Riding log - anyone interested?

[SupersonicDave]

Saw this on a horse forum and thought it would be a good idea.

Basically i need a bit of help with motivation (too much to do, not enough hours in the day etc) and can get a bit stuck in a rut wrt schooling/hacking/lunging.

So, today i am riding out my mare, a friend is riding my gelding, and we are going to ride through the village and back across some grassy tracks. Want to concentrate on keeping my mare calm, especially on the grass.

Feeling a bit gloomy atm as an acquaintance is in hospital with serious head injuries after falling from her horse in Thursday's bad weather - she has also broken vertebrae - I can't stop thinking about it, and what her family are going through. Lots of MN prayers needed for them all. It's made me think twice about my recent difficulties, and also about needing to be more aware of the risks with horses, sometimes I think I take it all a bit for granted.

Oh golly Frosty - I do hope she is going to be okay, and that her family are managing.

Oh no frosty.Is she the eventer who was on H&H website news yesterday? I was telling my cousin about her this evening. Sending my best wishes for a full recovery.

Just to add,I know what you mean about the risks.I felt a mean mum for not letting the dds ride in the high winds last week,but with hindsight,I'm glad I stuck to my guns.

Thats awful Frosty - hope she'll be fine. Horse related accidents always make my stomach turn - it can so easily happen to any of us yet to enjoy our horses we have to try not to think about the possibilities (when I read this I was just deciding whether to ride this afternoon dispite an electrical storm raging - i've now decided best not to). As Mirage said - sending my best wishes for a full recovery.

Yes, Mirage - I've known her since her sister and I did Pony Club many moons ago. It seems strange to carry on as normal when their world has been turned upside down but hopefully they'll know more at the end of the week, her sedation is gradully being reduced so it's a question of fingers crossed and praying for a good outcome.

Any news frosty?

No news and I don't want to ring the family so I'll wait for it to come to me. Hopefully no news is good news. She was working in the school when the horse went up - what the damage would have been if she'd been out on the road or in fields god only knows.

She is showing signs of improvement according to H&H.Thinking of her and her family.

We went for a hack earlier,dpony had had 2 days off after hunting on Friday [she is always grumpy the day after].I forgot the grass reins and halfway across a field,dpony stuck her head down and dd2 [6] did a very impressive somersault over her head onto the floor.Poor thing was winded and banged her head,but got back on and rode home.I did point out that it was the first time dd2 had fallen off dpony and she has ridden her almost every day for the past 5 months,pretty good going.Even more ironic is the fact that every pony we've had on trial has chucked dd2 off in a very dramatic fashion,but dpony was standing still when dd2 hit the dirt.

The dds are now playing a horse jumping game on the Wii-I had a go and was absolutely rubbish and ploughed through the fences-I told dpony earlier that she's lucky that I don't jump her.

Mirage, hope your DD is okay now!

Yesterday we rode Dmare in the school. DD rode first and Dmare was being quite rude and not standing still at all, just being generally bad mannered. (Also she has the wrong bit still as she came back from College with someone else's bridle, still haven't got hers back yet and this bridle is too big with the gag on!). DD asked for trot and the mare went into a mad bronc and cantered across the school! DD sat to this all quiet nicely, but was totally put off and got off (she is only 7), and anyway, at this point I was desperate to get on myself and make her behave!

She really was not herself at all, she felt like a ball of energy, usually she feels like a plod! Made her trot many circles and serpentines and made her halt and stand still quite a lot. Went into canter and she kept trying to put her head down (I am well practised in dealing with her doing this though, she gets phases! So managed to stop that!). Finally got DD to ride her back into the yard. Not amused with her behaviour!

Could really do with putting in a bit of time with her, but...I move house a week today! (OMG, biggest ever panic about that!).

Just need to clarify - my post makes it sound like we were riding in a bridle that doesn't fit and I am being an idiot wondering why she was mad! It fits, just not with the gag, so we were riding in a snaffle, but the bridle fits with the snaffle! It is what she was ridden in at the college.

Your dd sounds a very brave girl,Manatee!

We had a horrid end to Boxing Day.The people who rent the field next to ours had a massive bonfire, and just as DD2 and I were rugging up dpony,they threw something onto it which exploded.Dpony took off in terror and I was lucky not to have had a kick in the head.DD2 was hysterical,especially as they then began letting off fireworks,which terrified them both even more.Dpony was charging around with her rug half done up,so I had to catch her and get it off before she hurt herself badly,but eventually,in between the earth shaking bangs I managed to remove it.My lovely neighbours came out to comfort dd2,but we daren't try and move dpony because it would have been too dangerous.We were worried about my neighbours calves in the pens near the boundary and his hay and straw,which was dangerously near the bonfire,but luckily the wind didn't change direction.

I could have throttled the stupid twats who think it is ok to do that near livestock,and a lot of the neighbours have complained to the field landlord about his tenants,so I hope they get turfed off.Dpony was a little jumpy today,and on our way back from our hack,someone was having a bonfire in their garden.The poor thing was terrified and was all over the road,I think she would have bolted if I hadn't been right next to her and calmed her down.We had to go past as it was the only way home,but dd1 said later that it was the only time she'd been scared whilst riding dpony.

She was still nervy back at the yard,and kept running over to the fence to look towards where the big bonfire was that scared her originally,so I have moved her to another field where she hopefully will settle a bit more.I'm just so angry at those ignorant people. I just hope dpony gets over it.

That sounds horrid - it's amazing how thoughtless some people can be. It probably isn't malicious, just ignorance but nonetheless very scary and I'm glad noone was hurt. My neighbour started chainsawing a tree over the fence from us a while ago and dhorse leapt about 10 feet in the air - the neighbour did stop and say "oh, I didn't think the horse would mind"!!!

Dhorse has managed to go lame again - same front leg as in April so he's been on box rest for a week, but yesterday when I took him out to graze in hand he reared and got away from me and galloped around the field like a maniac so I expect that's all my hard work undone.... I'll keep him in until the weekend and trot him up - and if he's still lame will have to get the vet out again to see what happens next. Typical, just as he was really lean and fit and I had lot's of day's hunting pencilled in! He's a dirty so and so in the stable, I seem to be permanently mucking out.

My friend in hospital is making some progress which is good, but it still sounds pretty bad. I thought of them a lot over Christmas, and hope it wasn't too awful.

at your chainsawing neighbour frosty.What a shame about your horse-they really are their own worst enemies sometimes.Very frustrating of him though.Does anyone else have a suitable horse that you could borrow?

I'm glad that your friend is improving,I'll keep everything crossed for her and her family.

After owning dpony for 5 months,I've finally managed to upload some photos onto my profile.They were taken in late summer,so dpony is hairier and muddier now.She seems to have gotten over her scare,and is just a bit jumpier than normal.The dds rode again today,dpony is a wily old thing and has started to plant in the menage,and the dds are struggling to get her to move.If I'm at hand with a lunge whip,she'll shift,but they really need to learn how to do it themselves,as otherwise she'll know that she has the upper hand.So if anyone has any tips,I'd be grateful.I need to find an instructor too,as ours has got a new job and can't come anymore,so if anyone can reccomend an instructor in Leicestershire,that would be great.

I have had a great break over Christmas - had nearly 2 weeks off work so managed to get a ride in every day. Have found this has really helped with the bonding with Alice and after owning her for 8 weeks feel we are finally getting there. Have to say I am looking forward to some better weather and lighter days - getting a bit fed up of riding in the rain and everywhere being so muddy! We got the planning permission for our stables and so will be able to move out of the barn which has been great as a temporary measure but has meant everything has taken just a bit longer. We also have PP for a training area but think I will have to save up for a while for that! Just waiting for it to get light here then out for a short ride before we have a family dog walk - hope the rain holds off. Happy New Year to everyone.

bellybulger,your situation sounds lovely-it must be great being to plan your own yard and get it exactly how you like it.
I'm glad that things are going well with Alice too.

We have just had a lovely long ride,to my dads farm in the next village,across his fields and back-we were out for about 3 hours and dpony behaved perfectly.She can be a bit bitey sometimes and resist you putting the bridle on and the bit in,but I changed her from a happymouth snaffle to a sweetiron french link and she loves it.She used to chew great chunks out of the happymouth,we've been through 3 in 5 months-I stuck with it because her prevs owners said she'd never been ridden in anything else and it shouldn't be changed,but her dentist recommended changing it and she seems so much happier now we have.

We went through 2 flocks of sheep,encountered 2 other horses, 2 quad bikes, a tractor and the landrover and cattletrailer,bless her she didn't bat an eyelid at it all.When we got home she wanted to keep going past the turn to the yard,I think she is enjoying the extra hacking over the holidays and is getting her old fitness levels back up.The farrier is coming on Wednesday,and all being well,the dds will take her hunting on Friday.I'm not looking forward to the dds being back at school and trying to fit rides in before it gets dark.Roll on spring.

Dhorse now appears sound, he was out for the day in the field yesterday and was sound when I hacked him today. I was trying to just do a sensible walk, but it was like sitting on a bouncy ball and he kept stopping and snorting at nothing in particular.

I'm wondering whether I should use tendon boots on him - this seems like it might be a recurring, minor tendon injury (just below the knee on the inside of his front leg - it comes up and is a bit puffy and warm, then goes down after about 2 days and then with about a week's box rest and with cold hosing and bandaging he comes sound). Assuming he is sound tomorrow I shall get going again but having never used boots before I'm beginning to think it might be worth it. Does anyone have any views either way? Both times he's been turned out sound and come in lame so maybe he should wear them in the field - although I'm not sure about that because of mud getting in. Your wise thoughts required please!

Mirage your pony sounds and looks lovely - this sort of pony can change your children's lives, hopefully it will be the start of a long and happy love affair with ponies (not to mention expensive!).

Thanks frosty,she certainly keeps me on my toes.For all her grumpiness at times,I do love her,she has taught all of us loads and once the dds have moved on to faster [and more expensive] things,I plan to keep her for me to potter about on.I have managed to find a new instructor for the dds,and I'm really pleased,she is the chief instructor for the local PC,so hopefully will be able to teach the dds how to deal with dpony's wiles.

I'm glad that your boy is sound again.I know nothing about tendon boots I'm afraid,but they sound like they might be a good idea.Apparently more horses are injured in the field than when ridden.

Frosty, a few other liveries at my yard put boots on for turnout. I am not a boot expert (I only know my brushing boots and over-reaches :)) but these are boots that go all the way up to just under the knee, and down over the fetlock too. I think one of them does wear them due to a previous tendon injury, and the other one because she got kicked on the lower leg a few times and her owner now likes to have a bit of armour on when she goes out :)

And definitely not tendon boots, but one horse at the yard gets really bad mud fever and now goes out wearing what look like plastic socks! I am amazed they stay on!

Still no time to ride for me, I move house tomorrow and have been just madly packing, cleaning, taking stuff to the tip. Still quite a lot to do which is worrying, as I'm MN'ing :) Hopefully soon I'll get some riding time!

JUST WANTING TO WISH YOU ALL A RATHER BELATED HAPPY NEW YEAR and say thank you to all of you for your support to my various horsey drama's throughout 2011 - I think this site should really be horsenet.com - the horse care advice on MN is always much better than the childcare advice!

Manatee - your mare must be related to my gelding after much debating (and a thread on here) I decided to change his bit from a pelham to a hanging cheek waterford - after a few days he did exactly what your mare did to your DD, basically became a total pain in the butt - went back to the pelham and he's almost back to having good manners now!

Frosty - I know some people who turnout in tendon boots, not sure about how it would work in the mud but if he has got a tendon 'niggle' the slippery mud could be making it worse. I guess as long as you keep an eye on his skin there's no harm in trying.

Mirage - Love you're pony, reminds me of my first pony!

Don't know about you, but we have had the most filthy day imaginable. I was planning a ride but it was so dark and windy and the rain was horizontal until lunchtime. Dhorse came in for breakfast, and stayed in for a couple of hours then when I opened the door to let him out he poked his head round the corner and said "no thanks, I'll stay here"!

I'll go into Countrywide tomorrow and ask the nice lady there about boots. I'm not sure what the best thing is, but may be I'll get some for riding and think a a bit more about turn out.

Dappleton I agree about the nice advice here - I've tried the Horse & Hound forum and they're all a bit too earnest and serious for me. The more laid back, and friendly advice I've had from here (and the sympathy) has really helped me this year, so thank you for setting this thread up.

Happy New Year to you too Dappleton.

Frosty,at least your boy has the sense to go into the stable,dpony won't have anything to do with hers,the silly old thing.

Good luck with the move Manatee.

We had horrendous wind and rain today,but mercifully it died down in time for us to go to the Pony Club meet [minus dpony as we had no towing vehicle today],and we had a bit of sunshine.I also got to meet olderyetwider,who is lovely and neither old nor wide.

No riding for us today as it is dpony's day off,but we went down to the field to check on her,poo pick and give her her tea this afternoon,and DD2 was very helpfully pointing out some poo I had missed at the bottom of the dyke,and toppled headfirst down into it.Mean mummy that I am,I nearly fell over laughing.Poor dd2-the dyke had water in it for the first time this year,it has been so dry here,until now.Luckily we were only one field away from the house,so she didn't have a long soggy walk home.

Thanks Mirage.

We had a mixed day. New pony went nicely and jumped everything she was put to. Old pony took sharer over a rather large jump she hadn't intended to jump and she fell off (no serious injuries thank goodness) so her Mum and I went to get her, leaving me with a hugely excited pony and no way back to the yard as I didn't dare walk him on the road in that state. A lovely woman on her way back to her yard let us walk with them, put him in a stable to calm down, then took us home in her trailer (with a mug of tea to warm me up) She was soooo lovely!

Yard owner who's very anti hunting, however, tore me off a strip and now isn't speaking to me. I dare say it will blow over.

We had a very eventful day today.DD2 [6] hacked 2 miles to the Meet,and DD1 plus DH met us there.Just before they set off,DD1 [8] got onto dpony,with the proviso that we could only go as far or as fast as I could run.As we set off,a chap intoduced himself as the President of the Pony Club,shook all our hands and said how pleased he was to see the dds out and how well turned out they were.He said they were a credit to the PC,so we were very chuffed.We followed the field,with DD1 begging me to take the l/r off,but I refused as it was her first time out and didn't want dpony to tank off with her,until I could see that the gate ahead was shut and there was no way out of the field,so let her off.

She trotted off,just in time to see someone jump a hedge and fall badly.I called the ambulance and explained that we were 3 fields away from the farm.A lady who was a Dr stayed with the casualty,whilst I started back to the farm to direct the ambulance.DD's friend and her mum appeared at that point,so DD went off with them,with strict instructions to do as she was told.Someone asked if I could take the horse back with me,untack it and put it somewhere safe and handed me an 18hh hunter.He was very excited,but luckily well behaved.Eventually the ambulance arrived and found it couldn't get across the fields,so called the Air Ambulance.In the meantime another rider had a bad fall,so the 1st ambulance took care of her.I asked if anyone knew where the hounds were,as I had no idea where DD was,and the PC president,who was about to set off on the back of a quad,offered me a lift back over the fields.I was hanging onto the back like grim death,I daren't fall off.

DD and her escorts were no where in sight,but another rider said she'd seen them and that the girls were having a whale of a time.I tracked them down an hour or so later at 2nd horses and DD was grinning fit to burst,she'd jumped a ditch and was so proud.Before I could tell her it was time to go,they took off again and eventually came home at around 3.30pm.DD cant believe her luck,all we'd planned for today was a quiet toddle around and she got 4 hours solid hunting.Not what I'd planned for her first time out,but I'm very very proud of her.and of dpony for looking after her so well.I'll be going around to my friend with a bottle of wine tomorrow,for looking after DD for me.

I'm knackered,I've walked 4 miles and run several more,plus been bumped around on the quad.I ache like fury and am looking forward to an early night .DD is well and truly hooked now.

Butkin :( so so sorry to read that

happy new year everyone though

this is a bizarre winter, they are both so fat and still no hard feed at all, they are not interested - not heavily worked, although have Project Can The Brown One Jump 4' to work towards (he can when he's fit I think?) but mostly mourning the end of our short lived but expensive and humiliating hunting career. And hacking for hours and hours.