Author: langlep

So 2020 was going to be my year. The year I got my life sorted after being served redundancy notice from my job in November 2019. The year I ticked off more things from my horsey bucket list. The year I got my mental health back under control and reduced stress in my life. I had a plan. And it was a good one. Then the plan changed dramatically on 2 January. I came off my horse at speed and broke my ankle. Badly. Like all good equestrians, I got back on and rode back to the yard, sorted Buddy out and then drove myself to A&E. That’s where this journey really began... I was sent home from A&E and told to crack on, only to receive a phone call later to say they’d missed a fracture (and a rather serious one at that). Whoops! So fracture clinic on 3 January, surgery on 5 January and home to recover. I started this blog as a way to chart my recover back to the saddle. As I cleared clinics and competitions out of my diary and wondered what the next few months would bring, it's been a safe space for me to say how I'm feeling. The new plan was to get a new job, to keep Buddy is kept ticking over and recover from my injury. Another good plan! I didn't expect a global pandemic, lockdown and all that happened in 2020. This blog has changed over time but it's continued to be my safe space to share the things going on in my life, with Buddy and the cats. Enjoy!

Pedals

Looks who’s got four pedals again!! It’s been a very long week and a bit of a struggle, mostly trying to keep a poultice on. Buddy really didn’t want it on. And there’s no sign of an abscess anyway.

Trotted up OK, so shoe back on and see how he goes. Fingers crossed for my boy.

Undergrowth

I woke up on a mission. I’d stripped the bed, changed the bedding, washed the bedding, hoovered and cleaned before 9am!!

Then I hit the laptop. I got a bit distracted by a weird noise outside. At first I thought it was a bird. Then I thought I’d landed in a Hammer House of Horror film as all I could hear was creaking.

You know when you hear a noise. Then you can’t stop hearing said noise. So I headed into the garden to try and work out what it was. Few minutes later, I realised it was the overgrown buddleja rubbing on the fence.

Cue me diving into the undergrowth with the loppers like Lara Croft! Of course I took the more challenging route to get in. And found a fuchsia that I didn’t know I had. Also got smacked in the face by a few branches.

Might have got a bit carried away. So I now have a full brown bin and no more creaking.

I may have peaked too early this week…

Chair claimers

After feeling unsettled yesterday, today I felt the need to be productive. As the weather was OK, I headed to the garden.

Mowed both lawns and several hours of weeding later, it looking much better.

The kittens are loving the new lorry chairs I was gifted. I washed them and put them out to dry. Think they’ve definitely been claimed!

Bad clothing

After the heat of yesterday, today was much cooler. About half the temperature it was yesterday. Welcome to the British Summer!

Yesterday I was too hot to achieve much. Today I felt decidedly unsettled. Bit like the weather I guess. I’m missing riding. I know it’s not even been a week, but riding is my happy place. I miss going for a plod and shooting the breeeze with Buddy.

Decided to go for a walk instead. Guess who forgot to check the weather forecast before they left? Yup this muppet. So I got soaked through. My trainer aren’t waterproof so squelched my way back home.

Walked passed the yard to check on the Boy Wonder. Threw him completely by calling to him from the footpath that runs near his field. Well I guess he’s not used to me being there so will cut him some slack…

Heatwave

Well I don’t know about anyone else, but my brain has been utterly fried today! It’s been so hot! 🥵

A friend and I took her dogs for an early walk through the woods. It was lovely and cool in there.

I tried to work but it was so hot I couldn’t concentrate. So I headed to the shade in the garden to listen to some training and a podcast.

In other news, it’s Buddy 4 – Poultice 0. He really doesn’t want it on. I’ll trot him up again on Monday and see how he is. 🤞🏻

Cottage garden

I‘m a big fan of a cottage garden. But never felt like I was a good enough gardener to achieve it. Today as I walked out of the conservatory, I felt like I’d achieved it a bit.

It’s looking really good at the moment. The geranium is glowing and such a vibrant colour. And the foxgloves are massive this year.

It makes me smile every time I look at it.

Numbers game

Today has been a bit of a number game. I had a complete brain fart and got centimetres confused with inches. Had to get the tape measure out as I just couldn’t visualise it. Got there in the end but resulted in a bit of an awkward conversation.

In other numbers, it’s now Buddy 2 – Poultice 0. Even with extra tape and a bag, he still managed to get it off. So tonight I stuck his foot in a bucket of Epsom salts and tried again. Fingers crossed that third time is the charm!

I did put the sun shade up so was feeling quite pleased with myself. I sat in the shade having a coffee till I got attacked by a million annoying little black flies.

I couldn’t find Dodo. Not sure sleeping on my keyboard can be that comfortable. But seems like he’s one very happy kitten.

Camp catch up

It’s 4 weeks today till Buddy and I head off to our ‘big camp’. Today I met up with 3 fellow campers to chat all things camp.

I love taking Buddy to training camps. It’s not just the learning or spending time with him. It’s about spending time with like-minded people (who don’t roll their eyes when you talk horses).

This photo sums up the fun we have. I’m very excited. Just need to get Buddy sound again.

Speaking of Buddy, he’s not a fan of a poultice as he took it off overnight. Attempt number 2 done tonight, so fingers crossed that stays on.

Boot of shame

You’ve heard of the ‘cone of shame’ well I think this is the equine equivalent – the ‘boot of shame’. Poor Buddy.

He’s trotted up lame today. Not hopping but definitely uncomfortable. Slight heat in his off fore. Messaged my farrier, Zak and luckily he was in the area, so popped in to see us.

Nothing obvious showed up. So looks like it’s either an abscess or he’s bruised his soul. He’ll keep the shoe off for now. And poulticing for the next few days.