Pole work and a solo hack

 ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR !!

Yup today was a day of POLE-WORK the Aim of the lesson was to work on getting Viv to PICK HER FEET UP, use her back and gain body awareness. It was also good for Z to work on some straight lines and transitions. And its more fun than flatwork hahaha!

 By the end of the lesson Viv was trying so hard and was so switched on to the game we were playing.

 I am sure she was smiling all the way round! 

We also worked on Z's hands as they tend to creep back and tuck in to her hips when doing poles or jumping so we played a game of touch the ears whilst going over a small jump. This game really helped and we seen a really good improvement by the end of her lesson. 

After a good session. Z took Viv for a little hack around the block herself. I follow but she trots off ahead. She is gaining some independence but its so hard to let your child go off even if it is for only 5 mins it feels like HOURS!! They both had a great time and cantered up the track to meet me after their little loop. Z loves these little hacks, just her and Viv. Its only been the last month I have been allowing her to but she was so desperate to try so we have a nice off road loop she can do. It has one way in, one way out and i'm at that exit! Hahaha! 

 

Hack through the woods ~ Such Fun!

 I love it when I have the opportunity to borrow my friends horse. She is an Appoloosa all 17.3/18hh of her!! She is a beaut. A bouncy beaut, but either way a beaut! 

We went for a hack through the woods. Out for about 2 and a half hours in the glorious sunshine which felt like a SPRING DAY! Listening to Z chatting away to Viv and the birds chirping away in the background was like magic. Such special moments, such special memories! 

With the nice weather we have also made time to give Viv a good tail scrub! Her tail was in desperate need of some scrub a dub dubbing with all the mudding hahaha!!! 

Today was cold though BOOHOO! I took Viv for a short hack round the block as i was pushed for time today but BOY DID I WISH I HAD TAKEN MY GLOVES! Frozen fingers on returning home!!

Winter RECAP

 My last blog post was written just after christmas (I forgot to publish it until now) so I thought I would do another post to update on how our first winter as full time mummys to Viv has gone!

It has been AMAZING! We have loved the jobs and the snuggles on a night under the lights. The MUD? Maybe not so much haha!! We got off lightly weather wise right up until January. But then BOY did the snow come! And it stayed for a very long time! It was not only cold and wet. But Icy and dangerous. Viv didn't get out hacking much for a couple of weeks as it was just two icy most days to risk it. 

BUT we have been blessed with a nice warm snap this last week. It has been into double figures at times. Still cold on a night but much warmer during the day. PLUS SUNSHINE! Oh how we all love a bit of sunshine! The only problem with that is MUD and layers on, then layers off! But the hacking has been AMAZING :) 

Here are some pictures of our adventures!

The end of our third lockdown is almost HOPEFULLY OVER!! And we are looking forward to some DRESSAGE (ME) LESSONS (US BOTH) and lots of ADVENTURES WITH FRIENDS . . . Staying safe, of course. I think social distancing will be around for a long time yet! BUT we can at least breathe now knowing there is a breather in sight. Time for a 'LITTLE' bit of normality in a very NOT THAT NORMAL WORLD!!

Back to blogging

Hi guys, sorry i haven't updated this blog in a long time. 

But I have missed it so I cannot wait to get back to my weekly blogs. 

I love keeping a record of our adventures! And of course sharing it with you!

The winter has been easy on us. Easy meaning DRY and this has meant we haven't had the big issues with mud that we usually do through the winter months. The gateways are still muddy but the majority of the winter paddocks have stayed dry. However Springtime things could change, we are not quite out of the mud season yet!

Viv has stayed in tip top condition all winter. Her coat has gleamed even with all that fluff! Where she is clipped she's like a new penny!

We are coming into spring again now, and i cant wait for the warmer weather and hopefully LOTS OF SUNSHINE!! We had a few mild days last week and it really lifted our spirits and got us excited. I picked Z up from school one day last week with Viv and it was glorious! Z loved it so much, as did her class mates when they seen there was a horse outside of school!!

It is back to frost and a bitter cold day today. Winter needs to hurry up and go now!

Whirl wind of a summer

It has been a whirlwind of a summer! 

The weather has been on our side right up until recently. 

This has meant LOT'S of fun, 

heaps of adventures and MANY precious memories!

There is just too many things to list, but there are a few that are so AMAZING I would love to share them with you. 

TRIP TO THE BEACH

OMG !!! I was over the moon when i received the call asking if I would like to go to the beach with Viv. I jumped at the chance and couldn't wait to get out in that fresh sea air on horse back.

ALSO ~ Fun with the kids!

 Oh what fun we had this summer!! (L) came to play, he hasn't ridden since we sold our first pony. He was put off by Vivs size in comparison to Sparky who was only 12hh. But once he was on and realised Viv was the best teacher ever and so gentle with him. He loved it. After practicing a little off the leadrein he sharp gained enough confidence to pop a couple of small jumps! Super proud. And Viv was a diamond as always!

And the pets have had fun too!!

 We even got a SECOND TRIP TO THE BEACH!!! After (S) owner had fun on the cross country little (Z) got to ride on the beach and I had a ride on appoloosa 'B' all 17.2hh of her!! She is very forward going but comfy. Its only the 3rd time riding her and I am nervous when on her i think because of her size and also she is very forward going. BUT I am getting more confident on her and one day i hope to take her on a nice hack to really show my nerves I am made of stronger stuff!! (Z) LOVED the beach, she paddled in the water with Viv and enjoyed a hack along the beach off the leadrein with B and Dekota. Such a good day :)

Autumn is in full swing now. The horses are getting FLUFFY Awwwwww!! And soon it will be clipping time! The leaves are beautiful, all the different colours and tones. Walking to school kicking the leaves . . .  PERFECT END TO A PERFECT SUMMER!!

17 days of full time love

We have 17 days where Vivs owner is away on safari . . . 

 . . .  I KNOW, I am jealous too!!

How lucky, 17 days with wild animals, i've insisted on lots of photographs to inspire me to create them in acrylics. I cant wait to paint a giraffe in its natural habitat just chilling, eating, doing whatever it is giraffes do hahaha!!

While (S) Owner is away (S) ME - Loaner is in charge with Mini human. This is exciting. We have so much planned. I HAVE MANY HACKS PLANNED. A picnic may be needed! We need to keep her fit for her owner. Plus well loved, groomed and cared for. We simply cannot wait!! We love our mare!

Our day will be. Finish school, then tea quickly made and eaten. When daddy is home from work to look after mini (L). Me loaner (S) and mini human (Z) will enjoy a couple of hours at the yard with our favourite girlie. Lots of grooming. Lots of love, some exercise and lots of cuddles !!

And also LOVE for this girlie too, who will be missing her mummy so much !! She is such a sweety!

Lesson - first jumping lesson in many years

I bit the bullet, faced many a demon and we did it!!!
I love this horse !!

Summer in full swing

Summer is in full swing.
The weather is breezy, at times cold.
    BUT IT IS DRY!! WOOHOO!

I sit here tonight reflecting on the last few weeks. So much has been achieved. Both me and Mini me have had a blast. Overcome some of our demons. Expanded on our skills. 

Mini me (Z) has been practicing hard on her balance, today we had a lunge session where she trotted with her arms out to the side. We started with one arm at a time and then built up to two. I didnt get any photos. I was too busy doing the mam thing and getting ready to signal that halt and the instant of a unplanned dismount. Thankfully that didnt happen. Z managed to let go of the saddle and be the steadiest aircraft in the sky. No turbulance in these skies!!

Going back a few days i had a hack out with a friend and her beautiful appoloosa Bee. We enjoyed a trip through woods and we had some long trots and good canters. Including a down hill canter OMG OMG OMG . . . I DID IT.

 I sat back, i sat deep, it wasn't a mountain, it wasn't a mountain, 

OMG! ANYWAYS. 

I made it. 

Thankfully AND we stopped before a steep decent.  I make it out like it was a mountain. In theory it was steady decent. I must admit, after shitting myself i actually enjoyed it. Hooves below, trees above. the noise, the adrenaline, the need to be HERE . .  NOW . . . IN THIS MOMENT. There is something special about the bridleways around us.

A) You have to find them 

B) you have to navigate them. 

There is always a challenge. But we cannot complain. Its mainly offroad. 

Maybe next time the farrier is out i shall ask for off roading tyres??

Viv is looking so good. Her summer coat is in full swing. She is positively gleaming. Inside and out. 

We have loaned her now for about five month. WE LOVE HER SO MUCH!!!

We are privalaged and so happy to have her in our lives!!

I literally couldnt imagine her not being there!

Catch up soon xxx