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At last I've knuckled down to some long overdue projects at home. I have know one to push me and one thing I know about myself. I'm not a homemaker. I constantly find myself torn between society's "rules" and expectations..and my own desires for a simple life! I've got new carpets coming in just over a week and I've suddenly realised that I need to do some prepartion. Somehow or other, as DIY projects tend to. Painting skirting boards has turned into stripping wallpaper..which turned into repairing plaster...which meant another visit to B and Q. A fate almost as bad as visiting IKEA. My conclusions are that people who willingly embark on such madness, as painting and decorating must have a serious problem in life. There can be nothing more soul destroying. That's how I felt this afternoon. I needed a very quick fix, of what others may see as my own madness...
Heather had new shoes today. Which went well with my silly painting plans, as I wasn't sure when the farrier would turn up. So after my second visit to the yard at two-ish, found H, with new footwear. Chucked her out into the mud and unable to face more stripping, went shopping!! Which is probably when I decided to ride out in the dark!
To be perfectly honest, everything slotted right into place. I needed a reward for my trials of the day. I've been wanting to hack out in the dark for quite a while. I bought a hi-viz sheet and leg strips ages ago. She even has a hi-viz headcollar for the field, though she doesn't need it, as she comes to a call most times. Like tonight!
So, all tacked up, me with a headtorch and a red bike lamp strapped to my leg..off we went. A perfect night to try this. Mild...some cloud to reflect the street lights of nearby civilisation and hardly a breath of wind. Off the yard no probs and splashing through mud and puddles down the lane, which seemed soo dark! Heather was quite lively, ears pricked, she was obviously more aware than in daylight. She did misplace a foot now and then, but put that down to new shoes. Surely with the number of carrots she eats, she must have near perfect night sight.
Kept it simple and stayed this side of the river and went round Banky Meadow. Was interested to see how her head shaking would be. I'd taken her net off her bridle. True to form, during the whole ride she was perfect, no head shaking. This horse goes well in the dark...and in the rain...a challenging enough combination for most riders! Though as usual, without anything else to bother her, she was quite spooky. She's good though. More than once she started shying and blowing. Despite me being almost blind..I pushed her on...I think she was looking for re-assurance. So she didn't really make too much fuss. Riding in the dark definately tests your balance!
We said hello to the youngsters. I'm growing fond of the chestnut who always leads them and is very bold. Before trotting off homewards. Almost unbelievably, we came head on with three other horses. Lit like Christmas trees. So we weren't alone after all. Another totally different ride on a horse who just seems to go from strength to strength. Fantastic!!! I'm looking forward to some moon lit canters next time...
Last Saturday afternoon was my first chance to ride Heather, with her newly clipped coat. I've had lots of remarks complimenting me on how good she looks. She's becoming an impressive looking horse. Like so many things in life, it's all too easy to focus on and remember bad points. Because I see her everyday and know her problem areas, perhaps I look at these too hard. To someone else looking in with fresh eyes. The overall picture is of a beautiful, well conditioned horse, with quite a presence. So I should do well to celebrate everything good more often.
We went over the green bridge. The wind again gusting to a gale. funnelled along the riverbanks. Whilst still being very aware how little it takes to startle a horse. I am beginning to trust her more in windy conditions. Really I'm more nervy than she is, looking out for things that may scare her..but rarely do. We had a good canter along, not even those devilish geese seemed to bother her today.
This all changed when we turned for home at TGI's bridge. When asked to walk, she lept straight into canter. I could so easily have just let her keep going, enjoy the ride...However, she must not be allowed to make decisions. So back to walk! Well sort of...Unusually the silly mare was now jogging and throwing her head up. Followed by a prance and dance in just about any and every direction. Momentarily I felt worried, alone and far from home! So thankfully managed to find a handfull of bravery and applied it with confidence, re-taking charge. So after a nice controlled walk, asked for canter..on my terms.
On the way home we disturbed a Buzzard, sitting on a low fence. Further proof of the rich wildlife here. Not so long ago such a sighting would have made headline news at the RSPB. Whilst not common here yet, it's fantastic to see such magnificent birds, such a short way from suburbia. A bonus of riding, I've noticed that birds are less wary of a horse and rider. If I'd been on foot, the Buzzard would never have let me get so close.
What made this ride especially memorable for me, was the last quarter of a mile, along the lane to the yard. For a while now I've been asking with half halts and lots of leg in walk. Hoping that Heather will start to accept the bit, come into some sort of shape. To my utter amazement, she softened...and stayed soft. Her neck was beautifully arched and I could feel her playing with the bit. I was having to balance between too little leg and too much hand, but previously she'd only shown a few steps before losing her shape. Then becoming argumentative again. She even trotted in a shape and I felt her back round and her hind legs lift under her. The "wooden horse" is slowly but surely coming back to life. In no small part down to me. So I was literally floating..on quite an emotional high for a couple of days after. She hasn't been as good since. So I'm wondering whether the combination of her recent clip on that windy day stirred up something within her. Firstly to have her little strop at the bridge, then later to drop into such a lovely relaxed state. I just hope there's more to come.
Monday started cold and crisp. One of those get up quick...jump for joy, sort of dazzling days! The weather looked settled for the week ahead..brilliant! To the yard early, I had intended riding in one of the outdoors. However, both were being used for lessons, so took Heather into the indoor. Planned half an hours schooling, with hopefully no fighting! Indeed she warmed up quite nicely. So decided to give canter a try on her favoured left rein. No problems really. Did plenty of transitions and sharpened her to canter from a standstill. So with things going so well, decided to give her a go in canter, on her weak right side. Got the usual superfast trot, or a canter on the wrong leg. Tried and tried..again and again. Till at last..a Eureka moment..she picked up on the correct leg. Kept her going a full circuit, before I let he trot. To canter in here where it's tight on her weak side is yet another first..another improvement. I wanted to finish on a good note, so left it at that. Time for some fun..
No real plan, just to relax and enjoy being out. Now late morning and already a gorgeous Autumn day. No wind and warm in the wall to wall sunshine, with a hint of frost in the shade.
Not really sure how it all came about, we started off visiting the five youngsters out near Banky Meadow. Still there and looking happy to have our company.
Next we ended up crossing the green bridge and heading for Kickety Brook. Testimony again to how willing Heather now is to going where she's asked..not just straight home. Though we passed the lane, which she knows leads there. On the banks, where we might normally have a canter was a crane and a work crew, re-contouring the lower bank. So not wanting to return yet, the only other choice was to head towards Turn Moss, through the long tunnel.
We had a good explore of Chorlton Ees and a canter along the fields at Hawthorn Lane. Where Heather put in a huge sideways spook as we passed a log! Once I realised I was still on board, I couldn't stop laughing out loud. This is fantastic..so much fun..such a brave but silly horse! From now on, and there were plenty more..every log was a croccodile or worse. Poor mare must think I'm totally potty putting us in so much danger. But she knows who feeds her and now only goes along to make sure I don't come to any harm! Gone are the days of standing still. This is now the go anywhere mare!
We soloed (if that's possible), all the way to Chorlton Waterpark, another first! In our recent visits in company, we'd actually skipped the lake, with it's crowds and loose dogs on a weekend. Crossing the river to return on the opposite, quieter side. Today there was hardly anyone around, so I dared to ride along one side. She reacted in a similar way to when I took her to Sale Waterpark. Really on her toes..taught, felt like she'd grown a few inches! Most definately wired, ears pricked, not missing a trick. I was very much aware of her feelings and didn't want to push my luck. I could sense that it wouldn't take much set her off! Though three ducks did land with a swoosh...and she only took two steps back! We walked calmly down one side. I'd like her to have a good memory of this place, to want to return. I've been so thrilled with such a lovely day and another great ride.
She was more than happy to canter all the way along the banks, homeward to Jacksons Boat. Wasn't even out of breath! I just completed my longest solo ride...and my longest blog...
Must have been around April or May when someone at the yard handed me a thumbnail article from Horse and Hound magazine. Liverpool University Vet School at Leahurst, were looking for head shaking horses, on which to trial a feed supplement. Developed in association with a NAF a specialist Equine feed supplement manufacturer. Designed to alleviate the symptoms.
A chance not to be missed. After being granted permission from her owner. I quickly emailed the University. I soon received a reply accepting Heather onto the trial. Not long after, an information pack and questionnaire.
The trial was to take place through the Summer months. A time when most head shakers are at their worst. Heather unfortunately shows symptoms throughout the year. She was to be videoed three times at work. Once before the trial. Then again after each of one months trial feed supplement. There would be one active tub and one placebo of similar colour and taste. I was to feed two scoops in each feed. With a two week period between.
Helen, the technician from the University arrived promtly for the first and all subsequent visits. I was a little anxious as Heather was still slightly lame in her near hind fetlock. Would have been very embarrassing to put a lame horse infront of the vets school! I explained this and so trotted Heather round the school in hand. Obviously a horse doesn't work as hard without a rider. Whereas I was the one with a very red face, sweating and blowing hard after ten minutes trying hard to get Heather worked up! Consequently Heather hardly showed a sign of head shaking..and I felt more than a little silly. Most importantly, we got the first tub of supplement "Trial Supplement 1."
So I fed it to her religiously, two scoops in each feed for a month. Sadly, though I hoped and hoped, there was no change in her behaviour and I continued to use the nose net to ride
The second video shoot followed. I'd hacked her out beforehand, down a wooded track where she head shakes most. It was quite a warm day and it wasn't long before she warmed up and began to throw her head about. So I was confident to get this behaviour captured on camera.
Unfortunately our only choice of arena was being used by a bunch of girls on some of the school ponies. I had worked Heather individually in the school, in preparation for this video. So wasn't ready, though not totally surprised by her reaction, to being in close company with all these ponies. Not only did she more or less ignore me. But insisted on putting her ears back, pulling faces and threatening everyone else. So the video this time consisted of me, looking the Worlds worst rider, half beating up a very angry horse. Displaying everything, but head shaking!
I filled out the questionnaire for Helen, embarrassingly dripping sweat all over it. My mind was blank with all the effort and I think I filled in half the simple questions, the wrong way round...Also remember adding on the sheet, that this was not the active supplement...So fingers crossed for the second tub. "Trial Supplement A."
I first ate Crepe on a family holiday to Brittany, many years ago. We stayed for a month in a huge old Manoir in Pont L'Abbe. Some of my memories of this and other early childhood holidays are so strong and vivid. Not just sights and sounds, but taste and smell. I ate, amongst other things for the first time, delicious, crusty fresh bread each morning. Artichokes served simply with a vinargrette. All sorts of new and interesting sea food. Langoustine and spider crab, oysters and mussels.The butcher made sausages to order..right there in the shop, fantastic. Then there was the creperie....where again everything was made fresh. I remember being totally in love with these wafer thin pancakes..usually eaten simply with a sprinkling of sugar and lemon juice.
Last Shrove Tueday..Pancake Day, I invited some friends over to eat. As I was buying ingredients, I suddenly remembered Crepe. Wondered how easy they might be to make. A quick search on the web brought a confusing array of recipes. Here is my version of one I followed that day. I've changed it sufficiently, to now claim it as my own!
To make approximately 12 Crepe you will need;
3 Medium Eggs
1 Cup of plain white flour, seived
1 1/2 cups of full fat milk
Pinch of salt
1 Tablespoon of sugar
50 grams, equating to 4 tablespoons of clarified butter.
Quite simply put all the ingredients, except the butter, into a blender. Blend for one minute on full power!
Now strain the batter through a seive. Set the mixture aside for at least an hour, using a kitchen towel to cover it. Preferably leave the mixture longer..a few hours is best.
Melt the butter gently. I have had some success using a microwave oven on defrost for thirty seconds. Now carefully separate the clear butter from the whiteish deposits in the bottom.
Whisk four tablespoons of the clarified butter into the batter mixture.
I don't have a proper crepe pan. So I use my largest, thickest frying pan. Set a medium high heat. Making crepe is for the brave in the kitchen. The hotter the pan the better...as long as it doesn't stick!! Use a piece of kitchen towel lightly dipped into the remaining butter to oil the frying pan. There'll be quite a puff of smoke if the pan's hot!
Now for the first one. I use a 1/3 cup measure for each one. Pour it onto the pan and tilt to coat the whole surface. Don't worry about it sticking! The edges will come up a little and using the back of a tablespoon lift the edge. Lightly lift and flip the crepe onto the otherside. Now cook this side whilst shaking the pan, for perhaps a couple of minutes.
The brandy is for the chef and entirely optional, though thoroughly recommended. The first crepe can be seen as experimental. You may need more..or less heat. Or if the mixture is too thick. In which case carefully add more milk to the batter and re-whisk. Crepe are best thin...but don't take this too far!
Have fun cooking and eat any that might go wrong! Or why not eat the best ones yourself! Try and find a willing slave to wash up but remind them that the pan is hot enough to turn water to steam!
Serve the crepe stuffed with ham and cheese for a savoury suggestion. Or simply with sugar and lemon juice. With chocolate spread like Nutella, for a tasty breakfast treat.
Towards the end of this week, the weather's become more varied. Ranging from mild, dull wet grey days to this mornings dazzling sunshine. In between, the wind has picked up from the Southwest and veered round to the North, sending a shiver,all the way down from the Arctic.
I'm enjoying a short break from work. Quite easily falling into what feels like a second job at the stables. I like to ride early, turn her out then get on with tasks. Also starting to do more schooling. I'm facing my third Winter at the yard. Already due to nasty weather it's the indoor arena where we start the days riding.
Without going into much detail, this time last year I could hardly get Heather to walk, let alone canter in here. That was all down to her dominance and my weakness! Once those issues were resolved, by last Easter. She was still so unbalanced and rushed that I still couldn't canter her in here. The indoor school is tighter and really more of an oval, making it all an effort for this straight line horse. So although progress seems slow, there are lots of positives. After a good warm up, she canters freely on her stronger left rein, No fuss, no arguing, straight from a standstill. So her fitness and willing are massively improved. On the right rein..no canter. She runs and gets all flustered and does her funny little bunny hops at me. No worry, as she's sweated up now, it's time to go out.
The Banky Meadow route has a field owned by Trafford Council. Not sure who, but someone keeps leaving ponies or foals in here. It's a lovely piece of ground and ideal for horses, other than there's no shelter. As suddenly as they appear, horses vanish. Anyway, these are three of five very fresh faced youngsters who came to say hello to us on our way round. Interestingly, Heather payed them not the slightest bit of interest...not even a sniff. I wonder how long these will be here?
I've said how Heather needs a clip. Today it happened. Seeing her reaction to clippers last week, I knew drastic action was going to have to be used. So when I heard that one of the liveries horses was to be sedated for clipping, I started asking questions.
So this morning at half ten, I was holding onto Heather's head-collar, with the vet about to inject! As the needle went in she gave such a lurch and pulled up very hard. Thankfully the sedative kicked in almost immediately. Otherwise she'd have had us both cringing for cover! This reaction again vindicated my decision to have her sedated.
So strange to lead a horse half doped up! A few tottering steps out of her stable into the corridor were enough. Ange, very kindly had offered to clip her. Within a few minutes the fur was falling off in waves. We were told the sedative would last for about an hour, which would probably be about as long as we'd get from the clipper battery. So there was a sense of urgency!
The original plan was for a blanket clip. Despite the sedative, for the first few minutes, she did twitch and move her hind legs. All the way through, her tail swished with typical mareishness. So the chaser clip ended up being the best compromise. In reality, she was like a lamb all the way through. She showed signs of coming round, just before we got her armpits properly done. So thankfully she seemed to drift off again. We even got time to sort her mane out with some scissors, before finally with a big sigh and an itchy shake, she came back to life...instantly!
Back in her stable, she kept making the stangest low, deep sounds, whilst looking round at her bare flanks. "What happened!" written all over her face... She didn't wander far from the gate when I turned her out later.But all in all I think it's for the best. She was taking so long to dry after only ten minutes work. She looks good anyway. There's a hint of her dapple showing, which was coming through in her Summer coat. I've learned tons more. Again I have to thank Ange for making this happen.
Heather needs clipping this year. After Thursday evenings late lesson, I'd towelled her as dry as possible. Not wanting her to catch a chill, I put her fleece on. I know from my own walking experience, that moisture wicks through fleece to the surface, leaving the skin dry. So I was surprised to find her still wet the following morning. I had planned to ride, but had to stand her in the sun and gentle breeze to dry! Despite a lovely clear night, the air temperature had barely dipped to the low teens. This Autumn weather continues to be kind, but puzzling for a horse who thought it was Winter already! I have certainly never clipped a horse. At the yard recently, hardly a day goes by without the sound of clippers, often accompanied by the sound of clattering hooves. Not many horses seem too keen on having their haircut! I do remember as a very young lad being held down myself as some brawny barber zzz-ed my head. After a while it's actually quite relaxing...as long as there are no nicks. So I thought I'd introduce H to some clippers. I could have guessed... No sooner had I switched them on, she made a lunge at me, ears flat back. Threatened to spin in the stable and kick. Mmmh..think I'm going to need help.
We did get out eventually and had a lovely ride. Took her out onto the far side and up to the A56 bridge by TGI Fridays. Always seems so strange to be in apparent countryside, then suddenly smacked in the face with the smell of steak n chips, and heavy traffic. Normally Heather now likes to eat some grass and have a rest before cantering home again. Something was bothering her today and she was very twitchy. All it took was a duck to land on the river to set her off. That sudden lightning reaction that, which could be enough to unseat a rider. Quickly followed by a few steps in which ever direction! Silly horse. She'd now got it into her mind that there were monsters lurking and she was on the menu! Even the geese were devils and demons and not to be trusted. Despite the fuss here I pushed her on. Instead of going home after the green bridge, took her round the Banky Meadow loop. Here the scariest potential situation arose. Down near the waterworks on the right a cement mixer lorry was unloading...with men in dayglo spreading concrete. On the immediate left a road sweeping machine in full flow, bristles spinning and water jets hissing! Infront an HGV with a tractor on the back. With all that noise and fuss I was sure there was going to be trouble. After all, today she was terrified of a duck! So was very thankfull when she walked through all that commotion without a snort!
Sunday was another glorious day. Started off foggy and cold. The Sun soon burned through it all. Three of us met, with a view of reaching Chorlton Waterpark again. We changed our route slightly this time by going through the nature reserve at Chorlton Ees. All this area is on my back door step. I know it all like the back of my hand having grown up here. So now it's so strange, but thrilling to see it all from horseback. There is in fact no reason why I can't ride all the way to my back gate and tie a horse up there. Something for another day perhaps.
One drawback from it being such a lovely Sunday. It seemed half the good, and bad, folk of Chorlton had come out. Many with unruly, uncontrolled dogs and children. Not so many people ride over this area and there is still some ignorance of horses. Despite our slowing to walk near people and smiling and greeting politely. We did encounter some rudeness and were blanked by as many people, as those who smiled back. What a pity.
One of the horses, Garfield, is a sensitive soul. Perhaps all this was a little too much for him. So once in a while he tried to convince us that it might be nice to turn for home. We did eventually. Shared our stories with others over a coffee outside the cafe back at the yard..perfect.
I've had my unicycle for about a month, I suppose. At first it seemed that this was going to be an impossible task. Could hardly get near the thing, let alone sit on it! My first tentative wobbles were made in the secrecy of my flat...late at night! Talking this through with someone at work. They were amazed at my stupidity. Reminding me that I live on the second floor, with floor to ceiling windows!! So 
the image of me crashing through the window, followed by the one wheeled thing put even me off!
I've become quite skilled in eyeing up good places to practice. Not only do I look for good level surfaces, but equally important, I'm after privacy. I suppose pride should really go out the window when wielding a unicycle. Really there's nothing at all serious about it. However my pride gets in the way of just letting go. Don't weant to look a complete fool.
I have taken to rattling along the garages at the back. So ineveitably I've been seen by my neighbours. The ones that know me, laugh and ask the usual sort of things. "Couldn't you afford the other wheel", being a favourite. The people who don't know me, daren't look me in the eye and talk in worried whispers. Which all goes to add to the fun of the thing.
I only ever practice for five minutes or so at a time. Takes longer for a mid lifer like myself to wire my body and brain to the new reactions and sensations. So in reality I've hardly spent more than a couple of hours on it. Still I'm making progress. I have so far attained one complete revolution, which probably translates to ten feet travelled, before the inevitable topple. I can't report any serious mishaps or accidents, and the local hospitals have been stood down from their alert state.
All in all I'm enjoying the distraction of learning to master this most useless contraption. Looking forward to being able to show off sometime. There is something so dis-arming about its charm.
I've been riding on a Thursday night, in the same group for quite a while. Originally I took lots of private, one to one lessons. These really saw me off to a very good start and my early instructor, at that time pushed me quite hard. However after a while I began to wonder about riding in a group.
Various reasons. Although in myself I reject serious, hard headed competition. Without a doubt I have a very competitive streak in me. This is a constant dilema for me. The reluctant winner. Yes sums me up nicely! So I wanted a yardstick as to how good I actually was. Also the one to one lessons were very, very intense. Watching a few group lessons from outside. Realised that the focus was only on one rider at a time. Plenty of time to catch your breath and watch someone else.!! Most of all it looked like more fun than I was having...quite sociable.
Of course it didn't help that I was joining a group with all female riders. Who all knew each other. Making me feel more self concious. So I really did feel a little out of place at first. Once on board my horse for that lesson I can remember soon getting into the riding and wondering what all my silly reservations had been about. Haven't looked back since. Made some very good friends too.
Last nights lesson was a little different. I had originally cancelled, for a rare chance to see a band in town. Singer got a sore throat! So quickly got my place back in the lesson. Turned out to be only four of us as opposed to the usual seven or eight. With one new rider! How I know the feeling...
We were in the smaller back arena. Which meant Heather and in turn I, were going to be working hard. The smaller the arena, the more turning and flexing.
She warmed up nicely. While I've been working the last four days, she's had good rest and turnout. So it was nice to find her quite responsive. Once cantering, she didn't really want to stop. So had to keep her calm for once. An hour is a long time for her. Didn't want to burn her all out. Most importantly she cantered on her much weaker right rein. She picked up the correct lead nearly every time. We even cantered a 20 metre circle on that rein. So again, more progress. I must remember that in the hard moments of schooling alone...the seeds are being sown for better things. Keep pushing on. This horse continues to surprise and delight me. I love this. She needed a good towelling down after. Really seemed to enjoy the massage that came with trying to dry her off!
