Dude!

So this week was all about taking Ted out on Friday to gauge his reaction to going to parties! We had a good prep, he had Thurs off as the yard went to Blenheim. Really good day out for me, a nightmare for Mandy, Tilly and Lucy as Dolly had an accident in the lorry which meant she wcouldn't come and Lucy lost her ride and it took them over 5 hours to get to Blenheim and then Tilly had a run out and a fence :( Boysie also thought running round the lorry park after snapping his headcollar was a good idea too :( I felt so sorry for them all, talk about the worst luck...then Boysie's leg blew up from a cut and needed jabbing! Saw Wayne which was great, he was on good form and up for his Blenheim experience. Tried to see Claire but sadly didn't.

Fri morning I took Ted out for a hack and was trying to talk myself out of going, but Jackie was having none of it and as she had already cooked tea for her family and was uber prepared I thought it would be rude not to go!

As soon as we got him on the trailer he started creating, so we set off immediately. Got to the venue and he started to call and paw, etc., Jackie asked if I wanted her to stay with him whilst I declared but I said no, he had to learn. Walked the distance of the triple and realised it was incredibly short *sigh* so was ready for us to have a prob there, but the course was fine. There was a tiny, narrow starburst fence, a wall, various fillers and some planks, so a good aray of tests. So off we went to the sec tent and when we got back the bugger's head was over the front ramp (we had opened the top so he could see). Now, I know he is over 17hh, but he isn't a giraffe, so seeing he was tied up on the driver's side we realised something was amiss!!! He had managed to dismantle the split breast bar and was wedged in front of the partition calling to all and sundry, not at all bothered! With a little heaving and ho-ing we managed to move the partition and got him out...he was now 19hh LOL!

I was very pleased that we travelled him tacked up as, quite frankly, I am not altogether sure we would have got the bridle on without losing him! I jumped up on the wheel arch to get on, uh uh, he wouldn't come near, so a leg up was in order....envisage a Laurel and Hardy comedy sketch and you are close to what ensued!!! I really thought I was coming off over his offside shoulder, but managed to hoist myself on without losing TOO much dignity!

Hacked over to the fields, on a time bomb. Seriously, this horse should not get so worked up about shows, but no, he was acting like a 4 year old on speed. I couldn't get him near the collecting ring, nearly took out various ponies and pedestrians, so took him away from the others and walked him around - he called and called and behaved like a tool, but all was OK. Jamie arrived with the boys and as they came running towards me I had to back them off as I didn't trust them not to get trodden under foot!



Eventually managed to get in the collecting ring, popped a couple of fences and then chilled him out again and went in. Well, as soon as he was in the arena his work head kicked in and he was super :-D Cantered into the first, next was the dreaded skinny, which he looked at but trusted me, round to and upright, then another, all good, then round to the spread, I trotted into this as 4 stride after was the short triple, jumped in a bit big but managed to adjust to go clear through, round to the wall, over the planks...clear and straight into the jump off and I pushed for it at the end as there was a long stretch to the last. Was very happy with him and as soon as we came out he was like a donkey and just chilled out and stood happily, dozy horse!
















Yes, you may laugh heartily at the pathetic size of the fences :-D

6 of us got called into the prize giving in no particular order and they started handing out rosettes...6th, 5th, 4th, 3rd...I was getting excited, 2nd....I HAD WON! Awww I know it was only tiddly jumping but I was so pleased!!! I did feel slightly sorry for the 2 kids on ponies for, ohhhh, a nanosecond, and then I was just happy!



Was first into the next class, but we rolled a pole, not that I was bothered, I had achieved what I had wanted for the day and it was 7pm and wine was in order!

Good night on Friday night with the yard girls for Jackie's birthday - wine and chinese, then I felt ill, over-indulging on MSG is NOT a good idea for me!

Saturday I went to Blenheim again, and saw Jo Gunning, now Williams! We had a REALLY great time together, it was just how it used to be and I am so glad we have found each other again! Her OH and her girls are all really lovely people, and she has a beautiful doggie too! Saw George and admired her ring :D Went to see Vix as she was stewarding the SJ and saw Wayne and Cat and Henry and gorgeous Acorn AKA Arthur - so a really, fabby day in all!

Today was schooling hack and a chill out - nice :D

Oh dear

THREE MONTHS!!!!!! That's school holidays for you, complete Blog meltdown.

So what has been up...it is all rather hazy if I am honest. So let's just go with the proviso that everything is cool and dandy, I have not missed 3 months of updates and just go straight to now :D

After a weekend away with the in-laws I rode Ted today after his short 3 day holiday. I haven't schooled him in the school all summer as I have been having far too much fun hacking, stubble field galloping, jumping and messing about, so I think it is fair to say that I had a little trepidation regarding the road issue.

Well it appears that the Coligone and the fact we have truly bonded means we can face anything now! We trotted at high speed down the lane, a few flicky whip swishes in his general direction, but all good. He still held his breath, but hey, no one can be perfect. Went in the school for 10 mins, pretended to school, then went to the jump field. Popped him round everything superbly. This was the first time I have done a course of SJs on grass with him, we need to prepare as we are competing at The BC on Friday! He tanked off a bit after the fences, so think I will whack the Universal back in for comp riding as I don't want to be towed off in front of everyone! He was squealing and having a super time and I love jumping him! I jumped in my new Sabre for the first time and deffo was more with him. The Butet needs changing ASAP as it deffo makes me pivot too much over my knee, I think because I don't ride short enough to use the benefits a XC saddle gives, so it will be swopped for the SJ type instead. Hopefully at Blenheim, we will see!

Jamie is having his second op on 21st Sept - eeek! Lots of nursing required. It will be good to get it over with though as he really needs to start doing something as he is bored and we cannot exist on fresh air!

Off stubble fielding tomorrow and jump on the way back...Ted is deffo hunting fit now, so bring on the cubbing too, when they are not too far away! Oh, but we might have an issue with rustic fences, they are not his fave thing in the world!

Oh what a weekend!

So Thursday saw us off to the JR to find out about J's MRI scan on his knee...turns out it was buggered and the meniscus needed shaving so he could get his ROM back. Flashed his insurance and in came a lovely consultant and booked him in for Saturday or Tuesday, talk about service!!!

Ted 100% back to normal after the echinacea incident, went for a couple of nice hacks at the end of the week. Got a call on Friday to tell us that J could go in on Saturday, be there at 1, home around 6.30!

Saturday morning the girls and I went to the Ariat sale, everyone but me bought boots and tops :( Having big feet sucks! Then away I went to take J to The Manor in Oxford. Having never done private hospitals before I was rather amazed, more hotel than hospital and I reckon the thing that struck me the most was the fact you didn't have to pay for car parking LOL!!!! The boys and I waited with him for 2 hours and then left as they were taking him down for surgery. Mr Keys told me to come back around 6 - 7pm and J would walk out and be fine.

To cut a long story short, all was NOT fine. The op lasted 3 hours instead of 45mins and when we got there at 7pm it was rather obvious that J was in NO state to go anywhere :-( So I settled the boys down with the TV and sought out the nurse who told me that the op had gone on longer than usual, the meniscus was totally buggered and J was going to be in a LOT of pain :( He had had to have as much morphine as a human being is allowed per day...eeeek! At 9pm we finally left even though they wanted to keep him in it was SO SO hot in his room as the sun was beaming in. Got him home, he was still very spacey, watched the final of BGT, am SO glad that Diversity won :-D Put J to bed in the spare room and then lay in bed listening to something that has taken up residence in the loft...it is really creepy!

Sunday and I was at the yard for 7.40am, get me! On Ted by 8am and we schooled in the paddock. Now, after seemingly getting my mojo back I appear to have slightly lost it again as Ted did NOT know what to do with himself. We had some glimces of OK work, but a very big realisation that we are NOT ready to tackle a novice test on grass yet. I was rather glad that I had a lesson booked for today with Sarah as I knew I just wasn't really on the ball. BIG deal was I hacked him up the track and back after our session with minimal fuss - GOOD BOY!!!


Ted was out in the field by 9am and I was home by 10am to nurse J. Poor thing had had a very bad night and was in a LOT of pain and couldn't move unassisted :-( Popped down to Fiona's for a glass of wine and J's GP was there so had a quick chat about medication and realised we were not administrating enough, so happy days! Went home slightly skewy, watched Snakes on a Motherfucking Plane (I love it) and fell asleep listening to odd noises again, from both the spare room AND the loft!

This morning and my lesson. Got on Ted at my yard and started up the lane, all OK until we got to the boogey man's lair. And yes, he stopped, again. And yes he wouldn't move, again. I think he now knows that if he backs towards the fence I will stop as a) I don't want to be shocked and b) if he backed into it we would fall down backwards into the field AND be shocked and I would die...

So, I kicked, I cajouled, I waited, I praised, I growled, he threatened to go up, I whacked him, which provocked absolutely nothing, so I got off, shamefully whacked him again, and marched him up the lane in hand - him not breathing. Honestly, it is a real conundrum as he is genuinely scared and I don't think he is trying to be a complete knob as he sighs with relief when he can see me and doesn't try and fuck off back to the yard or anything, which would be bloody easy for him to do as he is big!

So, got to yard (Sarah following in car giggling at me) and went to get on on the mounting block. He thought he would be a tool and almost fell over as I got on, but all was fine once I was in the plate. Walked him round to encourage some rather important oxygen intact and then put Sarah on so she could get a feel. She likes him a lot, but agrees that he is hard work to make go correctly, 10 mins and she was knackered (her words!). I got on and we worked on me being more consistent and not being too soft. Ask a question, expect an immediate answer or give him a boot. Things that are absolutely obvious, and I know, but when I am schooling alone it takes me 2 seconds to react rather than .2 that is necessary. Got some good work, realised that full seat breeches and Butet + heat is rather difficult and sticky (Sarah advised me not to school in them in the summer, she doesn't, she said you just get too stuck at points, I agree!) and for some reason I am completely fluffing my trot/canter/trot transitions and have started leaning forward again or bouncing around like a complete novice. I don't know why, it could be because I find lessons terrifying for some reason LOL! Still it is something that I need to knuckle down to. Walk/Canter/Walk is absolutely fine. I do think trying to sit t/c/t transition in the Butet is hard and something I need to consider as I don't have the prob in my Sabre. Looking at pics I also see the saddle is lifting slightly behind, so need to have a proper look at that too.

Hacked back to the yard, both of us dripping, he was iffy and hesitant but we got there with me on board and I was pleased.

This morning

Normal service has been resumed

Thank the bloody Lord! Will get to that bit in a min....meanwhile....

Got to the yard this morning, and Ted was going wild again - not good, I actually saw him with my own eyes today and I can completely understand why Ellen was so freaked out! Ted had also today double barrelled the door and cut his coronet band, idiot, so I was NOT impressed with him. As soon as I walked into the stable he stopped his odd bouncing on the spot (think rocking horse on steroids) and led down to the field like a lamb, as usual...grrr! So I was perplexed and had a good think about what has been changed. Different field with more grass, and I have been giving him echinacea for the last 4 days. I put up a post on HHO asking if anyone had had an adverse horse reaction with echinacea and really thought I would be laughed off the board, but no, it is apparently known to make them a bit loony, so, fingers crossed, we have worked out that problem - yay!

Went to Witney and then came back and the weather was better so I met Sarah down at the yard and we took Ted up to the school. He was maybe 3% better up the road but it is still a work in progress. Sarah rode him and was very complimentary with how he was going so I told her to do some lateral work and he just took the piss, so I got on. Now, I wasn't expecting anything much as my back is knackered and my sciatica is really playing up, but OMG I got him immediately and did some passable lateral work and flying change work and I was very, very pleased with him. Sarah said we are looking good together too, so that really made me happy as today I felt as though I CAN ride. Maybe now we are ready to do more schoolwork again :-D

There is a qualifier at Blewbury a week on Sunday so am going to aim for that, and also dressage at Blue Cross a week on Friday, so, PLEASE NO INJURIES!

Hmmmm

Hmmmm, and hummmm again.

I have come to the conclusion that I cannot ride. I don't know why, but I reckon my body is completely working against me. I cannot open my hips, I keep catching myself drawing my lower leg up, things just don't seem to come as easily as they used to and it sucks. I would like to please go back to effortless riding - ever since I did that damn Mary Wanless clinic (what is it, 4 years ago now?!) I over analyse everything and that doesn't make me a natural rider, and I so want to be. I would love to go be a WP for a couple of months and have the opportunity to ride for 3/4 hours a day again like I used to as I reckon that would sort me.

Nothing bad has happened BTW, just me feeling useless. Yesterday 7 of us hacked out together on a 2 hour ride and it was fun. Apart from Ted being totally wound up by another horse who insisted on going in front of me until I made my thoughts clear and took the lead instead. He was very sweet but oh so nappy, he would NOT go past the other horses unless he had company, and this backward attitude really sucks. You kick him on to catch up and he stops dead before he is a nose in front and, quite frankly, there is nothing I can do about it. I think I am going to have to take him in hand now and beat him a little as I know he trusts me (goes through things and past things that are uber scary) but he needs to trust himself. And HOW do you insist on making a horse breath? I have never known a horse for holding his breath like him. I am going to get some Coligone and put him on that and see if it helps, but I don't want him more *quiet* just bolder. I suppose hunting WILL help with that, but it is a long way off yet.

This morning I got a call at 9.15am whilst I was straddling the flat pack unit I was putting up "Louise it is Ellen, I am stuck outside your stable (cue me pulling a face) and I cannot move as your horse is going mad"

"Ellen, what is he doing"

"He is cantering back and forth and rearing up and I think he might come over the door and I cannot face the thought of him injuring himself again"

"Is everything else out?"

"No"

"Ignore him, I will be down in 15 mins"

I get there expecting him to be fine (he was) but his mats were all pushed forwards out of the door and you could see where he had been going up and down and he had marked the concrete. I have NO idea why he is doing this, the idiot. Stuck his headcollar on and he was, as usual, the perfect saint to take to the field. He only ever plays up when Ellen is on the yard alone, poss because she has the pony he is in love with, but she didn't even leave the yard!

Got him in tonight and he was subdude. Usually he goes straight for a wee, but didn't, just stood fussing me and being nice! Made horrific faces at me when rugging (I went back down 2 hours after bring in) and hadn't touched his hay either, so I think Mr T ate too much grass today!

Will ride and school tomorrow and prob do a little jumping too - yay!

Good girl

See, here I am again, blogging away even though I have nothing to say!

Yesterday: Rode, went for a good canter, Ted broncked a bit, was hilarious and made me LOL. Spent the evening listening to music and drinking wine.

Today: SPA DAY! We opened the LL Cool J spa at the yard (Louise Louize Cool Jackie ;-) ) and bathed and tidied all the ponies - fun times. Then we had a BBQ and Bacardi Breezers and sunbathed, I was a little pink but am already back to albino - bad times.

Now sitting listening to the Chart Show on Radio 1, eating Chilli Heatwave Doritos and drinking rose Blossom Hill, which is like pop. Have lost the children, cannot hear them in the park and really I should go and investigate but cannot be arsed.

I just drank a fly...nice...

Musings, but with wine, no tea...

Good day! Rode this morning and Ted was, TBH, a little nappy and silly but after not being out around the farm for 1 day shy of 2 weeks he couldn't really be blamed. Not 100% sure about my saddle if I am completely honest. It is VERY flat and VERY without support, so I am certainly going to go for a different design when the time comes to change it. I should have listened to Claire about stirrup leather lengths and gone for longer too, as even on the first hole they are very short - lesson learnt.

Took J for his MRI scan and then we went to Hatherop sports day. Sadly we missed every one of Benjy's events bar the tug of war, in which he was awesome and they won their battles so that was good. Great cake too! I must put more time into meeting up with the mothers there as there are some really nice characters that I am sure I will enjoy spending time with.

Bit of trouble in the village again tonight when a stone came flying past my head. I ran round to the playing field and the usual suspects were playing footie in the court. They all denied throwing anything and I couldn't see anyone else who could have done it. Fact is one of them prob just hurled a stone out, but it is the lying that pisses me off. It isn't the first time we have had things thrown into the garden and J has had enough, he is very worked up about it which really isn't helpful...

Been thinking today about the future lots. Money is running out and it is time to really settle with some ongoing future plans about what we want and need for our family. I know I need to start writing again, but I don't seem to start even though I am bursting with ideas. The boys are very, very enthusiastic about my stories of Flumpalump and Matilda (don't laugh) but what if everyone else thinks they suck? And I have had a great synopsis for an adult book brewing in my head, but again, I cannot face failure. I don't know why age starts to make you worried about acceptance, I certainly never used to give a flying monkey's arse whether or not people thought what I wrote was good, but now I really do. I am also feeling inherently lazy, which doesn't help. But something HAS to give an I owe it to us all to at least try I supppose.

Half term begins today, boo hiss and yay rolled into one. Jamie's family are over on Tuesday, so I want to ensure the house is 100% perfect for that as I know he cares (as do I, I have had enough critisism to last me a lifetime). Amanda's on Friday and Mrs P is coming too. She and her hubby are Benj's absent godparents, so that will be a little tricky. I really have nothing to say to her anymore as I am afraid I do hurt that she hasn't ever bothered to send him a card on his birthday or at Christmas since we moved here.

There we go, running out of battery, being eaten alive by midges, time to go in. God I sound boring!

Saddle sorted

Goodo! Sederholm Selected came out this morning to look at the Butet. Prior to this Ted had apparently been cantering and rearing around his stable, so I chucked him on the horse walker for 30 mins while I mucked out, wondering whether having the saddler out the first day back in work was a good idea...I never make my life easy!

Anyway, Claire thought the saddle looked AOK over the wither (and I have to admit that I did too, maybe the time off has helped???) but it was sitting everso slightly downhill, which I agreed with too! Got him tacked up, fidgit bag, got on saying my prayers but he was a dude and very well behaved all session!

1st good thing) 18inch is deffo the right size for me

So I ride round and we agree we can prob do better, so I tried a new saddle with hidden knee blocks and a deeper seat. It was really nice, very squidgy knees and prob more comfortable to hunt in, but I would need it made, £600 MORE money - bloody eeek. Claire was at pains to point out that the saddle I had bought really wasn't that bad. We had a long, long chat and I decided that I am going to keep it for 3 months and then we will reassess as hopefully he will have far better muscle coverage over his back by then, and we can try double flaps, knee rolls, literally every different type. She left me a Mattes pad that we put a couple of inserts in which made me feel that the saddle was spot on, from on and off the horse, so happy days.

Now I just have to look after it well so it does not depreciate!!!

I am a really bad blogger!

17 days and no update - sorry!

So what has been happening. Well it was my birthday and that was lovely although it rained and we had to dash in and out and in again! Vix ended up staying as she drank wine all afternoon, so we had a drunken Next Top Model viewing sesh.

During that week Ted was good - he had a chiro visit from Ollie Harbour and he confirmed my thoughts that a) the WOW does not fit at all, b) the reason for the lack of muscle over the back is tension in his hindquarters and c) he really needs to be far more flexible through his body. So all good stuff to work on and we arranged for Cat Dartnell to come and massage him before him seeing Ollie again so he would let go a bit for Ollie to actually work properly.

Then it was Badders weekend - woohoo! Sally and Jules came up as usual and I had a suprise visitor in the way of Klare on the Friday night which was fab as we haven't seen each other in far too long. Badders almost went by the wayside as Jules fell ill, but he soldiered on. We had a fun day as usual although the weather wasn't of the tanning variety. I went to the WOW stand to speak to David by got completely rail roaded by some new girl there and with this in mind made my way to Sederholm Selected stand and ended up buying a year old Butet, Prestige girth and a matching bridle! As Amy had had a Butet for Ted they knew what I needed, however Sally and I popped it on him on the Sunday (in the stable, it was raining LOL) and we both agreed that it is too tight behind the wither - damn, damn, damn.

So Sunday was ticking by nicely, I texted Kt and arranged to ride with her at 4.30 as I hadn't ridden all weekend (I share a field with her and she does Ted at the weekend evenings for me so I can have family time) and as I got in the car to go to the yard my phone beeped and it was a message saying that Ted had brought himself in again. HUMPH, not happy Weezy at all. Got to yard and was told he was fine, he had walked up the lane and a woman had seen him jump out and thought he had caught a foot but nothing untoward. Went into the stable and saw two drops of blood on his off hind fetlock...and looked up and SHIT, a hole and a flap and blood. Now, I am never one to worry or panic, so I had a good look expecting just to clean and treat, then I realised that I could get my finger to the knuckle in the hole and the flap was just not the type of thing to leave, so Sunday call out it was.

Vet arrived, Tash, having been up most of the weekend and on her way to PTS a poy with grass sickness, so not in the most jolly of moods....her mood got worse as Ted booted her one as she listened to his heart - oh dear. So we sedate him, he won't go under, we give him enough for an elephant and BAM, he is deffo not of this world. And he keeps falling over. And I am worried sick that he is going to fall on Tash and pin her to the wall. Not a good time. Anyway, she cleaned it up and stitched it and advised that he stay in until Friday and stitches out in 10 days. Grand. Pissed off. Big time.

BTW reason Ted jumped out was because Kt had brought her mare in and left him, why, I don't know, prob because she knew I was coming down shortly, but Ted doesn't tolerate waiting. He hadn't been hooning or given anyone any idea that escape was on his mind - damn horse. I went to look at the gate and oh golly, this was no *leaving a hoof*, he had obv come down on it rather hard... You cannot see the whole picture from the photo, but the gate is really buckled and rather knackered!







This was his leg after stitching - I stupidly forgot to take one before! He caught his stifle on the plastic covered upright of the gate, there was plenty of hair left there to alert us to this fact LOL!










So I had to contact Ben (SJ lesson), Vix (Anna Ross Davies lesson) and pull out of Ciren Part fun ride and got all stroppy and peed off that our first week of *doing* had been thwarted! He was a model patient though and didn't get too mad until Jonny came on Tuesday to do his teeth - bad idea, he smelt of Hibiscrub and Ted was having absolutely NOTHING to do with him and learnt very quickly how to toss the gag over his ears and back and completely and utterly refuse to co operate, so teeth rasping was abandoned LOL!

Cat came on Weds and he had a 2 hour massage that brought up a whole host of problems - a LOT of muscular damage/tension throughout his hind quarters as Ollie had said, but also prob as a result of hanging himself on the gate. She was very, very thorough and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her (and Ollie of course!). Ted relaxed into it after about 1 hour 55 mins - seriously he is such a tense horse, he doesn't breath or just let himself go - it is a good job he is so aminable (that so isn't spelt correctly!) to ride as otherwise he would be lethal!

Shoes were done on Thursm, new farrier, I liked his shoeing but his personal life is a mess and he really needs to leave that at home - enough said on that one, but a 40 min convo on the phone isnt on.

Friday came and I was expecting a rocket to come out of the stable, but no, he was as good as gold. He really has been throughout! I have had him on restricted TO, 5 hours max, and he is coming in starving so that is enough for now.

Ollie came again on Monday and was rather horrified by Ted's back - Cat managed to release stuff which has uncovered a whole host of other issues - eeek! The back spasms were again very evident. Sederholm are coming tomorrow to sort saddle and then really it will be a matter of remedial riding to try and get him to stretch and lengthen himself. I got Equissaged by Ollie and Wayne, which was rather scrummy too! Two gorgeous gay men prodding your bottom is a great end to a day ;-)

So yes, bit of a crappy 2 weeks really. Vet is due out today to remove stitches, God only knows what time that will be!

A glorious day!

So I felt dreadful yesterday and this morning, my heart is really out of sync ATM, but must push on through it, it is debhilitating to a point, but I cannot let it stop me from getting on.

So, this morning I got to the yard 30 mins before riding and gave Ted some Alfa Chaff and mucked out. He was MUCH better to saddle, didn't fidget or snap, so happy days. We went to Weald and had a really, really great ride :-D Ted was way more responsive, we worked between long and low and up and together and he did all that was asked. Did some shoulder-in, travers and leg yielding along the lanes and all was great. Went for a great canter too and he was gung ho but safe, and then we cantered back at a slower pace and again he was spot on. I really feel that the chaff helped a lot, so I will continue to do this for now if I am not riding him off the field. I am totally in love with Ted.

Mandy and Louis are over this arvo for a roast and so Jamie has gone out to hunt a big rib of beef (yummy) and then tomorrow is the small BBQ - yay. Benjy sadly has to go to school, but that means I will be up and can chuck Ted out for 3 hours before riding rather than leave him in stressing. Am looking forward to it all!

Oh Happy Days!

*Jazz Hands*

Friday - rode but not a long un. Ted mini bucked up the drive as he wanted to go right but I made him go straight - for a moment I really did think that I was going to end up sitting with Jackie on Monty, but I rode him through it and then he was OK. I cannot discount that it may be the saddle, some horses hate Flair. Had a good canter and then bumped into another 2 people out hacking, so Ted had to show off a bit after we had been stood chatting for a couple of mins, LOL! He strode out on the way home, I practised some lateral work going left and right down the track and he was really responsive, so I was happy :-)

Today I was going to ride but I was at the yard by 8.30 and Louize turned up at the same time so we chucked them out as I was fighting time anyway as I was expecting Amanda at 12. We had SUCH a nice afternoon, the children all really got on and it was great catching up with Amanda, I forgot how much I missed her TBH, so we have agreed to see a lot more of each other, especially as the children play so well together and she is only in Beckley!

Went down the yard at 4.30 so I could get in before Ted had time to make Bridie go wild again (she is in love and has taken to being a prat going passed his field), it was such a lovely afternoon that I chucked on my breeches and decided to walk him down to the school for a good moral-boosting (for him) session. Kirsten turned up with Michelle as I arrived and fell instantly in love with Ted so she grabbed a hat and I jocked her up on him so he had me to lead and give him confidence and her legs to urge him on from the saddle - it worked really well. He was hesitant and backward thinking, but he didn't freeze at all so it was a very good exercise. I let K ride him for a bit and then I jumped on and gave him a quick drilling, which made us both ache I think, but he went SO SO well and I was very pleased (but I need my back doing as I am deffo out of balance over my pelvis). He walked back down to the yard well and was very pleased with himself - yay! So all bodes well for him and his breakdowns, I think he will be happily hacking down there by next weekend...fingers crossed!

Oh crap

Is it Thursday again already??? So how has this week been....well Ted had Mon and Tues off, which was planned as the weather was rubbish. Rode on Weds and put him in the WOW - jury is out as I don't think it fits well enough and is pressing on his shoulders. He had a couple of *way-hey* moments but was fine. I tried ever so hard to RIDE the whole way and push him up and forward, but I get side tracked with the pretty fields and chatter... Went round Henleys and took him cantering, he was great although we had a couple of semi-fly changes so went disunited and then back again - not sure if this was due to saddle/me/him/all of the above. I have realised though that I have to make him work every step of the way -he can downtime for the last 5 mins home, but otherwise he HAS to work, and I need to be serious about this.

Hacking out tomorrow (long hack) and then next week will start the 3 x schooling per week with no excuses. Mandy, George and Vix will be on hand on Monday to give him a bit of a bootcamp!

Am really looking forward to this weekend - Saturday Amanda is coming over with her children for a play/lunch date. Freds is excited as she is his Godmother and I am excited as I haven't seen her in so long. Sunday Mandy and Louis are coming to stay so we are all excited about that, and Fred has already decided where Louis can sit and rest his knee LOL! Then on Monday I turn 35 - ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH but this will be easier as I will have M & L and Vix, George, Sarah and poss Wayne and Sue to ease me into the fact that I am closer to 40 than 30.

The news from the insurance - we got ALL of our contents claim money *does a happy dance* It is such a relief to know that this part of the claim is almost over. Just the buildings money to come now, which shouldn't be a problem.

And even better news, Ben has agreed to come over and drill me on Ted, OK, that doesn't sound right, give me a good and honest lesson on Ted, so I hope to be VERY inspired and get us out and about soon!

Sunday

Thinking up titles for these blog posts is a nightmare!

Anyway, back to the blog...

I wasn't going to ride, in fact Ted was in his field by nine, I mucked out and as I was finishing Jackie arrived. She mucked out too and it was such a nice day that even though I was feeling like poo I went and dragged a very confuddled horse out of his field and threw my tack on, remembering to change my boots, LOL!

We went out via the village and in the back of the farm, and Ted was stuffy and behind the leg on the road again. I am beginning to think that maybe he feels it is too slippy and is unsure of himself, as the traffic does not bother him one jot. I really got after him (poor boy) and made him work up and together which helped a little. As usual, as soon as we hit the tracks he was fine. We went where he hadn't been before and he was a star and LOVED going through the ford again :-D Went for extensive canters and he was 100% in the snaffle, so that is his bit now. He has really got the hang of cantering at a nice pace and within himself and is a lot more balanced - yay! So am really glad I made the effort to get him in.

Took the boys down to Swindon to try and get Freds some school shorts - non starter, nothing available over an age 9, so I bought him some blue shorts from Next and those will have to do even though they are absolutely non-uniform. I also bought a new Router and YAY I now have BB!!!!! Am so pleased as I don't have to balance about looking for signal for my dongle anymore.

Wayne is coming to pick Mum's stuff up tomorrow and then Tuesday we have the Insurance guy coming over - NOT looking forward to that. Weather looks dire tomorrow so I think Ted will get a day off.

Sick

This virus is disgusting, I have never felt so utterly useless in my life. I went to bed at 9pm last night, and dragged myself out of it at 7.30am so I could get the boys ready for the County Rugby Festival. That done (no mean feat) I was picked up by Jackie at 8.15am and went to the yard. Even tacking up was hard and I forgot to change my bit from a loose ring snaffle - got on and was halfway up the drive when I realised that I hadn't changed my boots or picked up a whip, so no spurs, no whip, baggy, saggy Dubarries, and no energy...it did not bode well.

Hacked up to the school and literally was booting the bugger to walk out, which he steadfastly refused not to do, but we got there eventually and he didn't freeze completely once. Hacked around the farm and Jackie and I were not sure whether we were going to make it, the 2 of them were so behind our leg and not going forward, it was exhausting. Got to the ford and Emma was there standing Stella for her feet, so we chatted to her and I thought it was a good time to introduce Ted to the water.

Snort, Snort

Paw

Splash

*Ohhhhh this is FUN*

Wades through, springs through back soaking everyone

*Look at me, I am so cool and clever*

Trots through, turns, trots back

*I am the biggest dude in the world*

Bronks on the spot to show his elation

I was in hysterics! And he certainly was more awake on the way home, which was nice as my legs were falling off by this point!

Boys both came home with medals which was great. Benjy certainly will NOT be playing for Witney next season - demoted to C team, but then one of the coaches actually bothered to watch him play and said* My, isn't Benjy playing well* - well yes you spoon head, he is a great player, but as the team organiser doesn't like him, and you guys haven't bothered doing anything with anyone but the A team (incidentally ALL related to the coaches/organisers *smirk*) you have no idea how the rest of the bloody members play. It is WAY to dangerous for this to happen when it goes to contact next season, someone is going to get very hurt if the coaching isn't good enough.

Spoke to mum, she got drunk last night and threw up - nice. She sounded happy though, so thank the Lord the guilt trip is over.

Musings

It has been a very busy week. I am going to try and be good and write about it all, but I am sooooo tired and sick that it will be a struggle to make my brain work.

Big changes have happened this week - my mother has gone, and my sister has moved back to Spain. It is really odd but wonderful to have the house back to ourselves. I love my mother dearly, but we need to get back to being a unit of 4 again and settle ourselves back home. I felt bloody guilty about it all, something that my mother didn't make easier, but she has chosen where she wants to live (the flat above her best friend), and I know she will at least have a social life now.

Zoe came to visit on her way to the ferry. Whether she is doing the right/wrong thing is her business, but I cannot help but feel that they should have stayed over here - I understand her reasons for going and yes, she needs to sort her property out, but still, Ollie looked really worried and uncomfortable when they left, so I hope he will settle back into Spanish school OK - it is difficult for the wee ones.

So that was my Tues/Weds really.

Last Sunday I took Ted round the long road block - almost 2 hours. He was very good, a little hesitant at times and had 3 breakdowns, but on the whole he was a dude. Lou and Sarah were very impressed with him. When I got to the yard on Monday he was still asleep...
He eventually decided that he could get up so he had a day off, bless him. Tuesday and Weds were hacks out, very well behaved as always, Thurs we went off to jump in the school....Hacked out of the yard and started going up the lane, a little tentative but OK. Then he saw a lady in a garden and stopped to have a look, which is his usual behaviour, except this time he wouldn't walk on. He was up on the verge with an electric fence at his bum and tarmac at his nose, and wouldn't budge. So I tried my spurs, nothing, except stepping backwards, which was worrying as I didn't want to be sat on 17hh of exploding horse when he got tickled with electric! Then he kept trying to step back onto the tarmac but just couldn't bring himself to do it. So I sat there, talking to him, he stood stock still, not trying to spin or anything, and we had a convo. Jackie came and she started to lead him and he walked on fine, then she stopped and he stopped and wouldn't budge again. So I jumped off and led him up - his heart was going like the billy-o, he wasn't breathing, he was just incredibly worried about it all. So I sang him up the lane and he looked at everything and we got to the school where I jumped on and chilled him out - happy days.

Did some very unpressurised schooling and then jumped 8 fences and called it a day as I wanted him to be chilled and happy and not associate the school with stress. This is something to work on, but if I have to lead him to the school it isn't the be all and end all of anything, it is just a quirk. I don't think he will ever be a happy lone hacking horse, but again, this is OK, no big deal. He jumped really nicely and I was happy - sadly no photos of that as I had to prop the camera up and it was impossible to do to get the fences in :-(



Ted IS lazy in the school, which doesn't bode well for me as I am lazy too, so I need to get my act together to ensure that I work and he works - on the plus side we are as happy as each other just pootling about, but that does not acheive anything! I need to get Lee out to give him a massage and I also need the saddler out as he is deffo getting more antsy to saddle, so I don't think he is happy with the fit of my saddle, although I cannot see much wrong with it. I need to get my Wow fitted to him so I can use that, or sell it and buy a lighter CC saddle, we will see.

Right, there you go, brief news of the week. I have probably missed loads out, and I have much to discuss but I am dropping. A quick word about HHO should be in here I suppose, but I don't think I have the energy. I have had some really disparaging remarks thrown my way and I will not be dragged into this crap willingly. I tried to do a good thing, for the good of horses, and now have been labelled by others as a troll and someone with no feelings or who knows the difference between good and bad - HA HA HA. So yes, I am done with HHO on a basic level and this year's party will no doubt be the last I host for open invitation. Times change, people move on and change too. It leaves me more time for my RL activities which cannot be a bad thing, my house has never been cleaner!!!

Pics I have been meaning to post

Ted enjoyed the sunshine and went out naked on Monday after a lovely ride...

Looking quite Spanish IMO...

I had to run up the fence line to try and get an action shot, sadly this is rubbish as he looks short necked and flat backed!!!


And Dani came to visit on Monday too - some random photos of us, and Dani's special football...

Be gone anxiety!

Dani bear came to stay yesterday. We had a lovely and lazy day in the park in the sun, I have photos of Dani playing her special kind of footie, LOL, but need to upload later. We talked and talked but Dani darling, remember what I said, you need to discover you for you, and that WILL come in time, promise!

Earlier in the day I hacked Ted up to Weald, so on the roads and he was very good - lazy as sin going out, but once we hit the grass he was a dude. I do adore him.

Today I have been in a high state of anxiety all day as it was Ted's vetting. Amy kindly agreed to ride him though so that was one less thing to worry about. He showed himself up and was a lazy toad in the trot ups. Things to discuss, but that is horses for you. Am having a glass of wine as medicine.

I hate being so anxious all of the time, it is very debhilitating.

Have booked a SJ clinic for Saturday - must remember to send forms off tomorrow! Also have a lesson with my instructor on Thurs...am going to ache on Sunday!

Our Easter Table

Stuffed and happy :-)

Will look so much better when my cool chairs arrive! The tulips were a moving pressie from Sally and Jules and look amazingly good in the kitchen!

Happy Easter

How much choc have you eaten? I am rather angelic and have only had 1 Creme Egg and a Baileys truffle. The boys have had their Easter egg hunt, which lasted all of 10 minutes - next year it is going to have to be a lot harder. Roast beef will shortly be shoved in the oven and an afternoon of eating, drinking and playing Monopoly beckons, which is no bad thing...can think of worst ways to pass the time.

Didn't ride today, Ted went out happily. Apparently though when Katie turned Georgia out Ted didn't mind at all, but when she turned Mo out (the skewbald baby) he was neighing and banging into his door trying to get out to him - very strange, they have never even touched noses but he deffo has a big thing for him!

All of the horses had a bit of a hoon as we had an escapee - poor woman tried to get on her horse and he pissed off, fell over and bashed into Jackie's Land Rover (and dented it) and then hot footed it down to the paddocks. We told her to ask for help, she had been trying to get on for about 15 mins! Swallow that pride I say and just ask, everyone likes to be helpful after all! TBH I think the horse has KS or shivers or something - he is always so tense and his neck is solid - a full vet work up would not go amiss IMO.

Right, off to get the big boy in - early today so I can have a glass of wine while I cook. He won't mind as Mo will already be in LOL!

Good boy!

Well he stayed out all day happy as Larry :-) So that is something off my mind. I have to teach him to come to call though, he is selectively deaf and stayed up the top LOL!

Got into the stable and I was giving him a fuss and he was like, no, piss off, so I let him go and he trotted to the top to have a wee! Gave him a bit of a groom and strapping, you should have seen his bum muscles going, LOL! Did his rugs and he made a face, I growled, he decided eating hay would be better so that was that.

Gave him his super stressy-tummy busting feed and he looked at me as though I was trying to kill him, but then started nosing it a bit so I left him to get on with it.

Tomorrow he is having a day off and out as I have to organise a bloody Easter Egg hunt around the village for the boys - drats, I am running out of clues after 4 years of doing it!!!

Oh dear, I seem to have fallen hard...

No, no, don't worry, not OFF, just totally and utterly in love. Day 2 of Ted and I got up v early (7.30am - hey, it is Saturday) so that Jackie and I could go out round the farm again. Got to the yard, note on the board asking me to speak to YO

about turn out. She asked me to leave him in until after he was vetted. I said no, (OMG I was assertive, so unlike me!), and that if he was going to be a gate jumper I needed to know sooner rather than later. She said he would settle better in, I said no, that would disturb him even more as it was poss that he would be the only one in. Anyway, I have turned him out with Georgia, and she showed him who was boss within 2 mins and I left him looking very content....fingers crossed he stays put!

So, changed bit to my NS Waterford Jumping bit and off we went, with equal stirrups this time *whistles*. Again he was a little antsy being saddled, but I think this is due to the fact that his tummy is hurting a bit. Still, he eventually ate the Biotics and Gaviscon I gave to him last night and his feed had all gone this morning, so hopefully that will have helped calm him a bit.

We rode down to the other yard first and that lit him up a bit, but he was OK, then up alongside the runway we had a trot - Oh my, my thighs, my poor thighs...they are going to be STUNNING once they stop hurting LMAO! He has such a big trot and I felt as though I was rising for 10 secs hehe! Anyway, he was a little stuffy, wanted to stay behind but I kicked him up alongside Nanny Monty.

Walked round and then went for a trot and put leg on for a canter.....got the most amazing HUGE HUGE HUGE trot instead, so checked, asked for canter in the correct *in the school* manner and he cantered well but a little unbalanced and not sure about himself.

Walked up to Henleys, we were just about to go into trot and this bloody huge crane flew out in front of us - well poor Monty fell to his knees in shock (literally!) and Ted went to spin but stopped himself from pissing off and I was v proud of him. Trotted up the wiggly side and he was great and then had a canter down the straight and oh my, I completely fell in love with him - ground eating, balanced and controlled canter that just felt, well, amazing :-D Walked him home with a long rein and lots of pats and I am still smiling!



He got a few treats after the ride (and yes, he knows where they are kept LOL!)

Rugged up, I led him down to the paddocks and he was a lamb. I am the luckiest girl in the world, and I must thank Amy so much for letting me have him as he is just fantastic.

Ted arrives

Well, on the advice of Soots I am restarting my blog. This is mostly to introduce Ted, my new, very handsome horse...

He is about 17hh and KWPN, 9 in May and is a SJer who has competed at Fox level. He is really sweet, although he makes horrible faces at you when you do his rugs, bless.

Took him out for a hack today and he was a different horse. He was very bold and forward going and took on the world. He was responsive though and slowed when asked with the seat. I rode in my B Ring KK but I don't like him in it, so will get a KK Universal after the Easter break. On the way home he started to relax a little, until he saw horses in the distance and then he decided he had to neigh and prance, which was funny. He is very dear :) Tomorrow I will school him and work him a bit harder. I went and bought some Naff Biotics (they don't sell Coligone, dammit), as he is deffo being stressy in his tummy - loose droppings and a bit of air grabbing, so hopefully that will help...saying that he turned his nose up at it just, but before I get to that...

Popped him in the paddock after riding, led him in a bridle but it wasn't necessary as he went out like a poppet. He seemed fine, didn't hoon, just walked about a bit and ate, but was hanging onto the bottom fence line where he could see Katie's skewbald....Ted obviously thought that because the next door horses were behind a tree line (it is see through though!) he was alone except for the baby. Katie went to get baby in and found Ted wondering about out of his paddock - oooops. So I need to find him a friend and will have to give up my gorgeous shady paddock *sniff* Popped down to check him over and he was fine, gave him a huge handful of chaff with the Biotics but he was having none of it, will see if he has eaten it when I go back for evening stables!

Still, it is so hard to get cross with a face like this...