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Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Original poster

thread on which to report positive things

310 replies

MiffyWhinge · 27/02/2010 13:07

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!

OP posts:
CMOTdibbler · 07/04/2010 21:16

I have a fab mental picture of you Mitchy ! What with your landrovers and whizzing round on Barney..

Your poor mare in the wars Alice

MitchyInge · 07/04/2010 21:22

Actually yesterday was v funny, en route to mounting block he escaped ( told you I was feckless) but instead of making bid for freedom he legged it into the school to start without me, which was a bit unnerving for the more organised riders in my group who were all working their horses in in a more planned sort of way. I honestly can't imagine any other yard tolerating us.

We do have quite normal experiences sometimes too but I forget to mention them

MitchyInge · 07/04/2010 21:24

Am up for that hack though Alice, hopefully will not live up to my own posts but just get on and off normally and have a nice time!

Alicetheinvisible · 08/04/2010 08:06

As long as you have low standards Mitchy, we will all be fine

MitchyInge · 08/04/2010 10:08

goodness, if my standards dropped any further?

well this is a good project to work towards, getting one or the other to load and travel nicely - of the pair Joey is a more sensible ride in the outside world (apart from cantering sideways down the main road that one time)

Alicetheinvisible · 09/04/2010 10:23

DD rode my mare up and down the yard yesterday, also had DH's stethoscope round her neck - was cute (slightly ruined perhaps by the fact that she as covered head to toe in horse bedding)

But the good thing is she didn't want to get off!!!! We need a pony!!

Alicetheinvisible · 10/04/2010 09:50

DD was feeding the horses hay through the fence (her favourite pastime at the yard) I turned round to find her pottering round the field with Mare slowly following. Was quite sweet, despite me telling DD that if she went into the field again she would be put in the car bloody kids!

Farrier came yesterday and was very pleased with TB's feet (always a bit of a battle) and both horses behaved

Anyone doing anything today?

MitchyInge · 10/04/2010 15:03

So nice to read all these good things Alice

having bit of a rubbish time at moment, middle daughter in hospital, desperately need an hour or two with horses to destress and unwind and hope can manage that soon - nothing better, even when they are not on best behaviour they are so therapeutic

keep up the good work! are you looking for a pony now?

Alicetheinvisible · 10/04/2010 15:05

Sorry to hear that Mitchy, hope she is ok.

Not actively looking for pony, two horses is enough, just would like one!

CMOTdibbler · 10/04/2010 15:12

Sorry to hear about your DD Mitchy

DS and I had lessons this morning (am still having problems with getting to canter when schooling, but getting there), and DS's friend came for the first time with us. So, they got to ride together, and played at being the Grand National by having a race over poles on the ground (she actually has a pony, but it is v small and bad tempered, so can't really trot on it - when we went out with them, it tried to buck DS off, therefore needs lessons to do more). They were sooo gorgeous together.

I was chatting to instructor about age limits for their pony days/pony camp (as am intending to use it as holiday care when DS starts school), and they joked that at the moment they'd have to put a head collar and lead rein on DS and tether him. Maybe an idea Alice

MitchyInge · 12/04/2010 22:53

Some much needed fun today, hope these links work:
just as we said Joey would poo himself at the chicken filler

MitchyInge · 12/04/2010 23:43

more

and more

last one, humour me?

introducing him to x country tomorrow

Alicetheinvisible · 13/04/2010 08:33

Mitchy he is lovely! I can't believe he would ever misbehave

Poor Mare is still in the wars (very unlike her) she came in yesterday with a swollen face, DH thinks she knocked it quite hard as there was a little graze too. Today it is swollen down to her mouth poor girl, but not hindering eating which is very important. Especially as both horses seem to have found their apetites again and are eating me out of hay and home!

Must go, friends coming round and my house looks like a toddler bomb has hit it

MitchyInge · 13/04/2010 08:56

hope that's the last injury for a while, you are SO lucky to be married to a vet

excited about cross country today, important not to do too much too soon with him though? hope he finds it exciting too! perhaps we should just walk around and trot over one or two jumps first

under increasing pressure to put Barney in a gag and make more effort to control him, he's lovely with someone competent on him but I do let him charge about a bit

am just so happy the weather is so good at the moment!

Alicetheinvisible · 13/04/2010 11:16

If i wasn't with Dh, then my horses would hardly have a vet tbh, but because he is there it is easier to get him to look at things, rather than just giving them a day or 2.

I really hate gags. Have you tried a grackle? My mare is very keen jumping, and leans on you, but with a grackle on she is much lighter in the hand. Also like the cherry roller bits, think they are very handy to have about. All my opinion though!

MitchyInge · 13/04/2010 23:38

I got a gag today but am taking it back, it just looks so awful and anyway it doesn't fit - would need new bridle (at top hole already and forgot about that stupid extra ring on top) and goodness only knows where his old one is

we DO need something though, jumping today and the person who's been schooling Joey got on Barney - she is a v v v competent (stage 4) jockey but the way he charged into the jump and then performed a really dirty stop was horrible, nobody could have stayed on, it's a miracle she isn't seriously hurt because it was a horrible horrible fall. somehow take it completely seriously when it is somebody else

it's not just his speed, it's his motorbiking and the impossibility of keeping his shoulders where they should be - he's being a bit of a sod really. we've recently introduced a flash which has helped a bit, am thinking pelham or maybe a bevel - at least latter looks neater and does not fill me with horror like the gag. Joey has a bevel. looked at cherry rollers today but unfortunately they don't lend you those and didn't want to buy one unless can try first. he always was in a gag originally but I just don't like them

blimey what an essay! and have not gushed about all the lovely positive stuff of the day - like Joey's amazing adventures on x country course (I LOVE THAT PONY, he is so cool!) and how cute he was when he met the water jump, dipping his hooves in and shaking them like a cat might with its paws is fab to see my youngest daughter bombing round on him in complete safety and how lovely and round his jump is, compared to that brown one who doesn't need another mention just yet . . .

MitchyInge · 13/04/2010 23:43

(in Barney's defence it was a much higher jump than is sensible and he did it beautifully the next time, some rider error in checking his stride, wasn't all his fault)

MitchyInge · 14/04/2010 00:23

I know I am obsessed but of the 236 vids taken today this one of Joey meeting the water jump is my absolute favourite

he IS adorable isn't he?

seeker · 14/04/2010 07:28

my lot being a bit silly

Alicetheinvisible · 14/04/2010 08:39

Haven't got time to watch videos yet, got MW in 45mins and not dressed! But just wanted to add Mitchy, that my mare will take off at a jump if she is even supposed to go past it iyswim. So we could be doing flatwork in a school that has a jump set up and if you trot parallel to the jump she will fuck off and take you over it (V scary!) but has much more respect for the grackle, leans on a flash. If you can borrow one i would highly recomend it. Also gridwork, gridwork, gridwork! Seriously, lots of poles on the ground, bounces, etc, and even lose schooling/lunging over them, gets them to think.

Now really must go........

MitchyInge · 14/04/2010 11:38

seeker - says password is needed

Your mare sounds fun Alice! That is sort of how sideways show jumping was born only know one other person with a grackle and that's a tiny, fine pony so probably not borrowable - there's a 2nd hand place at the vets, might have a rummage for one

hope all ok with mw

MitchyInge · 14/04/2010 11:42

Grids do seem to be the only way to sort striding out - we'll do that this afternoon (if can get self organised)

do you think everyone else is on holiday?

Alicetheinvisible · 14/04/2010 11:51

Lucky them! Dh is not even getting his full days off atm.

My mare is fun, and safe which is very important to me, just enjoys jumping rather too much!

She did her first ever grid a few weeks ago (loose) loved it, showed off by turning round at the end and jumping it all the other way

I am soooo desperate to get back on her. DH says we will have to get organised a bit, but will do as much as possible to ensure i get to ride after the baby is born. Luckily our yard has a floodlit school.

seeker · 14/04/2010 14:45

Password is curlew1905 - sorry thought I had removed the need for one, but obviously not!

Itsthawooluff · 14/04/2010 21:46

Acquired fell pony mare for DD1 - and it's lovely lovely lovely - kind, gentle and really lives up to the sale hype.

Phew!!