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!
We made it people! Today is the Spring Equinox. I must admit I wasn’t thrilled when I woke up to yet more rain. But it soon passed and turned into an OK day.
After working so many hours, it was a catch up day. Catching up on laundry, housework, admin, friends and most importantly, my Buddy Boy.
He certainly had a spring in his step today. And that puts a smile on my face.
This is such a welcome sign to me. Spring is on the way when my camellia starts to pop. Always makes me smile. It’s smothered in buds, so hoping for a good show.
It’s funny how we use flowers as indicators of the seasons. The minute the snowdrops arrive, I know we’ve broken the back of winter.
Not that I’m wishing my life away of course. There was lots of holiday talk at the Chiro’s today. I joked that others are jetting off to exotic climes and I get to look at the National Geographic magazines.
My turn will come again I’m sure. I’ve been very fortunate to have travelled a lot in my life. I can feel the Wanderlust stirring.
At least I know I’ve got a few horsey holidays in the diary. They’re like a relaxing holiday, only with more sweating. And I’m not just talking about Buddy.
I thank my lucky stars every day that I found Buddy. I couldn’t love my Irish Boy more if I tried.
While we were hacking today, I reflected back on when I bought him. And how he came to be mine. I found him when I was emotionally battered from losing Murphy and having to admit defeat with Phoenix. I was also a bit physically broken as I was recovering from a broken finger (a lasting legacy from Phoenix). I was mentally drained as I didn’t know if I had it in me to conquer my confidence demons.
Buddy was exactly the horse I needed. He’s not the easiest horse but I’ve risen to his challenge. He’s kept me safe many a time. Of course, he’s completely forgotten that we’re meant to start together and finish together too. I’ve had my fair share of flying lessons from him. But when it clicks, we are definitely flying without wings.
We’ve achieved so much together and I know we have many more achievements to come. He’s very much my glass of the black stuff.
So Happy St Patrick’s Day Buddy Boy. After doing my DNA, I know I don’t have any Irish blood. But I have the luck of the Irish in him.
Poor Buddy was very confused today. I rocked up at the yard early and headed to the lorry. He clocked this right away. He watched as I filled a haynet. He did his pre-lorry warm up with a couple of laps of his field.
So imagine his confusion when I walked past him and brought a different horse in. If a horse could looked shocked, it was Buddy.
I was taking a friend’s horse to the vets. This was Buddy’s face as I put said horse back in his stable. He was not impressed.
He got lots of cuddles and soon forgave me.
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.
We went out with a new combo today, Debbie and Marmaduke. He’s an Arab and adorable. He and Buddy seemed very happy in each other’s company. Arabs have a reputation for being ‘high energy’ and Marmaduke can live up to that. But today, he was Mr Chill.
Debbie and I didn’t stop chatting the whole way round. We went round two bridges. It’s one of my favourite rides as it reminds me of Murphy.
We haven’t done it for a while, so it was lovely to go that way. As well as have some new company.
Blimey it was a tad windy today. I didn’t realise just how windy it was till we got off the yard. The good news is that Buddy isn’t bothered by the wind. Neither am I. I know some riders and horses are. Very grateful for that.
Not sure Buddy was grateful for my singing as I sang ‘wind beneath my wings’ to him. Honestly everyone’s a critic. Good job he can’t see the reel I made from our hack.
Today has been a really good day. I rode my horse for the first time in what feels like forever. My saddle feels amazing! Perfectly balanced and makes me realise how unbalanced it had gotten.
Boy did it feel good to be back in the saddle, out and about. And after his initial shock at seeing the saddle, so did Buddy.
The only downside is that I have been reacquainted with my seat bones again. I was already feeling the gardening yesterday. Tomorrow I may be feeling it too.
Today I got to walk with three dogs. First I headed over to meet Natalie and her two pooches.
We met somewhere I’ve driven past many times, but I had no idea it was called The Mystical Woods. What a wonderful name for a very wonderful place. If a bit soggy. There were some rather large puddles to splash through. And that was just her Labrador.
Then it was home to take my oversized Labrador for a walk. No puddles for him though.
My saddle is ready to collect, so that’s on the list for Monday. Buddy will be thrilled that his semi-retirement is over. I definitely will be happy to get back in the saddle.
My saddle has had to go to the workshop to have the flocking sorted. It’s gone soft at the back. Well I have had it 6 years now. No saddle meant no riding. And before you suggest I go bareback, you’ve met Buddy?!
I’ve been offered a saddle to try, but thought I’d take Buddy out for walkies instead. He’s very much like an oversized Labrador.
Funnily, as I was heading out, we bumped into a lady walking her black Lab. She laughed when I said mine was bigger than hers.
Buddy and I covered nearly 2 miles on shanks’ pony. He’s such a dude. He just wandered along with me. We definitely got our steps in.
Tales, Tails and Talus 