Days with my boys

Finally I have had days when I was able to have a play day with my horses, ok not so much a play day more like 1/2 hr each time but it was fantastic. I have started having regular lessons with 1* Liz Jones who lives local to me and she reckons with Spike we are well on our way to sending in our Level 3 on-line assessment.
Kyle is having fum too with Kim adn her daughter riding Kyle and giving each ohter some fab days, Kim and Brian (the kids father) are such a brilliant help and have stepped in to feed the boys on days when I was too ill to go up.
I had a great day with Kim 2 weeks ago, started with me giving Kim a lesson on Kyle then we saddled up Spike and we both went for a ride outside of the yard. I was ill for a good week aterwards but it was worth it. I really miss being able to enjoy my horses the way I used to so every moment I do spend with them is precious.
Got my next lesson with Liz next week and looking forward to it.

March 2011

Its now the 21st March and still I haven't been to see my horse's, its hard not seeing them but I need to be well enough, its no good going up just to sit int he car and stare at bushes and rubbish bins. Brian occasionallytakes photo's or a short video clip so I can see how they are but its not the same as a cuddle. Still its somehting for me to look forward to.

Expensive lawnmowers

It seems a distant memory from the days when with no thought I could saddle up and go for a nice ride out, whether that was on Kyle or  Spike. These days I spend just feeling lucky to have my two horses knowing there are many out there who dream of what I have.
Today I felt ill but I still went to see my boys, as I walked slowly down to their paddock I saw them both standing there waiting, watching ever so patiently.

I went into the field and placed Kyle's purple bucket down and quickly as I could showed Spike his bucket and led him away from Kyle. If I don't do this Spike flits from bucket to bucket and as Spike is on Detox I can't have the lads swapping feeds.

I watch them eating as a Barge slowly goes by on the canal that runs along side, a woman waves hello and I wave back. Its nice to see there are still some nice people around, not many but there are some. Have you noticed how people seem to be in a hurry, no time to talk yet it only takes a second to smile or say hello.

Once the horses have finished eating I check them over and give both Kyle and Spike a carrot each. Kyle nuzzles in which is  rare delight and Spike gets in the on the action, ever the mummies boy. I pick up the feedbuckets and slowly head back onto the yard. My boots are rubbing on my ankles and its painful to walk, I must do something about that.  Kyle and Spike like lawnmowers put their heads down and start eating the grass. I stand and watch them for a few moments while I catch my breath and think back to the surgeons words. "You may always suffer pain in your back" "You may never be able to ride again" What will be will be...  at least I have their company and their love.

Back home I wash and sit down, its hard to breathe and when I inhale it feels like my chest is being crushed and its painful. I take my inhalers but get little relief. Think I have an infection as my throat is very dry and I was woken up quite a few times last night coughing.

I have played a little with the dogs but my energy is soon zapped, watching eastenders now, well sort of, rather half watching it.

Gonna go to bed soon as not feeling good, hopefully my next catch up is better.

Zzzzz   Dawn x

A day to make me smile

On Monday I took my saddle to the stables and decided... today if I am up to it I am gonna sit on my horse. I took things slow and brought Spike and Kyle in from the field.
Saddled Spike who is so fat I barely managed to fasten the girth. I led him into the arena and using a mounting block so not to stretch my back I sat on Spike.
Just sitting there was such a joy..  we walked around slowly for a little while and then I got back off. Those few moments of tranquility was just the tonic I needed.
Don't seem much does it... but for those who know what its like to be in pain will understand. Its often the small things that matter the most.

Spooking

Who put that huge tyre right on the path leading to the paddock, its big,its round and its scary for .....  SPIKE.. Kyle on the otherhand goes past it like its part of the scenery. Roll on the day when I can start playing with them both again and hopefully I catch some of this summer.

The two tear aways, just look at how fat they are...  I took these pics today after they had there small feed ..  i know hwy am I feeding htem when they are so fat.. well I don't give them much jsut enough to make sure they get their supplements. Anyway I went to apply the fly cream on Spike and he thought "No way" and slowly wandered off, so haivng no headcollar with me I waited and he came back over. I got hte cream on his head aroudn his eyes when it came to the spray it was "ok ma, that's it, time out". So I went to Kyle and htough he pulled faces like a sweet lad he is he stood and let me cover him. In fact  think he was rather relieved to be rid of those horrid pesky flies.So many of them...  So after the horrible bits are done I filled the balls each with a couple of small handfulls of Pony Nuts so they could have some play time. Kyle has the ball sussed and just nudges it back and forth whereas Spike gets frustrated and kicks it..
I had their worm counts done which came back very low so I was pleased with that and to make himself known Spike bust the pink ball.. guess it wasn't meant to stand up to a horse being only £4.99 from Tesco's but I ain't leaving him loose with the Parelli ball unless I am there.

Ist Day Back

Today I thought I would try and have a little on line play with Spike. I set out a small jump and two cones, I started by playing the circling game mixing it with change of gait, change of direction, disengaing, point to point and a little sideways.
Spike is an extrovert and needs things that are fun not just boring trotting round in never ending circles.
He went from being tense to totally relaxed very quickly.
After time to absorb everything in and catch his breath I introduced the small jump, all I did was direct him towards the jump and give him the choice to go over or around it. He choose to jump it and he leapt it like it was a 5ft wall. playing games still including the jump Spike was jumping with such rhythm and style that he looked like a pro.
We played for about 30min which was enough for him as he was tired and hot, he give me so much and I seen just what a special horse he is. It was also enough for me and I had to be careful.
I never did anything with Kyle as I noticed his sheath was swollen and all I can think of is he had a reaction to the sheath cleaner from yesterday even though I have used it before.
Took some poo samples from the two lads and sent them off for their worm counts.
I am really tired and sore now and my back is really hurting but its worth it to have had such a nice time.
I really do have two amazing horses.......