A day at the stables

[kathylove]

They look so FUZZY now!

We just finally got a cold spell here in Florida that last couple of days. It was so hot the last few weeks that it is difficult to even imagine winter coats on animals!

 

[diamondlil]

They look so FUZZY now!

We just finally got a cold spell here in Florida that last couple of days. It was so hot the last few weeks that it is difficult to even imagine winter coats on animals!

The winds are icy here now Kathy, with the temperatures down to @ 10 degrees C. Little LouLou, the dun pony, has the best coat so far, it must be well over an inch and really thick. Cathy doesn't clip or use rugs on her herd, so they just adjust to the seasons as they come along.

 

[diamondlil]

No riding last week, Kim had a minor op and it was all hands on deck to take my turn in turning out and mucking out the horses. I'd taken my youngest son along to help but after I found his enthusiasm waning and him just moving poop around in Bellas stable I relegated him to wheelbarrow duties. After mucking out all 3 stables, with the rain having meant the horses had been in most of the time I wanted to die!
Today dawned cold but clear and sunny. Kim can't ride yet but Zoe was able to come over, so we had an excellent ride through the woods with Kim long-reining Bella for the first time. Both Melin and Curo were full of beans and up on their toes, so keeping a steady pace was a bit of a challenge.
Bella did really well, she got herself in a pickle a couple of times but Kim kept her nice and calm and untangled her when necessary!

 

[diamondlil]

So I've been busy at work and then it snowed so heavily that I havent been able to visit my friends and the horses, but then finally today I got over for a Merlin day. Kim rode Curo and led Bella the little pony, I rode Merlin. Well first off it was lovely to see Kim and catch up, then as we got down the yard as soon as Merlin heard my voice he was neighing and flipping his head in excitement. The ground was too slippery for a fast ride, so we had a nice quiet hack around the fields. Hopefully I'll get over next week to see Kim even if it snows because she's got a lovely new 4 x 4 truck now.

 

[diamondlil]

Finally got my New Year visit to the crazy gang. The success of Cathy's clicker training meant Loulou is almost too friendly and I couldn't get a decent photo for her wanting close attention and hugs!

 

[Rdoyle]

horses are my frist love. I never riden thought, but always wanted one, But I want a DRaft. LOL

 

[KingCrimson<3]

So cute! My boys have gotten SUPER fuzzy too.

That's Sham, my 17.3hh TB boy, he has like 4 inch coat.

Rio's gotten pretty fuzzy himself.

And Corey doesn't even look like a Peruvian Paso anymore. He looks like some kind of wild Moorish creature, even though he has the best bloodlines of the lot.

 

[diamondlil]

So cute! My boys have gotten SUPER fuzzy too.

That's Sham, my 17.3hh TB boy, he has like 4 inch coat.

Rio's gotten pretty fuzzy himself.

And Corey doesn't even look like a Peruvian Paso anymore. He looks like some kind of wild Moorish creature, even though he has the best bloodlines of the lot.

Oooooooooooooooooh! They are beautiful! I should be able to get over for a Merlin day next week, out fora nice hack

 

[KingCrimson<3]

I love them more than anything. Since they retired I only get to see them a few times a year, but they are living the good life and they seem very happy, if a bit cold. I had an absolutely wonderful time on the trails and jumping Rio and Sham in the makeshift ring.

So fun!! You should be so excited to start jumping. It is the best feeling in the world to have a horse you trust and know that they trust you.

 

[diamondlil]

I love them more than anything. Since they retired I only get to see them a few times a year, but they are living the good life and they seem very happy, if a bit cold. I had an absolutely wonderful time on the trails and jumping Rio and Sham in the makeshift ring.

So fun!! You should be so excited to start jumping. It is the best feeling in the world to have a horse you trust and know that they trust you.

I've got to the stage of happily popping Merlin over small obstacles of 2-3 foot when we're out hacking, because he's got a lovely jump. It was a case of working to get my seat stable enough so he can do his thing without either of us losing confidence. And you're absolutely right about the trust working both ways as a partnership. Merlin is so forgiving when I do make mistakes that I can relax and enjoy our partnership and also really appreciate all the hard work my friends have put into me over the last few years.
So for this year ahead I'll be setting myself new challenges........when Kim thinks I'm ready I shall try a lesson where she takes her boys, over a small set of jumps with a professional trainer. And this summer Cathy and I will be backing Luna and Lola after stepping up the groundwork lessons with them. Fun times ahead!

 

[diamondlil]

Oh joy! I got picked up early yesterday morning, and spent the night at Kim's, so I've had lots of Merlin time! Kim had a surprise for me, new chickens! They are temporarily in a stable until a fox-proof run is built. All at point of lay, in fact 2 have just started laying an egg a day.

 

[diamondlil]

The horses were fresh after being cooped up due to bad weather, so out for a brisk hack, with Merlin dancing on the spot when we hit the open fields until I let him have a collected canter, then another longer canter, then finally a proper gallop when we were on firmer ground!

 

[diamondlil]

As a result of yesterday's success, Kim has finally declared that she isn't worried about my ability to hold Merlin when he's excited. I'm not surprised, because he was performing a sideways passage and snorting like a dragon as soon as we were in the open, the fields were so slippery I had to hold him steady instead of giving him his head and found it no trouble at all making him keep to the paces I wanted.
The flat-out gallop was brilliant, Kim held back so she could see if I was balanced and she's over the moon with my progress, and as you may tell, so am I! We couldn't get out this morning because she had architects turn up to measure up the house for the rebuilding work to be done, so instead lots of grooming and cuddles for my boy when I mucked out.

 

[josie]

So what do you do when you're snowed in? You sit and read this entire thread! I couldn't stop! I have really enjoyed all the posts and pictures.

I grew up around horses. Everyone in my family owned horses as well as my father breeding, breaking them, and rodoe. I was riding my first pony before I could walk. I was raised around draft horses, race horses, paint horses, quarter horses. I love them! Sadly I haven't been on a horse in about 15 yrs I reaaaaallllllyyyyyy miss it! My pony was 12 when my parents bought her for me and we had to put her down about 10 yrs ago, it about killed all of us (my dad cried like a baby).

 

[diamondlil]

So what do you do when you're snowed in? You sit and read this entire thread! I couldn't stop! I have really enjoyed all the posts and pictures.

I grew up around horses. Everyone in my family owned horses as well as my father breeding, breaking them, and rodoe. I was riding my first pony before I could walk. I was raised around draft horses, race horses, paint horses, quarter horses. I love them! Sadly I haven't been on a horse in about 15 yrs I reaaaaallllllyyyyyy miss it! My pony was 12 when my parents bought her for me and we had to put her down about 10 yrs ago, it about killed all of us (my dad cried like a baby).

I missed out on a good 20 years of riding before Cathy 'roped me in' with helping with Coconuts, I owe her so much I can't even begin to thank her and Kim for getting me this far.

 

[josie]

My dad pulled me in to his side room on Christmas to show me my first saddle sitting there. I was totally shocked! I had no idea he still had it.

I loved riding! I was always at the rodeos with my dad and uncle. I used to practicing my roping skills by roping my little brother. LOL

 

[diamondlil]

I've just had the best birthday weekend ever! After a few hours sleep on Friday, over to my friend Cathy's. Saturday morning was spent worming then playing with the crazy gang.

 

[diamondlil]

Today, out for a nice walk with Cathy's setters, then off to a western riding clinic in East Sussex. Lovely friendly people there, so we will be booking western riding lessons soon!

 

[dionythicus]

I hope you enjoy riding western, I like a horse that works by neck reining. I don't like western saddles, though. I find them too big, too bulky. I couldn't get a feel for the horse, but it's been years since I've ridden. I'm sure I'd have to learn all over again to ride well. LOL You probably won't have problems, I'm sure you'll enjoy the difference.

 

[diamondlil]

I hope you enjoy riding western, I like a horse that works by neck reining. I don't like western saddles, though. I find them too big, too bulky. I couldn't get a feel for the horse, but it's been years since I've ridden. I'm sure I'd have to learn all over again to ride well. LOL You probably won't have problems, I'm sure you'll enjoy the difference.

I was actually thinking that the saddles seemed huge, which is a concern with my short legs! The vaquero saddles I rode on in Spain were the same size but were padded cloth and conformed to the horse.