Our Christmas Ride...

This time of year always seems so busy. Christmas is knocking on the door and I'm forever unprepared for it. I've never been able to get myself organised in advance, that'd be cheating and to me, diluting that festive feeling. However the mad rush and crush, that comes anywhere near something resembling a shop at this time of year, has me quickly beating a retreat! Consequently I'm not very good with presents and cards. Which doesn't mean that I don't like this time of year. I just wish it was less of a frenzy and competition.

Since my last post, the weather has turned cold. Jack frost has been a regular visitor. The lake which formed in the bottom field shrank to a decent pond size. Now it has frozen solid and the kids are sliding on it! Horses and ponies fortunately seem to be giving it a wide berth!

This week has been the London Horse Show at Olympia. I managed to catch some of it on television. This is my original inspiration and interest in horses. Years ago, on Winter's nights like these. I remember sitting next to the Christmas tree in the huge living room in the family home. Log fire roaring, probably with homework to do. But for some reason I loved watching the show jumping. Perhaps it was fun to see the odd rider fall initially. Nothing like a few spills to get the interest up! But later I think I began to appreciate the horses movement. All that power, with grace. There is something so magical about a good horse and rider combination. So even now with my enhanced knowledge. When I watched the other night, I was not looking at details. I was looking through the eyes of a fourteen year old boy, innocently enjoying the show.

Back in those days I did dream of someday riding out along the river banks near home on cold frosty mornings. Recently I've realised these dreams. I still sometimes have to pinch myself. However, dreams are just that. In reality frost, ice and horses are not the best mixture. So I've been keeping a weather eye out for a chance to ride. Both the outdoor schools have been frozen solid. The indoor used almost exclusively for lessons. So when the forecast was for rain, then clearing, yesterday afternoon. I made sure I got on with my Christmas duties before.

Was grey, cold and wet. But the rain had melted the ice and frost as I tacked Heather up. She hadn't been ridden for six days, with very limited turnout. So was hoping she'd be nice and light. Dressed her up in her hi-vis rain sheet and off we went...

Down the lane from the yard, the ice in the puddles had melted. The top layer of mud was soft, but there were still frozen ruts beneath. So we just walked, giving her stiff legs a chance to loosen up. Nice to see some of the Winter visiting birds like Redwing taking advantage of all the ripe berries on offer. The wet Summer seems to have been good for something after all..

We followed the Banky Meadow route. Along the sandy track, which runs next to the Carrington Spur, a very busy A road. Heather got a little bit giddy and for a few moments had me slightly concerned. I'm not used to being on a flighty animal. Usually I'm having to try for every step. I think the noise of the traffic was the turning point for her. Suddenly started jogging with her head held high. When I put leg on she did a mini buck, bronced off her fore legs and gave a little squeel!! We had a bit of sideways and some more jogging and squeeling. Took quite a while before she settled. Fortunately we meet no cars on the road to the rugby club.

Went to visit the youngsters who are still in their unofficial paddock. They still look as good as could be expected for being out with no attention. The grass in there field looks poor now though. On the outside I let H graze for a while, while I took in the Winter scenery. The Sun starting to set below a clearing sky. Geese flew overhead and the Moon started to rise up from the opposite direction. Time to head home, where before long, the yard turned to ice. So we did well to get out as we did. I'm working through Christmas, so this was really our Christmas ride...another good one. No two rides are ever the same..just the way I like it.

Too Much Rain...

So far this month, the weather has really turned wet. The air temperature has ranged from Winter's worst freezing to a strangely Spring-like mildness. The wind has blown from every direction, from a breeze to a gale, sometimes all at once. Making for some very confused days! Above all it's been wet! The bottom turnout field has a lake forming and migrating ducks are looking to over Winter with us! So with a rare break in the rain, drove to the yard with one purpose. Get out and ride.

Rachel very kindly puts Heathers morning net in for me most mornings. This is such a help to me, especially when I'm working. I'd find it impossible to get away from the airport at such a busy time.

So on this morning, found Heather, happily tucking into a plump netfull. I knew there'd be trouble as soon as I put her tack on the stable door. She gave me a dirty glance, flicked her ears back, swished her tail and stamped a foot! Went on eating and gave a big sigh. Pretty obviously saying, "go away and don't bother me!" I can sympathise because I'd be pretty angry if someone put a big fat fry-up infront of me, let me nibble the bacon, only to then confiscate the lot. Plus then forcing me to go and run in the cold!

Still no excuse for the behaviour I got next. Took her rug off and started brushing her. At times like these it's good to be sharp witted. After only a few strokes of a soft body brush, got the first turn of her head and threat of a bite! Pushed her away and carried on. This went on. Now moved to her hind quarters, out of biting range. She's never kicked at me in the stable. Twitched a leg in warning yes, until today. Not once, but three times. I kept brushing and she got a jab of my knuckles in her flanks if she threatened to kick. Not to mention a good shouting at!! She eventually let out another big sigh, settled down and let me finish in peace.

I have noted that on occasions like this, she usually puts out a good performance when ridden. So happily we were soon setting off down a very wet lane. With almost as much water as mud, with very little ground so to speak. Quite a strong gusty wind blowing from somewhere in the North, making me wonder whether I shoud have put gloves on!

With all the recent rain the river was very high. The weir under the green bridge was washed out. With a big standing wave just downstream of the new kayak egress steps. A point of interest, should I ever decide to paddle on rivers again.

As we crossed the bridge I was on the look-out for any of the bits of tree and logs floating down. Ever wary of her fears of anything croccodile shaped! I think she was told tall stories when only a foal. Because unless she lived in a zoo previously, she wouldn't know a croc from a lion. Perhaps there's the trouble. Must bring her some pictures...

To keep things fresh, we went left on the opposite side. The track goes up through a nice little wood, then over a stile. Opening out to a field, bordered by the river below and paths running round and across. Soggy and slippery in places but good enough for a careful canter elsewhere. We had it to ourselves and enjoyed every minute. She got quite strong any time we vaguely pointed in the direction of home. So I was careful and aware to slow her gently on the greasy turf.

Next, took her up towards Kickety Brook, along the swollen river. We had a difference of opinion along the way. Which ended with her flicking her heels up, then trying to walk down the bank towards the water!! I think she realised she'd made a bad mistake. Thankfully I convinced her my way would be easier in the long run.

We went well together from then on. Had some nice trot and a short canter. Before finding the track flooded infront. This section often has water on it, which is not deep. I also know the ground underneath is good and not muddy. So after carefully checking it at walk, turned round and cantered fast, through..making a splendid splash. Fantastic fun!! She's very brave.. Reluctantly headed for home, knowing the lower banks this way would be flooded. She was tired..though I think she was putting it on, when we returned. The wind had really picked up and getting quite cold. So she got her haynet back.

Good to Catch

I've been looking after Heather for eighteen months now. We've both been learning together and there have been plenty of testing moments along the way. She had been turned away for a few months before I started loaning her. During this time she pretty much established herself at the top of the herd. So not surprisingly she was very difficult to catch. I didn't know her then, but it apparently took a few days of patience and bravery to finally bring her in.

In those early days I was warned she may still be difficult to catch. Indeed the first time I tried, she'd let me get so close....only to trot off as soon as I got too close. This lasted half an hour or so. I just kept following her round. I did cheat, having a bucket of feed. Which made me very nervous, as all the others soon spotted it and I became some sort of pied piper. Every horse and pony in the field wanting to be my friend, except the one I wanted! However after this first test, she became more willing to be caught. I stopped bringing a bucket with feed, a more discrete carrot stashed in a pocket worked just as well. So through the first Winter, things were all going well.

In early April we found ourselves temporarily homeless when her stable block was demolished! With no spare place for her, she went back to living out. Not a worry for a horse who'd spent so long out without much attention previously. I did wonder, though, if she'd get used to her freedom too much and become difficult again. I needn't have worried and a few times she came to greet me as I brought her a haynet. In fact this is probably when I first started to call her over and magically she came. I was so pleased and proud to have her seem to acknowledge me like this.

That was until she went into a field with fresh, lush grass in June. Went to catch her one morning, having left her out the previous night. I got the shock of my life when she snatched the carrot out of my hand...pinned her ears back, bared her teeth and span round showing me both feet!! Then proceeded to chase me out of the field.. Scary stuff! Managed to catch her in full flow on a pic. Took lots of bravery and cunning to catch her, two days later. Used one of the willing girls from the pony barn!

Since then there has been no repetition of that silliness. Things have got so good that I can reliably call her from the gate and most times she comes. Which was always my aim. Sometimes I don't get to the yard till after dark. So knowing I don't have to go searching a dark muddy field gives me the confidence to turn her out more..good for both of us!

Two consecutive nights last week gave two extremes though. On the Thursday I went to call her in. I hit the metal gate with the clip on her lead rope and call her name. I got a distant whinny. With all the recent rain, ducks have taken to roosting in the field. Next thing I heard was panicking duck sounds and some serious splashing! Out of the dark loomed the distinctly unbalanced Heather cantering straight at the gate. Stop!! Thought she was going to jump it. Skidded to a halt infront of me and greeted me like a long lost friend. What fantastic feeling to have her seem so keen.

Next night. Called from the gate. Silence. Waited, called again...waited ten minutes..nothing, no horse! Strange. Went looking. It was cloudy and I could make out all the others in the field, all ponies. Went round the whole field looking at the fences and surrounding ditches. Certainly no sight nor sound of H. I was getting quite worried as she'd been out all afternoon, most unlike her not to be around. With out any doubt she was not in the field. Started to go round again, when suddenly she appeared by my side! Very relieved..also a little angry. Where had she been? She was not interested in her haynet..mmmh! Wherever she went, she ate well!