Forest dwellers

Well it’s been a long time come. Buddy and I are back at Forest Edge for the last training camp of 2024.

I set it as a stretch goal for his rehab. A lovely synchronicity in that it was at the first training camp in April that his injury was really noticed.

We’re doing one lesson per day rather than two. And I will be keeping an eye on him. In fact I’m pretty sure there will be lots of eyes on him. So many people have been on this journey with us. There are lots of Buddy fans here too.

He’s tucked up in his stable. I’m tucked up in my lorry. I bet he doesn’t have a leak though. I’m currently experiencing Chinese water torture with a drip behind my head. Another job for the list…

I will be OK. It can’t take the smile off my face right now. We’ve made it to camp. Big tick for us both.

I know I’ve been to a few without him. But it really is wonderful to have him here…

Carrots

Harvested my carrots today. I say carrots. They’re all pretty small and twisted. Not sure whether the ground was too hard for them. Or if I’m just not good at carrots. Not enough for a meal. But definitely enough for a Buddy treat!

He will be pleased with my attempts no doubt. Let’s hope he doesn’t try to make my ‘greenish’ fingers off in his excitement.

Human beings

Today was one of those days where I felt torn between doing and being. So I did a mix of both.

I sat on the patio in the glorious sunshine. Having breakfast, journaling and topping up my Vitamin D. It felt so good to just be. To fill my lungs with air and empty my head onto the pages. I even practiced observing my garden, without making a mental note of the things that need to be done. That is very hard for me.

As I was on a writing roll, I drafted the latest newsletter for Carleton Riding Club. An easy bit of doing.

Even easier was taking Buddy out for another long hack. We did the same ride as yesterday – but in reverse. Well you’d think Buddy had never been out before! He was very confused by it all.

As I rode along, I remembered this saying. We are human beings not human doings.

I’ve got a busy period coming up, with lots of doing. So glad I took the change to focus on being. For a change.

Bit of a state

Buddy makes me laugh so much. He got in a bit of a state with his recovery mash. Again. Clearly he’s bothered by it.

He doesn’t always get recovery mash. But it was a beautifully warm September day. The type of day where you don’t know whether to wear long or short sleeves. I went with long in case you’re interested.

It was also the type of day where I wanted to keep hacking. So we did. I felt the need to clear my head. It’s by far the best way I’ve found to do that. Just me, my boy and the great outdoors….

Tellytubby Hill

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.

Oily issue

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!

Little Lodge

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.

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.