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!
OK, so I’m very late to the party, but I’ve just finished the first season. And I got the murderer (well murderers) right. Check me out!!
I love a good murder mystery. This is so funny too. Lots of twist and turns. I got 12 months of Disney+ free with my bank account. This was the first thing I wanted to watch after seeing the trailers. So glad I did.
How to weird your horse out?! Take him on a ride down a road that has been resurfaced.
This stretch of road is near the yard. We call it Tellytubby Hill. Not a clue who came up with it but it’s apt. On one side, we have the old landfill with lots of pipes and the other a water building. You get the picture.
Anyway, I digress. It’s known to be a bit slippery. So very happy to see it’s been resurfaced. Buddy, not so much. He walked along like it felt weird underfoot. Well I guess it must have been. It looks very different too.
I could almost hear his asking if we’d been down there before. He does make me laugh sometimes. Thankfully he wasn’t bothered by all the road warning signs.
Thought I’d put some oil in the Buddymobile yesterday. Always good to check your oil and water from time to time (she says like she knows what that really means).
It should have been a very simple job. Take off the oil cap, pour in oil, return oil cap. Right?! Wrong! This is me. This is the Buddymobile. I couldn’t get the oil cap off. I tried and tried, but it wasn’t shifting. I even enlisted a man to assist. No joy there either.
So today I took it to the local garage. After 10 mins fighting and lots of tools, it came off. In pieces. So new oils cap ordered. Till it arrives, I won’t be going far with my temporary cap. But at least the oil is in. And it wasn’t that I was being inept (for once).
Got back to the yard to be told that I’ve got a headlight bulb on the way out too. At least that should be easy to fix.
I do love the Buddymobile. Even if he’s a bit quirky sometimes. Then again, Buddy and I both have our quirks. So perfect really!
Oh my days, my legs were feeling the past two days this morning. I looked a bit like the love child of John Wayne and the Tin Man walking round! I wasn’t at my usual pace that’s for sure.
But then I rode for the longest I have in some time on Friday. And walked round a huge estate yesterday. Plus lots of driving. It’s kinda understandable why I’m feeling it.
I tried to pick jobs to do today that wouldn’t take much movement. One thing I did need to do was clean out the lorry from Friday. The last few times I’ve cleaned it out, I’ve gotten rather annoyed with my lorry brush. It really isn’t that effective. There’s usually a lot of huffing.
So today, I treated myself to a new lorry broom. I know! I’m just too good to myself.
It works a treat. The label made me laugh. Perfect for removing stubborn debris. Yup that could have been written about Buddy’s poo…
Back home after a fab day out at Burghley Horse Trails. A mere 10 miles walked round the course today. And what a course. It was very testing. But then you come to expect that. It’s not a 5* for nothing.
There seemed to be a few bogey fences out there. It was quite an achievement getting round. Saw some amazing riding. Some incredible partnerships.
I’ve been to two 5*s this year. Badminton and Burghley. They’re so different. I love them both. Glad I managed to get to both. Even if it was just for cross country day.
Clocked up some more miles on the Comedy Car and my step count is high. My feet and legs are aching. I’m tired, but a good tired. It’s so worth it for the memories made.
What a fabulous way to spend a Friday afternoon. Wandering through the forest with lovely friends and horses.
It’s been a long time since I came to Little Lodge. Last time was with Murphy so shows how long ago it was. Buddy was very happy to be out and about. Well when we got there. There was a hold up on the A11, so my sat nav rerouted us. Unfortunately it sent me on a magical mystery tour of Thetford Forest. Some very small, windy roads and an equally small bridge to cross. Then I missed the entrance. So after another u-turn, we made it. And to think I thought I would be really early!!
Poor Buddy arrived a bit like a milkshake. And the Buddymobile was very hot and bothered with it all. Thankfully once we got onboard, it was a much calmer affair.
It’s the longest I’ve spent in the saddle for a very long time, so I was feeling it when we got back. Sure Buddy will be feeling it too. At least he gets a day off tomorrow. I, on the other hand, will be walking round Burghley. My legs might be on strike by Sunday.
A few weeks ago, the zip in my ‘every day’ riding boots went. Bit of a panicky moment when I realised I was stuck in it. Managed to squeeze my foot out thankfully.
So off it went to the cobblers. I picked it up today. Many reasons why I’d choose to have the zip replaced. They’re such comfortable boots. Definitely well worn in. They’ve got many, many years left in them. I’m loathed to bin stuff when it can be repaired.
The other boot was repaired a few years back, so now I have a matching pair. Again.
Hugo decided today that the laundry basket was the best place to sleep this afternoon. I’m glad I noticed before I picked it up! That could have been interesting.
I’m such a soft tough sometimes, rather than disturb him, I got the laundry off the line in small batches.
I’d love to say that he was appreciative. Not sure he opened an eye.
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…
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.
Tales, Tails and Talus 