Back on board!

I've been long reining round the caravan site all week trying to find a different route every day. On Friday the farrier came and tidied her feet up in preparation for the big day when I get on her again. I've taken up yoga in the hope that it will strengthen my leg and get me supple again so if I do come off again I don't do too much damage. People keep saying "you don't bounce as well when you get older "...well I intend to keep bouncing for as long as possible! The yoga seems to be working, I haven't had any trouble with sciatica since I've been doing it, my back feels better and I've got more energy time to get back on board.
Saturday was going to be the big day but we had some heavy rain as I was going to the field and I had a limited amount of time before catching the bus home. Excuses, probably, but you can't brush a wet horse and if you're in a hurry things go wrong and I wanted things to be just right. So we did 40 minutes long reining going right round the edge of the site so that she could see the horses in the next field and we finished just as it started to rain again.
Today was forecast to be the best day of the weekend. I gave her a quick brush getting the worst of the mud off the important places before losing my nerve. There was a moment when I thought it wasn't going to happen as she has put on a bit of weight and her girth wouldn't do up but luckily I found a longer one and there she was all dressed up and ready to go. I did a bit on the long rein just to get her used to the feel of the saddle on her back again and then I was on board. She felt very wide after Imshi and I think the saddle was a bit squiffy so I just did one little block of caravans and got off as my leg started pulling. Next time we'll go further .

More work for Sara

After a couple of weeks miserable weather I've managed to get another weekend of long reining Sara. Yesterday I took her into the cattle shed to tack up. Last time she was in there it was empty now there's a shed load of cattle and two horses in residence. She was a bit jumpy so I stood with her while she settled. She was too wet to brush but as we weren't aiming on going to any shows we figured it didn't matter much. She played up a bit when we went out but after a few circles at walk and trot she settled and we ventured briefly into the caravan site which we are allowed to ride round in the winter when the site is closed.
Today she was much calmer and had to say hello to the cows. We started off round the cattle shed again then did a few circles at walk and trot with Imshi and Bobby looking on then finished off on a different route round the site.
She enjoyed a good feed before going back into the field.

Rain rain go away

After a good weekend long reining last weekend it has hardly stopped raining all week and I have two soggy horses who have only been out of the field for food. They are not rugged up yet as the rugs caused a few problems last year. Imshi managed to shred four,  yes four rugs through rubbing them on the fence and Sara's rug rubbed a nasty sore spot right where her saddle sits. I'm hoping I won't haveto use a rug this year but will keep an open mind on the matter.
I hope it stop raining soon.

We had a weekend of long reining this weekend. Sara has been running wild for so long now I thought it best to go back to basics for a while. Not only does it get her back in the way of working it helps me to rebuild my relationship with her.
Saturday was warm but very windy,  possibly not the best day to start working with her. The initial plan was to take her into the cattle shed to tack up and let her see the two horses being kept in there over winter however as they were doing things with the cows that didn't seem such a great idea so we got ready by the gate. As we set off a we scared a flock of birds which startled her somewhat but she soon settled to doing circles and figures of eight at the walk with frequent halts thrown in for good measure. We finished off with a little bit of trotting on both reins and then finished
 on a good note before she got too excited.
On Sunday we worked for a bit longer and put in more trotting interspersed with circuits round the cattle shed. By the time we finished she had lowered her head and settled into a nice easy rhythm. She was quite tired as well.

(The video was taken earlier in the year before I fell off her and the quality of the long reining suffered through trying to hold the camera at the same time. It shows what a good girl she is most of the time that she let me get away with it! )

The joys of summer.

A moment or two from the summer.