It's like this: when we first moved here it was on the understanding that our horses would go out 24/7 in the summer, but for some reason this has never actually happened. I suppose it's partly our fault for not asking why, but also partly the YO's for not offering.
I was awake for ages on Monday night as it suddenly hit me that I was really frustrated that the horses were still coming in at night, especially Barnaby as it's been way too hot for him to be in a stable. He stands there dripping with sweat, and I feel so sorry for him. Being a good mummy, of course I want to look after him to the best of my ability.
So I prayed about it, then went to see the YM in the morning. I just said it had always been our intention for them to be out and it was offered but nothing has materialised. One horse came here for an operation and as soon as he got better he was turned out, which is what I think annoyed me the most, so I mentioned it and asked if ours could please go out. The YM was fine about it and said she would talk to the YO, and now, glory allelujah, ours are out!
What I had completely forgotten, though, is that Zak needs to be fed, so we've arranged it so that both boys will be brought in in the morning, so Zak can eat (Barnaby doesn't have anything at this time of year) and turned back out, then they'll be brought in with all the other horses at tea time, again so Zak can eat, then we'll come up and ride them and turn them back out when we've finished.
I think this will work really well, because:
Either me or the staff will take Zak's rug off in the morning.
I will ride Barnaby while Zak eats breakfast.
I can put suncream on Barnaby (but the staff will do this on days when I'm at work or asleep (when I've been on nights).
Then I'll turn both horses back out.
We'll probably both come up in the evenings to feed/ride/turn back out.
This will work at weekends when we do the mucking out, too, we'll bring them in for Zak's breakfast, then turn them back out, then muck out and go home/shopping.
In the afternoons we'll come up and ride, feed and turn back out.
Perfect.
I am a very happy bunny now, it's such a relief. The boys have never been kept in during the summer, unless they've been bathed to go to a show the next morning.
Also, Zak is clearly no longer lame, judgeing from the bucking and leaping that went on yesterday when I turned him out. John and I went for a quiet walk round and Zak was fine.
This morning, Barnaby and I did the slightly speeded up version! I was going to hack out round the village but didn't feel very well when I got there, but felt so much better after I'd ridden. We had a few good gallops. I love how fit Barnaby is now, I was grinning like an idiot when I got back.
Jane x
Thursday, 23 August 2012
Saturday, 18 August 2012
Good Hack, Bad Hack
I've had a bit of a stomach bug, probably from the prawn sandwich I had in Loughborough on Thursday. I nearly didn't ride, but felt well enough to go.
John wanted to take Zak on a long ride, so he got him in, tacked up and away he went. I knew I had plenty of time, as he'd be out for at least an hour and a half.
Hannah got Marley and Q in, so she said she'd go for a quick hack on Q, then come back and we'd get Gypsy and Barnaby in, which was fine.
Barnaby became a bit stressed when he realised Zak wasn't there, but I decided to go ahead and get him ready anyway. I can't believe the amount of hair that's coming off him, it looks like snow on his stable floor! I thought I'd do 20 brush strokes in one place, but kept going and going and there was still tonnes of it coming off, so I gave up and tacked him up instead.
I wondered what he'd be like as he was annoyed that Zak still wasn't back, but I got on him and he was fine, so we set off down the drive and turned left and went up the road. He was quite pleased when we got on the bridleway and went down to the brook very nicely, giving the odd really deep whinny as we went along. I think he'd decided it was better to go out and look for Zak rather than wait at home for him to come back.
The last time I asked Barn to go through the brook going away from home he absolutely refused, but it was very deep, so I let him off. I've been making him go through it coming towards home and he's had no problem with it whatsoever. So before he realised what had happened, he was through the water, then suddenly decided he wasn't going any further. Anyone with a cob knows how stubborn they can be! There was a man there walking his dog who'd stopped to have a gawp, so I felt I couldn't smack Barnaby and I certainly couldn't swear. I kept pulling the left rain, cos I know he's weaker on that side, so he turned, but then he reared and ran backwards into the bushes. After a few goes I realised I was getting nowhere, so I got off and walked him up the track towards the school. I was hoping for a bench or a stone where I could get back on, but there was nothing, so I had to mount him from the ground. But I knew there was no way I could let him win, otherwise he'd never go that way again.
He did try to turn for home, but I legged him on and he carried on down the track. I decided to risk having a little canter on the grass, and he was fine, so we kept going. After that he was very good, so I went along the track, past the two fields of cows, then turned left and followed the field track down. After that the grass got way too long and I turned and came back up the hill. I asked him to trot as I didn't know how strong he'd be, but he was really well behaved. I want to be able to come here on my own regularly, so I need him to be good. I decided if I could cope with him in a foul mood, he'll be fine on other days.
Once we got onto the main track, Barnaby was desperate for a canter, but there are some quite serious holes in the ground, so we did a sedate canter so I could steer him round, and then I let him open up and it was fab, to be honest. I am doing much more galloping with him now, it's almost as if he knows I'm confident enough to do it with him, quite strange! Don't forget, at the old place there were hardly any places to canter, let alone gallop, so this is quite a big step forward for us both!
We got back and John spent ages cold hosing Zak and I washed Barnaby down as it was actually very warm on the hack.
Then Rachel turned up and said if we weren't in any hurry to go, Pimm's was being served, so we sat and had a few glasses with everyone. It was quite a giggle talking about our hunting experiences etc. Much nicer than being on your own all the time.
So a nice end to a very nice day. Let's see what tomorrow brings. I so hope Zak isn't going to be lame for too long.
Back soon
Jane x
John wanted to take Zak on a long ride, so he got him in, tacked up and away he went. I knew I had plenty of time, as he'd be out for at least an hour and a half.
Hannah got Marley and Q in, so she said she'd go for a quick hack on Q, then come back and we'd get Gypsy and Barnaby in, which was fine.
Barnaby became a bit stressed when he realised Zak wasn't there, but I decided to go ahead and get him ready anyway. I can't believe the amount of hair that's coming off him, it looks like snow on his stable floor! I thought I'd do 20 brush strokes in one place, but kept going and going and there was still tonnes of it coming off, so I gave up and tacked him up instead.
I wondered what he'd be like as he was annoyed that Zak still wasn't back, but I got on him and he was fine, so we set off down the drive and turned left and went up the road. He was quite pleased when we got on the bridleway and went down to the brook very nicely, giving the odd really deep whinny as we went along. I think he'd decided it was better to go out and look for Zak rather than wait at home for him to come back.
The last time I asked Barn to go through the brook going away from home he absolutely refused, but it was very deep, so I let him off. I've been making him go through it coming towards home and he's had no problem with it whatsoever. So before he realised what had happened, he was through the water, then suddenly decided he wasn't going any further. Anyone with a cob knows how stubborn they can be! There was a man there walking his dog who'd stopped to have a gawp, so I felt I couldn't smack Barnaby and I certainly couldn't swear. I kept pulling the left rain, cos I know he's weaker on that side, so he turned, but then he reared and ran backwards into the bushes. After a few goes I realised I was getting nowhere, so I got off and walked him up the track towards the school. I was hoping for a bench or a stone where I could get back on, but there was nothing, so I had to mount him from the ground. But I knew there was no way I could let him win, otherwise he'd never go that way again.
He did try to turn for home, but I legged him on and he carried on down the track. I decided to risk having a little canter on the grass, and he was fine, so we kept going. After that he was very good, so I went along the track, past the two fields of cows, then turned left and followed the field track down. After that the grass got way too long and I turned and came back up the hill. I asked him to trot as I didn't know how strong he'd be, but he was really well behaved. I want to be able to come here on my own regularly, so I need him to be good. I decided if I could cope with him in a foul mood, he'll be fine on other days.
Once we got onto the main track, Barnaby was desperate for a canter, but there are some quite serious holes in the ground, so we did a sedate canter so I could steer him round, and then I let him open up and it was fab, to be honest. I am doing much more galloping with him now, it's almost as if he knows I'm confident enough to do it with him, quite strange! Don't forget, at the old place there were hardly any places to canter, let alone gallop, so this is quite a big step forward for us both!
We rode back down to the brook. Obviously Barnaby was marching home and had no problems going through it this time, cheeky so-and-so! We got onto the road and trotted along a bit, then in the distance I could see what looked like someone riding on the pavement on the opposite side of the road. As I got closer it looked like someone leading a horse with someone riding it. Then we got even closer and I realised it was John leading Zak, so we trotted up to them.
It turned out Zak had gone lame a long time ago and John had got off and walked him home. It sounds like the same thing he did when John did the major ride where he got lost, but he said Zak hadn't stumbled or anything and had been absolutely fine for ages, then suddenly went lame. I don't know what's up with him, poor boy. Barnaby was very pleased to see him anyway, and walked the rest of the way very calmly, but had that, "Told you I'd find him!" look on his face.We got back and John spent ages cold hosing Zak and I washed Barnaby down as it was actually very warm on the hack.
Then Rachel turned up and said if we weren't in any hurry to go, Pimm's was being served, so we sat and had a few glasses with everyone. It was quite a giggle talking about our hunting experiences etc. Much nicer than being on your own all the time.
So a nice end to a very nice day. Let's see what tomorrow brings. I so hope Zak isn't going to be lame for too long.
Back soon
Jane x
Monday, 4 June 2012
Bucket List 1
Then John passed me the umbrella. I was ready to drop it in a split second if need be, but held it down by Barnaby's side and he was fine, so I slowly raised it up above my head and he couldn't have cared less. It was so exciting. I rode round the manege and John filmed me, it was so cool. I always knew he could do it, my brave boy, he is totally unflappable.
So proud of him.
Some of the ponies in the paddocks next to the school were quite astonished, though, they couldn't understand why there was a levitating umbrella floating past!
Can't wait to scrapbook these pics.
Jane x
Monday, 9 April 2012
Settling In
We've had a really good but busy week, unpacking everything and deciding where everything should go. It's very strange having an extra room upstairs, which is now John's dressing room, and an extra room downstairs, which is my craft room.
There seem to be loads of doors, too, as in the cottage everything was open plan, with only a door to the bathroom. Here there are three doors right next to each other, to get out to the garden, and two at the front, which takes a bit of getting used to.
It's still very cold as well and we haven't got any central heating as the boiler doesn't work. We've had a plumber out who couldn't get the pilot light to stay lit. We can have showers, but no bath yet, which is the thing we were looking forward to.
Part of my brain knows full well why I'm here but the other half can't get used to it yet. It's as if we're on holiday, even though I have all my stuff around me.
Tessa is confused, too. She is used to having all that land to run around in, and now has a long, narrow garden. It seems to be full of interesting sniffs, though, which she likes. There is a lovely table and chairs and barbeque area out there, as well as a shed and a greenhouse, which will be fun in the summer. There are primroses and trees that are just budding, and a pheasant that strolls around without a care in the world.
I'm sleeping very well, which is doing me good, and I've realised it's because we can't hear the rain on the roof any more. I've gone outside and seen that it's really wet, but had no idea all through the night.
But the most important part is that the horses are loving it on their new yard. Barnaby is being a bit boisterous, but I'm not surprised as he doesn't know where he is. Last Sunday we rode and decided just to go steady and go in the school. Barnaby was dragging me towards the fences and I think it was because he thought we'd travelled to a competition, and this was obviously the showjumping! It took a long time to settle him. Zak wasn't bothered, he thought he may as well have a bit of fun and pop some fences.
But, oh, the hacking! We ride straight onto fields from the back of the farm and it's just field after field. It is absolutely blissful. John and I went together and the horses loved it. We did some cantering, as it's all grass around every field. I could feel Barnaby going, "What, cantering?" so I said, "Yes, darling." so he did his obligatory 20 strides, like he would at the old place, then I could feel him hesitate,
"What, all of it?"
"Yes, my love, go on!" and away he went, side by side with his buddy, who was dying to streak away. Just fabulous.
We spent one session with me in the school and John taking Zak out, which went very well. I don't want Barnaby to think he and Zak mustn't be separated under any circumstances, as he is used to me riding him out five days a week on his own.
It will be strange from tomorrow though, as John is back to work and we will go to the yard when he gets home. The horses are being mucked out for us five days a week, so we've been doing it over the bank holiday weekend.
I haven't mucked shavings out for 3 years and just stood staring at it at first. Then I though, 'Oh well, just stick a fork in and see what happens,' and away we went. They don't use wheelbarrows, either, they muck out straight into a rubber skip and tip it straight into a little truck called a Kubota, which someone then drives round to the muck heap and empties it.
There are no water buckets either, they all have automatic waters, such luxury. We didn't even have those on Lorna's yard. The stables also have the metal door that opens to slot hay in. I will take some pictures as soon as I can, I promise, then it'll be obvious what I mean.
Well I'd better go and cook something for dinner.
More soon,
Jane x
There seem to be loads of doors, too, as in the cottage everything was open plan, with only a door to the bathroom. Here there are three doors right next to each other, to get out to the garden, and two at the front, which takes a bit of getting used to.
It's still very cold as well and we haven't got any central heating as the boiler doesn't work. We've had a plumber out who couldn't get the pilot light to stay lit. We can have showers, but no bath yet, which is the thing we were looking forward to.
Part of my brain knows full well why I'm here but the other half can't get used to it yet. It's as if we're on holiday, even though I have all my stuff around me.
Tessa is confused, too. She is used to having all that land to run around in, and now has a long, narrow garden. It seems to be full of interesting sniffs, though, which she likes. There is a lovely table and chairs and barbeque area out there, as well as a shed and a greenhouse, which will be fun in the summer. There are primroses and trees that are just budding, and a pheasant that strolls around without a care in the world.
I'm sleeping very well, which is doing me good, and I've realised it's because we can't hear the rain on the roof any more. I've gone outside and seen that it's really wet, but had no idea all through the night.
But the most important part is that the horses are loving it on their new yard. Barnaby is being a bit boisterous, but I'm not surprised as he doesn't know where he is. Last Sunday we rode and decided just to go steady and go in the school. Barnaby was dragging me towards the fences and I think it was because he thought we'd travelled to a competition, and this was obviously the showjumping! It took a long time to settle him. Zak wasn't bothered, he thought he may as well have a bit of fun and pop some fences.
But, oh, the hacking! We ride straight onto fields from the back of the farm and it's just field after field. It is absolutely blissful. John and I went together and the horses loved it. We did some cantering, as it's all grass around every field. I could feel Barnaby going, "What, cantering?" so I said, "Yes, darling." so he did his obligatory 20 strides, like he would at the old place, then I could feel him hesitate,
"What, all of it?"
"Yes, my love, go on!" and away he went, side by side with his buddy, who was dying to streak away. Just fabulous.
We spent one session with me in the school and John taking Zak out, which went very well. I don't want Barnaby to think he and Zak mustn't be separated under any circumstances, as he is used to me riding him out five days a week on his own.
It will be strange from tomorrow though, as John is back to work and we will go to the yard when he gets home. The horses are being mucked out for us five days a week, so we've been doing it over the bank holiday weekend.
I haven't mucked shavings out for 3 years and just stood staring at it at first. Then I though, 'Oh well, just stick a fork in and see what happens,' and away we went. They don't use wheelbarrows, either, they muck out straight into a rubber skip and tip it straight into a little truck called a Kubota, which someone then drives round to the muck heap and empties it.
There are no water buckets either, they all have automatic waters, such luxury. We didn't even have those on Lorna's yard. The stables also have the metal door that opens to slot hay in. I will take some pictures as soon as I can, I promise, then it'll be obvious what I mean.
Well I'd better go and cook something for dinner.
More soon,
Jane x
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
We Are Here!
I am recovering from what has been the most exhausting few days ever! We moved the horses first thing Friday morning. I have only just found my camera in one of the boxes, but I'll try to take some photos of their new yard tomorrow.
I was absolutely dreading the journey. Some of you may know we have terrible problems travelling Zak. We packed their rugs and feed bins and loaded the horses, Zak in first, then Barnaby, with me travelling in the back to hold onto Zak and talk to him on the journey. The first few minutes were awful. For no apparent reason, Zak decided he couldn't possibly remain upright, and leant against the partition between him and Barnaby with his legs straight out against the opposite partition. I pulled him upright again and just kept talking calmly to him (no easy feat when you feel sick yourself!) and eventually he calmed down and decided he could travel after all. We bonded in the back of that lorry, I can tell you. He was actually resting his chin on my arm after a while and blowing in my ear, which was so sweet. Barnaby had no problems whatsoever. I have to say though, that if I hadn't travelled in with Zak he would have fallen over and done goodness-knows-what to himself within the first five minutes.
Basically I prayed all the way there.
And we arrived in fine style, with Zak not even sweating, which was fantastic.
We took them into their new stables and Barnaby practically fell asleep. We unloaded their rugs and tack, stowing them in various places and then were able to turn them out... onto grass. Neither of them could quite believe it and didn't know whether to buck and leap about, canter up and down, greet their neighbours or just eat. Okay, it wasn't long before they decided to just eat, and I'm not surprised as they've both been desperate for grass for ages. Barnaby has been leaning against the dry stone walls at the old house, hoping his weight would knock a section down so he could get into the field next door.
I know we haven't had rain for a while anyway, but there is no mud in these fields, and plenty of grass. I also thought it was our job to poo pick every day, but we have it done for us Monday-Friday. We do it at the weekend as part of our mucking out. How blissful is that?!
It was the strangest feeling ever to drive away and leave the boys there. I haven't been away from Barnaby for three years. It was odd when we got back to the farm, too, as we've never been there without them. I kept looking out of the kitchen window to see what they were up to, but there was no one there. So odd. I worried about whether he was warm enough, settled in, able to lay down on the small shavings bed (actually it was a lot bigger than I'd realised once I'd seen him in it) would he drag people around the yard, would the staff remember to keep them together, etc etc.
And so we finished the last of the packing...
(More soon!)
Jane x
I was absolutely dreading the journey. Some of you may know we have terrible problems travelling Zak. We packed their rugs and feed bins and loaded the horses, Zak in first, then Barnaby, with me travelling in the back to hold onto Zak and talk to him on the journey. The first few minutes were awful. For no apparent reason, Zak decided he couldn't possibly remain upright, and leant against the partition between him and Barnaby with his legs straight out against the opposite partition. I pulled him upright again and just kept talking calmly to him (no easy feat when you feel sick yourself!) and eventually he calmed down and decided he could travel after all. We bonded in the back of that lorry, I can tell you. He was actually resting his chin on my arm after a while and blowing in my ear, which was so sweet. Barnaby had no problems whatsoever. I have to say though, that if I hadn't travelled in with Zak he would have fallen over and done goodness-knows-what to himself within the first five minutes.
Basically I prayed all the way there.
And we arrived in fine style, with Zak not even sweating, which was fantastic.
We took them into their new stables and Barnaby practically fell asleep. We unloaded their rugs and tack, stowing them in various places and then were able to turn them out... onto grass. Neither of them could quite believe it and didn't know whether to buck and leap about, canter up and down, greet their neighbours or just eat. Okay, it wasn't long before they decided to just eat, and I'm not surprised as they've both been desperate for grass for ages. Barnaby has been leaning against the dry stone walls at the old house, hoping his weight would knock a section down so he could get into the field next door.
I know we haven't had rain for a while anyway, but there is no mud in these fields, and plenty of grass. I also thought it was our job to poo pick every day, but we have it done for us Monday-Friday. We do it at the weekend as part of our mucking out. How blissful is that?!
It was the strangest feeling ever to drive away and leave the boys there. I haven't been away from Barnaby for three years. It was odd when we got back to the farm, too, as we've never been there without them. I kept looking out of the kitchen window to see what they were up to, but there was no one there. So odd. I worried about whether he was warm enough, settled in, able to lay down on the small shavings bed (actually it was a lot bigger than I'd realised once I'd seen him in it) would he drag people around the yard, would the staff remember to keep them together, etc etc.
And so we finished the last of the packing...
(More soon!)
Jane x
Sunday, 25 March 2012
Saying Farewell
We've been to Zion Church in Chesterfield for what will probably be the last time. I was fine until the last song, and then cried because it felt like the last day of school. There are so many people there we've grown to love, including the pastor, Paul Hollingworth, but all the members of our Connect Group, too. I will miss my dear friend Priscilla so much.
Afterwards we went to Stablemates to say goodbye to the staff and darling Marley dog. They've been good friends to us there. I was surprised, actually, to realise how many lives we have impacted, hopefully in a good way. Sometimes we assume we have no influence, and that's not the case.
We've spent the afternoon packing more clothes, throwing things away and dismantling the wardrobes. We've had a fabulous ride in the school, too. It's lovely to be able to wear a T shirt outside in March, how often does that happen?
To keep myself motivated and forward looking, I just thought I'd write a list of some things I won't miss when we move. Here we go:
1. The mud. No longer will I stand trapped knee deep in mud with an irate horse bearing down on me and my life flashing before my eyes. It may sound funny here, but it so isn't.
2. Not being able to touch the ceiling when I take my jumper off!
3. No one playing football outside my sitting room window. Even in a council house, nobody expects you to put up with that.
4. People being able to walk through my house whenever they feel like it.
5. Having to ask for haylage to be put out.
6. Having to hide in the bathroom to make phonecalls.
7. Being expected to babysit ad infinitum. Like staff.
8. The tap being frozen when it snows.
9. No off road riding. Trailing round the same roads over and over again. Seeing fields and not being allowed in them.
10. Having no one to hack out with.
So there we are. I'll be back tomorrow, with a list of things I've got to look forward to, but some concerns, too, I think. It isn't all plain sailing.
Back soon,
Jane x
Afterwards we went to Stablemates to say goodbye to the staff and darling Marley dog. They've been good friends to us there. I was surprised, actually, to realise how many lives we have impacted, hopefully in a good way. Sometimes we assume we have no influence, and that's not the case.
We've spent the afternoon packing more clothes, throwing things away and dismantling the wardrobes. We've had a fabulous ride in the school, too. It's lovely to be able to wear a T shirt outside in March, how often does that happen?
To keep myself motivated and forward looking, I just thought I'd write a list of some things I won't miss when we move. Here we go:
1. The mud. No longer will I stand trapped knee deep in mud with an irate horse bearing down on me and my life flashing before my eyes. It may sound funny here, but it so isn't.
2. Not being able to touch the ceiling when I take my jumper off!
3. No one playing football outside my sitting room window. Even in a council house, nobody expects you to put up with that.
4. People being able to walk through my house whenever they feel like it.
5. Having to ask for haylage to be put out.
6. Having to hide in the bathroom to make phonecalls.
7. Being expected to babysit ad infinitum. Like staff.
8. The tap being frozen when it snows.
9. No off road riding. Trailing round the same roads over and over again. Seeing fields and not being allowed in them.
10. Having no one to hack out with.
So there we are. I'll be back tomorrow, with a list of things I've got to look forward to, but some concerns, too, I think. It isn't all plain sailing.
Back soon,
Jane x
Thursday, 22 March 2012
A New Beginning
Many of you who've followed my previous blog, Chickens In My Kitchen will know that we've spent the past three years living on a small farm with our horses. I haven't had to work, and have stayed at home all day looking after the horses, ducks, cats and chickens.
Then, out of the blue, a couple of months ago, we were told the farm was to be sold. We were in total shock, as you can imagine. We've been through a phase of thinking we'd have to sell the horses (Barnaby and Zak) and move somewhere nearer to where my husband works.
We are born again Christians and pray about even the small things, but this is a pretty big thing, so we got before God. I was very brave and willing to sell the horses if that's what it took, but also cried and said I couldn't bear to part with them.
Once I'd admitted that, things moved very quickly. We have found a house to rent and a lovely livery yard (I hope, more of that later) and move in less than two weeks.
I feel that this new chapter in our lives warrants a new blog, as we start this new adventure, and I hope you'll come on this journey with me.
It's all Barnaby's fault. What do you do when you feel that you own the most wonderful horse in the world and you've made him a promise that you'll never sell him?
Only time will tell...
Then, out of the blue, a couple of months ago, we were told the farm was to be sold. We were in total shock, as you can imagine. We've been through a phase of thinking we'd have to sell the horses (Barnaby and Zak) and move somewhere nearer to where my husband works.
We are born again Christians and pray about even the small things, but this is a pretty big thing, so we got before God. I was very brave and willing to sell the horses if that's what it took, but also cried and said I couldn't bear to part with them.
Once I'd admitted that, things moved very quickly. We have found a house to rent and a lovely livery yard (I hope, more of that later) and move in less than two weeks.
I feel that this new chapter in our lives warrants a new blog, as we start this new adventure, and I hope you'll come on this journey with me.
It's all Barnaby's fault. What do you do when you feel that you own the most wonderful horse in the world and you've made him a promise that you'll never sell him?
Only time will tell...
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