Sloppy

I think I might have put too much water in Buddy’s breakfast. It was a bit sloppy. Needless to say I declined post-breakfast kisses.

We all had a very good night. And a very good day today. Apart from a few whimpers when he first went in his crate, Bert slept through. Buddy had a good sleep too judging from the amount of shavings in his tail.

Today we had two lessons – flat & jumping. I’d bought a ‘Soft Tissue Release and Trigger Point Work, with optional kinesiology taping’ session. I wasn’t sure what to expect but it was great. She assessed my position in the saddle. Took lots of videos. Spoke to the instructor. Then released my tight areas. I’ve got tape on my shoulders to help put me in a better position. Be interesting to see how it all affects my riding tomorrow.

Given that this time last year, Buddy was clearly not right and off games, there are so many positives to take from today. And there’s still two more days!

Two kids

Well I’ve made it to our first training camp of 2025. Hurrah! This is the first time I’ve been away with two kids, Buddy and Bert. My god, they need a lot!

The Buddymobile felt a bit cramped with it all. I also needed three lists! And I still forgot the poo bags and toilet roll. It’s much better now Buddy is tucked up in his stable and Bert is tucked up in his crate in the horse area.

I’m tucked up in the living. As much as I love the Buddymobile, it’s definitely time for a bigger lorry! Bert’s arrival means I need more living. Well that’s my excuse! I want a toilet and a fridge too.

So far both kids are behaving very well. Coming to Forest Edge is such a happy place for me. I know Buddy loves it here. And it seems Bert might too after zoomies in the forest. Buddy, on the other hand, had a leisurely walk before the lessons start tomorrow. Bring on the learning…

Resurrection

Well it wasn’t just Christ who was resurrected today. My show jumping ‘career’ with Buddy was too. For the first time since December 2023, we entered a show jumping competition.

It wasn’t pretty. We are VERY rusty (bit of an understatement). Given he had the majority of last year off games, I’m over the moon!

I kept it low by entering the 60cm & 70cm. It wasn’t the triumphant return it could have been. I went with low expectations. I just wanted to see how Buddy reacted.

Sure we had two poles in each round. Sure I couldn’t see a stride for toffee. Sure I rode like a muppet. But we did it and that’s what counts. I know my eye will come in the more we jump. I also know I’ve been a bit lack in our training.

My Baby Sprocker has been winning in those stakes. That is paying off. He came to his first competition. He even jumped a little fence. He got LOTS of fuss. He slept in the lorry while I took Buddy off to compete. Afterwards, he got to watch some of the action. It was all rather exciting to start off with, he soon settled though.

All in all a very good outing…

Very Good Friday

Well today has been a very Good Friday. Bert and Buddy both got baths. Bert’s was much needed after he discovered a mini-swamp. Talk about pungent!

Buddy’s was also much needed after he did the wall of death round his field when he saw me putting his tack on the lorry. He was a bit of a sweaty Betty when I got him in, so needed a wash down. Then we headed over to Clarkes Farm for a clinic with the ever wonderful Caroline Meads.

Buddy was on top form. She’s laid out a really fun set of exercises. All working on the quality of the canter. Something I’ve been working really hard to keeping consistent.

As if I hadn’t burned enough calories, I decided to mow the back lawn. It was Bert’s first experience of the lawnmower. He wasn’t sure and there was a lot of ‘shouting’ at it. But he soon got bored and found one of his toys instead.

He’s snoring on the sofa now… Bert’s first Easter has started well. That’s for sure.

Piglet

Well this has certainly slowed my little piglet down. Bert loves his food and was gulping it down so when I saw this yesterday, I thought I’d give it a whirl.

Honestly, I must be the only person who goes to a horse event and comes back with three things for her dog and nothing for her horse! Buddy will be having words I’m sure.

I’ve tried to find ways to slow Bert’s eating down. He literally inhales the food! Tactics so far have included a treat ball, a snuffle ball, putting it in boxes, hiding it in boxes, scattering it on the floor, splitting it into small portions and a puppy tornado!

I was getting to the point where it was taking me longer to get everything ready than it was taking him to eat it!

The puppy tornado did help to start off with. Till he worked it out (that took about 2 mins). Puppy Tornado is definitely a good description for Storm Bert when it comes to food. Never seen anything like the frenzy. He’s clearly starved poor chap.

Bit like the Oversized Labrador who stamps his feet and demands his food. Then his eyes practically roll up in his head while he’s inhaling it! He can’t eat it fast enough.

There are benefits to having food-orientated animals, that’s for sure. At least Buddy doesn’t try to eat his empty bowl unlike Bert. He just poops in it…

Boudicca’s Way

What an wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Riding round High Ash Farm in the glorious sunshine. It’s April and it was 19 degrees!

The bluebells are starting to come out. It’s so peaceful there. Well apart from Kathy and I chatting all the way round.

Buddy was very happy to be out for an adventure too.

Daffodils

I spotted these lovely daffodils this morning. Daffodils always make me smile. They are such cheery flowers.

Spring is definitely here. It’s my favourite season. I may have mentioned that. The one thing I don’t like about Spring though is the multiple outfits required. I took Bert out for a walk first thing in a down jacket and gloves. Brrrr.

Come afternoon and I arrived at the yard with overtrousers, fleece and jacket. The sun came out and the layers came off. I popped Buddy over a few jumps and was too hot in just a base layer.

Then once the sun had set, it was back to fluffy socks and many layers. Good job I have lots and lots of layers.

Power walk

There was definitely something in the air today. Some very odd energy. Not sure if it was the cold wind with the hot sun, but there was definitely something going on.

Both the Baby Sprocker and the Oversized Labrador were on missions! The power walk was on full display for them both.

Took Bert out for a long walk this morning and Buddy out for an even longer walk this afternoon. All in all I covered over 10 miles. No wonder we’re all tired tonight.

Watching paint dry

I woke up feeling decidedly crappy. Very frustrating when the weather was so nice.

After walking the Baby Sprocker and doing maid duty, I thought I’d rest up. But I didn’t want to waste the good weather. So I painted the side fence and shed. As you do!

My theory was that it doesn’t take that much effort to paint… It’s not that physical, right?!

It took a lot longer than I though. I’m definitely not firing on all cylinders. Even Bert got bored of watching paint dry and took himself off for a nap. I think I should have joined him.

Still I’m very pleased with the result. And neither of us ended up covered in paint!

Medicinal

I’m still feeling a tad crappy. But the sunshine was far too hard to resist. I had a sudden burst of energy so took Buddy out for a short medicinal hack.

It lifted my spirit for sure. And released a lot of snot judging by the number of sneezes I did on the way round.

Thankfully Buddy doesn’t react to my sneezing. Unlike Bert who is most concerned every time I sneeze or cough. There has been a lot of concern over the past few days…