Moved!

Netherwooder no longer, moved to the Rickyard this weekend. Got everything done on Saturday which was a relief! :hail: Suzy for the lend of Molly Lorry and to Lorna and Kev for being fabby and basically moving me and Flowpo as I was quite useless due to crippled toe.

Madam went out with new friends and is instantly bottom of the pile as expected. Comedy moment when they all galloped off, Flow had a time delay and waited until they were all the other end of the field before galloping after them shrieking Had a lovely evening with Lorna and Kayem.

She turned out fine yesterday - was worried she might be a bit wired. I would like to point out here that I'm not just being a wimp, it's a good 5 minute walk to turn out along a track which overlooks the motorway, hence the apprehension! And she is in the furthest away field possible. In a couple of weeks when they change to winter grazing, her field is 3 seconds away - bliss! Suzy came up to help turn out but luckily madam didn't put a foot wrong.

Met another of my neighbours whose mare is out with Flow, seems like a really nice girl. I bought a kettle and mugs for visitors and sorted my stuff out properly. Have now done all cleaning and am a bit what to do with my day off tomorrow!Hoping I can lunge today, foot seems much better despite me managing to slice another toe at Lorna's on Saturday night, I am so clumsy!

Lesson booked with Fran for 15th November, am so excited, been AGES since I've had a lesson.

Long time no blog!

Sorry Mr Blog! In updates, I am moving to a new yard on 1st November. It has good hacking, 2 lovely schools and is close to home. Scared to be leaving my beloved Netherwood but excited too. We lost Pepsi last week, one of my ponies from home :(

Pepsi went down in the field and couldn't get up. So he has gone over Rainbow Bridge with lots of other much missed horses. I am glad that Dave made the decision and that it was before winter, he was very old and frail, but I will miss seeing his furry little face so much. I feel awful that I doubted that Dave would do the right thing, I know how much he loves his horses and should have realised that he would. I wish I could have said goodbye properly though.
We think he was about 29/30 this year. He was always such a character. He was only 12.1 but loved his mares and used to attempt to mount Jelly Bean who was 15.3 when she was in season :rolleyes: He was great fun to ride, especially to jump, although he had a mean buck/drop shoulder manoevure that had everybody off. I only came off him once when we were cantering across a field and he did that, little monkey.

I used to call him my teddy bear because he was so fluffy and cuddly. He liked to pretend that cuddles were not for boys, but the last time I saw him (when he was pitifully thin and I thought that it was looking like time to call it a day) he was very cuddly and happy to see me.
He liked going to shows, we let local children borrow him sometimes and it made him feel important. We went to Revesby and did some inhand stuff and he was so pleased to be out and about with the important ponies. I'm sure he'll be enjoying himself wherever he is now, telling everyone he is a big stallion and chatting up all the mares :wub:

Sleep well sweetheart. You were so loved, and will be so missed. This is how I want to remember you (above)

Flow was very naughty hacking last week but got a big telling off from Auntie Fran and seemed to learn lots (after putting us backwards into a hedge and showing the world her tummy). But this week has been better.

Schooled madam last night and she was amazing. Stretchy and compliant from the off, had shoulder in, leg yield and a good stretch. Up into trot and she was struggling with the surface so only did 10 minutes of trot and called it a day. She is a clever pony :wub:
Have been much much firmer with her since last Sunday at all times - practicing using "wait" and 1 click to move her on. And she gets a proper telling off for anything naughty - she really tried to kick me when picking her feet out so she got a b*llocking, and then back to calm. It has been really effective - it is hard for me to not be soppy and lovely with her all the time but I need her to respect me (and she still loves me - I turned her out and she came back to the fence for cuddles and scritchies which she has never done before). Decided to try hacking again today, plan was to go inhand with a sensible companion.

Got to yard and decided to try riding her but have a lunge rope with me so I could slip off if she started to rear.

She was fine! Got on and she didn't want to wait but I insisted that I was in charge and we stood for a good 2 minutes. When we got onto the road, she was a bit hesitant at first so I used my clicking and was firm that we were going and she was good. She got quite strutty but that's ok, it's forwards. She was a bit upset when2 bikes came past from behind but all she did was shake her head and jog which I managed to settle her from. Had an "oh sh*t" moment when we turned round to come home - I could hear a massive tractor. However, we waited in a driveway with Meg closest to the road and I kept saying wait - and she did! I could feel her heart beating but she trusted that mum said it was ok. Got home without any problems, was absolutely over the moon.

I am not particularly bothered about hacking on my own, although I'd like it to be something we can do occasionally so I will practice the alone stuff when her confidence is up hacking in company.

Looking forwards to see Lou tonight for curry :biggrin:

Cantering + sunshine = big grin

Didn't use school - 2 horses have fallen over in it in the past week and B had a scary near miss when her horse went down to the hardcore yesterday :eek: so I rode around the yard and in the fields.

She was fab :clap: First "hack" alone for ages. Just kept it all very chilled. Had a lovely canter in the field and she pulled up easily (well as easily as madam ever does :lol:) and I told her how clever she was. She was very pleased with herself.

Bought rather a lot on ebay last night, a mediumweight turnout with neck, a heavyweight stablerug with neck, a fleece.....and a thermatex exercise sheet :blush: Black with poiple binding. Whoops! Poor! All needed though....

Had a lovely evening at Kat's being very rubbish at rockband. Another weekend gone, they zoom by too quickly!

Update

Madam had physio on Thursday, Halina was really pleased with how much she has improved :banana: One of her main issues now is her tenseness in her poll so I have to massage it as often as possible. She was much happier after physio. Got to carry on riding/working her as I am, keep massage padding but alternate between back and neck and do some pole work. She is coming to watch me ride her in a month which will be really interesting.

So I just lunged her yesterday and she was incredibly relaxed, so much so I had to wave my coat round my head to get her to trot :lol:

Cleaned all my tack today, bathed pony and then went over to see Jo. Was so, so lovely to see her and SuperHarv and their new yard, and Jo's new house too. I am beyond jealous of their hacking :thud: miles and miles of fields. Hoping to get Flow over there for a weekend of hacking :banana:

Then back to the yard to ride Madam. Was a little odd as noone was around and usually there's lots of people so I lunged first to get the tickle out her toes. Was just leading her and she stood up behind me, the lunge whip had poked her in the nose. Poor Flow!

Rode and she was really good, asking for a bit more in terms of outline and not letting her dictate it to me. Got some nice canter both ways and called it a night. School was incredibly deep though, it really worries me :unsure:

Need to try to find someone to clip her and thin/chop her mane for me too really, she is starting to get a bit furry...

Ken lesson 2

Had our second Ken lesson last night. H got some pictures so shall try to put them on here later.
Worked on LY in trot, shoulder in in walk and trot, outside flexion on a circle and really trying to keep the rhythm. Worked on the dreaded canter transitions again - pull her up if she runs. Went off on wrong leg so circled round that way which Ken said was the right thing to do. Need to give hands in canter and not go all stiff through my seat. Also worked on rein back which she is good at :clap:

Worked on me too - I really need to think of boobs and belly out as I go a bit armchairy and hunchbacked. Also legs back. When we go sideways, leg GENTLY to her side so we don't have overreaction.

Ken got on and madam told him off :lol: but settled down to look fab. He said she is taking the mickey a bit with me with her neck but we will give her the benefit of the doubt for now because of her previous issues.

He is really chuffed with the improvement we have made in 5 months :)
Last Ken lesson tonight, need to kidnap him!

ETA forgot that we worked on walk to canter too to try to help the tenseness - put canter aids on and even if we get a couple of strides of trot that's ok.

Ken lesson 1

Madam was sore on Wednesday so had some massage and TLC from yard physio :hail: We hacked for the first time in weeks :banana: on Thursday - I say hacked, it was around the yard but she doesn't know that's not hacking! We went up the track, into fields (wimped out at pylon field, had a bad feeling about it) and Lorna was excellent company. Just kept my reins really loose and kept patting her (it really relaxes her if you do that). Was chuffed to bits - we negotiated two gates too, and we were chilled out :clap: Will keep hacking round yard until I feel confident to tackle roads again.

Physio lunged her for me on Friday and she was a good girl. When there was a spare Ken space tonight I jumped at the chance to have it. Really enjoyed it, cheered me up as having an emo day. He was really pleased with how much more relaxed and stretchy she is. Said we have been working exactly right and to continue (:hail: Fran) and that she needs long and low to a contact like Fran teaches us rather than on the buckle which was good :thumbs: (Obviously some buckle work in rest bits)

Trot we did some leg yield - half circle back to 3 quarter line, sort of on the diagonal and ask for leg yield just as we go straight. Also did shoulder in and she was fab :clap: Inside leg on, outside hand on neck, look through her ears, inside shoulder back but hips the other way. Need to keep her relaxed in lateral work and ask more gently with the leg.

Did an exercise in walk, I think it was quarter pirouettes? :dunno: Half halt and move shoulders round 90 degrees and then forwards. Need to think of that for the canter. Ken proclaimed that she had a canter and a half :biggrin: I said it was why I bought her, I couldn't ride it but wanted to learn how to! I need to go with the movement and hula, not shovel, and also SIT UP!

Worked on canter transitions too - get her in a quiet, steady sitting trot and sit for a few strides and then ask - sit UP in transition and allow her to go forwards into it, keep it crisp and not running. Asked if we could work on canter for our next two lessons as I need to crack on with it now - there is a slight mental block still so anything to help is good!
Flow was very pleased with herself, and quite rightly so :wub:

Good schooling session

Am finding it hard that some people have been saying she is dangerous but am trying very hard not to take offence (I feel very protective of Flow and strongly feel that she is not dangerous) and I am sure people just don't want to see me get hurt. Anyway!

Lunged before getting on tonight and then had a good session, plenty of canter and sending her forwards in it and not letting her suck back and bounce. First time under the floodlights and she was a little star. Am thinking I may lunge tomorrow before getting on but then stop and just start getting on :dunno: as don't want her to be too mega super fit and get into a vicious circle where I have to lunge. But I think I'll lunge before competitions. Thoughts?
Watching Muse :wub: need to go and see them again!

Stressage in the true sense of the word

Horrible morning :(

Got up late so was in a rush, plaiting took loads longer than I'd thought too so foolishly only managed to get on with literally 3 or 4 minutes till my test :rolleyes: Stupid, stupid girl :banghead: Thought she would be fine as it was at home. Not the case. She isn't usually spooky but the fact I was rushing made her tense, and she clocked the landrover with the judge in and all the people watching. Got on and she was really tense, had to go pretty much straight into trot and nearly withdrew there and then as she felt like an unexploded bomb. Allebazi kindly led me round in walk to try to get her to settle and then I had a trot but she threw her toys and went up, not small either. Sent her forwards and she went up again so I leapt off in tears. Topgroom kindly came and got on, Madam Flow objected strongly, reared, went forwards into canter, was ok, bucked, reared then reared again and B came off, Flow nearly stood on her head :cold: luckily she was ok. Flow then proceeded to gallop round for 10 minutes, winding up Izzy and Mary who were in the field next to the school. Becky has waited so long for Izzy to come sound, I just felt awful.

S managed to catch her and we took her in and put her on the walker but she was still pretty wired. D made me a cup of tea and everyone was lovely. Just felt like such a prat with all those people watching.

Apologised to judge who said the behaviour was dangerous and I should think about what I'm going to do with her. She's not going anywhere. I worship her, retard moments and all. Had a lovely lunch with Lorna :sloppy: and had a good think about what had gone wrong. I'm kicking myself for not giving us time to warm up. I am fairly certain if we'd had 25 or so minutes to walk and trot round and be chilled there wouldn't have been an issue but it was my own fault for rushing and getting her stressed and she totally loses it when she can't cope. Really angry with myself for spoiling what should have been a fun day for me and Flow and needlessly setting us back. But you live and learn.

S was really, really lovely tonight, I don't know her very well but isn't it nice when people surprise you with how helpful they are? She helped me lunge Flow - got her really tired, lots of canter to get the bucking and leaping out of her system and then gave me instructions from the ground when I got on which helped as I didn't have to think, just ride. We had a walk trot canter and she was fab - it's crazy, Midnight never did anything like this but I just feel differently about Flow, am happy to get back on. Am clearly deranged.

S also gave me a beautiful rosette for being brave :lol: :wub: the Netherwood. Feeling a bit meep but we have wine, chocolate and Twilight. And we're not afraid to use them.

Flow swimming and life update

Well, it felt like swimming! Schooled in torrential rain tonight. Haven't ridden for a few days with one thing and another - Gemma lunged her for me on Saturday and Alice rode on Monday but need to crack on again.So pleased with how much she has come on in 5 months - I can now get on and walk trot canter. Yes she grunts and sometimes gets tense but tonight she was mostly in a lovely outline, aided by the rain Dressage at yard on Sunday, eeeek. Our first prelim! Canter is still a bit hairy but I can ride her so much more now, I know she won't kill me so I just carry on and she gives in. Had to pull her up once when she was being very rude, but after that she was fab

She was soaked through though, as was I! Poor girly. Hope she is ok out overnight, I was freezing when I got in.

Small (well large) personal update for those in the know. Went home. It was fine, normal, happy. So so so happy. Like you would not believe. After 3 years of absolute utter shit, I can start to live my life again and move forwards. A weight has been lifted. Life is too short to hold grudges and become bitter. I'm not that person, so we're moving on

New job starts on Monday similar but managing a team - also taking over the Peterborough team straight away. Was rather chuffed that they are delighted - they apparently think very highly of me so will be down in Peterborough once/twice a week for next 8 weeks before they get a new permanent boss.

Getting new car - mum and M are giving me M's car. An MG ZR Excited!

Canter overexcitement

Rode madam in the rain last night and got some awesome work to start with. Am trying to ride a little less politely - not forcefully but just being firm as she is getting a bit rude about pulling. Did leg yield and shoulder fore in walk, practicing halting, had some lovely work. Up into trot and some lovely work there too. Was in a bit of a rush time wise so moved up into canter, got a good transition right rein :clap: and am trying to really sit deep and up so she can't pull me forwards and just hoon.

As soon as we came back to trot we reverted to sideways crab llamaing in trot like a sewing machine :rolleyes: It does remind me how far she has come but it is so frustrating. I just carry on being quiet and riding how I did before the canter transition but she winds herself up so much. It's not as bad on the left rein but we still get it. Need to get through it as we have to canter in tests and it will be rather interesting if we get that after canter :lol:
Ideas? My thought is just to carry on practicing lots of canter and not just doing it at the end so she doesn't anticipate :dunno:

Pony slobber

Went and sat in madam's stable tonight and chilled. I'm sure people think I'm a nutter, but I love doing that. She is so funny, kept putting her nose to mine and then showed her affection by having a big drink and coming and dribbling it down my leg. Niiiiiice

Rode for first time last night, pleased with her. Having to be firm in contact as she is being rude but got some nice work and some smart canter transitions. Clever Flow. Rode in new hat for first time, a Champion Ventair. Very comfy but didn't make a difference to manky hair! Never mind.

Didn't ride tonight, still feel like a bloody space cadet and not quite of this earth. Wondering if I should go to doctor. But what can they say really...? My own fault, perhaps made it worse as got very drunk on Saturday night as we had our friend staying from uni and I was persuaded to go out. Had a great time until I was very ill in the taxi, in Nick's pocket, on Ben's arm, on Ali's dress.....you get the picture :blush:

Ouch

I dropped the fence on my head whilst putting Flow out last night (only I could do this, I am truly a retard) - they are slip rails. It bounced off my head and onto my arm. I was so embarrassed that I didn't think I might have actually hurt myself, even after 15 minutes of being unable to find my keys, having looked in my hat 3 times there they were, in my hat Drove home. Whoops. Got home and Ali kindly took me to hospital. X rayed arm in between random drunk man telling someone they were dead and a poor girl with glass all her arm chatting to us Had head injury leaflet.Felt very weird all night, not sure how I got to work but once there I could not remember my password and burst into tears for no reason so got told I had to go home so auntie picked me up. Been asleep all afternoon, was meant to be out tonight but cancelled.Have regained power of typeage but feeling fuzzy and ouchy. I must have a thin head.

Adore, adore, adore that little horse

Not having the best time atm with one thing and another, and wondered if I should give riding a miss tonight but felt calm after a while at the yard so got on :)
She was fab, no sign of sewing machine so I can only assume it was jumping excitement. We worked on leg yield and shoulder fore in walk, figures of eight and did leg yield in trot and figures of eight, and changing across the long diagonal asking for a bit extra to go into medium. Also worked on halting, trying to get it really from my seat.

She was fabby :clap: a bit heavier in the contact than I would have liked and not as consistent but we are getting there. Had a few "wow" moments - that feeling where they are really in front of your leg but not rushing and you just really have them where you want them and really have a place to sit.

Canter transitions have gone a bit to pot, the canter when we are in it is much, much better but am wondering if because we have been working on getting her less hyperreactive to the leg, maybe I need to ask a bit more strongly? As she is running and then going, which is not like her at all. I did put my stirrups up a hole for canter work in order to try to really be able to feel stable and ask, if that makes any sense :dunno: Fran - any tips, we have a lesson on Saturday but any ideas for practicing before then?

Finished by trotting figure of eights on the buckle with her having a really good stretch :biggrin:
Let her have a treat and roll in the school before going out as she had worked really hard. She looked very contented and she had massively cheered me up :biggrin:

Sewing machine/new hair

Lunged last night and she was a wild pony! Hung onto her whilst skiing in order to not cause chaos! Eventually settled but she is funny.
Rode tonight after a long day at work, there was a tiny crosspole in the middle so popped that twice to start. Am going to have a shameless well done me moment as I find it scary but I'm doing it :clap:

As for the rest, not well done me! I think jumping at the start of a schooling session may be a bad idea, discussed with Ali tonight and we're thinking either pop a crosspole at the end of schooling or do a proper jumping session as just doing it at the beginning meant she was wondering the whole time if we were jumping again and it was like sitting on a pulling like a train sewing machine :rolleyes: Eventually got some semblance of nice work, but lots of wrong lead and galloping round in canter. :scratchchin: I suppose we are bound to have the odd off day.
Oh, I also have new hair :)

[url="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=293844&id=667500216&ref=nf#/photo.php?pid=2840235&op=1&o=global&view=global&subj=509702600&id=509702600"]Poser[/url]
Absolutely love it :hail: godlike hairdresser. Had a halo of mauve underneath and dark brown/red/black everywhere else. Look like me again! The blonde was different but not very me!

Jumpies

Madam had a well deserved day off yesterday, had a text from topgroom with a pic of her lying down :wub: she was worn out!

She was rather full of herself to turn out last evening, didn't I know she was an IMPORTANT DRESSAGE PONY?! :rolleyes: Bless her. Even important dressage ponies have to stand quietly I'm afraid, which she learned!

Jumpies tonight, did the same as last time, asked Ali to get on first and was really chuffed that she could feel a big difference in her too :banana: she popped a few crosspoles and then..............I had the compulsion to get on. So I did! And did the 2 little crosspoles a few times :banana: with a massive grin on my face. She was so good! She is very keen but does listen. Clever, clever Flow. Ali then got back on and did 2 bigger crosspoles and a little upright really nicely.
:party: So, so chuffed and happy tonight.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/photo.php?pid=8158530&id=667500216&ref=nf I look like an actual retard here, special. But look how she is looking after me :wub:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/photo.php?pid=8158518&id=667500216&ref=nf Clever pony
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/photo.php?pid=8158541&id=667500216&ref=nf Our photography skills need work

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1905960&id=517007459&ref=mf#/video/video.php?v=248694465216&ref=nf Video!

Stressage

Decided to travel madam tacked up (good idea Suzy) in order to minimise battles with tacking up at other end. My brother loaded her as she is such a good girl and she travelled well. Got off the other end with a distinct air of "aha! I know what THIS is about" about her. Massively chilled. Went and got on straight away, warmed up and someone had nicked my pony! She was SO chilled. I even had to use my legs! Was then a bit flummoxed as we had an hour to warm up, it was really hot and she didn't need chilling out. Plus dressage warm up arenas are scary millions of people trying to run you over.

Anyway, got in there and she did a lovely test, only one bit where her neck went solid and she said no way am I bending/stretching/anything but it lasted about 10 seconds if that. She does feel a bit stiffer again on right rein though, will give her tomorrow off and see how she is on Friday.We got an 8 for our FWLR and a 7 for my riding the judge needs glasses! But was overjoyed, everything else was 6's and only one 5 for the tense moment. We had no rearing, I had a calm pony and I am so, so proud of her.

The lady that said well done for getting on last time was there and commented on how much more chilled she was.Got a lovely poiple rosette and 62.17%! Absolutely overjoyed, that's a 7% increase. I had thought to myself that I wanted to try to get 60% so I am really pleased with that. When she is more consistent in the contact she will be even better too, her trot was lovely and steady today and calm which is a big improvement. to my entourage (and it really was an entourage!) - Suzy for taking us and beautifying her, Ali, Kat, Lorna and my brother for being awesome cheerleaders.

Had fish and chips at yard after :)

Schooling and stressage tomorrow

Really pleased again tonight. That rhythm is here to stay, I hope! Her trot is longer and feels more like a horse rather than a sewing machine. We are still fighting with head/neck but I just need to keep asking and be patient - we had some lovely moments but it is just balance and strength.

Canter is also improving so much, it is so much more rideable and controllable. So proud of her too, J and W were galloping round the field next to the school, I panicked and pulled her up and she did her best "bothered" face. Clever Flow :wub:

Ran through test for tomorrow, we are more accurate :clap: Just need to keep getting her out until it becomes usual and not overly exciting. Looking forwards to it :) We are just doing intro B as they'd changed the date so had to ring up today and get in last minute.

New saddle

:banana: New saddle arrived yesterday, she felt a bit tentative in it yesterday but was fab tonight.

Rhythm is SO much better, she was fighting me tonight in the contact, had some nice moments but not as consistent so just need to keep on. She feels bigger in her new saddle, I think because it allows her shoulders to be freer. Left canter was really good, played with tempo, right canter not as good, struggled with transition and got wrong leg twice so really thought about what I was doing and got two nice transitions :clap: Finished with trotting figure of eights with her on the buckle end :clap: then walked round the yard on our own twice and she was super chilled :)

I bought her a likit for outside her stable when she is tied up as she bites everything, and she was very impressed. So impressed that she managed to figure out how to eat it all :rolleyes:
I have realised that I was really stressed last week and she was grumpier than usual. She is really sensitive and I think she picks up on my mood much more than I realised. Am trying to be happy and chilled around her and it seems to rub off on her.

My brother just suggested a money saving tip - after watching a Fran lesson a few weeks ago he feels that all she does is tell me to "walk around a bit" (apparently in an Irish accent?!) so he has said he will charge me half :heehee: He is a comedy genius.

Fantastic lesson

So pleased with my little Flowpony today :wub:

Need to keep practicing and have her rounder than I think I need her as I throw the contact away. But equally if she gets excited about cantering don't grab hold of her.

Did a bit of medium trot at the end.

Happyhappy :) Just bought her a new black bridle to go with her new black saddle, I don't need to eat, right?! :hail: Fran, we are coming on in leaps and bounds due to her teaching.

Intend (not plan) to do 2 walk and trots at Swallowfield on 12th, then walk and trot and prelim 1 at netherwood on 6th September. Squeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Fabby schooling

We may have a hacking issue at the moment, but her schooling is really coming on. A couple of liveries commented on how much she has improved :)

Shall blog update properly tomorrow, but for tonight, videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLjzC6FOkK0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nmy-3dYZu4&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojY0Jg6HmNs&feature=channel

Clever pony :wub:

More rearing

Hacked tonight, in company, with Lorna. Flow started trying to go up before we go out of the gates. Stayed calm and just sat and clicked and kept turning her back the way she had spun and we managed to stand, do the key combination and get out of the gates.

She was ok, but got angry every time I asked her to stand. We both got more and more stressed and she started rearing again - she would shuffle sideways to a verge or back up to a verge. I lost my temper. I didn't DO anything, just felt really disappointed in her. It is complete tantrum and she is clever and measured in what she does.

:hail: to Lorna and SuperHarv who were fab companions. Just disappointed in how I rode and that I didn't manage to stay calm and don't know how to effectively move forwards, it was exhausting. I bought a horse that didn't rear, and now it does. It hacked perfectly when I got it. Sigh. Fran, fancy a hacking lesson?! In good news, schooling is definitely coming on.

And up again!

Wow. What a ride tonight. Horses certainly are up and down!

Decided on a course of action - consistent quiet firmness and detatching emotion. In everything we do. So for example, grooming and tacking up. She will pull vile faces. I need to ignore it. She doesn't hate me, it's just how she is. If she goes to bite, deflect with elbow if possible or if she gets me growl/smack and then move swiftly on. For now with leading backwards is important, and sideways. I then have control of her feet at all times. We did LOTS of halting tonight, and by the time I turned her out, she stopped when I did :clap:

Got on, warmed up in walk, figures of eight, leg yielding, lots of changing rein, thinking of that long and low and the right heaviness in my hand. Up into trot and aiming for the same, had to correct her rhythm at first but was absolutely over the moon by the end, had what we had in our Fran lesson but very slightly quicker/swingier - more energy. It felt FANTASTIC! So, thinks I. She did her worst on Saturday, and we didn't die. Let's canter. So we did, on both reins, without Fran there to make me :lol: and did several transitions. I was grinning from ear to ear. There is a hell of a lot to work on in the canter, but practicing will help and just doing it is a big achievement as it has been a big mental block for me and her.

Told her how clever she was :wub:

Solo hacking

Decided to go for a nice easy hack yesterday as Flow had physio on Thursday, seemed very sore Friday so thought a wander down the road would be nice. Oh, how wrong was I?!

It was my fault. Haven't hacked for about a month, haven't hacked solo for even longer. But assumed she would be fine. We got out of the gates and straight away she went up, span and tried to piss off back to the yard. I was extremely shocked as this behaviour is not usual, at all. Saw that she was spooking at a dog that had run out, but it was just there, not barking or anything. She napped for about 5 minutes, wouldn't go forwards, only up and spinning. Sat it out, tried smacking her with reins and booting her. Arguing made the rearing higher. We got forwards eventually. Got past the barky dog at the end of the lane fine. Had a little trot, spooking at the sheep as we went past. 3 cyclists were coming past from behind and she lost the plot and started spinning and rearing again. One of them mentioned the glue factory. Not a bad idea, I was thinking at this point!

A car went past, nice and slowly, and madam kicked out at it. Luckily didn't make contact, but I was mortified. Got her to stop the rearing and got forwards all the way to the end of the lane but in retrospect should have stopped there rather than stuck to my plan of going all the way round the village and back down the main road. I was really angry with her by this point and was riding in that frame of mind rather than being calm and reassuring.

Got all the way up the hill with no major incidents. A bus came past so we went into someone's driveway and she was ok. Got more and more uptight towards the main road and when two motorbikes went past she went up, high, and pissed off with me the other way, and wouldn't stop. When I got her to stop and turned her round, she pissed off TOWARDS the main road. I hauled her up and jumped off, thinking this was all too dangerous, and she went up again so I pulled her down, hard, by the bit ring. Tried to lead her but she was threatening to just go so we stood and I called Becky. Her and other Becky came and other Becky got on and rode madam home, I was just too exhausted by this point to continue fighting with her. She went home the way we'd come rather than risking the main road. She reared with Becky, too, and Becky agrees with me that it is temper at being asked to stop and wait rather than insecurity or fear.

I was ok yesterday, got on and rode round the yard but am feeling less positive today. Not about riding her, she didn't frighten me apart from the running towards the main road, but I just don't know how to effectively deal with the rearing, on the ground or ridden. I don't think getting angry helps, I don't think telling her off helps but is ignoring it going to help? We already practice halting, in hand and ridden, so we will be doing even more of that. She has learnt that it works, it was quite a problem at the show and yesterday, and it really needs to be dealt with before it gets more severe. Aaaargh!

Didn't ride today, wrong frame of mind. Will school tomorrow.

Our first stessage

Went to do the walk and trot (intro B at Swallowfield today. I've never done a dressage test, and madam has never competed (I've had her 3 months now) so wasn't sure how it would be. But thought only one way to find out!We were slighly hindered as I've had the dreaded swine so she has had a couple of days off but I felt much better today and was adamant we would go!Bathed her, cleaned tack etc and Suzy arrived to plait her mane for me. Madam self loaded and off we toodled.

Life was rather exciting AT swallowfield and she would not stop rearing. Full on black beauty style rearing. I fear I may have sworn rather a lot. It was a serious mission to get her tack on her. Luckily I just know she won't hurt me when on board so clambered on amid rears - as soon as I was on she settled. Always worrying though when a fellow competitor says well done for getting on!

Warmed up beautifully. Couldn't have been more pleased. What a clever girl. The test itself was very tense, first time in an indoor and it was all a bit exciting, but we did everything where we should and when she relaxed I could feel how it will be when it all comes together. Judge's comments were "very tense today but some lovely steps and a lovely little horse".

And we came 4th! Massive :hail: to Suzy who came all the way over to my yard and was generally a total legend, and to Lorna and Kat who dodged flying hooves and were fabby cheerleaders, and of course to my fabby instructor Fran - followed your warm up instructions and they stood us in good stead. Want to do it all again now!

Swine flu

Balls. This would explain the extreme grumpiness, random crying, awful headache, ten million hours sleep etc yesterday, and the dripping with sweat (fit) and exhaustion in interview this morning. Got sent home from work, and phoned doctor who said it sounds like the swine. Bugger, bugger, bugger. He did say I can go back to work when temperature is normal though. I NEED to be better for Wednesday, tis our stressage debut. Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!

Fran lesson 19/07/09

Started off with madam refusing to comply with either long and low or being round, but eventually got both :banana: through pretending to be Carl Hester, har. Encourage her long and low with wide and low hands - reins must not be loopy, must be able to feel her head at the end and still control. For the test, make a differentiation between FWOALR and Medium Walk - for FWOALR squeeze right then left leg to encourage more forwards.

For half circles, they must BE circles, not sort of circle and a vague wandering to change the rein. Think of leg yielding around the circle. This then shows a clear difference to changing rein across the short side, which needs to be straight.

Worked on the dreaded canter at the end, I must ASK (when will I learn?!) with outside leg so it is very clear what I want. On left rein think of pirouetting round with outside hand and rein, on right rein get her to bend. We had an ohmygodwhatthehellisthat moment at the wall filler which was there the whole time, she had a bit of a spas attack, silly girl. Keep asking on both reins, for the umpteenth time I need to realise she doesn't DO anything, she headtosses and makes a dramatic noise but no actually attempted murder takes place.

On the whole, delighted with her. Am going for a pootle down the lane tomorrow and will school on Tuesday ready for Wednesday. Eeek. Oh! Almost forget. Ali jumped her for me yesterday and she was a little star, and thoroughly enjoyed herself. No dramatics, nice and calm, walk into fence then pop into trot, pop it and stop. Clever pony.

Am absolutely exhausted. Had a bit of an emo half an hour, not sure why, Flow was very helpful and licked my face. Got in from yard and fell asleep. Going to watch a film and chill now I think.

Ken weekend

Have had 3 Ken lessons over the weekend - need to try and write as much down as possible in the hope I will remember it!

First lesson worked a lot in trot, worked on leg yields and squares, rounding off the corners to start to make them into a circle. We learned that I have a truly errant inside hand on the left rein, it is horrible! Pulls and twists and tries to sit in my lap, grrrrrrrr! However despite this Ken did say my riding had got better since he last saw us.

Second lesson lots of work in walk, did shoulder fore, then Ken got on for a while which was great. Madam Flow got very cross with him and he commented that she must have been sired by an eel. Got back on with instructions to correct every tiny error/evasion she does. I want to steal Ken - she felt fab when I got back on. She can stretch, but to my hand, and she is not allowed to pull. If she does, leg on.

Today was just wow. She came out having remembered yesterday and felt fab. We were doing serpentines and half circles to change the rein in a soft swingy steady trot. Clever Flow! Also practiced halts and half halts. I need to stop moving in my shoulders and seat, not brace but stop moving in order to get her to stop. Also need to change how I'm sitting so it stretches all down the front of my hips/quads and opens that angle more, boobs out and no slouching! Ken was also nearly very rude about my errant inside hand today and where it was going so I need to practice lots before he next comes back!

I have missed so much out but that's a snippet anyway! Didn't manage to get any photos, will have to bribe someone to take some photos of us at some point. Have had her 3 months today :)

Not taking it personally

Rode tonight after feeling very bleugh all day - think I'm going to have to give up the meat again :(

Got on and she was trying to bite me at the mounting block, then being very unhelpful about me getting on, then went into turbo walk and jogjogjog. Proud of myself though - just ignored her and carried on with our warm up routine and she settled after about 5 minutes as she realised I wasn't going to argue. Up into trot and we are really getting the rhythm now - to be honest it may be slightly too slow but what a difference from when we first started together! I need to remember to not take it personally though, it would have been easy tonight to ruin everything and I nearly got cross and started to ride her a bit "you will bloody do this" which is great for some ponies but Madam Flow takes offence, so it is better to try to just bypass the row and remember it isn't personal!

Right canter was ok, bit too collected but left canter was better, did a few transitions in the middle of the session and then back to trot work so hopefully she won't anticipate that I've got into the habit of doing canter at the end!

Was getting some fab trot work but she just wasn't quite straight either way so worked really hard on getting her straight, it looked ugly - head in air but I was so, SO chuffed because after shouting "THIS IS TOO HARD MUM!" at me, she started to try and we had a bit of much straighter work which is what we need to work on now - she can do the looking pretty bit, now we need to work on strengthening and getting it more correct.

Looking forwards to Ken at weekend :)

Fran lesson 05/07/09

In our poiple matchy match today (which has dyed her slightly poiple, whoops...).

Warmed up in walk, figures of 8. Need to get her to be stretching over her back, think free walk on a long rein or be round and through, we were kind of mooching along not being either. Up into trot - on left rein need to keep her straight and not let her bulge out through right shoulder, keep outside rein and leg on. On right rein need to get her to bend as she tips onto her inside shoulder.

Was pleased with trot work, need to keep outside rein consistent and allow her to stretch/soften into inside. Also need to keep my rhythm. Did some walk leg yield - slight lightbulb moment - use fence to help leg yield, keep her ears in front of shoulders and shoulders in front of hips. Have a little check on outside rein whilst asking with inside leg. Did the same in trot and it was all a bit melodramatic to start with but we got there and it really helps the trot quality :)

Then up into canter, need to bend and ask and not sit and perch. On left rein need to offer inside hand down and ride that outside shoulder round, was also clapping her on the neck hard which relaxes her. We did the dreaded right canter :banana: I must remember that although she grunts and tosses her head, she won't kill me! Same with right canter as right trot - need to get her to bend and not fall in.

She was a very hot pony afterwards and Becky had a sit on her round the yard to cool her off. Good pony :D

Schooling musings

Worked on continuing our work from Ken lesson tonight. Started out fabby - getting her stretching over back, keeping her straight, asking her to come deeper and then giving with the hand.

Also worked on leg yielding - she likes to lead with shoulders in some bizarre crab-like move so kept halting when she did that and looking behind me to make sure quarters were straight, we eventually started getting there so gave her lots of praise. Up into trot and she was fabby - I am trying to take my riding up a gear and think about riding every stride so I counted a rhythm in my head to rise and sit to and thought about keeping the outside rein and offering inside hand, not rising too high and half halting and then giving. All fab. Went into left canter which was good, broke but picked it up again. Then let her have a walk before the dreaded right canter attempt. This was where it started to go wrong. Not sure if I felt tense or if she was excited after having had a canter, but picked up walk on a shorter rein and then trot and she was horrible! Got that right rein feeling of unable to bend, like a plank of wood only less bendy! Tried to get her to relax and did my counting and rode the same as before but then got tanky tanky Flow and angry grunting and sucking behind the contact. Pulled her to a halt and then asked for trot again, half halting resulted in a random piaffe type movement with her going - you want slow, FINE, here's slow! In hindsight I need to not argue with her, we both take it personally and have an attack of the indignant Kevins. I need to just carry on and not react to her grunting or doing her melodramatic breathing (she winds herself up and you can hear her breathing go funny). Went back to walk and then up into trot but threw reins at her and half halted strongly when she rushed but then let her go again, this did the trick and we got some lovely calm trot. Didn't attempt right canter or even left canter again, noone was around and I am nervous of cantering still after the wildness it was before!

Lesson with Fran tomorrow :)

New beginnings

Change is frightening. Change without emoticons is even more frightening.

Welcome to my new blog, which will cover our attempts to become DQs, gym diary, music, books and possibly some writing......