http://www.darleyrehoming.co.uk/index.asp
just sent an application in...
Keeping My Fingers Crossed
9 years ago
Saturday, July 31, 2010
telling people
my decision....
those I've told so far this end are in support; partner thinks about time too, and Gaynor agrees the way to go as well
so, horse hunt...
I keep saying my next horse will be a gelding, who'll hack on his own or in company, and will do gates, LOL!
I want to be able to get out without worrying about whether we'll even get out the gate but also be able to train and actually get out and do some dressage as well (I've never been a jumper!), so i wouldn't want one that doesn't want to be in the arena
There's a lot to be said for an OTTB - a friend had a lovely one last spring that would have fitted the bill perfectly, but he was bought to sell on and now has been...but something of his stamp, with a sensible head on his shoulders - and they've all been out and about and know that whiteboards and such like won't eat them!
my plan is to potter on with Molly until we find something else (assuming she recovers from this weeks lameness, which one hopes she does, we didn't think it was anything too awful!)
those I've told so far this end are in support; partner thinks about time too, and Gaynor agrees the way to go as well
so, horse hunt...
I keep saying my next horse will be a gelding, who'll hack on his own or in company, and will do gates, LOL!
I want to be able to get out without worrying about whether we'll even get out the gate but also be able to train and actually get out and do some dressage as well (I've never been a jumper!), so i wouldn't want one that doesn't want to be in the arena
There's a lot to be said for an OTTB - a friend had a lovely one last spring that would have fitted the bill perfectly, but he was bought to sell on and now has been...but something of his stamp, with a sensible head on his shoulders - and they've all been out and about and know that whiteboards and such like won't eat them!
my plan is to potter on with Molly until we find something else (assuming she recovers from this weeks lameness, which one hopes she does, we didn't think it was anything too awful!)
Friday, July 30, 2010
6 years come october
since I had molly
here's the first entry of my earlier blog:
http://clairehodgson.20six.co.uk/clairehodgson/archiveofmonth/2005/07/00
and then i moved to blogger in summer of 2006
What progress has been made?
none.
the heading of this blog says
"This is the continuation of the story of my mare Molly and her retraining into, hopefully, a sensible horse, a safe hack, and a horse able to obtain decent marks at dressage as she has really nice paces when she's working well ...."
i haven't managed that.
I've learnt a lot in the time I've had her, spent a lot of money, improved my skill set no end...
but I don't have a "safe hack" (unless she's safe because she refuses to go, or sets off and plants, that's safe enough), and i don't have a horse able to obtain decent marks at dressage.
And we're reverting to where we were in terms of being able to have a bit in the mouth, and being mounted...
and she's 16, and has arthritic changes in both fetlocks, probably...
I've made up my mind to retire her and get another horse that I can enjoy for the ridden work...
I could put her in foal, but there's little point - I'd be 60 time any foal was ready to be ridden, would i really want to be backing a baby at 60?
I'll probably keep her going till i find something else; they do grass livery at the yard I'm on....
also, i really HAVEN'T the heart to keep trying - as my friend said in the spring, this was the year for her to come good...
edited to add: as and when i get new horse, that will mean new blog, i shall close this one then...
here's the first entry of my earlier blog:
http://clairehodgson.20six.co.uk/clairehodgson/archiveofmonth/2005/07/00
and then i moved to blogger in summer of 2006
What progress has been made?
none.
the heading of this blog says
"This is the continuation of the story of my mare Molly and her retraining into, hopefully, a sensible horse, a safe hack, and a horse able to obtain decent marks at dressage as she has really nice paces when she's working well ...."
i haven't managed that.
I've learnt a lot in the time I've had her, spent a lot of money, improved my skill set no end...
but I don't have a "safe hack" (unless she's safe because she refuses to go, or sets off and plants, that's safe enough), and i don't have a horse able to obtain decent marks at dressage.
And we're reverting to where we were in terms of being able to have a bit in the mouth, and being mounted...
and she's 16, and has arthritic changes in both fetlocks, probably...
I've made up my mind to retire her and get another horse that I can enjoy for the ridden work...
I could put her in foal, but there's little point - I'd be 60 time any foal was ready to be ridden, would i really want to be backing a baby at 60?
I'll probably keep her going till i find something else; they do grass livery at the yard I'm on....
also, i really HAVEN'T the heart to keep trying - as my friend said in the spring, this was the year for her to come good...
edited to add: as and when i get new horse, that will mean new blog, i shall close this one then...
Thursday, July 29, 2010
of bits and necks
usually, when the poll is out, one thinks that that causes various resistances
is that the case when the resistances were there in any event in a horse that, in its previous life, had been ridden etc. in a bit that hurt her?
been thinking about this all day, jean!
but think about the history - it's the same as her thing with gates, she remembers what happened when she was 6 months old, and IMHO the thing with bits is the same, she assumes it's going to hurt even if it isn't any more...
i think probably the poll being slightly out wont be helping, and obviously i've emailed the physio to come and see .. but i can't sensibly think that'll make much difference, in the scale of things...
at least she'll eat bute!
is that the case when the resistances were there in any event in a horse that, in its previous life, had been ridden etc. in a bit that hurt her?
been thinking about this all day, jean!
but think about the history - it's the same as her thing with gates, she remembers what happened when she was 6 months old, and IMHO the thing with bits is the same, she assumes it's going to hurt even if it isn't any more...
i think probably the poll being slightly out wont be helping, and obviously i've emailed the physio to come and see .. but i can't sensibly think that'll make much difference, in the scale of things...
at least she'll eat bute!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
we think
it's some sort of wrench or something due possibly to hoolying in the field on hard ground...feet of course were fine (trimmed last week!) not gravelled, no probs with white line of course, possibly very minor bruise in one very small place but that was dubious as a diagnosis...
nothing obvious to find, save a shade stiff on the right shoulder
probably nothing to do with the fetlocks, as this is a right sided lameness, not a bilateral one
so week off, bute for 4 days, double up her supplement for the same period, see how she is after that.
if that doesn't do it, it's probably old age.. doh.
cream for the eye
her teeth? the dentist had been doing a good job.
She is out at her poll, but i showed vet how that was NOT relevant to bitting...ah, he says.
it's all in her mind....
nothing obvious to find, save a shade stiff on the right shoulder
probably nothing to do with the fetlocks, as this is a right sided lameness, not a bilateral one
so week off, bute for 4 days, double up her supplement for the same period, see how she is after that.
if that doesn't do it, it's probably old age.. doh.
cream for the eye
her teeth? the dentist had been doing a good job.
She is out at her poll, but i showed vet how that was NOT relevant to bitting...ah, he says.
it's all in her mind....
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
and not sound...
i did wonder last night - whilst she was willing to trot and moving on and listening to me in terms of direction, etc, i wasn't totally sure that she was right...
so i lunged tonight - it's subtle, but she's not sound.
i'm hoping it's just a bruise somewhere from being kicked (unlikely, they've all been very settled from the day she moved in!) but more likely to be because she's living on a hill ....
just as well i've booked the vet!
and tea tonight will include home grown peas. shame partner can't stand peas! i haven't grown many...
so i lunged tonight - it's subtle, but she's not sound.
i'm hoping it's just a bruise somewhere from being kicked (unlikely, they've all been very settled from the day she moved in!) but more likely to be because she's living on a hill ....
just as well i've booked the vet!
and tea tonight will include home grown peas. shame partner can't stand peas! i haven't grown many...
Monday, July 26, 2010
dodgy eye and no bit...
fortunately I've already arranged for the vet to come Wednesday to look at her teeth, as when molly came in tonight her eye is a bit swollen and hot and there was red where there should be white; guess the flies have been at something, she now has her fly mask on (hope she keeps it on, it's a few years since she's worn one, as she used to be a dab hand at getting them off.
she wouldn't take the bit, even with her favourite feed as a treat, so we went bitless - and she was very responsive tonight, lots of circles and diagonals in a half decent trot, and i was able to slow it, and stop, with my seat, so more progress.
then a friend was taking her gelding back to his field, which involves going down the track towards the hacking area, so i followed; even more impressively, i was able to open the arena gate without getting off, well pleased with that!
she wouldn't take the bit, even with her favourite feed as a treat, so we went bitless - and she was very responsive tonight, lots of circles and diagonals in a half decent trot, and i was able to slow it, and stop, with my seat, so more progress.
then a friend was taking her gelding back to his field, which involves going down the track towards the hacking area, so i followed; even more impressively, i was able to open the arena gate without getting off, well pleased with that!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
this free jumping malarkey
is quite good fun, if strenuous when there's only one person to direct!
she liked the hooley around she indulged in when i misdirected her (or rather, failed to direct her at all!) but made some quite nice efforts
started off with lowish poles either side of the arena, to be taken either direction, and finished with one larger jump - not huge, you get me, 3 pole pods high, with a pole in front one pole pod high, butted against the fence one side and with a couple of poles at an angle the other side to help keep her on track - and once i got the direction right, she made a couple of good efforts at that
she liked the hooley around she indulged in when i misdirected her (or rather, failed to direct her at all!) but made some quite nice efforts
started off with lowish poles either side of the arena, to be taken either direction, and finished with one larger jump - not huge, you get me, 3 pole pods high, with a pole in front one pole pod high, butted against the fence one side and with a couple of poles at an angle the other side to help keep her on track - and once i got the direction right, she made a couple of good efforts at that
Saturday, July 24, 2010
big scary model strawberry
and loads of parked cars round ig.
Me? go down that track when i can see that big scary strawberry, the parked cars and a field of horses between me and them? No, shan't, she said.
drat. and i had to get someone to hold her head whilst i got on.
on the other hand, when we went back in the arena, trot is starting to really come together, and the good note to finish was two proper steps of rein back. (and yes, i did walk her forward before getting off).
the but went in with a handful of her feed, which she loves.
friend is going to lend me a KK Ultra to try
we're going to double check her teeth, even though it's not that long since they were done, so that's an appointment to make monday.
now off out - to see Roseanne Cash at the Sage Gateshead. should be a good night!
Me? go down that track when i can see that big scary strawberry, the parked cars and a field of horses between me and them? No, shan't, she said.
drat. and i had to get someone to hold her head whilst i got on.
on the other hand, when we went back in the arena, trot is starting to really come together, and the good note to finish was two proper steps of rein back. (and yes, i did walk her forward before getting off).
the but went in with a handful of her feed, which she loves.
friend is going to lend me a KK Ultra to try
we're going to double check her teeth, even though it's not that long since they were done, so that's an appointment to make monday.
now off out - to see Roseanne Cash at the Sage Gateshead. should be a good night!
Friday, July 23, 2010
ggrrhh
it's a lovely evening, but am i riding? no ..
partner going out to a concert starting at 8, so had to eat early ...
ggrrhh
it's the best night we've had all week as well!
partner going out to a concert starting at 8, so had to eat early ...
ggrrhh
it's the best night we've had all week as well!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
dead bra - and rain!
being poked by wire in a strategic place is not a good plan when riding, so having realised this was going to be an issue, had decided not to ride; then it was raining again anyway!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
a new bit?
possibly might be needed.
I've been wondering for a while - you all know of the trouble i have getting a bit in her mouth!
and whilst I know that a 5" is too wide, i wonder also if the 4 1/2" is a shade narrow?
anyhoo, trimmer was out today, and stopped to chat for a bit after the feet were done, whilst i was tacking up, and she helped with the bitting performance - she also wondered if it was a shade narrow .... only a shade, though!
she suggested Nueu Schule (they're based about 30 miles away) and said that if necessary they can make one specially for the horse
also, there's a bit bank run by someone who trained there, and she comes out, so I've sent her an email asking her to do just that...
if I can find a bit she'll accept without a fight every time, and that she'll then work in, we'll be getting further!
Molly's feet were fine, trimmer very happy with them but suggests i put some linseed into her to keep the feet more moist (she says, better to put it inside, than outside!)
Rode after that; not as good as the other day, the trot was ok left rein but not right rein; the arena was a shade boggy at one end after all that rain last night
walk, however, is coming on nicely, and we're starting to make a small amount of progress on sideways and rein back...
I've been wondering for a while - you all know of the trouble i have getting a bit in her mouth!
and whilst I know that a 5" is too wide, i wonder also if the 4 1/2" is a shade narrow?
anyhoo, trimmer was out today, and stopped to chat for a bit after the feet were done, whilst i was tacking up, and she helped with the bitting performance - she also wondered if it was a shade narrow .... only a shade, though!
she suggested Nueu Schule (they're based about 30 miles away) and said that if necessary they can make one specially for the horse
also, there's a bit bank run by someone who trained there, and she comes out, so I've sent her an email asking her to do just that...
if I can find a bit she'll accept without a fight every time, and that she'll then work in, we'll be getting further!
Molly's feet were fine, trimmer very happy with them but suggests i put some linseed into her to keep the feet more moist (she says, better to put it inside, than outside!)
Rode after that; not as good as the other day, the trot was ok left rein but not right rein; the arena was a shade boggy at one end after all that rain last night
walk, however, is coming on nicely, and we're starting to make a small amount of progress on sideways and rein back...
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
a thunderstorm
going on outside; so when i get to yard i will have a wet horse....albeit a warm one, since it's still like a warm bath!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
muuuch better..
trot, with the bit in!
not that it was perfect, but there were some perfect moments....
so getting there, hurray.
not that it was perfect, but there were some perfect moments....
so getting there, hurray.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
it must be the bit
as she's trotting fine with the bitless on...
mmmmm
well, i needed to organise a lesson, so that's something to ponder with RI...
not that i rode for long - time we'd done all the jet washing and other stuff associated with cleaning old stables! - but it was nice and quiet and I hadn't done anything for a couple of days what with rain/gales...
so only about 15 minutes, but trot was not a problem - brakes were, but trot wasn't. and i think the brakes problem was my problem, not hers, of course!
the arena is on top of an incline, and 6 ish is about the time when, just this time of year, the sun is going to be in your eyes in one direction, so i'll have to be careful of that as well
Molly was a lot calmer in the stable tonight - no moving about at all, to the extent that i actually felt safe picking her feet up (rather than, not being sure if going to be knocked over as she moves off again!) - not a lot happening, is probably why!
need to think some about the pad; happy with it, but did feel a shade tipped forward tonight which i hadn't the last couple of times i'd ridden with it..
but, local agent may turn up if passing - she hasn't one, and wants to see one, so i said if she was she was welcome to call...of course! I expect she will if she can...
mmmmm
well, i needed to organise a lesson, so that's something to ponder with RI...
not that i rode for long - time we'd done all the jet washing and other stuff associated with cleaning old stables! - but it was nice and quiet and I hadn't done anything for a couple of days what with rain/gales...
so only about 15 minutes, but trot was not a problem - brakes were, but trot wasn't. and i think the brakes problem was my problem, not hers, of course!
the arena is on top of an incline, and 6 ish is about the time when, just this time of year, the sun is going to be in your eyes in one direction, so i'll have to be careful of that as well
Molly was a lot calmer in the stable tonight - no moving about at all, to the extent that i actually felt safe picking her feet up (rather than, not being sure if going to be knocked over as she moves off again!) - not a lot happening, is probably why!
need to think some about the pad; happy with it, but did feel a shade tipped forward tonight which i hadn't the last couple of times i'd ridden with it..
but, local agent may turn up if passing - she hasn't one, and wants to see one, so i said if she was she was welcome to call...of course! I expect she will if she can...
Friday, July 16, 2010
TGI friday...
but it was very tiring...
we'd both got up earlier than usual, and did an awful lot of work...
too tired to work molly, i have to say!
hope the weather's decent tomorrow...had forgot have to go to hairdresser, and we have to clear out the ford cottage stables, and i want to try and ride, subject to the weather...
we'd both got up earlier than usual, and did an awful lot of work...
too tired to work molly, i have to say!
hope the weather's decent tomorrow...had forgot have to go to hairdresser, and we have to clear out the ford cottage stables, and i want to try and ride, subject to the weather...
Thursday, July 15, 2010
rabbits
5 of them in the field as i walked down to collect molly....ran away, they did
I'm sure there's something about a trailer or wagon that molly finds disturbing...today someone was loading up to go to holmeside, (well, i assume that one, and not the other! it gets confusing) and molly was somewhat "up" about this...
i wasn't planning on doing anything with her, FAR too windy!
I'm sure there's something about a trailer or wagon that molly finds disturbing...today someone was loading up to go to holmeside, (well, i assume that one, and not the other! it gets confusing) and molly was somewhat "up" about this...
i wasn't planning on doing anything with her, FAR too windy!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
if she's lame
she's got a very odd way of showing it... took her into the arena, and WHEEEEE
canter canter canter ... didn't have to ASK for it!
put some poles out on the polepods, and she volunteered to jump one whilst i was setting up the other on the other side...
i'm still not wholly convinced, but reckon if it's anything it'll be to do with living on a hill.....
and we got somewhat wet!
canter canter canter ... didn't have to ASK for it!
put some poles out on the polepods, and she volunteered to jump one whilst i was setting up the other on the other side...
i'm still not wholly convinced, but reckon if it's anything it'll be to do with living on a hill.....
and we got somewhat wet!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
i think...
molly might be lame...
a shade difficult to tell, but i was sure i felt some uneveness in walk - but she's still powerwalking - i thought left fore..
trot was crap, save when she was trying to passage when she felt fine...
when i turned her back out, she didn't seem quite right ... looked like right fore (doh!)
so tomorrow i'll lunge
it may, of course, be that that arthritis in the fetlock is bothering her, in which case she needs a different field (current one on a hill)
or maybe an abcess after the move
the good news was that bitting was a breeze (with the assistance of a different treat, LOL) and the new pad felt a lot better than it had yesterday, after a good bashing about (as recommended on EE, another user also found it hard after use and bash about each time works...)
so i'll persist with that for a while and see how we go with it.
a shade difficult to tell, but i was sure i felt some uneveness in walk - but she's still powerwalking - i thought left fore..
trot was crap, save when she was trying to passage when she felt fine...
when i turned her back out, she didn't seem quite right ... looked like right fore (doh!)
so tomorrow i'll lunge
it may, of course, be that that arthritis in the fetlock is bothering her, in which case she needs a different field (current one on a hill)
or maybe an abcess after the move
the good news was that bitting was a breeze (with the assistance of a different treat, LOL) and the new pad felt a lot better than it had yesterday, after a good bashing about (as recommended on EE, another user also found it hard after use and bash about each time works...)
so i'll persist with that for a while and see how we go with it.
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