When I start these blogs, I usually have a subject in mind and spend a good thirty minutes wondering how to put it into words. This one however, is flowing from me. I’ve had a whirlwind month or two and not all in a good way. Where to start?
Perhaps first, it’s worth chatting about a subject that’s everywhere at the moment, namely on my doorstep – laminitis...
As soon as Neve (my first born) had entered the world, I was planning on her first meet and greet with my then one horse, Jack. I had imagined her riding her first pony and all the wonderful horsey things we’d do together. Riding her pony in fun pony club shows, attending every equestrian event imaginable, dressing her up in the most adorable equestrian inspired outfits, the dream was never-ending – and then real life happened...
Summer is well on its way and I’m almost fully recovered from surgery, which means Jack will be coming back into work. He’s had far too long off what with a nausea filled pregnancy, followed by C-section recovery and then surgery in December. I’m not even sure he’ll remember that a saddle goes on his back...
Spring is here and while I should be enjoying the ‘joys of spring’ and all it brings, all I can think about is that we’re one step closer to summer. The evenings are getting lighter and now I’m almost fully recovered from surgery, riding is back on the table. Good ol’ Captain Jack thought his Christmas’s had come early and he was set for an early retirement. Unlucky for him, his hiatus from riding was merely a sabbatical...
It’s fair to say I’ve divulged a fair bit of info when it comes to the equestrian side of my life, but I haven’t delved too far into any other area of my life. To dish a little more about me, something I don’t tend to do too often, I thought I’d share five things you might not have known about me. Here goes…
When I first began riding, I was just a pup. I had no clue what was actually going on in terms of the cost, the commitment; the lifestyle even. My parents, as I’ve no doubt mentioned before, were totally ‘unhorsey’ and loan a pony days were about as far as I got. Back then, on my loan a pony days, we groomed horses and hacked them out, without a single ounce of fear. The only thing we cared about were the ponies and where our next hack was taking us – and obviously avoiding that one stubborn pony that every riding school had...
This year marks the year the boys, Steve and Danny turn 3. I’ve been pretty adamant for quite some time now that I wouldn’t be backing them until they turn 4 and I still intend on sticking to that plan. What this monumental year does mean though is that they stop their life of being essentially field ornaments (and sometimes stable ornaments) and begin their education before being backed next year...
When I first started riding, I was in single figures and barely able to grasp the concept of what I was actually doing. I fell in love instantly. My parents even still possess my childhood attempt at a comic book of my adventures with Libby, the local farm’s pony. She was chestnut (I think it’s safe to say we know where the obsession started then) and I adored her. To me at the time, she was a huge mare, that looked like the ones I saw running the Grand National...
It’s that time of year again where we all prepare for the deep freeze as it’s been deemed. Yet again, newspapers, news channels and just about every other media outlet, are warning us of a hideous snow-filled freeze that’s about to hit us. It’s around about this time that you tend to see panic stricken owners asking a myriad of questions on social media thanks to News At Ten telling us we’ll be heading into a modern-day Ice Age imminently...
Success! What a way to kick off the year! We’ve had one phenomenal week and it’s all down to a little drug called Domosedan! If you’ve been following my blog, you’ll know that our young filly Hattie isn’t a huge fan of the farrier. She kicks, throws herself on the floor – and then some. At around 500kg too, despite some great ‘advice’ from those awesome equestrian experts all around us, pinning her down and making her do it just wasn’t an option...
So 2019 is finally upon us. I will admit, I did think that once January 1sthad arrived that the confused haze of “what day is it? Am I supposed to be working? Do I need to get the girls ready for…something?” would have disappeared...
Christmas has firmly arrived and while the for the rest of the world (bar shift workers and emergency services) that means hanging up the boots and enjoying a wonderful break with your loved ones, for equestrians it means…nothing. Us equestrians are one of a kind, aren’t we? Christmas is a wonderful time of year but it doesn’t mean a different routine for the most of us...
