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!

Aftermath

My poor washing machines. They’ve done 7 loads today. 4 for me and 3 for Buddy. Still got some more to do! I was only away for 3 days!!

Thankfully I’m not feeling too achey after camp not camp. I am very tired though. I bet Buddy is too! He’s having a few days off and I’m trying to rest too. Hard when there’s a lot to catch up on. The world won’t end though if I don’t get to it…

Check us out

A little video from our lesson yesterday. Wearing silicon knee patches for sitting trot means I now have friction burns on my inner thighs. Lesson learnt there! Buddy is getting stronger and carrying himself so much more. And I’m learning to do less and being clearer in my aids.

Good tired

Back home after 3 days of training with Buddy. We had a great time! We survived the blistering heat. It was unbearable at times, so lots of wash downs and fluids for Buddy (and I may have stuck my head under the hose a few times).

We learnt so much in such a short space of times. Today we worked on sitting trot and more leg yielding. This afternoon it was another technical jumping exercise.

Buddy took everything in his stride. That’s the biggest takeaway for me. He didn’t spook. He didn’t get upset. He didn’t overreact. He listened and tried his little heart out for me.

I’m utterly shattered, but a good tired. The kind of tired you get from working hard. I averaged 30K steps per day. I ache all over too.

Think we will both sleep well tonight!

Stud muffin

Day 2 of camp not camp and lots more lightbulb moments. This morning we worked on leg yielding and Buddy did his first flying changes. This afternoon a rather technical jumping exercise. Made my brain hurt, let alone Buddy’s.

Buddy discovered the joys of stud muffin treats today. Let’s just say he’s a big fan.

It’s felt slightly cooler today. But still a tad toasty!

Camp life

My god it’s been a hot one today. The indoor arena here can a bit of a sweat box at the best of times, but today it was unbearably close. Still we’ve done our first 2 lessons (a flat and a grids) and Buddy has settled in well.

He travelled badly so arrived needing a bath. I will crack it. I know I got it about wrong this morning when I loaded him so will use the downtime to practise what Bridget showed me.

So far Buddy is up to 3 baths and I’ve stuck my head under the hose. Off to make my first dinner in the lorry. Then a proper shower is needed.

Be prepared

I’m off tomorrow for 3 days of lessons. This means 2 nights in my lorry. So this is the latest upgrade – an electric cool box hooked up to a leisure battery. My dad gave me the battery and a solar panel so I can charge it too. It’s not fancy, but it’ll work and means cold drinks and I can take some food with me.

I’m rather excited about staying in my lorry. Hope Buddy is as excited about B&B and learning.