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
My Life, My Horses and My Attempts to Train the Classical Way
Saturday, 16 July 2011
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.
Thursday, 14 July 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, 10 July 2011
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.
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.
Monday, 4 July 2011
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.
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.
Saturday, 2 July 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
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.
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.
Monday, 27 June 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, 26 June 2011
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.
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.
Friday, 24 June 2011
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?
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?
Thursday, 23 June 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
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.
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.
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, 29 May 2011
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!
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!
Thursday, 26 May 2011
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!
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!
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
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.
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.
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, 22 May 2011
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.
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.
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