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.

Star

Buddy had a pony play date today. With a rather large pony. Becca and Star came to visit. Star is a lot bigger than Buddy, kinda makes him look like a pony. We were out for nearly 2 hours working our way round the roads and tracks. We hardly saw a soul. Sheer bliss.

We were meant to go over to see them, but the Buddymobile is in the sickbay. Again. So they came to us. I love being able to share our hacking with people.

Buddy clearly guessed we were going out for a long one as he tried to take snacks with him. He was a bit miffed I wouldn’t let him take a huge mouthful of hay out. Star was a bit surprised by our hills. Yes we have hills in Norfolk.

It was so funny cause Star clearly knew his way round. He strode off so confidently, you’d think he’d been there before. Buddy on the other hand acted like he’d never been down the routes we took. Talk about role reversal.

All in all two perfectly behaved ponies. The riders had a laugh too.

Sunshine

The weather finally got its act together and it felt like Spring is on the way. Buddy and I headed over to Blickling to meet Katie and Archie. For the first time this year!!

It was so wonderful to be back at Blickling. The sun shone for the whole of our 1.5 hour ride. We didn’t stop chatting the whole way round either. Just wonderful.

Mac

As we drove over to the hospital today, I spotted one of my own hacking spots – Chailey Common. It brought back many happy memories of my first horse, Grandby Macawber. He was my 15’2 X-Cob, who had the body of a cob and the brain of a TB! He had a few issues – rearing, spinning, mouth like granite, legs like treetrunks, no brakes, steering was a bit suspect too, but I loved him. He taught me a lot, mostly how to sit a rear, brace a spin and bounce! He also gave me the XC bug as he was brave as a lion!

We used to gallop round the common. Huge smile on my face. Sometimes scattering a walker or two (see previous comments about brakes and steering).

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.

Convalescing

After a much better night’s sleep, I woke up feeling much more human again. Thank goodness.

The sunshine helped massively too. It’s amazing how the sun can make such a difference. It was too nice not to take Buddy out for a hack.

It was blissfully quiet. Well apart from the bird scarer. That was rather loud. First time it went off, all four feet left the floor. Second time, was much closer to us and I think I jumped more than he did.

Bodily fluids

This was the scene that greeted me when I arrived at the yard. Not sure where Buddy was aiming?!

Took Buddy over to meet Katie and Archie at Blickling. It’s been a while since we’ve been able to get together. There was a lot to catch up on. It was very busy there today. Guess that’s cause it was such a lovely sunny morning. Still we managed to have a lovely wander about.

One comedic moment when Archie stopped for a pee. My god, it lasted forever! We were both laughing as it didn’t stop! Not to be outdone, Buddy decided to join in too. Cue more giggling from us. They also picked a spot in full view of the walkers. After an age, they both finished.

We were giggling about bodily fluids. And yes, we both needed to go when we got back to the lorries. You’ll be pleased to know, we were much more discrete about our ablutions.

Railway children

We’ve arrived at The Grange for a 3 day training camp. Buddy has a huge stable, a huger bed and if possible, an even huger haynet. Right now he’s loving life.

He might not feel the same when he realises he’s got two lessons tomorrow. Eased him in gently with a leg stretch down a disused railway line.

There wasn’t a soul in sight. About a hundred partridges though.

After a huge Chinese (me, not Buddy), I’m snuggled up in the lorry. Listening to the rain. Storm whatever your name is, please breeze on by. Though I have brought lots of clothes. Just in case.

Flappy things

Took Buddy out for a very long hack today. Nearly two hours round the beautiful countryside. I planned the route thinking it would be a wonderfully relaxing one after a bit of a stressful time.

Buddy had other ideas and decided to jump at most of the flappy things. And by flappy things, I mean the hundreds of partridges, pheasants and pigeons that are about at the moment.

We seem to go through this every year. It’s like he’s never seen a bird before. Next week, one will be able to ninja strike without issue. Hell, they could put on a musical theatre production in the hedge and he wouldn’t bat an eyelid. But today, terrifying.

Let’s just say I came back like James Bond’s martini. He does make me laugh.

Selfie fail

Today we put the band back together! It’s been a while since we hacked. It was like no time had passed at all. We chatted the whole way round. The boys seemed pleased to see each other too.

Another thing that hasn’t changed is my inability to take a selfie on a horse. This photo made me giggle when I saw how it came out.

Sometimes it’s the little things in life. A catch up with a good friend, a good ride in the beautiful countryside and at good laugh at your own ineptitude.