Well we had a great weekend, rode both days, George however was playing spooky possums again, arh! But was getting that right canter lead every time, pity however the following day he wouldn't but will get him back onto Glucosemin as I'm sure that helped him alot. Shannon had a great ride on JimJim and we both did some jumping. Shannon also walked Rat around for me after I had finished my ride, he's also very spooky at the moment, so has to be the grass with it affecting both my boys. He was much better at getting a faster pace and I didn't have to sit there and push him on. So afterwards Shannon did my warm down and bending on him, was actually quite good to sit back and watch her on him. Sunday was pony club, and typical G realised we were in some sort of competition, decided to try and run through my hands, good exercise for him actually as I managed to get him back and didn't allow him to get away with it, but hey he never behaves when he's out in competition, he likes to try it on, so was good for both of us. However I have learnt I let the side down majorily due to nerves, any competition, doesn't matter what it is and I get nervous, bizarre! So something I really need to work on. Shannon and JimJim had a great day and in their unity competition came away with first prize! So she' now got a cup sitting at home for mum to clean. We had no problems yet again loadin, George has really decided he likes JimJim and cannot stand the thought of JimJim being alone in the float with the hay!
Weather for the next few days is not supposed to be great, so we'll have to play it by ear as to what were doing.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
20th November 2008
Windy night again, George had the wind up him as he kept believing that there were monsters in the trees coming to get him so hence he kept falling in, in certain parts, going past the trees, eyes out on stalks head bent ready to see the monsters, he calmed right down after a while, but didn't start out well when he got a fright at the dog and almost trampled me on the ground, luckily for some reason this time he decided over me wasn't the best action, I was rather thankful though that he didn't have shoes on as my toes were a bit worse for wear! Canter work wasn't bad, bad lead was terrible first time, falling in and rushing, second time was much more balanced, not rushing and really listening. His trot work is much better on his bad side now, he's not falling in so often and we're getting some really nice bend at times, its getting closer and closer to being the same as his good side, so that in itself is really pleasing as he's the master of the evade.
Shannon has per usual the little show off, had a fantastic ride on JimJim. Lovely outline at trot, really moving along nicely and then her canter work even though not in an outline is getting stronger, she really struggles with Jim wanting to go down a gait. But they're getting the right strike off every time now, and her canters are getting longer and longer. At the moment we're only working in half the paddock as Cheeky is being strip grazed currently in the other half, so not a particularly big area to be working the two with a shelter in the middle and jumps scattered around the outside.
Fingers crossed today will be okay, its looking pretty dark and miserable out there at the moment. I so want to ride tonight, were on a roll.
Shannon has per usual the little show off, had a fantastic ride on JimJim. Lovely outline at trot, really moving along nicely and then her canter work even though not in an outline is getting stronger, she really struggles with Jim wanting to go down a gait. But they're getting the right strike off every time now, and her canters are getting longer and longer. At the moment we're only working in half the paddock as Cheeky is being strip grazed currently in the other half, so not a particularly big area to be working the two with a shelter in the middle and jumps scattered around the outside.
Fingers crossed today will be okay, its looking pretty dark and miserable out there at the moment. I so want to ride tonight, were on a roll.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Dude with my sistic
This was taken last year, he's filled out more and grown somewhat more as well, hes now a very cocky 5 year old, however every time we've been out recently he's been the best behaved :) Now I know how to add photos I'm going to go mad!
Photos from 19/11/08 - Shan & Cheeky
Hopefully this works, photo of Shannon riding Cheeky tonight, except for first one taken February this year, she's grown a staggering amount this year and is now head and shoulders taller than me and catching up on her father. Shannons riding Jim and Cheeky on alternate days which means I don't have to try and keep 3 ticking over,k yeah for me! However, I didn't get a chance to ride tonight as I was so busy trying to use the useless little digital we have, thats why I love my SLR now however I need to upgrade to digital! I can also now understand why I never have photos of my lot, can't take photos if I'm on the horse!
Monday, November 17, 2008
17 November 2008
Well don't you just hate it when your kids do a better job riding than you do! Shannon has started riding Cheeky again and she rode for around 30-45 minutes last night, with dogs running around like loons in hay paddock and 12 ducks that decided to rest in the paddock next door to us, and our fellow grazer lunging their horse in the other paddock, who was having the occasional spat, Cheeky didn't put a foot wrong, lovely outline, good stop and go. Looked like a nice easy ride and its great for Shannon to be riding the two, it will so improve her riding. Cheeky is nice and settled and Shannons been working on the halt to walk, walk to trot, trot to walk, walk to halt and making sure she's getting a nice transition every time. Cheeky is enjoying her riding much better than me, as she appreciates the nice soft hands and doesn't like a strong contact. I also think the fact Shannon is a tad lighter than me helps, as she doesn't have this big heavy lump bouncing around on her back. After Shannon finished, I jumped on Rat who for some reason was quite worked up, so we started on our bending at a walk to settle, by the time he'd settled down and was listening the wind came up, then within 5 mins it was cold and the threatening clouds started to actually expell some of that water. By the time I jumped off, the heavens really opened and the rain was so hard it was actually hurting my back. Luckily Shannon had all her gear away so it was a matter of getting the gear off Rat and into the truck. So that was the extent of my ride last night. Aiming for a longer rider tonight :)
Sunday, November 16, 2008
17 November 2008
Well what a weekend. We had some lovely days and one really hot 32 degree day, man that was awful.
On Friday which was a pleasant 24 degrees we ambled off to Belfast Plantation for a ride. Had no problems loading George, first time since I've had the float he self loaded! Took the new truck for a run and towed beautifully, really really happy with that. We orginially were just going for a ride around the plantation but due to the fact there were two men going up and down on their 2 stroke motorbikes which had already upset my sisters horse so much he pulled back and broke his lead, we ended up pottering around the pony club while we waited for them to disappear or break their bikes. We got to do some work on banks, and finally had George going down with no issues, yee har! Will be going back in a couple of weeks to try again and if its all okay we'll move on to another pony club to try somewhere different. What a relief, as this is the only thing holding us back. He was loving it and really launching himself off the banks. Shannon did a few little jumps on JimJim and the bank and he behaved beautifully. As Tracy said, he's such a gentleman.
We then tottled around the plantation, however as we needed to keep clear of the men on the motorbikes, we ended up going an unusual route, which was reasonbly stoney in parts and George doesn't cope well with this at the best of time, however he's not got any shoes on currently so was very hobbly till we reached some nice sandy areas. Due to George's poor feeties, we mainly kept it to a walk but where we could we had a trot. Shannon and JimJim enjoyed themselves which was great for her first time there, and Tracy's horse Dude who can be a right sod, was a beautifully behaved, so the ride was enjoyed by all. 3 hours later we got back to the float and when it came time to load up, we loaded JimJim first, Tracy had to go in to do a quick release knot as Shannon just seems to struggle to do this, anyway, while I was doing the backbar while holding on to George I heard this steam roller coming up behind me, it was George the nob, in a huge hurry to get in so he didn't miss getting any of the hay. Just as well Tracy moves quickly, she could have been squished between the chest bar and the horse!
So thank you Tracy for your help with the banks, and keeping an eye on me and Shannon :)
Saturday was disgustingly hot, and only had a brief ride on Rat, however Shannon had her first ride back on Cheeky and I must say did a beautiful job. Cheeky loved it, and once Shannon made sure she got her stop and go they looked lovely, in fact I think she rides her much better than I do. She really does respond to a kind hand. So Shannon will be riding Cheeky and JimJim and therefore I can concentrate on my two, thank goodness.
Sunday, we ended up yet again only working two, due to getting home late in the day from Tracys. Shannon has JimJim in a lovely outline 90% of the time now, and just needs to start working on getting a nice transition to canter, she's allowing him to run on. But shes sorted out getting his right canter lead, so things are getting better and better. Good for Shannon.
So all in all a great weekend, we've got PC next weekend, and I believe we're doing Unity. Man if they ask me PC questions I'm pooped! However I can mount without a leg up, hopefully that goes in favour.
On Friday which was a pleasant 24 degrees we ambled off to Belfast Plantation for a ride. Had no problems loading George, first time since I've had the float he self loaded! Took the new truck for a run and towed beautifully, really really happy with that. We orginially were just going for a ride around the plantation but due to the fact there were two men going up and down on their 2 stroke motorbikes which had already upset my sisters horse so much he pulled back and broke his lead, we ended up pottering around the pony club while we waited for them to disappear or break their bikes. We got to do some work on banks, and finally had George going down with no issues, yee har! Will be going back in a couple of weeks to try again and if its all okay we'll move on to another pony club to try somewhere different. What a relief, as this is the only thing holding us back. He was loving it and really launching himself off the banks. Shannon did a few little jumps on JimJim and the bank and he behaved beautifully. As Tracy said, he's such a gentleman.
We then tottled around the plantation, however as we needed to keep clear of the men on the motorbikes, we ended up going an unusual route, which was reasonbly stoney in parts and George doesn't cope well with this at the best of time, however he's not got any shoes on currently so was very hobbly till we reached some nice sandy areas. Due to George's poor feeties, we mainly kept it to a walk but where we could we had a trot. Shannon and JimJim enjoyed themselves which was great for her first time there, and Tracy's horse Dude who can be a right sod, was a beautifully behaved, so the ride was enjoyed by all. 3 hours later we got back to the float and when it came time to load up, we loaded JimJim first, Tracy had to go in to do a quick release knot as Shannon just seems to struggle to do this, anyway, while I was doing the backbar while holding on to George I heard this steam roller coming up behind me, it was George the nob, in a huge hurry to get in so he didn't miss getting any of the hay. Just as well Tracy moves quickly, she could have been squished between the chest bar and the horse!
So thank you Tracy for your help with the banks, and keeping an eye on me and Shannon :)
Saturday was disgustingly hot, and only had a brief ride on Rat, however Shannon had her first ride back on Cheeky and I must say did a beautiful job. Cheeky loved it, and once Shannon made sure she got her stop and go they looked lovely, in fact I think she rides her much better than I do. She really does respond to a kind hand. So Shannon will be riding Cheeky and JimJim and therefore I can concentrate on my two, thank goodness.
Sunday, we ended up yet again only working two, due to getting home late in the day from Tracys. Shannon has JimJim in a lovely outline 90% of the time now, and just needs to start working on getting a nice transition to canter, she's allowing him to run on. But shes sorted out getting his right canter lead, so things are getting better and better. Good for Shannon.
So all in all a great weekend, we've got PC next weekend, and I believe we're doing Unity. Man if they ask me PC questions I'm pooped! However I can mount without a leg up, hopefully that goes in favour.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
12 November 2008
Well we rode last night thank goodness, I was getting withdrawals! Shannon is going amazingly on JimJim. He's working in an outline more often than not now, and even though she still keeps looks down, she's starting to sit up and stop hunching. They were really good to watch, and she can't stop smiling and JimJim is just trying so hard to please, they really are a great combination. Shannons jumping has improved too, she's now getting the confidence to let him go a little faster and they are really starting to flow. So nice to see Shannon getitng her confidence up, she's always been a bit of a nervous rider, probably her mothers fault, but I've relaxed since she's been on JimJim and think this has been the best thing for her.
Well I grabbed poor old G out of the paddock, only did a 20 min workout, mainly bending, walk and trot. He's got energy to burn at the moment, but was amazingly good when I did ask him to come back to me, and was listening the whole time, so not a bad work out for him and me.
I rode Rat briefly we we're mainly working on bend last night, he's very evasive one side, and some days he's good others not so good. I think he's getting annoyed now with his rider being demanding of him, but hey he's grown, he's not a baby anymore, the serious work has to start. We kept it to nice tight circles, decreasing and increasing at walk and just moved to a figure of eight to work on at trot.
Shannon is off for testing for high school tonight so no riding again, which means I'll have to try and ride the three on Thursday, arh! I need to win Lotto so I don't have to work, or find a really great paying part-time job, maybe hours of work 10-12, would be suitable :)
Right, will update again after the weekend, when I should at least have something interesting to add rather than all this boring tosh!
Well I grabbed poor old G out of the paddock, only did a 20 min workout, mainly bending, walk and trot. He's got energy to burn at the moment, but was amazingly good when I did ask him to come back to me, and was listening the whole time, so not a bad work out for him and me.
I rode Rat briefly we we're mainly working on bend last night, he's very evasive one side, and some days he's good others not so good. I think he's getting annoyed now with his rider being demanding of him, but hey he's grown, he's not a baby anymore, the serious work has to start. We kept it to nice tight circles, decreasing and increasing at walk and just moved to a figure of eight to work on at trot.
Shannon is off for testing for high school tonight so no riding again, which means I'll have to try and ride the three on Thursday, arh! I need to win Lotto so I don't have to work, or find a really great paying part-time job, maybe hours of work 10-12, would be suitable :)
Right, will update again after the weekend, when I should at least have something interesting to add rather than all this boring tosh!
Monday, November 10, 2008
11 November 2008
Well haven't been getting much riding done. Last weekend I was stewarding at the Ellesmere PC show, what a wonderful day for it. Then we had to rush out and get a new vehicle, makes it sound like we were going grocery shopping doesn't it, but I knew what I wanted and had narrowed the search, was a pretty easy job at the end of the day. Vehicle photo is down the bottom. Managed to give my lot a brush and pulled manes etc, Cheeky got a lunge, I love that pony, she's fantastic. She followed me around while I had to go get the dog, stood like a lamb, even moved her tail for me while I was pulling it. The more I deal with this girl the more I like her. I'm getting more and more tempted to keep her, however my brain says no, 3 horses are really 2 2 many but we'll just have to wait and see what happens. Yesterday was tidy up day, more mucking out, waters, covers all off due to heat, and picking up papers for truck, etc, horse feed, would have ridden but we'd get to the paddock so late was just ready to go home and sleep. Fingers crossed today I'll finally get back on the horse, it feels like its been soooo long. Hope everyone is enjoying the sunny weather and getting plenty of riding in.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Hi, update on Cheeky
Sorry I had no idea I hadn't put down what happened re Cheeky. Well it was a case of all going wrong at one time, but in a way, think it was a good thing. Had the lady come back out to see Cheeky, she was still a tad sore on her feets which didn't help and she was also a wee bit agitated being that she was in season and to top it all off the sudden flush of grass, so already felt like a bit of a disaster. However she still did a nice respectable workout for Kerry even if she wasn't competely happy with it.
However, after having behaved so well the first time the lady came out to see her she wasn't having a bar of the lady this time round. When Kerry told the lady to leave Cheeky's mouth alone and just soften Cheeky was a much happier girl, with having a very soft mouth and being very responsive you just don't want to be dragging on her mouth or see sawing . In the end the decision was easy, Cheeky wasn't having her, (mutual decision) she just wasn't the right rider for Cheeky. But the right person will come along, and they'll love her and she'll love them. I can't fault her and I fault everything, talk about being a perfect. If I didn't have to find the money for JimJim I wouldn't sell her, she's one of those horses that you just know you are going to have fun with. Well maybe by the time Christmas has been I won't have to, if I can talk Roly round to keeping her.
And might look at adding a western saddle to the list of things I need, I can see me doing barrel racing in the future, yee har!
However, after having behaved so well the first time the lady came out to see her she wasn't having a bar of the lady this time round. When Kerry told the lady to leave Cheeky's mouth alone and just soften Cheeky was a much happier girl, with having a very soft mouth and being very responsive you just don't want to be dragging on her mouth or see sawing . In the end the decision was easy, Cheeky wasn't having her, (mutual decision) she just wasn't the right rider for Cheeky. But the right person will come along, and they'll love her and she'll love them. I can't fault her and I fault everything, talk about being a perfect. If I didn't have to find the money for JimJim I wouldn't sell her, she's one of those horses that you just know you are going to have fun with. Well maybe by the time Christmas has been I won't have to, if I can talk Roly round to keeping her.
And might look at adding a western saddle to the list of things I need, I can see me doing barrel racing in the future, yee har!
Shannons Athletics
Sorry I should have added just cause I'm so proud, that Shannon competed at school athletics and she won the following:
60m
100m
Long Distance
Shotput
Discus
Long Jump
High Jump
Yes its true, she won everything. Wee smartie pants.
60m
100m
Long Distance
Shotput
Discus
Long Jump
High Jump
Yes its true, she won everything. Wee smartie pants.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Monday 3 November 08
Well we had a busy but fantastic weekend. Shannon is going great guns with JimJim and he's working a really lovely outline, she's very happy and he seems to be also. They're also jumping much better, because Shannon has gotten confident enough to do a few jumps at speed. Didn't mention to her my heart was in my mouth, I'm a terribly nervous mother, but Shan and JimJim were having soo much fun! Will try to take the camera down this week and get some decent photos.
Well I had a busy time, as I'm now riding three. Started off lunging Cheeky peeky and then riding her, she's a wee dream, she's loving her ride and even though I feel like I'm riding a barrel and my legs just don't meet her anywhere down the side, she and I are having fun. We've not done much, but walk and trot, walk is nicely on the bit but at the moment I am really struggling to ride her strides. So funny to watch, but so much fun.
George is going great guns on the flat, nicely on the bit, striding out and listening, I know! We have been jumping and he's going well, but tried to tank off on me yesterday so unfortunately he got a right jab in the mouth for that, afterwards we had some lovely jumping, no more pulling and tanking off, so hopefully we'll have some more of that tonight.
Ratbag, arh where to start with Rat, he's a happy man, however he really thought I'd done something mean to him yesterday. I jumped him. Yes its true, I faced him towards a jump and we popped over it, not just scrambling over it but a proper jump. He really didn't understand what had just happened. I took him around again and this time he wasn't keen to get up close and personal and tried to scoot out either side. So we walked up and 3-4 strides out started trotting and jumped it, so did this a few more times and left it at that. Will continue this exercise for a few more days before asking him to try another jump, he's not going to be an easy ride when it comes to jumping, George has that eat em up mentality, Rat is more laid back and less is more.
I managed to tidy up all my girls and boys, only one now with an unpulled tail is Rat, but he's got no tail so what hair he does have I'm loath to pull. They're all looking a million dollars. Will need to get Grant out again as they're feet are in need of doing shortly but they all seem to be coping well with the lack of shoes.
Signing off, have a lovely week.
Well I had a busy time, as I'm now riding three. Started off lunging Cheeky peeky and then riding her, she's a wee dream, she's loving her ride and even though I feel like I'm riding a barrel and my legs just don't meet her anywhere down the side, she and I are having fun. We've not done much, but walk and trot, walk is nicely on the bit but at the moment I am really struggling to ride her strides. So funny to watch, but so much fun.
George is going great guns on the flat, nicely on the bit, striding out and listening, I know! We have been jumping and he's going well, but tried to tank off on me yesterday so unfortunately he got a right jab in the mouth for that, afterwards we had some lovely jumping, no more pulling and tanking off, so hopefully we'll have some more of that tonight.
Ratbag, arh where to start with Rat, he's a happy man, however he really thought I'd done something mean to him yesterday. I jumped him. Yes its true, I faced him towards a jump and we popped over it, not just scrambling over it but a proper jump. He really didn't understand what had just happened. I took him around again and this time he wasn't keen to get up close and personal and tried to scoot out either side. So we walked up and 3-4 strides out started trotting and jumped it, so did this a few more times and left it at that. Will continue this exercise for a few more days before asking him to try another jump, he's not going to be an easy ride when it comes to jumping, George has that eat em up mentality, Rat is more laid back and less is more.
I managed to tidy up all my girls and boys, only one now with an unpulled tail is Rat, but he's got no tail so what hair he does have I'm loath to pull. They're all looking a million dollars. Will need to get Grant out again as they're feet are in need of doing shortly but they all seem to be coping well with the lack of shoes.
Signing off, have a lovely week.
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