Let this lapse.

I've not been blogging on here as have been making entries on the SU firum. However, I'm not renewing membership there so I'll try to catch up here on what's been happening.

Since he went back to the vets in August, they decided that his lameness issues are due to poor foot balance.  He was given a corrective trim there at the time by Daffy and came sound 2 weeks later.  We had a good few weeks of riding where I cracked on with lessons, went to Haddo with Lee walking on foot twice.  We went back to Fountain with Emily and he was MUCH better and then he lost a front shoe.  Ron was on holiday so I got a female farrier to put it back on.  He went lame again.  I also had the physio out and she couldn't find anything major but also thought that his feet looked long and with him being so bum high, had put a heap of pressure on his heels.

Ron came last week and we decided we'd take his shoes off and trim every 5 weeks.  I'm hoping to get back on today as haven't ridden him for nearly 3 weeks now but the weather is pants :(  He looks much better on the lunge so hoping if we keep on top of the feet, we'll have it cracked.

Also had my first fall off him. Decided to go for a walk down puddle lane and a pheasant flew out in his face.  I ended up in a puddle with a grazed knee.  It didn't scare me at all tho I'm happy to say and even tho sometimes he has been a numpty, I've always ridden him through it.

All in all, loving the big dude. He's pretty confused at the mo as Lisa and Lola have gone to new homes and Daffodil went back to whw yesterday. I'm not too worried about the weather stopping me from riding at the mo as I feel he might need time to settle since this upheavel of his friends going. Toffee is still here tho and they'll hopefully become friends.

Since the last vet visit......

He got his show put back on as per vet instructions and was turned back out again to wait for the abscess to burst.   Still waiting!!!

He came sound for a period of about a week.  I lunged him twice, then rode in walk and the dude mastered leg yield in about 1 minute flat.  Then schooled twice with trot and his frame was much better and he was much more on my aids. Transitions were really starting to come. Then I got talked into going to Haddo with Gail for a hack.  Elizabeth and her mum came to help me tack up, get on etc as it's a busy place with a lot to see.  He was an utter dude! Such a good baby and the hack itself was fab. Even though he nearly fell flat on his face twice due to excessive gawping :)  Plus, I loaded him myself for the first time ever on the way home so was very pleased!

Then the next day he trotted across the field and looked lame again :(  He's going back to Ardene tomorrow as another week of polticing and tubbing has produced nothing and I want this sorted. It's been going on for weeks now and it's very frustrating. So fingers crossed for some good news tomorrow!

Been back to the vet.

George had to go back to Ardene on wednesday to see Alice again.  I asked Elizabeth to come as Lee was on nights and I had to take Jess again.

He loaded pretty well. It took 5 mins and a handful of grass:)  Travelled much more quietly without the partition and arrived not sweaty!! Yay!

He was much better behaved this time. Walked quietly off the trailer and stood still for Alice to look at his foot while I fed him handfuls of nuts :)  Daffy was there and had a look too and since his foot was nice and soft from being wrapped up, it was obvious that the abscess is going to burst out of the left side of his heel. It's very tender and almost has a head on it.

So Alice was pleased. No more xrays needed and she commented how much better his behaviour was this time :) Clever boy! Said to get the shoe back on then basically just wait for the abscess to pop. Then poltice when it does and let her know incase she wants him to have antibiotics.

Took 10mins to load him to come home. Again he went in for grass :) Couldn't put the back bar up as lost the pin (found as we were leaving).  He was a little bit more unbalanced on the way home so he'd probably used the breech bar to rest his bum on on the way there. But overall, he was much better so I was chuffed to bits :)

Ron is coming today so cos I'm on tonight and need sleep, Lee is going to bring him in for his feet. I'll leave a note for Ron to let him know what Alice said.  Fingers crossed it'll burst soon. That'll be 4 weeks next tues since I've ridden!

We are also getting a new arrival on sunday. Toffee, a 22yr old welsh sec A for Jessica :) We tried him last weekend and he's just ideal. So quiet and calm. Can't wait to be able to hack out with my little girl :)

Nowt much happening.

Since the vet visit, all I've been doing is taking George in for a couple of hours to change his foot and let him chill and eat hay. Boring!

We decided to invest in full length breast and breech bars for the trailer in the hope that giving him a bit more room might make him travel and load better.  We practiced on saturday afternoon and it did take time but I was pleased as by the 3rd load, he stood really unconcerned, even when Lee opened the front ramp. He didn't barge to get out, I was able to halt him on the ramp etc Clever boy!!!  Just hope he does as well on wed when we go back to the vet for his re xray.

When I looked at his foot yesterday there was a split in his heel so I'm hoping if there's pus in there, it'll come out now. Think I might tub his foot this morning and poltice rather than put on a nappy and see what happens by evening.

Trip to Ardene.

Well the day after Hamish came last week, George was really lame again.  The swelling on his leg from the haynet incident had increased in size and was quite hot and I was terrified that he was lame cos he'd knackered a ligament.  Rang Hamish and left a message for him to refer us to Ardene for a lameness work up.

Had to have him there by 10.30 so I asked Elizabeth if she'd help load him as Lee was working.  He was a bit stubborn  about loading but went in in about 10 mins. He stamped and kicked all the way to the vet which was pretty disturbing as Jess and I were by ourselves.

George was pretty high when we got there.  Not surprising really.  Took him a few trot ups and some lunging to calm down.  The lameness was pretty obvious and Alice said it was about a 2/5.  She decided to start with a nerve block to the heel which he blocked sound to so they x-rayed his foot.  The results were good news.  There was evidence of an abscess tract which runs from the left side of his frog up into his heel. It was unclear if it still contained pus so the advice is to dry poltice it and leave him out with plenty of cover over it to keep it dry and bring him back next week for another x-ray.  I'm so relieved.  I really thought it was going to be bad news.

Then the big git took an hour to load.  He just planted and flat refused to go in.  I've got a huge blister on my finger from fighting with him.  Alice put the chifney on him and he wouldn't go in with that either. We reversed the trailer up to the loading chute.  Well Alice did at managed to smash the light covers on the fence post.  However, he went in after 5 mins then thank goodness.  He travelled quietly most of the way home but was really sweaty when we got back.  I think we're going to get full width bars and try without the partition next time.

I polticed his foot and turned him out and he's been grazing quietly since.  Fingers crossed for a quick recovery!

Lameness, cheeky behaviour and injured dog!

Well it's not looking like an abscess. Farrier came out on fri (vet had been thurs but couldn't find anything)and had a good look. He couldn't find anything either but did remark that his frog was quite spongey so possibly thrush might cause him to be so sore or it could have been a very deep seated abscess. I polticed it from thurs to sun with little evidence of anything coming out but he did get sounder. Then sun, mon and tues, I turned him out in a little pen during the day and scrubbed all his feet and sprayed with antibac when I took him in at night. Tues the farrier came back and put the shoe back on. He watched me trot him up and he was still lame but doesn't think it's anything to do with his foot.

Decided to get the vet back today to be on the safe side. Head vet came and had a really good feel of his leg. Couldn't find any lumps, swellings or heat. Flexioned his fetlock,knee and elbow joints which were all negative. He thinks he may have just tweaked something that just needs a bit of rest for recovery. He was happy with his progress as he's gone from 4/5 lame on thurs to 1/5 today which he said was a quick and significant improvement. But if I'm still worried after the weekend, he's happy to refer him for a scan.

I hope he's not off for too long as he has started to get a bit cheeky. I think he's bored with the time off and being in the little pen alone and his being awkward about being led in. He stops and plants and backs up coming in from the field and does the same trying to get him into his stable. Once he's in the stable he's fine though. Stands quietly and eats his hay so he really is just trying it on I think.

So while the vet was there and I was trying to get him back in his stable, Molly ran behind him. A few weeks ago she nipped his heels and he kicked her in the side of the face and put her teeth through her lip and split her gum. He's been wary of her since so I've been making sure she's shut away when I'm doing stuff with the horses. Today I'd forgotten to shut the back door and she ran out. Anyway, he kicked her again square in the face. How she's not dead after this happening twice I don't know! He just missed her eye and left her with a gaping hole in her face that you could see the white of her eye socket through! So vet had the extra job of stapling her back together. She's bloody lucky I can tell you.

So more rest for George at the mo and fingers crossed he's sound next week!

Going to see a pony for Jess tomorrow night. He's a 16yr old welsh sec A with years of pony club experience which would be great for my 5yr old. Fingers crossed he's as nice as he sounds.

                 

Cow Appocalypse!!!

If there were one and all the cows became extinct, I wouldn't mind! There is currently a bullock running around my garden mooing it's head off and the horses are going nuts! This is made worse by the fact that George is supposed to be in to keep his foot dry as has thrush/suspected abscess but I had to put him out before he hurt himself going mad in his stable!

It's even more annoying as this is a regular occurance as the farmer has THE worst fencing I have ever seen. Sometimes there will be a herd of 20 cows wandering round my land or standing in my drive way and the farmer has such a shitty attitude about it. I've lost count of the number of times I've had to ring him about loose animals, sheep as well and he's always an ignorant sod!

So poor George has been prancing round in a tiny pen like a circus horse tho he does look sound now. He had his last Danilon yesterday morning so hoping he'll still look sound tomorrow when it's fully worn off. Farrier is due back to put his shoe on if all is well and I've ordered some stuff from Red Horse Products to put on his feet before turn out to stop bacteria getting a hold and protect his frogs from the wet. Hoping it'll come tomorrow.

George is lame.

So I've been on nights this week and last rode on tues when G was awesome. Livery friend gets hold of hubby yesterday when I was asleep and tells him she thinks G looks lame. Husband wakes me up and I bring him in to check. Had fed him the day before in the field and he looked ok but now was hopping. Rang vet and said I thought perhaps abcess and they said they'd be right out.

Vet appears, looks at G and says "oh,I didn't realise he'd be shod!" Errrr wtf?! "I haven't brought anything to remove a shoe" So, had to use husbands screw driver, hammer and pliars to try to get the shoe off. G obviously very sore and hopping around, vet then rips his hand open on a clench! Fab. Blood everywhere! Me getting more and more and then husband does when vet snaps his Philips screwdriver! Finally get shoe off and vet spends ages paring sole and declares not an abcess all.

Says, "just put him back out, I wouldn't bother polticing as I can't see any evidence of an abcess. Ring if he's not better in a few days". So of course I disregarded this priceless advice, put down a bed, polticed his foot and rang farrier and left a message to come out.

This morning there is a ton of thick black smelly gunk on the poltice. Think it's coming from down the side of his frog and on digging about with my finger, there appears to be quite a deep hole there. Have scrubbed it clean and re polticed and am waiting for farrier to get in touch.

Don't think I'll be paying that call out charge.

Ron has now been out and couldn't find an abscess though said his frog is quite soft and spongey and he has a touch of thrush.  He has a deep crevice in his frog which was quite mucky and smelly. Told me to poltice over the weekend and he'll come back on monday for another look.

Ardmedden Again.

George had a few days off after our visit to Ardmedden as I was working.  Lunged him on thurs and yesterday Lee and Jess came with me to use the school again.

He was a bit awkward about loading. He planted a couple of times but eventually went in when Lee opened the front ramp.  Sweaty on arrival again but not too bad and went straight into the school for a look around.  Got on relatively quickly and he was quite distracted in his usual babyish way.  Took me 10mins or so to get his attention but once I did he was really good. 

Worked on rhythm and bend and trying to get the contact a little more consistent as his head is a bit up and down at the mo. But I was very pleased with him.

Andrew and Maureen appeared when I was finished and we had a chat and then they watched us load him.  He started off being stubborn again and Maureen gave me some pointers on pressure and release etc and he walked in of his own accord after 5 mins!  Definitely be trying that next time!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI9hHlD04fM

Chuffed!!!!

Yesterday it was horrible and foggy and drizzly, but I rode anyway. He was on high alert for him ;) as you could barely see your hand in front of your face but he settled quickly and started to listen. Actually got some nice work out of him bar the 180 degree spin when Smudge jumped into the school straight in front of him :)

Then today, Elizabeth came with me to Ardmedden to use the school for the first time.  He took a minute to load and as usual, Lisa made everything more traumatic by yelling her head off the whole time.  He was sweaty when we got there but he was so much calmer than our trip to Fountain!  I travelled him with his bridle on just in case it was a nightmare to get it on when we were there. I walked him round the school with his headcollar over his bridle and he had a good look at everything.  There were quite a few fillers lying around, a fire hose that was scary and the door was banging like mad in the wind.  The door didn't bother him at all and the fillers were fine once he had a sniff. 

Emily came down and met us there which was great as she kept us busy with bending, softness, roundness etc.  He was just fab!  He was so calm and well behaved and tried his little heart out.  Even when he had a spook, I just smiled as he just such a baby :) Just love him.

The school itself is really nice and the surface has a lovely carpet fibre on it. However, one side of the school had hardly any surface and the other was quite deep so they need to even that up. There's also no mounting block or anywhere to scoop your poop too which is a little annoying.

He loaded after just a minute again and was pretty sweaty when we got back so I turned him out naked while I had my lunch then brought him in and fed him and rugged him.  I'm just so pleased with him. He's such a lovely boy!

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Lizzie Visit.

I was working on monday night but really wanted to ride on tues as it was forcast to be the only decent weather of the week.  Plus, Lizzie was up visiting from down south and wanted to see George :)  As it happened, I had a crap sleep anyway so got up early and Lizzie was here by 2pm.

Just rode him for 15mins or so in walk and trot. He was really good though was calling to Lisa a lot.  Separated them this morning as when I got home from work I went to take their rugs off and Lisa's had a massive hole in it. They were all being amourous with each other and George seemed to have transformed into a stallion so decided he should go back with the boys.  So even though he called a bit he was still a star!  Lizzie thought he was wonderful. Just what I need :) The only worrying thing is when he scratches his arse on the stable wall, it sounds like the lot might come down!

Stupid animals!

Well that was fun! NOT! Decided to move my 2 girls into the other field with more grass as theirs is now mostly mud thanks to the rain. Then thought I'd put George in with them too as he's pretty hungry as well. That went fine. A bit of galloping about then eating. So then what to do with little fat shetland??? Didn't really want to leave her by herself as she likes to have friends but no way she can go in the big field as she'd explode. Text livery friend to ask if she could take George's place in with her boys as she'd have company and still not too much grass. Yep, fine, no worries. HOLY SHIT!!!! The supposedly quiet, 16yr old boy has just chased her round and round the field, flat out like he wanted to kill her! Poor Daffodil was screaming her head off in fear, running as fast as her wee legs would go. He kept getting close and trying to jump on her like he wanted to flatten her!!! Had to get the hell out of the way before I was mown down and wait for a moment when they stopped so I could grab her. Nearly got kicked to death trying to get her out and in the end had to lift the fence posts out of the ground and shooo her under the fence! I'm plastered in mud, all the horses are wound right up, poor Daf is traumatised!!! Fuck sake. Now she'll have to stay in a paddock by herself I suppose it's better than being kicked to death tho. Fucken asshole horse!

Oh and now I can hear squealing and Lisa, slapper mare, has instantly come into season and is squirting and flirting with George Ugh, I get the feeling I may have to take him out of there!

Bluddy horses!

Have just been out to give George some carrots and he's mesmerized by the cows in the field behind the school. They have been there for weeks! We have ridden in the school with them there. It's like he's only just noticed.I hope he wont be a knob tomorrow when hopefully I'll be able to ride! This is now his 3rd day off which is pants but weather has been shit and I'm working tonight and tomorrow night. Hoping to ride when I get up tomorrow tho means getting up early. Probably only having 5 hrs sleep. If I wake up I'll get up. Not going to set my alarm tho.

Horrid weather

The weather is still foul. Windy and wet though not too cold.  Waited til 4.30pm yesterday then lunged George with the draw reins on.  He did start to stretch down a little more but was also a bit tense as it was windy and dark. He spooked at the long grass waving in the wind but it actually helped a little with the forwardness.

Gave him the day off today as went to Inverurie shopping with mum, dad and Jess. Weather still pants so not really bothered about not riding. Hoping it'll be better weather tomorrow.

Learning.

I love how baby horses learn so quickly :)  Rode George this morning. I was dubious as it's windy and dull but did it anyway.

He had a few snorts at the blowy bushes and the long grass, one leap sideways and that was it.  Took the schooling whip again and he was so much more forward. Hardly had to remind him to react at all.  Plus, he was beginning to really understand and move away from my inside leg in walk. Trot needs work but he was trying. Managed to get him much rounder for longer too.  Very pleased.

Have turned him out in the strip with the long grass for a bit as a reward :) Off out to poo pick the girls now.

A bit of cheekiness!

So, I schooled on Sunday and he was so lazy! I ended up really kicking and nagging just to keep him going.  My position was awful and I felt really ineffective. Lee took some photos and they all looked really rubbish. I felt so deflated. I don't want him to get dead to my leg but I had to kick to get him moving!

The next day, I picked up the schooling whip before going into the school.  He was much more forward already and I only had to give him a light tap once or twice when he didn't listen to a quiet leg aid to get him forward.  He was much much better and it even help the falling in and bend as I could lay it down his neck to help push him out.  Felt much less useless :)

Day off yesterday as I was working then lunged today. Put the side reins much lower down and although he wasn't really stretching, he did offer to lower his head and neck and was much more consistently forward and obedient. Made me laugh when he spooked at Rosie in the long grass. He charged off for half a circle and then just trotted slightly faster and more elevated for a circuit or 2 before chilling out again. Such a good boy :)

Flippin Cows!

Surrounded by the buggers!  Set off for a hack yesterday down the usual way til G spotted the baby cows cantering across the field.  Picture mini heart failure!  Decided that we'd go down past the girls and turn left towards the farm instead.  Did that and G coped well with passing the naughty girls and Ricco galloping about.  Spooked at a few little things but marched on well.  Got a few hundred yards down the road to be met by more cows.  This time big ones.  I bottled it at this point and we turned around, passed the end of my road and continued on a little bit til we neared the calves again.  Turned again and went home.  Again coped with prancing horses being idiots.  Went in the school for a 5 min walk round.  Good as gold and much much rounder :)

Today just more of the same really.  Did the same route.  Sneaked up level with the cows til I felt G might have a meltdown. Elizabeth parked Paddy in front of him so he felt protected and he stood and had a good look.  Turned for home and he was off like a bullet but quickly came back to me and walked nicely.  Everything was much scarier today as it was very windy. Even the long grass blowing had monsters in it.

At home, Paddy was parked outside the arena and I went in and did a bit with G.  Spooky but not scarily so and did some nice stuff in walk.  Had a little trot too which was lovely and he was really independent of Paddy which was great.  Tired boy after, bless.

He'll have tomorrow off now then a lesson on sunday.  Love that baby boy!

The Dentist Has Been.

George had the dentist this morning and did me proud

He was an absolute star. Stood like a rock and took it all in his stride. I was wondering how he'd cope with the power tools she uses but he was great! Utter dude!!

Rode him yesterday in the school. I just wanted to check that he was going to behave after the napping incident on monday. I needn't of worried of course. He was fine.

Pic of the denist
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The Halo Has Slipped.

Took George to a local indoor school today. He loaded there and back like an absolute star so much love for the boy. However, he was a right git in the school! Absolutely wired to the moon, he seemed to think his reflection was another horse and he was determined that he wasn't going to leave it!

I tried some in hand work with him but he was so obsessed with his reflection that he was oblivious to me. So I got on and the trouble began. He hauled me right up to the top of the school and refused to leave the mirrors! I was really scared to begin with as he was doing mini rears and pulling me about. I ended up getting off, crying yelling at husband and then growing a pair and getting back on which I was impressed about as I'm not the most confident. A small battle ensued and I came out the victor!!!

He really was just lacking confidence. There was nothing malicious in him but I really needed to make sure I got the upper hand as I didn't want him to think I could be pushed around.

I rode for a good half and hour which mostly consisted of shouting, kicking and swearing, but the more I did, the more confident I became and the less he resisted.  In the end, I was able to do a couple of circles away from the mirrors wihout too much of a fight but he still wasn't a happy boy.

I emailed the videos to Emily and she thought I handled it well. Said perhaps carry a stick and try to keep my hands lower next time but I was quick to praise him when he was forward which was good. She's said she'll come with us next time we go and we'll take a lunge whip to chase him with if he messes about!

Janet also commented and thought there was a bit of stallion behaviour there but I'm not sure. Rather than being confrontational to the mirrors, he seemed to get comfort from them when he was next to his reflection so I'm more inclined to think it was a confidence thing.
Anyway, it actually gave me a bit of confidence to know that I can cope with him if he's naughty. After the initial tears and fear, I was a different person! Determined and positive so I KNOW I can do it.  He was going to have a day off today but not now.  Going to ride him in the school this morning, just to make sure he's not going to play up at home. He's getting his teeth done tomorrow so he'll get the day off then.

Video link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAfKQDjDXPc

Fab lesson and stupid dog!

Had a great lesson with Emily today. We decided I needed to be a lot more determined in regard to what I want instead of giving him mixed signals and being a bit wishy washy. For example, making sure transitions are immediate instead of wandering, insisting on forwardness, asking for more roundness etc. It worked a treat and George was fab!! He's just such a good boy, such a trier and a real pleasure to ride. I find myself laughing and smiling the whole time. Love him!

The only downside to today was that he kicked my collie right in the face! To be fair to him, she's a right pain in the arse. Always has been. She has a terrible habit of nipping at the horses heels but they generally put up with her as she only ever does it when we're not keeping an eye on her and she thinks she can get away with it. Well today, we were standing yapping to the liveries and completely missed Molly sneaking into the field. Next thing there was a loud smack noise and turned to see the dog fly thru the air and land on her side She lay there for a second and quickly jumped up and ran over, blood pouring from her mouth. I thought for sure that she'd broken her jaw. However, close inspection shows a split gum and a tooth gone thru her lip. All teeth are still present and correct and she was running about with a massive stick 5 mins later so I'm presuming all is fine. Silly bluddy dog. I hope she's learned her lesson! I sure have!!

Anyway, pics of G man!
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Lots of rain :(

Was meant to have a lesson yesterday but the weather was so awful in the morning I decided to cancel it.  However, by lunchtime the rain had stopped so I got George in, tacked up and rode.  Tried to be really strict with him, so if I asked for trot it was immediate, same with halt to walk transitions etc.  Got a little bit more roundness today too.  He was really good :)

Took all their rugs off for a few hours so they could get a good scratch. Unfortunately more rain forcast for today but I think he deserves a day off anyway. I'll just bring him in for a feed. Have asked Em for a lesson tomorrow instead so she's going to let me know what time.  Working tonight and had a rubbish sleep last night so just going to poo pick the girls and that'll be it.

Moody cow bag!

Woke up in a bad mood :(  I'm so tired all the time, feel like I could sleep all day and have had a flaming twitchy eye lid for weeks. It's getting me down.

Decided to lunge George with the side reins on. Not a particular fan but decided not to go for my draw rein arrangement as he has been lunged in side reins at Janets and would be used to them.  I'm obviously totally useless at fitting them as he went like a camel and wouldn't go forward :( Should have stuck to what I know. Poor boy, not his fault I'm useless!  Hopefully lesson tomorrow is the rain isn't too torrential.

Have moved the girls into the other half of the boys field, poo picked the winter field and been to Norvite for Pasture Blocks. All are rugged up with neck covers as the rain is forcast all night :(

Still can't get used to how quiet George is.  He's quite happy to stand in his stable and sleep.  I was actually worrying a bit today that there might be something wrong with him. I think it's just his way though. Also discovered that he likes a really good face scratch and scratch behind the lugs. :)

Farrier has been.

Rode George yesterday first thing in the morning. Weather was meant to be bad so had ridden by 0845! Just walked today. Concentrating on forwardness and bend and a bit of roundness.  Got on him without lunging first too which I was chuffed about.

Lisa is mega in season and totally in love with G.  She neighed the whole time and began to really puthim off.  He was distracted and calling back and even had a mini strop when I made him head away from her, stamping his foot and throwing his head!  I growled and kicked him on and he did as he was told, bless him. He then did some really nice softening and went a bit rounder so very pleased.

Ron came today to shoe him. He said he's got great feet, no issues that concern him. Had to shoe him inside as it was peeing down but G didn't mind. He was as good as gold and just munched his hay :) In fact, he was nearly sleeping by the time Ron finished!

Felt awful turning him back ou in the rain but he seemed unconcerned and was much more interested in the calves that the farmer had moved into the field along the road :)  Love this boy!

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Started MFP.

Started doing My Fitness Pal on friday. Been finding it surprisingly easy to stick to my 1250 calorie limit. Even being on nights.

Got up at lunch time today so I could ride George before moving Vegas in the afternoon.  Lunged him first again as he'd had 2 days off and he had a little spook at Julian loading up the car and emptying a bag of feed into the empty feed bin.  Good as gold once on though and just did 10 mins walk and trot, just asking for a bit of softness and a bit of bend.  Nothing too taxing :)

Moved Vegas to Hogholm. She looked really withdrawn and quiet in her new stable. Hope she settles ok. Lisa is missing her and has been shouting for her every now and then. Worried about Lisa being a bit sore actually as since she's been out 24/7 she hasn't been having her painkiller so I'm going to start taking her in and feeding her every day to make sure she gets her tablet.

Working a day shift tomorrow and then 4 days off so will hopefully get another lesson from Emily :)

First canter!

Got the vet back yesterday afternoon just to check on G's leg. It's still a bit puffy but the vet wasn't concerned and said it could take a couple of weeks to get back to normal. He had a steroid jab and another long acting antibiotic and vet was quite happy for me to continue to ride him.

Had a lesson tonight with Emily. Started off showing her how much he's improved on the lunge. Then we worked on bend in walk, asking him to move away from my leg in walk and trot, transitions and finally a canter :) Only down one long side as he's still falling in pretty badly so didn't want to set him up for failure by asking too much.  He was so good and tried his little heart out :) Love this boy! He was knackered after about 20 mins and so was I!

He'll have 2 days off now as I'm working. Then hopefully a little hack on sunday if Lee's up for walking with me.

All by myself :)

Yesterday I decided to ride first thing. I took him in and gave him a brush. As usual, he was fine being in alone. Wasn't sure that he would be after being out with the other 2 boys all night but he was.  Popped him on the lunge for 5 mins to get his attention and he was really good.  Hopped on and did 10 mins of stuff just in walk. Just wanted him forward and paying attention. Asked for some softening in halt. He was soooo good. Especially since the much heap is still smouldering away from when Lee set it on fire the other day.

Then same again today.In for a brush. Noticed a bit of heat and swelling on the right fore again so hosed it off after I rode and applied more gel.  Lunged again for 5 mins before I got on. He really listened well this time which was fab as the cows are now in the field behind the school and I thought he might worry, but he didn't :)  Trotted today too. Just concentrated again on forwardness and steering :) and softening in the halt.  Really, really pleased with him!!! Love this boy. Might have to look at changing his feed though as he's really not that bothered about eating it! He's got the hang of carrots now tho, bless :)

Dude!!!

We have spent every day since thursday hosing and gelling George's leg. It's been absolutely roasting every day and I think he probably appreciated the cold water. His leg has gradually come down each day and today it was nearly back to normal :)  Yesterday, I took advantage of the heat and gave him a proper bath. He was so good. Just stood there and let me do it. Then I razored his mane as it was so long. Again, not bothered :)

So I'd arranged with Elizabeth to go for another hack again today. It's been exactly a week since he was last sat on  so I thought I'd better lunge first. Especially as it's much cooler, the girls have been bombing round their field all morning and the farmer had just turned his cows out. Also, Lee had set the muck heap on fire a few days ago and I wasn't sure how he'd react to the smouldering.  So he was a little bit high to begin with but actually listened really well and calmed down very quickly. Lunged both ways and he was so good. One little spook at the smoke, then ignored it :) Paddy was having a little broncing session with elizabeth so she got off and lunged him too.  I asked her if she still wanted to go out but she was fine about it.

Set off with George in front again. Jane and Elizabeth's boyfriend walking. He was much less concerned about Paddy's whereabouts today and marched on pretty well.  Got to the house at the end of the road and not only were the dogs playing with a squeeky toy in the garden but the man was also burning his garden rubbish. Little spook from the boys. Nothing major. Then along the road again and back home. The girls were all still bombing about and Ricco came galloping over to say hi but George was good. Just stopped for a minute then walked on quite the thing. So pleased with him!

Turned him out with Ricco and Paddy when we got home. He really wasn't too concerned. Just had a wee chat with Lola over the fence and set about finding the best grass. Love this boy :)

25/5/12. Poor George.

Yesterday morning I found George with a front foot stuck in his haynet. Managed to cut him down without him freaking out and walked him out straight away. It was slightly puffy but I thought if I turned him out it'd probably go down.  2hrs later, his leg had blown up. Called the vet who came and said that he was worried about lymphangitis and gave him 4 IV jabs of an anti inflammatory, antibiotic, painkiller and a diuretic.  Left me with Danilon and Antibiotics for his feed too. He was so good. Never moved a muscle :) Cold hosed it for 40 mins and again twice more yesterday. Vet said leave him out to help walk off the swelling.

Went out at 6.30am as I couldn't sleep any longer for wondering how he was. He was lying down and I thought, Oh God, but actually, he was just having a sleep.  His leg seems to have gone down a teeny bit but is still huge so have cold hosed it this morning and Lee did it at lunchtime. I also gave him another IM diuretic jab that the vet left me while Lee held him and he was a star :)  Gave him all his sachets in his breakfast and thought there's no way he'll eat it, but he did.  Working tonight so Lee is going to hose and gel him again later and give him his tea.  Poor boy. He's been such a star.

Hot hot hot!

So hot today! About 25 degrees and spent the whole day outside getting brown :) Mucked out 3 stables and then once there was a bit of a breeze, took George in for a lunge.  He was much better than the last time I lunged him. He listened much better and wasn't so nosey at what the other horses were doing.

Then I attempted to show him the hose :) I had seen him being hosed at Janet's and he stood like a rock. But today he wan't so sure, bless. In the end, I used a sponge and bucket of water so I could get him nice and cool.  He did let me hose 1 hoof for a millisecond :)

I'm having a slight worry though. I've been watching him and whether he's loose or working, he sometimes throws his head really violently. It reminds me of what head shakers do. He also does a lot of snorting, like he's trying to clear his nose. I really hope he doesn't turn out to be a headshaker or I'll be gutted :(  I've emailed Janet to ask if he did anything like this at home.  Fingers crossed it'll turn out to be nothing.

21/5/12. Mini lesson and a hack.

Yesterday I had Emily Anderson-Green and her sister Gillian come over to see what I was doing with George. I'd asked Em as she's very experienced with youngsters and is also really good with people who are lacking confidence.  I started by lunging him where he showed that he wasn't actually going to listen to a word I said and was much happier dragging me around and staring at the girls. Em took him off me and got him in a corner and really made him focus on her instead of gawping around him.  I got on then and did a bit with Em walking beside me but soon we were off into trot. She showed me how to get his attention away from the others and onto me by sponging the inside rein and using my voice and a little scratch as a reward.  He was sooo good :) Still all over the place but he really tried his heart out. Em and Gillian thought her was wonderful. They are coming back on wed to help me again.

Today, Elizabeth came up and we went for a hack. No lunging this time. Straight on and round the school once and out the gate. Jane walked with us to stop traffic if need be but all was fine. He dealt with barking dogs, flappy plastic, cars, tractor and the horses being silly in the field. Good boy :) We went back into the school for 5 mins when we got back which he seemed to think meant follow Paddy and was a bit nappy, but he walked on and turned away from him when asked. Out the hack,he was in front all the way.

Very pleased!!!!

Pics from yesterday.

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19/5/12. First Ride :)

George seemed to have had a quiet night. Turned them all out by 7.30 and decided to give him some leg stretch time in the field then bring in and ride.

Got him in about 11. He was a little upset being in alone. Had a few wee panics til I eventually tied him up. Had to adjust D's bridle quite a bit to fit him. Not too sure about the saddle. Might have to get Karen out pretty quickly. Got Lee to come outside with me a put George on the lunge to begin with. He was really not that bothered. More interested in staring at the girls who had all lined up to watch him:) Got on after 5 mins of lunging and though he had a little nap, it was more lack of education and confidence than anything else. The farmer appeared over the hill in the tractor fertilising the field and George didn't care. Had a wee trot both reins and finished there. He was really good and has settled down nicely.

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18/5/12. Sad and happy.

Gillies turned up just before 9.30 this morning. We had been ready for ages and I'd given D a tube of calmer as we had to lead her to the end of the road to load. It ended up that she had to go in the side ramp rather than the rear which meant the driver couldn't reverse in like he did once before, but just parked across the end of the drive.  Anyway, she messed about a bit, then the driver put a chiffney in. She had another mess about, mainly because she couldn't work out how to turn at the top of the ramp, but Lee and the driver did a good job and she was in within 10mins. She looked out through the window as he was driving away and it made me a bit sad. I had a little sob at the brief thought that I perhaps should have tried harder and I was letting her down. But I soon came to my senses. This was the only option for me and I'm sure she'll be perfectly happy having babies.

So then we quickly legged it over to Fountain to get George. I was worried about him being upset if the other horses had all gone out but he was standing contentedly at the back of his stable having a little kip :) We mucked out around him and he introduced himself to Lee. Apparently he likes to nibble :) Then straight out round to the trailer. Good boy just walked straight in, no hestitation, and started munching on his haynet.  He had a little stamp around when I moved off, just finding his balance then travelled so quietly all the way home!

Elizabeth was riding Paddy when we got back so they spoke over the school fence while we put a rug on him. Then turned him out in the rain :) He had a prance about, showed off his extended trot, had a roll and then a squeal with Paddy and Ricco and then settled down to eat which is pretty much what he's been doing all afternoon.  I'm going to head out in a minute and take them all in and try on his new rugs :)

So a good day with a little bit of sadness. I'll feel better when D has arrived safely in her new home on monday I think. Fingers crossed she settles there and has a great life.

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17/5/12. He's Here!

What a long day waiting! Finally George arrived at Fountain at 6pm.  He was tired, a little sweaty and had a tiny cut above his eye but came off the lorry calmly and marched straight into the stable and right to the hay.  He's lost a little bit of weight but that'll soon go back on.  He was nice and calm and seemed quite content when I left him.  We'll head over as soon as D is gone in the morning and bring him home in the trailer. Can't wait to see him in the field and tucked up cosy in his stable and start pampering him :)

Here he comes.
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Down the ramp.
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Heading for the stables.
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Handsome boy.
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Bum label.
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Munching.
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16/5/2012. Travelling with royalty!

Just gave Gillies a ring to check on Georges progress and apparently he's sharing a lorry with the Queens ponies :)  They will be getting dropped off at Balmoral tomorrow before George gets delivered to me! I wonder if he'll meet the Queen?

15/5/12. The Journey Has Begun!

George is on his way. He left Janet's 15mins ago!!!  He apparently loaded beautifully and was fascinated by the ponies he's travelling with. Bless. Can't wait til he arrives now. I doubt I'll sleep til then!

14/5/12. The Liveries Have Arrived!

My new liveries came today! 2 geldings to be pals with George.  Paddy is a welsh sec D gelding who my friend used to own. I've known him since he was a baby and even helped back him in my braver days! Then there's Ricco. He's a welsh sec A/B that Elizabeth the owner bought off some gypsies as a weanling for £75! She said he was so small, they used one of Paddy's neck covers as a rug tied on with string! Well, I know nothing about welshies or showing, but he's a stunner! He's so well put together and flashy. I think he'll win A LOT out showing.

Of course, the girls all acted like complete tarts when the boys arrived. Lisa came into season immediately (gross) and Lola has been stood staring at them for nearly an hour :) The boys had a wee prance about then heads down and on with the serious business of eating. Elizabeth says she'll give them a few days to settle as they've not been away from home for 3yrs and Ricco has never been near other horses before. Then she's going to crack on with getting Paddy back to competition fitness and Ricco backed and behaving well. I hope it all works out as well as I hope! She's going to hack out with me and George and come places with us. I can't wait :)

Paddy and Ricco


As for George, I spoke to Janet last night and she said that Gillies are collecting him tomorrow but not sure what time yet. She's been really busy nursing a sick foal so she's going to ring them today to find out.  She thinks he's in a 7ft rug and a 6 inch bit, but she'll check.  I asked her what I should do with regards to getting him settled etc and she said that he'll be tired when he gets here so just turn him out and let him chill. Show him round the place before bedtime and the next day give him a gentle lunge and hop on for 5 mins.  By the time I bring him home from Fountain on friday, he'll have been loaded 3 times into both a lorry and a trailer and will have spent 3 nights at 3 different places! The poor sod will be exhausted!

13/5/12. A New Beginning.

This is my first post in my new blog, designed to be a tool for me to track the progress of the relationship between me and my new horse, George.

Indigo Lord George, (to give him his proper name), will be arriving from Indigo Stud next thurs the 17th of May and I can't wait! He's a just 4yr old RID by Kensons Aragorn out of Wickmor Rosie O'Grady (King Elvis). He's bright bay with a white stripe down his face and a couple of little socks. He's standing about 16.3hh at the moment and hopefully his front will catch up with his rear and he'll end up just over 17hh.

I tried him out the last weekend in April in a really nice visit to the stud. I flew down and was met at Birmingham airport by one of the members of a FB group I started.  We had a lovely horsey afternoon though were frozen and filthy by the time we left!  I rode George in the school for a good 20 mins and then took him for a hack with John, the guy who rides all the young ones. George has only been broken 4 months but he didn't really put a foot wrong.  The tracks were really boggy and muddy with all the rain they'd been having but George just ploughed on through, never batting an eyelid.  We were passed by a van and a car on the road which he didn't bat an eyelid at and the only thing he had a spook at were some bins but when I took him back for a look, he wasn't bothered by them.

So, he was vetted on thurs this week. He passed though did have an active splint, but Janet who owns the stud has said she'll take him back should it cause any issues but I doubt it will.

So Gillies are picking him up on tuesday and dropping him off at Fountain Equestrian on thurs. I'm going to leave him there for a night as Duchesse is leaving on fri morning and once she's gone, we'll go and collect him in the trailer! I really can't wait!  All his insurance is organised (full loss of use this time) and we're ready to go!!!        

 George on trial day.