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

Honey's Adventure!

Today despite the temperature, me and Simone headed out to my paddock. I had told her that I had a big plan in mind and when we were in the car I let her know of it - I was gonna take Honey out on the road. With our upcoming show several weeks away, I've decided that if I don't start leaving my paddock and throwing Honey into new situations, then I'm going to struggle a bit at Green Horse. But as much as I just would like to do stuff, I have to push myself to the limit I'm comfortable with. I have no interest in riding down a beach or in a forest - I've never done it, and my curiosity has never sparked enough to do it now. I know however that it's good experience for horses to do these things, give them more confidence in their work at home. So I knew I had to do something and since I'm going to be riding to the pony club to use the arena over winter this year, I thought we ought to tackle this first.

I was gonna take her for a walk inhand first to get her used to leaving the paddock - she hasn't since August last year when I got her. But I just never got around to it, so after warming up (she proceeded to race a bit but I slowed her down), I got Simone to chuck us on a lead and with me keeping my nerves down as much as I could, we left my paddock and headed to the front gate. All went well until we got out onto the gravel. Surely she must have seen gravel before in her life, but apparently she just couldn't figure out why it was moving and making noises under her feet. She was watching it so intently, and I just remained calm, she wasn't doing anything - infact she didn't do anything at all. We got to the bridge and she kicked a stone onto it... watched it skittle across the wood and flipped out... tensed right up, snorted "fire" and refused to step onto it. With encouragement she stepped on and crossed it... but then she was back onto that horrible gravel again lol. Basically she reacted so much, more than I expected. But she wasn't bad about it... she stretched and had a look at everything, trembled a couple of times and by the time we reached the rail tracks I figured she had handled enough without exploding. We turned back and crossed that horrible bridge with a bit more speed (haha) and then once we were back in the paddock again it was like she could breathe again, poor girl. I knew I was more relaxed than she was, I remained as calm as I could, checked my heart rate often etc. My baby horse has finally been faced with something that's thrown her off... and all she did was tense up and tremble! I was so proud of her. Once back in the main paddock, I asked Simone to unclip us and walked her by myself around and she couldnt care less... so working at home now seems easy to her compared to the big adventure out. It was successful and we'll be doing it again soon.

As for Simone, she rode Miss Bailey today in front of her Grandma... it went super well... although we had to shift her saddle as shes so big that it slipped forward. But Simone did incredibly well and I'm so very proud of her! Bailey decided to be naughty at one point but then had a "oh its just easier to do it isn't it?" moment and got on with things - yay!

So it's super hot, and I've got a headache from being out in the sun... but what a brilliant day and I can't wait to work with Honey tomorrow and see how today's venture out impacts our session together!

Signing off!

x

Showing "the baby horse" off!

What a completely different world eventing is compared to the show scene! Sure I know what happens at an event, you compete in three different sections and the one with the lowest score ranking wins. I've watched and read enough about eventing to get the basic logistics to it. But all the extras - wow I felt like I was in another world... in fact I guess I was! I've been show groom for Rahn on and off since 2004, and know what happens in the show world quite well, as I should do. But on Sunday I watched my first event and it was such an experience. Granted, I don't believe it was run as neatly as it could be (I understand it's a hefty task though!), but it was certainly interesting. It has had a perspective on how I see what I do with my horses. All I know is the show world, and am about to enter it next month with Evo and Honey (Green Horse Show)... and have always wanted to progress into dressage days too, but had no idea what happened at a dressage day (from experience, again I know the logistics of it)... I still don't really, but I watched the dressage section with keen interest and now have the urge to enter some dressage later this year - of course the real baby tests, haha!

Anyway aside from being at my first event in the weekend, and recovering from exhaustion yesterday (and I didn't even ride at the event!!!) I went out to my paddock with my Mum. I decided I would ride Honey, even though it was rather windy... but we've been riding in all sorts of weather. The last time Mum saw me riding Honey was before Christmas, actually I believe it was some time in November. She told me she was really impressed with us... even though she doesn't know what she's looking at, she did say we looked much better together... which is always good, cos I believed me and Honey were doing really well last time she watched. Honey was really good... a little fast in her warm up, but she's still in "race mode" ever since learning to canter. I don't let her race, but you can really feel her forward movement... which is never a bad thing I guess! I actually found my way to bring Honey back to the trot I so love and adore from her (forward, but steady and not feeling like she has legs going everywhere)... I've been half halting her a lot but she just thinks I'm shutting her down in the front and fights it at times... so I've been trying to think of other alternatives as I'm not satisfied with our corners... but I've now found the answer! Again its a simple thing, and just goes to show how as riders we sometimes look too much at the problem and not the bigger picture. I found if I just held on the outside rein briefly (support with my legs and then close my hand more around the reins, give it a squeeze and then release), Honey slowed right down and started trotting! I began to really prepare for each corner (as I don't ride her on circles so much, but more rectangle shaped workouts) and we were just lovely in my opinion... I tell her clearly what I want and she gives it... as it should be done, but I just get so focused elsewhere sometimes! Mum called me over at one point and without thinking, I just clicked her on into trot and made my way to the fence... when I got there, I was like, haha didn't even think about that... I know it seems so small, but it was just a comfortable reaction, I guess that's what I'm trying to explain... I know I have a favouritism over who I ride... because Evo and I are not struggling, but not really comfortable like Honey and me... and Bailey I've yet to take out into the big paddock (going to this week though!) and I just adore riding Honey... I can't help it... we're so suited to one another, I don't feel like one of us is at more of an advantage than the other. It's a horrible way of thinking of things, but it's true and if I'm honest I enjoy my rides on Honey the most... although I feel more rewarded riding Evo. Anywho, I just went off on a tangent lol. Mum called me over and asked if I would show her our "canter canter canter pace pace pace" as I've been calling it haha. So I did, and Honey really showed off... Mum was thrilled, she knows how much this all means to me... then she went back to the car (which was parked in the middle of my "tree paddock") and after cooling down, I rode Honey in there... she eyeballed the car but cruised on passed it... I just love how she has a wee think but doesn't hold back. She's just lovely!

Well I thought I needed to keep this more updated and have fulfilled that today so I best get on with reading Moll Flanders, the next book in my Eighteenth Century Novel paper!

Signing Off,

Chelle x

A Constructive Day!

Do you ever have those moments where you realise that what you've been doing previously seems so ridiculous and that you wished you had done it another way earlier?

Today I arrived at my paddock, full of unexpected nerves that soon was overtaken by focus on what was at hand. I felt like after my rides on both Honey and Evo, I hadn't really been focussing until this point. Sure, I'd be getting up in the saddle with a plan of what I wanted to achieve, and having really good rides because I've been trying hard. And today I didn't have the best of rides on either horses - but I hopped off of them very proud of us all... I hopped off realising what I needed to do... what I needed to ask of them... and goals for the immediate time and the future. It was a weird thing to have happen... but I'm really glad it did.

I'll start with Evo first. Like I mentioned, our ride wasn't perfect. He kept zoning out and I had a hard time keeping his focus. He started twisting his head to the side and following it through his shoulder. I didn't know what I was meant to do ... as he hadn't done that to me in the manner he was. I managed to get passed it... keeping him forward, growling when he did it, and give him a firm nudge in his side to knock it off. I believe it was a nappy sort of thing... he was only doing it around the area of our large circle towards Honey... anyway, I decided that we'd done enough walking and went into the trot. I'm not gonna lie, his trot is a million times better, but when warming up I want to let him stretch, like every horse should be ... naturally this is his bouncy trot... the one for months on end that I've yet to succeed with. I think we did okay today. I believe it had to do with the way I rode his trot... I recently made a list of the things I wished to fix about myself (should have posted it on this!)... and one of them was my rein length. I need to relax and allow myself to have longer reins than I'm usually comfortable with. After my lesson with Rahn before Evo came home... I have been applying this rule to riding all my horses... but especially Evo, who I do reel up a bit because I have a bad habit of balancing with my hands. In the walk today I was almost on the buckle.... until I asked for a bit more contact. And I did take up more contact when I prepared to trot, but once we were going, I let it slide back to the length I was walking at. I was really proud... because Rahn had been onto me about lengthening my reins, putting a little faith in my horse and myself and I would find my balance. Like always, she was right! I feel so foolish for only really seeing it now... I guess it also had more impact with me riding by myself. Anywho, it was a feat for us to get two circles at a forward tempo non stop on both reins today... and I didn't fall on his neck when we stopped either... wahoo! Now I know what I need to be able to do on him, I'm sure we'll be trotting - and cantering - with ease in due time!


Honey was a different story today... on Sunday she learnt how to canter... with the canter came her pace. With both came Honey's need to rush everything, wobbling etc. I admit I must have done something wrong for it to all go like this. But never the less, I was prepared to sort the problem - and ride the way I needed to start doing too! At the beginning we had an argument... I was warming her up... I planned to walk and trot, then settle into some schooling and give her a chance to try the canter at the end, cos she does enjoy it. I stuck to that plan... but before we got to the schooling, Honey decided that she was gonna canter on the corner she had been asked on Sunday. So it was an argument between relaxation vs speed. After a plunge sideways on Honey's behalf (she was really annoyed that I wasn't about to let her speed around), we were able to settle it, and she trotted probably better than she has in the past week and a half. It was just lovely, and made our schooling in the walk just that better! I was able to not have to focus so much on her while trotting and sort myself out (steady my hands, bend my elbows, sit up tall, keep my core stable, and keep my stirrup on the ball of my foot) and therefore really began to feel what I was after, and know I was riding as good as I could! Of course because she was a darling after our fight, I allowed her to practise her canter, which of course Honey and I thoroughly enjoyed!

It just really goes to show, that you may have the ability to ride well physically, but you have to be riding mentally too. I felt completely switched on today... and therefore I didn't find my leg to be as much as a limitation as it usually is. I've come away with ideas on how to continue improving both myself and my horses, and cannot wait to ride Bailey to see if I can indeed improve on her also.

Let's hope the weather holds out for this weekend. I'm going to my first event this weekend (not in it myself but helping a friend), and dont exactly want to spend it in the wet! Also, I'm glad but also not glad to feel my stomach muscles - looks like I worked my butt off today... a good sign! Lol.
Chelle x

Evo's home and Honey's cantering!

So it's been awhile yet again since I updated this. Where to begin?

Well, Evo's home now. He's been back for about a week which I've really enjoyed. Unfortunately for me, I had an infected foot from a bee sting so I've only ridden him a couple of times. Both times have been to really find myself on him again... yes I've had lessons on my boy... but when you're there by yourself or not having a lesson, you have to take what you learnt from that and try and do it. I don't have my beloved Rahn telling me to make him forward/change rein/trot on/give a little more bend/fingers on top all the time etc. It's not like I need that either, I'm pretty good at keeping on top of myself... but I'm just trying to really get used to him again. I'm becoming really comfortable up there so that's always a good sign!

Honey's muscle soreness has gone away and so we've got back into things. Rahn had her first ride on her, and decided it was time to ask a little more of Honey. We've started to get her to use her backend and come off the leg more effectively. With that she's offering to carry herself in the front more. Thus schooling has began. We had a couple of days of confusion and temper tantrums (the most she does is slam on the brakes, chuck her head up and bounce around on her front feet - easy enough for me to work through)... and now we're on a level of Honey being a keen wee girl again. She was really excited today... she had her first socialising day with my good friend Megan and her gelding Paddles... Honey was plowing on around the place... it didn't faze her too much that there was a buddy - she was more interested in BEATING him lol. I got her to stop racing around by working and then after a bit of that I let her really stretch out in her trot again - to which she offered to canter! Oh my word, I've NEVER experienced being the one to canter my horse for the first time. She's wobbly as hell, but hey who cares - SHE CANTERED! She broke easily though as I expected and after a couple more attempts but her just pacing instead, I decided to get off and save my knee so I could ride Mr Evo and let Megan on. She's had experience getting Standardbreds to canter so soon Honey was acting all excited and figuring out she could do something new under saddle. I LOVE the look she gets on her face when she learns, she feels so happy when she gets it!

As for Miss "Jelly Wobbles" as Simone so affectionally calls Bailey, she's been pretty good lately. Still rearing now and then but when doesn't she when she's not in full work?! Megan rode her today and had fun... she discovered Bailey's canter and got her going - SHE DIDN'T WANNA STOP! She'd just break into canter whenever she felt like it the little toad, even when cooling down! But nevermind, it was nice to see her going so forward again! She's lost a "little" weight too, so that's always good! Will be chucking her back in her "jenny craig" paddock to lose her weight this week, hopefully it'll lighten her up some more!

Well I best get going.... first day back at uni for my second year - I'm looking forward to it!

Chelle x

A Change of Heart

So I guess I have a lot to say to those who read my previous blog and have heard the news - I am now keeping my big beautiful man. I thought I'd find it easier as the days went by to know that my big man was going to become a super star in someone else's eyes but it didn't. In fact I'll admit that I've never felt so miserable in my life. I'm ruled by emotions... it's a horrible bloody thing and I fully blame my equally emotional Mother for this. I knew I was doing the right thing in my head... but my heart broke in two. Hearing about the things he was doing, all the good he has become, made me happy for sure, but also made me sad. This is my beautiful baby boy who has only brought loads of happiness to my life, who tries his heart out for me, and overall been patient. My last ride didn't do his new training any justice. My knee gave way to spasms when I was warming up and I had to get off - completely deflated and wanting Evo to not have to put up with it anymore. I love riding him though, he felt so good.

I spent the other night going through my photos of last year. I can't remember why I had to look for a particular photo, but I soon ended up skipping through all the other horse photos I had and focussing on the Evo ones. I came to the conclusion that if I could ride him - bung knee and all - before his training, I had to give it another try... after all Rahn and Charlotte had gone to great efforts to make my horse more rideable to me... yet still remain a lovely mover. I went and rode him yesterday. I could go on and on about my ride, but I'll try to keep it brief. I rode him in the big paddock, which was already a big feat for me - I see a big space and a place full of opportunities... I don't understand why I have a nervous problem, but I do. I ended up relaxing pretty quick, although having really loose reins is something I still have to work on (Charlotte's reins grow, mine shorten haha). The walk, once we began to school was beautiful. He has a biggg walk that's been encouraged on by Rahn. It's something I need to work on as it feels too big to me and I instinctively hold him back. Never the less I tried so hard and earned the rewards. We moved into trot and because I'm having a bad run with my knee, Rahn made me break it down into parts - a few strides then walk again. To be quite honest, I didn't want to stop!! But I did... and then we moved on to more at once. When I had my first real taste of his new trot I burst into happy tears... I have had SO MUCH trouble balancing myself at his trot that I havent had the time to enjoy it... now that it is balanced and slower I enjoyed every moment. Soon enough Rahn didn't have to say "and try again" I was already ahead of her and asking him forward, and the best thing was - NO FALLING ON HIS NECK! That my friends is now a thing of the past! His trot is AMAZING. I'm still gonna need more work to get used to it, but I finally got to ride a trot that I could handle and continue for more than half a frigging circle! Once I hopped off, I needed a 'moment'.. I just buried my head in his neck and whispered "thank you, thank you for showing Mummy just what she was gonna miss out on"... sappy I know!

As for the mares, well Honey is sore. So next week hopefully we'll be taking her out to the Chiropractor to get a big check over and then with the advice of the chiro I will take whatever time she needs to come back into work. I might even get a massage person out for her just to make sure them muscles of her are good. We have Green Horse in April, but we won't go if she's not feeling 100% and I want to make sure I'm doing things right. I can't wait to get back into working her though, and enjoying my ginger mare :)

Pony is doing well... looking slightly smaller by the day, annoyed that she's in a fatty paddock, but otherwise happy. I'm gonna try riding her Friday if I have time. Between horse chores, uni, writing for uni, spending time with Sem before she goes home - I haven't had a great deal of time to ride my horses! I'll get there though!

Signing Out,

Chelle x

Changes for 09

So this is my first blog for 2009, and where to start but with the most important news - Evo is now up for sale.

It's a decision that was not made lightly, infact took much thought and a lot of courage from me as he is my baby and I'd love forever to just keep him and love him. Unfortunately that is not the case. I'd like to stress immediately that this is not because Evo has done something wrong, in fact he's doing EVERYTHING right. He now canters under saddle, jumps, schools, is building a nice topline and tackles hills like he's been climbing them for years. He's brave and very willing to learn. The reason why I'm selling him is because he is too talented for me to just plod around on and hold back.
I've been riding Evo since about June 07 when I came off of crutches and had the strength to ride again. He is a lovely horse to ride, has his quirks but all horses do! I actually rode him today and what a lovely boy he was indeed... a completely changed, beautiful horse to ride.
But watching him today with Charlotte, and the other week with Rahn, has really made my eyes open. He's just so amazing now, it'd be selfish for me to hold him back. He's just so lovely and can do so much now... and deserves to be able to do those things all the time. He gets really proud of himself and it's so nice to see how happy he is to be schooled, he offers the contact now and I'm just blown away.
I've had the support of two amazing people, who have made Evo into an amazing horse and were shocked but supportive when I admitted my decision. Rahn worked so hard to make things easier for me on Evo, he's not an easy horse to ride but is now so much easier and lovely and I can't say it enough, he's wonderful haha!
If anyone is interested in my lovely boy, he'll be advertised in the next week or two... and only going to the best of homes. He will be having outings to put under his belt whilst we find him his next home, and I'm sure he's only going to make me more proud!!


As for the other horses, Honey is next on the list. What a horse I own. She is just amazing... we're learning so much together and doing so well! She's just a pleasure and still loves her work now three months under saddle! She is so willing to try new things and so far we're working on the canter (and free jumping) on the lunge and under saddle doing pole work at the trot and just working on straightness and being forward. There's no rush for amazingness, and yet she's so keen to try more, and makes me so pleased to be her Mummy, and her riding partner. She's still cheeky as hell in the paddock, and does her little baby quirks, but I think she only does that to make me laugh hah. Just got completely spoilt this week, new rug and bucket and thinks she's the shit... I thought she was gonna have a fit over the 'pinkness' of her bucket and not eat her feed, but she just stuck her big ol head in and loves it so much!

Bailey has been a lovely wee girl... Millie has decided to find herself another horse, one that can jump with ease, so I'm schooling Bailey for now until I put her on the market again. She's doing really well, applied what I learnt on Dom (Rahn's horse) on her and had her accepting the bit at the walk very nicely... I'm enjoying our rides together!

So the plans for this year so far are to continue with Honey's steady progress, have her out and about and definitely some shows later this year. We're working hard but having fun! That's the main focus... Evo is a lovely horse and will find himself a lovely home in good time, and Bailey, well she's either gonna find herself a lovely home too, or bludge off me for a bit longer lmao. I'm in a good place... I like that I'm realistic about my goals and going forward in achieving them! We're certainly going to have a good year here! And I'll be updating this a hell of a lot more!

Signing off,
Chelle x