wood as we've not been up there recently. He was a little jumpy but I expected him to be having a good look around as we've not been up there in a while. The farmer had put up his electric fence at the side of the track and some cows in there which Remy hadn't seen before. He was looking, but he's such a good boy and to be honest, he wasn't worrying me too much it was the bloody electric fence that had got me worried. We got past it and he was on his toes, not too much of a  problem, we practised a little sideways and regular halts to keep him thinking and by the time we got through the wood he was much calmer, not completely relaxed but ok.
Coming home he was really on a mission and while I like the forward I don't want the rushing so I sat up and thought slow with my seat, which worked well, it just felt that I had a whole lot of horse underneath me. Coming back towards the fence, the farmer had arrived with tractor and trailer to refill his water troughs, so Remy was looking at that, and to be fair he wanted to march up and investigate, but the bloody fence was just at the side of us and it was freaking me out. I didn't panic, at least I don't think it was panic, but I suddenly felt very nervous about the fact that I was responsible for this young horse and it was up to me to be calm and to give him confidence. I felt old and inadequate. He deserves better, because, he never really gives me a reason to be worried and I was letting him down. A wobble, definitely, and it came out of nowhere and took me by surprise and it's not like he took off with me or anything, which somehow makes it worse and a definite over-reaction on my part.
I've not felt like that in a long time and I'm a bit ashamed of it to be honest and sitting here writing, I think how ridiculous I was to lose my composure like that.
We can't hide these feelings from our horses and Remy knew, but he behaved like a little star.  I love my boy!

Jobs done

No horses today, too busy this morning re-seeding one of our fields which needed to be done before the guy comes to top it at the weekend. After that we had to cut the lower branches off the tree in the yard as they're nearly touching the ground and taking up quite a bit of space. It's good because now I've got a nice little circular area  to work the guys.

We now have a CT on the landrover thanks to the lovely man at the CT centre in the next village. He checked out the ID number, said it wasn't a problem, and 'voila' - done!!

We've also got the wood- burner chimney fitted in the gite now, so set up for winter guests and wood ordered to come next week.

I suddenly got the urge to drag my guitar out of its case for the first time in years the other day, it was under the bed covered in a layer of dust!  I've replaced a couple of strings and had a little play ( it's been a long time and boy am I rubbish) so we'll see how it goes. Ricky's already suggesting we look for some duet music!!
It's coming up to that dreaded time of the year when the chasse start to make an appearance and last week they were tooting back and forwards for no apparent reason, couldn't hear any yapping of dogs, Jim said that they're probably just getting drunk and practicing tooting their horns - I can believe it!! Anyway we'll see if they're around tomorrow, they're not supposed to start until the end of September, but they're like kids at christmas, can't bloody wait!

Own little world! tut tut

Been doing more thinking ( not sure it's good for me), and watching Jims latest vid it's obvious (why haven't I realised it sooner, what a div I am) that at times I'm not giving Rem enough length of rein. I'm concentrating on getting the release and I give immediately, but not enough sometimes.At the same time I'm guilty of giving too much outside rein.  Also, while I give him regular breaks on a long rein, I don't give him enough - I'm ashamed to say I get lost in my own little world and lose track of time, so really need to be aware of it.
We're having some problems on the right rein, he just doesn't want to be there, so we've been working on that more, trying to keep right bend, encourage to stretch the outside, but also keeping the inside shoulder up and not falling in and just trying to get more control of that inside right shoulder.
Today, I was really conscious of the length of rein and worked him with a longer rein and he really stretched and softened, I just moved him around the school and we worked on moving the shoulders and quarters and some trot transitions.  He felt more relaxed and gave me some nice soft transitions.

Generosity and trust

Had a good think last night about training Remy. What I realise is that I'm forgetting the very very basics (not good english, I know). Thinking first of all, above all else the mobilisation of the jaw, which I honestly believe is the key to the whole body. I've been thinking we're doing ok and I suppose we are, but he's only partly giving his mouth, only partly trusting my hand and even though it's so bloody obvious I've been missing it in my quest to progress.
Remy bends easily to the left, in fact he wants to be flexed left and I know horses have a weak/ strong - soft / hard side but if I offer him a treat from the saddle (or from the ground for that matter) he can stretch both sides easily, so I believe it's a refusal/reluctance on his part, for whatever reason, it's a contraction of his muscles rather than a real underlying lack of suppleness.
Today we started from the ground and started at the beginning, asking for the release from a lift of the bit to the corners of the mouth. He was hesitating, not releasing immediately and when he did release, he didn't retain it, but after a few attempts he started to respond and relax. I then moved to the left side, outside rein over the top of the neck and asking for the release and then a release into a left flexion, keeping the relaxation and allowing him to extend his neck, again keeping the release and relaxation and mobility of the jaw.
Moving to his right side, feeling the reluctance through the rein, but then the release and relaxation, acceptance, nice right flexion and then allowing the extension of his neck, still willing to give his mouth.
I wanted to sit-on but was loathe to muddy the waters, but I really wanted to sit on to see if the work could continue from the saddle.
So on I got and as I picked up the reins to begin he responded and I felt immediately the release and acceptance as he mobilised his jaw, with a beautiful soft, anything is possible feeling  in my hands. This is what was missing, the real gift of generosity and trust.
A calm stillness, self balance and self control, we walked a circle on each rein, just one circle, not wanting to be too greedy, retaining that beautiful feeling in my hand and softness through his body. It was a moment of pure joy. I got off with the realisation that I'm a very very lucky girl!!!

Guidance..

..required.
As usual for me, I feel like I've hit a block in my training. I feel like I need some guidance, I don't know if I really do, just feel that way. I go so far and then start to doubt what I'm doing and once that sets in I'm rubbish at dealing with it. Comme D'habitude!!
What it comes down to is going it alone, it's hard. How I envy those that have trainers, or just educated eyes on the ground. Remy's doing ok, but I need regular affirmation that what I'm doing is correct or suggestions for things I need to do to stay on the correct path.
I should be brave enough to post my work on the forums for advice, but I'm not.
I miss lessons and I miss clinics.  I miss words of encouragement from the side of the school and friendly debate over lunch.
I have my horses at home, a great school to ride in, I'm surrounded by beautiful countryside with miles and miles of tracks to hack out on, there shouldn't be any negatives, but ( and I'm ashamed to say it) unfortunately there are.

Incandescent.......

.....  with rage!!!!  Bloody ignorant, arrogant, bald french tw*t!!
Called into the CT (MOT) centre last week to arrange a rendezvous for the Land Rover. Really nice guy gave us a sticker with the date of the rendezvous written on (5.9.2011). Turned up on monday, nobody there, place closed. Waited for a while, still closed. Came home, rang them in the afternoon to ask why there was nobody there and was told 'non' the rendevous was for the 6th. Ok, but you have written the 5th. 'NON' the rendevous is DEMAIN le 6th!!! Ok, pas de probleme we'll come tomorrow.
Jim took the car and another guy, definitely not the nice guy, was frozen faced, took the sticky off the carte grise and without looking at Jim, threw it in the bin and without a word started the procedure.

Everything seems ok except he can't find the vehicle ID number on the chassis.. There is one under the bonnet, the other, where is it? Outcome - Refusé!!  It needs to be stamped on the chassis, you need to get it done!!

Our local garage can't do it, but suggested we go to the CT centre in the next village. We take our other car here, but they don't do 4x4's hence going to monsieur angry. So, Jim takes the land rover to see if he can sort it out and it turns out they now have the necessary equipment to do 4x4's which is good to know for the future. He brings out his trusty manual which tells him that the elusive number is stamped on the chassis just visible underneath the windscreen, having checked both numbers he pronounces 'bien' and today,armed with this information Jim goes down to see mr angry to get the certificate.

I wasn't there but I can imagine the scene as Jim described it. Mr ANGRY  wouldn't accept this, despite the fact that we had already been told that it was correct, just kept prodding the car and waving his arms, saying  'non' and getting redder and redder. Wouldn't listen, wouldn't even look at Jim, just kept prodding the car and waving his arms. Apparently it needs to be underneath - the manual has told us where to look - stamped under the windscreen, in full view, readable and everything, but 'non' it has to be underneath!!!
Jim had to just walk away - being locked in a french jail for gbh of a french, bald, arrogant tw*t is not really an option so, tomorrow we go to our friendly, in the next village CT man to see if he can do it. 

Our french is not brilliant, but also it's not too bad, we always speak french and try really hard to get along with people, we're not arrogant English folk who think that everyone should speak english and we don't expect them to. I don't know if this guy hates the english or he's just like that with everyone, but, what I can say is that I'm so glad that I didn't have to talk to the arrogant, bald french tw*t as I probably would be locked up in a french jail now - which really isn't an option!!!

Great feelings

Continued with the same with Remy today and achieved some lovely soft work, consistent even bend on both reins, much more fluid and improved on the right rein. We worked on rein-back, shoulder in and leg yield down the long side and small circles with lots of changes of bend. Great feeling and really enjoyed the session.
Another bridle session with Bonbon on the yard, relaxing her jaw really well, giving nice flexions left and right and extending the neck into a nice soft contact.

I need to find some homes for our young hens, they'll be laying soon and we have too many. I'm surprised at how fond I've become of them and can't bear for Jim to put them in the pot. He keeps threatening, but they're so beautiful, I can't let him do it. I'm pretty rubbish at being a chicken breeder, I just want to keep them all and watch them happily pecking around. We have a young cockerel who is stunning and I've seen him grow from a plain little black chick.How ridiculous am I.  Aaaaghhhh!

Work in walk works wonders

A great session today with Remy, working in walk, really concentrating on correct bend especially on the right rein. Asking outside shoulder slightly to the inside, keeping the inside shoulder up, relaxed through the neck , inside flexion and soft in the hand. A breakthrough, I think, on the right rein where he's been a little reluctant and resisting, he really started to 'get' it and relax into a lovely soft contact.  A really satisfying and enjoyable session, we finished with lots of changes of rein, neck long and relaxed with fluid changes of bend.
A short flexion session with Bonbon on the yard and she's starting to respond really well, relaxing her jaw to a small upward movement of the bit on the corners of her mouth.

Musical Soiree

Sounds posh doesn't it, but really just a bunch of people getting together to make music and drink lots of wine!
Ricky organised it at her place and we were treated to piano solos, duets, choral works, light opera and an impromptu jazz session at the end of the night when the wheels were well and truly oiled.
Ricky's been on at me for ages to do a little something with  piano and sax, but, apart from not wanting to subject the listeners to my ramblings, the thought of performing in front of that lot freaks me out just a tad.
Ricky has her friend staying with her who's a pretty good pianist and composer, so I've dragged the sax out of it's case (where it's been sitting for the last few months) and we're going to meet up for a session later in the week.
Feeling a little bit under the weather this morning, ahem, perhaps a little too many 'verres du vin', and it was raining so put the horses out and spent the day getting my playing muscles in order and finally got around to replacing the keyboard in my french laptop for a UK one. It's not that I mind using a french keyboard it's just that my other laptop has a UK keyboard and to have both is just confusing for the fingers!

Getting going

It's been a slow start getting going after my visit to the UK. It's been changeable weather here, hot and close, then cloudy and stormy with lots of flies, I think they're having a last fling before autumn sets in!

I've had a few sessions with Remy over the last week, a lovely hack around the lake, Jim accompanying us but Remy taking the lead, forward and interested. Also in the school working on bending and softness, his reluctance to bend to the right, getting him to stretch his left side, trying to activate his hind legs especially the right hind, keep his inside shoulder up - young horses eh, so many things to work on!
After introducing trot work before my visit to the UK, we're now starting to work more on that, which comes with another whole set of issues to work through. Trying to keep the softness into the transition,  the forwards without rushing, the neck soft and relaxed. I'm feeling my way through it, he's being a star and coping admirably with my efforts!

We've had a couple of sessions with Bonbon in the school, groundwork and then a sit-on - especially good yesterday as the farmers were getting the maize in and the field was filled with big noisy monsters. She had a little squeal and a buck on the lunge but then settled down really nicely.

Memories

It was Karls funeral today. We got through it, but heart-wrenching to see Joan and Rod so upset. The service brought back good memories from childhood and it was good to see family members that I've not seen in years. The crem was full, he had so many friends.
Jim has informed me that he was run off the road a few days back and had to swerve up a very large kerb. The result, broken wing mirror, two popped tyres and damaged wheels! Luckily he's ok, although pretty pissed off. I don't think our fully comp insurance will cover it.

Hustle and bustle

I've had a couple of busy days, yesterday morning up to the yard to check out the new school which has far exceeded expectations, being larger than I thought and with a lovely sand and rubber surface. The liveries are delighted with it and I had a good natter with my old mate Linda. I went shopping with my Mum in the afternoon and then up to Joan and Rods in the evening. They insist that they're coping ok, but I don't think so. We had a couple of drinks and a good catch up, it was lovely to see them. I've arranged to go shopping with Joan tomorrow, I think that shopping may be the recurring theme of this visit, I still have to find some breeches and various other horsey items!
I've got mixed feelings about being home, I hate being in the town and the amount of traffic is driving me crazy, but even amongst all the hustle and bustle, the people still find time to be friendly and helpful, and, of course, it's great to see family and friends.

Sunny England

Well, I arrived safe and sound in a very nice and sunny Liverpool. The hire car co. presented me with a lovely 5 door VW Polo which is lovely to drive and I arrived home to be greeted by Mum and Dad, Karen, Thomas and Chloe. I'm off to the yard tomorrow to check out our new riding arena and hopefully get a ride over the moor one one of the liveries horses.
I'm homesick already.

Tip toes

We had an exciting hack this morning, the same route as yesterday but this time with added fisherman, cars, picnic tables etc....
As we approached the lake I could see the gathering and Remy was a little bit wary, but we went on down to where they'd set up to find four fishermen, their cars, tables and chairs and one of the cars parked on the track with only a small space one one side to get past.
Jim went on ahead but Remy was snorting and backing off so we halted for a few moments to let him take it in and calm down. I don't know if the smell of the live bait in the tubs at the edge of the lake was adding to it, but he was more freaked than I've seen him. He moved forward towards the car and plucked up the courage to sniff it which then startled him a little and he backed into one of the chairs at the table,I was expecting a bit of an explosion, but he still didn't overreact. It was a bit overwhelming for him, but although he was worried, he kept his head and after another few moments he decided he could go, he seemed to grow a few hands and went past on his tip toes, but also with a calmness which  filled me with confidence.
The rest of the ride was fine although on the lane back we met the post van coming toward us at the same time as a tractor and bailer came up behind us. It was a tricky situation, but luckily the post van was going quite slowly and the tractor was prepared to wait until I could take Rem into a gateway. He tensed up a little as the (rather noisy) tractor went past, but no real problem, and by the time we got home he was pretty calm and relaxed. Lots to think about for the boy!
I'm off to the UK tomorrow for a week, and I'm really going to miss my guys.

A little hack

My intention was to ride Remy up to the school and then have a short session in there, but Remy decided he wanted to march straight past and on down to the lake! I didn't ask him to turn into the school so it's not as if he was misbehaving, he just started to stride out energetically as we were approaching the entrance, his intention was definitely to go straight on down the track, so we did. Jim had come up to watch the session, so he accompanied us on our little hack.
We went down the track to the lake, continued on the little track round the lake and then off through the field coming out further down on the lane to our house. Jim had to walk in front a couple of times for encouragement, but all in all he was really happy to go on ahead. We were out for about 40 minutes. I'm pretty chuffed with the boy!
On a sadder note, I learned this week that my cousin Karl had died. Not totally unexpected as he'd suffered ill health for a long time, but still a great sadness. He was a few years younger than me and thankfully died peacefully after a particularly turbulent life. As kids, my sister and I used to spend all holidays and spare time with our cousins so they were a big part of my life growing up. I am especially close to Karls mum and dad and I'm looking forward to spending some time with them next week when I go home to attend the funeral.

We talked, and talked and ...............

...talked, ate a tasty lunch and drank (just a little) wine!!
A lovely day out yesterday at Trudis, it was great to see them all and especially good as Trudis friend Chris was visiting and I haven't seen her for ages. While we talked Chris gave us all a manicure and my nails are now smooth and buffed to perfection (well, not perfection as my nails are sadly neglected, but I'm going to try and take much better care of them and also to moisturise my also neglected hands :-( - thanks Chris!
The weather was iffy this morning, one minute sunny and the next tipping it down. I had a short bridle session with Bonbon, starting with a little massage on her poll and neck, little love whickered at me as she started to relax.
The sun popped out for a while so I took Remy up to the school for an in-hand/lungeing session. He was jumpy going up the field and took a while to settle once in the school, but he gave me some nice giravolta and shoulder-in on the circle. He was good with his back legs today, pretty active and gave me some active        transitions into a not quite as relaxed trot as I'd like, but he was motivated and carrying himself nicely , and taking into account how distracted he was I was pretty happy with him.

The weather's been a bit wishy washy the last few days, but I've had a couple of good sessions with Remy.
Things feel like they're coming together, sideways is improving, reinback is straighter and the trot transitions are more active and soft. After the session on friday, I took his bridle off and we went for a walk around our top field for a look-see and some grass. I rode in the rain yesterday which was fab and then rode him back down the field which I've never done before.

Walking out

Had a lovely time with Remy today. I rode him up to the school but he wanted to explore down the track to the little lakes so that's what we did. I've never ridden him down there, but he really wanted to go. His walk was fantastic, I can't tell you how good it felt to have him striding out beneath me. We stopped at the lake and he had a little snort at the hut with the boat, but he settled quickly and I let him put his head down for a nibble at some grass. I took him in the school on the way back, a short session including rein-back and shoulder-in on each rein followed by a few trot transitions. He's improving and I was happy with the transitions and his balance in the trot.

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.

(very nearly) Jumping

I thought it was about time Remy saw some jumps so we put out some trotting poles for him to go over and then added a little X pole at the end. We have some coloured poles that we've never used so he needed a quick look before deciding they were ok. He didn't know what to make of the little x pole the first time  and stopped, huffed and then walked over it, the second time he hopped over it and the third time he jumped it , but not particularly athletically. I brought him round again and he made quite a nice jump so we left it at that.  This was just on the left rein, so next time we need to show him he can do it on both reins (hopefully).
A short bridle session with Bonbon asking for relaxation of the jaw and baby flexion. It's coming along well.

Remy - ridden session

Because of the very dry weather, we've not got much grass and added to that very little hay left over from last year. For some reason the farmer hasn't brought this years hay off the field yet (we really must change our hay arrangements next year and take charge of what's happening with our land) so the barn's pretty much empty. Corky and Bonbon who both seem to live off fresh air are keeping their weight but Remy seems to have lost a little condition, although he seems to have grown a little and tends to go a bit rangy. Anyway, he's getting sugar beet and grass nuts added to his vit and min supplement and linseed. We're expecting quite a bit more rain so hopefully the grass will start to come through soon.
Here's a little vid from yesterdays ridden session

Backing Bonbon

A good session with Bonbon yesterday sitting on for the second time. She was a good girl, standing quietly as I mounted and then Jim led her around the school and after the first few sticky steps she was fine.

Cheese and piccalilli

Had a really enjoyable session with Remy in the school today. Started with figure of eights, reinback and shoulder in on each rein. Then a little trot work on both reins followed by a really forward walk on a long rein. Before finishing I asked him for the first time for quarters in, a bit unsure but on asking moved his quarters inside at halt. Finished by riding him back down the lane. It feels like his shoulders are starting to loosen up now and he's getting better balanced. The trot transitions were, on the whole quite nice too.

I've just borrowed a friends Pete Ramey DVD's and finding them really interesting, makes me want to be much more knowledgeable about my horses feet.
Our lovely neighbours who only come out for the summer have just brought us a goody bag of cheshire cheese, tea-bags, piccalilli and biscuits. Yummy.

Bonbon - first sit-on

Remy's been a little tense the last few days. They all came in from the field very jumpy the other morning and it's taken him a while to get over it. He's not been spooky when I've ridden him, just quietly tense. Today I went back to basics, worked a little in-hand on flexions at halt,reinback, giravolta and some shoulder-in. He remained relaxed so I got on and did the same thing onboard. A short ridden session but he listened and did all that I asked. I was pleased with the few steps of shoulder in down the long side on the left rein. Not as easy for him on the right rein, but he did give me some nice relaxed steps. We finished with a lovely relaxed straight reinback, probably the best he's offered me.
We took Bonbon to the school and she was a little unsettled going up there, unusually whinnying back to the others, but soon settled to some light lungeing and a little in-hand with reinback and moving quarters and shoulders. She was nice and relaxed at the end of the session so I decided to stand her up and lay over her back. I've not leaned over her with my full weight before, but we had the saddle on today so I placed my foot in the stirrup and let her take my weight on the near-side. She moved sideways a few steps but I just stayed there and went with her until she stopped and stood still. She was very calm so after a few moments I swung my leg over and sat in the saddle for the first time. What a good girl!! She looked back at me on either side just to see what was going on and then we walked her forwards a few steps before asking for a halt. I patted her all over,  she took a treat from me on either side and seemed quite happy with the whole process. I can't believe I've sat on my little girl for the first time.

Maiden flight - doing alright

We have a swallows nest in our barn, it's on one of the beams above Remys stable. There are 4 youngsters in it. It seems like it's been no time at all, but today the first one left the nest and made it's maiden flight. It was wonderful to watch. It flew around the barn, unsure of itself, mum (or dad) hovering nearby and then flying in and out of the barn trying to guide it. It wanted to get back into the nest, but couldn't work out the logistics. It was flying and hovering, flying and hovering, trying to work out how to do it. Isn't nature amazing - within a few short weeks those wings will be powerful enough to fly for hundreds of miles. Eventually it flew out of the dark, dusty barn into bright, glorious sunshine and circled high above. I wonder what it was thinking at that moment, how it felt leaving the dark safety of the nest and going into the bright open space of a whole new world .
I rode Remy up to the school for a short session. He wasn't paying much attention today, wanting to look around. He's been very jumpy the last couple of days and although he was calmer today he was still quite distracted. I walked him on a long rein for a few minutes, letting him stretch and relax and then worked on some halt/walk/halt transitions. He was sticky giving me right flexion so finished by asking for flexion left then right at halt for a few minutes until he was offering from a light feel on the rein.
As it's been a while, I thought it would be nice to take him up the track so thats what we did. We were out for about 30 minutes, went as far as the road and he gave me a lovely, long, forward stride on the way home.

Gareth came to trim them yesterday so they're fine for another few weeks and he's happy with how they're coping with the very hard ground.

Also, our hay was baled yesterday. In the words of our farmer - 'catastrophe!'
Over the last few years we've had between 35and 45 large round bales of our two main fields and this year we got 10. Unfortunately for us we let the farmer have our other field for maize so we're missing the hay off there too.
Thanks to good friends who've offered us some hay I think we'll be ok, but I can understand how farmers are worrying with large herds of cows to feed.
This spring we've had extremely dry weather and having so little hay is unusual, but our fields need some attention and we plan to reseed at the end of this year, so they'll be in much better condition next year.

Hot and Dusty

It was hot and dusty yesterday in the school with Remy, so another very short session.
He's starting to offer more genuine bend on the right rein, but is still a little reluctant. His wolf teeth are  definitely coming through now, more on that side and I wonder if it's bothering him a little. The equine dentist is due anytime so, hopefully we can sort it out.
I asked him for trot on the right rein for the first time and I was pleased at the way he coped. I can't say that about myself however, my balance and position is awful. It's a long time since I've done any trot work and it shows, I'm going to have to practice!! Jim did a vid.

Just a little moment

After wasting the morning at the docs yesterday, I didn't have chance to do the horses, and as we needed some stuff for our newly emerging wet room I spent the rest of the day shopping.
It was great weather for riding this morning, slightly overcast, warm, but fresh. I took Remy up to the school, starting with a little in-hand to relax him - small circles, relaxed through his neck with good even bend, rein-back, giravolta, followed by a short ridden session.
I'm pleased with the improvement on the right rein. Today he was offering a nice flexion inside at halt and yielding to my inside leg  on the transition to walk, holding the balance on the outside shoulder and not falling out on the circle. He gave me some nice fluid changes of bend in the figure of eights and nice leg yeild on the left rein. On a large circle (20m) left, he felt nicely balanced, so I asked for trot and he offered it immediately with no tension and good rhythm. I was so happy, but not wanting to spoil the moment, and wanting to ask for the transition back to walk before he started to lose balance, I trotted half the 20m circle and then asked. He gave me a smooth transition, in balance. For our first trot in the school I think it was pretty successful. Just a little moment, but a moment to remember.
Again, Jim brought Bonbon up to the school as I was finishing my session with Remy. He said that she came up quite excitedly, but not silly. When she came into the school they both remained calm and she settled to work as Jim took Remy back to the yard. What a star! I worked her as normal, a very short lunge/in-hand session and then halting at the mounting step where I leant over her back. She was a good girl.

One out, one in

It's been another hot day, the kind that saps your energy. We've put Cindy back with the other hens and she went straight into the nesting box and laid an egg! She's happy to be back. The chicks are fine without her and they've been pecking around their new home and lounging around having dirt baths.
We tried a little experiment this morning with the horses. I went up to the school with Remy, a short lunge session followed by a short ridden session. I was chuffed, the right rein was better again today and we got some nice figure of eights with good changes of bend. A few steps of giravolta on the left rein and nice balanced circle with good bend on the right rein. I gave him a break, walking on a long rein, it needed to be more active so I gave him a small squeeze with my legs and he popped into trot. Not an evasion I don't think, just offering me what he thought I wanted. A good session.
While I was in the school, Jim had been getting Bonbon ready and we'd decided he should walk her up to the school, I could then work her while he brought Remy back to the yard. We thought that they'd handle it ok, but you never know, especially with a little madam like Bonbon.
Remy was quite surprised to see her coming up the field and she was very excited to see him in the school. She started dancing at the gate and when Jim brought her in she turned her back-end on Remy and kicked out at him. He was pretty cool about it all and we swapped over with no problems. She acted up a little as he went back, but settled pretty quickly and I worked her as normal.  I'm hoping they cope just as well the next time as it'll make working them both a little easier.

Hot hot hot!!

As you've guessed it's been HOT today. I rode Remy earlier than usual but it was still too hot, so a very short session. Pleased though, the rein-back is becoming more fluid and the right rein was a little better today. Some nice consistent bend and softness on the left rein.

Jilly has hatched 5 chicks, she seems to have left the remaining eggs, so I think she's decided that's her lot. We've moved Cindy and her babies out of the nursery into their own little pen where they can stay until they're big enough to go with the others. Cindy has had enough of them now, so I think that she can go back in with the others tomorrow.  Jim has made them a little house.

Another broody hen.......with babies

I had two good sessions this morning.
With Remy, I rode him up to the school through the field, a first. Jim walked on ahead, and after a few seconds of hesitation, I think while he was trying to figure out why I wasn't leading him as usual, he went no problem.
He was more focussed today with good bending to the left, some nice halt/reinback/ walk-on transtions and a little shoulder-in work down the long side. He's more reluctant to flex to the right, but again, it became easier today throughout the session. I practiced rein-back/walk on on the right rein, asking for a small flexion inside as I asked him to walk on which seemed to help. I finished by riding him along the lane home and having a little trot.

Bonbon's in-season at the moment and is a little sucky, she was a sweetheart today in the school. A short lungeing session moving her around the school, first at walk getting her to relax with a good, active walk and then asking for the trot transition. She's pretty relaxed in the trot, finding good balance, but I really hope she comes up more in the wither as sometimes I'm not quite sure she knows what to do with her extremely tall back legs. Between changes of rein, we worked a little on moving her quarters and shoulders and she seems to understand exactly what I'm asking for.
We finished with me laying over her back and she was really chilled about it.

Jilly hen, who has been sitting on about a dozen eggs for the last few weeks, hatched the first two today so we've moved her into the nursery with Cindy hen and her 7 babies who are now a month old. Hopefully they'll be going into their own little nursery pen at the weekend, leaving Jilly in peace.
Why are we doing this exactly? I'm not cut out for it, because I can't contemplate eating them. I can't believe the joy I feel watching them grow and develop into little personalities.
HELP.  Good homes wanted for good layers, hmmm, beautiful fresh eggs!!  Anyone?

Back....

..to normal.
It felt strange this morning seeing the empty gite, expecting to see mum and dad sitting on the terrace with a cuppa.
I took Remy up to the school. Understandably after his layoff, he was a little distracted. I walked him around in hand to loosen him up and relax him a little and then got on.
It felt good, but frighteningly it felt like I hadn't sat on a horse for years rather than 3 weeks!! I stayed at halt for a few minutes asking for flexions to both sides- pretty easy to the left, not so much to the right, but it came better during the session. Then moving on to walk/halt transitions, slow and easy trying to keep his attention, halting, waiting, then asking again if we lost the softness in the hand until he started to listen.
A short, simple session. Good to be getting going again.
Jim seemed to think that he looked taller, I'm not sure, can a horse grow in 3 weeks? Don't know.

Success and departures

We've had a good week with my mum and dad. The weather's been ok, we've had some good times with friends and the gite was a complete success.
They're going home today and we're just hanging around now before we go to the airport.
I want them to stay, I always do, but, of course, they have their own busy lives to get back to.
Things will get back to normal, which is ok, and I am looking forward to getting going again with the horses after our couple of weeks off.

Chez Marlene

It's been a while as we've been finishing renovating a small appartment for my mum and dad.
We finally finished it over the weekend - just as well as my parents arrived on monday for a ten day stay.
It's been a bit of a trial with one thing or another, but we're happy with the result.
The horses are going to have another week off, but I'm missing them and really looking forward to getting going again next week.

2 good lungeing sessions today.
Remy was forward and relaxed and we worked at walk and trot with lots of transitions. The trot work is becoming more relaxed now and I think it won't be too long before we can start working on the canter.
Bonbon was brilliant, attentive and relaxed, gave me good trot transitions and stayed really calm.

Early days

A short ridden session with Remy yesterday just moving him around the school, working on reinback, a little shoulder-in/shoulder-out, head to the fence, trying to get nice flexion and even bend with one or two baby sideways steps here and there. It was a little blustery and lots of flies, but he stayed pretty calm.
Jim did a little vid and I'm pretty horrified at the way I slump and sit over to the right and draw my leg up! Definitely need some eyes on the ground to keep me in check and yell at me every time I do that!
Remy's been a bit confused with the reinback and it shows on the vid, but he feels like he's starting to understand it a little more now.

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!

Besotted

Great sessions this morning.
Remy had a short session on the lunge and he was pretty chilled. We had a few minutes in-hand with some nice giravolta and I tried some shoulder-in with me at his head walking backwards (not easy as I fall over my feet just walking forwards!) . I copied this after seeing it on a friends vid - so thanks Trudi, it looked so effective on your vid, I just had to try it!
I sat-on for a short session and was happy with the consistency of the bending and softness in the hand. The right rein is improving all the time and is starting to match the consistency on the left rein. The rein-back was more fluid today and I think he's understanding more and not getting quite so worried about it. After working for a few minutes on the rein-back/walk on transitions and small circles I let him out to a longer rein and he really walked on with a nice stretch out to my hand.
Apart from a little squeal and a throwing her back end at me ( really only a token gesture, but still not tolerated),  Bonbon was better today too. She settled to the walk/trot transitions and we got some nice forward walk and some fairly relaxed forward trot around the school and on large circles. Little (actually - big, rather fat) sweetie!
My resolve to have nothing to do with our chicks ( because they were Jim's idea and destined for the pot) has dissolved (no surprise to Jim) and I'm quite besotted with them. I've told Jim that there's no way that he's killing them and they'll have to go to good homes or stay with us!

Girls with attitude

I have to check the horses each morning as we have a timetable conflict. We bring them in early for breakfast and by the time I'm ready to work them they're lying down having a kip! They're obviously partying every night!
I went down to the stables this morning to find Remy up and eating hay, so returned complete with tack only to find he had a watery half-closed eye. It doesn't seem to be serious and on checking this evening, seems to be much better, but It was pretty hot with lots of flies this morning, so I didn't think it was fair to work him.
So, on to Bonbon, and I took her up to the school for a lungeing session.
She's a girl with attitude and she showed it today, shaking her head, squealing and at one point legging it back to the gate. I'm pretty easy-going with her ( some might say too easy going) usually, but, unfortunately for her,  there were two girls with attitude in the school today ( I'm a big softy really),  and after a little téte à téte  she settled down to some calm and attentive work. I was pleased with her and she came back to the yard pretty chilled.
I think our kitchen order MAY be ready by the end of the week, I really hope so as I'm getting sick of having builders around the place ( they're great and they're doing a good job, but enough's enough) and I want to  go collect it all before next week - it's going to be the final piece in finishing the appartment. My mum and dad arrive in just under 3 weeks and it has to be ready.
Just learned that my cousin has terminal cancer - I worry for my aunty and uncle, it'll hit them hard.

My two boys

I rode Remy today and it just felt right. I don't mean the training, I know we have a long way to go and I still have doubts about my ability to train him. I mean that for the first time it really felt that I had MY boy with me and it was an 'us'. It gave me a great feeling.
As I was walking him back home, I saw Obi playing and rolling in the field, obviously blissfully unaware that he's on borrowed time. It's obviously an emotional day and they got the better of me. I felt a sudden terrible sadness that I'm going to lose him and was immediately crying my eyes out. I'm crying now as I'm writing and he's looking at me from the kitchen with that big daft grin on his face. It makes me smile, I'll take it, it'll have to do.

Hoping for rain

It's been heavy and overcast today so we've been hoping for rain. It's been so dry here recently and there's not a lot growing on our hay field. No joy, I'm afraid, and even though we could see it was raining in the distance it managed to avoid us.
Having said that, it was great weather for riding and I had a short lunge session with Remy, followed by a sit-on. We started with walk on a long rein around the school and he was really stepping out and stretching into my hand. His halt transitions were also clean and crisp. He struggled with the rein-back today so I got off and worked on them for a few minutes from the ground. When I remounted he responded a litle better, but I think there's confusion when I ask for the rein-back mounted, so something to work on. We finished by riding back down the lane and a little way up the track before heading home.
We then took Bonbon into the school for her lunge session. The last time she had a couple of explosions, spooking away from the top end of the school and I'd had to stand with her down there asking her while she started to relax and focus on me. By the time we finished the session she was calm and focussed and today there was no sign of worry working at the top end. She had a little squeal  today when I asked for trot, but she calmed immediately and settled into the trot. She's unsure of what I'm asking, but is giving me the benefit of the doubt and going with it, a good sign with Bonbon.
The chicks were out today, but by the time I got there with the camera, they were settling down for a snooze.

What is it............

....about me that folk think it's ok to take the piss? Do I have a big sign on my forehead that says 'go ahead, piss me off, it's good sport'! Or is it just the usual 'I am English' sign which gives every living frenchman the right to be fucking useless at his job, have no customer service skills and pretty much not give one fucking iota of a damn!!!!
I thought I'd mellowed with age, but I'm beginning to think that I could very easily go off my flaming trolley!

Big sigh...
....on a good note, Remy was brilliant today. Calm and listening. We worked on small circles trying to keep a nice even bend and softness in the hand, halt/reinback/walk on, and walk and halt transitions which were really pretty good. It was very hot this morning so did nothing with Bonbon, feel bad about that too - too eager to get indoors for a cool drink.
Touch wood, our chooks seem to be doing well with their babies, who don't seem confused at all, having 2 mums clucking over them.

Time flies.....

A busy few days.
We have two broody hens and 7 chicks. They've decided they're going to raise them together - I hope it works out!
The builders are back with a vengeance and it's pretty chaotic here. The kitchen units that we ordered from Leroy Merlin 3 weeks ago were due on the 13th May, but, surprise surprise, they've not even arrived at the store yet!!
Time seems to be passing so quickly, one week blending into the next. I feel like I've gotten old almost overnight, my eyesight has gone west and I have about 3 different pairs of specs. One set for reading, one for the computer and one for the telly. Crap!!
I really like this vid

In need of a trim

A ridden session in the school today with Remy working at walk on halt/reinback/walk on and figure of eights. I then rode him back down the lane and up the track, the same ride as yesterday but Jim followed rather than walked with us. He was great, he was forward; stayed soft in the hand and when I stopped to chat with a neighbour on the way back, he stood calmly and patiently.
Gareth came this afternoon to trim their feet and although they'd gone over time-wise and their feet looked a little untidy, there was nothing that couldn't be fixed by a good trim!
Happy Bunny tonight!

The Passage of a Living Art

 

Posted by Horses For LIFE Magazine on May 15th, 2011

Just recently someone asked me how can we judge another horseman except by the works that he produces?

But in retrospect I was reminded of an article from Volume 41. The Passage of a Living Art. How fleeting this gift is, that exists between us and the horse.

Excerpt of The Passage of a Living Art

When one has had the blessing of learning from a truly gifted and/or difficult horse, the blessing cannot even begin to be described in words. The work of art that you create between the two of you is so unique, so uplifting, so life fulfilling, that it fills your soul and your heart. No wonder there are those who envisioned a Pegasus. A winged beast, a winged horse, because when your soul is first introduced to that magical moment you do feel like you are flying on the back of the horse, you truly understand the message, the concept of a Pegasus. Because you have flown, truly flown – as your horse takes you places that creates an understanding of life that reaches far beyond the two of you.

It has taken years, years of becoming wiser, for the horse to become physically stronger, for communication to expand to mere flickers of thoughts instantly translated, for both of you to explore movements that no one even begins to think about, let alone teach today.

Everything about who and what you are as a horseman is defined in the muscles of loins, in the passage of hooves of this one special horse. Everything about what you know sits there in front of you in gleaming coppery coats and flickering ear tips. And then the sublime art, the passion, the wings of all of who and what you are, is gone.

There are no words to describe the emptiness inside when the living art as expressed in the muscles and sinews of this mythical creature come alive, dies. Not only do you have the devastation of losing a piece of your heart, but you have lost your mentor, your teacher, your student, your success, your knowledge, the ability to show to others the amazing lessons you have learned.

Everything is gone.

I have cried losing a horse, but with this there are no tears. There is simply a void that will never again be filled. An emptiness of self, of experience; it is as if who and what you are, were, and know, is dead as well. And, truth be told, you are. A part of you is now dead.

No other artist can know what it is like to put all of yourself into one piece of art for literally years, always knowing it can only be temporary – that there is no permanence – that one day this will be gone. There are no ifs that it will be gone, it is a known, a given. The passage of cruel time ensures this.

We look at this amazing gift, the indescribable experience, the art that this horse has shown you, given you, has been the actual art itself, only to end.

In our equestrian world there is only one way for this art to continue even in a small part, and that is to pass a tiny little portion on to another living being. Whether to another horse or to another rider. To somehow find a way to pass along just a small portion of the experience, of the feeling, of the knowledge. In this way, through the generations, through the centuries, we continue to pass along the answers we have found, the art that was created and is now gone.

by nadja king

Cherry cake!

Not posted much recently; but we've been getting on with working Remy and Bonbon. Today I took Remy for a hack down the track, through the little wood and back home. Only about 25 minutes, but further than we've been before. Remy was fine. A couple of heavy breathing moments, but nothing he couldn't handle. Jim  walked with us and I think if we continue like this Remy will gain confidence each time..
We took Bonbon up to the school and she was a little lack-lustre. She's been in season and she's seemed a little tired today. We had a short session on the lunge at walk and trot and then I lay over her back and put my weight in the stirrup. We need to keep up the exercise as she's getting porky!

We've just picked an enormous bowl of cherries so Jim's now baking; making cherry cake. Yummy!

What a great morning

The server's been down the last couple of days so we've been offline. It was pretty obvious that all our equipment was working, but when I called the tech line to see what was going on, the only thing they suggested was that the power supply for my modem may be faulty :-o

I've lunged Remy the last couple of days and he's really starting to let go and relax. After the lunge session I've had a sit on, working on walk/halt/rein-back transitions and trying to keep a soft feel and slight inside bend on the rein .He was really focussed today and he's starting to feel better balanced. I finished today by riding him up the lane back to the yard and had a short trot which felt great.

We took Bonbon in the school for a lunge session, walk and trot and a couple of times over the poles. She's a little star, she's forward, but doesn't over-react and already feels light and responsive on the line.  I can't believe how 'grown up' she looks with her tack on! We finished by walking her back down the lane - she's never been that way before and was a little on her toes, but behaved brilliantly.

It's been a great morning with the horses!

Short and sweet

Two lunge sessions today with Remy and Bonbon. It's been a while since Bonbon's been in the school and she was so focussed. I lunged her around the school at walk and trot and I couldn't be happier. She's starting to come up in her wither and she's definitely looking less croup high.

The first time in the school for Remy since his osteo treatment and I worked him the same as Bonbon, around the school at walk and trot. A little tight on the left rein (his worst rein), but when I asked for trot on the right rein, he immediately relaxed and stretched forward and out with no tension whatsoever on the line. He gave me the trot that I've been aiming for since we started. Chuffed doesn't describe the feeling.

Enjoying the spring sunshine

Remy

Bonbon

She's getting to be a big (fat) girl!!

Dodgy back......

As I've started to do a little more with Remy, I've been a little concerned that something wasn't quite right in his back-end. A while ago I went to bring them in from the field and he was standing at the gate refusing to move his back legs. It lasted less than a minute, but when he moved off he was very hesitant. He wasn't lame, not even unlevel, and to be fair he seemed ok, but he'd obviously done something in the field and since then I've had this little niggle that he wasn't quite right. To put my mind at rest, I arranged an appointment with the equine osteopath and she came today.
After an initial assessment in the stable, I walked him for her and she saw immediately that he was out over is lumbar spine into the sacroiliac area. Not a big problem, but enough to alter his movement behind and restrict the placement of his hind legs. After a little manipulation she said that he was fine and I'm sure that I didn't imagine that he immediately looked much more free behind.
All in all he's pretty much ok and I can continue with his exercise as normal.
What a relief!
Went over to a friends yesterday for a hack on one of her horses. It was good fun, but I haven't done much riding recently and to add to that my backside has got used to my lovely comfy treeless saddle, and unfortunately her saddle was like sitting on a plank. My seatbones are groaning this morning!

Good old Toddy!

Woohooo, good old Toddy, a leg end in his own lifetime!!! Well done to the two brits, Piggy French and Mary King.

Letting-go

A really rewarding session today with Remy. In hand, relaxed neck, stretching forward and down, halt/walk/reinback. He was so relaxed and I could feel the letting-go through the line. Apart from a couple of times in the reinback, he stayed this way the whole session. Chuffed.
A short session also with Bonbon and she was good too. Learning the same stuff as Rem and learning really well too. Reservations to the back of my mind, I'm looking forward to Badminton this afternoon.
Cindy's sitting on the eggs.

Didn't know hens could growl.......

It's been a quiet time on the blogging front, not had the inclination, don't know why.
Things are moving on quietly with Rem and Bonbon. I've been a bit off form this last week, but hopefully back to it next week.
I've loved eventing since I was a girl, I'm a big fan and try to watch the 4stars every year, but I've just watched this years cross-country at Badminton with a few reservations. There were some excellent riders and some questionable riders to say the least, but it has to be said that equestrian sport and the art of riding in lightness certanly don't go hand in hand. It didn't sit well with me as with even the best combinations the horse is still subjected to pushing, pulling , kicking whipping and gobbing in the mouth.
I'm not sure how I feel as over the last few years I've become so much more aware of a more ethical, considerate and sympathetic way to ride and interact with my horses, but it's hard to break the habit of a lifetime  and I get such a thrill watching  those beautiful horses go X country and I still jump up and down when Mary King crosses the line safe and sound. A few combinations fell today, a couple of riders off to hospital and a few injuries to horses, one of which hasn't been mentioned ( a very bad sign), I hope they're all ok.
My fave horse of the day was Marina Kohncke's (Loheit) horse Calma Schelly, first spotted warming up  at the start box, with the most amazing paces and going round in good style.
Our young hen, Cindy has gone broody. We've moved her to her own little pad, but she doesn't seem impressed, growling and pecking at Jim as he tried to lift her off the eggs. Anyway she's in there with the eggs in a little nesting box and hopefully she'll settle back to sitting on them.

Square halts (or not, in our case)

It's been a good weekend sportswise. Man City beat Man United in the semi-final of the F.A, Cub and our boy Lewis won the Chinese Grand Prix!
I've been continuing with Remy, a short session every day. Friday, I lunged him and for the first time got canter on the lunge. It wasn't very good and it was only a few strides, but it was there. It also improved the trot that followed.
The last couple of days have been quite busy, but I managed a session yesterday working in-hand on halt/walk/rein-back transitions, concentrating on getting a square halt (something, I'm ashamed to say, I've neglected). Today, I had two short sessions, one in the morning, the other this afternoon, working on the same thing and he was very calm and attentive. The halts, although not square behind were much better in-front.

Pineau in the sunshine

A good session with Remy in the school, working on the lunge, lots of softness and stretching, interspersed with some pole work. Then a session with Bonbon , the same exercise, on the circle, good forward walk, stretching forward and down, even bend. It's always been obvious that she's much more supple than Remy and it really showed today. She got it almost immediately, her inside hind coming through and under really nicely. She was a bit twitchy, think she might be coming in season, but she was such a good girl and remained focussed.
Had a lovely afternoon with Ricky playing music, drinking pineau and sitting in the glorious sunshine.

Girlie lunch

Started with hill and pole work today with Rem to encourage him to bend his hocks and to strengthen and use his back-end more. Trudi and Lydia came over and we went for a girlie lunch out as a belated birthday pressy. Thanks, Trudi, I had a lovely time and thanks Lydia for making me feel like a kid again, although my aching bod is certainly reminding me of my age now!!

Birthday....

Had a lovely day yesterday for my birthday! Bev and a few other friends came round, we were supposed to have a  bbq, but, typically, it was a dull, overcast day. It didn't matter though, we had a good time and Jim made us a lovely meal. My mum and dad came on the webcam which pretty much made my day.
My best friend from childhood, Luan,  has recently got back in touch with me and she sent me a cd with 'tunes from memory lane' and they certainly did bring back a few! Heart wrenching and heart warming all at the same time - I shed a few tears, wonderful though!
We've got the electrician in today and the builders return tomorrow, so it's going to be all go for the next few weeks.
A short ridden session with Remy in the school today, he's such a good boy. Got to grade the school this afternoon.

OMG, my poor tree!

A short lunge session yesterday followed by a short sit-on and then a ride back down the lane. The walk was forward and active, nice even bend on the right rein but more resistant to bend to the left. He's hanging onto the bit a little on that side and is more reluctant to release.
In the afternoon I went to the garden centre with Bev and bought some lovely lavender and a liquid amber tree. I love trees and I've wanted one of these for ages. There were several there to choose from and I ummed and ahhed for quite a while before choosing the one that I wanted. Unfortunately, the owner then came over and gave it a bloody good pruning before he bagged it up!!!!  Not really being a gardener, I was mortified, but he assured me it was a good thing to do!
Today was far too warm to do anything in the school so we had a stretching session followed by a short session with the bridle and some gentle flexions. He was very responsive with the flexions and happy to release on both reins. He was well rewarded though and he seemed to enjoy it! His wolf tooth has just come through on the left side, and although I don't think it's bothering him I'll have to keep an eye on it.
I followed that with a short bridle session with Bonbon and she was relaxed and happy to release and relax her jaw when asked.
Very enjoyable sessions, lovely and cool in the barn!

Making a start

I backed Rem last year, and apart from the odd ride to and from the school I haven't started his ridden work until now.  Today we had our first lesson, and the start of his ridden education. It felt good to make a start. Jim took a few pics and a vid.

Revolution

There's been a revolution here overnight.
We let the chooks out this morning to find a rather bedraggled, blood-stained Blanco (our mature cockerel) and a rather pleased with himself Ginger ( young stud) strutting around with the girls!
Blanco's quite an aggressive chap and some might say he's had it coming as he's been pushing Ginger around ever since he arrived, but I feel really sorry for him and, after all, he did a fantastic job of protecting the girls.
I hope they settle, it's hard to watch Blanco on his own at the edges of the flock. They're a fickle lot those hens!

Lunge work - getting there

It's been a rainy old day today. Yesterday was hot and sunny, very close,  and so the horses had their first night out without rugs. Great for them, but not for me this morning as they came in looking like they'd been mud wrestling. Our fields are not muddy, but, somehow, they managed to find some!!
After a good grooming session, the rain had stopped so I took Remy up to the school and we had one of our best sessions in ages. We've been concentrating on lunge work, trying to get softness, rhythm, and good stretch long and low.  Today he had an active walk stride and when asked for the trot transition he was responsive and forward and quickly relaxed into a good stretch long and low with a good rhythm and good, even bend. He's becoming much more consistent and I think we're getting there, to that point of it all clicking into place. Not perfect by any means, but I'm so proud of him and the way he tries for me despite all the mistakes I make in the process. It was raining heavily by the time we finished and we were wet through but I'd not even noticed.

Wolf teeth

The  electrician's been here today so we've had wires everywhere.It looks so bloody complicated, god knows how he makes sense of it, I'm just glad that he does!
The equine dentist's been here this afternoon for their 6 monthly check. Corky and Bonbon were fine, but Remy's got a wolf tooth erupted. It needs to come out, but it's only just through so we'll have to leave it 2 or 3 months before it's big enough to get hold of without digging into the gum. I hope it doesn't cause him  problems in the meantime.

A couple of scruffs!

It's been a wet couple of days, yesterday being particularly miserable, so not a lot done with the horses.
I've started doing some stretching exercises with Remy and today we had a relaxing session in the barn, followed by a general tidy-up as he's looking quite scruffy coming out of winter.
Jim took a pic, and in fact, he certainly doesn't look as scruffy as me!!

Yee haa!

I rode Remy to the school again today and we had a lunge session at walk and trot. The trot is finally startng to come now. He's starting to relax and stretch into it and get a much better rhythm. After the session I rode him back down the lane and then on again up the track, this time past the haylage bales which he had a good look at, but then stood calmly. He walked out really nicely on the way back home and it felt great.

We then took Bonbon to the school for her lunge session.
We tacked her up in the barn, including the saddle, and as soon as we put it on she objected to it. We kept it on and started walking her up the field to the school, but for whatever reason she was having none of it and started yeehawing about and nipping at her side. I unbuckled the girth to see if anything was scratching her and decided to carry it up to the school. She then walked up fine.
Once in the school she was a little lively, but soon settled into a nice walk stride and we worked around the school using long sides and circles on both reins. We then put the saddle back on and she was fine with it so we had another five minutes on each rein before finishing on a good note. Little madam - she's a sweetie really!

Sunshine!!

It's been a glorious day, sunny and warm.
I rode Remy up to the school, we had a lunge session and then I rode him back and on up the track. Jim came on foot and we were out for about 20 minutes. The neighbours were loading up a big white van on the outward journey and we met it on the lane coming back, but Remy took it all in his stride. We stopped and chatted to the neighbour and I was so pleased with his quiet calm behaviour.
We then took Bonbon to the school for a short lunge session, moving her around the school, long sides and circles asking for walk halt transitions. To finish I brought the step over and leant over her back on the saddle, patting her on both sides and putting a little weight into the stirrup. What a good girl.
The weather's so nice I may mow the lawn - or then again, I may ride Corky this afternoon, I had a very short lunge session with her yesterday and was quite pleased how easy and relaxed she looked..

Well, after a disastrous day yesterday (breakdown on the motorway - car now in bits in the garage awaiting devi (gulp)) we've started the week in good form.
This morning I started with a short in-hand session with Bonbon as she was the only one standing, the other two snoozing. We concentrated on walk and halt transitions and keeping relaxed through her head and neck. It was a bit blustery and she was a good girl.
Remy was up and munching by the time I'd finished with Bonbon so had a short session with him in-hand. He's getting (and keeping) the relaxation through the neck now, he's keeping good forward momentum and moving his quarters and shoulders really well. His reinback was great today, really straight and fluid, followed by immediate walk on with a lovely long stride.
Finished with a hack out on Corky. She seemed tired today. It may be that  now she's on her own with the youngsters she's not getting as much rest overnight - I don't know. She livened up a bit on the way home ( comme d'habitude) and was striding out (figuratively speaking, for Corky) by the time we arrived back.

Thanks all...

... for the lovely comments.
We're getting on getting on here and after being pretty subdued, the horses seem to be  returning to normal too.
I've really enjoyed riding Corky the last three days. I'm aiming to get her fit ( I know, I've said it before) so that she'll be up for some hacking out with Remy, but also because I want to hack out with some friends - and, she needs to be fitter. It was a lovely ride today, about 40 minutes at walk and she was so focussed and sensitive, with some lovely stretching, a good walk stride ( for Corky) and some really precise halts off the seat ( helped by my stash of carrots). I always say it, and I always mean it - she makes me smile!!

Anky

Anky died yesterday.
She was a beautiful, sweet horse with tremendous spirit, a constant challenge, but with the capacity to bring great joy.
She's gone now and free from pain but she'll stay in my heart forever.

A little sunshine to brighten the spirit

We've had that in reality and figuratively speaking today.
It's gloriously sunny, and it seeps into you and warms you from the inside out.
My babies have given me plenty to smile about.
The trailer's still hitched up in the yard from collecting the unit the other day so before my session with Rem, I took him out for some trailer training. We'd left the training a good few months back with both Remy and Bonbon loading on, standing for a few minutes and then walking off. Today, I asked him to walk on, stand quietly as I put up the breast bar and then Jim raised the back ramp. He was fine and it was all done with quiet, confident acceptance. Chuffed!
Our session was good.I wanted to ride him up to the school, so Jim walked alongside and it was fine even though a couple of cars came towards us, they stopped just ahead of us and we walked past without a problem. We had a short in-hand session with the bridle (first time in a while) and I moved him around the school, asking for a nice stretch forward and a soft feeling in the hand. He setted to it well and we got some nice circles with even bend, some shoulder in and some reinback with a low neck. I finished by riding him back down the lane, home.
When we got back, I told Bonbon how well Remy had done in the trailer, so, of course, she had to show me how clever she was too. To be honest, I was never in any doubt that she'd oblige and she walked on the trailer without a second look and stood quietly as I raised the breast bar and Jim closed the back ramp. While she was having a good sniff around, Jim opened the jockey door and I stepped out for a minute or two, leaving her in there alone. Then she waited calmly as I lowered the breast bar and we walked quietly off the front ramp. Although it's a while since we've done any trailer training, it's obviously sunk-in and they're happy with it all. The next step will be to have them in there with the motor running.

Une petite promenade

I had a good session with Remy today. We walked up the lane to the school and had a short in-hand session. He's beginning to be more consistently relaxed through his head and neck now, keeping a nice stretch forward. We had a really nice giravolta on each rein, some nice shoulder-in, both on the circle and down the long side and some rein-back to walk on, followed by a couple of rein-back to trot. He's coming a little softer in the trot on the lunge, starting to get the relaxation we're getting in the walk. He falls on his inside shoulder on the right rein trot and it's difficult to keep his shoulder up and out and so get a relaxed inside bend. Today, I practiced one or two rein-back to trot and then asked him to lift and yield his shoulder in walk and then ask for the trot transition. He seems to find it funny that I'm trotting along beside him, but we got a few nice, balanced steps. I couldn't resist a sit-on at the end of the session so I rode him back down the lane, with a litte diversion up the track to chat with our neighbour.
Anky's still miserable this morning. She was unsettled last night, but ate some hay and a little feed this morning. She's at the bottom of the garden today ( a little change of scenery) and although she's been lying down, she's been eating a little grass too. It's been so nice today they've all had a little snooze in the sunshine.

Obi and Anky and the Vets

It's been a bit of a stressful day. Obi went off to the vet first thing for his tumour removed. The vet said to ring after lunch to see if we could pick him up. As it turned out, she rang us at 11.30 to say we could, if we wanted, pick him up immediately as he 'doesn't settle here'. The reality of it was, he was howling the place down and they'd had enough of him. He came home bright as a button, big relief all round.
The vet came to see Anky. I'd booked him for a full work-up for the beginning of next week, but Anky's been so down with very little improvement over the last few days, I rang him this morning and he came over immediately. A friend came over for support and I couldn't appreciate it more. Not only is she very caring and supportive, she's also very knowledgeable, the perfect person to have around at times like this. A big thank you Andrea!
Anky was sedated and then the vet perfomed a rectal exam, an internal and external ultrasound, checking ovaries, uterus, large and small intestine. He took a blood sample and a peritoneal tap, all to be sent off for analysis.
He discovered fluid around the large intestine and ceacum, and thickening of the wall of the small intestine. Possible indicators of inflammation and/or infection. I really hope that the blood test and tap can lead us to a more definitive answer. He's left me with an anti-inflammatory/painkiller and at least this should make her more comfortable.

Trimming and trailers

It's been a busy couple of days. Yesterday we had a visit to the vet with Obi, another check-up and to assess a little growth on his foot, which the vet says is a tumour and has to be removed. Only a little operation, but still a general anaesthetic. He's booked in for thursday.

Gareth, our trimmer came this morning and they're all doing well, even Anky who has great feet ( still a puzzle considering how many problems she's having at the moment), good growth and good quality hoof.
This afternoon we went to pick up a kitchen unit and I had my first go at pulling the trailer (gets used for everything except transporting horses!!), even a little reversing, so was quite pleased with myself. It would be nice to have a horse to ride - and somewhere to go with it!