Eagerly Home

Eager has been home now for 2 weeks tomorrow. Timing wise we cut her Rockley stay 2 weeks short.  Mainly, because it was Christmas and it really made sense to have her home when I could get riding without too much difficulty and also because she was pretty much ready.

From Nics blogs you can tell that Eager arrived at Rockley with feet most horses would be envious of leaving with, so I didn't feel too bad letting her leave early.

Here is her last Rockley post:

http://rockleyfarm.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/why-its-not-about-trim-eagers-final.html

Picking her up turned out to be a logistical nightmare for many reasons, which seem quite trivial now.  I had decided to do the journey in a day and thought this seemed viable as long as I had someone to drive one leg of the journey.  Because,as much as I love Eager not even I could drive for 12 hours on my own.  Also, as well it gets quite expensive.  Not only do you pay for diesal but also you then need to pay for accomodation and the whole journey ends up to be about £300.  Which 3 days before Ćhristmas is not ideal. Anyway, Dad came to the rescue :-)  Bless him, he was only supposed to be over for a week (this got extended for other reasons) and he was taking a day out to come and get Eager with me. 

We left at 330am.  Dad drove the journey there and despite on this leg being horse free, it was a slog.  Dark, raining with a 5 junction diversion on the M4.  We arrived about 30 mins later than anticipated again 930am.  Nic was in good form and we had the whole thing turned around in an hour and I drove out the gates at 1030am.  Eager ate the entire way home and I drove in daylight and sunshine, we arrived at 4pm.

The others seem pleased to have her back and touch wood, so far so good.  I have worked out that I'll be able to ride her 3 times a week until the clocks go forward.  Nic said this is fine as long as any changes are done slowly.  Starting at 45 minute hacks.  I have to say she has been an absolute star since she got home and seems to have done a big of growing up.  Not fazed by anything and being a 'thoroughly good egg' 

The 3 times is not ideal and should really be more, but there's is not much I can do about this really.  I told Nic about my set up with the hay on the concrete yard and the road planing track I've put down and she said this is great and will do a lot of the work for me.  I'll explain about this in my next post.

But mainly, she is home and I'm riding and I'm happy 😀

Great links... (especially for Lisa M)

I've had this is the background for a while and keep meaning to add to it.

Here are some very informative articles about Feet (horses)  I warn you.... you do end up reading about 10 articles later.

http://rockleyfarm.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/hooves-from-veterinary-perspective.html
http://rockleyfarm.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/science-catching-up-with-feet.html

Sound

I am so, so behind on my writing!

So... 4 weeks ago I drive to Rockley with the fabulous Marian to keep me company.  I love my husband dearly, but I have to say there was a lot more conversation with Marian!!

We arrived Sunday morning where Eager rushed to the front of the stall and whinnied with delight at seeing me :-)  No, this is what happened in my head.  What she actually did, was look at me slightly suspiciously and carried on eating her haylage.

Marian proceeded to ask all of the questions that I needed to ask and don't....  I have to say Nic was a bit bristly to start.  I think she had a pretty bad week, I know her dog had died.  But it was a bit weird and not entirely necessary.  There was a tense moment when Marian asked if Eager was 'Sound' to which we got a 2 minute dialogue as to what did sound actually mean and it was all subjective.....  I thought it was a fairly inoffensive question when you are paying £180 a week to get your horse using its foot correctly.... to enable it to become.... urm sound.  But, I think we decided to let bygones be bygones on that.  It improved after that and I think Nic actually ended up giving Marian some pretty sound (excuse the pun) advise on what to try next with Archie's footyness.  I think we have to accept that some people are just not made for the people business and that is why she deals with horses.  I have no problem with that!!!

What was very clear was the difference in her hoof.  Both the texture and the angle.  Here is the link she posted just after I went http://rockleyfarm.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/eagers-6-week-update.html
I again asked what is it that creates such a dramatic change.  Again the answer diet, surfaces and movement.  I have come to the conclusion there is no rocket science to it.  I don't believe Nic is being evasive or trying to protect her business.  It is just really just this simple.... Saying that I'm sure there is some Rockley magic (Nic's huge experience) involved.

After all that, still feeling no more enlightened about Rockley than I did 8 weeks ago.  I got on!!!

Off we toddled up the road and back.  She started a bit tottery but her stride soon opened up and she felt much more her usual old self.  I occasionally asked her to work a bit and she seemed to remember how, but found it quite difficult.  Nic commented they normally just ride on the buckle.  Which was great to hear to be honest.  I didn't really want anyone messing with her schooling. 

(yes, I am the one with the purple tit)

I then took her in the school and asked her to so a few circuits in trot.  She was very, very lazy and it was hard work.  But she ended up feeling pretty good and definitely SOUND.... In my opinion LOL.

But God it was hard work!!  LOL for us both.

I came away feeling a little numb if I'm honest.  But looking back now, I have such faith in Nic and Rockley.  It never occurred to me that it wouldn't work.  So, me riding her and her being better was no surprise.

It again is very clear what needs to happen when she gets home. Hacking on the buckle and then hacking work.  Then schooling will start hopefully in about April.