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...