11th July, 2012 Pour show?

If it weren't for the torrential rain, overhead thunder and lightning and wet clothes we would be having a perfect time at our private Amanda Barton clinic. Very sensibly, Amanda has a hat with guttering and the rest of us are just brining spare dry clothes and getting on with it.

Theoden is learning to accept greater accuracy in his steering and, not shown in this picture, how to stretch through right from the tips of his hind feet through to the whiskers on his nose. He's also been out for a ride with his fellow Tolkien character, Hobbit!

Lorraine's new pony, Crabbswood Zak, is a gorgeous pony. He's learning to soften his head carriage a little and also to go over small jumps.

Rye, who suffered the very worst of the weather today, is continuing his education and being encouraged to go forward more freely.

9th July, 2012 Entire-ly normal

This gorgeous colt is a yearling Welsh Section D. His owner would like to keep him entire and to use him for breeding if he makes the grade with the Welsh Pony and Cob Society. He's really keen to make sure that the colt has good manners from the outset. Today we worked on leading and leg handling as well as discouraging his entirely natural tendency to want to bite. We made a great start and in no time, Regan has learned that all he needed to do to get the attention he likes is to stand quietly and wait. By the end of the session he was also able to pick each of his feet up without going into pressure (leaning in and kneeling as colts are wont to do). He was also leading nicely on a lead rein with a 'smile in the line'. It's amazing what they can learn in such a short time.

"Thanks for today, that was really good :). Very impressed with what you do. I know its just the start but its a great help already." AM

9th July, 2012 Tilly and Tash

It's been a while since I saw Tilly and Tash and I only had one, rather thundery, session with them. I got this update about them this morning:

"Just to let you know that Tilly is doing really well . Tash has her out most days and her hard work is paying off. She only has to look at her back end now and she is moving round with ease - also backs up a treat.  

She has wondered in and out of a trailer and thought a big scary monster was touching her backside that was fun but we got there in the end! Trotted for the  first time last week in hand  - had no idea at first and then it just clicked she is such a fast learner and takes it all in.

 

Just beginning to go out on road and walk over drains and through puddles. Has met cars pulling caravans and trailers and didn't flinch -I couldn't believe it. Has the vet this week for her first jab so that will be interesting to see. We are hoping to work on lifting the feet more freely."

6th July, 2012 Carnival Time

Karen and I went to help out with Patrick and Suzanne's Kempe's horses at the Sway 'Best of Britain' Carnival this evening. Both of us borrowed what we thought were appropriate uniforms and I bought a Royal Artillery Cap off Ebay. Imagine my horror when I was told that my uniform was probably Russian. Oh Lord, I hope not!! Patrick and Suzanne's son Andrew is in Afghanistan at the moment.

5th July, 2012 It looks like a duck...

But does it QUACK?! Heard this lovely phrase when listening to the news about the Higgs Boson. As always I thought it had an application in horsemanship. When I'm asked to go and work with a horse for starting and I am assured the horse is ready, I want to know whether the horse looks like it is ready and is in fact ready. When I visit, it's almost feels like a job interview for 'A Starter' and in the Job Specification, there's a list of must haves and preferences. The must haves include a medical check, ground manners, a calm acceptance of new and novel items, acceptance of being touched all over and preferably the horse will have been long-reined rather than lunged. If anything is missing however, we can fill in the gaps.

Yesterday I went out to a lovely horse for this sort of interview and she met all of the criteria. We were able to end that session with the owner leaning over her saddle while we took a few steps around the school. This  is the new height in her education and from now on it will have to be slowly slowly as we introduce new things. Of course I'm effectively interviewing the owner too - if they want to be the first person to sit on their horse they need to be able to co-operate with me, to really listen and work together as a team, so that we trust each other and reduce the risk of anything going wrong.

p.s. And today we backed her and she was fine...

"Yes very happy and feel very lucky to have you with me on this part of our story. Still a bit in la la land at the moment as can't quite believe it but I'm sure it will sink in soon!" Happy owner
 

3rd July, 2012 Mapping the future

On Sunday I decided to run up to the horses' fields and then go riding. According to Anquet, the route I took is 7 miles long and it took me an hour and 25 minutes.

Today I rode Theoden out for two hours and we covered 6.2 miles. Do I really run faster than Theoden walks? It was another fabulous ride and I am really pleased with him.

3rd July, 2012 NFNF

I'll be honest, I find the Horse and Hound Forum quite scary and only go on there when I am feeling particularly brave. However, I have received two messages about my book ... it won't be long before people start to think about weaning their foals or taking on a semi-feral foal from the sales or a breeder so hopefully my book will help a few more people and ponies this Autumn.


"I truly think your book is a godsend. I got one of H.O.P.E's Dartmoor x's last year and I think I'd have been stuck without your book and a helpful message from you on Facebook when the delightful Harley kept killing the stick hand. It even gave me the confidence to take on a Forester too.x" Spiritedly

"Hiya Sarah I bought your book. Brill!!! Frank's been perfect can groom, tie up, pick front feet out hose legs etc." Staceyn

i