I half expected both muzzles to be off when I arrived this morning,I was convinced Polo's was at one point cos he was head down grazing and certainly didnt rush over to me,AliG did mind:))
Im really pleased they looked noticeable less bloated than usual after a night on the grass. Mr OTT Polo who I was expecting to be tramatised by the whole event was completely chilled out AND the best bit his legs were cooler and tighter than they've been in ages!
I poo picked while they tucked into some soaked hay then rode AliG first in the school for 35mins.He was being a wet lettuce about the foal,the same one Polo was silly about (must be some foal),so I did some ground work first as I could feel my patience wearing thin.I then got on and did lots of trot work with a bit of canter,didnt see the point in working on anything else till he was settled and listening.Towards the end I spend some time working on his walk which I think is his worst pace as he grinds to a halt at times. I concentrated on not nagging him but as soon as he started to drop back I gave him a sharp tap with the leg then the whip if he didnt respond quickly once we had some nice forward free walk on both reins I called it a day.
I then rode Polo up the lane with the dogs he was much more settled today which was a good job as Buster had a long chase of a rabbit in the fields which is always accompanied by lots of excitement and yapping from the dogs.Buster was hyper after that so I had to watch and check him quite a bit after that as he kept trying to take off looking for more so Polo was an after thought really:)
Did a very short trot he felt ok ,when he's been out of work he struggles to shorten and steady his trot so I literally did half a dozen strides,didnt want to risk more of his big long trot on the hard tarmac.
Left them in for the day then turned them back out teatime they were pretty accepting of the muzzles going on.
AliG made me laugh he managed to get a larger plant through the hole and wouldnt let go but was obviously struggling to bite through it.He came over to me and we had a tug of war trying to snap it,I gave up in the end cos he wasnt letting go he eventually bit through it and the root dropped out.
They were off grazing in the longer grass when I left,I'll be there early tomorrow morning to put them in for the day as im off to Kelso,Scottish borders for a dog show all three entered :)
Saturday, 14 June 2008
Friday, 13 June 2008
Nasty mummy!
Felt pretty mean this evening as I took the plunge and muzzled them both.Their weights are climbing despite coming in every day and making a track to restrict the grass so I borrowed Ellie's muzzles until I go a get some(you'll think im extra cruel when you see the colour!).
When I first put them on Polo looked totally baffled and was walking backwards as soon as AliG realised he couldnt graze properly he got pretty mad and started charging around...suppose thats burning more calories.
I poked grass up through the hole for them so they'd realise they could eat im hoping leaving them on all night isnt a bit long for the first time but after much head tossing,rubbing and galloping around they did seem to be getting the idea and going to the longer grass,Polo definitely has the wiggle going on to work the grass through the hole.I hung around for a good hour taking sneaky looks at them (as soon as they saw me they came running over doing the guilt trip) to make sure they were fine.
I rode them both this morning.Polo had a hack up the lane with the dogs,he was still very tense,hurried and sharp so I rode him up and down four times until I could feel him relax and drop into a 'proper' walk.Its difficult cos I cant give him a good trot or canter to take the fizz out of him as his soundness and the reasons behind his problems are still both in question..although seeing him gallop around the field makes you wonder how bad he is!
I then was going to take AliG in the school but as usual just as I was going over someone from the yard went in so I lunged him in the field first for fatburning/cardio then went for a hack we didnt go too far as I was running out of time but he was a good boy.
Oh the shame.........
Lets gallop they might fall of....
When I first put them on Polo looked totally baffled and was walking backwards as soon as AliG realised he couldnt graze properly he got pretty mad and started charging around...suppose thats burning more calories.
I poked grass up through the hole for them so they'd realise they could eat im hoping leaving them on all night isnt a bit long for the first time but after much head tossing,rubbing and galloping around they did seem to be getting the idea and going to the longer grass,Polo definitely has the wiggle going on to work the grass through the hole.I hung around for a good hour taking sneaky looks at them (as soon as they saw me they came running over doing the guilt trip) to make sure they were fine.
I rode them both this morning.Polo had a hack up the lane with the dogs,he was still very tense,hurried and sharp so I rode him up and down four times until I could feel him relax and drop into a 'proper' walk.Its difficult cos I cant give him a good trot or canter to take the fizz out of him as his soundness and the reasons behind his problems are still both in question..although seeing him gallop around the field makes you wonder how bad he is!
I then was going to take AliG in the school but as usual just as I was going over someone from the yard went in so I lunged him in the field first for fatburning/cardio then went for a hack we didnt go too far as I was running out of time but he was a good boy.
Oh the shame.........
Lets gallop they might fall of....
Thursday, 12 June 2008
Time bomb of what!
Ive replied re the saddle on my last post:)
Well I rode Polo today and it was like sitting on a ticking time bomb..couldnt tell you if he was sound or not he was that hyper and bouncy!
Took him in the school for a gentle walk around,well that was the plan, I figured this would be better on his legs.Im not sure what got him so worked up but there was a mare with a new foal in the small paddock next to the school that he seemed fascinated with.He can do ANYTHING when he's in this mood so I suppose he did well holding himself together and not dumping me,he was chomping on the bit like demon.
I'd almost forgot how sensitive he is to the seat seems so long since I rode him, despite him being seriously wound up a slight shift and he was changing directions I just stuck to circles,loops and serpentines then called it a day after 20/25mins.
I then re-stacked my shavings and cut down a ton of dock leaves and weeds in the field,remind me why I pay livery?.
My brother came up to go out longreining with AliG we went out for well over an hour and my feet were killing coming home.He was a good boy walked out well apart from the odd grab at grass,we went down the steps onto the road then round a back up the hills which was HARD,he had a little spook at a bus but it did hurtle past us apart from that he was great.
We had a near miss coming round the corner not far from the farm.I could see the car coming down the lane pretty fast just as we were approaching the corner I was totally helpless as I didnt have time to move Ali and tuck him in so I stopped and literally stood shouting waving my arms.The drive saw us at the last minute and slammed his breaks on luckily just in time I was terrified and did a good deal of swearing,bless him AliG didnt flacker!
Drive apologised but I see him flying up and down the lane all the time as he works at the garage which is on the yard owned by the same guy who has the livery yard,I'll have a word with him next time I see him.
Feeling very smug and satisfied with myself tonight!
Well I rode Polo today and it was like sitting on a ticking time bomb..couldnt tell you if he was sound or not he was that hyper and bouncy!
Took him in the school for a gentle walk around,well that was the plan, I figured this would be better on his legs.Im not sure what got him so worked up but there was a mare with a new foal in the small paddock next to the school that he seemed fascinated with.He can do ANYTHING when he's in this mood so I suppose he did well holding himself together and not dumping me,he was chomping on the bit like demon.
I'd almost forgot how sensitive he is to the seat seems so long since I rode him, despite him being seriously wound up a slight shift and he was changing directions I just stuck to circles,loops and serpentines then called it a day after 20/25mins.
I then re-stacked my shavings and cut down a ton of dock leaves and weeds in the field,remind me why I pay livery?.
My brother came up to go out longreining with AliG we went out for well over an hour and my feet were killing coming home.He was a good boy walked out well apart from the odd grab at grass,we went down the steps onto the road then round a back up the hills which was HARD,he had a little spook at a bus but it did hurtle past us apart from that he was great.
We had a near miss coming round the corner not far from the farm.I could see the car coming down the lane pretty fast just as we were approaching the corner I was totally helpless as I didnt have time to move Ali and tuck him in so I stopped and literally stood shouting waving my arms.The drive saw us at the last minute and slammed his breaks on luckily just in time I was terrified and did a good deal of swearing,bless him AliG didnt flacker!
Drive apologised but I see him flying up and down the lane all the time as he works at the garage which is on the yard owned by the same guy who has the livery yard,I'll have a word with him next time I see him.
Feeling very smug and satisfied with myself tonight!
Wednesday, 11 June 2008
Spring cleaning
Im being very hit and miss re this blogging malarky but ive been very busy cleaning quite literally EVERYTHING thats crossed my path!
The dogs have had a bath...ive been through my house doing windows,floors etc.....and today the stables have been emptied and powerwashed:)
Im having bother with my new treeless (Vogue)so after much discussion and Claire bringing her Fhoenix for me to take 'compare' pics its going back to get checked over.Im hoping its faulty cos if not then its simply not right for either of my two and im not sure whether i'll be stuck having to re-sell it and end up going back to the Fhoenix which will be a pain!
Im borrowing M's SBS this week cos nothing else fits AliG he's that wide I am going to continue with the long reining too as I think its done wonders with him, he so much more forward and seems to be enjoying his work.
He was funny yesterday I lunged him in the field.He was obviously having a bad day or couldnt be bothered and had a right strop on which invariably leads to working much harder than i'd ever ask:))
The weather isnt great today,rain, but im hoping tomorrow to ride Polo and maybe longrein AliG out if my brother is free....
The dogs have had a bath...ive been through my house doing windows,floors etc.....and today the stables have been emptied and powerwashed:)
Im having bother with my new treeless (Vogue)so after much discussion and Claire bringing her Fhoenix for me to take 'compare' pics its going back to get checked over.Im hoping its faulty cos if not then its simply not right for either of my two and im not sure whether i'll be stuck having to re-sell it and end up going back to the Fhoenix which will be a pain!
Im borrowing M's SBS this week cos nothing else fits AliG he's that wide I am going to continue with the long reining too as I think its done wonders with him, he so much more forward and seems to be enjoying his work.
He was funny yesterday I lunged him in the field.He was obviously having a bad day or couldnt be bothered and had a right strop on which invariably leads to working much harder than i'd ever ask:))
The weather isnt great today,rain, but im hoping tomorrow to ride Polo and maybe longrein AliG out if my brother is free....
Friday, 6 June 2008
1st day over and counting.
Oh I love being on holiday the things you can accomplish when work's not getting in the way:))
I had a nice schooling session with AliG today.Spent the first 10/15 mins in walk doing figures of eight,serpentines and circles just using my seat and some of the upper and lower neck flexes Rachel had me working on.He was very good on the right rein but set his neck on the left and was leaning I persisted asking for the flexion and we did eventually get some bend although rather hit and miss.I did cheat and use the corners a fair bit:)
Moved into trot and again he was leaning in on the left lifting the inside rein up and across seemed to help this..no idea if this is correct or a good thing to do but it got results.
He had a boing when all the horse's in the field started fighting and galloping around but that was it no explosion aka Polo.
I asked for a little bit of canter towards the end,I was much improved since my trip to Cornwall as ive been finding his canter really bouncy and difficult to sit to.His strike off's were spot on, im eventually getting my head round the fact unlike Polo he doesnt need a whole lot of preparation and 'help' to go into canter its easy for him.Even when 'I' feel there's not enough impulsion and forwardness he can still spring in effortlessly..im still learning to adapt to the differences.
Had a nice chat to a girl on the yard when I was leaving the school.She and a friend have lessons up a Rock with Peter she said I could have jumped in their wagon but it only takes two! Anyway she mentioned her friend teaches,have seen her riding a gorgeous chestnut who she's produced to medium-advanced herself,so I said i'd pop over and when she's about and book a couple of lessons to get us started.Im still waiting to hear if my paid for lesson will be transfered over hoping to get up there for the July clinic if not August for sure.
She absolutely loved AliG who was standing patiently while we gassed:)
Spoke to vet yesterday(she's been on holiday) I explained my LGL theory she's happy for me to see if I can get him comfortable with reducing his grass intake then go from there.Im hoping to introduce him to light work next week and see how he holds up if things still arent right I'll get back to her.
No horsey news tomorrow im off to Bramham for the day for the XC faze...its brilliant day out,very well organised with lots of shopping to be had so im really looking forward to it although not so keen to be getting up at 6!
I had a nice schooling session with AliG today.Spent the first 10/15 mins in walk doing figures of eight,serpentines and circles just using my seat and some of the upper and lower neck flexes Rachel had me working on.He was very good on the right rein but set his neck on the left and was leaning I persisted asking for the flexion and we did eventually get some bend although rather hit and miss.I did cheat and use the corners a fair bit:)
Moved into trot and again he was leaning in on the left lifting the inside rein up and across seemed to help this..no idea if this is correct or a good thing to do but it got results.
He had a boing when all the horse's in the field started fighting and galloping around but that was it no explosion aka Polo.
I asked for a little bit of canter towards the end,I was much improved since my trip to Cornwall as ive been finding his canter really bouncy and difficult to sit to.His strike off's were spot on, im eventually getting my head round the fact unlike Polo he doesnt need a whole lot of preparation and 'help' to go into canter its easy for him.Even when 'I' feel there's not enough impulsion and forwardness he can still spring in effortlessly..im still learning to adapt to the differences.
Had a nice chat to a girl on the yard when I was leaving the school.She and a friend have lessons up a Rock with Peter she said I could have jumped in their wagon but it only takes two! Anyway she mentioned her friend teaches,have seen her riding a gorgeous chestnut who she's produced to medium-advanced herself,so I said i'd pop over and when she's about and book a couple of lessons to get us started.Im still waiting to hear if my paid for lesson will be transfered over hoping to get up there for the July clinic if not August for sure.
She absolutely loved AliG who was standing patiently while we gassed:)
Spoke to vet yesterday(she's been on holiday) I explained my LGL theory she's happy for me to see if I can get him comfortable with reducing his grass intake then go from there.Im hoping to introduce him to light work next week and see how he holds up if things still arent right I'll get back to her.
No horsey news tomorrow im off to Bramham for the day for the XC faze...its brilliant day out,very well organised with lots of shopping to be had so im really looking forward to it although not so keen to be getting up at 6!
Wednesday, 4 June 2008
Hot work
Ive been working day's this week as although the college is semi closed for two weeks we still have to be in to do 'paperwork' and other bits and bobs(very boring).
The hormones on the dog front have been more settled today but Mouse is starting now so the peace wont last long!:0
We did get away from work early and my friend from work was bored so volunteered to come longreining.I was naughty and lunged AliG for 5mins in the top field before we set off as he'd not been worked since Sunday when he was a bit hyper and I couldnt use the school as it was busy.I think YO's hubby might have seen me so im half expecting a slapped wrist next time I see them.It's the field they use for their horrendously bad hay(full of weeds and hay disappears in a puff dust!)I did stick right to the edge next to the muck heap but if YO is having a bad week she will pull me..which is fair enough I suppose.
Anyway AliG was most definitely NOT in a hyper mood today its safe to say,in fairness it has been an extremely hot day and I was too hot to be bothered:)
So he strolled off the yard dawdled down the lane, having a play with a wheelie bin on the way(friend was opening and shutting the lid much to his amusement),tappy lappied past the riding school then along the lane without a care in the world.He really is quite hilarious you can see him soaking everything in and almost whistling to himself.My friend said he's like a young kid you see walking home from school scuffing his shoes with a sachel on his back:)
He seemed to have a very nice time anyway.
My friend was puzzled then impressed when we arrived and I said "hang on I let Polo out for his wee he'll be desperate", took him on the verge he had a pee then put him back in his stable(he hates weeing in his stable) said she's never met a toilet trained horse before:)
They are coming in around 7.30am until teatime,im hoping with the restricted grazing and coming off it all day will help in the battle of the bulge,havent been able to feel any pulses in Polo's legs the past few days so that good.
Work all day tomorrow them im off from Friday for a week ..hurray!
The hormones on the dog front have been more settled today but Mouse is starting now so the peace wont last long!:0
We did get away from work early and my friend from work was bored so volunteered to come longreining.I was naughty and lunged AliG for 5mins in the top field before we set off as he'd not been worked since Sunday when he was a bit hyper and I couldnt use the school as it was busy.I think YO's hubby might have seen me so im half expecting a slapped wrist next time I see them.It's the field they use for their horrendously bad hay(full of weeds and hay disappears in a puff dust!)I did stick right to the edge next to the muck heap but if YO is having a bad week she will pull me..which is fair enough I suppose.
Anyway AliG was most definitely NOT in a hyper mood today its safe to say,in fairness it has been an extremely hot day and I was too hot to be bothered:)
So he strolled off the yard dawdled down the lane, having a play with a wheelie bin on the way(friend was opening and shutting the lid much to his amusement),tappy lappied past the riding school then along the lane without a care in the world.He really is quite hilarious you can see him soaking everything in and almost whistling to himself.My friend said he's like a young kid you see walking home from school scuffing his shoes with a sachel on his back:)
He seemed to have a very nice time anyway.
My friend was puzzled then impressed when we arrived and I said "hang on I let Polo out for his wee he'll be desperate", took him on the verge he had a pee then put him back in his stable(he hates weeing in his stable) said she's never met a toilet trained horse before:)
They are coming in around 7.30am until teatime,im hoping with the restricted grazing and coming off it all day will help in the battle of the bulge,havent been able to feel any pulses in Polo's legs the past few days so that good.
Work all day tomorrow them im off from Friday for a week ..hurray!
Sunday, 1 June 2008
What a difference a day makes!
It was hot and sunny yesterday..today raining and pretty chilly.
Ive been really busy this week hence my lack of posting.Minx is in full season and Mouse is starting,Buster has got me demented with whinging.OH has been taking Buster with him through the day and me the girls or vice versa.I'd like to spay the girls before their next season(Mouse might be going to breeder this time as its now or never:-0) but if I do thats the end of showing them having said that this is hard work!I cant see why they cant be shown neutered seems ridiculous they've done so well it would be a shame not to be able to continue.
Need to think on it some more...
Oh Buster got fourth at the show Monday didnt get anything with the other two although I did think Minx was going to be placed at one point.I wasnt expecting anything to be honest as the particular club who were organising the Border Terrier classes are really clicky and ive never been placed at any of their shows:)
Ive not done a huge deal with neddies this week AliG's had a sesson in the school and a couple of lunge/groundwork sessions.
Polo's still not right im starting to think he's LGL ,ok well im convinced!Ive had my suspicions for the past couple of summers which is why ive always brought him in through the day and strip grazed.For the past week they've been coming in early morning till late afternoon yesterday however I was late getting to the farm and when I brought them in he had a definitely digital pulse.
Im not certain this is the whole problem but it wont be helping matters so yesterday I made another track cutting down their field and grass substantially they've been in from 9am till 6pm when I turned them out they positively bounded around the field and Polo looked pretty light on his feet.
AliG had a longreining session out and about today.The weather was awful,lots of cars on the roads and the riding school down from us was having a show so it was pretty testing for him.He kept stopping and looking at all the goings on as we passed the show and whinnied a fair bit but other than that was fine.It did fire him up though and he was on a huge mission walking and jogging along.He got rather excited/sharp going over the flyover,dont think the noisy,wet busy roads helped, but he had a few spooks and bongings.
All the way along the track he was doing this very lovely slow contained trot,we were still just at brisk walking pace,I kept him on a slight angle for control alternating sides..it all looked very impressive:)
Soon as we got onto the field and lane for home he chilled out,he was steaming when I took his tack off.
Physio is coming tomorrow to check on Polo and 'do' AliG:)
Ive been really busy this week hence my lack of posting.Minx is in full season and Mouse is starting,Buster has got me demented with whinging.OH has been taking Buster with him through the day and me the girls or vice versa.I'd like to spay the girls before their next season(Mouse might be going to breeder this time as its now or never:-0) but if I do thats the end of showing them having said that this is hard work!I cant see why they cant be shown neutered seems ridiculous they've done so well it would be a shame not to be able to continue.
Need to think on it some more...
Oh Buster got fourth at the show Monday didnt get anything with the other two although I did think Minx was going to be placed at one point.I wasnt expecting anything to be honest as the particular club who were organising the Border Terrier classes are really clicky and ive never been placed at any of their shows:)
Ive not done a huge deal with neddies this week AliG's had a sesson in the school and a couple of lunge/groundwork sessions.
Polo's still not right im starting to think he's LGL ,ok well im convinced!Ive had my suspicions for the past couple of summers which is why ive always brought him in through the day and strip grazed.For the past week they've been coming in early morning till late afternoon yesterday however I was late getting to the farm and when I brought them in he had a definitely digital pulse.
Im not certain this is the whole problem but it wont be helping matters so yesterday I made another track cutting down their field and grass substantially they've been in from 9am till 6pm when I turned them out they positively bounded around the field and Polo looked pretty light on his feet.
AliG had a longreining session out and about today.The weather was awful,lots of cars on the roads and the riding school down from us was having a show so it was pretty testing for him.He kept stopping and looking at all the goings on as we passed the show and whinnied a fair bit but other than that was fine.It did fire him up though and he was on a huge mission walking and jogging along.He got rather excited/sharp going over the flyover,dont think the noisy,wet busy roads helped, but he had a few spooks and bongings.
All the way along the track he was doing this very lovely slow contained trot,we were still just at brisk walking pace,I kept him on a slight angle for control alternating sides..it all looked very impressive:)
Soon as we got onto the field and lane for home he chilled out,he was steaming when I took his tack off.
Physio is coming tomorrow to check on Polo and 'do' AliG:)
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