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 =)
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