It was Karls funeral today. We got through it, but heart-wrenching to see Joan and Rod so upset. The service brought back good memories from childhood and it was good to see family members that I've not seen in years. The crem was full, he had so many friends.
Jim has informed me that he was run off the road a few days back and had to swerve up a very large kerb. The result, broken wing mirror, two popped tyres and damaged wheels! Luckily he's ok, although pretty pissed off. I don't think our fully comp insurance will cover it.
My Life, My Horses and My Attempts to Train the Classical Way
Thursday, 18 August 2011
Tuesday, 16 August 2011
Hustle and bustle
I've had a couple of busy days, yesterday morning up to the yard to check out the new school which has far exceeded expectations, being larger than I thought and with a lovely sand and rubber surface. The liveries are delighted with it and I had a good natter with my old mate Linda. I went shopping with my Mum in the afternoon and then up to Joan and Rods in the evening. They insist that they're coping ok, but I don't think so. We had a couple of drinks and a good catch up, it was lovely to see them. I've arranged to go shopping with Joan tomorrow, I think that shopping may be the recurring theme of this visit, I still have to find some breeches and various other horsey items!
I've got mixed feelings about being home, I hate being in the town and the amount of traffic is driving me crazy, but even amongst all the hustle and bustle, the people still find time to be friendly and helpful, and, of course, it's great to see family and friends.
I've got mixed feelings about being home, I hate being in the town and the amount of traffic is driving me crazy, but even amongst all the hustle and bustle, the people still find time to be friendly and helpful, and, of course, it's great to see family and friends.
Sunday, 14 August 2011
Sunny England
Well, I arrived safe and sound in a very nice and sunny Liverpool. The hire car co. presented me with a lovely 5 door VW Polo which is lovely to drive and I arrived home to be greeted by Mum and Dad, Karen, Thomas and Chloe. I'm off to the yard tomorrow to check out our new riding arena and hopefully get a ride over the moor one one of the liveries horses.
I'm homesick already.
I'm homesick already.
Saturday, 13 August 2011
Tip toes
We had an exciting hack this morning, the same route as yesterday but this time with added fisherman, cars, picnic tables etc....
As we approached the lake I could see the gathering and Remy was a little bit wary, but we went on down to where they'd set up to find four fishermen, their cars, tables and chairs and one of the cars parked on the track with only a small space one one side to get past.
Jim went on ahead but Remy was snorting and backing off so we halted for a few moments to let him take it in and calm down. I don't know if the smell of the live bait in the tubs at the edge of the lake was adding to it, but he was more freaked than I've seen him. He moved forward towards the car and plucked up the courage to sniff it which then startled him a little and he backed into one of the chairs at the table,I was expecting a bit of an explosion, but he still didn't overreact. It was a bit overwhelming for him, but although he was worried, he kept his head and after another few moments he decided he could go, he seemed to grow a few hands and went past on his tip toes, but also with a calmness which filled me with confidence.
The rest of the ride was fine although on the lane back we met the post van coming toward us at the same time as a tractor and bailer came up behind us. It was a tricky situation, but luckily the post van was going quite slowly and the tractor was prepared to wait until I could take Rem into a gateway. He tensed up a little as the (rather noisy) tractor went past, but no real problem, and by the time we got home he was pretty calm and relaxed. Lots to think about for the boy!
I'm off to the UK tomorrow for a week, and I'm really going to miss my guys.
As we approached the lake I could see the gathering and Remy was a little bit wary, but we went on down to where they'd set up to find four fishermen, their cars, tables and chairs and one of the cars parked on the track with only a small space one one side to get past.
Jim went on ahead but Remy was snorting and backing off so we halted for a few moments to let him take it in and calm down. I don't know if the smell of the live bait in the tubs at the edge of the lake was adding to it, but he was more freaked than I've seen him. He moved forward towards the car and plucked up the courage to sniff it which then startled him a little and he backed into one of the chairs at the table,I was expecting a bit of an explosion, but he still didn't overreact. It was a bit overwhelming for him, but although he was worried, he kept his head and after another few moments he decided he could go, he seemed to grow a few hands and went past on his tip toes, but also with a calmness which filled me with confidence.
The rest of the ride was fine although on the lane back we met the post van coming toward us at the same time as a tractor and bailer came up behind us. It was a tricky situation, but luckily the post van was going quite slowly and the tractor was prepared to wait until I could take Rem into a gateway. He tensed up a little as the (rather noisy) tractor went past, but no real problem, and by the time we got home he was pretty calm and relaxed. Lots to think about for the boy!
I'm off to the UK tomorrow for a week, and I'm really going to miss my guys.
Friday, 12 August 2011
A little hack
My intention was to ride Remy up to the school and then have a short session in there, but Remy decided he wanted to march straight past and on down to the lake! I didn't ask him to turn into the school so it's not as if he was misbehaving, he just started to stride out energetically as we were approaching the entrance, his intention was definitely to go straight on down the track, so we did. Jim had come up to watch the session, so he accompanied us on our little hack.
We went down the track to the lake, continued on the little track round the lake and then off through the field coming out further down on the lane to our house. Jim had to walk in front a couple of times for encouragement, but all in all he was really happy to go on ahead. We were out for about 40 minutes. I'm pretty chuffed with the boy!
On a sadder note, I learned this week that my cousin Karl had died. Not totally unexpected as he'd suffered ill health for a long time, but still a great sadness. He was a few years younger than me and thankfully died peacefully after a particularly turbulent life. As kids, my sister and I used to spend all holidays and spare time with our cousins so they were a big part of my life growing up. I am especially close to Karls mum and dad and I'm looking forward to spending some time with them next week when I go home to attend the funeral.
We went down the track to the lake, continued on the little track round the lake and then off through the field coming out further down on the lane to our house. Jim had to walk in front a couple of times for encouragement, but all in all he was really happy to go on ahead. We were out for about 40 minutes. I'm pretty chuffed with the boy!
On a sadder note, I learned this week that my cousin Karl had died. Not totally unexpected as he'd suffered ill health for a long time, but still a great sadness. He was a few years younger than me and thankfully died peacefully after a particularly turbulent life. As kids, my sister and I used to spend all holidays and spare time with our cousins so they were a big part of my life growing up. I am especially close to Karls mum and dad and I'm looking forward to spending some time with them next week when I go home to attend the funeral.
Monday, 8 August 2011
We talked, and talked and ...............
...talked, ate a tasty lunch and drank (just a little) wine!!
A lovely day out yesterday at Trudis, it was great to see them all and especially good as Trudis friend Chris was visiting and I haven't seen her for ages. While we talked Chris gave us all a manicure and my nails are now smooth and buffed to perfection (well, not perfection as my nails are sadly neglected, but I'm going to try and take much better care of them and also to moisturise my also neglected hands :-( - thanks Chris!
The weather was iffy this morning, one minute sunny and the next tipping it down. I had a short bridle session with Bonbon, starting with a little massage on her poll and neck, little love whickered at me as she started to relax.
The sun popped out for a while so I took Remy up to the school for an in-hand/lungeing session. He was jumpy going up the field and took a while to settle once in the school, but he gave me some nice giravolta and shoulder-in on the circle. He was good with his back legs today, pretty active and gave me some active transitions into a not quite as relaxed trot as I'd like, but he was motivated and carrying himself nicely , and taking into account how distracted he was I was pretty happy with him.
A lovely day out yesterday at Trudis, it was great to see them all and especially good as Trudis friend Chris was visiting and I haven't seen her for ages. While we talked Chris gave us all a manicure and my nails are now smooth and buffed to perfection (well, not perfection as my nails are sadly neglected, but I'm going to try and take much better care of them and also to moisturise my also neglected hands :-( - thanks Chris!
The weather was iffy this morning, one minute sunny and the next tipping it down. I had a short bridle session with Bonbon, starting with a little massage on her poll and neck, little love whickered at me as she started to relax.
The sun popped out for a while so I took Remy up to the school for an in-hand/lungeing session. He was jumpy going up the field and took a while to settle once in the school, but he gave me some nice giravolta and shoulder-in on the circle. He was good with his back legs today, pretty active and gave me some active transitions into a not quite as relaxed trot as I'd like, but he was motivated and carrying himself nicely , and taking into account how distracted he was I was pretty happy with him.
Sunday, 7 August 2011
The weather's been a bit wishy washy the last few days, but I've had a couple of good sessions with Remy.
Things feel like they're coming together, sideways is improving, reinback is straighter and the trot transitions are more active and soft. After the session on friday, I took his bridle off and we went for a walk around our top field for a look-see and some grass. I rode in the rain yesterday which was fab and then rode him back down the field which I've never done before.
Things feel like they're coming together, sideways is improving, reinback is straighter and the trot transitions are more active and soft. After the session on friday, I took his bridle off and we went for a walk around our top field for a look-see and some grass. I rode in the rain yesterday which was fab and then rode him back down the field which I've never done before.
Monday, 1 August 2011
Walking out
Had a lovely time with Remy today. I rode him up to the school but he wanted to explore down the track to the little lakes so that's what we did. I've never ridden him down there, but he really wanted to go. His walk was fantastic, I can't tell you how good it felt to have him striding out beneath me. We stopped at the lake and he had a little snort at the hut with the boat, but he settled quickly and I let him put his head down for a nibble at some grass. I took him in the school on the way back, a short session including rein-back and shoulder-in on each rein followed by a few trot transitions. He's improving and I was happy with the transitions and his balance in the trot.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)