Eager has now been home from Rockley for 11 weeks and I can honestly say she is 'sound'. Her stride has opened up so much in the last 3/4 weeks. My little pony hacking buddies can no longer keep up. Which is as it should be when your riding a 16.2 warmblood and your friends are on 12.2 ponies :-)
It was Becky's 10 year anniversary of have Ashen EC open this weekend. This is when I had Eager booked in to make her debut return. Which she did with much aplomb!! In fact a little too much. I had a sneaking suspicion this week that she was in season. Plus, I haven't ridden her in an arena, at all. So I guessed it may be interesting.... so much so that I actually took and put on my air jacket.
So after an example of how she could rodeo and stand on her back legs (So high I thought she was going over backwards) we kept her schooling on the lunge for about 1/2 an hour. I had bad thoughts that this was going to be a complete waste of money. There was no way, I was getting on her! To which Becky agreed. Becky arrived with a schooling whip with a bag on the end. We needed to teach her to keep her flailing limbs away from us! So B proceeded to school on the lunge with changes of movement and direction frequently. She is Bossy and you need to fill her brain, before she does. Any loss of attentiveness and the bag chased her a little. Always wanting the shoulders and head pointing at me (in the middle) instead of the back end. She twigged very, very quickly.
So I got on.... for about 1 minute and then I got off again. We established I get very uncomfortable when I lose her shoulders. Eager has taken control of her shoulders and I need to make sure I have them on lunge, in hand and ridden.
So we did in hand work. Getting her to bend around me but, getting the shoulders to move away. So if on the 3/4 line, get her to bend around me but leg vield to the track. The aim is to get the front inside leg to cross over on front of the outside leg. She needs to move forward and away.
So I then got on again...... Yay!!! Eager (finally in control of herself) Doing constant shoulder movement, change of direction and movement. Don't have a floor plan. Just keep her moving and thinking!! Do not allow her to take control!
Monday, 9 March 2015
Monday, 23 February 2015
A more natural winter?
It has just occurred to me (lying in bed freezing) that I have been writing this blog for over a year now. I remember quite vividly how rubbish I felt last year at this time and how I was struggling with the horses and considering a livery yard for all!
Now I'm not saying it's been easy at all and my back is struggling to cope with the sheer quantity of manure that I appear to shovel this time of year but I'm certainly no where near the depths of despair I was last year.
This year I had a big switch in winter procedure and it appears to have benefited the horses as much as me. Two major things have changed.
One, when winter reared its head in about October/November I made a decision to not bring them in overnight. But to enable them to have the option. They are brought in at about 4pm for dinner and a haynet. Then I open the doors at 8pm and they are free to wander around the yard and go to the haytubs I made or stay in the stable. I shut the fields off, to give them some kind of rest and they are turned out on the hard standing around the yard. It has only been the last month or so I believe they spend more time in the stables (mucking out has become harder). Each morning they line up down the yard and await breakfast. I then put more hay in the tubs and at least one day a week, open the field up (it looks hideous, but who cares). It is something I have been considering doing for a few years and it helps to wear their bare feet down and also keeps them healthier on a variety of harder and sometimes drier surfaces. Certainly healthier than wet mud and then soft bed 24/7. I muck out each morning and shut the stable doors. Sam then poo picks around the yard when she brings them in the afternoon.
The other major change is I haven't rugged. This was my biggest leap of faith. Zulu has always struggled to keep weight on over the winter. Bess mainly looks good, Conor always looks better than good as does Eager. So I worked on the basis that the only ones I need to keep and eye on are Bess, because she is 30 and Zulu, well because he is Zulu :-) The worst that could happen is they drop weight at which point I feed them more or rug them. The only time I rug is when I know it is going to rain all day or all night. For instance I left them out this morning rug free in the snow, as I knew it wasn't going to snow all day. They all without exception look amazing! Zulu far better than usual neither Bess or Conor much different. The only one I think has dropped some weight is Eager, but she needed to! So perfect. They have been rug free for 98% of the winter. Horses coats work by trapping air, so their coats stand up and it creates a layer of warmth around their body. A sign it works and no heat is escaping is when it snows and it sits on their back, unmelted. When I put a rug on now, I make sure its a thick one as by putting the rug on, I am stopping the hair from standing up. That's why I have rugged in heavy rain and I have religiously curry combed mud off. Both of which stop the coat from working effectively. I have only done it though as they are out 24/7, which also gives them to chance to create heat by moving. Not sure if it works so well on a stabled horse?
Its now the beginning of February and as I horse owner I know that winter is far from over. Only in April will I breath a sigh of relief. But, I think its worked and definitely makes you think and reassess what you do with your land. From a barefoot perspective an all weather surface saves you a lot of work riding on the roads etc. and the thought of all year turnout with adlib hay can only be good for them? Conor certainly used to hate wearing a rug and would show it quite visibly. I am lucky that I have the ability to evolve with my horses and with knowledge,what you believe is right and wrong.
One, when winter reared its head in about October/November I made a decision to not bring them in overnight. But to enable them to have the option. They are brought in at about 4pm for dinner and a haynet. Then I open the doors at 8pm and they are free to wander around the yard and go to the haytubs I made or stay in the stable. I shut the fields off, to give them some kind of rest and they are turned out on the hard standing around the yard. It has only been the last month or so I believe they spend more time in the stables (mucking out has become harder). Each morning they line up down the yard and await breakfast. I then put more hay in the tubs and at least one day a week, open the field up (it looks hideous, but who cares). It is something I have been considering doing for a few years and it helps to wear their bare feet down and also keeps them healthier on a variety of harder and sometimes drier surfaces. Certainly healthier than wet mud and then soft bed 24/7. I muck out each morning and shut the stable doors. Sam then poo picks around the yard when she brings them in the afternoon.
The other major change is I haven't rugged. This was my biggest leap of faith. Zulu has always struggled to keep weight on over the winter. Bess mainly looks good, Conor always looks better than good as does Eager. So I worked on the basis that the only ones I need to keep and eye on are Bess, because she is 30 and Zulu, well because he is Zulu :-) The worst that could happen is they drop weight at which point I feed them more or rug them. The only time I rug is when I know it is going to rain all day or all night. For instance I left them out this morning rug free in the snow, as I knew it wasn't going to snow all day. They all without exception look amazing! Zulu far better than usual neither Bess or Conor much different. The only one I think has dropped some weight is Eager, but she needed to! So perfect. They have been rug free for 98% of the winter. Horses coats work by trapping air, so their coats stand up and it creates a layer of warmth around their body. A sign it works and no heat is escaping is when it snows and it sits on their back, unmelted. When I put a rug on now, I make sure its a thick one as by putting the rug on, I am stopping the hair from standing up. That's why I have rugged in heavy rain and I have religiously curry combed mud off. Both of which stop the coat from working effectively. I have only done it though as they are out 24/7, which also gives them to chance to create heat by moving. Not sure if it works so well on a stabled horse?
Its now the beginning of February and as I horse owner I know that winter is far from over. Only in April will I breath a sigh of relief. But, I think its worked and definitely makes you think and reassess what you do with your land. From a barefoot perspective an all weather surface saves you a lot of work riding on the roads etc. and the thought of all year turnout with adlib hay can only be good for them? Conor certainly used to hate wearing a rug and would show it quite visibly. I am lucky that I have the ability to evolve with my horses and with knowledge,what you believe is right and wrong.
Friday, 23 January 2015
1 Month from Rockley
Last Friday was Eager's anniversary of being a month back from Rockley. I managed to download a free app on my phone so I could record Eagers walk in both the medio lateral and if she was landing heel first. It took quite a few attempts to get it right and again help from Marian.
Below is the heel first
and then the medio lateral
I sent to Nic at Rockley and she said it wasn't quite high enough spec to see the heel first exactly. But, getting my eye in I would say it is or only just flat. Obviously, I want heel first! The medio lateral video shows quite clearly the twist on the right fore. But, hardly seen on the left. It will be really interesting to compare this in a couple of months when the total new foot is grown.
Previously, to this I had taken her for a small hack on the road Solo. Which she was really good. I then took her in the school for the first time since she was diagnosed. Initially she felt pretty good.... Then, I think she felt too good and we did a good impression of a rodeo across the school. I did think she was going to jump out. But,thankfully stopped and put me back in the saddle! Shortly after I dismounted, un-tacked and put her on the lunge where she decided to run around like a charging Warthog for 10 minutes. Fair enough... I think this may need to be work in progress :-)
Monday, 12 January 2015
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?
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?
Wednesday, 31 December 2014
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 😀
Tuesday, 16 December 2014
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
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
Monday, 15 December 2014
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.
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.
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.
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