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!

[Butkin]

Picked up DD's new pony today. Haven't sold either of the LRs so this FR schoolmaster has been taken to a pro-yard to produce for us for the summer. Hopefully this allow DD to learn to canter and perfect her FR show during lessons in their menage.

Might take roan LR to do FYFR show this weekend.

[Alicetheinvisible]

i am on box rest for a couple of days and today is my first day away from the horses and i am MISERABLE.

[CMOTdibbler]

Had a lovely day today - lesson for me (still won't do more than a few strides of canter in the school, but OK outside - I will get him to do it though), then went for a picnic with DS's little friend, her shetland, mum and puppy. Lots of running alongside pony for me as DS wanted to trot. Pony was in shock

Went to look at new cars for DH this afternoon - he has decided to get a Freelander suitable for towing a horsebox . He likes to be prepared

[MitchyInge]

Updates updates!

Is all about grooming at the moment I LOVE the furminator, but please remind me to do both sides as sleek and shiny nearside bit ruined by woolly mammoth offside

pulling mane and trimming heels today, and probably give in to rug buying compulsion and get another summer sheet

Not sure what to do with Joey, how hairy should he be? And why is big bit of mane missing?

[Owls]

Not too bad thank you. Had a longer break than I planned due to Volcano but my boy was really good being ridden on a lesson for the first time in three weeks. Think we're getting there slowly (oh so slowly, groan) but surely. Hacking out on Sunday weather permitting.

Congratulations on the massive improvements with your horse. Really is some achievement. You'll be hacking out by yourself before you know it.

[sykes]

Thanks, Owls. Am SO happy now. Still a long way to go but it's looking good. He hacked out today (me on another horse) and was really well behaved despite v busy main road and lots of potential for spooking. How's it going with you?

[Owls]

Of course I remember you Seeker!

That really is fantastic news - so hard to believe the change in a matter of weeks isn't it. He's been a very lucky horse to get an owner like you who cared enough to get to the bottom of his problems.

Gah - I want the nerve of a 15yo as well.

[sykes]

Oh, so nice to see this was just about to go to bed. Am sure you don't remember me but things are going, touch wood, so well. Am riding on my own, okay just walk and trot, but he is so gorgeous, paces are amazing for a five-year old and beyond wonderful on the ground. I adore him. And he was jumped the other day (by a 15-year old) who put me to shame.

[Owls]

Well the sun is shining (or was anyway) and I had a great lesson on my horse Tuesday. Am also back after an extended holiday courtesy of Volcano Unpronounceable.

[MitchyInge]

nice to hear you having so much fun cmot, hope you get that beach ride

[CMOTdibbler]

Beautiful day again today

Went out on hack, and this time trotted really nicely down to the railway, went on the road, round a roundabout (watched by a large group of small children who were fascinated), back up, and cantered up the hill. Felt fabulous !

Too nice to come home from stables - I managed to delay it by taking Ben back to his field, and was v tempted to go and help retrieve the escapees, but thought I'd better do some work today

Maybe, just maybe, I'll be OK to go on a beach ride next week

[CMOTdibbler]

I like the orange spindly things description

It was glorious out today. Ben wanted to sleep in the sun, and was somewhat recalcitrant on the subject of actually being got on. I think he has worked out that if he doesn't go near a mounting block it delays the moment of doing anything rather longer.

[MitchyInge]

No, was going to do some boring things in the school but ran out of time and energy

have got lesson tomorrow but annoyingly keep being put on various orange spindly ones so can learn some things instead of having fun being an idiot on Barney

[Alicetheinvisible]

Have you got a lesson?

[MitchyInge]

Heh, no I got the bit earlier - just that it wasn't much help dangling from hook in tack room at that precise point in time. But it will come in handy today

[Alicetheinvisible]

You do rather contradict yourself Mitchy Riding without any tack, then putting a stronger bit in

[MitchyInge]

Did get stronger bit though (wilkie)

obviously more effective when it is actually in his mouth

[MitchyInge]

I know, was not on main road though, do have some risk assessment problems sometimes

[Pixel]

My friend had a pony she could ride without any tack, he was trained to her voice and very obedient. However, it was more of a party-piece and she only did it in a safe enclosed place.

[Pixel]

How have you lived long enough to have a 2nd adolescence?

[MitchyInge]

(thought you could steer with your legs alone but is not that easy is it?)

[MitchyInge]

I can't ride, trust me! Thought was in trouble for cantering Barney to his field with him only wearing rug, no head collar which meant we bombed up and down someone elses field with no real purpose, but did not get told off.

My resolution is to find a way to be a bit more mature without decreasing enjoyment of life as seem to be stuck in perpetual 2nd adolescence

[Alicetheinvisible]

of you all being able to ride. Would literally kill to be able to leave DD with my Dad or a babysitter and DH and i ride out together. Or Just by myself tbh. Mare has an abcess on her face atm anyway so couldn't ride her.

[MitchyInge]

that will be fab, am excited for you - will it be Ben? sorry if you have said before

I like the sound of your place, wish someone would supervise me a bit more or at least remind me to check my girth now and then

looking forward to lesson tonight although am on grumpy ginger thing who absolutely HATES me

[CMOTdibbler]

Def no ponies for DS until after he is at school. Then, as we will drive past the stables to and from school, I will look into loaning one of their ponies for him as he will be able to get a ride in most days.

I, on the other hand, should be able to start a loan in 6 weeks or so when I'm allowed off the metaphorical lead rein of supervision