Racebot

The sun was shining today and me and TW went off in the box for a new adventure!!! Today we went to Southwell Racecourse! It was fascinating! First off TW chatted with the Lucys and then some other people that came with their horses. I especially liked one called Cheeky. They chatted about what they wanted to achieve from the session then we got tacked up and off we went.

We had to walk between some buildings on sand and go through some gates. Then we were on a big track thing but this big track wasnt a grass track for nomming. It was a sand track for racing round!! Off me and TW went , trotty, walking, cantering around. There were loads of new things to look at, big colourful signs, rails around the track, wierd men in the middle of the track playing a game with little balls and sticks. Most odd!

TW said I seemed to have lost my brakes and we spend a while finding them again. Practising trotting and walking and stopping between the markers. I was sweating! But not puffing. TW was all unbalanced t begin with, the Lucys said her Jods were all slippery and so was the saddle. Not good. TW improved as we went round but I think she needs to be fitter. Coach Lucy said its important TW has a strong core to help me. Brack and Frank thought this was hilarious when I told them. Not sure why.

After four laps TW said I'd worked hard enough and I went back to the box for a snooze while tw had tea and cake, maybe this is to help her core? It was certainly apple cake. And apples have cores. The peeps all stood around chatting about heart rates and things and then TW gave me a bucket of lovely sweet water to see if I liked it. Nom! I necked a load of it.

Before long it was time to set off for home. Back at the yard I had a little graze and then went back to the boys for some more hay. They were impressed with my race horse day!

Hungry

By 6.30am I was in the stable nomming hay. By 6.45 I was tacked up and me and TW were heading out for our first hack in a fortnight. It was freezing. I was sprightly. TW was chatty.

I couldn't believe it when we went right out of the yard and headed through the village and on to the main road. We trotted up the main road as it was clear and onto the bridlepath. Te ground was hard and there was still alot of snow about. I wanted to trot , so we did. There was alot to take in but TW stayed relaxed and we carried on despite the huge bird scarer bangs. The snow was coming down all slow and wierd. TW said it was peaceful, I thought it was cold.

Normally when we get to the hedge on our own we turn round. Today we didnt. We snuck around the edge of the field to avoid the scary stuff then back onto the bridlepath and saw two collies with a friendly joggy lady. Along the path, dodging stones, round the little cemetery then heading back. I was alot more chilled by then. TW knew I was hungry so occasionally let me stop for a little grass nibble.

Homeward bound we were super brave and went alongside the space centre, past the fans ( they were off phew!) , had a few trots, back across the main road and home. Great stuff! Back at the yard I did some super grass nomming , had some hay and then tootled bak to the field for a snooze. All before 10am!

Sunshine

Today the sun came out and my rug came off. I ate lots of hay and had some kisses from TW. Lay down and snoozed with the boys and had sme lovely itchy rolls. No riding though. TW says the grass will be growing soon, that's good.

Nom

I hoped the snow would have made TW stay off work today but it didnt happen. She came up bright and early though before work. Result I reckon. We had a bale of hay but the wind was blowing it about abit which was annoying. The hay didnt last too long but fortunately ZM kindly dropped us another bale this afternoon. Nom.

ZM said we are hungry. I wonder if we could have three bales tomorrow? Not sure TW will go for that, she took Brackys rug off today and poked his ribs.

Business like

It's freezing at the moment, too cold for kisses, too icy for work. Shame really. TW bought us hay and grub which is always nice and checked we were warm. The weather is weird. The field is soggy. Not sure i like it.

Cold rest

The snow came down alot in the night. We watched it from the comfort of our beds, covering the ground and sticking, after a big breakfast we made our way back to the big field and then TW decided we were moving back to our field. Just the three of us.

It was very muddy and slippy and TW fell over a few times. Oh dear. We had to snuffle about under the snow to find some grass and then TW bought us some lovely hay. The snow us annoying though.....it stops us having proper hacking fun. It's a shame.

Day in bed

I was super happy to see TW today. Even better she took us all to the yard nd we had a day in bed nomming. She left us to it and came back at tea time , put us in the school for a bit and then back into lovely clean straw for more noms. Lazy day.

Stretch, nom, snooze

Today I had a cat stretch in the field, a nom in my bed and then a snoozzzeeeeee. I was hoping to get out and about again but TW rode frank . Annoying.

No worries at Major Oaks

TW was very worried today. It was pleasure ride time, our first attempt with EGB and this time we needed to have a vetting. She was mostly worried as I don't know how to trot up in hand.

We had a nice trip in the box and then we all piled out and I got down to nomming. Well I tired to but it was distracting. In front of me there were ponies trotting up and down in front of people and behind me there were horses trotting off to start the ride.

TW went and spoke to double Lucys about my no trotting in hand dilemma. Then it was our go, quick chat to the vet with TW looking very apologetic and sheepish and " off you go".....so I trotted like a pro down to the cone, turned round and trotted back. HA! TW couldn't believe it. Double Lucys gave me a round of applause and said I was a good boy. TW said I was an embarrassment. How rude.

Off we set off on our ride with my two new Araby chums. They were fab. We did loads of trotting and cantering, up nd down hills, through loads of mud. TW kept her eye on the pace and when we got a bit unsure Blue took the lead and helped us. He's an old pro. I like him alot. We went under bridges, over a bridge, I herded some ducks and generally had a lovely time!

We did 9 miles in 1hr 57 and TW was very pleased. Back at the box I had a little rest then went back to show the vet I can trot again. She also took my heart rate or something, it was 52 which she said wasnt very good for gradings or something. TW was pleased though.

Some nomming on the box while TW and ZM had a dirty burger then off home we went. To was pooped. I could probably do it all again really. Can't wait for next outing .

Preparation is key

Tomorrow is my first outing for quite a few weeks. My first outing since the hunt. Therefore I think it is important me and TW prepare properly. So today, TW stayed in her PJs all morning eating and sleeping with the staffiosa. She also spent lot of time READING about endurance riding.

She reads a lot about endurance. In fact last night she went to a human party for endurance riding. Bracky says maybe she might consider actually doing some RIDING at some point. I think he might be right on this one.

Eventually TW arrived at the field. I was really happy to see her. Me and frank tootled down to the yard and did some nomming and snoozing. I also had a nice brush. Excellent preparation. TW has managed to nab herself a crew for tomorrow, I think this is important. It is of course ZM....I wonder if they to to the window that sells burgers again?

Unbalanced

TW is unbalanced today. Riding wise I mean. Bracky says she mentally unbalanced too but I think that's rude.

We had a little hack after she had been out with frank. It wasnt as muddy as I thought it would be. We did some trotting and cantering, I was slow at first but I soon picked up. I havnt done much in the last few weeks you know. TW was a bit like what frank calls a sack of spuds. I think she needs to try harder really, especially as we are meant to be doing lots of nice rides. I'm not sure if it will really happen though, we seem to have hit a go slow recently.

Our hack was nice though and even nicer was my breakfast. Nom.

Make your mind up

TW was meant to set her alarm early and come up this morning. She didnt. Naughty. Her spy had told her that I was all alone in the big field but when she arrived frank was all alone in the small field that confused her!

She went to see frank first which was rude so I raced over for a cuddle. TW took my rug off but soon realised it was freeeeeezing so she put it back on. Dear me! Make your mind up!

After a few cuddles we all went for a big drink and then in pairs we cantered off down the field back to Eol. TW said we were moving nicely. She was relieved. Hope it's warmer soon.

Igno-therapy

TW hasn't been up all week. She arrived early this morning and whistled. I looked the other way. She opened the old field for us and the boys went rushing in. I got confused and ran in the wrong direction. TW tried to help me but I ignored her. I was cross at her.

Te boys went charging about and I had a little play but set down to eating . TW wanted cuddled but I ignored her. I had another run about and ran straight at her with an angry look on my face. I think she was sad. She went away.

In the evening she came back and gave frank a kiss. She came to see me too. I didnt ignore her any more, shed had her punishment. We had lots of kisses and then she took my rug off and we had scratches . It was nice. Before she went she out my rug back on and said "kisses?" S I gave her some big snogs before she went home.

Sensible

We were hoping to go to osberton today for another pleasure ride. TW decided that the germs brewing in her wouldn't respond kindly to a day in the cold and snow so she said we would have a quiet day. We were both really disappointed but I think it was sensible. It was cold and muddy. Not nice.

Me and frank got to come in for a little rest and nom. That was nice. We even had two apples each. Nom. TW said she would make lots of nice plans for us and we would get cracking again ASAP. I do hope so.

Shame

Today was a shame. I had hoped to go to Shipley for a pleasure ride with my friends. We didnt get to go. And the weather is grotty. What a shame. Bracky says TW has probably retired now. I hope not.

Just a little. Bit.

TW has lost her mojo she says. I'm not really sure what that means. Braky says it means shes lazy. That's a bit rude.

The weather was rubbish today and we didnt know what to expect. TW arrived and me and frank pootled through the village after her. I got scared by a lady waving a pillow from her bedroom window. Odd.

In the stables I settled down for some hay and a rest while TW and frank popped out with ZM and Zoe. They got wet. When they got back TW fiddled with my bridle and I got to try another new bit. It's a neue scheule wilkie or Beval bit. It was fine. We were just meant to potter in the school but TW said it was boring which was true so we went through the village and down as far as the bench. Had some trots and two little canters.

TW said I seemed a little bit slower than usual but that was most probably due t the fog and drizzle. She also said it was harder to get me to go back to walk from trot. Not sure why that was , maybe she's just imagining things?

Back in my bed I had loads more hay and grub then it was rug back on and down to the field. It was proper scary in the village, the road looked really odd. There was white foamy stuff everywhere. TW said some stupid person had washed their car. In the rain. So me, TW and frank went and stood in the foam and me and frank snorted and huffed and puffed.

It's muddy and slippy in the field. Rubbish.

Sore no more ?

My legs feel fine today, well TW said I'm certainly moving ok again. That's good. Frank said ive done  good though as TW was worrying last night and googling lots of leg issues and massage people. I think it's a bit rude that bracken spies on her like that but apparently sometimes its useful.

Paranoid

TW hasn't been to see us for a few days. That makes me feel sad. Although I know she's been working her extra job for extra pony pennies. I miss kisses.

This evening we were all down at the bottom of the pond field grazing when we heard a whistle. Frank was off like a shot which confused me. I soon realised why though. TW shouted to frank and I bolted off at a flat out gallop, slipped a bit in the gateway and charged up the field with the gang.

We had lots of kisses and cuddles. I made TW paranoid as somehow I convinced her that my hocks are a bit sore. I also tried to bite her face . That was not cool. After lots and lots of kisses and poking and prodding and making me walk TW went. Bracky said I did good. Made her proper paranoid.

Spring cleaning and sad worrier

I had the chance to stay in the field today with the nobbers. TW bribed Bracky with a carrot and caught him and frank and gave me a carrot to enjoy in the field. Except I wanted to go with my buds. So we all went together.

Today TW said we would have a spring clean day as we could make the most of a) the sun b) bracken and c) avoiding riding. Not sure why we didnt ride though but TW said shed tell me another day.

Anyway, there was lots of brushing and fly spraying and tootsie picking out going on. And nomming. I also got to have my hind legs stretched a bit and TW massaged my bum with some minty oil as she was worried that my hamstrings might still be a bit tight as shes now paranoid after yesterday's saddle fitting. I loved the massage bits.

We also got a big bowl of grub it was lush. I went to the field first for a wrestle and then TW bought Bee and frank down afterwards. We all cantered up to see them and went for a communal drink. While we were catching up I spotted that TW had sat in the field and was looking sad. S when she wasnt looking I trotted over to her and gave her a HUGE kiss. That cheered her up. SHe also loved the royal rumble wrestling that followed. My rearing and boxing is coming on a treat!

Bankrupt

TW says that we are going to bankrupt her. Not really sure what that means but she seemed happy enough. Today a man named Norm came to see me and Frank. Frank already knows him but it was my first visit. He was very friendly and I gave him lots of kisses. TW hoped that norm could sort out our saddles so we could have one each but me and frank decided we would prefer to share one. Good plan.

I got to spend the rest of the day in the sunshine, naked. That was lovely. Then ZM kindly came and put my rug on as it was starting to go cold. Except silly TW had other ideas and reappeared to take me for a little sunset hack. It was excellent. We went over the road in busy traffic , TW used the help me face to get her through it. Wierdo. Then we went along the bridlepath, I was a bit wiggly so in the end TW gave me a kick. I stopped wiggling. At the end we got to the big buidlings. I didnt want to go behind the hedge so I sneaked backwards. TW just sat there. We went a bit forward, a bit backward, a bit sideways. TW just sat there. Hmmm. After a few minutes I agreed to walk behind the hedge. It wasnt so scary. So TW let me turn round and we headed home. Very brave I reckon. She got off before we got back to the road as it was getting a bit dark. Good plan.

Back at the yard I ate some grass and had some grub and then it was rug on and back to the field. A quick kiss and then I trotted and cantered down to the boys.

MOT for TOM

It's been a quiet week this week really. Not a problem though as we've got some busy weeks coming up. Off to the stables with Frank, had my rug iff and my tootsies pikced out and then showed tw a lovely cat stretch. at shocked her. Today it was MOT day.

Lovely Etti arrived early and me and frank were waiting for her. Frank went first and was a bit grumpy and sore and then got lovely and relaxed. I was listening.

Then it was my go. I had to walk and show Etti how I moved. I couldn't be bothered and shuffled along. Etti said I move like a teenage boy with his jeans around his knees or something. When I turned round I sashayed along like a super duper model. Ha!!

Etti massaged and rubbed me all over looking for sore bits, she couldn't find anything apart from one tiny bit of tightness in my shoulder. She was very impressed. So was TW . While I was having my mot I tried to nibble TWs chin and occasionally tried to bop Etti with my head. That's apparently rude. I also tried to eat her shoes and grab her wrists. Oops.

When etti was done I ate my brekky and then off we went back to the field. I was feeling great so I did some nice rearing and boxing with Eol and Chaz. And had a lovely roll.

Saddley checking tomorrow I think!