Welcome to blog! I started it in 2020 to chart my recovery from breaking my ankle (hence the name). I guess no-one saw a global pandemic coming. It's turned into a place where I can talk about the things happening in my life, my horse and my cats. Enjoy!
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.
Well our first ODE of 2022 wasn’t this shining success that I’d hoped for. I withdrew before XC as Buddy wasn’t right.
Dressage was an unusually calm affair. Except he didn’t feel like he was travelling in the trot. In comparison, canter felt amazing. Still we did all the right moves, in the right place and I was pleased with how it went.
I was disappointed with a low score of 44. But I can understand it having read the sheet. Got 7’s for the canter and walk work. But 4-6 for the trot. Canter is usually our worse pace. Go figure!!
Then onto SJ. He rode in lovely and was taking me into the fences. So set off feeling good. Sadly Buddy went to pieces in the ring. He hasn’t been like that for ages. Mr Nappy Pants was back in full force. Got him round but it was a bit of a battle. The positives are that I did get him round and we left most of the fences up.
Wasn’t sure what to do as he just didn’t seem right. I know he can go a bit feral. But this seemed different. Decided to take him up to the XC warm up and see how he felt. Even if I used it as a schooling round, it would be beneficial.
Well that was the theory. Buddy was charging around, not listening and wouldn’t trot. When I did get trot, it was clear there was a problem. So I withdrew. Better to save him for another day.
He’s sound in walk and canter but trot isn’t level. All very odd. I felt every inch of him when we got back and there’s nothing obvious. I’ll trot him up tomorrow and see how he looks. There’s something going on with him. Just not sure what. All healing vibes gratefully received right now.
Tonight saw the return of BatBuddy. He’s thrilled as you can see. After a long hack, the bath / plait epic started. Boy am I out of practise. So they’re not my best efforts. Buddy got rather bored too. Even with food. Still it’s done now. Fingers crossed they stay in overnight.
I managed to lose 2 hours somewhere along the way. Usual faffing around or ‘yard time’. Checking and double checking that everything is on the lorry. It’s been a long time since we did an ODE so feeling slightly underprepared. We’re going to have fun. And we’ll see what tomorrow brings…
Took Buddy for a wander to cool him off after his lunge session. He was very happy to have some snacks on the way. But then I did interrupt his dinner so it was fair. Then I got chatting and forgot to put his dinner back in. Buddy showed his distain by putting most of hay on the yard instead.
He really does make me giggle.
Buddy had his saddle check today. It was a good news / bad news situation as I kinda thought it might be.
The good new is that his jump saddle needed flocking and a change of girth strap position to help the balance (we’re both wonky). He’s templating more evenly each time too. And the saddler said he’s looking really good at the moment.
The bad news is that the dressage saddle is a no-no. I kinda thought it was going to be the case after his adverse reaction to it a few weeks back. I got to ride in two other saddles and the different was amazing. He came up through his shoulders. And was so soft in the contact. I always amazed at how a different saddle can make such a difference. But then I guess it’s like a good fitting bra or running shoes.
It seems Buddy has very expensive tastes. Typically he preferred the most expensive option. It’s going on the wishlist.
So anyone want to buy a dressage saddle or a kidney…?! 😂
But the best news was that Buddy felt amazing jumping in his newly adjusted saddle.
What a wonderful way to end the day. Cruising down the Norfolk Broads on the Mississippi River Boat. And celebrating my friend’s 30th birthday.
We ate, we drank, we danced and we sang. Fabulous evening. So lovely catching up with so many people.
When you get sent a video from your jumping lesson last week and this is the final frame. 😝 Sometimes I crack myself up.
Deep respect for my instructor right there!! It was an interesting lesson as I couldn’t work out why I felt so unbalanced and couldn’t get my right leg on. After momentarily thinking I’d had a stroke on the drive there (cause that’s what you do, right?!), I realised I’d put my left stirrup up 4 holes but my right only 2. No wonder I wasn’t feeling level.
Again, it’s a good job I can laugh at my own ineptitude.
It’s also a good job I can laugh at my horse’s antics. Today we headed to Blackwater for some schooling and the little monkey decided he wanted to be a race horse! 🐎 Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for forward, but I‘d prefer to make the decision about where we’re heading. 🤦🏻♀️ I’m picky like that…
I’m a little cross eyed tonight after checking the magazine I’m working on. The brain is amazing as it sometimes sees what it thinks should be here – not what actually is there!
Makes the job rather challenging I can tell you. There’s a reason why it’s a skill!
Thankfully I have other people checking it too. I did a virtual face palm on some I missed.
Still, it’s coming together nicely. Off to print soon. Another big tick!
It seems my reputation as a cat magnet proceeds me. Not a clue who this cat is. But it came out to greet me as I walked up to see Buddy. And followed me up the road.
Speaking of cats, I didn’t have the best start to the day as Dodo interrupted breakfast with a snack of his own. He came through the cat flap with a baby bird in his mouth. Managed to rescue said bird and put it in a box in the shed while I looked up what to do with it.
Went to check on it and the box was empty. I searched the shed but no sign of it. Started to question my sanity when it flew past me and out of the door.
Feeling like I’d done a good thing, I headed off into the house. Only for 10 mins later to see Dodo ‘playing’ with it on the lawn. Sadly it was cat 1 – baby bird 0. 😔
At least I tried…
The Steam Rally is back after two years. It’s been fun listening to the ‘toots’ from my house. Spotted this little beauty as I was driving back from the yard.
It’s so cute! He even ‘tooted’ to say thank you for letting him out.
Tales, Tails and Talus 