New learning

I’m rather excited about this. It’s the workbook for the latest training course that I’ve signed up for. Tonight was the kick-off session. It was really interesting listening to the other people who are in my cohort. They’re all Equestrian Coaches. Unlike me, I’m a BHS 0. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve learnt a lot of the years.

I’ve always been very resistant to making horses my living. Horses are my passion and my hobby (more lifestyle than hobby). But I’ve always wanted to learn more and more. To improve myself to be the best rider for my horses.

Now I feel I want to give back to something that has given me so much. You see I’ve been the person standing on the mounting block terrified to get on their horse. It wasn’t until I had that experience that I really understood how crippling and debilitating fear could be. It broke my heart that something that brought me so much joy, was the source of so much pain and frustration. Slowly I rebuilt my confidence one ride at a time.

So I’m coming at this from a different angle. I think it’ll really help me to move my coaching business more towards working with riders.

Let’s get my little brain cells working…

Signed off

I’ve had the best start to September! Buddy flew through his lameness retest this morning. He’s been signed off by the vets! Hurrah!!

We now have permission leave the ground again. Only 30cm initially, but building up to 50cm in a couple of weeks. As long as there are no further issues, we have the green light to crack on. Now I just need to keep Buddy from falling over the ‘trip / spook hazard’ heights for a bit.

I’m so relieved, emotional and excited all at the same time. This has been my first real experience of dealing with an injury like this. So it’s been a long 16 weeks from diagnosis to now.

Buddy’s support team have been in full force. It shows that with the right people around you, you can overcome anything. What is it they say about it takes a tribe. Well I am forever grateful to mine. Thank you for caring for Buddy so well and putting an arm around me when I wasn’t sure what was going on.

There have been so many people who’ve checked in on us too. So many have come on this journey with us. Thank you. It means so much knowing I have good people in my corner.

The downside to not riding as much is that I am feeling it now we are building up the work. I’m about 2/10th lame I’d say. My fitness has dropped off too, so we’ll both be blowing to start off with.

So it’s onwards and upwards!! For us both.

Indecisive

I was meant to be judging a show jumping competition today. Sadly it was cancelled due to low numbers. As I had a free day, there was so much I could have done, it took me a while to decide. In the end, I pottered about, mowed the lawn and tidied up the garden.

This afternoon, Buddy and I went out for a ride today with a pair with a combined age of 102! Pretty special huh? Buddy was so cute as he walked at Sam’s pace. Well once we got going. We headed off in one direction, then had to turn back. So made a new plan. Then changed that too.

We had a lovely wander. As the boys were so good, they got snacks on the way back. They were much more decisive!

SOS

Yesterday I got an SOS. So today I went to the Lincoln Showground and back. As you do. Or rather as I do.

One of my friends was competing at the BRC Championships today and needed company / support. We all know I love a horsey roadtrip. Even better when I’m fed, caffeinated and get two lorry dogs to cuddle.

It also meant I got to surprise the other Carleton RC competitors. I have very fond memories of competing at the Champs in 2022. It wasn’t our crowning glory. But we did it. I have some lovely photos and a rosette. I was rather jealous of the stable plaques. They didn’t have those my year, but I did get a medal.

We will be back one day I’m sure. For now, I was happy to be groom / cheerleader / emotional support Pip.

Freaky Friday

This was the best way to finish a rather freaky Friday. A lovely ride round Blickling in the evening sunshine.

My day didn’t get off to the best of starts. I was halfway to the Chiro’s when I realised I’d left my coffee on the counter. I’m going to let you into a secret. Part of the reason I’m so positive is my first coffee of the day. Without it, I’m in a bit uncoordinated. Even more than normal!!

I popped to the shop en route and bought a jar. But the dye was cast. Managed to set the alarm off when I did arrive at work. Not totally my fault as one of the keys on the keypad wasn’t working. First time I’d set it off. And boy was it loud!!

After that, it was one thing after another. By the end of the shift, the chiro and I were both laughing at the goings on. I checked the date – definitely not Friday 13th.

Given the way the day had been going, I wasn’t sure if a trip out in the Buddymobile was wise. Thankfully, the gods were back side and it was wonderful. We haven’t been to Blicking for such a long time. It was lovely to be back. We’ll be back again soon.

Puzzle pieces

Buddy had a saddle fitting today. It was really interesting to see the difference in him since he’s been on rehab.

The last time he had his saddle checked was before his injury diagnosis. Then the back of his saddle needed attention. This time, his back has come up more and it was the front that needed adjusting.

Shows that the strengthening work I’ve been doing as part of his rehab is working. And all the treatments he’s been receiving.

Speaking of treatments, he also got a massage today. Again, the differences were marked. His muscles are so much softer and mailable.

I can’t help but wonder if these changes show just how much he was compensating for his injury. And if it was grumbling for a while before it really showed itself. Not beating myself up for that. Hindsight is 20/20
for a reason.

The good news is that he’s making great progesss. And I have more information and puzzle pieces. I know he will come back stronger than ever from this.

Mucky puppy

Look at the sheer pleasure on Buddy’s face. He was beyond happy to get recovery mash after his hack today. Well it was a tad warm today. He was such a good boy.

Recovery mash is a little bit like crack for horses. God knows what they put in it, but he goes mad for the stuff!

I’ve learned that I have to hold the bucket. Otherwise he has a tendency to spill it everywhere. He still managed to make a mess with it. And got a lot of it all over his face.

He’s a mucky puppy sometimes. Such a happy mucky puppy though.

Agatha Christie

Finally got round to planting my rose, Agatha Christie. I’m hoping she’ll be very happy here.

I tried to put some wires up to train it against. Not sure I’ve done the best job so might need to rethink it. Maybe a trellis would be better.

Agatha Christie is one of my favourite authors. I’ve read so many of her books. I’ve watched lots of the films and TV series too. I loved Poirot, Miss Marple and Tommy & Tuppence.

How she came up with those plot lines was incredible? I’d loved to have met her to find out. She’d definitely be on my ultimate dinner party list.

Let’s hope the rose isn’t the subject of an untimely death…

Dragonfly

This morning when I was having breakfast on the patio, the most wonderful thing happened. A dragonfly landed on my knee. It gave me goosebumps.

I’ve seen lots of dragonflies in my garden, out riding or at the yard, but it’s the first time one has actually landed on me!

It felt like a very special moment. I wondered if there was a spiritual meaning. So I looked it up. There were lots of different meaning. All along similar themes. Essentially it’s very lucky to have one land on you. They signify change. And being connected to nature (that’s probably obvious as I was outside).

I must admit, I really did feel very lucky indeed. I sat frozen, barely breathing for fear of scaring it off. I must have twitched or something as it flew off to one of my roses. But moments later, it flew back and landed on my knee again. Does that make me doubly lucky?!

I find the symbolism of things fascinating. Makes you wonder where they came from. The symbolism with dragonflies seem to come from China and the Far East. But then they have been a round for a very long time…

Wedding guest

They say that it’s lucky to bring a horseshoe for the bride. Well tonight, I brought four! They were of course still attached to Buddy. My friend Kirsty was having her wedding celebration party at the community hall near the yard. I know how much she loves Buddy, so I walked up to bring him down to see her.

He was such a good boy. Posing for the guests. A few more members of the Buddy fan club I’d say. In fact her brother-in-law said he’d been to many weddings, but had never seen someone turn up with a horse!

Kirsty said it was the cherry on top. I’m so happy that I could do that for her. May you and David have a long and happy marriage.