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!

His and hers massages

Today was a bit of a self-care one with massages all round.

First Sam from Touch Equine came to check Buddy. I wanted to get him checked after not feeling quite right on Tuesday. She found quite a few tight spots. Buddy can be rather expressive so it’s clear when she hit a tight spot.

Then it was my turn for a massage with Jess Greenacre Massage Therapist. She found a few tight spots too. I’m not as expressive as Buddy though…

Pease Pottage

Today has been a long day. 260 mile round trip to West Sussex. I’m off to a conference next week and needed to handover some stuff as I’m not doing the set up.

It meant meeting in the services at Pease Pottage. What a cracking name for a village! I kinda felt like a spy. Only less secretive…

As it’s not far from my parents, I did a surprise flying visit to see them. They were very shocked to see me. But my surprise was a welcome one.

Two halves

Today we headed back to Forest Edge Arena for a BHS clinic with Jo Winfield. We haven’t been back there for a while. Buddy soon made himself at home.

We had a 9am lesson so meant a rather early start for us. Then we arrived super early as traffic wasn’t as bad as I’d thought. Better that way than late I guess.

Our first lesson was flatwork and a bit of a washout as Buddy didn’t feel right. Wasn’t sure if he’d tweaked something or it was because he hadn’t had a chance to loosen up.

Thought I’d take him for a hack round the forest so said I’d change my saddle from the dressage to my jump. Jo suggested I come back first. The difference in him was marked. So it seems it could be the saddle that was the issue. Or maybe he’s just not a fan of early morning work…

Second lesson this afternoon and Buddy was back to his normal exuberant self and by the end we were jumping round a course of 90s. Such a relief I can tell you.

I will get him checked over, just to be on the safe side. I’ve got the saddle fitter out soon so will stick to my jump for now. And looks like I may have to start saving my pennies for a new dressage saddle. Buddy has expensive taste in saddles. Anyone need a kidney?!

Contemplation

Popped to Suffolk yesterday after my lesson to spend some time with Simon and Harry. While they were getting tacked up for a hack, I sat contemplating life. Bit deep for a Monday I know.

There have been so many ups and downs in my life. But there are two constants – good friends and horses. I met Simon through horses. In fact, I’ve met so many people through horses. Many of them have become good friends.

Horses are the commonality. The friendships develop from there. Today got me thinking how many of my friends I’ve made because of a shared love of horses…

Best view

Oh I can’t tell you how good it felt to be back in the saddle today. It was such a warm day I couldn’t resist taking Buddy out.

After a rather unpleasant incident on our last hack, today we met the most pleasant people. Dog walkers stopped to let us go by, cars waited for us and even a tractor driver reversed up the road and onto a field so we could go past. Faith restored indeed.

Double up

After admiring the beauty of my Double Dragon Amaryllis this morning, this afternoon I got to admire the beauty of a double rainbow.

I got the best night’s sleep in a while so woke up feeling almost normal again. Had to check myself from going ‘all guns blazing’. But did some work. And made it to the yard to lunge Buddy. So that’s good.