Winter has arrived!

Well, I haven't blogged in awhile, I have been pretty slack. Not much has been happening my end, the specialist appointment was a waste of time, but I am slowly weight bearing now.
Which has come in handy since the skies have erupted and flooded the place. My paddocks are inaccessible to cars at the moment, so hiking across on my crutches is my only option.... it'll get me the exercise I need, but it does render me exhausted for the remainder of the day.
Evo and Honey are well, their weight is holding up which is more than I expected after last year and Evo losing it all. I thank the lords for introducing me to SugarBeet I swear haha!
My paddock isn't too bad... I thought there would be more water than there is. The fencing needs fixing but I'll have to get onto that when I'm a bit more upright and stable... but it's not dire, and the horses are staying in.
Not much really else to say. Honey's now officially on holiday and Evo is looking at a holiday too, as Megan is quite busy to keep taking him up to PC. My paddocks are too dangerous to even attempt riding more than a walk in. So we'll see, for now he's having a holiday... he might get pulled out in June or something when Megan has more time to keep him conditioned. I don't mind if Honey is out of work, but I have to admit getting Evo's topline back is hard work haha!
Well, I'm getting a hot chocolate handed to me in a moment, so I best go.
Signing Off,
Chelle x

The Healing Power of Horses

It's amazing how we forget when we're injured that the things we hold dearest are the things we need the most to heal. I'm now into my 5th week since the accident and I spent the first 3-4 sitting primarily at home, struggling to move, although the pain levels were gone a majority of the time. Don't get me wrong, rest is good, it really helps, and the physio I'm getting does too. But the most progress I've seen happen comes from after visiting the horses. I'm so happy around them and although its hard work, hopping around on all the uneven ground, it's worth it. I noticed after two times recently that I could then lift my own leg without using the left leg to aid it. Now I have more balance, I can lift and lower the right leg without hurting it, my knee is stable and everything is BETTER.

It's become so good and beneficial to me that we're now back to helping Megan look after them!! I can't do much, I mainly just sit there and get smothered in love from Evo and Honey, whilst Mum harrows and Megan and her bf Ash do all the little tasks. I'm forever grateful for the help, you know who your true friends are in situations like these, and Megan is more than true! She's even started riding my horses for me, which is so amazing cos I was so worried Evo's training would go down the tube... but it won't now!

Speaking of Evo, I was lucky enough to watch his first session with Megan the other day... and take a gazillion photos lol... he was really naughty in the beginning cos Paddles and Honey were together, but Megan pushed him through it and got the beautiful working horse I adore so much. I had to pick my jaw up from the ground a couple of times too haha!

Honey was really weird, she was sniffing my foot and cast, and I was talking to her, telling her about it and then all of a sudden her tongue snaked out and starting licking and sucking on my toes!!! Ewww!! I have to giggle at it though. I snatched my foot back and I've never seen her so determined to have something before! Cheeky toad.

Got the specialist on the 8th. I'm hoping its good news and I can't start putting weight on the leg. But for now I'll be enjoying my horses from the bench by the shed, and enjoying it thoroughly!!

Signing Off,

Chelle x

Sold Bai, Happy Ending.

So Bailey has got herself a new home now.
The family are absolutely thrilled with her and I got to see her on the 13th... she's SO HAPPY. She has two lovely girls completely devoted to her and is being spoilt rotten. Ridden almost every day, and had a HEAP of groundwork put into her, she gets better and better! I'm so thrilled for a happy result. I'm not too sad by it either cos she's gone somewhere awesome.
As for the other two fatties, well their Aunty Megan has asked to ride them, and Honey got her first ride since the accident today. She went very well according to Megan which I'm so thrilled about!!
I've been seeing them more and more now, as my leg is getting SO MUCH better. Evo is over the top with lavishing me in kisses when he sees me, and I can't get over how amazing it makes me feel. I love my man. Honey's been great too, a little reserved when I'm standing next to her with the green sticks but she let me pat her lots and lots which was good!
So far its a happy world. I'm getting stronger with my physio visits and heal better after seeing my babies. I get to start learning how to walk in a few weeks. Which I'm thoroughly excited for... it means I can be around my babies again.
Signing Off!
Chelle x

Broken

So it's been awhile.

I know this blog is about my horses and their training but I guess it's important to update even when they're out of work.

I've broken my leg. I had an accident on Honey two weeks ago and broke both the tibia and fibula in my right leg. I now have a metal rod down the whole length of my tibia and am on non weight bearing rest for the next 6 weeks... and then probably will have 3 months of rehab :(

It's rather disheartening, as I was doing SO well with my riding, as were my ponies! But things happen for a reason.

Bailey's gone out on trial and hopefully doing very well :) Evo and Honey have their Aunties Rahn and Megan looking after them, which I'm SO lucky for. So everythings going well.. it's just a big ol waiting game to be able to walk again... AND ride again. Which I must admit I'm very nervous about doing... breaking my leg so badly has really opened my eyes up. Even though it was an accident.

Signing Off!

Chelle x

A Wonderful Ginger Afternoon!

The other day, I was supposed to have a lesson on Honey... we've got our show coming up, but things with her just haven't been going as nicely as they were. I was starting to think we were going backwards rather than forwards, and so when Rahn came out, she had a look at Honey and we decided she really needed to have a stretch. The success to Rahn's babies is that she doesn't confine them to the paddock, they go out places, and do lots of varying things. However, I'm a nervous rider, and have no interest in galloping down a beach or hacking through a forest, it's a downfall I know, but it's who I am. So Charlotte was so kind to take Honey for a hoon around my paddock. It was thrilling to watch. She got the hang of it early on, she only disengaged on both reins once or twice but otherwise really understood, she's such a clever pony. Then Char schooled her after a bathtime break (hehe she got washed down with a rider on her back, now both my horses are good about that!) and to finish up, Char took her over some jumps for the first time.

I had added poles into our work awhile ago and was actually planning on jumping her this week or next, but I have to say having Char show me how she is over a fence only makes me more keen for it! She loved it, and Char's not the interfering type or doesn't have sucky jumping balance cos she's an event rider, whereas I haven't jumped in months lol. Honey is such a tidy wee girl for her first time jumping under saddle. Just lovely!

So I was all hyped up for a ride and unfortunately I didn't get to, but that was okay, it was interesting to see how Honey went for me.

I didn't realise however that I was going to be riding haha! We headed off to Rahn's and I was told I was riding King... Char wasn't going to let me say no... so I didn't. King is a lovely TB chestnut gelding of 17hh!! I felt so little on him, and so far from the ground haha! But my GOD is he wonderful!! Riding him really made me realise that I am getting better. King is a very well trained dressage horse, and is well practised in all three gaits. Therefore, since he can just do his thing, it left me enabled to fix myself and ride better than I normally do. I was able to use more leg, I was able to keep him forward without feeling my knee about to conk out, I cantered him and just thoroughly enjoyed my schooling session on him. I felt for the first time in ages, I actually could do well at riding, and that I am a good rider. And it's definitely boosted my confidence up. He was just what I needed, to understand that I have fixed so much about my riding and now am at a stage where I can start pushing myself a little more, with my schooling work on my own horses.

So go the gingers eh? Honey was flying, and so was I, on the back of such a lovely gelding. Let's hope things get better from here, and whenever I feel like I suck at riding, I'm going to think of the ride on King to remind myself that hey, I do know how to ride, and well!

Signing off as I best shower and head off for my play date with Megan!! Will probably be back on here tonight haha!

Chelle x

Bai's New Adventure!

Well, like I said in the previous blog, I would have news about Bailey... and I do.

Yesterday, a family came out to see my pony. I was pretty much sure they wouldn't want her, no one normally does... but never the less I was nervous about it. They're really lovely people. Bailey will be for two 13y.o girls who love horses, love riding and are correctly educated. The more experienced daughter only just started jumping (shes well established in walk, trot and canter), and has more of a solid background in groundwork than I do. Her Mother has been riding for many years, and is dedicated to her horses. They aren't just their riding partners, but best friends, and pampered to the nines.

Bailey was honest, I rode her and hoped she would rear at the trot so they could see what they're dealing with... they weren't put off when she did haha. They love her, Bailey loves them, and so she's going away on trial to see if she suits their family. The wee girls are absolutely smitten and if anything, Bailey's month away will be like a vacation if she has to come back home! She'll be getting treated just like the diva she believes she is... completely doted on, and not just left in the paddock to "waste" away.

Naturally, after owning Bailey for as long as I have, I'm quite upset about it... but I just know she'll love it with these people, and if they don't mind her naughty side, they're going to have the best wee pony around! Bai has taught me so much over the years and I've definitely learnt from my mistakes with her. Now its time for her to teach another person things, and in return they'll teach her so many things that I couldn't. The best thing is, I know that I'll get to see her when I want to, and get updates too.

Bailey will be getting lessons twice a week (and ridden 6 times a week) from a professional trainer, so if anything does arise, she will be trained properly... and it can be sorted quickly. She'll also be happier, cos Bai's always gonna be the type of horse who likes to be worked often or not at all.

I'm trying not to get my hopes up, she could come back home after the month of trial.. but at least in that month she'll be truly tested out, have lots of rides and if she comes home, well, we'll just cross that bridge when we come to it!

I'm going out to spend my day with her today as I'm not sure when she's leaving this week... we've got it planned for Saturday, but she may go earlier than that as the wee girl just wanted to take her home last night!

Let's hope for Bailey's sake that she's found herself a good new home, and that even if she's naughty, she gets on with things and has a lovely new place to be! I truly think she's going to enjoy herself.

Signing off,

Chelle x

Evo is the Man!

You know, horses are the best medicine. I've been having a really bad week, I've been ill, both Evo and Honey went unsound, and my dog almost died. I think I'm allowed to be a little down in the dumps for that! But I'm always the type of person that if I let myself get that low, it's hard to get back on track quickly. Today, Evo really boosted my spirits and made me feel so much better.

He's been difficult to catch for some time now, and has to wear a halter in the paddock. I don't really want to have him in one... but it takes so much longer without it on. We're working towards a level where I can take it off. It's getting to the point of frustrating me... although I'm not trying to let it affect me whilst catching him... I've been trying to figure out why he's doing it, is he playing games, is he scared, is something bothering him. It's definitely the third answer, well at least to a point. Today I realised how foolish I've been. I've gotten so focussed on Honey, with the upcoming show etc, that I've been opting to ride her more. This leaves him hanging out in the paddock. He's always been the type who likes to have a job, likes to do more than just "hang out". I guess I've forgotten that, and so he's punishing me for it. He thinks I'm just gonna catch him so I can do something, like rug/unrug him... and then let him go. So he doesn't want to bother... he wants my attention... whats a better way to get it by evading me!!! Lol.

Today I caught him, unrugged him, let him go be with his girls, did some chores and then caught him again. I then lunged him. He's been unsound, but after checking him out fully, I found him no longer throwing his leg and trotting very nicely. So after a big warmup, a walk, trot and canter, I thought I'd just let him navigate the trotting poles and we'd leave it at that, not pushing it. Mr Evo had other plans lol. He enjoys jumping and watched me set up two jumps earlier. As one was kinda near the poles, he eyed it up eagerly so I thought, why not, if he lands and looks sore, we'll stop. He was thrilled, cantering about and popping over the jump happily. I decided I'd try the bigger one... he could walk into it and bound over he's that clever lol (which he did at first cos it was a tyre jump and he hasn't done them in awhile I think)... he was so happy, and after doing that one three times we went for a huge as walk around the paddock to cool down. I was talking to him a lot, I think he liked that cos he'd nudge me and snuggle me lots... and I enjoy talking to him, it was really nice. So after our walk, I took him back to his paddock, rugged him back up and let him go. He wasn't interested in Honey at all (to my blatant surprise!). I thought he was just tired and wanting to stay where he was... but as soon as I moved off, so did he. I had a shadow, and it was the best shadow to have! He made all the crappy stuff this week go away and I just had to hug him for his actions. I think we're at a good level now... or here's hoping so anyways! Everytime after that when I tried to "catch" him, he didn't even walk away!

Tomorrow, I'm hoping I'll have some more news to add here about Bailey. But I don't wanna jinx myself too much about it, so I'll wait and see before annoucing it!
Signing off,
x