Picture challenge - Summer Pics

My fellow blogger, Johanna, challenged me to post some summer pictures on my blog. I guess it's the winter that just keeps plodding on that makes us want to look back to the summer days. 

The challenge doesn't have any particular rules, can have as many pics as I like. The only rule is that each picture should have a one-word caption. 

I only bought Rainbow in July 2012, so I don't have that many summery pictures yet... And having flicked through what I have, all I can say that boy what a wet summer we had here in the UK! 

I've put the pictures in a loose chronological order, starting with the very first picture of us together. Hope they make sense :)

Together

Vetting

Mine

Lush

Wet

Mates

"The A-Team" ;)

"The A-Team Vol.2"

Now, the rules didn't mention videos.... Here's one of the first videos of Rainbow from last summer. I love the way she comes really close to the camera and clearly is only after treats. I know my place... :)

Some photos from Sunday

In my previous post I apologised for not having uploaded enough pictures. Well, I took heed – and once I had finished typing, I hopped to the yard, as friend texted to see if I wanted to do a hack before taking the horses to the field for the afternoon – I made sure I took a few snaps.

So, here a couple of pics of us when we got back from our hack. 

What to do when sudden nerves take over?

All was needed was a casual suggestion from a friend in the middle of this week to go on a hack on Saturday, and potentially canter a bit too. Ever since, I was a nervous wreck just thinking about the hack. I had said yes, of course, because I really wanted to take R out. I enjoy hacking out at weekends when there's more time, quieter roads and our busy riding school yard is full of riders of all ages attending their weekly dose of horsiness, so it's good to get out of their way. 

But because of R's antics on the hack a couple of weeks ago, I have again built up massive nerves about casual cantering on a hack. I fear that I am not able to control her and she'll start bucking again. I don't want to fall off on a hack, as it could be really painful and I am afraid of losing Rainbow, in case she gallops off as a result. 

Annika, one of our trainers, who also rides R once a week, took R on a hack last week and cantered her. They went on their own and apparently she was as good as gold. So that shows me that R is a good hack. Last time when we cantered, she fizzed over as we were going second. Perhaps, if R is on her own or leading she will canter nicely – but how do I pick up the courage to test this theory?! My friend was happy to go second but I didn't want to canter yesterday at all. But, despite almost shaking with the thought of the hack (I really had worked myself up about it), I wanted to go, so off we went. 

The whole hack Rainbow behaved impeccably. And even though we didn't canter, we trotted and I did a few transitions independently of our friend and her horse, just to test that R was listening to me. I did a few half-halts too adjusting the speed of walking and trotting, as well as asked her to halt when our friend and her horse were walking on. Of course R listened to me and did everything I asked her to. I think, had I had the courage to canter, I am 80% sure she would have been fine if we'd gone ahead. 

Riding is a mind sport as well as a physical one. It's proven that horses are spookier if their riders are nervous. I have always been honest with myself and others when I feel nervous about riding – it seems to fluctuate from 'no worries' to 'shaking like a leaf' with no apparent reason... Expect the only thing I can identify affecting it – and I don't wish to be too open here – but my monthly cycle...! I am much more agitated and nervous when I am due than afterwards. Bizarre. Not sure if it helps, but I guess it at least is being honest and acknowledging those feelings... Perhaps by acknowledging those feelings, I can also address them the best I can. 


Yesterday's hack was lovely – despite the arctic conditions and mild snow fall, it's been SO cold here this week! – I was wearing 5 layers of clothing on my top half, and two on the bottom half. Just about right, but after about an hour and a half, when it was time to dismount, I had to shake my legs a bit before landing as I think I was frozen in the classic position aka 'John Wayne'. 


I felt like a real muppet for having been so nervous about it all. But let's hope this has again shown my brain not to be so silly and just get on with it. 

***

Apologies for the lack of photos lately, but I also think there are only so many pictures of Rainbow eating hay by her stable the readers of this blog would want to see...! I will try to ask someone to take some pics and video of me riding her sometime soon... Maybe on one of our dressage lessons :)

***

Our vet visited us on Friday to give Rainbow her booster vaccination since last summer. I also took the chance to show her R's feet as we've been fighting mud fever in various degrees since December. She said that the mud fever cases she's seen are usually red raw, crusty clusters and scabs full of puss – and apparently what she can see of Rainbow the severity of our mud fever isn't even on the scale, as it's just a little irritated. So in brief she said to keep doing what I am doing and it will clear eventually. There is a lot of information on mud fever on the web and I urge everyone to talk to their own vet, but this is how I've managed R's mud fever - and managed to clear it (except when I let her out in the field for a couple of days and she soaks her feet, which slightly brings it back if not treated straight away):

- If muddy and wet, do not brush or wash. I put R in her dry and clean stable with plenty of straw bedding.
- Next morning, when the she's dry, I brush off the mud with a soft brush and apply zinc cream (nappy cream) under her fetlocks and where ever any mud fever is present (pink irritated skin).
- The key is to NOT apply cream if feet are wet or dirty, as the cream will only seal the bacteria in. Whereas, when applied to dry and clean skin, the cream forms a barrier to the outside world and will soothe the skin underneath.

This process is never ending in the winter months. I am doing this every day. 

Spring in the air

This week I feel that we have turned a corner! Spring is nearly here. The air is little bit warmer than it has been and we've had a couple of sunny days. My car temperature was showing 8 degrees today, as I drove home from the yard. 

Busy week and started the week off with having a sore back (again!), as managed to twinge it on Saturday when was lifting R's water bucket – with straight legs, so my back protested quite badly. This resulted in Tim having to come and basically do the mucking out for me on Sunday, as I could just about walk. So Rainbow had a day off – it was a rainy day and as R's mud fever in one of the hind legs flares up from time to time, I though it was best to keep her in. I don't particularly like to keep her stabled all day, but at weekends we can't even use the back warm-up arena for letting horses there, as it's usually a show day on Sundays. To make R's day not quite as boring, I dotted little piles of hay around her stable, so she could at least entertain herself by searching for the food a bit.

Saturday we did a rainy hack around the village just the two of us. Overall it was fine, but when we got to the main road, the traffic was a bit heavy and the wet ground was causing cars to make extra swishing noise, so R was a bit nervous as we tried to make our way past some houses and the petrol station. Then there was a man with a brolly and a dog, and I thought, great, as R's head and ears shot up the moment she spotted him ambling towards us. I thought I'd lose her, so I shouted ahead at the man if he didn't mind closing his umbrella for a bit. Luckily, he was a nice man and said, when we got to him, that he's used to horses, so he was very understanding. I thanked him and said it's a bit trafficky too, so it was a bit too much for R. Usually Rainbow isn't silly when out, but I guess on our own she has to be more on guard, than when we go with others, as she's the one who has to look out for the dragons lurking everywhere. 

After the hack, I did my back in, as already explained, so on Monday I ended up lunging her. Last time I lunged her (sometime before Christmas) she totally played up (you can read about it here!), so haven't attempted it since. Mainly also because I wanted someone experienced to help me and Annika has only been back in action since Jan,  since her broken finger has healed...

Sure enough, Rainbow was refusing to go on the 'difficult' rein (left rein – going anti-clockwise) and Annika had to fight with her. Rainbow basically turns towards you and doesn't let you go beyond the imaginary girth line. But, if you manage to get 'behind' her and crack the whip she begins to move. Annika did get her going and I think R was a bit annoyed/frustrated/full of beans as she just went into a canter and bucked a few times too. I said to Annika that let her run and vent off the energy if she wants to, as she would only do us all a favour by knackering herself out. Annika kept her going on both reins with side reins on, then we swapped 'in flight', so I took hold of the lunge rope. All was good until I decided to stop her and take the side reins off and begin the cool-down. 

Miss Bossy Boots realised that she could stop playing ball again, now that we were on our own and Annika had left. She would not let me past her, she would turn around towards me and stand there like 'ha! What are you going to do about this!?' I tried the nice way, by stroking and patting her, slowly moving towards her side, but I could not get her to move – other than turn towards me. I tried the nasty way and poked her in her chest and made her back as, if she wouldn't play ball, I could still 'bully' her into backing, hence, possibly showing some hierarchy. I don't know, but she was a bit baffled. Then I thought I'd just lead her around the school a bit, so as to say that at least we're walking where I want us to walk. She walked with me like a lamb. 

Finally, at the end of my tether, I remembered the treats in my pocket. Not obviously wanting to reward her bad behaviour, but thought if I could stretch my hand, while holding the treat, far enough for her to reach for it and me to allow get by her side, there could, possibly, be a victory in sight... This didn't work, she still knew what I was up to – or my arm isn't long enough! I didn't want to give the treat to her as that would be a direct reward for her misbehaviour. So I pondered for a bit. Against all my instincts of not rewarding her, I decided to feed the treat to her... And victory was mine: the second she was concentrating on the treat, quick as a flash I moved towards her backside and cracked the whip and got her moving! I could see her look at me 'you bitch...' as she was again trotting on as I had made her go. I don't want to gloat, but sometimes it's quite satisfying to outsmart your own horse ;).

We ended on a good note – her going to my command – I didn't attempt another rein as thought that would be enough. I praised her and we went back to the stable.

This post is getting very long now, so I won't talk about the rest of the week at length, except to say that our Thursday's dressage lesson went well again and we had a good group lesson this morning. As a reward, I took R to the field for the day, as it's such a gorgeous day. I will go back there this evening to bring her in.

Yesterday I noticed that I had ridden and mucked out Rainbow in the afternoon, and when I was heading home after 5 o'clock it was still light outside. No need for head torch... Spring is DEFINITELY on its way - huzzah!

Bit of progress and perhaps spring is on its way too!

I have had a good week despite being super busy with work. I didn't actually manage to ride since Saturday, but Rainbow was ridden on a lesson on Tuesday and then jumped by Annika on Wed. Then we had our private dressage lesson yesterday and we attended a group lesson this morning.

I was also pleased to have finally met Rainbow's regular Tuesday rider. I have heard good things about her from Annika, but it was nice to meet her and see her ride Rainbow with my own eyes. At the moment I am realistic about it and feel that if there is someone reasonably good who is willing to ride Rainbow once a week, this means I have actually time to do other things – e.g. like earn money through working to keep Rainbow..! Some people are very possessive over their own horses and I am too, but as Rainbow is still quite young and I am a novice at best, she is not going to be ruined by someone riding her once a week. In fact, the lady who rides Rainbow was very friendly and genuinely likes Rainbow. She told me she's always really happy when she hears that she gets to ride Rainbow. She uses words such as 'lovely' and 'sweet' about Rainbow, which is nice to hear. She was also aware of what I would think of her riding, so she was very 'humble' too. She needn't have, and I needn't have worried; she has ridden a lot longer than I have and gets Rainbow to collect herself instantly, and her riding style seemed relaxed-yet-effective. Calm hands and good sitting. I couldn't ask for more.

But what really has made my week is the improvement we have made over the past four weeks on the flatwork-front... I don't know if my new instructor is just being encouraging but she also seems genuinely, almost surprised at how much we've improved. Every lesson. We have not yet taken steps back (touching wood!!).

The first couple of weeks we were just working on going straight and me learning to steer through my sitting, position and legs, as well as me becoming more black and white (*stricter*) with Rainbow when we work. I wasn't correcting her quickly enough, so she would wiggle – spaghetti neck, I call it – not go straight and didn't listen to my leg aids. She would fall in and she would not collect herself other than a few paces at a time. I always found that riding effectively was hard work and by the time I'd get her to collect I was knackered from the effort of it all, I couldn't sustain whatever I was meant to sustain. I was too floppy and too soft. Yes, I admit it. Rainbow isn't a bad horse or even malicious, but she is intelligent and while she has a nice, gentle character, she doesn't give you any extra unless you have the upper hand and know how to ask for it. Perhaps a typical young and confident mare?

This was proven to me about two lessons ago as when I finally managed to keep her collected in walk almost throughout. I was relaxed-yet-effective, soft in the elbows, didn't give her an inch and if she tried to fall in or not go straight, I would remind her with my leg or, sometimes, with a tap of the whip. My teacher started chuckling, as we were 'marching' towards her in this new manner, as apparently Rainbow's face was a picture; she was looking a bit forlorn and apprehensive as suddenly her 'Soft Mummy' had learned to steer her and make her do what she wanted, and not the other way around. And I knew this was all down to me as she is a well-educated horse and always goes beautifully with more experienced/confident riders.

In today's group lesson I decided to ride Rainbow in a black and white manner again, and not let her take control on any level. I kept myself in the moment and if I could feel her, for example, lose interest in trotting and start listening to something outside the school, I would ask for a transition or go around in a circle. I would keep asking for her to collect herself, if she 'forgot' and go soft when she did, so it became the preferred position for her – and I can say I managed it! It wasn't perfect but overall she was mostly on the bit and I didn't let her do anything I didn't decide we were doing. When we had cantered a bit, I could feel her get a little fresh or enthusiastic, and I could feel myself tense up, I tried to mentally take a step back and move onto another task, such as a transition or change of route. This seems to work with Rainbow. I think she's quite bright (for a horse, I mean!) and needs constant mental stimulation when working. And when something was good, I would praise her. But I kept it short and simple, such as a pat on the neck and a few words, but no funny talk. I have decided that when we work I will praise her but will keep it 'professional'. All fluffiness and softness is to be only on free time and not when I am in the saddle or at the end of the rope. I don't think it's being harsh, but it's being consistent.

I think I am babbling on so will leave it there, but all good in the hood. I have also enjoyed lovely chats with my friend Denise at the yard, as we so often do. She came up with a gem yesterday; she had read somewhere that researchers have found out that women who have horses don't have affairs. There you go! It's scientifically proven. Feel free to take this piece of wisdom as ammunition next time your partner complains about anything horsey.

High pressure in the Atlantic

We had agreed to go out on a 'canter hack' with our friends Denise and Zara. I have been wanting to do it a long time – don't think we've cantered on a hack since August... I am a little scared of cantering in open spaces. Well, it's not the cantering or speed – I quite like speed – but I am always worried that the horse will run off with me or start bucking. When I cantered Rainbow in August, she did throw a couple of bucks, which I didn't like. It's also the fear of falling off in an open space and your horse running off.

Our route took us through the village and over the main village road, onto the other side where we walked up a road taking us to the top of the hill. Then we turned right onto an open stubble field where Denise suggested we'd have a little canter. I was nervous, so she said she'd go ahead with Zara and I could stick Rainbow's nose behind Zara's to keep behind her and thus control the speed, should Rainbow not listen to me. Hesitantly I gave R the cue to raise canter. I think she was actually a little surprised by it and I could almost hear her ask me if she indeed should canter. I gave her an extra squeeze with my legs and so we cantered. She behaved beautifully cantered in a really nice way. So much so that I told Denise to keep cantering. Afterwards I felt elated, still a little nervous but very pleased how well it had gone.

We continued along the field path in walk and came across another rider and a dog, other dog walkers as well as cyclists. The day was sunny but quite breezy, the wind on top of the hills was quite relentless. Lucky I was wearing layers. I think our horses were in high spirits due to this high pressure in the Atlantic, too, as they were alertly looking around and staring at the cyclists, etc. But they didn't freeze or do anything silly.

Later on Denise suggested another little canter and I agreed. As Denise and Zara spurted off again and I asked Rainbow to raise canter and follow, this time it didn't go to plan. She started to buck, buck, buck. I tried to remember everything that I had been taught that I should kick her on and not let stop. Tried to pull the head up too and keep myself in light sitting, leaning back and heels way down. I must have partially succeeded as I she was mainly bucking 'below' me, so not touching my bum, hence not propelling me into the space. But boy did it come close – one of the last bucks she had managed to slow down enough to put some welly into the buck so all I could think, when looking at the tarmac road below me, that I don't want to fall off. I lost balance but hung onto Rainbow's neck like a possessed woman, saying to myself "I am not falling off!" Then I managed to sit up again and was now sitting on cantering Rainbow – who was now chasing after her friend – with one stirrup only and trying to pull the reins back and make Rainbow calm down, simultaneously calling out to Denise to slow down too.

Finally it all calmed down, but Rainbow was feeling fresh after that, so much so I didn't want to even trot as I was worried she'd confuse it with another chance to canter and buck, so we walked all the way back. Rainbow was swishing her head, but then also going on the bit (bizzarely), so I thought I'd reward it and soften the reins as she did. But then in the downhill bit we had to walk down slight sideways and I was worried that she might start running down the hill. Luckily, so far, it seems, that Rainbow's brakes generally work and she doesn't run off. She was just really exuberant and happy, hence the bucking – but I just don't like it!!

I realise the key is to keep cantering on hacks, making it as routine as possible, and somehow learn to control her, and stop the bucking before she manages to put her head down. Any volunteers?!?