Broom broom

Oh my days, my legs were feeling the past two days this morning. I looked a bit like the love child of John Wayne and the Tin Man walking round! I wasn’t at my usual pace that’s for sure.

But then I rode for the longest I have in some time on Friday. And walked round a huge estate yesterday. Plus lots of driving. It’s kinda understandable why I’m feeling it.

I tried to pick jobs to do today that wouldn’t take much movement. One thing I did need to do was clean out the lorry from Friday. The last few times I’ve cleaned it out, I’ve gotten rather annoyed with my lorry brush. It really isn’t that effective. There’s usually a lot of huffing.

So today, I treated myself to a new lorry broom. I know! I’m just too good to myself.

It works a treat. The label made me laugh. Perfect for removing stubborn debris. Yup that could have been written about Buddy’s poo…

Bedraggled

Took my charges out for a long walk this morning. In the rain. So we came came back rather bedraggled. All three of us have curly hair (or fur in their cases). Let’s just say we were all rocking the Poodle Perm by the time we’d finished.

I’m showing my age now. Who else remembers the Poodle Perm?! Please tell me it’s not just me? Even though my hair is curly. I still had a perm at one point. I vaguely remember doing a home kit as well. Cause that was what we did in the 80s.

Not that it made much difference. I was aiming for a spiral perm then. Now I just need a touch of rain or humidity and I have it naturally. Much easier. And less chance of losing an eye or chunks of hair.

Keep walking

Today we reached the first milestone in Buddy’s rehab. We completed four weeks of walk. I can now start introducing a little bit of trot. Going to take it really slowly though. We’ve got four more weeks before he has to be rescanned to check how his injury is healing.

To celebrate, we went onto the grass track for the first time. Wasn’t sure how he was going to be. Buddy was more interested in eating the long grass.

So far he’s been quite the model patient. Fingers crossed he remains the same throughout his recovery.

Birthday antics

Buddy Boy turned 14 today. Sadly it wasn’t the best weather for him. Rather damp as we headed out for our walk.

Usually we’d go for a long ride together. This year it’s a bit different. I wonder if Buddy minded. I definitely missed it. I didn’t miss Buddy acting like a 3 year old when he heard the steam rally. Cause he’s never heard that before!

Probably not my best plan. We didn’t go that close. And assumed that as he’s experienced it 7 years now, he’s be OK. That was my first mistake. Never assume with horses. Or it could have been the boy racer car backfiring. We had it all today. And we were only out 15 mins.

I did get back in the saddle today though as a friend let me ride her horse. Maybe that was Buddy’s birthday treat too? He looked quite surprised when spotted me.

Happy Birthday Buddy Boy. You really are My Absolute Diamond.

Cinderella

Buddy has his special shoe put on today. Just call him Cinderella! It’s called a spider plate apparently. My fab farrier made it for him after having a chat with the vet. Honestly, I’m not kidding when I say Buddy has a crack support squad!

To make sure he’s not wonky, he made a slightly different version for his other front hoof. Everything crossed it helps his recovery.

I love the green putty. Green is definitely Buddy’s colour. Well he is an Irish boy after all.

I’m grateful for my crack support squad today too. There have been lots of tears today. Things have been building up for a while. I know I’ve been drifting into the rumble strip of life. So today I let the tears flow. And took my oversized Labrador and his Cinderella shoes out for his constitutional. It helped.

One day we will go to the Ball Buddy Boy. Till then, walking it is. Let’s face it, he’s definitely my Prince Charming.

Walk it off

I woke up feeling very swirly today. Too many random thoughts going on in my head. So I did something I haven’t done for a while. I walked to the yard. Then grounded myself by shovelling horse poo and giving Buddy a good brush. Listened to a great podcast on the way. It was the perfect one for me to listen to today as really resonated. But also gave me food for thought. Better thoughts than I’d been having.

After doing maid duty, I decided to walk back a longer route. One I used to do in lockdown, but haven’t done for a while either. Made me giggle as I remembered one day when I’d walked up to check on Buddy when the yard was locked down. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to be there, so snuck up the footpath to see him. In my slightly unsure state thinking I might get told off or had broken some rule, I ended up hiding behind a rather large bush so as not to be seen. Trouble was I was wearing a pink gillet. Not sure I blended in that well. Had to have a stern word with myself at that point. I think I was starting to lose it at that point. Honestly lockdown brought out some very interesting behaviours all round.

Thankfully I can laugh at myself. That helped to calm the storm in my brain. So does walking. Today it was just what I needed. Came back feeling much lighter.

Not right

I’m back home after a wonderful camp. It wasn’t my best camp, but not my worst either. The weather was a bit of a challenge. Talk about sunshine and showers! And blooming cold!

Sadly Buddy isn’t right. Not sure what the issue is, so going to go through the MOT checklist for him. I’ll get to the bottom of it. Or top depending on where the issue is.

Still I got to watch most of the lessons. And we were able to take part but in walk only. Learnt so much though – even in walk. It’s not something I’ve spent much time working on before. I guess I’ve sort of assumed that a horse can walk. Some of the exercises really made my focus on my position and isolating my seat.

Today I learnt how to halt by clenching my bum. Buddy halted square EVERY TIME! Something I’ve really, really struggled with over the past 7 years with him. I swear it’s witchcraft.

Although this camp wasn’t the success I’d hoped for, it was still wonderful being away. It’s always a joy spending time with likeminded people. And of course my Buddy Boy.

Next camp is booked for June. So I need to get Buddy sound and my lorry water tight. It’s good to have a deadline. Wish me luck!

Dog walks

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.

Walkies

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.

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…