Grateful again

A funny thing happens whenever I choose to vent a bit of misery on this blog - it forces me to take a closer look and separate slightly unfortunate circumstances (horse that's not keen to be caught) from the whingey, helpless feelings that follow (which need not be listened to).

Driving back from work yesterday I still had my blog and its subject on my mind and I was thinking about how little I get to ride (whinge, whinge, poor me with my privileged 'problems'). I realised there was nothing to stop me at least trying to ride on the way home. Sure enough, Rodney was happy to be caught and we went for an amble around the stubble fields. 

It was nice, pony was nice, the sun shone -life was happy :) Tonight I had a good chat with my friend about the catching situation and it was good to clarify what the plan is. In case you're interested it is 1) check teeth 2) book physio 3) continue his weight loss and when he's normal get his saddle looked at. If there's no improvement I may change yards next year (in case it is herd dynamics stressing him out), but hopefully winter will work better as he'll be coming in for a bit of hay and feed anyway which never hurts diplomatic relations. 

On the way home I called in at the farm to see him and he stomped over all handsome and happy and stayed for all his stretching exercises, just like old times, which felt goooood.

So now I'm writing this blog on our big oak table with lots of nice candles and Nancy lying at my feet and feeling that when things don't go your way it's important to not just give up and be sulky because it's easy to stop riding, to stop trying, to stop blogging etc. It's easy but it's not very good for the mind so you do have to keep plugging on until that gratitude returns. I am grateful again - for many things.

Happy horsing everyone x

A little hard to know what to write...I wish I had tales of huge success, giant jumps and rosettes to pass on. But no, Rodney remains variable to catch and my heart's not in it right now.

 

He'll be getting his teeth checked again soon, and some physio, and I may have to think about changing yards..

 

He was good to catch the first 18 months I had him and improved while staying with my friend over the summer so it's possible his current home is stressing him out for some reason?

 

It's where he was when I bought him and he was iffy to catch then. Hard to know why but definitely the dates and the behaviour match up and I'm not riding more or asking more. So we'll get him checked over and see. I don't want to move but if I never get to ride or even spend time with him then it's a problem.

 

Also, having a horse that won't be caught can be dangerous. He was kicked a couple of weeks ago and I couldn't catch him to clean it and get a proper look. He was ok (thank goodness) but it's far from ideal.

 

No riding lessons for a couple of weeks as I'm covering holidays at work so right now, life is low on horse time. Sadness! :(

 

Happy horsing everyone, I hope you're having more fun than I am x

Today the arse end of hurricane Bertha is whipping about outside. I had loose plans to ride Rodney but he's a bit of a tit to catch in the wind so I was fully prepared for that. He did stomp over but was a bit shy about having his headcollar on so I stood still and just kept calling him back till he settled and let me catch him. 

At that point it was very tempting to take him in and tack up but I felt it would be a good moment to let him go and reward him for being canny. So I did, and left the yard feeling that sometimes you've got to take what's offered and be glad of it rather than always wanting more.

In the afternoon I had a riding lesson with my friend. The first horse I rode was lame on her LF so I switched on to Brooke who I've ridden quite a bit. I really like her and we seemed to click quite well today and tried a bit of counter canter which was fun.

Last week I rode a horse called Hudson. He has a giant canter (like sitting on a space hopper) and aged four he is full of try and potential. This pic in no way does him justice.

The photo of Rodney and Tia snogging is from last week at stupid o'clock am when me and my friend decided to go for an early gallop before work. It was so much fun we couldn't stop laughing and the lines are so overgrown we had to practice some stunt galloping to avoid getting wiped out by branches. Tia and Rod loved it too.

Happy horsing everyone x