Change of Seasons

This Winter has been the coldest in quite a number of years. However with the increasing daylight and budding branches, it's quite obvious that Spring is just around the corner. So I thought it might be time to reflect over the past few months looking after Heather, who has been the only horse or pony on the yard to live out throughout.
Heather on another cold frosty morning, immobile! Whilst her shadow, Ouzo defrosts breakfast!

Really it was still Autumn when she got Mud Fever. This bacterial infection of the lower legs must be the scourge of so many horses. Essentially constantly wet skin breaks more readily allowing the bacteria in mud easy access to infect. The easiest and best prevention and cure is to take the horse out of the mud and into the dry..a stable for example. There are plenty of proprietary lotions and potions on the market which can then be applied.

Horse or Water Buffalo..with electric tape between her hind legs!! The start of the Mud Fever when the weather was still warm but wet in late October.

I was caught out by how quickly the infection spread. From the first little scabs appearing one day..too all four legs having big areas of infection all the way up to her hocks and knees with a patch on her belly which is technically Rain Scald, but the same bacteria. She became sullen and her lower legs all became swollen with movement being obviously painful and difficult for her. I really needed to get her in from the wet and was promised a stable within a week...which we never got. So I turned to an old remedy which I reasoned was the only course open to me. Pig oil and sulphur. The logic behind it is simple. Applied to clean dry legs, the oil acts as a barrier to the wet and as a carrier for the sulphur, which is an anti-bacterial agent. The beauty of this is that even for a horse living out, re-application needs only to be repeated every couple of weeks. It worked..though not instantly and with a side effect. Combined with the falling off scabs and rashes and possibly an adverse reaction to the sulphur, much of the hair on her lower legs started to come out.leaving her with bald chicken legs!
So I stopped using the oil and sulphur and now wash her legs every couple of weeks with hibiscrub and towel dry. She has had no recurrence and the hair has grown back nicely. Not a bad achievement...I think we can put that down as a victory.
By clicking on the picture you can see Heather's balding lower legs a result of the Mud Fever.

The next challenge came in the form of one of her field mates...a mare called Boo. As the grass in the field diminished, the horses ended up challenging each other for the hay that we put out. Even though there was only the three of them, it put Heather and Boo too close. Both obviously quite dominant, neither prepared to back down. Boo took to biting Heather and ripping her rug. Heather just stood there taking it!! I spent hours stitching and gluing her rugs. I even found her without one. Boo had shredded the buckles at the front. I bought a new Weatherbeeta Landa with a neck. First day on it was ripped. At this point I started researching. Someone suggested a bite repellant spray. This worked to some extent but the can cost £5 and only lasted three days!
Not a go faster stripe, no, the white on her side is the filling revealed by yet another rip from Boo, standing with Ouzo in the distance.

The Landa rugs have a ripstop 600 Denier weave..which is good enough for everyday turnout, but useless against horse bites! So after some deliberation I bought a Masta Check-Tech which has a triple weave and is a heavier 1200 Denier. I think it was the cheapest heavier weave rug I could find. Well it proved bite proof....another success! Not long after this Boo was taken out of the field anyway so Heather can wear the thinner skinned rug again without fear of a shredding.
Yet another stitch up! This time Boo managed to tear the buckles off Heather's rug. I fixed it!!

I've got used to having the car like a mobile tack and feed room. Putting on a warm coat and gloves then walking through the yard. Passing the warm cosy stables with happy horses munching neat hay nets, to the dark cold field which in the frosty and snowy weather seemed like a different world. Not that Heather seems particularly bothered by the cold, in fact I think she probably prefers Winter to Summer. She's not been head shaking since about November and quite happy to have no flies hanging around. Just as long as there's something to eat!

Happy to be out alone, so long as there's something to eat!
I've continued to hack her out with that ever elusive canter on her right rein my goal. I've learned when and where to ask and in some places with a carefully timed spin to the right she picks up right lead every time. The hard thing is getting her to do this riding away from home, she's quite willing to spin for home, but not a habit I really want to encourage. The ice and mud have also limited our outings.
Out and about, Heather keeping a wary eye on the hedgerows, always alert to a possible ambush by a squirrel !

So in the New Year I decided to try and start schooling her again. My knowledge of horses has increased and I now realise that she was never bred to do pretty things in a small arena. This is no ballerina. She has a very broad chest and stands with her fore legs wide apart suggesting a big heart and lungs and her thick winter coat and feathered legs give away her cold blood lines. She was probably bred as a light/medium weight hunter and is almost certainly Irish Draught crossed with Thorough Bred.
What a responsibility! Where on Earth has he taken me? Doesn't he know the woods are full of dangers! He's lucky to have me look after him...silly rider!

With this in mind I kept things nice and simple with nothing more than walk and trot round the outside with only simple rein changes. I managed to avoid having any fights with her and undoubtedly she then collected up and softened quite nicely. I would then take her out for a canter out of the school round Banky Meadow. Unfortunately sometime soon after this she began to go lame intermittently. Trotted up okay but after only a short time ridden, lame, limping slightly on her near foreleg.
Another good feed.

Some three weeks ago I took her out on a cold grey day. We went down Kickety Brook. Halfway round she went lame again. I made a sad decision then that this was possibly my last ride with her. The head shaking was also making a return, possibly with the increased daylight and possibly early pollen. No I have pieced together enough clues to formulate a considered answer. She has muscle wastage on her almost none existent top line. No ammount of work or feed has ever made any difference to this. I think she has arthritis to quite an extent which prevents her from achieving what she should be capable of. Which is all compounded by her head shaking which compels her to stand still to relieve the discomfort.
Heather with a rare visit to the field from Henry

Having said all that I have looked after her and worked out her ways. She's a very tough cookie, very independent for a horse. She can quite happily be the only horse in the field. She seems to attract other horses, but cares little for them, pushing them around. Very brave when ridden too. In some respects she's easier alone, as in company she is always glaring at the others. Alone she gets nervous and can be reluctant and hesitant, but when told to go, always does..which takes trust and acceptance. Not easy but predictable and reliable.
Heather like I've ever seen her before..now I know I'm trusted and accepted..after nearly 3 years.

So it was with great sadness that I was told that firstly she was for sale. I did wonder who on earth would want to buy her? Then even more grief on being told that she was leaving by the end of the week and not to return. For a number of days I went down to the field wondering if she'd still be there. I have become emotionally attached to her, I've learned so much from her. At the same time I've given her possibly the most stability and security she's had in recent years. From a semi-feral horse to a trusted friend who delighted me yet again in the morning by letting me near her lying in the field. She has not gone yet. I don't want to buy her. I have earned her trust and I marvel at her spirit. I've been touched by the same magic that has enchanted men through the ages, the spirit of the horse is priceless.

Snow.!!

Heather this morning looking quite happy with the nights dusting of snow..wondering why I've stopped to take pictures! Where's breakfast??

The weather provides us with endless conversation and interest, as do the changing seasons. It's been almost a year since Heather, the horse in my charge, has lived out. So we've lived through almost every kind of weather in that time. Still seems quite strange to me in my life away from the yard that when I return...she's still there...stood in the field! 24/7. I've had many peaceful moments stood in the field too, taking a welcome break from the 21st century, with the horses and ponies. Feeling the wind blow, seeing clouds roll away leaving the Moon to light the fox sneaking silently across the snow.

Looking a bit wary as we get close to the gate, there's deep mud just below a thin crust of snow and ice. She had a couple of slides on ice recently and doesn't trust the stuff anymore..

Snow! A rare and welcome treat. This Winter has been more like those I can remember from my childhood..cold and icy. I took these pictures today in a rare gap in the weather. An hour later and the cloud and snow fall returned. However here in Manchester we've escaped the worst, so it's hard to believe what all the fuss is about elsewhere.

Content and happy horse after a good feed and brush...ready for anything! Maybe some more snow?

Escape from the Fog!

Well I'd be a fool not to take advantage of the most settled spell of weather we've had in months. For once it's possible to plan ahead and make arrangments without having to worry. Since visiting my brother in Cardiff, the wind that plagued our walk in the Brecon Beacons has eased, giving way to calm. The downside to this has been some fog. New Years Eve started off very cold with freezing fog in Manchester..which lingered all day. Not that it bothered me one bit, because my brother Jim and I set off early to North Wales.
View from Plas Y Brenin over the frozen lake towards Snowdon

The fog stayed with us all the way through Cheshire and we didn't shake it off till we reached the coast. From then on it was dazzling...all day. We parked up by Plas Y Brenin, with a cold frosty minus 4 C down by the frozen lake. Early in the day the view towards Snowdon from here is always impressive. We spent quite a while taking snaps here and in the surrounding woodlands, which had been transformed into a bejewelled Winter wonderland.
Llyn Y Foel which sits nicely in the Cwm below Moel Siabod..iced over and rumbling!

It would have been so easy to stay in the valley along the partially frozen Ogwen. The cold air felt so clean and there was just not a breath of wind..perfect calm and serenity. Glancing up Moel Siabod, the climb for the day looked, steep and distant and totally un-necessary. However we slowly left the forest and focused on the climb.
Spectacular views and a little exposure on the ridge Daier Ddu looking back down to the lake

I really like this mountain. Moel Siabod stands alone and is quite centrally located within the park, with views from its peak possibly the best of any. It has interesting ridges with a lovely lake in the glacial Cwm, with perilously steep sides. Very impressive but easily attainable for most people. However to reach the best ridge which is approached from the East, a fearsome bog must be crossed. This bog is also possibly haunted by a friendly ghost in the form of an old woman. I was walking here previuosly with a friend whose footwear was going to be a serious issue crossing. The woman appeared suddenly and we chatted. Given her frailty and ordinary cothing, I was surprised that she'd come so high..it's a steep rocky climb. She told us that her husband had died and his ashes were scattered on the lake..she visits daily in his memory. So I asked her how she crosses the bog..daily? We followed her instructions and crossed with barely a splash. Looked back to wave, but she'd disappeared...as we climbed higher we kept looking, but there was no sight of her. She can't have moved that quickly....very mysterious!
Jim posing on the summit accompanied by a parrot!!

Which brings me back to why we decided to come this way today. The bog was frozen solid!! Ha! Even better and strangely, the air temperature was rising well above zero here. We sat by Llyn Y Foel for quite a while. The frozen surface every so often gave a resounding rumble and crack, increased and concentrated by the amphitheatre like surroundings. The water level was draining slowly below the lake and the ice was trying its best to follow, with impressive sounds.
We tried a couple of things but Jim got the best results for a quick descent on the ice!

Eventually we started the engaging climb of the East ridge, known as Daier Ddu. By staying to the right there's easy scrambling with lofty views back tothe lake below, whilst further round to the left things are easier on grassy slopes. We took our time and enjoyed the company of fellow walkers ranging from hardened mountain men to family groups spanning generations. All the time marvelling in the uniqe conditions which were making this a day to remember.
Fairytale Winter wonderland return to the valley..how are some trees white and others not touched..magic!

We found the top and admired the all round view. Which, though not disappointing, couldn't match the magic of the frozen lake and the amazing conditions of the ridge climb. The flip side of Moel Siabod is grassy and domed, with hardly a hint of the rocky ridges of the South. We did however make the most of the icy conditions in trying a few novel ways of descending. For my efforts I have a bruised elbow and had a very soggy cold bottom. Jim made good use of his pack as a makeshift tobogan! All this reminded me that it has been years since we had ice like this..and what fun!

Beacon n Eggs !

Mark, one of my two older brothers lives just North of Cardiff, South Wales, in a lovely little village. At short notice I'd arranged a visit and on early Saturday morning found myself struggling to get myself on the road early to beat the traffic. Luckily Mark texted me late the night before saying a good hearty breakfast awaited my arrival. So it was with this thought that I managed to summon enough...just enough energy to go...
Bleak aspect to the relentless climb to Corn Du...the picture doesn't do the cold wind any justice!

My efforts were well rewarded by a swift effortless drive and a timely arrival! Breakfast was every bit as good as I'd hoped, bacon, eggs, beans n toast. Just the kind of stuff to base a good day out on. Not far North of Cardiff is the Brecon Beacons National Park. This was on Marks suggestion where we drove, with the idea to walk to the highest peak in Southern Britain, Pen Y Fan. What a great way to spend a day!
Final frenzy to the summit of Corn Du with a hint of the mist to come on Pen Y Fan to the right..

I haven't walked in this range before and hadn't realised how accessible the almost twin peaks of Corn Du and Pen Y Fan are to the A470 road. We started close to the Storey Arms, just South of a small wood, along with many other walkers. Despite the clear blue sky and wall to wall sunshine, the most noticeable thing was the icy Easterly wind, which was blowing relentlessly into our faces. Bracing against this and pushing hard up a fair slope brought us sight of Corn Du. From here summit fever took hold and we soon found ourselves glorying in the achievement and celebrating by taking lots of pics of each other and getting very cold hands.
Mark, racing ahead for a closer inspection of Fan Y Big!

Pen Y Fan is barely more than a good stones throw away from Corn Du and our next peak. Up till now the sky was cloudless. Then almost as though to make things more interesting, a cold mist descended and Pen Y Fan hid...not to re-appear all day. Moody mountain! Once on the top, we did get fleeting glimpses of its North escarpment face, plunging vertically at first, in shadow and all frosty and foreboding. Exposed and cold we descended a little and found a spot out of the wind for a snack and time to decide our next move.
Looking back across to Cribyn, the North face all cold and still frosty.

Looking East, the next peak, Cribyn looked temptingly close and beyond the interestingly named Fan Y Big was definitely worth a visit. Maybe my map reading is a little rusty and perhaps my legs not quite as well used to hills recently. But the steep grassy descents and climbs between these summits really made for a testing time. Nonetheless enjoyable and the views worthwhile. Mark did really well. I'm far more accustomed to slogging up and down hills, yet he kept on going...showing more than just physical strength, as the last climb was hard.
Delightful Wild Welsh ponies, seemingly oblivious to the cold and poor grazing.

With the Winter sun lowering and shadows lengthening, the constant cold was now feeling all the keener. We retraced our steps and now made our way back. We timed our return to the car park exactly to make our rendezvous precisely for a drive back home with that glow that comes as circulation returns. Made all the easier by that dozy feeling and anticipation of a big pan of curry on the stove and steaming piles of rice!

Kauto Star..??

Boxing Day and a chance to ride. Beautiful cool clear weather and I had a plan for something a little different. I spent yesterday like many other people, eating and drinking and watching far too much tv! I really seem to have lost the knack of eating three Christmas dinners though. Anyway sunshine and blue sky soon had me up and about today.
Not quite Kauto Star...Heather today happy to be going out.

I've not kept up to date with Heather's progress here recently, I'll try and fill in some gaps soon. But essentially, she's living out, un-stabled 24/7. This has both advantages and drawbacks, but I'm keen to try and adapt to anything thrown my way. Over the holidays many of the other school horses have been turned out as well, and I half expected some trouble in the field today. Last Winter it was when all the "hooligans" were out that Heather got kicked. Fortunately I found her safe, stood in the deepest mud where the others probably wouldn't go. Not doing much to help her Mud Fever, but that's another story!
Down the lane from the yard as on so many other days...but never with such a shadow!

Soon brushed off the worst of the mud and tacked up. The wind, well breeze had picked up from the East and I was surprised how cold it was, despite the sun. I almost changed my original plan and decided to stay safe in the back outdoor school. There have been a couple of accidents out and about with riders falling and I was all too aware that there'd be plenty of walkers cyclists and loose dogs around...plus I had little light road work in mind.hence my hi-viz tabard.
87 South Drive....the house where I grew up and never in my most imaginative thoughts, dreamt I'd ride here on horseback!

So off down the lane with the sun on our backs. Quickly over the green bridge to the other side of the river. I wanted to hack over to Chorltonville and ride past the house where I grew up and where I re-settled until recently. Most people I grew up with or knew there have moved away, but I really secretly hoped to surprise an old friend...no one there would know me on horseback!
Lovely hacking through Chorlton Ees and somehow managing to find the place to ourselves.

Heather behaved impeccably all the way. We even managed to dodge a big ride from another yard..some ten or more horses heading for a pub. We didn't trample any children or kick any dogs and she stopped and waited and moved on when asked...very good horse. We went past the old house and continued down memory lane and though I was concentrating on riding I was feeling quite proud. We didn't see any familiar faces but I was pleased to be heading back to the yard without any problems...we were quite a distance away.
Urban contrast! Heather judging the graffiti under the M60 motorway..

On the way back we headed through Chorlton Ees. I really love riding through the woods there and as we were homeward bound, Heather had that extra spring in her step. Strangely enough she had her only spook of the day here....at a little girls pink bike! Blowing and snorting. It was at this point that one of the many friendly walkers we passed today commented on Heather's resemblance to a famous race horse, Kauto Star! After another such comment later on I decided to find out more...Yes at a quick glance and it seems her race double did quite well today...so that's two happy horses. As we returned to the yard, I turned round to see who was trotting so quickly behind us. A riderless horse with stirrups banging and reins flapping...rider was later found safe!

Marathon Mayhem and Personal Victory

So finally the time had come. The weather was every bit worse than the forecast. Or so it seemed to me and probably the best part of the 1500 or so fellow competitors. The wind was funnelling straight down the Pass of Llanberis, carrying a sharp steady rain, from Pen Y Pass, four miles up the valley. Gusts were strong enough to knock runners sideways and large people were useful to hide behind! The gradient isn't really that steep but steady, though today it was tough and I was conscious of starting comfortably. I was a little disappointed that it took 39 minutes to reach the top of the climb.
Minutes before the start at Nant Peris, with the climb up to Pen Y Pass in the background

A change of direction and now downhill. I found it difficult to find a good rhythm and I was worried about my left knee. I was cold and soaked to the skin. We were now running on roads still open to traffic which made for an unwelcome distraction and I was trying hard to relax. After only 7 miles my left knee pain began! At least I now had something to focus on...
Moments after finishing the 2008 Snowdonia Marathon....and taking tightly fitting cap off!

Beddgelert is at 12 miles and had good cheering crowds outside warm cosy pubs...and the start of a steady climb up towards Rhyd Ddu, where a year ago I'd stood watching this very race. My knee was not getting any worse and I'd kept myself well hydrated and fuelled. People infront of me now seemed to be slowing. At 13 miles I glanced at the time 1:56. I realised that my dream of finishing in under four hours was probably out of reach...if only the weather was kinder! Somehow or other I was now starting to eat up runners and my confidence started to rise. Somewhere at about 17 miles my race number which had been flapping annoyingly on it's two remaining safety pins, finally ripped free in a very strong gust. In a field near Betws Garmon there is a sheep now sporting number 754.
Timer and T-shirt!!

At 21 miles is the so called Welsh Wall...the climb up from the village of Waunfawr to the exposed tops leading over and down to the finish at Llanberis. Had I gone too fast in the last few miles? Something inside me said under four hours...But I was now confronted with everyone infront of me walking!! Surely this was wrong. I was not sure what to do as this was the only part of the course I knew nothing about...apart from its notoriety. So I kept up a steady slow jog. I was hurting yes..but no worse than in my training on the Orme. Then I saw the way down to the finish...steep. Great, I had the legs and the head for this. This is my kind of ground. This part of the course is on rough track, muddy and rocky. I descended like a madman...the gale force wind now pushing from behind, the rain couldn't keep up!! Fantastic...a glance at the time and I knew I was in! I sprinted over the line with the broadest smile that hid the tears as every possible emotion burst out at once. For a moment I was totally overwhelmed...this was a mammoth achievement. I finished 347th out of 1500 in 3 hours and 56 minutes...with legs to spare!!

Countdown to the crunch..

This will be my last update on my on going training, simply because the race is this Saturday at 1030!
Following my last update my mood was upbeat and confident, despite hurting myself on my 21 miler. However only a couple of days later I aggravated an old back injury, which was uncomfortable enough to almost stop me running for two weeks. With some careful stretches and lots of hot baths..and cold beer, I nursed my self fit enough to get on my feet again.

Evenings are dark and leaves are falling..my two month old shoes smell like a cat's peed in them...and have they lost their spring?

So last week I decided to get one last long run on the Orme under my belt to hopefully boost my confidence back up. I wanted to make sure I still could make some sort of distance, but was very aware that any injury now could impact the big day itself. I completed three circuits, sixteen miles. I ran defensively...what almost felt slowly, but trying to remain as relaxed as I could. I only dropped a minute each time round but felt so much happier in myself. I also managed to stave off the stiffness I'm prone to, in my neck and shoulders by periodicly letting my arms flop by my side as I ran. There is always a down side though. At thirteen miles my left knee began to complain....not good news. At the end I was okay and my knee was fine later, but I know it would have got progressively worse.

I've done my shopping and will use all this lot to some extent on the day...not forgetting plasters, of course..

My race number is 754. Jos has promised to drive me there on Saturday morning and help pick up what's left of me at the end. I'm looking ahead at the weather forecast and hoping for a nice day. Though it looks like it's going to be windy...just hope it's not raining too! This is after all reputadly the toughest marathon on the calendar...I'm starting to understand why! I know I've got the stamina and strength to finish...I don't know if my knee will hold up, I'm hoping for the best!