Tag: horse

Cats and dogs

There are many times that I question my life choices. This morning the girls were questioning mine as I donned my wet weather gear and headed out the door. Soon they were very happy to be out for a walk. Me? Not so much, as the wind whipped rain into my face. It wasn’t long before I couldn’t feel my hands either!

I spent the whole walk laughing at the stupidity or hilarity of it all. Guess that’s the difference between cats and dogs. I can guarantee that the kittens would have not left the house!

As I wasn’t wet enough, I headed to the yard where the drenching continued. Rode Buddy in the indoor arena. Typically as we finished the sun came out. Not for long though as by the time I left to go and feed the cats, the rain was back and the wind had picked up.

As suspected, the kittens were both sleep…

Baubles

I’m going to be honest, I really haven’t been feeling the slightest bit festive. There’s so much going on right now that it just hasn’t made it to the top of the list. I haven’t bought a single present yet, my tree is still in the garage and I haven’t broken out Buddy’s elf hat.

So when I spotted some baubles left over from our yard Le Trec session, I thought I’d try and ignite my festive feelings.

Pretty sure Buddy is plotting my demise….

Water babies

So water has featured heavily in my day today. Starting with this unfortunate little boy.

Next door’s cat decided to come in for some food. Dodo was super brave and saw him off. Cue cat fight and fluff everywhere in the garden. Sadly Dodo came off worse as he fell in the pond. And I mean completely under! Then came tearing into the house.

Cue me trapping him in the bathroom, trying to dry him off and clearing up the water that was all over my carpets!

Then Anglian Water arrived to swap my meter over. Not the best start as he opened with ‘you won’t know I’m coming today’. Followed by ‘where is your water meter?’

Cue me out in my fluffy Mr Tumnus trousers in the bushes looking for it. It’s not in the easiest place to find. Poor bloke looked rather disheartened when he saw where it was. Still all sorted now.

Finally I kindly put some warm water in a bucket for Buddy to drink as the water is very cold at the moment. He knocked the bucket out of my hands and soaked my legs and feet.

Is this my payback for trying to fix my leaky roof?!

Embers

The twig burner has been lit. My goodness there’s been a change in the weather. Yesterday it was warm, today it’s been cold. So it was time to light the fire and snuggle under the blanket.

Broke out Buddy’s thicker rug too. Typical when he was clipped yesterday that the temperature drops a few degrees. He’ll be snug tonight. And nice and loose after a rubdown from Auntie Sam.

Spookily I had a rundown today as well. Mine was definitely well overdue! There were a lot of tight bits. Let’s just say I’m less expressive than Buddy when it comes to tight bits. He definitely tells you where it’s tight!

Barnet

Buddy had another haircut today. His first clip had grown out so quickly. He got very sweaty during our lessons on Tuesday. Thankfully Melanie was able to come out and do him this morning.

So much hair came off him. In fact I think more came off this time than the first time he was clipped.

Doesn’t he look super handsome?!

Model student

Buddy and I headed over to Forest Edge for the last BHS clinic of 2023. We’ve been to a few this year. And a few camps too. Buddy is such a model student now. Wanders into a stable and soon makes himself at home.

He was even pretty good in the lessons. First up flatwork, where we worked on leg yielding, straightness and showing some medium steps. Not sure we’ll be winning any dressage tests just yet. Very much a work in progress. But we’re trying and that’s what counts.

After lunch, it was more in our comfort zone with a spot of jumping. Of course, we had to navigate the canter poles first. Not a total disaster.

Guess we’ll have to work on them over the Winter. Along with our flatwork. There’s always something huh?!

I’ll miss our trips over to Swaffham. Maybe I should book us in for a competition there? It seems a shame to waste all the training. And Buddy is very happy there.

I may not have been at my best, but I still got a lot from it. I do love learning.

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.

Treats

It was our riding club AGM tonight. My first time as a Committee member.

I had the honour of presenting the Martine Holden trophy. It was bought by her family to honour her. I managed to get through the presentation without crying.

The same couldn’t be said when I presented the Horse of the Year trophy to her mare Missy. The tears were flowing then. It’s been an emotional week!

Of course, Buddy is always my horse of the year. And he’s going to be very happy to see this bag of treats I was given.

Farewell

Today I said goodbye to my friend Martine. It was an emotional service to say the least. My tears were already flowing. Then I saw her riding hat on her coffin.

It was also a very fitting tribute to a wonderful woman. I will think of her every time I ride. Her wise words ringing in my ears. I will think of her every time I put on hi-viz. Her stern words ringing in my ears.

When I got Buddy, 7 years ago today, she told me that she would help me with ‘this one’. ‘This one’ was the one for me. And she was spot on there!

When she praised you, you knew it was well earned. When she said she was proud of you, it was the most magical feeling.

So thank you Martine. You helped me more than you will ever know. I’m now riding for us both.