The boys watch the girls while the girls watch the boys who watch the girls go by

The girls with the boys in hot persuit

It is all change with the fields recently. At the end of April Sofies worst fears came true as Mat left with Serenade and Sky leaving the girls field down to 5 horses. Sofie coped with the loss of her beloved Serenade surprisingly well. In fact for a blissful fortnight she stopped her separation behaviour in the yard. Unfortunately she then fell in love with the new mare next door and it all started again. I am beginning to think that Sofies’ owners’ plans to breed from her may be thwarted by Sofie clearly bating for the other team!

Anyway the two driving ponies are due to be sold, dwindling our numbers to just three horses. This becomes problematic as chances are two horses will taken out to ride leaving the last horse alone which does not work with neurotic mares who freak out when alone. In order to prevent this from happening, the yard owner suggested putting the girls out with the boy field liveries. Unfortunately one of the owners has refused to mix her horse, and so it is just Sofie and Rosie who have been put out with the field of boys.

Again this is a new herd dynamic to introduce you to. The boys field is, by in large, occupied entirely by fat cobs. Tonto is king fat cob, all the others do as he commands. Fred is Tontos henchman, and is generally in fairly close proximity to Tonto. Ernie is the resident clown and gets on with everyone. Buttons and William are the teenagers who are always playing. William is particularly annoying and is generally getting into mischief.

Tonto thinks all of his Christmas have come at once - girls in his field! He is utterly convinced that he is a beautiful big black stallion and has been prancing about like an idiot. He is showing all the alpha stallion behaviours. Herding and circling the girls, making sure none of the other boys get to talk to them. Making repeated approaches, desperate that one might accept his advances – not a chance, but Tonto is ever the optimist. Arching his neck, whinnying and prancing about in a continual display of his manliness. None of the other fat cobs have shown the same level of interest in the girls, no more than they normally show to any new horse. It is only Tonto who has forgotten that his bits are missing.

Sofie is, as usual, taking this in her stride. Rosie and her are now attached at the hip. Any unwanted advances (any advances from Tonto) and they turn in unison and scowl at the unsuspecting male who then goes and cowers. By in large she ignores Tonto’s constant circling and just gets on with enjoying the grass. She will fit nicely as alfa female in this herd.

In fact I think it would all be very calm indeed expect that a new boy has also been added. Doc was placed into the herd the day after the girls arrived. Whilst Tonto is a black stallion trapped in a cobs body, Doc is a cob trapped in a race horse body, he is far too relaxed for racing so he is now going to have a go at being a pleasure riding horse.

The problem is, the girls seemed to rather like Doc, he is far more attractive than fat old Tonto, and they have been trying to sneak off to talk to Doc every time T’s back is turned. Tonto is not happy about this, not happy at all, and has reacted by waging war on poor old unsuspecting Doc who only wants to quietly eat the grass. Every time Doc is anywhere near, Tonto launches at him teeth bared. Tonto has rallied his henchmen to support him in his crusade. Luckily Doc is a lot faster than the fat cobs and can trot away without breaking a sweat but it must be stressful for him to be constantly harassed. Tonto can’t be doing his legs much good either. In his quest to be a stallion he is also forgetting his legs don’t work and is charging up and down the field. His arthritis must be really hurting him, but he is too stubborn to relent despite the pain.

I don’t want to give Tonto painkillers though, as I think he will just do himself, and potentially Doc more damage. In any case I can’t get Tonto away from his mares long enough to have a feed with painkillers in, so he will just have to put up with the discomfort.

Crisis of confidence

I have realised of late I have been following fad after fad with Sofie.

·         First it was the going barefoot decision, which seemed to result in me reading endless stuff on the internet and believing all of it.

·         Then I dabbled in natural horsemanship to deal with her behaviour issues rather than using my normal methods.

·         Then there was the enlightened Equitation way of riding – I instantly bought and read the book and thought everything I have learnt thus far is wrong.

·         Recently I have changed Sofie’s saddle to a leather tree FlexEE having read about the daemons of traditional saddles (daemons being that the stirrup bars are too far forward for a decent position, and that the tree can interfere with the horses movement).

·         And now I am fiddeling about with her bit and considering bitless.

 

Sofie Modelling some of my recent fad buys

 

There is a phrase:

barefoot, bitless, treeless, clueless

 

Is this what I have become?

I used to be quite straight forward in my horsemanship. Horse is misbehaving, be sure it knows what you want it to do and make that the easiest option. If it doesn’t do it – tell it off. I always kept gadgetry to a minimum – snaffle bit, standard gp saddle (and sometimes forwent the saddle when it didn’t fit). Horses had shoes on the front, and on the back it they needed it. Plain shoes, none of this fancy nonsense. Riding was effective if not pretty. I never doubted myself.

Even when Tonto was really challenging I never looked to fads for answers - actually that is not true. I did once have a behaviourist out, but soon gave that up as I didn’t really have the time to draw little circles all over my horse daily and I didn’t think this would prevent him from charging down strangers in any case. I suppose I did develop some strange habits with Tonto. I learnt how to use my body language to communicate with him, and took to singing to him when he got scared. But other than that I was pretty conventional.

I guess what has suddenly woken me up from my fade chasing is that I have just ordered a Pelham bit for Sofie because the EE book suggested it. I have always hated Pelhams. I hate over-bitting your horse. The EE book tells me that a well-used Pelham is kinder than a snaffle.  This is going against everything I have known and I do find it hard to believe that the long held wisdom that the snaffle bit is the soft option is, in fact, a lie.

And now I am in a state of turmoil. Is bitless the answer? Do I actually know anything about horses? Who is the right person to believe?

Oh I do miss the old days, when my old instructor was around. To me he was the Yoda of horses. Have a problem, ask him, that was definitely the right way to do it.

Now I have to weigh up different view points and make my own decisions. Growing up is pants.

Enlightened sack of potatoes

So a couple of posts ago I was talking about getting some lessons to help with my riding, since then I have done some more reading about the classical seat and have been viewing some photos of me on a horse. DEAR LORD I NEED HELP!

I’ve been eagerly reading Enlightened Equitation by Heather Moffett. The whole ethos of the book and her technique is to develop a seat where you can move with the horse and communicate effectively. Heather seems to use skill rather than force to encourage the horse to move correctly, resulting in a more free and relaxed movement then the pinned down and stressed performance you often see in the dressage ring. I have noted that every one of the horses displaying the correct way of riding in the book have relaxed and listening ears when they are. All the leg aids make sense and the descriptions of common problems and the effects they have on horses all ring true with my experience (I have expansive experience of what not to do). The riders are gentle and elegant and the horses are both powerful and relaxed. I want to ride like this.

So I’ve started by looking at some photos and thought about how I currently ride.

Back in the day Schooling T:
legs really far forward and my right hand is all wrong

Trotting along on Stu: Legs too far forward again

Me on Sof: look how wonky I am!

No wonder Sofie’s back is sore! I sit like a poorly stacked sack of potatoes. I seem to be collapsing on one side. All of my weight is in my arse, my thighs lollop in front of me and my lower limbs swing and flap at will. When the horse moves I seem to be polishing my saddle with my bum, scrubbing both seat bones forward and backwards effectively blocking Sofie from being able to move her back. I saw habitually with my hands, though admittedly not as viciously as most. Poor little princes has been trying her hardest with me but I really am atrocious. I feel awful, all the horses I have schooled must have been uncomfortable with me on top. Poor Mr T put up with it for years and years.

I never realised how bad I was.

So yes, I feel pretty deflated right now. In many ways I failed poor Mr T. But I guess the flip side is at least I have recognised my faults and I have a chance to correct my riding. Sofie is like a second chance for me, I can train myself to be the rider she deserves. I can spend the rest of my days with T making up for it with cuddles and carrots. All is not lost.

Trying very hard to sit properly

Yvonne helping me with my seat

 

 

 

New shoes – update

Sof modelling
her new shoes

So a while ago I wrote a post about getting Sofie some brand new boots (having so far only having hand-me-downs).

 

 

Last month they arrived and they were beautiful. Unfortunately they did not fit! NOOOOOOOOOO! Despite all the due care with fitting shells, when I came to put on her spangally new boots they were too tight. After a very short ride it was clear that these were no good, they were just twisting off. I re-measured her feet to find the little madam’s feet had gotten bigger. Months they had stayed the same size, only to grow and extra 4mm just after I ordered the boots. Sods law. I think the gel insoles also made the boots come up a bit snugger, exacerbating the problem. Heartbroken I had to email the hoof boutique back for suggestions as to what to do.
 



Boots on the back feet

Renegades offer a free exchange if boots do not fit, however this only applies to standard boots. Because we had got gel insoles bonded on my boots were classed as a special order and so exempt for free exchange (because it is not likely another customer would want what I had asked for). Bugger. Thankfully for me Liz at the hoof boutique and renegades are very keen to do their best by their customers and so agreed to treat the boots as a hire which was very kind of them. The larger set of boots (which I bought for the fronts) fit her back feet so I only needed to return one set.

Nervously I ordered the next size up, the largest they do. This time we played it safe with no gel insoles. Not quite as luxurious but they fit. Hurray!

We took the new boots round Frensham Sponsored Ride – a bit of a baptism of fire really – but they were brilliant. Nothing dislodge them -  galloping across wet fields, jumping fences, and Sofie digging for Brittan – they stayed put and did not budge. No sign of a rub, even though she had been in the boots for over 5 hours (I put them on in the morning before we loaded and did not take them off until after the event). Worth every penny.

 

 

I hope to God her feet don’t grow anymore!

 

post test ride success



 

Frensham Sponsored ride

Out official Photo - Big smiles from both of us

After a fitful night’s sleep the day was upon me – Frensham sponsored ride was here.

Preparation for the ride was a bit frantic. Trailer, car to tow it, and capable chauffeur was organised days before, thankfully I have lovely family and friends who stepped in last minute. I failed at pre-registering, but the organisers reassured me that it would be fine to sign up on the day. The week before I jumped Sofie a cross poll in the sand school to see if she jumped. Yes she does, and with a lot of enthusiasm. I however have somewhat forgotten about the nuances of jumping – like how to count a stride, set up for a fence, get over the fence, ride from the fence – OK I have entirely forgotten how to jump. Never mind, I’m sure it will come back to me on the day :s.

And then it was the day. I was accompanied by our usual hacking buddies (and fellow members of fat pony club) Gem and Harry. Both Sof and Harry loaded smoothly. Unfortunately, once said fat ponies were on the trailer it was clear the tyres were flat. Bugger. Not wanting to un-load we decided to go to get the tyres inflated on route. My father kindly agreed to drive – a decision he would soon come to regret. On sued the most ridiculous 100 point turn in the garage. I chased away anyone on the forcourt as we battled the trailer round the narrow space. Sof took it all in her stride but Harry found the forward revers forward experience rather unsettling.

Tyres inflated we were back on route. Unfortunately someone gave me the role of navigator. I have been known to get lost in the ladies loos, I should never EVER be allowed near directions. Despite the very clearly written instructions, and a sat nav, I still managed to force two more U turns into our journey. An hour later our trailer full of very stressed humans and a stressed Harry pulled up. Miraculously Sof seemed quite chilled about the whole affair.

I think I had used up all my stressing in getting there. I was no longer fretting about the ride. Bit more faffing then we were on-board and ready to go. We were some of the last competitors round the course.

ready to mount - I hate my body protector
which appears to have eaten my neck

faffing with tack

about to head off

I had no idea how Sofie would react. She was clearly excited to be at a show ground but not frantic like I expected she might be. Once we were on the course we put them both into a trot to settle them down. Sofie was lovely, lead the way quite happily. We had a pair of horses canter pass us in the other direction at close range, and she did not react at all. She looked at the other competitors go over the fences, and whilst she clearly wanted to join them she did not bolt. She let people pass us without a fuss. I finally plucked up enough courage to allow Sof a crack at one of the smaller fences – I could almost hear her shout yippee as she flew over it. She was a little disappointed I wouldn’t let her jump all of the big fences from there on in, but we had great fun over the ones I felt brave enough to attempt. Not one refusal from her and we almost never had a lead. On occasion, normally after a fence I had a momentary break failure but she came back to me eventually. There was one moment where she took a disliking to a gelding that we ended up riding round with. She reversed at him at speed then bolted off when I scolded her. She might be a little bit in season still. Other than that she was perfect.

 

Harry was very well behaved as well, except for his sudden and bizarre decision to drop to the floor and roll mid-walk. Took both me and Gem by surprise. Luckily Gem just managed to step off him when he was on the floor and got him up before he squished his very expensive saddle. Sof just looked on disapprovingly.

 



tired ponies ready to go home

Anyway in conclusion, awesome day out. I have a cross country machine on my hands. Next time I will learn how to jump and will have a crack at the big fences.

 

Cross country jitters

I have just committed to going to Frensham Sponsored ride and I am totally bricking it!

This is daft, I said I would go since last year, but I just made the commitment in my mind, Sof and I are def going. I had a look at the website and the entry form and instantly my hands began to shake and my heart is going like the clappers.

If I am scared then why the hell am I doing this you might ask? Well sometimes the best things in life are the scariest.

Frensham is a 10 mile sponsored ride with optional small cross country fences. It is really just for a bit of fun and a great day out.



Baby T and me relieved
after first outing

Last time I felt this nervous was when my sister signed me and T up for our first sponsored ride back in 2003. Admittedly I think I had a bit more to be scared of. Tonto was 3 or 4 and had never been anywhere – ever. We had tried to take him to a little show at the yard, but we had to take him away after he hyperventilated with excitement. I had never really jumped Tonto, nor had I ridden with the horse and rider who kindly agreed to babysit us (and they were a new pair as well). Tonto broke my dad’s finger loading into the box, he reared up and through dad like a rag doll, unfortunately dads finger got stuck in the bridle. Once we got there Tonto was rearing and spinning at the start. I think it is the only time I have ever seen my normally unflappable instructor look worried. The first 10 minutes were hairy, but once he realised all he had to do was stick with his buddy he was a super star. He lead over all the fences. It was the making of us. I thought if I can ride Tonto round a sponsored ride, I can ride him anywhere.

This time round I ought not to be so scared. Sof is an older, more experienced horse, and I am riding with our normal hacking buddies Gem and Harry. I know Sofie has competed with her old owner, so show grounds should not be that exiting. We went round a local cross country course and it is clear she is familiar with the fences, so I think she has done cross country before. We have really bonded and she does now listen and really try for me. There is no reason why she won’t be anything other than angelic. But I am still crapping my pants. I expect her to be excited, and I’m wondering how well my breaks will work. I have bought some gloves to save my hands (when she is overexcited we play tough of war – I win, but at the cost of my skin). Still this is hardly reason to have a panic attack.

Perhaps I am just older and more risk adverse than the 16 year old me. Things which are less frightening scare me more. Or perhaps it is just anticipation and excitement that is making my heart flutter in my chest.

Either way, we are doing it. Game on.

A patient princess

I was a little nervous of getting back on Sofie after a week holiday on spring grass. I expected to come back to a round Haflinger full of beans. I had visions of us careering across fields with no breaks. Turns out I was once again unfair on Princess Sofie who is turning out to be a lovely gentle soul. I get back on after a week off and she plods along on the buckle enjoying the warm spring evening. She hasn’t even put on weight, and there is no heat in her feet so she gets to continue to enjoy grazing without her muzzle.

She is so lovely and calm that I trusted her enough to take Tonto out on a ride and lead by myself.

I think point I should make a little confession. I hate riding alone. Not only do I have no-one to talk to – anyone can tell you I hate my own company – but I also start to fret about what would happen if I had an accident. This puts me into an uncharacteristically anxious state (well on horseback at least) and an anxious rider makes an anxious horse. I have never ridden Sofie alone.

So deciding to ride out Sofie alone with Tonto in tow was a tad optimistic.

I guess my thinking was I was not really alone, there are three of us. At least the horses can gain confidence from each other. I also really wanted to take the old boy out. He’s spent all winter only pottering from his field to the yard and back. Not much variety for him, and Mr T is a smart horse who enjoys exploring the world. He seems to be relatively mobil, providing he is walking on a smooth flat surface. Luckily the field next to the yard is more or less a bowling green so now the ground has dried out I thought he would enjoy a potter.

I decided to lead past the scary plastic, knowing full well Tonto would be a knob about it – he was – and I wasn’t sure I could handle him whilst riding. Once safely in the field, where few things can jump out at us, I jumped on board Sofie. We walked up the long side of the field. Sof was a bit confused by the whole thing. Who was this hairy dishevelled cob and why was he stalking her. Tonto was his usual helpful self and kept on unnecessarily switching sides, forcing me to have to keep passing the lead rope behind my back. Sof was getting a bit upset by the rope touching her princess bottom and my arms flapping about. She also could not work out if I was talking to her or Tonto when I kept on asking T to walk on. Tonto Finally decided to walk next to Sofie, but I could see his expression turn to mischief. I could tell he was plotting to tank off when we turned to home. I decided best to jump off and lead on foot before I get into trouble.

Once on the ground both ponies walked happily next to me. Was really nice to have them side by side, ears pricked, enjoying life. I tried to take some photos, but this was nih-on impossible. Besides Tonto had the muzzle on to stop him from snacking as we walked which is hardly a photogenic look.

going for walkies

 

T trying his chat up lines

 

happy ponies

I feel a bit guilty thinking this but Tonto does really look ugly standing next to beautiful Sofie. He is not in his prettiest stat atm. His long winter coat is dark and course and he has a full beard which hides his noble head. Come summer his coat will change to a beautiful copper colour and I will hack away his beard. I still think Sofie is prettier, but T isn’t bad looking under all that fluff. I hope to have a little photo shoot with them once they have both lost their winter woollies.



Anyway after our walk I decided to take Sofie with us on the way back to Tonto’s field. I didn’t want to break the golden ‘you do not leave Sofie’ rule, especially as I have just got her calm again in the stable. She was super patient as I put Tonto back in his field, and so calm I decided to ride her back to the yard. Now we really were alone. I was expecting her to jog and spook but she was an angel. What a good little horse. We then went out for a second stroll with Gem and Harry, making the most of the lovely evening.

 

 In fact thinking about it Sofie was the epitome of calmness and patience today. She went in and out of the stable, lead filthy old men round fields, went out and back and out and back to the yard, posed for photos. Not one complaint. How far she has come from the horse who you could not leave waiting for one second only a few months ago.