My Horsemanship Journey

Days with my boys

2011-09-06T06:20:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-21T08:26:00.000-07:00

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

2010-11-02T13:11:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-11T02:48:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-08T03:01:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-08-03T13:16:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-26T12:31:00.000-07:00

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.......

1hr but what and hour

2010-07-23T08:13:00.000-07:00

I decided to go and see the boys and give them some pampering, I arrived at the yard and very slowly strolled round the pathway where I met up with Anita. Anita si the yard owner and she is a lovely person and so easy to get along with. Anyway we chatted about the boys and her horses and a few other things.
I then carried on and as I popped my head around the trees there was Kyle and Spike with their eyes peeled on me. I slowly made my way into the paddock ad Kyle and Spike came straight over to me.
With a struggle I applied fly spray and the fly masks and picked out their hooves and applied hoof oil. The boys were both so patient with me as I slowly went about everything. Spike who usually fiddles with his legs stood like a statue as though he understood I wsn't too well.
Kyle who Anita can't get near was happy to be pampered and cuddled and Spike wanted his share and stuck his nose in.
In all this time Jake was playing around the horses and rolling in the grass. The whole time I was with Kyle, Spike and Jake was one of pure love. My love for them and their love for me.

Another Day

2010-07-21T02:31:00.000-07:00

It crossed my mind yesterday to see if I would be okay to drive to the stables and see my boys but after a long night I was exhausted and in pain, I ended up sleeping quite a bit during the day, something I hate doing but I needed it. See how today goes.. I may get to see the lads.. I dunno ? My back is hurting even with painkillers so will take the day as it unfolds.

Fulfilling Day

2010-07-17T10:39:00.000-07:00

It's been too long since I last saw Kyle and Spike and I knew there were a few things needed doing. I took some extra painkillers and with Brian arrived at the yard. My heart was pounding like it was the first time I'd seen the boys and immediately Kyle and Spike came over to me.
While Brian got started on sorting the electric fencing to stop Spiek chewing the wood I got on with Picking the feet out, applying hoof oil, then smothered the two lads in fly repellent.
Someone has borrowed without permission one of my fly viels (spelling ain't so good) I now only had one with me and prompty put it on Kyle as Spike has a lovely long forelock compared to Kyle's shirt choppy one.
What I found beautiful was being able to do everything with the horses without having to restrict them with headcollers and lines.

Then all done I helped Brian with the fencing and checked all the field was powered using a tester and not my hand this time lol

I also weighed the two lads, Kyle is 350kg and Spike is 440kg and they don't get any feeds and I have halfed theie paddock due to so much grass growing . For a whole year at Lucy's having 7 acres to graze, two feeds a day and hay I still couldn't get weight on as I'd have liked with Spike. Kyle put weight on okay but still not as much as he has lately. This new yard is certainly heaven compared to everywhere else I have ever been in Northampton. Still don't beat Newcastle though, nowhere will ever come in comparison to hoodies.

So a great day for getting things done, sun stayed out rather than the predicted rain and though I am now hurting bad its worth it to see mmy boys again.

Nearly a new start

2010-07-16T13:04:00.001-07:00

On Sunday 13th June I brought Spike in from the field into the arena... oh nearly forgot to add from the beginning of April I moved Kyle and Spike to a new yard after being let down and lied to someone I thought was a friend, this new yard is everything I could ask for and more.

So Spike I decided to play on-line and I had a fantastic time, getting circling with good flexion and great changes of gait. I then went to liberty where Spike did sideways towards me from both side, circling and back up from a slight touch of his tail. This great day had me decide that I would concentrate on getting Level 3 with Spike.

Ha!! Well that was a short lived dream when the next day I collapsed at home crushing my vertebrae. (see my other blog) Not sure how long I am gonna be unable to do anything so not sure when I can up date my horsemanship journey.

When I get back on track I'll post more