Feel the rain

Bert and I got very wet on our walk this morning. Now as a good equestrian, I have lots of wet weather gear. So you’d think I would be prepared. And I was! I put my Reincoat on as I thought it might rain. What I wasn’t prepared for was the torrential downpour.

I was laughing to myself as the rain dropped off my hood. While most of me was dry, my legs weren’t. It didn’t help that I stopped to chat to another dog walker. Because as she said, we weren’t getting any drier. Good to know that dog walkers have the same sense of humour as horse riders.

When we got home, my jeans and my puppy needed to go in the conservatory to dry out.

I love this quote. Today I was both of these…

Grinch Toes

Well it finally happened. I got so fed up of Bert’s ‘Grinch Toes’ that I broke out the scissors! I worked on the principle that if I can trim Buddy’s little feathers with scissors, I can do Bert’s.

I have to say I’m pretty impressed with myself. It’s not too bad a job. I’m more impressed with him for letting me near him with the scissors. There was a little bribery in the shape of some liver paste. I’ve found that Buddy is much more amenable too when he has food.

Bert is rather fluffy. Not sure if this is his puppy coat and if he’ll lose it. Buddy’s Summer coat is coming through too. He goes so dark in the summer. He’s rather mottled at the moment. The kittens are moulting too. Let the shedding commence…

Extremities

This is the face of someone who can’t feel their face! Made the mistake of assuming that cause I got rather warm mucking out that I wouldn’t need my ‘big coat’ on our ride.

I was very, very wrong…

I fear I got a bit carried away, cause there was little bit of sunshine today. I couldn’t feel my extremities by the time I got back. The ‘big coat’ was back on for Bert’s walk I can tell you. I’ve just about thawed out.

Big coat

In preparation for the ‘big freeze’, I broke out Buddy’s ‘big coat’. Of course, it will now be much milder than they’re forecasting.

My ‘big coat’ was called into action too. First to take Bert for a walk. I did wait till the sleet had stopped. Then again to lunge Buddy over some raised poles. I say over, he nearly fell over them! Poles on the ground or raised are definitely something we need to work on. And when I say we…

Close up

Thought I’d take a nice picture of Buddy in his smart rain coat. He had other ideas and thought he’d get up close and personal.

I was reminded of the saying ‘no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing’ today. Went out to poo pick having taken my coat off cause I was getting too hot. As I reached the furthest point from the yard, the heavens opened.

Let’s just say I was very soggy by the time I’d finished. I can’t help but laugh when the rain is running down my nose and back.

At least one of us was dry.

Constitutional

First hack of 2024 for Buddy and me. And the first time I’ve ridden for over 2 weeks. It felt so good to be back in the saddle. If a little weird to start off with.

We went for a lovely wander round the village with Carla and Missy. Now Missy and Buddy are firm friends. They’re so relaxed in each other’s company. Carla and I chatted the whole way round too.

Got to ride in my new Equidry coat as well. My gosh, it’s so comfy. I was very impressed indeed.

Impermeable

Merry Christmas me! I was feeling rather smug in my new coat this afternoon. I bought it when we were at the London International Horse Show. In the torrential rain today, I was jolly glad I did!

Not only was I toasty warm, I was dry as a bone. Hurrah! This was the first time I’d really tested it in the rain. It put a smile on my face.

Very different from this morning when I couldn’t stop crying. Everything was tumbling out of my face. It’s been an emotional few months for me. It was bound to catch up with me eventually.

I couldn’t get going either. So I cut myself some slack and sat in the conservatory listening to the rain.

Hopefully the rain (and the tears) will stop soon. If not, at least I’ll be dry.

Shedding season

And so it begins! Buddy’s summer coat has blown. Spent ages grooming him today and there’s still a ton more to come out. He is officially moulting. Which means it won’t be long till he needs clipping.

I’m going to go through his rugs this weekend and work out what’s what. Last winter he trashed a few so not sure what’s good and what needs fixing. Good job I’m handy with a sewing needle.

There’s something very satisfying about fixing something. And stripping his coat. Reckon I’ve got enough to stuff a small cushion.

Long wait

The last time this happened was nearly 6 years ago. And we were both riding different horses. It was worth the wait though. Lovely hack out with Colette and Sky today.

It was very, very windy. My new coat passed with flying colours (flying was right at points as everything was flapping in the wind). I was very toasty indeed. Thankfully we missed the rain too.