Shade

I'm hoping that today I s my last rest day. It was a mostly nice rest day though. We did lots of nomming at the yard in the sunshine  which was lovely. Then the hoof man came , not so good but I survived . Next I decided to stay in my stable for a snooze in the shade while the boys went in the school. Had lots of kisses from people on the yard, more nomming in the school then back to the field. Nice lazy daisy day.

Bit bored and Brack

I spent the morning with Brack today. I couldn't believe it. TW took frank out and left me behind :'( . Me and Bee had a nice enough time though. Brack says I'm to be careful as frank is in love with TW again at the moment. I'm not worried though. I sulked a bit and ignored her just to make sure though.

Frank won his first rosette today at the dressage place. He's chuffed. I'm happy for him, he'd like his own job I think. Bracky says he has the best job.bless him.

Wobbles

Yet another rest day. I had lovely treats though. A nice groom, some carrots and then Lucy came to visit and did me something called a Bowen treatment. It was gorgeous. She was very good at knowing what I needed doing. She even did a bit on TW when I asked her to. Very kind. I told her that I would like th e prolite pad under my saddle too. And that TW has annoying knees! Se showed tw how to do some wobbly things on me too to help stimulate my skin and muscles. it was fab. Hehehehe. We are going to have sme lessons with her to help us work together better. Should be good.

Don't believe it

TW took frank for a hack in the pouring rain today but then she fed us all and turned us back out. I stood by the age as she was leaving to let her know she had forgotten to ride me AGAIN but she just gave me a kiss and said see you tomorrow. This resting is odd.

Resting

Another sunny day, I spent it in the field with my buds, chilling and nomming. It was nice. Had some cuddles with TW and showed her I was moving nicely round the field. She thinks my saddle needs a bit of padding on the left. Oh dear. She can figure that one out.

Next step

I fancied a rest day in the sun today. TW had other ideas. Off we went in the box. TW was worried as I was sleepy. Silly worrier.

Today we did our first competitive endurance ride with my chum Blue. It was great fun. Firstly I had a fidgety vetting. They liked my show cob trot. TW was embarrassed.hehehe. My heart rate was 42. After a bit of wrestling I was tacked up and off we set.

It was roasting and at times it was a bit stoney. They were lots of roads too. I was a very good boy, no spooking. We did as much trotting as we could but had to go slower on the stoney bits. I'm not keen on trotting on roads ever tbh. Then we got to sme amazing canter loops. That was great fun, loads of lovely fast canters and trots and some nice relaxed marching along. Phew! It was sweaty.

TW hoped we would do the 13 miles in 2 hrs 36 but we did it in around 2 hrs 10 I think. She was chuffed. I was fair pooped and knocked over my water before tw and zm cold slosh it on me. ha! At my post ride vetting my heart rate was 44, everyone said well done and we got a lovely rosette.

I'm hoping that TW can get fitter and improve her balance as I think that will make it loads easier to go faster. I think I'd like another go. After a few days rest. And maybe a massage or something?

Back to school

After the rubbish weather yesterday, today was a sunny one. I had a play with TW in the field and she felt a bit sad as she thinks my gummys are a bit bruised from last weeks hunt ride antics. I'm ok though.

Then we went to the yard and frank had a tantrum. Oops. I had my tootsies picked out and a snooze and then off we went in the box. Lesson time again. Bitless lesson. Excellent!

I was excited as soon as we got into the school as there was some lovely big colourful jumps about. But apparently they weren't for me! Rubbish. Lovely instructor lady noticed straight away that TW was back in the bad habits, legs forward, leaning back like some wierd cowgirl thing. So we worked on that. My steering was a bit rubbish to begin with but again that was because TW was rubbish, she needs to learn to keep the reins the same length and to keep her hands low or I wiggle about all confused.

It was very exciting at the school, there were ponies that made me jump, and baby cows running about which I wanted to watch. TW was pooped, lazy daisy! After a while we got to do some poles and then a teeny cross pole. Phew after. Few laps of that I was tired too! TW was very pleased and so was the lovely instructor lady , LIL says sometimes I'm a bit sharp and maybe everything isnt just TWs fault. TW was confused by that! Hehehehe.

Snooze

The weather was nasty today so we all came in and had a day snoozing and eating. Very nice. TW came back in the evening and we all went out in the sunshine. Lovely.

Just for me

This evening a new saddle fitter came to see us. She says that I don't have to share saddles with frank anymore . I have the secondhand soft leather saddle with the mattes pad. We walked nd trotted and cantered on both reins which was nice. TW said I can't rein back yet. So I did a lovely rein back for everyone. TW shook her head and ZM laughed.

The saddle lady says I have ribs like a tb and thinks I'm going to grow alot more. TW was scared. I just laughed.

Bots brakes

Dear worrier

Thank you for a very lovely day. I really enjoyed the sunshine. I really enjoyed the road trip. I really enjoyed seeing Rafi and nomming grass.

It was a very lovely ride. Weren't there lots of horses out? Shame there were no hounds about but they're having their holidays I think. I think you enjoyed your port. I enjoyed going very fast and being a strong bot. Rafi was surprised I reckon. Were you surprised?

Hope we can do it again soon, will we go Bitless next time?

Mr Squire

Xx

Bot in control

Today I had some time with TW it was nice. I had my tootsies picked out and a quick from, tack on including a snazzy purple bridle and red reins and off we went. TW said the saddle seems to be ok on me at the moment ( apart from the lumps and bumps). The purple bridle was Bitless. Interesting!

We were going to go in the school first but TW couldn't be bothered so off we went out into the village. First Bitless hack!!! We were nice and relaxed. Had a tussle at the top of the bridlepath as I wanted to eat. TW won.

On the path we bumped into the old lady. She stopped and said I was gorgeous. Then she said her old dog had died. TW was very sad and when we went on our way she had a little cry. On the first bit of the track we had some steering issues, I span round right a few times. Not sure if that was my fault or TWs tbh. Never mind.

Right at the bench and behind the hedge. A teeny movement from TW and we were off...yee haw. Trot trot trot. Nah ill keep trotting ta. Hehehehe. Eventually I walked. Time to trot again, this time I was quicker and went off into a lovely trot and before TW could speak I was cantering hehehehehe. Amazing. Baxk to trot, then trot bot was in full flow. TW was laughing but tried everything to get me to walk. She says we need more practise. A bit more trotting, another naughty canter then it was time o turn round and come back.

The evil weeds were every where today but we stayed nice and relaxed. At the bench TW got off and we had a chill and a nom then it was back to the yard for a snooze. I quite like this Bitless malarkey.

Moody mare

Bracky says TW is a moody mare today, I think he's right. It started off badly when we left the field. She tripped in sme brambles which spooked me. So I ran forward, knocked her over and possibly even ran over the top of her legs a bit. Whatever way, her legs are sore and brusised and a bit cut. Oops. Sorry. I walked in nicely with frank after that.

Frank went for a little hack and then after some faffing I got dressed up in something called an Equi ami and lunged. Phew. It made me sweat. I did not enjoy it. Neither did TW. More practise needed. Then I had some kisses and grub and treats. Result.

After a bit we went bak to the field. Me and TW had a fight over sme grass. She got very grumpy. When we got to the field she wanted a kiss but I marched right off. Oops. I needed a drink! She sat on the grass looking all sad and thinking I didnt love her any more! Oh dear! So I trotted all the way round to her which made her smile. Ten frank cantered down and we had some birthday wrestles.

TWs favourite part was the two big bucks and farts I did in Bracks face. HA!

Hay and mud

The weather is not so nice at the moment. I'm covered in mud. I'm nomming hay. Tw is worrying. Oh dear.

Sunday hack

It was a nice sunny Sunday morning. TW and ZM were up early and me and frank came in for a rest. But I didnt get a rest. TW tacked me up and I went for a hack with a girl called Red. It was nice.

We went up the hill and across. Had a few trots. Red did a bit of snorting like a dragon ( it's a coloured thing, frank does it too) and had a few little spooks. I just stomped along. Smetimes I was at the front, sometimes I was behind and sometimes we were side by side. I quite fancied staying behind and going to sleep today but TW wouldn't let me.

On the hill we had a few trots and past the space centre we had a lovely canter. Red zoomed off like a rocket but TW wouldn't let me race her. We cantered nice and bouncy, hide a teeny trot and then cantered bouncy again and then walked. TW is a strict one sometimes. It was grand though.

On the main road I had to box Red in to protect her from the traffic. TW said I did good. It was lovely to get baxk in my bed for a chill. TW massaged my back and thinks I maybe have a small tight spot on the right at the back so she gave it some nice rubs. Then I went to sleep. It's been nice to have a quiet weekend at the yard.

Confident

I had a lovely lie down and sleep in my bed today. Afterwards me and TW went and had a little play in the school with a little jumpy. It was great fun. TW was very proud of me. Normally when we jump I'm shy and struggle to go over jumps. Especially as TW is nervous. Today I was much better. TW not so much.

We did some little uprights, slightly bigger cross poles and then there was a bigger upright. Unfortunately I didnt have enough energy cos of TW for the big upright , and my back legs knocked it down. So ZM did the little one again and we ended on a good note. TW was very happy. I had fun too. I hope she gets more confident soon. I think I'd like to have a go at jumpcross.

All hail ( hairy) Mary

Today was a very exciting day. I had visitors. I waited patiently all morning, mooching between our three stables and then stood waiting expectantly in the yard. Then, we heard the sound of hooflets on the drive. They'd arrived!!! TW was pleased to see the humans too.

My special visitors were Hairy Mary and Storm her big adopted brother. Storm was a last minute replacement for my best bud Rosko who's having a break. Storm was a good enough replacement. Hairy Mary and Storm are my biggest buds yet, HUGE even! Not ponies! Off we set through the village, I was front for a little while but HM soon overtook. Girls!!

Down the bridlepath, waved at Zoe and her human and then on to the village. The big dudes stopped to coo over Molly munchkin , I was not impressed. Over the busy road and then trotty past the petrol station. My that Mary is brave! I was impressed. TW was very impressed by HMs rider , she would love to do what sue does! Humans are funny creatures.

Along the road we marched , right past the donkeys and nice pony who shouted help, up the hill where it got windy and then into the woods! They were lovely. The humans liked the blue bells. I've seen lots of bluebells lately so frankly wasnt so fussed. Wierdos. Winding through the woods we went, had some nice trotties and then at the end we turned round and came back with me in the lead. Lovely! Storm boy pulls some funny faces at me so when we were baxk on the road I ran past him and made TW kick his butt!! Hahahahah!!

Before we knew it we were back at the yard,  7 miles of fun with my new big buds. Loved it! Their box is weird though, it looks funny. I hope I can ride with the big buds again, they're very well behaved and march fast which I like. HMs Sue has another bud too, his name is Solly. TW says he would get on well with Bracky.

Snuggles

TW popped up twice today. The second time she bought grub. Brack and frank acted like they were starving. That was confusing.

After we had eaten I had a little lunge, walk and trot. It was windy. I wasnt so interested really. Never mind. Afterwards me and TW had lots of cuddles and kisses. Frank was watch us with his beady eyes. The next thing him and Brack started galloping from the top of the field. Frank flew straight at TW. Me and her just stood snuggling and ignored him. He wasnt pleased.

A bit later on the four of us stood together and had a big group juggle. It was lovely.

Variety

I had a nice sleep in my bed this morning and then me and TW did a bit of schooling. I wore my new Bitless bridle, it looked very nice. We just did a little bit in the school while ZM watches. Some walking and halting. Changing directions and trotting. Canter on both reins ( much easier on left rein) and then we did intro a test accept TW forgot the walk on the long rein thing. Dumbo.

TW says we should have some lessons again soon. I enjoyed some sun bathin in the school and then me and frank went back to the field to sleep.

Auntie Steph

It's nearly been a whole year since I moved over from Ireland. So today was a lovely day. TW and me  trundled out in the box and when we got where we were going I had a nice munch on grass and dandelions. Next thing I know, auntie Steph turned up! X country time!!!

Rosko was a silly billy at first and deposited his girly on the floor. I think that's naughty. He's not really naughty though. Anyway, then we were off. We jumped hedges and logs and tyres and all sorts. It's was great. We did steps in and out of the water. TW was super proud.

Afterwards I had lots of cuddles and noms and then headed back to the field. Phew!

Confused

Frankie went out with TW today. When they came back I waited patiently for it to be my turn. We had some snogs and then she went. I followed her to the gate. You've forgotten me!!! She was sad and said it was my rest day and to have a relax. But I wanted to have some fun again!!

Maybe to tomorrow. I hope so.

Pub

I'm liking this sunny stuff. Today me and TW headed off to something called a pub. It was nice, they had lovely hawthorn for me to nom. At the pub we met up with my buds, Harry and Rosko . They are my proper good buds.

We headed out onto the road and then eventually came to a tiny gypsy place with a funny mare and foal. TW loved them. Then we were off on a lovely bridlepath. It was excellent. TW was very happy. I was very happy too. We did hills and pheasants and fields and a wood. Perfect.

Back at the box the humans had grub and then we headed home. I had to rush back to my field as TW had to go to work. Shame. Hope to see my buds again soon.

Oh the bluebells are blue.......

The grumpy Scottish man sings a song about bluebells being blue. Today me and Rosko went to see them. We had a lovely walk around a place called Rutland water and through some woods full of bluebells. It was excellent. Really warm too. Fortunately TW had covered me in neem and fly spray so I didnt do too much head tossing.

TW hoped somone might sell her n ice cream on the route. How unprofessional? Silly worrier. There were lots of lambs running about and two roses behind us got chased by a sheepy! Wierd! I think I did a good job of looking after Rosko though. I'm trying o teach him some sneaky nom tricks too. Hehehe.