The difference between borrowing and owning a horse

Since owning horses is so colossally expensive and time consuming I am often asked by friends why I don't borrow horses instead. Sometime I even ask myself this - especially when I am offered lovely horses such as the fantastic Fin for free.

However, there is a big difference between borrowing and owning. And in actual fact all the fun I had with Fin at the weekend has actually made me miss my horses more. I am particularly pinning to be able to ride Tonto again.

The difference is the bond you have with your own horse. A bond that takes time, often years, patience, persistence and work. You just can't magic that bond with a borrowed horse overnight. I guess that is why it feels so special when you get it. To demonstrate here are the photos of T and I over the years. I think they speak for themselves.

The BFG and the adventures of Fantastic Mr Finley at Frensham Sponsored ride 2016

Whilst this blog is about Sofie – as she is on holiday atm I thought it would be OK to mention some of the who have been covering her hours so to speak.

Last week I was chatting to the lovely Louise (livery at the new yard) about Frensham Sponsored ride on Thursday evening. She had entered and raise a huge amount of sponsorship – but her travel buddy had to pull out due to injury. I casually mentioned that if a horse became available I would happily go with her – not really expecting anything to come of it.

10 minutes later I had been offered a horse and we were going! Wow.

There was then some confusion as her original buddy (lovely girl called Jess) came back and said that she would like to go. I was happy to offer her my place. Whilst I would love to go it didn’t seem fair to go at her expense. But this was swiftly resolved by finding yet another horse and more transport. Fantastic – now we could all go! Even better I was additionally offered another horse on Saturday for extra riding. I couldn’t believe my luck!

Saturdays mount was a lovely BFG – and when I say big I mean HUGE! A 17.3 shire called Frodo – must be fate. He was super sweet – even lowered his head in order to help me put on the bridle – which is just as well as there was no way I could reach his ears otherwise. He is still only a baby – so was a little worried by gateways, horses galloping in fields next to him and such like. But was so honest about the whole thing - only responding with a little trot or look. He is also surprisingly manoverable – which is just as well as negotiating trees can be a bit tricky. I have to admit though – despite his impeccable manners I was a little intimidated by his size. I was shacking like a leaf when I had to climb aboard (via some stairs).

team at the start

Fantastic Finley full of enthusiasm

Sunday I stole a child’s pony – the fantastic Mr Finley. He is the sweetest cob, very relaxed about everything, so relaxed in fact that I was not really very nervous about taking him cross country despite having never sat on him before (see the cross country jitters post to see how scared I was of taking Sof last year). My faith in Finley was well deserved. He was a lovely ride and took great care of me. We only jumped the little fences, as Finley still hasn’t mastered the ‘lift’ aspect of jumping – but that suited me as I hadn’t really intended on jumping in the first place. He is normally only pottered about – so when I got out of the saddle to let him have a blast he responded at first with some confusion ‘you sure?’ then went a little faster and asked ‘really OK?’ then finally letting off the handbrake with a ‘WEE GALLOPING!’. He loved it. By the end of the ride he had fully gotten into the swing of things – and met each line of jumps with great enthusiasm, setting himself happily into cavalry charge mode to the point where it took me some effort to steer him away from the larger fences (his mind is keen, but technique is lacking and I didn’t want to get him hurt on the bigger jumps). 

Our partners in crime had an equally enjoyable time. Jess was on Fleck the super cob – who has ample enthusiasm and skill at jumping – so much so that Jess felt confident taking him over the big fences despite not knowing him well. She is a good little rider, and he is one amazing horse. He is up for sale atm – probably just as well I don’t have any cash lying around otherwise my pony count would go from 2 to 3. Louise took her beautiful Phenoix around – who is clearly born and bred for endurance. He was desperate for us to trot the whole way. Phenoix was not however bred for jumping and Louise was sent into orbit over every fence as he jumped them all much in the style a leaping antelope adopts in long grass. Louise managed to land back in the saddle on all jumps though – had a bit of a near miss at the start – and jump most of the fences. Another very talented little rider.

Super cob Flec showing us how its done - Pheonix has his own unique style, and Finley and I are still looking up style in the dictionary

By the time we got back we were all smiles but exhausted. I went to get T and Sof in – but was so tired by the time I got the field I only managed to remove their rugs and then had to take a little lie down. Still it was very nice just chilling with them in the field on a warm sunny spring day. Had a nice little cuddle with Tonto as well who was feeling particularly affectionate (Sof meanwhile was busy expanding her waistline on grass).

So in summary a great weekend, with lovely horses and a wonderful yard. I am very pleased I made the move to Shamely Green :) I have returned to my desk this morning grinning ear to ear and walking like John Wayne – probably giving a very bad impression to my colleagues!

When life gives you lemons...

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade - or so they say. Haven gotten very down about the ligament lemons Sof and I have had to deal with, I have been trying to look at it as an opportunity, to learn more about ground work with horses.

I have come across something called liberty training - I like it because it is all about a non-forced relationship with your horse.  It is all about communication and gaining trust. Both ponies are bright and sensitive so I think this could really work for us.

To be honest I have to do something as Sof has returned to being a leading monster - combination of not coping with all the changes recently and not being in work I think - and I still have no control over Mr T. Leading in and out of the field currently involves me being dragged by Sof in her bridle whilst Tonto dithers behind us free range - often running away from the llama/baby goat/ his own shadow. So ultimately I have limited control of either horses behaviour and it is making spending time with them a bit challenging. At least they are safe on the new yard.

So watch this space - liberty could be my lemonade

Pastures new

Sorry for the high level of windgy posts of late. Poorly ponies had me stressed. Hopefully this entry will be more upbeat.

At the start of this month I finally decided to be brave and take the ponies to pastures new. We have moved into a yard in Shamley green. Everyone seems very friendly and they are all set up for the assisted livery I need - which should reduce my stress levels significantly.

Whilst my stress levels will drop I have been a bit worried that Sof and Ts stress levels will rise with the change. Poor Tonto only moved to the yard in Ripley 2 months ago and Sof is not a big fan of being away from her girls.

Turns out I need not have worried. On moving day both Tanya and Kate were very kind and helpful and made the move as smooth as possible. Sof loaded easily enough, and Kate's daughter Robin helped me walk Tonto to the yard with his favourite mare and helped load him up (he put up a brave fight). Sofie was an angel throughout. Whilst Tonto was rearing and charging off behind her she just stood and calmly watched as if to say 'what is all the fuss about!'.

Tonto and Sof haven't seen each other for a couple of months, and it has been nearly a year since they were out together. I wasn't sure if they would remember each other. Horses are much smarter than we give them credit - they were instantly at ease with each other and sharing haynets. On arrival they seemed to take comfort in each others company so I decided not to split them. Tonto was very stressed on day one - Sofie was remarkably calm.

They are now out in a nice, dry, flat field together. Tonto keeps Sofie from charging about, as he rarely goes above a mooch, so whilst the field is not the restricted pen the vet advised, I think Sof should get the rest she needs. Both are very respectful of each other, so the yard can feed them together without having to hold them. I was surprised to see that Tonto is the boss in the relationship - but Sofie doesn't seem to mind that much.

I have been able to bring them in and give them a good cuddle. Both are quite happy to come in so long as they can see each other and me. I think that they will relax a bit more when they are more settled. It is so nice to be able to cuddle Tonto and Sof again. Tonto has lost all of his aggression, and Sofie is not as fidgety as before. All is good.

I do still have slight issues leading them. Tonto is an utter woos and as soon as he saw the llamas and goats he turned tail and ran. Thankfully Sofie is much braver and stood her ground. As soon he realise that Sof wasn't coming with - and begrudgingly took himself in after us - admittedly having to do a very unmanly dance to get past baby goats. Sofie is just too enthusiastic - we are back to bridle leading as she tries to go back to her field full pelt. Hopefully once she settles in this will stop. I might try and take some parrelli up with her to sort the ground manners. Realistically I know that this is because she is out of work, she will be much better if I can get back on board.

So over the next few weeks I intend on slowly introducing the ponies to different parts of the yard. I hope to be able to take them both on short walks in the coming weeks. I might also start paralli lessons with them to keep their minds active. I have decided to give Sof until the end of May before I re-evaluate her lamness. But I think we will have plenty to occupy ourselves with until then.