tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35353701460191916752024-03-13T01:53:01.091+00:00Santana's DiaryFollow my exploits with my Welsh Section D, Santana. I first saw him as a 2 year old colt and he became mine as he turned 3 in June 2008. Registered as Ridgehill Ellis (sire Ridgehill Elgar, dam Tardebigge Enid) he is my pride and joy! This diary is a record of progress.Jooleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12887670079044569513noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535370146019191675.post-38648676257817365002015-06-06T23:12:00.001+01:002015-06-06T23:12:52.730+01:00The End of The Road<div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Sad to say but I have come to the end of the road with Santana. I thought he was my forever horse, but I was wrong and it was not to be. </span></div><div><br></div><div>To cut a long story short Santana started bolting which knocked my confidence and he clearly knew that he was stronger than me. I tried schooling, lunging, in hand work, using voice commands, lessons, but things went from bad to worse until he bolted in the ménage 15 minutes into a lesson and I went flying through the fence. This was the result:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-heB-pm_z7x4/VXNwWRjb0OI/AAAAAAAAASA/qYnfjMd7RVg/s640/blogger-image-1936141771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-heB-pm_z7x4/VXNwWRjb0OI/AAAAAAAAASA/qYnfjMd7RVg/s640/blogger-image-1936141771.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was very lucky to only suffer bruising, although it went from my hip all the way to my toes. That was summer 2014 and it was the last time I sat on him. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I can hardly believe that the previous summer I had done this: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F5wHyAn_AiQ/VXNwXSHDKEI/AAAAAAAAASI/MHEUMSX2UhQ/s640/blogger-image-1005997166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F5wHyAn_AiQ/VXNwXSHDKEI/AAAAAAAAASI/MHEUMSX2UhQ/s640/blogger-image-1005997166.jpg"></a></div></div>I so much wanted to get back to that but it wasn't to be. I knew that it was time to call it a day before I got seriously hurt. </div><div><br></div><div>Santana went on Project Horses website and I was completely honest about everything. A lovely young lady came to buy him. She didn't have much money but I could see that she would care for him and love him. I let him go for next to nothing because a wanted a good home for him. </div><div><br></div><div>I know that I was not good for him and I was doing his confidence no favours so I know that I did the right thing letting him go. As you can imagine, I was devastated to lose him. I've not heard how he is getting on.</div><div><br></div><div>Since then I have taken on my daughter's horse, Red Sonia (aka Sonny), because she no longer rides. Sonny is a warmblood and not what I would choose but she is an absolute sweetie and does not have a bad bone in her body, she is just a little more lively than I would choose<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. I have built up my confidence gradually and have got to the stage where I can canter in the ménage - my biggest fear at the moment. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F1EehONrCHc/VXNwYjAPKkI/AAAAAAAAASQ/Gtz--xkDw2w/s640/blogger-image-1181974122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F1EehONrCHc/VXNwYjAPKkI/AAAAAAAAASQ/Gtz--xkDw2w/s640/blogger-image-1181974122.jpg"></a></div>I'm hoping that we'll get there together, Sonny and I</span></div>Jooleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511679419931566266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535370146019191675.post-88966758150777243612012-10-08T21:09:00.002+01:002012-10-08T21:14:35.444+01:00Southill Sponsored Ride<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The morning of the sponsored ride dawned misty and murky. Spot the horse in the misty distance!<br />
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In from the field and luckily Santana hasn't rolled overnight also, unbelievably, he's kept his socks relatively white too!<br />
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We loaded up and went to my friend's yard to load her mare, Mysti. Mysti is not keen on travelling so we anticipated some time to get her on the lorry. However, lunge whip with a rustly Tesco bag tied to the end strategically waved behind her worked wonders and Mysti loaded with only minor hesitation.<br />
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We stopped at a layby to await Debbie with her trailer and we were off.<br />
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We thought we would arrive early, but obviously many others had a similar idea and the parking field was already buzzing by the time we got there. We registered, handed over our sponsorship, and collected our bibs and off we went to tack up.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Debbie and Baby with me and Santana</td></tr>
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Finally we were off and the horses caught the excitement, eager to get going. Santana was really up for it today and started jogging soon after the start.<br />
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We did the 10 mile ride and we hardly walked a step. We trotted a lot and jogged even more. I don't think he walked a single step!. When we cantered he pulled like a train. I thought he would run out of energy after a few miles but I was wrong - he pulled the whole time! Where did he get so much energy from? I had been worried that he wouldn't be fit enough! We all had a turn at the front and I found that Santana was much better in front, not to mention giving my arms a rest from pulling him back. The estate was beautiful, particularly around the lake, but unfortunately I had my hands full and couldn't get my phone out to take any photos.<br />
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We had a fabulous gallop on the last stretch up to the big house which was absolutely exhilarating and then we were back at the lorry, all in one piece and safe and sound.<br />
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Santana was still buzzing while we chilled out with a burger and a cup of tea. Even when we got home, I put him in his stable and gave him a small feed while I cleaned the lorry, but he was still wired up. I took him out to his field and he went charging off as though he'd been cooped up indoors for a couple of days. I bet he isn't aching as much as I am today though!<br />
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We all had an absolutely wonderful day and I managed to raise £90 for the East Anglian Air Ambulance and the British Horse Society.<br />
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<br />Jooleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511679419931566266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535370146019191675.post-89073368895019680532012-09-13T22:01:00.002+01:002012-09-13T22:01:45.800+01:00Loading ...or not<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sunday 2nd September was the day of the Beds South Pony Club show. As this is just around the corner from our yard we were definately going. I decided Santana would sit this one out and Jasmine would take Sonny. With a space on the lorry we offered to take our yard mate's horse, Baby, as well. We allowed plenty of time to load Sonny onto the lorry</span></span>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Sonny, of course, had other ideas and stubbornly refused to go anywhere near the ramp, rearing wildly if there was any threat of force being used. We tried food, we tried gentle encouragement and we tried individually moving one foot at a time. After about an hour and a half of prancing about like a lunatic in front of the ramp a front shoe was loose and Sonny was hopping lame. That put paid to any idea of her jumping. Our best effort was to get both front feet on the ramp and then we called it a day. Sonny was left in her stable in disgrace and Baby went to the show with the lorry all to himself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Baby's owner delightedly said that Jasmine could jump Baby as that would let her off the hook and she could sit back and watch! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">We arrived only just in time to enter the 2'3" Jasmine quickly warmed up, learnt the course and off she went getting a lovely clear round. Bearing in mind that this was only the second time she had ridden him, and he's not the most straight forward of rides, this was excellent work. Another clear round in the jump off and Jasmine came in fourth! Fabulous! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">We then found a friend to enter the 2'3" pairs with and they both jumped brilliant rounds to win the class! Jasmine came out with a huge grin all over her face the like of which I haven't seen for months. If only she could achieve this buzz with Sonny.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Unfortunately I have no pictures because in the palaver in the morning I forgot the camera - typical!</span></div>
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<br />Jooleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511679419931566266noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535370146019191675.post-56264785118926590412012-09-13T21:33:00.000+01:002012-09-13T21:33:18.411+01:00Keysoe!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I foolishly allowed my yard mate to persuade me to go to an evening clear round event at Keysoe</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> on 22nd August </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I was very dubious about jumping as I haven't done any for ages. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">She said she would put some jumps up in our menage for us to do some practice a couple of days before. Okay then, I thought, we'll see how the practice goes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Rather
surprisingly, the practice went extremely well and when I measured the
biggest jump afterwards it was 2'9" - he's never jumped that big
before! I didn't really have an excuse not to go then and I was
strangely quite keen! </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> </span></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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came across a diversion en route to Keysoe and managed to get lost so
we were a little late arriving which meant that we were too late for the
60cm and had to jump the 70cm course.</span></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">When we went in the ring Santana was all over the place, looking at the jumps and the banners round the edge. He's lead such a sheltered life it was all rather overwhelming for him! I showed him as many of the jumps as I could before heading towards the first - a quite innocuous straight. When Santana realised I was expecting him to jump it his legs went all over the place and he stopped with his nose almost touching the top of the pole and legs akimbo. We came around a second time and we were off ... that is until we arrived at the second jump. We managed to get round the course - eventually - and as I had paid for two rounds decided to do my second round straight away. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">This time it all went much more smoothly. I knew he had now seen, and jumped, all nine jumps so there was no excuse. I sat back and rode with purpose and we flew over all of them. The only hiccup was a run out at the second part of the double, but that was soon remedied. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">All in all I was very pleased with him as it was a big step up from anything he had done before. I came out of the ring absolutely exhausted and pumped with adrenalin, but I was also pleased with myself for having done it.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second part of the double - Yay!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JRjnok60GIE/UEpf1Y7cH7I/AAAAAAAAAKs/CYYLEZWpLNo/s1600/IMG_4268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JRjnok60GIE/UEpf1Y7cH7I/AAAAAAAAAKs/CYYLEZWpLNo/s400/IMG_4268.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting into our stride</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<img height="72" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--yw4n6uI8wY/UEpijRSvayI/AAAAAAAAALA/65xRc1r66kQ/s400/IMG_4272.JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 491px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 312px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" />
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Jooleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511679419931566266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535370146019191675.post-51515236075897115442012-07-22T19:18:00.001+01:002012-07-22T19:18:41.045+01:00The Sun Has Got His Hat On!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-78eDex83yNY/UAxBo1NbqWI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/jLHBzIJRZ_M/s1600/Before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-78eDex83yNY/UAxBo1NbqWI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/jLHBzIJRZ_M/s400/Before.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What better view is there than this!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A fabulous day for a hack and a gallop to blow the cobwebs away. This photo was when we were coming back onto our farm after a lovely ride, just me and Jas. We had a fabulous time. Both horses behaved perfectly and all four of us enjoyed a gallop across the meadow before a leisurely walk back home.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Back at the yard it was definately a day for a bath so Santana had a bit of a pamper. Whitening shampoo on the legs and a trim up of his mane. His coat is so shiny you can almost see your face in it. This picture shows how brown he goes in the summer and the dapples over his belly! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">They stayed in the stable for a couple of hours afterwards for a doze and to keep away from the pesky flies. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Do you reckon summer has finally arrived!? </span></span> <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jNuBwvIqbzg/UAxB8jOTz4I/AAAAAAAAAKY/y85YFkBsyfc/s1600/Clean%21+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jNuBwvIqbzg/UAxB8jOTz4I/AAAAAAAAAKY/y85YFkBsyfc/s320/Clean%21+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Jooleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511679419931566266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535370146019191675.post-16961792894856859632012-04-16T21:42:00.002+01:002012-04-16T21:42:37.442+01:00Grime BustersWhere are Kim and Aggie when you need them? I spent the whole weekend, along with some of my very good friends, washing and scrubbing and hoovering and wiping. <br />
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On Saturday, Mechelle, came bringing with her a double duvet and various other wonderful and useful items. Angie came too and we tackled the living room and the kitchen. By the time we'd finished it was ...well, maybe not sparkling, but certainly a whole lot cleaner. Just being able to see out of the windows made a huge difference (Mechelle's handiwork) We moved a lot of items of old furniture, etc. that I won't be needing into the "spare" room downstairs and shut the door on it. That gave us room in the living room to rearrange the furniture so that it all faced the fireplace and looked nice and cosy. The kitchen was completely cluttered with stuff so, again that needed clearing first. The kitchen is somewhat dire to be honest with two floor standing cupboards that have come out of the ark. No matter, I have no pots and pans to put in them yet anyway! We couldn't face the cooker so left that for the next day. <br />
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Sunday arrived along with Clair, another good friend. Mechelle came again along with Angie who came bearing gifts from Tesco - a new hoover(!) a toaster, some cutlery. What is she like! She even brought her own microwave out of her kitchen claiming that she'd been wanting a new one for ages and just needed an excuse to get rid of the old one! I am truly humbled by my friends' generosity.<br />
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Clair, brave warrior that she is, tackled the bathroom and the cooker, only once having to run out of the door gagging at the hair she'd discovered blocking the plughole. The cooker was attacked with a pack of Oven Pride but was so bad that it had to be left overnight to stew.<br />
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Me and Mechelle tidied up the bedrooms and Angie put up a curtain rod in the living room. Can you believe that it took as long to hoover the walls and ceilings as it did the floors? I've never seen so many cobwebs.<br />
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By the time we'd finished the place was transformed, maybe not into a palace, but at least into a habitable state.<br />
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Its feeling as though its mine now. I popped in today to see how the cooker was getting on. The shelves have cleaned up nicely but the interior of the oven ...well, I don't really want to go there. The floor of the oven must be about an inch deep in black ...errm... stuff. Yuk! Another pack of Oven Pride is going to be needed.<br />
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One last hurdle to get over - that of Jasmine's disapproval. I can only hope that she'll come round eventually.<br />
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Fingers crossed xJooleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511679419931566266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535370146019191675.post-80058360322625014302012-04-13T13:58:00.000+01:002012-04-13T13:58:24.081+01:00Moving On (non-horsey)Things have been very ...errmm, shall we say, challenging, for me recently. Having moved into my mum's bungalow in October I have found things very difficult to cope with. Jasmine stayed at home with her dad and Alex (my son) which is 15-20 minutes drive away. I spent the winter driving over there in the morning to do the horses with Jasmine, then going to work, back to do the horses again and then back to mum's after dropping Jasmine at home. Every time I dropped Jas off it tore another piece off my heart. I hated to see her walking away from me every day and I know she hated it too. She punished me good and proper though with the full on teenager attitude. I see my son once a week if I'm lucky. They can't pop round for a cup of tea or a quick chat - its too far, and apart from that they can't relax here because its "grandma's house". We could never spend a companionable evening eating dinner off trays on our laps and watching rubbish tv, that's just Not Done in grandma's house. <br />
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I was living with my mum but I felt so alone. Even now, six months later I sit here in this room surrounded with boxes containing a few of my things because there is nowhere to put them. I feel like a lodger. I can't relax and feel very uncomfortable. Mum doesn't make things any easier by making me feel I have to be in by a certain time and even told me off one day when I came in at 2am the previous night (I'm 51 years old for God's sake!) She doesn't understand the distress I feel for having left my children behind, even though I see Jasmine every day. She considers that they are old enough now to have their own lives so I should let them get on with it!!! (and what else, mum? forget about them? is that what you're suggesting?)<br />
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I have traded one intolerable situation for another and I have to think of something else. Now ... I knew that the farmer where we keep our horses had an empty house where a farm worker used to live. Its been empty for many months and I was aware that they did not intend to let it out again. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, so I asked whether they would consider letting it to me. After a week on tenterhooks, they came back to me and said yes. Of course it is very run down and dirty with no central heating, but it is habitable.<br />
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I will therefore be spending my weekend with a couple of my good friends cleaning and scrubbing to make the place clean before moving in. I can't wait. I will of course have no money and I'm not quite sure how I'm going to manage but I can feel the pull of "freedom"<br />
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What else is there? Oh yes, I will be able to see my horse from my bedroom window *sigh*<br />
<br />Jooleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511679419931566266noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535370146019191675.post-28486655531604132212012-03-18T20:35:00.000+00:002012-03-18T20:35:41.813+00:00A Tad Distracted<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XWf0mcznI90/T2Y92vs2YdI/AAAAAAAAAI4/wgMAaemVJxk/s1600/IMG_3413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XWf0mcznI90/T2Y92vs2YdI/AAAAAAAAAI4/wgMAaemVJxk/s320/IMG_3413.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can trot mum, shall we canter now?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a name='more'></a></td></tr>
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Lesson on Saturday was great, as usual, although Santana was somewhat distracted and on his toes the whole time. It started when I tried carrying the schooling whip in my left hand. He really doesn't like it and thinks I've suddenly picked up a hungry lion or something. When I change it back to my right hand its okay again. But I think this set the standard for the whole lesson and a few times he tried to dart off at the slightest whim.<br />
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He wasn't dropping into a contact as easily as he had on the last two lessons although he try.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D0LgobsjAyk/T2Y90NfnphI/AAAAAAAAAIw/MgS8IxylGJs/s1600/IMG_3403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D0LgobsjAyk/T2Y90NfnphI/AAAAAAAAAIw/MgS8IxylGJs/s320/IMG_3403.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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We had some lovely impulsion for most of the lesson and he enjoyed some pole work down the centre line. This seemed to concentrate his mind a little and I had to push him over the poles to keep him going.<br />
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We did some cantering which I found quite hard work as he was getting tired by this time. Along with thinking about where my hands were, where my legs were and listening to my instructor telling me to sit back, left shoulder back, "think about lying back on his bum" (!!!) whilst keeping the canter going was hard going but we managed several circuits of the menage.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J2soGJt5Fjw/T2Y96JEPYLI/AAAAAAAAAJA/K48v0GZ0rlk/s1600/IMG_3415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J2soGJt5Fjw/T2Y96JEPYLI/AAAAAAAAAJA/K48v0GZ0rlk/s320/IMG_3415.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canter!</td></tr>
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Then we tried cantering on the right rein. <br />
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Oh dear me! It just wasn't happening. Santana is sooo much happier on the left rein and every time he struck off on his left leg. My instructor said that its not that I'm doing anything wrong, but its probably become such a big thing that I'm anticipating it to be wrong, so it is wrong.<br />
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I tried but clearly, from the photos, I failed, to stop leaning forwards when asking him to canter on the right rein. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l7NCSm4JOG8/T2Y98qbJP5I/AAAAAAAAAJI/ZkK51VRKeos/s1600/IMG_3424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l7NCSm4JOG8/T2Y98qbJP5I/AAAAAAAAAJI/ZkK51VRKeos/s320/IMG_3424.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okay, lets canter this way now. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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We decided to allow him to canter on the right rein but on the left leg so hopefully he will feel that it is unbalanced and uncomfortable for him. We'll keep this up and pretend that its okay for a while just to take the heat out of the whole situation. When we are both comfortable with the whole canter thing, we'll look at the strike off on right rein again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9VqBSZpFHZ4/T2Y9_fIytiI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/os71xTiCFLs/s1600/IMG_3425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9VqBSZpFHZ4/T2Y9_fIytiI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/os71xTiCFLs/s320/IMG_3425.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oops, wrong leg ...again!</td></tr>
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<br />Jooleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511679419931566266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535370146019191675.post-61233675568981291982012-03-03T20:32:00.000+00:002012-03-03T20:39:19.206+00:00Progress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m9nUHBN8eqA/T1J4O8p3sGI/AAAAAAAAAH0/8rNA0RbvkC0/s1600/IMG_3226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m9nUHBN8eqA/T1J4O8p3sGI/AAAAAAAAAH0/8rNA0RbvkC0/s320/IMG_3226.JPG" width="320" /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The second lesson in two weeks. Wow, that's unheard of! I think that's the highest concentration of lessons I've ever had in my life. I was self taught when I was a child. In those days, many moons ago, it was a case of - there's your pony - up you get, hang on tight and off you go! I learnt to stay on and that was riding. Since then, over the years, I've only had the odd lesson as a treat when on holiday. So I guess I'm not doing too bad ...for a beginner!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here are some photos from today...</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Jny-lAu8Js/T1J4JO48ynI/AAAAAAAAAHk/CPyObwbjlSs/s1600/IMG_3221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Jny-lAu8Js/T1J4JO48ynI/AAAAAAAAAHk/CPyObwbjlSs/s320/IMG_3221.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beginning of the lesson and working hard </td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U6tN5sDcbzw/T1J4MXkqMBI/AAAAAAAAAHs/WZZw8S2_YRM/s1600/IMG_3225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U6tN5sDcbzw/T1J4MXkqMBI/AAAAAAAAAHs/WZZw8S2_YRM/s320/IMG_3225.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely ears!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MnEfvje_iWA/T1J4RUFh_NI/AAAAAAAAAH8/NdAtgKqrr9s/s1600/IMG_3230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MnEfvje_iWA/T1J4RUFh_NI/AAAAAAAAAH8/NdAtgKqrr9s/s320/IMG_3230.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My hands are too close together but otherwise - lovely!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KUuAd_86XDw/T1J4T1R92GI/AAAAAAAAAIE/b8uDvFfP-sI/s1600/IMG_3252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KUuAd_86XDw/T1J4T1R92GI/AAAAAAAAAIE/b8uDvFfP-sI/s320/IMG_3252.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous gor</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">We both got a
little hot halfway through the lesson and I had the luxury of being able
to take my coat off. Unfortunately Santana just had to sweat it out.
It was a breakthrough moment though because I took my jacket off while
still on board and he didn't freak out!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Finally, I am starting to sit up when cantering, without trying to hunch forward and cling like a limpet!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Now all I need to do is get that inside shoulder back (mine, not his!)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qwCQFsZxuT8/T1J4Y6q-j7I/AAAAAAAAAIU/BSAXM1VcfFU/s1600/IMG_3266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qwCQFsZxuT8/T1J4Y6q-j7I/AAAAAAAAAIU/BSAXM1VcfFU/s320/IMG_3266.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u3iHuVfXWvU/T1J4cNtQVDI/AAAAAAAAAIc/WhLFqdrY8Q4/s1600/IMG_3270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DZEIXeSoBHU/T1J9qmfly5I/AAAAAAAAAIk/WQnDdUiSfIU/s1600/IMG_3242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DZEIXeSoBHU/T1J9qmfly5I/AAAAAAAAAIk/WQnDdUiSfIU/s320/IMG_3242.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Bella</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">, the faithful Instructor's Assistant</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">All in all it was another fantastic lesson which just proved to me that last week wasn't just a fluke and that I may be able to do some more dressage tests this summer and really feel as though I am a worthy competitor. It is all feeling so exciting at the moment, I just can't wait until the next time I can ride. Although of course tomorrow we will be hacking - I think Santana has worked hard enough for one weekend! </span></span>Jooleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511679419931566266noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535370146019191675.post-85325496835400149872012-02-25T22:32:00.001+00:002012-02-25T22:32:30.209+00:00The Dutch Gag Makes an Entrance<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M_DvEJNEU94/T0lcOIyA6aI/AAAAAAAAAG8/pUIeeyFOzG0/s1600/IMG_3191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M_DvEJNEU94/T0lcOIyA6aI/AAAAAAAAAG8/pUIeeyFOzG0/s320/IMG_3191.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Beautiful Boy<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">!</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Oh my goodness! What a difference</span><span style="font-size: large;">. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">I never thought Santana could look like this. He looks like a different horse. Is this really my Santana? I can't quite believe it. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WW_oT95kd70/T0lcd4Gw5II/AAAAAAAAAHE/7_jj6PcS94g/s1600/IMG_3195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WW_oT95kd70/T0lcd4Gw5II/AAAAAAAAAHE/7_jj6PcS94g/s320/IMG_3195.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely horse - shame about the rider!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loving it!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">This was the first time riding in a Dutch Gag and, it would seem that he loves it. He just 'got it' as soon as I started to take up a contact and separated my hands he dropped straight into the contact.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">I still have a whole heap of work to do on my position. My weight is way too far forward which sends my leg back. I still nag nag nag at him with my legs which I must stop doing. He has so much potential - I can see that now, after only one lesson he's looking fantastic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">We even cantered several times round the track and on a 20m circle. I had no worries that he was going to shoot off. Mind you he was pretty tired by then - we haven't worked this hard for ages!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">I really think he enjoyed himself though. He felt relaxed and happy. I am still flying high and I can't wait for next Saturday now because I'm going to keep this good thing going while I can.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">I can't believe that my humble cob can look so good, not only that but even with me rocking about on his back too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span>. <br />Jooleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511679419931566266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535370146019191675.post-91338441370856963152012-02-23T22:48:00.001+00:002012-02-23T22:48:19.905+00:00Pelham's Swan SongOh yes! I have removed the Pelham from the bridle. The Pelham has now left the building. Yikes!!!<br />
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On Sunday, I rode out with Jasmine. I had loosened the curb chain so much the last couple of weeks that it was now dangling around his chin and probably annoying him more than it had been when it was tight. So, off it came. (I put it in my pocket while we rode - just in case. I could hear it jingling comfortingly). Anyway, the ride went without a hitch. I have to admit that there were no incidents where I could really put my brakes to the test, but he generally stopped or slowed down when I asked him to. I can't ask for more than that can I? <br />
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So, I was offered the loan of a three ring gag as a mid-way step between the Pelham and hanging cheek snaffle so I took the opportunity. I also booked a lesson for next Saturday which will be the first time trying it out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1v8LD4Irtc0/T0bBtU90ctI/AAAAAAAAAG0/SRuFbw_CYwI/s1600/Feb+2012+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1v8LD4Irtc0/T0bBtU90ctI/AAAAAAAAAG0/SRuFbw_CYwI/s320/Feb+2012+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the Pelham, "sans curb", after our ride. Do you think Santana has a cheeky glint in his eye - like he has something up his sleeve? (Please don't look at the muddy socks!)</td></tr>
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<br />Jooleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511679419931566266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535370146019191675.post-46191595572252047782012-02-15T22:52:00.001+00:002012-02-15T22:52:32.555+00:00Another year passes by...I had a nice day today which is just as well as it was my birthday :D It started with mucking out Sonny and Santana on my own as Jasmine is living the high life skiing in Austria. I did think it was going to be stressful and hard work doing both of the horses on my own but I have found that it is quite the opposite and have actually enjoyed 'doing my own thang'. I put the horses out and went off to work. Someone randomly brought a large box of Milk Tray in today so I claimed them in honour of my birthday :p.<br />
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Back to the farm after work to bring horses in (in daylight - what a novelty!). Took their rugs off and gave them each a brush before putting on their pj's and giving them dinner. <br />
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Next stop to my very good friend's house as she was taking me out to dinner. Now feeling stuffed with nachos, enchiladas and key lime pie washed down with a half of lager. <br />
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Lovely!Jooleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511679419931566266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535370146019191675.post-65194880458341616772012-02-05T23:04:00.000+00:002012-02-05T23:04:14.032+00:00A Quiet Walk ...Not!On Saturday, as the ground was so hard from the freezing temperatures over the last few days, we thought we'd just have a quiet walk around a couple of fields on the farm. We knew snow was forecast for Saturday night so we were not likely to be able to ride on Sunday and Jasmine goes off skiing next Friday so it was the last chance for her to ride before then.<br />
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We tacked up with frostbitten fingers and set off out of the yard. All went according to plan until halfway around the second field when we met a yard mate coming the other way. She took her horse to the side of the track and waited for us to pass. Well, by the reaction from our two you'd have thought she was riding a dragon or something. Jogging and giraffe impressions went from bad to worse until Santana could take it no more and shot off across the field. He didn't get too far before I brought him back (remember, I have no curb chain anymore - yikes!). <br />
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Once we had passed the horse-eating monster we thought they would settle down. Unfortunately not. Sonny was so lively Jasmine had to get off and make sure there was nothing wrong with her tack. While we were waiting Santana was dancing on the spot. Having checked all was okay Jasmine got back on and we danced and pranced our way back to the yard. So much for a nice quiet relaxing walk!<br />
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Jasmine was quite upset but I tried to point out the positives - nothing had really gone badly wrong, although both of them had been very full of themselves and lively - Sonny didn't rear or do anything else untoward - they were both just uncharacteristically energetic, and they were egging each other on. We congratulated ourselves on coping and getting back home with both of us in one piece and still on board!<br />
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No pictures I'm afraid, I rather had my hands full!Jooleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511679419931566266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535370146019191675.post-20263293062073826042012-01-12T16:49:00.002+00:002012-01-12T16:49:24.884+00:00Frequent FarrierI think I need to book a regular weekly slot with the farrier. Sonny is losing shoes on a regular basis at the moment. I wouldn't mind, but she's only got two to look after. You wouldn't think that was too onerous a task would you? Also, I don't have a gorgeous, hunky farrier like some people seem to have, although he is young so I suppose I should be grateful for small mercies. <br />
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So, what is the cause of the mysterious disappearing shoes? Does Sonny have a shoe fetish and she's storing them up in a corner of the field so she can go and drool over them during the day? Maybe someone is coming in and stealing them from under her nose. Whatever it is, they come off cleanly, almost as if they had no nails in. Hooves are intact and not ripped up as you might expect if she'd been over reaching. There's not even any sign of them becoming loose first. Its just there one day and gone the next. <br />
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We do have the small matter of the bog at the end of the field and I have a sneaking suspicion that this is the culprit. I would still expect a shoe to last longer than two weeks before being sucked off in the bog. <br />
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Anyway, friendly frequent farrier has suggested overreach boots to turn out in so that is what we will try first. <br />
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Any other suggestions would be welcomed!<br />
<br />Jooleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511679419931566266noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535370146019191675.post-66322843824451965002012-01-08T23:18:00.001+00:002012-01-08T23:20:17.523+00:00A Happy Hack I was invited to hack out with some friends on Saturday afternoon. So I arrived at the farm an hour before anticipating a muddy horse. I was right, Santana no longer had white socks, so the shampoo and a stiff brush had to be deployed vigorously to restore them, along with copious amounts of water. Santana is such a sweetie - he lifts up each hind hoof spontaneously so I can scrub his heels. (I suspect this is really his way of trying to avoid the cold water but I like to think he's trying to be helpful!) Once we were all scrubbed and tacked up we were ready to roll. Five of us set off for 'the meadow' - one of our regular hacks. I haven't been there for ages, but one of the last times I went Santana had a fit of excitement and bucked me off, so that memory came flooding back. I was determined this was going to be a good ride and nothing was going to spoil it. <br />
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Halfway round the meadow three of our party decided they wanted to have a canter up the hill. Me and my friend were happy to continue walking around the path and we agreed to meet up back at the top. They thundered off up the hill at a full gallop and Santana craned his neck trying to see them and jogged to let me know that he would quite like to do that too. I told him in no uncertain terms that that was not going to happen and he reluctantly accepted it. <br />
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All in all it was a fabulous ride. Santana behaved wonderfully and listened to me the whole time. A happy hack was had by all!<br />
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Here he is back home enjoying a well earned dinner.<br />
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<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1plSFLAGPsw/TwokM0LjjXI/AAAAAAAAAGY/9Wii_jDMAEs/s640/blogger-image-854222416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1plSFLAGPsw/TwokM0LjjXI/AAAAAAAAAGY/9Wii_jDMAEs/s640/blogger-image-854222416.jpg" /></a></div>Jooleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511679419931566266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535370146019191675.post-36396035184922063582011-12-30T22:44:00.002+00:002011-12-30T22:44:42.882+00:00What Is It About Horses?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santana and Sonny</td></tr>
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What is it that makes us all so passionate about, not only our own horses, but everyone else's horses? What is it that brings such a wide diversity of people together with this common theme? Diverse in age and ability, people from all walks of life. People with money and those with none. We all have this burning passion for our horses. We each have a different reason for having horses - to compete in various spheres, either for fun or in serious competition, to train and move them on up the ladder, to train others to do likewise, or simply to ride for pleasure. We all still share the same love and desire to care for our animals. We will give up endless hours to spend time with them, clean up after them and pander to their every need. We will spend more time and money on their wardrobe and appearance than on our own. We would rather spend our last penny on our horse and go without ourselves than deprive our him or her of something we believe they "need".<br />
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I was just thinking, as I was reading the posts on Haynet, that we are all so different and so widely dispersed across the globe, and yet we all think pretty much alike. It never ceases to amaze me how the world of horses can bring people together in this way. <br />
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So, what is it about horses that brings out the passion in you?<br />
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<br />Jooleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511679419931566266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535370146019191675.post-88390455843890742872011-12-16T22:51:00.002+00:002011-12-16T22:51:13.067+00:00Stressage<br />
Can you imagine - several weeks of preparation for about 3 minutes of walking and trotting around an arena?! <br />
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It was about a month ago that my friend persuaded me to enter a dressage test "because Santana would be fabulous". So I let myself be persuaded and the preparations began. Intro B test was purchased and I attempted to commit it to memory. That was never going to work because I have a memory like a sieve. I managed to remember about a third of it so Santana and I practised this bit - enter at A in working trot and proceed down the centre line, turn right at C ... etc. etc. Trotting was fine, we're not bad at trotting. When it came to transition to medium walk we dropped all the anchors and plummeted into plod. So, downwards transition needs work. We spent the next couple of weeks practising transitions and keeping some momentum going and we made some progress.<br />
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The date of the test was looming nearer and nearer. My only chance to ride is at weekends now the dark nights have set in so I took to walking around the menage with test in hand, talking to myself. My yard mates must have thought I'd gone loopy! I think I ran through the whole test about 4 times in total with Santana before the test day.<br />
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The day before The Test Jasmine and I arrived at the yard armed with buckets, sponges and shampoo. It was a cold day but Jasmine insisted that Santana must have a "proper" bath if we were going to impress the judges<br />
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Poor boy! Fortunately the sun was shining which brought a little warmth with it. My goodness, he was gleaming by the time we'd finished - you needed sunglasses to stop the glare from his white socks. I don't think he's ever been so clean! We wrapped him up in cotton wool (almost literally!) and left him tucked up in his stable for the night.<br />
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We were back at the yard bright and early the next day and there he was - looking like a show horse with the light reflecting off his black coat. He loaded on the lorry like he'd been doing it every day of his life and off we went. We arrived at our destination half an hour later and were pleased to find it not very busy. I discovered that we were one of only three entries in the Intro B test. This means of course that I am guaranteed a rosette - result! We tacked up Santana and marvelled at how beautiful he looked. I climbed on board and off we went to warm up. <br />
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All this time Santana has been behaving like an absolute angel, as if this was all just in a days work for him. How odd! Surely something is bound to go wrong soon.<br />
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We entered the arena - bearing in mind this is the first time Santana has ever been inside an indoor arena he just walked in without hesitation. He had a snorty huffing look at the jump wings stood around the walls but soon decided they weren't the enemy and even managed to say hello to the judge. After one leapy spook for good measure we got on with the test.<br />
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For first timers I don't think we did at all bad, we got 59% and some really nice comments from the judge, along with some things we need to work on. Also, I'm still using my Pelham at the moment so we would have been marked down for that. We came third (of course!) but I was well happy with my boy, I wouldn't have cared if I'd come thirty third. My friend was right - Santana was fabulous!<br />
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Feel free to take a minute to look at my video...<br />
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<br />Jooleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511679419931566266noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535370146019191675.post-90394320935711088282011-12-04T16:58:00.001+00:002011-12-04T17:55:59.970+00:00So Exciting!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1997 Renault Master</td></tr>
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This is mine! I can't quite believe it! (and I'm slightly worried about the amount of money I've just spent and the ongoing financial commitment, but we won't dwell on that). I had to travel 100 miles for it and 100 back again but I think it was worth it. I now have no excuse not to do the dressage test next Sunday :/ <br />
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But what a lovely van! The horses are rear facing and the ramp is side loading and very shallow. Hopefully Sonny, Jasmine's horse, will take to this better than a trailer. It is all easy to operate on your own as the ramp is very light and almost opens and closes by itself. Santana has already shown his approval by walking straight on, shuffling his back end round and looking at me as if to say "Do I stand here mummy?" Bless him!<br />
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Roll on next summer!Jooleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511679419931566266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535370146019191675.post-4090445525723546512011-11-20T21:35:00.001+00:002011-11-20T21:45:15.148+00:00Dressage PracticeToday, for the first time, I practised my Intro B test. This is a basic walk/trot test. Now, I can do walk and I can do trot and so can Santana. Today we couldn't do either of these things. We trotted the straight lines banana fashion and the circles were more oval shaped with indentations - golf ball stylie. Transition from trot to "Medium walk" (whatever that is) was like going from giraffe impressions to sulky teenager. So, other than make a little progress in getting the test into my head, we didn't achieve a great deal today. I hasten to add that none of this was Santana's fault. I think I expect him to understand that we are no longer just meandering aimlessly about the menage - we are now doing (fanfare here) ... <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dressage</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">. <span style="font-size: small;">Of course it all means nothing to him at all and despite my failings, I still enjoyed myself.</span></span>Jooleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511679419931566266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535370146019191675.post-59402187839085248082011-11-19T12:11:00.001+00:002011-11-19T12:20:09.296+00:00Thursday Schooling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On Thursday I was working at home so I was able to go to the farm in daylight for a change. As Jasmine didn't have any lessons until last lesson she came too and we took the opportunity for her to ride Sonny in the menage and do the first 'proper' schooling since her wolf tooth was removed. <br />
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She did some walk and trot work and after a warm up, took up a contact. No reaction. Halleluia, I think we've cracked it! I don't want to speak too soon, but it all looked very good. She moved on into canter and Sonny went very nicely. Throughout the whole session Sonny tossed her head about twice which I think we can allow her as she is still very green anyway.<br />
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I did take some pics, but they were all on Jasmine's phone so I don't have them with me. These are the only ones I took on mine:- <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sonny enjoying a well earned dinner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_jsw5xDT-K0/TsecjlYiihI/AAAAAAAAAFM/gHNXQ_diKQg/s1600/Santana+17+Nov+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_jsw5xDT-K0/TsecjlYiihI/AAAAAAAAAFM/gHNXQ_diKQg/s320/Santana+17+Nov+11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santana showing off his shine and having a bit of dinner so Sonny didn't have to eat alone!</td></tr>
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<br />Jooleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511679419931566266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535370146019191675.post-5733315130412077892011-11-13T17:21:00.001+00:002011-11-13T18:11:19.601+00:00AutumnWhat a fabulous day for a ride! Warm sunshine and the trees looking beautiful in their autumn colours. Went to the farm with all intentions of having a lovely day. It didn't work out quite like that though. Jas had her "teenager" head on today, so nothing I could do or say would be right, unless it involved buying her something, such as that new pair of yard boots she's after or an appointment to have her hair done. She's already forgotten that I only just spent £169 on an iphone 4s and before that £120 on a laptop for her. £50 for the vet for her horse, oh and she also needs a passport for the school ski trip and a pair of GHDs . I know you bring this on yourself when you have children, and I love my children dearly, but I don't need this kind of treatment right now. I have enough going on already!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MYnSYG3uJkQ/TsADLKdDgKI/AAAAAAAAAEs/qAf8ETySCWk/s1600/IMG_0686%255B1%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MYnSYG3uJkQ/TsADLKdDgKI/AAAAAAAAAEs/qAf8ETySCWk/s320/IMG_0686%255B1%255D" width="239" /></a></div>
We did ride, but it wasn't very enjoyable for me. As you can see we weren't really 'together'. When we got back to the yard I didn't waste any time in putting Santana back in the field and took Jas home. Then I went back to the yard to have some "me" time with my friends.<br />
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One of my yard friends has bought me the Intro B walk/trot test and has instructed me to learn it because she's going to take me to a show on 11th December. Yikes! I need to learn the markers first because I haven't a clue - I just about know where A and X are!<br />
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When I got back home, it was still sunny and lovely so I took Sybil out for a long walk. Bless her, at nearly 15 she is definately slowing down.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vNhvXcZetaU/TsAGwsCLyhI/AAAAAAAAAFE/ZDIPl65QW8Y/s1600/Sybil+13+Nov+2011+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vNhvXcZetaU/TsAGwsCLyhI/AAAAAAAAAFE/ZDIPl65QW8Y/s320/Sybil+13+Nov+2011+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Come on mum!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g0EC362OqCw/TsAGd8BKKoI/AAAAAAAAAE8/BjcTWYRnOvQ/s1600/Sybil+13+Nov+2011+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g0EC362OqCw/TsAGd8BKKoI/AAAAAAAAAE8/BjcTWYRnOvQ/s320/Sybil+13+Nov+2011+001.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If I was a few years younger I'd chase that bird!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ACH4dgK6Ss/TsAGSqkMlbI/AAAAAAAAAE0/DtgwVFzQ-7w/s1600/Sybil+13+Nov+2011+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ACH4dgK6Ss/TsAGSqkMlbI/AAAAAAAAAE0/DtgwVFzQ-7w/s320/Sybil+13+Nov+2011+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are we nearly there yet?!</td></tr>
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<br />Jooleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511679419931566266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535370146019191675.post-17044382784125286592011-11-10T22:54:00.001+00:002011-11-10T22:57:29.367+00:00HaynetI would like to thank <a href="http://hay-net.co.uk/">Haynet</a> for renewing my enthusiasm for blogging about my horsey life and stuff in general. Also for the inspiring posts and blogs from all the members. How wonderful to have such lovely horsey people from all around the world all in one place. What a wealth of knowledge, ideas and experience to draw on!Jooleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511679419931566266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535370146019191675.post-12804508970026150102011-11-10T22:35:00.001+00:002011-11-10T22:52:08.012+00:00Vet, Teeth and a Crazy CanterI had a day off work today for the vet to visit. My work involves me taking minutes of a meeting all day on a Wednesday and I then have the option of working at home on a Thursday to type up my minutes if I wish. This is really convenient because our vet's free call out day is a Thursday. This sort of happy coincidence doesn't normally happen to me so I make the most of it! I gaily booked the vet for Santana's flu jab and while he was there, to look at Sonny's teeth because we concluded she had a wolf tooth coming.<br />
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Typically, my meeting was cancelled on Wednesday (doh!) so I had to take a day out of my leave. As it happened it was a lovely day and I spent most of it at the farm and getting other odd jobs done.<br />
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Santana was duly jabbed in his backside, much to his dismay, but he quickly got over it after he'd turned his nose up at the vet's peace offering in the form of a polo mint.<br />
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Sonny's turn next and she had a jab in the neck to sedate her so the vet could rummage around in her mouth in relative safety. He found the offending wolf tooth and made short work of whipping it out. You wouldn't think such a tiny little thing could cause so many problems. We will see in a week's time whether it has done the trick.<br />
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While Sonny dozed off her sedative in her stable I went for a ride round the farm with a couple of yard mates who happened to be there. Most of the ride was nice and calm and relaxed, until Friend no.1 suggested we have a canter up sandy hill. Friend no.2 is a slightly less experienced rider and happened to be in front at the time. She turned the corner to sandy hill and shot off into the distance in a flash before we'd even got round the corner. Santana was popping on all fours with his neck arched in an impressive imitation of a prancing arab stallion. Friend no.1 said she'd be ok if I went so, I slightly eased Santana's reins. He needed no further encouragement and shot off up the hill after Friend no.2. Speed I can cope with, it was the fear of him bucking which I didn't like. Luckily for me it didn't occur to him to buck and started to run out of steam halfway up the hill. Ah ha! I thought, you're not stopping now just cos you feel like it! and I pushed him on up to the top of the hill. How exhilarating!Jooleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511679419931566266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535370146019191675.post-1192293116582464512011-11-06T17:44:00.001+00:002011-11-06T17:44:13.170+00:00Swapping HorsesOn Saturday there was a shoot on at the farm so we had to get the horses in early. Fortunately it was just a small one and they were only planning on bagging about 10 birds so it was over quite early. We were able to ride at lunchtime and so we went out for a hack round the farm. Both horses were chilled and we had a lovely relaxing ride. Back to the yard to feed them and muck out. Had a quick look at the poo filled field, and decided it would still be there tomorrow.<br />
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Today, Sunday, Jasmine wanted to do some schooling so she went in the menage while I watched. Sonny was very attentive today and Jas was really pleased with her. I have a quick ride on Sonny when she had suitably tired her out. We walked and trotted and then tried a canter but Sonny is much more forward than Santana and I could feel myself tensing up so I called it a day. <br />
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Next it was Santana's turn and we went in the menage too. He behaved impeccably, walking out nicely, trotting in straight lines and nice round circles and some lovely cantering. The only mishap was when we were cantering and I went to push my hat up out of my eyes (*note to self - buy new hat!) and Santana thought something untoward was going on and rushed off. But we quickly got back under control and I suffered with my hat over my eyes!<br />
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Jas had a ride on Santana and was impressed with how much he has improved since she last rode him. Its good to be able to ride each other's horse from time to time as you get so used to the way your own horse goes that you can get set in your ways. Jas was saying that Santana's canter is so different to Sonny's and she has to use different muscles just to stay in the saddle! <br />
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We must swap horses more often.Jooleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511679419931566266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3535370146019191675.post-26163816889757338672011-11-06T17:15:00.000+00:002011-11-06T17:15:03.698+00:00An AcheAs I get older I seem to acquire aches and pains like they're going out of fashion. But the one in my heart at the moment is like no other. I miss my son and my daughter so bad. My son came to dinner last Friday and it was so lovely to see him, I wanted to hug him and never let go, but you can't put that much pressure on your children can you. I see my daughter every day, twice on weekdays, but its not the same as living in the same house. She has been a bit "off" with me recently.. I don't know whether its normal teenage-ness and I'm reading too much into it but, it hurts when she snaps at me. I know its very hard for her too so maybe that's why. She was quite cheerful and chatty today which was lovely, and it tore me apart to leave her at home and go to my mums after we'd ridden.<br />
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Will this ever seem "normal"Jooleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511679419931566266noreply@blogger.com2