thread on which to report positive things

[MiffyWhinge]

firstly the sun came out, hooray

secondly and even more welcome Joey didn't put a foot wrong today (once he started concentrating and stopped having a good look at everything around him). He managed to shoulder in, leg yield and, with a placer pole, put in a single stride of canter before a jump and do a double with a placer pole in between - he was a star, am ashamed of all the grumpy thoughts I've been having about him until recently. Clever, beautiful boy

please share yours!

[marge2]

I know - total brat! Bloody lucky they haven't thrown her out let alone pay for her herd!

[AliceandtheGinormousBaps]

Oh god, that one - nutter! When i was 19 i was working in a breaking yard and taking my own clients, so about 8 horses a day, and then my own youngster, and still enjoying a couple of evenings out

Still, can't believe she is blaming her parents though

Managed to ride on sunday, mare was being a donkey and DD was wailing "I want to ride, it's my turn, mummy get orrrrrrrfffff, mummeeeeeeee" hurt the next day, but then came down with gastric flu the day after, so maybe more to do with that.

Hopefully ride again this weekend, also need to finish mare's mane and start on the wild beast gelding

[marge2]

She's 17 remember - still a child and we KNOW they have mad amounts of energy!

[AlpinePony]

Rode, then lunged, then schooled, then hacked yesterday due to ridiculous behaviour. Not mine!

As I struggled with buckles and cold fingers it occurred to me that the girl whose parents are making her sell her horses deserves a fucking medal. How does ANYONE find time to get pregnant when they're riding 6 horses?

[frostyfingers]

Right, I rode for the first time in 6 months on Friday and it was great. It was cold and foggy but dhorse was SO excited that he pranced all the way round snorting and spooking at all the things that have changed in his absence. After about 30 mins he was knackered and very sweaty but really pleased with himself. We went out again on Saturday and he was a bit calmer, but he's now on a break until Friday as I'm stuck working.

My hip (I have bursitis) is still agony, but it was worth it!

[frostyfingers]

No, I haven't had a chance today, and it's vile here - wet and windy. not Cornwall but Shropshire. I thought I'd give him a day to get used to having shoes back on too - he's always a bit sensitive after shoeing, and after a long gap I don't want to rush it. It's only going to be boring walking for the first few weeks anyway but that suits me as I'm very unfit now as well.

Fingers crossed Friday is ok weatherwise!

[marge2]

Have you ridden yet Frosty? It's not too bad today weatherwise today (unless you are in Cornwall.)

[frostyfingers]

Dhorse has had his shoes back on for the first time in 6 months. I'm going to give him a day or two to get used to it, then get on - scary. The fact that it's chucking it with rain today is irrelevant of course!

[marge2]

He's a vet?!?!?!? - you lucky lucky cow!!!

[AliceandtheGinormousBaps]

He is a vet, but still a beginner where riding is concerned, but him and the horse get on well.

Bloody kids! DD is very good at the yard luckily - saves the bad behaviour for when i'm stuck feeding the baby

[marge2]

So your DH rides too? That should make it easier. He even rides an ex racehorse too? At least he 'gets it'. My DH just thinks they are scary, smelly and expensive. He's cross with here today as she broke my toe ( I think) last night. The ruddy kids were messing on in the car which I had parked right outside the stable so I can stop them fighting. They managed to beep the flaming car horn about 5 foot from the stable while I was skipping out and my horse leapt out of her skin and onto my foot. The air was rather blue and the kids rather well told off. Not the horses fault at all, but I am limping about today.

The sponsored ride sounds fun. I love those.

[AliceandtheGinormousBaps]

Used to ride a fair bit while DD was a baby, but has got harder as she has got older and sleeps less. We are now at a yard much closer so less time is spent travelling which is a huge bonus.

We are going to aim to take both our horses to the big sponsered ride next september in Newmarket. Will be a big challenge for DH and his horse who used to train there. My poor mare just wishes she was a racehorse!

[marge2]

I love the post box rest energy too. So much easier to get them on the bit when they really WANT to go forward!!

I'd say that was fine Alice although it can be annoying when you are in the middle of it and the baby wakes up. I once got my girl all ready for lunging - all the gear on. Went up to the school with the kids in tow. THree minutes later - not even got the side reins on yet and.... Mummmee I need a poooo. Wouldnt go on his own as the loo was a typical spidery yard one!

Had to abandon as it was getting dark!! Total waste of time.

[AliceandtheGinormousBaps]

Nutter!

[MitchyInge]

AIBU to love love love post box rest energy and enthusiasm, especially in this weather?

[AliceandtheGinormousBaps]

I wouldn't leave the yard! Just ride in the school and park the car next to the school.

We have great hacking but would not leave the yard unless DH was about with a good supply of milk for DS

[marge2]

Well I say it's perfectly reasonable to send kids to pre-school just so you can ride - but I suspect many MNetters would be aghast!

Careful about the one asleep in the car though. There was one woman at my old yard who used to leave her baby locked in the car and go off riding. Poor litle baby woke up on a couple of occasions and SCREAMED the place down for hours till she came back. We could not console her as she was locked in.

It was when I was much younger - pre my own kids so I wasn't sure what was 'allowed'. The Mum seemed very blase. I shudder to think about it now! Poor little thing!

[frostyfingers]

My dhorse is having his shoes back on which means that I hope to start riding for the first time since May. He's been having sarcoid treatment in his groin and been walking like John Wayne for months, but now, finally the end is in sight and I think I'll be able to get back on.

Typical that it's now when it's cold and wet, but hey ho, better late than never. I suspect I'll be the one walking like John Wayne soon!

[AliceandtheGinormousBaps]

I have one starting at preschool and one who is 12wks old and likes to have long naps, so i can park on the yard and play ponies while he sleeps

AIBU to want to send my DD to preschool 5 days a week so i can ride my horses? can you imagine the responses!

[marge2]

Ah the mould wipes off. Mine's all clean and sparkly again.

It's great when they go to pre-school. My two are both at school now so I get the whole of Monday and Friday pm to play.at.the.yard do the housework!

[AliceandtheGinormousBaps]

Marge - i have green tack too

Rode out again on sunday. Was worried about confidence after another long break but all fine, amazed to find that i don't hurt at all from it.

Waiting for DD to start preschool so i have more time to ride

[ilovecorey]

well one positive thing my lovely amazing pony won a puissance jumping 1.30 yupp it was scary but fun.
my youngster (the one in my threads) just cantered without thinking he was at the rodeo. what loverly boys!

[marge2]

She WAS a star!! Been riding again for a few days now - just 15 mins of road work at a time so far. But she is being great and feels really sound. Not too mad at all seeing as she has to be stabled 23 and 3/4 hours a day now! Plenty of energy though. A bit joggy on the way home yesterday.

I think I am going to invest in some new long waterproof chaps. We got SOAKED yeserday, but LOVED it!

[marge2]

Ah she'll be a star. She can be a handful in hand, but has almost never been naughty while ridden. Even once after a previous 4 month box rest episode ten years ago, She just hacked out quietly!

I can't wait - I am going out for a ten minute road hack with my friend as a comfort blanket!

I've just had a look at my tack - it's gone green with mould in our tackroom

[Pixel]

Wonderful news! It's lovely when they get a reprieve isn't it? We were told we'd have to retire our first pony at the age of 17 due to lameness, but he made a complete recovery and the following year completed a 26 mile ride with no ill effects at all (well for him anyway ). We finally lost him aged 35 and he was still sound.

Sounds like you've got your work cut out with your mad lively mare though!