Getting going then ... whoops!

Throughout February everything was getting back in full swing, Socks got the all clear to return back to full work, Lara was in the process of being backed and Picnic had her sparkle back.

After surgery on her tendon sheath, Socks had made a text book recovery and all the hard work of in hand walking and sticking to the rehab programme paid off when her leg has almost returned to normal and you have to look really hard to notice where the injury had been, result!

Picnic is back in light work and definitely feeling looser and happier in herself as proved when she got very excited being allowed to trot over a pole and proceeded to leap and hump down the side of the arena with little working breaks (thankful for neck straps).  It is lovely to see her cheeky side back!

Exciting developments with Lara as she is happily walking and trotting under saddle and hacking out very boldly.

Everything was looking very promising for the start of 2014 and finally I had 3 horses soon to be in full work and the diary was on its way out to get planning some outings.  Then a little 'whoops' happened... 

It was a lovely quiet evening and I decided to give Lara a little session in the arena, little did I know that at the bottom end behind the hedge lurked about 50 sheep!  Unfortunately as we were walking down the long side of the arena the sheep decided to all run at once from behind said hedge and appear in full view dashing up the hill, obviously known for their horse hunting abilities Lara took quick action to launch out of danger.  I however didn't take such quick action and got unseated and stylishly (or not) fell straight down full face dive into the floor, not recommended! After an ambulance trip to A&E thankfully no broken bones but lots of bruising, concussion and a very pretty face means I am out of action for a few weeks.  The scan showed the bruising is causing pressure against my spine resulting in pins and needles and basically painful so until the swelling goes down I'm grounded :(

Getting there slowly

It's 2014 and everything is coming together slowly.  Unfortunately we've not had much to write about the last couple of months as the days have been quite repetitive, mainly consisting of in hand walking twice a day!  Picnic has just been spending time out in the field and not in work and Lara has not had much time dedicated to her due to only seeing her in the dark.

Now it's going to be all systems go.  Picnic is going to be brought back into light work and see how she goes after having some time off, the ringbone looks to have settled down and she is now sound again so time will tell as to how much work she can return back to.  Picnic has retired from competition but I am hoping she can still enjoy being ridden for a few more years yet as she has not taken to retirement getting bored and can be a little bit of a handful!

Socks is now in ridden work and we are increasing her trot work every week so by the end of the month we can start to introduce canter.  It has been a long slog doing the In Hand walking with all the wet weather and the dark evenings but I have to say she has been very good at working in the dark to fit in two sessions a day!

Lara is a real sweetie but I have felt very guilty that we haven't progressed as quickly as I'd hoped, but with socks rehab programme and work getting in the way we just keep running out of daylight.

So hopefully 2014 will bring a more successful year with more ups than downs with healthy, happy horses!

Surgery for Socks

The day arrived when it was time for Socks to go in for surgery at Newmarket Equine Hospital which also meant a 7 hour round trip to Newmarket!  Thankfully the traffic was quiet and we made it there and back without getting stuck in any traffic, not even on the M25 so that could only be a good sign.

When we got there it was an amazing place, the staff were very helpful and the stables were immaculate which all helped to make me feel at ease leaving my horse with them.  Before leaving I had an appointment with Socks' surgeon, Ian Wright, who ensured everything was explained to me and allowed me to ask any questions I might have.  It felt very strange driving the lorry home empty and couldn't help but worry.

The next morning I was a nervous wreck waiting for 'that call' to say everything went well, I knew she was second on the list for surgery so would hopefully not have to wait too long.  Finally the call came and I felt such relief to know she was up on her feet and was ok, I had to wait until later that evening to find out the full details but when Ian rang he was really pleased with how it went and there wasn't anything structural only damage to the tendon sheath which was exactly what he expected from the scans which he tidied up and put right.

Kindly the staff took a photo of Socks in her hospital bed as she is staying there for a few days to recover and it is lovely to see she looks bright eyed and quite happy - I can't wait to get her home!

Socks in her hospital bed at Newmarket Equine Hospital

A month of '1st's (but not in the rosette sense!)

Wow its been a hectic few weeks and Socks has been one busy mare!  Picnic the Showjumpingshire on the other hand has been enjoying her leisurely strolls and schooling sessions but not so keen to see the lorry keep leaving the yard without her.  We are hopeful that now she is on a new joint supplement and her workload has changed that she will be able to go for an outing soon and I get the feeling there may be a 'sit tight' moment or two as she is feeling very well in herself.

Socks has suddenly grown up and progressing very well, coping with lots of new situations and in the space of 3 weeks it has been all systems go!  Socks has so far done her first fun ride, first cross country jump, first full course of show jumps, first warm up in the school with the door open and first run though of a prelim dressage test.  I am very proud of her and here is a quick summary of everything she has managed to do.

Fun ride - We went to Barbury Castle on the autumn fun ride organised by the Vine and Craven Hunt.  This was the first time Socks had seen so many horses in one place and the first time she had ever seen a cross country fence.  The first log was quite funny as she stopped with all four legs spread apart snorted took a minute to work out what i was asking her to do then lept it landed and shot off towards the next one with ears pricked, only problem being that she kept collecting her canter and showjumping them!  By the end of the ride she managed logs, tyres, rails and even a steeplechase fence when we were feeling brave although she still kept showjumping them all almost jumping me out the saddle each time!!!

Course of Showjumps - We hired Rectory Farm arena with a full course of BS show jumps, there was a course set up complete with fillers so we thought we would do a mock competition and just warm up over one fence then have a go at the course.  Socks was bursting with confidence and although a little wobbly into some of the scary fillers she took everything on and managed a course of 11 fences clear!  Good pony!

Schooling away from home - we have been out to 2 different venues for lessons, the first with Tessa Thorne in an indoor school on her own and the second at AM Dressage with Matt Frost in an indoor school sharing with one other horse.  The lesson with Tessa was great as there happened to be lots going on and horses being lunged next door so she had to cope and other than a few baby moments of calling out she coped very well.  We went to Matt for two days and had one lesson on each day, the second day we ran through a full test and managed a warm up with the door open and didn't disappear  out of it!  She worked beautifully and it really felt like we had a breakthrough in our training - the best feeling ever and probably equals a win out competing.  After working so hard I cannot stop smiling at the fact I now am starting to have a grown up horse that is beginning to enjoy her work and we are becoming a partnership (with the odd disagreement buck - she really does know best!)

Now we need a little rest before we are off to hire out the showjumps again then I think it may be time to try our first competition... watch this space!

Onwards and upwards (hopefully)!!!

It looks like Picnic the Showjumpingshire may have to take things a little easier, at 18 years of age she is starting to need a bit more TLC and although is full of life her joints say otherwise.  It is so upsetting when the best horses start to get old and she is one of those one in a lifetime type of horses!  She will still be out jumping but cannot be my 'main horse' there is no way she is ready to retire and would be bored senseless if she wasn't allowed to do a bit of jumping and get out in the lorry every now and then but I have had to come to the very hard decision that I want her to last as long as possible so cannot continue to rely on her to be my main competition horse.  If I could clone her I would, but as this is not an option the hunt is on for another to join the team, as they say onwards and upwards!  

We have driven miles this month to try various horses, all aged between 4 and 6 with interesting outcomes, the joys of horse shopping.  I am very thorough wielding out the overpriced, undertrained and wonky donkeys as best as possible but you cannot avoid turning up to at least one that is far from what was described in the advert!  The first two I tried made my youngster Socks seem advanced and worth a fortune, another that was "cleaned limbed with no lumps or bumps" turned out to have a gash out of its hock, sarcoids, sores and far from ready to go out competing.  Then I found a lovely 4 year old mare, the conditions were far from perfect when I turned up the try her, the heavens opened and the rain didn't stop until we were in our car ready to leave, we rode in a grass paddock and after such a dry week the rain made the ground quite greasy but although slightly slippery in the corners the mare managed incredibly well and had an amazing jump not phased by anything.  

I was impressed and decided to book a vetting, drove up with the lorry (tempted fate) and was so excited to have possibly found my next horse.  Our vet turned up and the vetting commenced, within the first few minutes something wasn't right and it turned out she had a heart murmur, not completely put off as I wanted her for show jumping not eventing we continued.  Flexions were perfect, ridden assessment, and pretty much everything else went well until she threw a front shoe, then her microchip didn't match... well that was now 3 things so we waiting for the results of the microchip and it turns out the number had just been written down wrong, phew she was the right horse!  However there was nothing we could do about the lost shoe so when trotting on a circle on the hard she was quite sore understandably.  After lots of consideration a cardiologist and a chat with my vet we decided not to go ahead and keep looking, I cant afford to take another risk and after the luck we've had with horses not being particularly good I think it was a sensible decision.  So back to the internet search!

Socks jumping at home

Socks is going very well but I am still bringing her on slowly as I don't want to rush her just because Picnic needs to slow down.  I have been having lessons with a dressage trainer, Tessa Thorne, who is really good and ensures I have enough to work on in between lessons to make sure we are on track to keep progressing.  We are booked in to try working away from home for a lesson so fingers crossed that goes well, then we are off to hire an arena with showjumps to see what she thinks of that.  At home she is up to jumping round 1m courses quite happily here is a little video of us enjoying a little jump over the bank holiday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEPO1MO5uDU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

    

Showjumpingshire on Weston Lawns, setbacks and scarecrows

Well July has been a mixed month for the Showjumpingshire full of sunshine and drama for both her and her field mate Socks, heres a quick update on a busy month.

Fitness has been the main theme as we prepared for the Amatuer Jamboree being held at Weston Lawns which included the amateur and Scope qualifiers.  

Picnic had been jumping and schooling well and also had her own personal trainer out in the fields (Ranger dog) during circuit training!  The weight loss had been on track meaning the muzzles I felt so guilty for buying have done their job and the girls were getting trimmer finally.  

At the beginning of July Picnic went out for a weekend hack on a beautiful sunny morning and ended up in the middle of the village scarecrow festival!  We had gone round the block oblivious that the annual scarecrow competition was in full preparation and as we turned off the main road we were greeted by a drunken scarecrow sat outside the pub... at this point Picnic was the least bit impressed and we took a wide berth to safely pass, little did she know this was just the start and garden after garden was full of a wide variety of scarecrows ranging from a talking duck sat in a hedge, a scarecrow fireman rescuing a cat up a tree and a bike riding scarecrow!  

The weekend of Weston Lawns arrived and I decided to go down on the Thursday night to settle in ready for Fridays classes.  We also took Socks along for a 'jolly' to see what the competition scene is all about and possibly enter her in the small class if she behaved and coped with the atmosphere, but really it was for her just to have a stress free time away with no pressure... Picnic on the other hand had qualifiers to take on!  I was slightly nervous as its the first time I'd gone away on my own with two horses and wasn't sure on how it was going to go as my husband couldn't get down to join me until the following evening so I had 24 hours to cope all by myself.  Socks travelled well as that was the longest journey she had ever done so first hurdle complete, they both settled in well to their stables and the logistics of unloading and getting them to the stables without help went smoothly so I needn't have worried.  

Day one of jumping arrived and they were still both very happy enjoying the busy atmosphere and behaved impeccably on a morning walk and grass nibble.  When Socks was left alone as Picnic went off to jump it was a little stressful for her but she coped well and we couldn't hear her squeaks after ten minutes and hoped she was still there!

Picnic jumped a superb double clear in the national amateur class qualifying for the Weston Lawns Grand Prix on the Sunday, we weren't quite quick enough to be in the prize money but only missed out by 2 places out of a huge class.  I am getting braver at asking strangers for help to horse hold while I walk the course, people are really friendly and helpful when you are on your own, it does help that Picnic is so well behaved at shows I could almost leave her on her own.  We found some shade and waited for our next class the Katherine James Scope Qualifier, once again Picnic jumped a great double clear and I thought we were in with a chance but again just missed out on a qualifying place - need to kick on a bit more and not worry about being so pretty :)  I was still thrilled with our days performance and Picnic felt equally pleased with herself, a quick cool wash for her (and me) and then it was Socks turn to explore the showground which was very exciting!

The next day our class was one before the end of the day so had a chance to watch the HOYS qualifying class with over 150 entries!!!  The girls had a good leg stretch in the morning but then when I went to collect Picnic in the afternoon she seemed off and the stable was a mess with shavings everywhere, she was very quiet so I tacked her up and took her off for a wander, she felt very stiff and crooked, poor Picnic seemed to have got cast although not lame she didn't feel right and I gave her a little canter round the warm up but even a jump didn't perk her up so I withdrew and packed up to go home.  It wasn't worth risking jumping her and with no turnout it was unlikely she would get any better by Sunday more likely worse so our 3 day show turned into a 1 day, but on the bright side I had a little ride round on Socks and she had been out to her first stay away show and Picnic jumped double clears in all her classes.

Picnic took a few days to feel a little better and after some turnout and gentle work she will be out again soon.  Socks has been all go with lessons and hacking and her first time out in open fields for a canter, she is really progressing well.  We were booked in for some intensive training over two days at AM Dressage but that did not happen as is the normal with horses as soon as they go well a drama is just round the corner... Yes it seems Socks picked up a virus while she was away so urgent vet visit as she wasn't eating or drinking, so the last few days she has been in isolation and feeling very sorry for herself.  Test results have come back and it looks like she has a mild respiratory infection and is now on the mend eating again and will be allowed back out with Picnic once her cough has gone.  Our outing has been postponed but as soon as she's fit and healthy we will be back out and edging ever closer to our first competition!   

Showjumpingshire's first competition of 2013

We made it to our first competition of 2013, finally!   Amazingly even the sun came out as we made our way to Summerhouse to brush off the cobwebs and remember how to ride a course - and hopefully a jump off.  Everything still fitted thankfully as my show jacket and boots have not seen daylight since about October last year, Ranger the dog came along for support and we arrived with plenty of time to leisurely get ready and walk the course.  I decided to enter the Katherine James Scope qualifier and had the aim of a double clear for the day, we were quite far down the list so watched a few rounds before going to get Picnic.  The course seemed to be testing quite a few riders and I hardly saw anyone jumping clear, it was table A7 so had a separate jump off, the top 6 qualify for Scope but you have to jump clear in the first round.

I went to get Picnic who was looking very excited about the occasion and completely embarrassed me near the warm up area when she wouldn't stand at the mounting block for me to get on!!!  After a kind offer of help from a spectator to hold my wild horse while I mounted, a quick check of how many to go before us we went off to warm up.  Picnic was so pleased to be back out and rather excited so took a little while to gain her concentration but overall she felt good.  On entry to the arena I felt like I was on a green 4 year old as she wobbled around the edge of the arena spooking left and right at everything, flowers, numbers, advertising boards, people!  I kicked on and got the best canter I could and headed to number one, thankfully on landing she switched into competition mode, realised where she was and was off pulling my arms out to get to the next fence, all the combinations rode well and as we made our way round the course it felt like we had never been away, had a brief moment as she tapped the last fence when we got a bit quick on a long run to the last but thankfully it stayed up and we were clear and waiting for the jump off, good pony!  The jump off had a very tight turn back to number two - we hadn't practised any of these so I was a little worried if we'd make the turn.  I warmed her up again as the last few were jumping and she felt a little overconfident not really listening and thinking she knew best, I managed to settle her then it was our turn, I couldn't get Picnic to focus and perhaps because we were a little out of practise we knocked fence number one, arrgghhh, so with that down we just pushed on making every turn inside we could and I was pleased with Picnic even though she got a little over exhubruent over the last taking a stride out!  We ended up 7th bringing home some prize money but unfortunately missed out on qualifying by a place, but for our first time out and both a little rusty we decided to end on a good note and make our way home get the diary out and plan the next trip.

 



Timing is everything...

The diary is back out and we are looking at planning some outings, Picnics fitness programme is going well although she is on a diet along with Socks due to the breakthrough of that Spring grass - I have threatened grazing muzzles if their waistlines don't decrease at the weekly weigh in.

Major achievement of the week goes to Socks for going out the yard for the first time all by herself, she walked down the drive like a pro and even made it past scary gateways and signs, brave pony!  Her flatwork is really progressing well in the school and she is much more workmanlike without losing her cheeky character after coming back from her winter break and has filled out nicely. 

Next week we have a two day senior instructors flatwork clinic to look forward to, I thought I'd take Picnic along to work on our canter as a little warm up before we get back out competing.  It's held at the fabulous
Unicorn Trust organised by the TTT, I attended last year with Socks and gained a lot from the two days away as well as the fabulous food!

Timing however is everything... so far events that have also happened this week include the lorry failing its plating - so fingers crossed the garage can fit a retest in before next week and my jumping saddle breaking - ummm yes thats right, while jumping at home I heard a big cracking sound on landing followed by Picnic bucking, turns out the front plate had broken clean in two pieces - good job I wasn't out at a competition!  It is now in being replaced and will hopefully be back in time too.  

I'm also on the lookout for a new horse to add to the team now I have found Flynn a super home.  The potential horses I have found so far the viewings have been unsuccessful and I don't seem to be able to find what I'm looking for just yet... another Shire x TB would be perfect!

A bit of sun a lot of rain and Picnics back jumping

We had a lovely albeit brief spell of sunshine which thankfully lasted long enough to make Badminton a great weekend, horses, shopping, picnics and wine - the perfect combination! I went on the Friday with some friends and covered all the above although had an eventful morning prior to getting there which involved nearly getting bronked off my 18 year old mare before 7am!

Flynn has hopefully managed to find a new home and goes off on trial next week to a friend who is going to have him to play with over the summer as I have had virtually no interest from advertising him, it will be a lovely home for him and he'll be spoilt rotten!

The rain has made a return with a vengeance so out come the rugs again and back to soggy jods! Although the weather is miserable I however am not as I finally started jumping Picnic again on Sunday, it's funny with horses how one day jumping at Windsor is the best feeling in the world and the next it's jumping a cross pole at home, your goal posts just keep moving... So fingers crossed the cross pole will soon be in the warm up arena at our first show this year!

Back in 'real' work

Enjoying a bit of early morning sunshine

Staying positive when nothing goes to plan

This year is turning out to be a very slow starter, every time we are ready to get out and show off all our hard work and training over the winter something happens which prevents us and we start back at square one!  Some things are within our control and some things are not but either way you need to be able to quickly make a slight detour to take the 'scenic route' on your way to achieving your goals.

So with no competitions for the Showjumpingshire I have lots of extra time on my hands as nearly all my horses are out of work for one reason or another and I am using it as an opportunity to develop 'me'.  I have joined a gym, designed my own website and nearly completed my UKCC portfolio for submission.  I thought rather than turn into a green eyed monster as everyone else goes off in their lorries loaded with horses to competitions I would remain positive and focus on myself so I am fit and ready for action when my horses are.

First step was a website which I have kept meaning to do but never got round to it, I still have some small changes to make but this is the first draft www.ksequestrian.co.uk

Next step was to get fit and I am trying to get to the gym three times a week and include some classes and swimming, its going well so far noticing a big difference from the work on core strength although finding Bodypump a killer!

I am also using the extra time to study and create an action plan for completing my BHSII but still trying to work out financially if it is better to go straight in at UKCC3 show jumping specific, its a hard decision as it depends which would be a more recognised achievement, I am leaning towards the BHS route as I feel it covers all three disciplines but they are quite expensive so I need to be sure I've made the right decision.

Update on the Showjumping Shire... For the moment Picnic is just on walking exercise slowly building up her workload and praying she stays sound!  Unfortunately she went lame in front and was reluctant to go forwards freely so after some physio she now seems a lot happier in herself, she was very tight in her shoulder and neck but time will tell if its done the trick and she's got another session due in a few weeks if all is well otherwise it will be a vet visit... lets hope not!

You Can’t Teach an Old Horse New Tricks… or Can You? / Animalife News

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You Can’t Teach an Old Horse New Tricks… or Can You? / Animalife News

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The keys that nearly vanished

March has been an interesting month, competitions and training had been planned out starting with a lesson at Summerhouse in Gloucester to polish up on our course jumping followed by our first competitive outing, but in the true horse tradition nothing goes to plan!

Feeling super organised putting the lorry on charge overnight, I loaded it up, trimmed Picnics feathers, pulled her mane and generally got her looking respectable to go out in public.  Then for the first time ever (and I hope the last) I couldn't locate the lorry keys, now of course I have previously struggled to find them for about 10 minutes but never before actually 'lost' them.  I hunted everywhere, the tack room, the car, at home but they seemed to have vanished and there is not a spare set either, so after lots of cursing and feeling very stupid I made the phone call to cancel my lesson explaining the lorry would not start but did miss out the reason why because I had no key... I felt too embarrassed to actually admit this.  Realising what not having a spare set meant made me even more annoyed for losing them as I would need new locks all round plus arranging somehow to install a new ignition and didn't even want to think what it was going to cost!  I turned everywhere upside down hunting for the missing keys and it wasn't until I was tidying the tack room and putting the bin out I made a desperate last search attempt pulling on my rubber gloves and picking out every item from the bin piece by piece,  as I neared the bottom of the bag and still no sign I was about to admit defeat when I heard keys jangling as I picked up an empty coffee container and there they were, somehow they had fallen in the bin and inside the container, relief!  

Lambing time for the Ryeland Sheep

Having keys to the lorry meant we had wheels again but would now have to wait to get out and about as I had a busy week of training, lessons to teach and it is also lambing time with our Ryeland sheep so lots of late nights and early mornings but they are so cute its all worth it.  March has not been all bad with newborn lambs running around and I started Socks my 4 year old back in work after her winter break which she is finding very exciting but convinced she really should be doing much more than walking.    This has being helped greatly by winning Maxavita's 'try something new competition' where we won 3 months supply of Maxacalm and as you can see Socks couldn't wait to get in the first tub!  I also this month attended a training day with Charles de Kunffy on the principles of correct training which I thoroughly enjoyed and always love the opportunity to be able to take away different exercises and ideas to use both for my own horses and when teaching others.   

Socks with her competition prize of
3 months supply of Maxacalm

With every up there is a down?

Picnics training had been going very well and she was back on track to get out competing this weekend, her fitness had improved and she was consistently jumping out of a great rhythm.  However, as everyone knows with horses there are far more downs than ups but if we only wrote about the upside there would be a lot of blank pages!   

So the upside was that all the hard work with schooling, interval training and gridwork had paid off and Picnic was feeling great and jumping well.  Friday our Chiropractor was out for the horses routine visit and Picnic needed just a few minor adjustments to ensure she was at her best and good to go, she enjoyed a lovely hack in the sunshine at the weekend which was a welcomed change in the weather conditions and felt almost 'Spring' like.  Now for the downside...  On Monday morning I arrived at the yard to find a dishevelled Picnic stood at the back of her stable, her rugs were hanging round her neck with broken straps and the bed looked like a war zone.  On closer inspection I could see the back wall had chunks out of it and the top blocks had been pushed out but thankfully it had withstood the evenings activities!  Picnic had never been cast in her stable before and they are big stables fully rubber matted with a good bed of shavings so it was just one of those things.  Leading Picnic outside to check her over she seemed very sore and stiff and her front hooves were marked with white paint.  I reorganised her rugs then removed her magnetic wraps that she wears every night, one of the front boots had a tear in it but had not gone all the way through to her leg underneath, not only did her magnetic wraps help with her circulation they also protected her legs from being scraped down the wall!  Her legs were a little puffy but no obvious injuries I walked her round the yard cold hosed them off then put her back to bed after finishing morning stables.

On return to the yard in the afternoon after finishing work I decided that Picnic could do with a stroll in the sunshine to walk off any stiffness, I got the other horses all exercised first so we could take our time and have a relaxing wander.  It was a beautiful sunny afternoon with a clear blue sky and very still, we set off and I was a little concerned as she was very dull and reluctant to walk out which is not Picnic like at all, we even past a chainsaw cutting trees down but still no interest from Picnic.  I pushed her into trot just to see how she felt and thankfully she felt sound but still stiff so kept her walking to the end of the lane.  As we were approaching the main road I was just thinking of turning round as she had had a leg stretch and was still feeling sorry for herself when out of nowhere she launched Lipizzaner style into the air followed by a buck then continued along the road humping for a few strides, apparently she took offence at a car towing a boat!  Laughing at her while regaining control I notice there are now two coaches, a cement lorry and a skip lorry coming towards us and by now its too late to turn round we have to keep going!  Heels down, sticky bum jods and bridged reins all helped in us staying together as the vehicles passed, bless her at 18 I really don't think she is ever going to grow up!  As I said before there is always an upside - this was it Picnic was feeling better, panic over, although she tried to deposit me in the road (downside).  We made it home in one piece but I wouldn't say it was a relaxed wander and I didn't share Picnic's enthusiasm at all times!

Picnic posing - butter wouldn't melt!

The next day she started off stiff again and there was a small amount of heat in her legs but walked it off so we will continue light work for a few days and hope she hasn't done any permanent damage after getting cast.  Unfortunately there will be no competing this weekend for the Showjumping Shire but at least she is in one piece and hopefully this is just a minor setback.               

The half clipped horse

Now the weather has calmed down (I realise as I write this I'm tempting fate) I decided to do the horses final clip of the winter. All my horses are very good to clip but there are limits as I found out yesterday!

Picnic was first in the queue and being half shire means her coat grows very quickly as do the feathers! The sun was shining with not even a breeze, perfect clipping conditions ... Or so I thought.

Happily clipping away having nearly finished I hear Ranger, our dog, barking and look up but as normal he's barking at nothing so I carry on, next thing Picnic is acting like a 2 year old launching in all directions, I persist as only have her quarters left to do and that at 17 she really ought to know better. What I didn't realise as she progressively got worse and I couldn't hear over the noise of the clippers was something I forgot about... the hunt was out and currently right outside our drive :). Standing back to admire my 3/4 clipped horse looking like a devil possessed and wondering how I'm going to finish, I admit defeat. The hunt now in full view and the followers arriving Picnic was trying her best to join them as we made our way back to the safety of her stable, a few near misses but we made it, then luckily I notice Ranger in time as he's about to run after a pack of hounds in the next field, phew, disaster avoided!!! 

 

Just in case you're wondering the designer clip has been made more traditional after all the excitement was over we were able to finish - but not until about 5pm!  Lets hope for less drama with the next horse in the queue for clipping.  



Picnic - The completed clip

 

Ranger - The Yard Supervisor



Perfect timing to buy a new horse???

It feels like its been a long winter so far with rain, snow, frozen pipes and show cancellations - roll on Spring! 

Perfect time to buy a new horse.... hmmmmm perhaps not when the big freeze hits.  I have been looking for a little while for a new addition to the team and a week before the severe weather made its appearance I found Flynn.  He is an 8 year old 16.3hh Irish Sport Horse, lovely gent with a super jump and hopefully my next showjumper after a bit of schooling and fittening work, we managed nearly a week of training and he was taking it all in his stride, settled in quickly and it was all systems go.... or so I thought until the great British weather had other ideas.  Hopefully it won't be long until we can get out and test ride him round a few courses :)




The new boy - Flynn




Along with probably the rest of the country we got a good covering of snow making it near on impossible to keep horses in training without the use of an indoor arena, this meant that even if competitions were not cancelled my horses were not prepared due to the wintry conditions so the showjumping shire has had to stay at home and unplanned holidays all round!  Picnic and I did go for a stroll out in the snow but that was about as exciting as it got, apart from a sneaky canter, I couldn't resist being a big kid! 



Picnic dreaming of an
 indoor school

At one point I got so fed up of not being able to get my horses back in work that I went out in the lunge pen and dug a track (I think this was slightly more of a workout for me than the horses) I was very pleased with my efforts and surprisingly I think the horses did too as they worked beautifully without any high jinx at all and even more shocking is that they stuck to the track, I think it's the way forward to assist horses staying even on both reins without falling in or out, but I don't fancy digging through snow every day to achieve this result :)

The thaw has begun so lets get the flooding out the way then fingers crossed for a dry cold end to winter.

A new rug, coaching assessments and early mornings

 

Picnic has been treated to a new rug as she was getting fed up of wearing an old waffle at shows that had a few too many extra air holes in it, she looks rather smart in it and it couldn't have come at a better time after all the bad weather we've had she drys off nicely in her new coolex after a hard workout in the rain.  Rain is the main theme of the week ... or year!!!  but it has its advantages as Picnic has been able to enjoy hydrotherapy sessions right outside the front gate where what used to be the lane once was.  The school has had no chance of keeping up with the amount of water as it is flowing in from the fields and the drainage pipe is submerged under water, thankfully the surface has not floated away but as you can see we have our own water complex that my 4 year old Socks was investigating, but once the water level goes down it drains very quickly so schooling can resume!

This week was assessment time for my UKCC2 and after it beng such a long time since I did my BHSAI or any exams for that matter I was a little nervous to be in front of an examiner again!  After a very early start of half four in the morning my horses were all shocked to see me and even more so when I threw them out in the field when they were tucked up warm in their stables quite happily.  I made my way down to Dorset and had a successful day, I actually enjoyed the assessment lesson and the two riders I had were lovely.  I had excellent feedback from both the assessor and riders which is a real confidence boost for my next step to my BHS Intermediate teaching and UKCC3 which I hope to take early in 2013, now all I have to do is find lots of guinea pigs to practise on over the winter to perfect my lunge lessons :)      

Showjumping Shire jumps well at Hartpury

Arrived at Hartpury along with the rest of the country judging by how many people were there!  I'm not sure if nothing else was on this weekend or events had been cancelled but it was the busiest I'd seen and the first class didn't finish until after midday!!!  (Thankfully Picnic does not mind standing on the lorry as long as she has food she is very happy).  Eventually walked the course got Picnic ready then made our way over to the warm up which thankfully had quietened down as I put us down towards the end of the class.  After out lesson yesterday working on more control of the quarters in canter and changes Picnic felt incredibly loose and elastic right from the work go - I felt like I was sat on a pocket rocket!  Feeling very pleased with the way we were jumping I decided to stop while the going was good and wait until we went down to the main arena warm up before popping over a final couple of jumps.  When we were called down she felt equally as good except she got a little over excited at the tunnel to the arena refusing to go in so we had to make a speedy entrance then get back under control and reset before starting the course.  Aiming for a steady double clear and trying to put into practise everything from our lesson yesterday we set off after the bell, I enjoyed every minute and although at times I knew we could have picked up the pace a little and cut inside some jumps I did have at the back of my mind - if I let her cover the ground and go on between the fences I couldn't guarantee I'd get her back again as she was feeling very 'bubbly' - so I was very happy with a clean and consistent round.  Due to the time it was taking to get through the classes and I still had Socks to exercise on return home sadly we only managed the one class which was a shame as Picnic was feeling so well but we'll be out again next week for the Blue Chip Power qualifier so fingers crossed for a repeat performance!

Snow, floods and training at home

The lovely British weather strikes again and what a long winter ahead is in store when its snowing before we are hardly into November!  I have had a week of getting soaked while trying to do anything be it teaching, riding or just emptying the wheelbarrow however I have used the miserable weather as an excuse to swot up and experiment on some new schooling exercises to keep my horses enthusiastic and build up their strength ready for the winter season competing. 

 

An exercise I'd like to share is one I have found very useful to improve the canter and get horses sitting with more weight behind, waiting for the fences and producing a better jump - it is also great if like me you are working your horses on your own with no ground help it enables you to practise jumping without having to keep getting off to change fences around - for safety keep them small as more cavaletti style if you are on your own, or at a height you are comfortable.  The exercise is simple jumping off a 20m circle, but has a little twist in that the jump is set at an angle on the circle a couple of strides before 'X' one fence as a cross pole at each end of the arena so you have 2 circles and able to swap reins without moving anything - work at one end of the school on one rein then change rein and go to the other end approaching each jump on the curve rather than straight.  Put your horse in shoulder-in on the circle and remain so on approach to the fence and do not adjust the stride sit and wait encouraging the hind legs to step under at all times allowing the horse to get right underneath the jump remaining on the circle line on landing and carrying on, putting the horse back in shoulder-in and approach the jump again, this exercise can be done in trot before moving on to canter.  I then also added a fence on the long side by 'B' so I could straighen the horse out and see if I still had the same feeling on a straight line into the fence of a much more connected canter with the horse up in front without placing the horse just allowing the stride to remain consistent and balanced to the fence.  It really makes both of you work hard and ensures you are working on a powerful canter pushing forward as you have to keep the impulsion and flexion to remain in shoulder-in.  You can vary this exercise to suit your horse, I found by adding in smaller circles, perhaps every other time you approach the fence miss it out by turning inside on a circle to encourage a lazy horse to use its hind leg and overemphasize the 'skip' as its hind leg comes under, maybe try changing to traver on the circle or approaching from the other direction to ensure you have the horse between hand and leg as the angle is such the opportunist may run out, I will try to get some photos or videos of my horses training at home but as I work on my own a lot with the horses I can't promise it will be soon!  I have a lesson this week before I am out competing at Hartpury Saturday so I should have some pictures and videos to share of us out and about.     

 

 

Going back to the bad weather last week, yesterday (Sunday) was by far the worst for a while, unfortunately the lane to our yard floods which means without a 4x4 its always quite nervewracking driving through it in my Ford Focus when you cannot see the road and a bow wave runs alongside as you make your way through (photos below show just how bad the lane can get - and yes the mighty Ford Focus battles on through).  After finally making it to the yard the fields resemble lakes and the sheep looked like drowned rats so I felt so sorry for our ram that I offered him an umbrella for a while - they do have lots of hedges and trees to get under but for some reason animals never use the shelter available and would much rather be out in the open getting soaked!  The horses spennt the day in and were very content munching away tucked up warm in their stables looking out at the flooded fields and watching the snow become increasingly heavier.  Thankfully by the afternoon it all stopped and I was able to ride without getting wet - result!!!

 

 



The training begins ...

A quiet weekend training at home for Picnic and she is looking and feeling great at the moment, the extra time meant we could spend time on some gymnastic work which is invaluable to keep her supple. Socks also was put through her paces down the grid and seems to be getting stronger behind starting to really sit and push but gets tired very quickly so keeping sessions short so she stays keen!

Picnic feeling well and looking good

Earlier this week I visited the TTT in Surrey to watch Herwig Radnetter teach who is one of the most senior riders at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna.  There was a good selection of horses and riders of all standards and Herwig makes the training sessions very informative and progressive.  I now have lots of inspiration to try out some of his methods on my clients so watch out!  My horses have already been subjected to being guinea pigs and I have to say Picnic was almost enjoying her flatwork and turning into a dressage shire showing off half pass and changes.  Including this work in my training sessions is really helping loosen her back and the canter is benefitting becoming much more powerful and connected - we will be out jumping Puissance classes at this rate!  (But we'll settle for consistent double clears).

Socks posing!
(Photo courtesy of Fiona Crawford
www.fionacrawford.co.uk)

As promised here are some pictures from Socks' weekend away training at Stockland Lovell earlier in October.  She slept for two days afterwards - being a well behaved model 4 year old takes a lot apparently!


Thats the way to do it!
(Photo courtesy of Fiona Crawford
www.fionacrawford.co.uk)

 

ShowjumpingShire on Animalife Sponsorship, back to school and time out at the pub!

Exciting news I have received an e-mail from Animalife accepting us onto the sponsorship programme not sure what it will consist of yet but very pleased to be working with them and will keep checking my e-mails for further updates.

More news on the mail front is that my course coaching pack arrived on my doormat for my top up course to gain my UKCC2.  Being a freelance instructor I decided I wanted to add to my BHS qualifications with the aim of eventually becoming a BS accredited trainer so first step was to get onto the UK Coaching Certificate path and work towards entry for next September onto the UKCC3 showjumping specific award in coaching.  Having gained my BHSAI many years ago it is going to be a shock to the system 'going back to school' and preparing for exams and building portfolios but I am really looking forward to it as all the hard work and studying will be worth it in the end! 

After all the excitement a well deserved ride in the sunshine was on the cards and of course we had to celebrate with a drink, it would be rude not to!!!

Showjumping shire wondering where the cider is