What to do when you see a goat?

Hack out today was a really enjoyable one, even though we came across all the following things: 

- a barking Alsatian threatening to 'attack'
- peacocks
- a goat 
- race horses and jockeys
- a fly-tipped mattress
- man driving a lawn mower
- people playing tennis
- two Bearded Collies barking at us
- one cyclist
- and a few pumpkin lanterns, plus other Halloween paraphenalia.

Only the attacking Alsatian by this turkey farm and then the goat on the roadside caused Rainbow to be nervous, and I had to push her on. 

The goat was standing on the side of the road (not a busy one), eating from the bushes and when we approached, it said a goaty 'baa' hello to us midst munch. Rainbow was head up and unsure (tbh I was a bit unsure and worried she might whip around, as she doesn't like sheep and thought a goat might just blow her mind) so I spoke to her and pushed her forward. We were just coming up a hill, so turning back wasn't an option really. But R was fine in the end, she went past, looking at the goat, took a few trotting steps but I wasn't fussed, as I decided it was better that we went past than start stopping or turning around.

On the big hill up, I made Rainbow working in an outline. I had read about it in the latest Your Horse magazine. Helping horse develop their tummy muscles (which will also help with creating the power in the hind and thus making them work better through their backs): 

"When you're doing hillwork, stick to walk and – provided it's safe to do so – come up a little out of the saddle and take your hands forwards and wide. Keeping your reins in this side rein position will really benefit your horse. Work him in this shape, then add a hill, and it'll really encourage him to pick his back up."

I hope it worked for Rainbow. The hill we went up is quite steep and long, so she was huffing and puffing, clearly getting a bit tired. She tried to broke into trot a couple of times, perhaps to save herself, but I kept in walk, giving her a good workout. The rest of the hack we mainly walked, only doing a couple of trots. 

Photos

I've been snapping some photos yesterday and today... Mainly of R looking demure and slightly baffled by the incessant snapping. 

In the bottom ones, from today, R is sporting a new autumn jacket by Amigo Hero 6 in Fig colour, 50g light turnout rug by Horseware Ireland. 

Paris weekend off

While the owner went to have a girly weekend in Paris, Rainbow had a weekend off. Well, friend, Becca, took her out for a hack on Friday and sent me this pic while I was somewhere near Eiffel Tower. The text read: 

Hiya just got back , been lovely ride just ended up leaving later than planned. She's so lovely :) had a couple of relaxed canters too :) she's happily tired now I think! I'll put her to bed etc and make sure feed is done and hay nets prepared etc. Have lovely time in Paris - very civilised! 

I felt quite tired yesterday, so did the 'naughty' thing and gave Rainbow Tuesday off as well. I did go and see her, very muddy horse, and mucked out, but riding starts today again.

Paris was lovely, as always.

 

Lessons in sitting straight, keeping elbows back... and having a balanced horse

We have started new lessons with a new trainer, Mary Webb. We are still doing our 'dressage' lessons with A, too, but I decided to try Mary after a friend recommended her. 

Mary gets me sitting better and she has helped me to get Rainbow to work in an outline without having to have legs like steel clamps, purely by sitting in a better position and pushing R forward with my seat without constantly pumping with legs or fussing about.

I am not straight, apparently, so we are working on having my elbows next to my side and my shoulders straight. I collapse from the middle, especially when I ask transitions (and, often just when going straight...) so learning to support myself with my abs and having a stronger frame, but soft elbows. 

It's only been lesson number two, so long way to go yet but I am hopeful with the little improvements we've already made Rainbow will have a more balanced rider sitting on her in a matter of weeks.

Mary took some photos. Taken on a mobile phone, so quality not the sharpest, but I am pleased to see Rainbow walking better and collecting herself without me having to work too hard.

100th blog post

I have been putting off writing the next blog post this week, as I realised it's the 100th post. I started this diary a year ago, as encouraged by a friend, Johanna, to follow my life with Rainbow. After the initial apprehension about what to say and how others would perceive it, I have stopped worrying so much and just written about stuff that's been on my mind. It has become almost a weekly habit of writing about something horsey... Usually an account of what has happened in the week and any other problems or issues – and successes – I've had with Rainbow. 

Friends in the paddock

So I felt that writing the 'anniversary' post should include something special. Well. It won't. Sorry!

This week has been fine the horse front and I have done some schooling with Rainbow, learned to sit in a slightly better way – without blocking the movement (maybe this will have its own post in the near future), I have learned about the importance of keeping my elbows further back and learned to simply tilt my pelvis when I want to halt. We've also hacked out with friends, as we do most weeks. 

Earlier in the week, Julia and I took our horses up to the fields and did some cantering too. Julia's horse, Oli, got a bit excited so she had to make him do some controlled cantering around us, when Rainbow and I had already stopped our canter. Rainbow was exemplary and stood still while Julia and Oli did a circle around us. 

Later in the week, we did a second hack with Julia and Oli. Went around the village. It was quite an exciting hack as the roads were still busy with commuters around 9am, there were workmen and noisy machines, temporary traffic signs and big heavy things being lifted on building sites. Rainbow was really good – I was a bit worried at some point, as had l left the martingale home and, a couple of times R did some giraffe impressions when we saw something exciting. But it was all good; she happily lead when it was her turn to lead and once, when Oli was scared of a busy building site, R walked on past like nothing, helping Oli to follow us. I said to Julia after the successful hack despite lots of scary things that I feel like we've been in some police-horse test and passed – next we can move onto crowd control and do a couple of football matches.

Then we did one more hack yesterday morning with friends Sarah on Sampson and Becca on Mary. We did a 'coloured hack', as we had two piebalds and one skewbald :) ... It was a lovely amble through nearby villages. We took a slightly new route back through a stud farm. There's a pathway that can be used by riders. The only 'exciting' bit was the opening and closing of gates to and from the farm, but Becca was a dab hand at opening closing gates while on horseback. Her steed, Mary, a little cob, also made the task easy as she was so low, Becca could reach gate latches fine, even though Mary – as a riding school cob – didn't quite make sense of Becca's cues for forehand turns or leg yieldings!

After the hack, I turned Rainbow out to the mares field (big field). She got to go out with friends and enjoy some wide open spaces, instead  the little paddock she shares with Zara during the week. 

In fact, it was such a mild night (over 13 degrees), I decided to leave her out overnight. It's been a bit showery, but Rainbow is wearing her turn out rug, so I reckon she's been fine. Collecting her this afternoon. 

Thank you to all those who have joined as readers and also those who might be reading anonymously – hope it's been somewhat enjoyable.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high,
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.

Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow.
Why then, oh why can't I?

If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?