Brown cow

‘How now brown cow’ was the mantra for today’s walk. They’ve moved the cows back onto the fields round the back of my close. Normally I have no issue walking through them. But this was the first time Bert had come across so many. And a rather large bull. So we used it as a training session instead.

I walked Bert up to the cows and away. He barked a few times, so kept it all low key. The cows weren’t the least bit bothered by him. He was very interested in them. I think he thouhght they were big dogs. Though some of the calves were tiny.

The cows soon got bored and moved away after a while. Bert sat patiently and watched them go.

I love the fact I live so close to these cows. It reminds me of listening to the cows lowing at night when I was a kid. I grew up near a cattle market so it was a weekly sound. Such a soothing sound…

Gallop strip

I was peopling again today, so I promised Bert a good run when we were finished. So I took him out on the gallop strip for the first time. We walked down it and came back on the outside. I say we walked. I walked in a straight line down and up. Bert did the classic Spaniel zig zag. Flitting here and there, back and forth. He definitely did more steps than me.

They’d freshly ploughed one of the fields. He thought that was the best thing ever. Happily running along the margins. Zig zagging away.

Thankfully when I take Buddy on the gallop strip, it’s less zig zag and more speed demon. Though he has been known to zig and zag too!

Unscripted

Today saw a spontaneous pony party when I got a call this morning. A friend was having a tough time. So I suggested she came over with her horse for a ride & talk. It was such a lovely day, so good for the soul.

We were out for nearly 2 hours wandering round, putting the world to rights. Even saw a beautiful rainbow as we dodged the showers.

We had a slight issue when we got to a bridleway that runs across a field. The field had been freshly ploughed so it was really hard to see where the path actually ran.

I thought I’d worked it out as I’ve used the bridleway many times. All was going well till we hit a rather deep bit and poor Buddy started to sink!

I honestly thought he was going to fall over. Thankfully he saved himself and we made it across. Guess I didn’t quite get the path right. Who knows?! Even when we looked at the bridleway path marker, it was hard to see where it was.

By the end of the ride, we were all smiling. Sometimes, you just need to talk it out. Maybe I should add ‘ride & talk’ to my rider confidence coaching offerings.

Grazing

Buddy was a very happy little boy today. He’s moved to a different field and there’s lots of lovely long grass for him to graze on. He was so happy that he barely registered it when I drove past and said hello.

I love this field. It’s got the most amazing view towards Norwich. The sun sets behind it. So I’ve seen a few stunning sunsets. I miss sunsets. Please can we have them back? I’m done with grey clouds and rain. We’re not even getting the joy of a rainbow to balance out the drizzle.

It’s true what they say, you can’t control the weather. Whoever’s got the sunshine, I hope you’re enjoying.

Ragwort

Two exciting things happened today. This was one of them. It’s by far the best thing I’ve found for pulling ragwort and weeds. It can be a quite onerous job. But this makes it so much fun! I think I was having too much fun. Buddy was very interested and followed me round the field.

Definitely didn’t fire the ragwort into the barrow like I was loading a shotgun. Almost certainly didn’t do my own sound effects. And my horse most definitely didn’t canter round his field…

Might have got a bit carried away when I got home too. Let’s just say my ‘lawn’ looks more like Swiss cheese after my efforts.

Is it a measure of how dull my life is that this makes me very happy?! Good job I can laugh at myself.

The other exciting thing that happened was that I trotted Buddy under saddle for the first time. Just to see how he felt. He was a bit tense for the first few strides – as was I! We both soon relaxed into it. Now I know he’s feeling more level again, I can slowly increase it. Slow and steady wins the race!

Golden fields

Took Buddy over to Blickling this morning to meet up with Katie and Archie. It’s been a while since we met there. It’s amazing how the crops have grown up. They’re almost ready to harvest.

Of course they also make good hiding places. We saw a deer jumping across this field. It makes me smile watching them bounce through the crop. Thankfully away from us…

Evening sun

This evening I decided to lunge Buddy in his field. It was such a lovely evening. He was a little bit confused to start off with. Soon got the idea. He’s looking so well and shiny at the moment. It’s lovely to see.

Now on the sofa watching the England match.