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