January New Starts

Next Friday Eager will have been home 4 weeks!!  How time fly's when your having fun :-)

I have been very good and ridden 3 times every week.  Although small blip and didn't manage to ride this Saturday due to 30kmh winds.  She has been really good and I have had no reason to feel its not been working.  We had our longest hack last Wednesday and about 1/4 of a mile from home she did stumble 3 times.  So not sure if it may have been a bit much or if it was because we had 20m of 'Passage' past some young stallions in a field.

I have seen Eager do her 'Passage' a few times, mainly on the lunge and once when I was walking down the road with her in hand.  It absolutely terrified me.  She gets such suspension in mid air, its quite phenomenal. Truly a girlie showing off with her tail bolt upright.  Every time I've seen it, I always think "shit, hope she doesn't do that when I'm on her".  Well, I can say with my hand on my heart, it was truly amazing to sit on, like floating.  Not, like riding an unexploded bomb at all.  So now all I can say is "Shit, I hope she does that again when I'm on" LOL

Apart from that.  I have been trying not to obsess too much and stick with my I'll do photo's and video at 4 weeks and send them to Nic.

I also decided when Eager went away that I needed to lose quite a bit of weight.  At 5'9 I will concede I can carry weight quite well and I do carry it very evenly.  So never really get that perspective of being huge.  But it does creep up....  I spent pretty much all of my 20's between 9 1/2 to 10st (yes I was very slim).  I have spent the last few years at a lot more than that!!  But should be somewhere between 10-11st for ME to be happy.

Previously,the biggest I had been was 12st.  But, what I hadn't expected was to weigh myself last Sunday and be 12st 11lb!!!  I had seen a few photo's on facebook recently and my face looked big.  Talk about a kick into action!

In the last 10 years I have done 2 diets.  Both no (or should I say silly low) carbohydrate.  the infamous Atkins diet in which I lost 2 stone in as many months and the Dukan in which I did the same.  No carbs, just works for me.  I am not saying its easy, but it works and quickly.  For me psychologically quick and noticeable means I stick at it.

I am doing a bit of a hybrid of the both.  So basically meat, fish, vegetables, salad and low fat dairy.  This is it, all of the time.  I have lost 7lb in 7 days...  so clearly working :-)  I know people don't have a good word to say about high protein diets, which I don't really get.  I am eating about quadrouple the amount of veg I normally do.  So I don't really get what is so bad?  I don't eat fruit very often anyway.  So no loss there... and by the way there is no such thing as 'Good' sugar.  Sugar is sugar, whether it comes from an apple or a jelly tot and if your trying to lose weight you need to cut it out.  I just laugh at people who go on diets and consume vast quantities of fruit in a smoothie.  Probably more sugar in that than a mars bar (although I concede they may high slightly more fibre).  Equally I don't agree with the theory of its bad to lose weight quickly.....  really how?  Your just jealous I'm losing and your not I'm afraid!

One thing I have really noticed this time is my motivation.  Yes, I look and feel better slimmer.  I look better in clothes and I can move better.  Which overall makes me more confident about myself.  But that isn't enough when I'm happily scoffing some French bread and cheese.  Eating makes me happy.  But, I can remember how amazing I felt 5 years ago when I lost 2st on the Dukan diet.  So many people commented on how different I seemed as a person.  My mantra truly became Kate Moss "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" and I truly believed this.   I can remember that feeling of being confident, powerful and attractive.  I remember this because I was 38.  I had taken it for granted when I was younger (and it happened naturally).  So realising this is my motivation has made me really think about what motivates people who have been overweight for a long time.  How do you realise how much better you will feel if you have never felt amazing?

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.

The last month

Tomorrow, I go to see my 'little miss muffit' (said in Cheryl Cole voice).

She has now been at Rockley 6 weeks and is in full ridden work and I can ride.  Very exciting and a little nervous.  I haven't ridden for 5 months now.  I think this is the longest I have ridden for in about 13 years.  So, I fully expect to be a little sore on Monday!

I am also a little worried where my hat, gloves, boots etc are.... and do they still fit?

Lots of people have been asking me if I'm looking forward to riding again?  If I am really honest I am not 100% sure.  Life has been so easy looking after the other 3 and not riding.  I have been able to catch up on lots of jobs and each week I have set myself a task.

2 weeks ago.   The cat climbing frame.

and last week I tidied up the arena and decided to put the poles in a convenient place

Both of which I think I am quite proud of.  I assume there is only so much DIY you can do?

The best news also is that when she comes home in January, I have arranged with work a 4 day week.  Spending, each Wednesday riding!

I'll post hopefully with pictures after the weekend.

Eager's 3 week update

I am amazed and very proud of my little girl :-)

http://rockleyfarm.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/eagers-update.html

Especially with the changes in foot lateral balance from pictures 3 to 4. 

Support group?

When Eager was first diagnosed with Navicular I searched on Facebook (among many, many other places) for any information I could find.  I found two closed membership forums and I can't really remember finding anything that useful on them that I didn't find elsewhere but, I think it's nice to have a bit of support.  

Rockley have their own support forum.  Strictly for people who have had their horses at Rockley.  Which is great, because there is a lot of negativity out there!

A post last week on one of them happened to ask if there were any Ex Rockley rehabs out there.  I said, I was.  The lady in question was in the US and as she couldn't get to Rockley.  She wanted as much info as possible.  I PM'd her, just giving a brief description of Eager and pretty the rest being what is on Nic's blogs.  Anyway, we got a bit of dialogue going which is not something I would normally do with a complete stranger.  But, I really felt for her and she really believes in what Rockley do but doesn't have a similar place in the US.  It again made me thankful that Rockley is in relative terms,on my doorstep.

Now, the lady in question happened to mention in a further post that one of the trimmers she used to use made her horse sore every time.  She had then changed trimmers and the horse hadn't been sore since.  Pretty innocuous post to be honest.  Not a statement of blame, just a statement of fact.  Whereupon, a trimmer (I so gather) left what can only amount a 500 word rant about how dare she blame trimmers, blah, blah, they do their best in a bad world.... along those lines.  Not content with one post, she then continued to start again in another.

Now......  I took a little exception to this.  As not at any point did my American friend say anything derogatory about anyone, just made a very small comment that one trimmer made her horse lame and the next one didn't....  So, not wanting to really start a row.  I tried to defend my new found friend, whilst also trying to defuse the situation and make a statement I totally stand by.

 

As you can see.  That went really well for me. LOL

I do admit, maybe my NEVER was a little aggressive and understand this could annoy. I then found out this woman was the administrator of the forum and I couldn't really see how this was going to end well.  So, to avoid me getting into a silly online row, where clearly things would be taken out of context (by one person).  I deleted my membership.  So I can't tell you where this conversation went as I can't see anymore!  

I now realise this is a bit of a shame.  As I have spoken to my American friend and she stays on it to try and learn as much as she can about Rockley.  I just can't see how what the nutty trimmer has said is in anyway supportive.  It wasn't a trimmers support group (which she clearly needs amongst other things) it was about navicular? So technically, all the other people out there who can't afford of aren't able to send there horses to Rockley, lose a source of information on how horses are successfully rehabbed.

Situations and actions do create reactions. The fact of the matter is that Eager's weakness in her foot was exacerbated by my farrier leaving the toe too long on the foot.  Yes, I take responsibility for this as I looked at her feet for a couple of months thinking it didn't look right.  I don't really even blame the farrier.  He did what he did with best intentions and how was he/me to know that she had something going on in her foot that means they need to be kept perfectly? With most other horses if may have made no difference.  None of us are perfect, all we can do is the best we can with the information we have been given.  But we do have the choice to look for it.