But. Shawn has quit his job and we are moving. Hopefully we will find new decent grazing with nice paddock mates. I will miss our current grazing though, amazing views, great grass, and not to mention, free.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
In The Wars
Poor Drum has been beaten up lots by his mean old TB gelding paddock mate Ned. He isnt so bad out in the paddock but when they are by the house, Ned can corner him easily and bite and kick the crap out of him. He has some old marks finally growing hair back on them. But has new marks on his bum, rump, sides, alongside his spine - two very deep ones just behind saddle, and yesterday, two new very deep ones under saddle, which ruled out a ride yesterday. He also got many multiple cuts from his throat, down his neck, across chest, one shoulder and one side from being repeatedly kicked. Theyre mostly healed now. Feel very sorry for poor Drum.
But. Shawn has quit his job and we are moving. Hopefully we will find new decent grazing with nice paddock mates. I will miss our current grazing though, amazing views, great grass, and not to mention, free.
But. Shawn has quit his job and we are moving. Hopefully we will find new decent grazing with nice paddock mates. I will miss our current grazing though, amazing views, great grass, and not to mention, free.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Bad Behaviour, Bad Dreams, New Shoes
Drum spent the 4days over New Years at Mum's - I was working all day and he was getting new shoes on the Monday. I rode him on the Thurs night we arrived and he was great [very bad photo above]. By Saturday, even on a double dose of toxin binder, the rye grass had got to him and he was very naughty. He wouldnt stand by the mounting block and kept walking off. Then when I would get on, he'd walk off. So I would get off and we'd go back to the block to start again until he could stand. And then off down the paddock we went, sideways, jigging, jogging, ears up my nose and at the end a wee buck! I jumped off and got the lunge line and made him walk and trot both ways until he could do so without being a plonker. Then we finished with some quiet in hand work and dinner.
He got his new shoes on Monday morning and he was reasonably badly behaved. Wouldnt stand still, but the farrier said he was actually pretty good. He was then very naughty to get on the float to go home and the chains came off the divider so it was banging against him, so no wonder he didnt travel well. Poor guy. I wouldnt be surprised if he doesnt want to get back into a float again! Am planning on doing some quiet practice in the paddock with our grazers good, decent, big, roomy float. I dreamt that night that all of Drum's feet had gotten bruised and were so painful he couldnt stand at all and the grazer couldnt get hold of me and had to stay with Drum all night. I woke up and felt horrible and had to rush up to check Drum was ok - he was!
We went for a 5km walk yesterday, I just led him out and he worried about walking on the stones across driveways etc... until he realised his shoes stopped his feet from being sore! And he strutted his stuff and was very happy. We even jogged a wee bit, too hot to do much though, phew.
I bought my bike home so I could bike up to Drum in the evenings and hopefully lose some weight and get fit again. Hope I can keep to it.
He got his new shoes on Monday morning and he was reasonably badly behaved. Wouldnt stand still, but the farrier said he was actually pretty good. He was then very naughty to get on the float to go home and the chains came off the divider so it was banging against him, so no wonder he didnt travel well. Poor guy. I wouldnt be surprised if he doesnt want to get back into a float again! Am planning on doing some quiet practice in the paddock with our grazers good, decent, big, roomy float. I dreamt that night that all of Drum's feet had gotten bruised and were so painful he couldnt stand at all and the grazer couldnt get hold of me and had to stay with Drum all night. I woke up and felt horrible and had to rush up to check Drum was ok - he was!
We went for a 5km walk yesterday, I just led him out and he worried about walking on the stones across driveways etc... until he realised his shoes stopped his feet from being sore! And he strutted his stuff and was very happy. We even jogged a wee bit, too hot to do much though, phew.
I bought my bike home so I could bike up to Drum in the evenings and hopefully lose some weight and get fit again. Hope I can keep to it.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
What We've Been Up To...
I have managed to ride Drum most days of the week lately. We generally go down the road but sometimes 'school' in the paddock. Its a bit difficult because of all the stones so thats a bit frustrating. Drum is fine going out by himself and going to new places by himself. Hes also being very brave about cows, sheep, birds, dogs, cars, cyclists, runners etc when we are out. We actually have very few problems. The sandflies are just bloody awful and it's hard to concentrate on schooling or keeping a constant contact as I am constantly swatting flies. He tossed me off on Xmas eve, got a fright from some horses and did a 180 and flung me. I hopped straight back on and rode the 5km home with no problems, but had to do it one handed because of rein burn. Must remember to wear my gloves!! Have absolutely no confidence issues at the moment so really need to get onto more trotting and cantering in a controlled environment. I would in the paddock but dont want to because of stones.
Goals for us for 2010: trotting and cantering confidently. Start some jumping. Get out for a few new rides ie beach.
Goals for us for 2010: trotting and cantering confidently. Start some jumping. Get out for a few new rides ie beach.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Great End To A Great Week!!
Thursday: tacked Drum up, got geared up to ride but chickened out and just lunged him.
Friday: fluffed around wanting to get on, but chickening out. Finally got on and had a wee plod around the paddock! No problems, yay!
Saturday: had a day off as was working.
Sunday: came to find cows in our riding paddock! Lunged near house and didnt think I would get on as horses were running and neighing, cows were running, hadnt ridden Drum out of the paddock... but did get on and have a good wee plod around lawn, yard, driveway etc
Monday: rode around lawn etc again and did a wee 'jump' over an old axel with wheels at each end [Drum casually stepped over]. Gave Drum a massage.
Tuesday: rode around both big paddocks, Drum was a bit nappy but I was firm and made him go away down the ends. Finished on a good note doing some collected circles near yard.
Wednesday: had a day off and lead Drum up road as a break since I was hard on him the day before.
Thursday/today: went for a 2.5hr ride with paddock mate around the road! Did a couple river crossings, trotted, cantered, a wee gallop! A few slips and trips on stones so hopefully he doesnt come up lame tomorrow, but he can have next 2/3 days off. Got off and lead him the last km or so. Am so proud of the both of us!!! <3 my Drum.
Friday: fluffed around wanting to get on, but chickening out. Finally got on and had a wee plod around the paddock! No problems, yay!
Saturday: had a day off as was working.
Sunday: came to find cows in our riding paddock! Lunged near house and didnt think I would get on as horses were running and neighing, cows were running, hadnt ridden Drum out of the paddock... but did get on and have a good wee plod around lawn, yard, driveway etc
Monday: rode around lawn etc again and did a wee 'jump' over an old axel with wheels at each end [Drum casually stepped over]. Gave Drum a massage.
Tuesday: rode around both big paddocks, Drum was a bit nappy but I was firm and made him go away down the ends. Finished on a good note doing some collected circles near yard.
Wednesday: had a day off and lead Drum up road as a break since I was hard on him the day before.
Thursday/today: went for a 2.5hr ride with paddock mate around the road! Did a couple river crossings, trotted, cantered, a wee gallop! A few slips and trips on stones so hopefully he doesnt come up lame tomorrow, but he can have next 2/3 days off. Got off and lead him the last km or so. Am so proud of the both of us!!! <3 my Drum.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Too Long Since An Update
I went to the chiro and got my hip bumped back in and my back was better!
The week I was meant to bring Drum home, I went up for one last ride. Stephanie, Gemma's mum, was going to give me a lesson. Unfortunately I didn't check Drum's saddle fit since he had put on weight and only a few minutes into the ride, he bucked me off. I bashed up a hip really bad and hit my head [was wearing a helmet] and felt quite dizzy. Steph lunged him over and over until Gemma got home, they swapped saddles and she continued to give him a good ride. He was much better with a better fitting saddle. We made a mounting block out of steps, boxes and barrels so I was high enough just to slip back onto Drum and not have to use my very sore left hip. I had a good wee walk.
Finally I got to bring him home. He went on the float well and was very patient while we did a tiki-tour around town and even through a mall car park while we picked up some stuff and did errands. He was very happy to be home in the end and settled right back in.
We had a few ups and downs until his saddle was refitted properly and I got a front raiser which hopefully will keep his Wintec 500 up off his shoulder. I rode in both mine and Gemma's saddles, with different gullet plates and front raisers on for the saddle fitter until we got a good fit. My silly brother was jumping on the trampoline near by so I didn't continue to ride after the saddler had been. Drum was also a bit jumpy at Mum's, with the wind, different noises and distractions etc and probably slightly affected by rye grass even though he was on a toxin binder.
Finally some great news!! Someone saw my ad at the local store and offered me FREE grazing only 5km up the road from home! Drum loaded well and is moved up there. He lives with 3 other horses in biiig hilly paddocks with trees and creeks and I think he is very happy there. He does a big extended trot up the paddock to me when I arrive. We have been for an in hand walk up the road but due to the rain, havent got any other work done yet. Hopefully we will be riding soon =)
The week I was meant to bring Drum home, I went up for one last ride. Stephanie, Gemma's mum, was going to give me a lesson. Unfortunately I didn't check Drum's saddle fit since he had put on weight and only a few minutes into the ride, he bucked me off. I bashed up a hip really bad and hit my head [was wearing a helmet] and felt quite dizzy. Steph lunged him over and over until Gemma got home, they swapped saddles and she continued to give him a good ride. He was much better with a better fitting saddle. We made a mounting block out of steps, boxes and barrels so I was high enough just to slip back onto Drum and not have to use my very sore left hip. I had a good wee walk.
Finally I got to bring him home. He went on the float well and was very patient while we did a tiki-tour around town and even through a mall car park while we picked up some stuff and did errands. He was very happy to be home in the end and settled right back in.
We had a few ups and downs until his saddle was refitted properly and I got a front raiser which hopefully will keep his Wintec 500 up off his shoulder. I rode in both mine and Gemma's saddles, with different gullet plates and front raisers on for the saddle fitter until we got a good fit. My silly brother was jumping on the trampoline near by so I didn't continue to ride after the saddler had been. Drum was also a bit jumpy at Mum's, with the wind, different noises and distractions etc and probably slightly affected by rye grass even though he was on a toxin binder.
Finally some great news!! Someone saw my ad at the local store and offered me FREE grazing only 5km up the road from home! Drum loaded well and is moved up there. He lives with 3 other horses in biiig hilly paddocks with trees and creeks and I think he is very happy there. He does a big extended trot up the paddock to me when I arrive. We have been for an in hand walk up the road but due to the rain, havent got any other work done yet. Hopefully we will be riding soon =)
Friday, October 9, 2009
A Fall, A Trek & Hacks Alone
After a pretty good hack out where I cantered plenty, we were just at the gate when a motor bike came up behind us. Drum spooked and tried to run forward but crashed into Katie, then swung around and backwards when the motor bike passed and I fell down his right shoulder. I felt ok about it, a bit shaken, but lead Drum back to the yard and got back on to do some circles. He was very relaxed and not worried at all about what had happened.
The next day was our big 12km hill trek with some others. It was incredibly windy and there was a silly horse coming to ride with us. I had an extra few RR lozenges as I was worried about Drum playing up. He did a wee bit but nothing too silly. He has a bad habit of walking up other horses bums and Azja kicked him in the chest at one stage. Some of the other horses were walking much to fast and Drum kept trying to hurry to catch up, so we did heaps of cantering and I just tried to relax and go with it. He does have a really nice canter but he wasnt being sensible and looking where he was going, tripping in holes, stumbling on stones and ploughing through boggy patches so I had to keep trying to guide him and pull him up but he wasnt really listening which was frustrating and a little worrying. When we got to the top of the hill, some of the horses got waaay ahead and Azja wouldnt go through a gate for Gemma and Drummer started to play up and run sideways as he wanted to catch up. I got really upset about it but Gemma caught Drums bridle and I got off, and we both walked our horses for a while. I got back on and we continued on and I did better with pushing him around. Then we all got off to go down the steep side and got back on at the bottom and I did some really good leg yielding on the final stretch home. It was very satisfying in the end, but not as much as my next paragraph.
The last two rides Ive done, me and Drum have hacked out on our own =) And we did a route he hadnt done by himself before so that was great. Although on the first one, we got to the point where he really didnt want to go forward so I got off and lead him down to the stream where I got back on, rode around the trees and stream and then home again. He was very good apart from lots of neighing out for his friends.
And the next day we went again and I got him much further than where he stopped the day before, but he stopped again, so I lead him forward and got straight back on and rode him down to the stream. This day, instead of stopping lots, all slight leg pressure and he thought we would trot! I did lots of 'juuuuust waaaaaalkiiiiiiiiing' to calm us both down and we had a really good ride. I am so pleased!
I hope to bring him home next weekend but my back has gone out twice in two nights so Im not sure whats happening at this stage. Still want to bring him home though. Hope my back is ok!
The next day was our big 12km hill trek with some others. It was incredibly windy and there was a silly horse coming to ride with us. I had an extra few RR lozenges as I was worried about Drum playing up. He did a wee bit but nothing too silly. He has a bad habit of walking up other horses bums and Azja kicked him in the chest at one stage. Some of the other horses were walking much to fast and Drum kept trying to hurry to catch up, so we did heaps of cantering and I just tried to relax and go with it. He does have a really nice canter but he wasnt being sensible and looking where he was going, tripping in holes, stumbling on stones and ploughing through boggy patches so I had to keep trying to guide him and pull him up but he wasnt really listening which was frustrating and a little worrying. When we got to the top of the hill, some of the horses got waaay ahead and Azja wouldnt go through a gate for Gemma and Drummer started to play up and run sideways as he wanted to catch up. I got really upset about it but Gemma caught Drums bridle and I got off, and we both walked our horses for a while. I got back on and we continued on and I did better with pushing him around. Then we all got off to go down the steep side and got back on at the bottom and I did some really good leg yielding on the final stretch home. It was very satisfying in the end, but not as much as my next paragraph.
The last two rides Ive done, me and Drum have hacked out on our own =) And we did a route he hadnt done by himself before so that was great. Although on the first one, we got to the point where he really didnt want to go forward so I got off and lead him down to the stream where I got back on, rode around the trees and stream and then home again. He was very good apart from lots of neighing out for his friends.
And the next day we went again and I got him much further than where he stopped the day before, but he stopped again, so I lead him forward and got straight back on and rode him down to the stream. This day, instead of stopping lots, all slight leg pressure and he thought we would trot! I did lots of 'juuuuust waaaaaalkiiiiiiiiing' to calm us both down and we had a really good ride. I am so pleased!
I hope to bring him home next weekend but my back has gone out twice in two nights so Im not sure whats happening at this stage. Still want to bring him home though. Hope my back is ok!
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