hapless hacking and Actual Riding log

[Mitchy1nge]

is the riding log full now? Haven't seen it for ages.

Anyway we (well, me and the horse) are back in very light work at last, 2013 can finally begin!

What are your goals?

ouch frosty

dd hunted on saturday and a horse tried to jump a metal gate, failed, fell on top of the gate, rider came off and ended up at the bottom of a horse and gate pile! Luckily just cuts and bruises.

Apparently dd 'didn't jump anything mummy'

just had an email from a friend saying wow can't believe that pony managed to clear that huge hedge and ditch

Brilliant craggy - love it! Feeling a bit less doddery this morning, having spent the rest of yesterday considering amputation the swelling has gone down a bit (it looks less like a blown up rubber glove), and is now turning a fetching shade of deep blue.

Since I can't get my boots on I won't be hunting tomorrow, but do intend to go on Saturday as it's the last day of the season and our huntsman is retiring so it will be a mega day - lots of painkillers and some bandaging should do it! Mad in a way, but I know if I don't go I'll regret it, and I can always come home early. That's assuming I can get the boots on of course!

Perhaps you could borrow a bigger pair, preferably ones with zips?

Can you bear to keep applying ice packs to see if the swelling will go down? I hope you don't miss the last day.

The swelling has gone down by about 2/3rds which is great but it's still sore to walk on, especially where the stirrup was pressed into the inside and underneath of my foot. Rather disappointingly the bruising isn't as spectacular as I feel it should be considering how much it hurts!

I'm going to Pilates tonight as my back is sore so will have to be careful, but I think I should make it as long as I keep resting it. DH has gone to do the shopping today bless him, so I'm "working" with my foot propped up and a cup of coffee!

I've found some elasticated bandage - a vet friend yesterday suggested using vetwrap for decent support. I'm not sure I want to use my expensive bandage on my foot though!

I hope you can make it on Saturday frosty.

The girls had their first lesson this year yesterday.All we've done is hack all winter as the fields are too wet to ride on,so I was a half expecting a few fireworks from exited ponies.Luckily B was fine,DD1 cantered him around and got him to listen to her and not anticipate.They both did really well.DD2 and dpony,well,dpony is rarely forward going unless hunting or x country,but she had a rocket up her yesterday.DD2 has an electric bum I think.

Well I made it, and am very glad I did as we had a fabulous day - the hounds ran one trail for over an hour - with lots of jumping and some reasonable going. Lots of codeine, serious industrial strapping and plenty of hip flask sampling made it bearable, and actually it's not hugely worse today so I haven't done any more damage.

So, the end of my first serious season with dhorse and we managed 16 days which isn't bad considering we didn't start until the end of November, and lost almost 3 weeks (6 days) due to the bad weather. Once he settled into it he became a really good hunter, still slightly impatient at times but he's jumped like a dream and been much admired too. Felt a bit sad cleaning and putting away the hunting kit for the season, although dhorse is looking a bit thin and moth eaten after his bout of mud fever, and I am looking forward to a bit of rest from plaiting and cleaning to perfection.

Our end of season supper was a riot too, over 200 people having a great time, but I am knackered - after a full day's hunting finishing at 4.30, quick wash of horse and self and turn around into smart clothes for 7pm and then to bed at midnight I think I need a quiet day today!

Sounds a wonderful last day to the season.

We went to a rally today,and DD2's pony was awful.He rodeoed around 3 or 4 times for no reason at all that we could tell.I've never seen anything like it,he was so naughty.Luckily and amazingly,DD2 sat tight and recieved several rounds of applause from the people watching,but after the 2nd broncing fit,got quite upset.It really knocked her confidence as he wouldn't even canter around the school without bucking and trying to tank off. He wasn't fresh,as when he wasn't working,he stood there nodding off to sleep, and wasn't at all fizzy.He just had the devil in him and was pushing his luck.At least she remembered to circle him to slow him down.Ah well,onwards and upwards.

It's spring fever! I have rashly agreed to do an intro pairs class at a hunter trial in a couple of weeks and thought that dhorse had better have a bit more exercise rather than the once weekly pootle round the lanes in the sunshine. He leapt about from start to finish for no reason: every rustle in the hedge, new clumps of grass, the daffodils and oh my god, the newly arrived chickens on the yard - all of them were enough to start him prancing and snorting and stopping dead and generally being an idiot.

A bit of fresh grass and sunshine, combined with a little chill in the air and a wind have sent them crackers I reckon! Well done to your DD for hanging on in there, if you've another rally soon perhaps a little lunge before she gets on just might take the edge of him.

Thank you frosty I'm sorry that your boy is being silly too.How long until their system gets used to it,do you think? I've never had problems with dpony and the spring grass so it is all new to me.

Bizarrely enough,he isn't the slightest bit excitable or fizzy.The only time he ever lights up is when jumping.I spoke to our regular instructor today and she was surprised as she knows how laid back he is.She thinks it is a combination of grass and being the sort who will always push their luck to see if they can get out of doing something/get away with something.He has done it twice before when not allowed to career over showjumps at top speed,once with DD1 and once with a friend.His owner is mystified as he never did it with them and they had him 5 years.She did say that DD1 is very light and he perhaps forgets she is there or thinks he can do what he likes.

Our instructor has suggested we try him in a pelham,just until DD1 gets her confidence back and he learns that he cant take the mick.Bloody ponies! Why don't my children take up ballet or violin,something which won't try to kill them?

Because it wouldn't be anywhere near as much fun!

Not much to report here dpony3 remains beautiful, sweet and quite possibly the dimmest equine we've ever met. Poor soul has had a sheltered life and now has to cope with all kinds of terrifying things like someone dragging a hosepipe past the stable....Go to large, buzzy showground and he's all business though so really cannot be anything but amused. Dpony2 is being a star in his new home and we get regular updates which is wonderful.

Glad dpony is settling in ML, love the description! Is there anyone a little more substantial could ride DD's pony Mirage? Just to remind him that he's not the boss and that he doesn't get to make the decisions....

I have just agreed to be a mounted steward at the point to point (can't quite believe I said yes). Dhorse as an ex pointer will no doubt find the whole day thoroughly exciting and spend the day prancing and snorting. It's not for another 6 weeks so I've got plenty of time to really work myself up about it!

There's me frosty,I qualify on the weight bit,being nearer 10st than DD1's fly weight,but if he bucked with me on board,he'd definitely get me off. I'm a terrible rider and am only capable of hacking,which I had planned to do this week anyway,but won't have time to do now.

His owner is happy for us to try a pelham,in fact she had him in one at one point in the past,so I'll give that a go.If he continues being silly,I can always ask his old rider to come over and have a go.I'm hoping it is a temporary grass induced thing as we've had him 7 months now and things had been going well,plus we all love the naughty old thing.

I'm glad to hear things are going well with the new pony Marialuisa and that J is happy in his new home.

Good luck at the ptp frosty.My two are selling racecards at ours next month.

Pelham, lunging and a loud growly voice work wonders on a naughty pony......I'm sure it's only a temporary blip.

Thank you.I am queen of the growly voice.Dpony's habit of waving her legs about when being groomed has honed it to perfection.

Incidentally,there is an instructor at PC who,on seeing dpony for the first time,said 'That's not xxx,is it? I know that pony'. And didn't look happy at renewing the aquaintance.She wouldn't be drawn on how/where she knew her from and on the rare occasions she taught the girls would make comments about not getting to close to dpony to others. We stopped going to anything she taught at as the girls love dpony and it upset them,plus,my mum,who is also devoted to dpony,used to get enraged about the derogatory comments.

Anyway,the same instructor said to me on Sunday,'Is that xxx?' I said yes it was,she was 24 now and we'd had her nearly 3 years.She said she remembered her from when she belonged to a livery yard and that she once taught a child on her anddpony wasn't playing ball.The instructor ran up behind dpony, clapping to make her shift .Dpony promptly kicked her.She said that if she was in the mood,she was the perfect child's pony,and I agreed,said that she didn't have the sweetest temper but we had an understanding.I also mentioned what a good hunter she is and that I had people queuing up for her when she is outgrown. Instructor said she wasn't surprised that people wanted her.

Quick update: gd has her new horse in schooling livery at the minute. She is very sweet, but very green. She tries so hard, and us doing well, and gd loves her beyond all reason.

Old pony (actually only 21 but sick of timewasters so nor going anywhere) now has a little squad of girls who play fuss and ride. And ggd has had a few walks in him. Shes nearly one so time she started riding

Mirage, have you tried magnesium?

Ooh! Photo please 50.. I'm sorry if it was my friend who messed you about.

I'm going to try magnesium,he has been a bit spooky in the field the past week,which isn't like him.Nothing bothers him normally,tractors,chainsaws,kittens under his feet,never bats an eyelid.

It has just occured to me that he didn't have his flash on on Sunday,and he does get his tongue over the bit if he possibly can.Might have something to do with it.

Could be worth trying a hanging cheek snaffle mirage. It suspends the bit in the mouth, so still gentle but difficult to get tongue over, I'd be cautious about a pelham because it can encourage head between the knees evasion and also because when pony is being difficult its perhaps not the time to be getting to grips with two reins.

How about trying a wilkie for the more exciting stuff? Small amount of gag, but not unreasonable?

will post photos of utterly stunning new baby horse soon, shes lovely.

Timewasters did me a favour, little girls love him and he's not moving. He doesn't mind the sparkly hoof oil and general pampering.

Horses now cost more than mortgage

He did come in a hanging cheek,but we had no steering or brakes when jumping.His owner said she has had him in a pelham before now and Julie suggested we try it.I'll get roundings too as I don't think 2 sets of reins at the minute is a good idea.It is frustrating because prior to this,DD1 was getting on fabulously,using her seat for stopping and transitions rather than the reins/kicking.I'll hang fire for a while and see what he is like at our lesson next week before buying a new bit though.

We are definitely not taking him to the bunny hunt this year.

I'm glad things worked out well for dpony.

We're not going to the bunnyhunt either. New horse had first walk on the road today. She did really well, but doesn't need her brain frying!

Well I'm ready as I'll ever be for my first competitive foray for some 30 years..... Medical armband has arrived, hat has been fitted and checked, Dhorse has some brushing & overreach boots, and best of all I have a bodyprotector which did not cost the earth - in fact it was a third off because it was last year's design and had been hanging around waiting for the right size person and for once that was me....

A cross country schooling session has been booked for next weekend and dhorse is still as mad as a box of frogs so I'm not sure what's going to happen then. I know it's only a 2'6" hunter trial, but I seem to be spending a lot of time thinking about it. My friend said "feel the fear and do it anyway" so I'm repeating that a lot! And it's still 2 weeks away....

Sounds good frosty we'll expect a full report afterwards.

Until today we haven't had a lesson since the rally of disaster,just been hacking about.I have borrowed a happymouth pelham from a friend and he wore it for today's lesson.I don't know if it did make a difference,because he was absolutely perfect,despite the horses in the field next to us whizzing about.DD1 cantered and jumped him,did lots of transitions with no issues at all.He seemed very happy and didn't get his tongue over the bit,but DD1 started crying and said she didn't like the bit,she was worried it would hurt him.We explained that it couldn't,then she said it didn't feel safe,like she couldn't stop him.Neither I or our instructor saw any sign of this at all,so I think it was just nerves.We've told her he can go back to his hanging cheek for hacking ect and just use the pelham for exciting stuff.I'm very proud of her though,despite the whittling,because I know she was scared of him bucking and tanking again.

DD2 is just flying on dpony,she has an electric bum and goes whizzing around at top speed,laughing as she goes.They are both very different riders.

Reporting back as promised! My first competitive outing for 3 decades was actually not too bad - not prize wise as we were eliminated, but dhorse jumped a clear round and led most of the way and I was very pleased with him. My poor pair managed to break her little finger early on when her youngster put in an enormous cat leap and she got the finger caught in the neckstrap - very bravely she wanted to continue but were eliminated at one fence as she just didn't have the strength to get her horse over, we trotted quite a lot as brakes were an issue, but we got round with no further problems so were chuffed to bits.

It was quite tricky though as we were called forward to the start and then there was a lengthy hold of over an hour as one of the pair two in front of us had a fall, hurt her back and needed the ambulance. We could hear on the radio that the paramedic didn't think there was "danger of paralysis" (just what you want to hear when you're about to go!) but that he wanted to be cautious just in case, which is fine but god knows what would have happened if it was life threatening, the county ambulance must have gone the scenic route to get to the course and then were so slow treating her. I know they have to be careful, but an hour to move her seemed excessive to me, if it was that bad then they should have got the air ambulance. They got her into the ambulance and off the course and then it was another 20 minutes before the paramedics were back in place, which was what frustrated most of us. I haven't heard how she is, but I hope it's nothing more than bruising. Not impressed really as this is a proper xc course which regularly runs events, and it just seemed a bit casual to me. So we had to warm down, hang around and warm up again - thank god it was sunny and there were nice people to chat to, but it really wasn't good for my nerves.

Anyhow my poor friend is now waiting in A&E to have a finger xrayed, but otherwise we were both pleased with our boys (and ourselves). Her horse is a youngster and has never competed before and mine is an ex racer who can be somewhat headstrong but both of them were pretty good. A few more fun rides in the offing and then we may try again in the autumn.....

Ooh frostythat sounds an eventful day! I'm glad dhorse did well and hope your friend is on the mend soon.I agree that the delay treating the fallen rider is worrying,around here the air ambulance is often utilized.

We took dpony and DD1 to a x country rally yesterday and it went very well,dpony is obviously feeling fine at the minute.I have fenced off a schooling area in our summer field and she has been cantering B around there with the Waterford in instead of the pelham and he has been fine.

We have a busy week,Rally on Thursday [pelham might go back on for that],Bunny hunt for DD2 on Saturday and I am fence judging at a Hunter Trial on Sunday.

Mirage I'm knackered but happy! Glad to hear your ponies are going well - spring fever is a strange thing... - I'm a great fan of Waterford bits, I used one on my last horse and it was a revelation. Hope the rallies go well, I find the preparation and afterwards more exhausting than the events themselves. Doing a few outings in succession works wonders too, they seem to find it less exciting if it's not in isolation. We're fence judging in a couple of weeks, I do hope it's a smoother event than today. I'm less anxious now about being a mounted steward at our Point to Point - he was pretty good today, although that may all change if he hears a hunting horn!