A day at the stables

[diamondlil]

So then we noticed there was smoke blowing across the yard, and found that the muck heap had ignited! Kim wanted to tackle it, but I insisted we call the fire brigade for advice. Very shortly there was a siren, and some lovely firemen arrived to douse the heap. After their heroic actions we plied them with cold drinks and thanked them for their help.

 

[diamondlil]

After the excitement was over, time for a formal riding lesson. Merlin was a darling in walk and trot but I kept losing my stirrups in canter!

 

[diamondlil]

Then Zoe had a lesson on Curo, enjoying his bouncy, collected action. (Zoe is the lovely girl who is riding Merlin as a loan and getting him so fit)

 

[kathylove]

Beautiful horses!

Curo looks really collected and showy!

I know the UK is not Florida, BUT... makes me feel sunburned just to look at y'all riding around in the sun like that, haha!

 

[diamondlil]

Curo looks really collected and showy!

I know the UK is not Florida, BUT... makes me feel sunburned just to look at y'all riding around in the sun like that, haha!

Curo is an absolute dream, he feels like he's made of springs! The weather here is hitting over 30 degrees, and very dry. After our lessons we hosed the horses and ourselves to cool down.

 

[wade]

I'm going to need that hose as well J9.

 

[desertanimal]

Merlin is really, really beautiful.

 

[kathylove]

I have also always had a soft spot for pintos...

my first horse ever was a pinto, and she was a real fireball! Lots of personality, lol!

 

[diamondlil]

Merlin is really, really beautiful.

my first horse ever was a pinto, and she was a real fireball! Lots of personality, lol!

Thanks! Merlin will never be a flashy, show-stopping superstar, he's not very fast and he's not very athletic, He's actually far too wide in the barrel to suit me in theory, but I couldn't imagine life without him!
I must have lost my stirrups at least 20 times, and each time he stopped straight away to let me sort myself out until I was naughty and gave Kim connipations by sitting the canter without them. (I think my leathers have stretched so I'll put another hole in them before I use them again).
My ankle is improving but still a little swollen so next week Kim's agreed I could do with a lunge lesson without the stirrrups to help my balance without straining the cankle

 

[diamondlil]

This morning I watched Zoe have a jumping lesson on Merlin, then we had a major spring-clean of the yard. I was expecting a lesson on Curo in the afternoon, but as the weather cleared and cooled down so nicely we went out for a lovely hack instead. I got to jump fallen logs on the trails through the woods. In theory we were supposed to just step over them in trot but Merlin was obviously inspired by his lesson in the morning and once Kim was happy I was in no danger of falling off she let us enjoy our baby jumps! After the woodland rides we did some cantering up the hills and out through the fields. For the first time we cantered two abreast deliberately, meaning I had to keep Merlin steady and out of racing mode, then Kim made me lead off ahead in canter so she could follow and correct my position as necessary. I think I foiled 4 attempts at bolting in succession, so Kim was full of praise for my more positive control over Merlin's tanking tendencies.

 

[anerybree]

They are all so pretty! I used to take riding lessons when I was younger, but it was too expensive. I do miss being around horses, though.

 

[diamondlil]

They are all so pretty! I used to take riding lessons when I was younger, but it was too expensive. I do miss being around horses, though.

Thanks. I really am so lucky to have good friends with horses, otherwise I'd never afford regular riding lessons or get to spend so much time just being around them.

 

[anerybree]

Oh goodness i LOVE jumping! But the jumps you have there are about as high as I ever got!! But its soo much fun!!

 

[Pal-O-Mine]

Sorry to change gears here but you might getta kick outta this.

In 2008 we bought this lovely Haflinger gelding which we nicknamed "iNDee" ( short for his official name, "N.D.'s Pride" ) we hoped he would grow big enough to carry my 6ft. hubby, which he did.

He came as a 2yr old with this lovely double coated mane, luxurious and thick, a little girl's dream.

Exhibit A:


note: See Next Post!

 

[Pal-O-Mine]

This entire winter, iNDee has done everything possible to wreck his mane, from rubbing it out on trees, to reaching through the fence as he escaped to the better grass, anything a horse can think of, he did it. He has reduced his mane to dreadlocks with choppy, shocked mad scientist short bits between, all up and down his neck.

Exhibit B :

note: See Next Post

 

[Pal-O-Mine]

So first we fixed the fence. It is now electrified with enough voltage to stop a charging bull elephant!

Next, I fixed his mane. Now I LOVE a horse with long, luscious locks. But when the damage is this bad, you just have to cut it back and start all over. iNDee now looks like a blonde, Arabian headed, Roman centurian's mount. He has a comment on the new do but its all his fault to begin with!

Exhibit C:






Gawd! The camera loves this horse!

Devon

 

[diamondlil]

Oh Devon! What a naughty boy! I think I'd have cried my eyes out.

 

[diamondlil]

After working nights all weekend, I had a 2 hour power nap then off to Cathy's. We had great fun playing with the Crazy gang. A very satisfying grooming session, plus leading the 2-year olds and a little bit of Parelli work with them, just disengaging their hindquarters. I love the way this photo of Nuts came out, she was being nosy when Cathy was showing me the hay store all cleaned out ready for a delivery.

 

[zamora]

What a great photo! I sure wish I had a friend to ride and groom with, mine moved and there isn't anyone around that's into horses You're lucky to have a good friend to play horsie with!

Hey Devon....I think it's a Haflinger thing but mine will get into whatever she can!

Here is "Nilla"

 

[Pal-O-Mine]

Yup! That's a chunky monkey Haffie! How tall is she? I've seen some mighty small Haffies and then some that look like finer built Belgians. iNDee is one of the taller ones. Someone called him a mini-Belgian one time and I had to bite my tongue! ( They did a lot of horse rescue and were constantly getting used up Belgians from the Amish! ) I'm not knocking the rescue, I just don't care for Belgians. In my OPINION I feel they're not as smart, they're more stubborn and they don't live as long. Of course the Haffie's wonderful brain is what gets them into so much trouble! iNDee for a while there, was escaping from his paddock more often than a snake from its tank! He's got the typical pony mindset.

Devon