Lessons

Bills and I had our first lesson in quite sometime... Was much needed for the pair of us I think!
We did lots of working on being straight, which we did get better at! and that was followed by some lateral work, and whe very very start of learning passage. We both had fun, however I had very sore abb muscles the next day, but that proves I was starting to use them I guess!

Abbie had some float lessons, and now self loads, very proud of the wee ginge.... will be interesting to see what she makes of the work she will be getting soon, as the breaking in will start! YAY!!!!!

Bangor

A pic of Bills and I at Bangor last week... and a painting I had painted of him

Twlight 4 the final one

The evening was lovely, no rain or sand blasting winds, but nice and warm.
Bills and Kerry took one rail sj, and clear xc, all training jumps bar one... they came in 4th, so a very good effort all round.
I have Tommy out tomorrow to look at Billy and Abbie, and hopefully plat, if Bills is looking ok to jump on Sunday.

Have also sorted the dentist for Abbie, so she will be all sorted before getting broken in.....

Round the ring pony

So I took Bills jumping at the weekend, just 65cms... but we did it!
we did fairly well as well, 3rd in novice, 2nd in Open (and was very close for 1st by the sounds of things) and we won both mannered and rider! Don't think Ive won a rider class in my life, let alone a jumping one...
Sadly the twit wouldn't stand still in the champ judging.... but that ok, we had a great day.

Number 3

Well we had rain tonight! and it was chilly.
SJ was much better and no time faults and one rail... Xc was a mixed bag as the wee pooh managed to buck poor Kerry off, however she got back on and managed to do the course clear with minimal time faults! fantastic... she even did training jumps... So the pair of them finished 5th, and are sitting 11 on the accumulator series...

The day before Bills and I had a wee jump (65cms) in preparation for jumping at Bangor this weekend... fingers crossed he doesn't try to eject me as well!

Twlight series number 2

Well Bills and Kerry had a practise on Monday night and seem to be getting sorted now.
They did a fair dressage test, despite horrid wind and sand being blown at full force in all directions. SJ, was much better than last week and they managed a much tidier round, with Billy starting to think about what he is doing with his legs, but for 2 rails and time faults. Xc was much better, clear and 55 sec under time!
He seems to be having a ball, so am very happy with that. A bonus was they finished in 6th place! Not bad for their second outing together!

I did some schooling on the boy today and gave him and his sister a tidy up...

Yay

Well took the boy to do some much needed sj practise last night, and what a difference to last week... He seems to be enjoying himself now... and his rider didnt look as scared!

A week of firsts...for Bills

Last week Bills did his first twlight series event at Mcleans island... Poor Kerry had a hairy ride around the show jumps and marginally better around the cross country... finishing with 2 rails sj and 2 stops xc...

I took him to a western training day at the weekend, where we learnt about neck reining and working on a long rein... and he can ow do this walk trot canter and with people around... no small effort on Bills part..

Sunday I got up and went to his first inhand show... where we won 5 classes and came 2nd in 2. taking out the champion... he was such a gentleman even in the rain...

Off to practise SJ tonight weather permitting, looks to be a nasty NW arriving... then 2nd twlight series this week..

Pics to come from the weekend

Abbie

It has personally been a very hard time for me..... so I was very happy when my wee girl behaved so well when I started to do some work with her yesterday.

Show week has arrived

And so has the mixed weather, we have had a lovely weekend, now back to freezing cold!

Billy and I had an outing at the weekend to a local show, where he behaved well... It was very hot and his rider wasn't feeling the best... however hung in there for a few classes (in 2 hours) and called it quits...

I have also made the decision not to do CHCH A&P on him this year, was a hard one to make, but don't think I am up to it.... I will however have lots to do, and plenty of running around helping others I am sure.

Sadly

we had to miss last weeks show due to a sick slacker rider!
The float is however looking great as Shaun has been putting a seat in and is making the top rear door for it.
Abbs has been trying to escape into the grass paddocks, so is now yarded at night, and in the grass paddock with a grazing muzzle on during the day... so far she hasnt got it off!

We have Ellesmere PC show this weekend, and then Chch next week... *eeekkkk*

Couple of pics of Bills at WMW show

Yay

Saddle fitter has been out and fitted Billys new saddle, and its lovvvely!
Have also had our first sidesaddle ride... only at a walk, but its a start

Sunday was our first show of the season and the weather was horrid. We had lots of rain and wind... by the end my fingers and toes were numb and I was wet through. Bills was good and came away with 4 2nds and a forth. He managed to win his round the ring jumping with Kerry, however her really didnt deserve to, as he was naughty... poor Kerry.

Have entered him in the twilight eventing, so sure he will enjoy that. Count down is now on to CHCH show... we do have a few outings before that thankfully!

Well the weather has packed a sad

We have arrived back in Autumn with a thud...


Billy has had a few grass probs so far this season and our riding has been minimal... ha has recently taken on a fence... thankfully he is ok...





We have acquired a wee duckling whose family was wiped out by a car.....



Billys saddle has arrived, fitter out next week, think it needs to be widened slightly... Sidesaddle fitting this weekend as well...YAY!

First show of the season in 2 weeks, and one fat hairy pony...ohhh nooo

Its been a while

Finally spring is here!

I have been keeping busy with lessons both on Billy (jumping) and Cozzy (dressaging, he is Kerry's luffly boy).
Billy has pulled a muscle and that seems to be coming right slowly...
Isky isn't as good as I would like, and I am wondering if she is on her final stretch now =0(.
The grass has taken off, and Billy has lost the plot and is now in lock up, and being fed hay, much to his disgust! Abbie thinks it is great as she gets it all to herself!
Abbs looks to have had a wee grow as well, so hoping she will be up to being broken in after Christmas.
Billy has a saddle coming from the UK, hoping it should arrive at the end of this week... fingers and toes are crossed it will fit!

Another busy weekend.

We had an open home on sat this time, I am so over cleaning!
Then off to a 21st, which made me feel old...

Sunday I took Billy and Abbie to be measured, was a wet and miserable day, but we only had to wait for 2 horses before us, so was super.
Abbs came in at 145.5cm and Billy was 156 cm.

Hopefully I get to ride this week as I have a ride planned at a local pc, and a jumping lesson the weekend after...arghhhh

Pics of Abbie and I

Busy Weekend.

The cows went to new homes on Saturday,

Loosie loaded in the float beautifully, unfortunately Lexi had other ideas and lay down on the ramp and refused to move.... Red was as usual great, was sad to see them go...

Realestate agents out and a big clean up at home for the open day on Sunday.
Had a ride on Billy bareback, walk to canters are going really well now. He is really laid back and great to ride at the moment... long may it last.
Abbs had a bridle on, and I had a wee cuddle with her while she was lying down.
Both have measuring next week, so fingers crossed that goes ok....

Things are

moving along at home, the cows go to their new homes at the weekend, and have moved them up by the yards.

Have also had a couple of rides on Billy. He was super last night, and thinking really well.. We got walk to canters, and his lateral work was super....
Abbie has settled since Ben has been gone, very happy with that.

We have another open home this weekend, the last one was good with a few groups out.

Paddocks are all harrowed and the grass is growing... cant help but feel like its going to snow soon!

Been a while

Ben has had some more work, and now for sale....

Billy's eye is looking super and hopefully now cancer free!! wahoooo.

THe coooows are for sale, two look to be spoken for at this stage....

Brrrr

Well the weather has been getting colder, and the ground is starting to get wetter, may look to turn bills out for a month soon I think. Plenty to go on with with the babies...
Both of whom are looking round and hairy at the moment!

Have been looking at a few inhand shows for both/either of them...

Time for a catch up

Billy had his first ever dressage day at Cant dressage non graded day... He was a naughty pony, but managed to get a 4th in his prelim test, so happy with that.

We went to Hororata domain with Bills and had a group lesson with Emily Butcher on Sunday... well Bills was a nut, bucking, pronking and bolting... managed to hit a jump (going to fast and not listening) and get me off then follow me over it.... Jumped all the jumps... but wasn't happy with him at all.

So we have a dressage and jumping day for him to redeem himself at this weekend

Wahooooo

Last night I had the BEST ride I have ever had on Billy, he finally felt like he was moving properly and was amazing! Finished off with a hack (even a wee canter) down the road...

yay!

Wahoooo

The vet came out to check Billy's eye last night, Although it is still swollen she is happy that there is no hard lump in there, so meaning the cancer doesn't look to be returning at this stage. Normally they would have 2 injections to kill the cells, however after Billy's dramatic reaction (they don't normally respond as he did) we will wait and see rather than subject him to it again. So I am trying not to get to hopeful, but at the same time thrilled!

Bills has been enjoying being back in work and is going well for the most part, I am trying to hack him to the corner after his schooling etc to keep him fresh and let him cool down having a nice stretch..

I have learnt one of my dressage tests for the weekend, sadly when I looked at the other I got completely confused! hehe.... so will see how I get on... garwd help me!!

Weekend happenings

Sat am Billy and I did some jumping, which was fun, and I think what we both needed...

Sunday, Isky went to the vet to have her sutures out, sadly her ear has swollen up again and is very hot, not looking good. Not keen on her having another anaesthetic after the last one knocked her so hard.

Took Bills for a road ride, and for him he was fairly good...

So he will be very happy to have today off!

Not much

to add, have had a few good rides this week.. Billy and I are getting better at the indirect rein aids now...

He is enjoying having a ride to the end of the road after his schooling sessions as well.

Still treating his eye with KA's magic light and cleaning and ab's. Waiting on the vet to come and check it, but it doesn't feel as hard to me now.

In true to form style the weather is due to crap out this weekend, typical as I have a lesson planned....

Ben and Abbie spent the day naked yesterday, it has been frosty but the days have been lovely and sunny.

I am trying to learn my dressage test for next weekend, have given up any hope of remembering 2, so may well just have to skip one, as I don't know if I will have enough time for me to learn a second test after the first, and cant find anyone to call for me...

But its all good, an outing with the boy would be super.

Isky is due for her stitches out on Sunday so that will be good, she is pretty over it now I think!

It is also 6 years since mum died today, so wont ride, but will hopefully get to have a sit on the boy in the paddock...

Well ....

Billy has been in light work, he even managed to have his first outing to Kerry's place for a lesson... He did some nice trot work at times, however after his time off he is up to his old canter tricks and throwing the odd tanty..hehe
Sadly the dressage day he was entered in was cancelled due to extreme weather conditions.

Everyone had their feet done on Friday, and even Abbie managed to behave!

A weekend of wet

Not much to add on the horse front as the rain has been amazing... Ponies are doing ok and enjoying their lucerne hay at dinner time..
Bills has a dressage comp this weekend, so I am going to have to brave the weather and my fears and go for a road ride... *gulp*

A mixed bag

I phoned the vet yesterday and she thought that due to the amount of reaction Billys eye had it should have killed the cancer... she will pop out at some stage to have a feel and make sure...
So that is fantastic!!

To off set my happiness, I had to take 2 cats (Dopey and Bear) to the vet last night, along with mums dog Isky... who has a haematoma on her ear... she is in surgery today. I am worried about her as she is very old.... and also was mums, who has been gone for nearly 6 years now...

The weather is still horrid, and the paddocks are water logged... so I am thinking my outings this weekend might not be happening.

I have taken the chance on entering Billy in an event in July, so fingers crossed we are back in form for then.

Break in the weather

We had a fine spell when I got home yesterday, so I had a ride on Bills, we had a wee jump, only very small working on our rhythm and not racing... We both had a ball.
Timed it really well as I got him back in the paddock and the heavens opened up.
Last night was horrible, with strong winds, rain and hail...

All the ponies had a huge feed this am

Have also entered Billy in a dressage day, so hopefully he will be fit and well for that

Dressage Sidesaddle

Thanks so much to Dy for lending me her boy Sun for the dressage at Ellesmere today..

We had a ball, finishing in 4th place in our walk trot dressage test...

Thanks so much

WAHOOOOOO

Billy and I had a proper ride last night.

I took him down the road and he was horribly spooky, so took him home and worked him... he had a ball... even some nice canter work... he wasn't even seeming to be too unfit, so I am very happy...

Seems Ben now has a show name..

He is to be known as Tui Hills Providence (the one with the star in the pic)

http://www.energyworks.org.nz/

check it out, Billy has been having sessions and I think he is benifiting from them.

Finally

Billy's eye is looking a bit better...
Had a fantastic bareback ride (cover and all last night) was very comfy with the cover!
He seemed happy and enjoyed himself...

Have been having energy healing done on him by a friend of mine and I think he is responding well to it.

Will have to get the vet back at some stage to see if he need the bacteria injected again... but might wait until after the weekend so I can have a few days of enjoying my boy....

Dy phoned last night and she has entered me in the dressage at Ellesmere riding her boy Sunny side saddle, so will be fun....

Abbie was being atoad and eating my willow tress, so is coverless today as she was using her cover topush against the tape... grrrrrr

Winter has arrived

Everyone is rugged up and been enjoying their lucerene hay for dinner.

Sat was fine, so Billy and I headed out for a road ride... Took a bit of time to get his bridle on, and had to remove the nose band, as it was touching his eye as I tried to get it over his ears!!
After the fact I remembered I had some halter clips somewhere, so will have to did them out.

Headed out around the block, and he was wanting to walk through puddles and over sticks, must have been boared in his paddock... Had one spook at I'm not sure what... and one at the postie, who didn't bother to slow much for use despite my dayglo vest and the fact I was talking constantly to my pony....
I tried to keep him on the road (shingle) so he didn't get to freaked out by anything on his bad side (however swelling looks greatly reduced from what it was, maybe the only benefit of the cold weather)

We walked the whole way, but it was fantastic, enjoyed myself...

Got home and longreined Ben, he had a wee tanty, but after he was told off was a gem... his turning is super, and his halts are much improved.
Even got him trotting over a 20 cm jump.... he was loving it.

Weather permitting we are off to Kerry's at the weekend for his first session away from home...

I got the boxes topped up with sawdust just before it rained again.... phew...
So they are there waiting to go should I need them.

We had a ride

Ok, so it was only for 10 mins bareback, but He had a bridle on, that was the most difficult part of all as he wasnt happy for it to pass over his eye...
We had a walk and trot around and even had a few canter strides, felt really good to be back up there.

Treated his eye again and then rugged everyone up for the horrid weather this weekend was threatening to bring.

The vet vist

Well, today Billy seemed happy, was really nice... I got home early to get him ready for the vet. Brought him up and brushed him, and then got on him bareback with a halter on... Well his ears were forward the whole time, he was having a ball, we walked and trotted around... he was forward and enjoying himself...

Vet was happy with how it was looking, so I'm to keep up what I am doing....
Hopefully the cancer is taking a hammering.....

He went back to bed and called out to me after his dinner (he doesn't normally do that)
I and I think he are feeling a bit brighter tonight

Billy's eye

Pics of Billys eye today 4/5/09

Before and after it was cleaned

Pics of the babies

A few pics of Abbie and Ben taken the weekend before last

Awww good babies

Well this weekend was a busy one for me, Shaun was working all day sat, and off to the car racing in Ashburton Sunday.
Sooo Sat I got the dreaded gardening done!! arghhh hate that stuff, but looks better for being done.
Then did some work with the babies, They have both been mouthed but Abbie was sure she hadnt been at Dys the other week, so they both had a spin in the round pen with the lunge roller and loose side reins.
Ben was his normal perfect self, Abbs had a few tanties, but got over them... to finish after I had taken their gear off I walked then over the hill at the back of the garage (well mound)... Abbie went to hoon up past me, but I turned and looked at her and she stopped... Fantastic as this was a horse who would try to barge into/past when she felt like it....

Billys eye has been sore since his bute has worn off and he is jumpy and uncomfortable... so I am looking at trying him on some devils claw....

Sunday I lonreined both the babies, Ben again was perfect.... took him into the jumping paddock and had him going nicely around (not over) the jumps and walking over some poles on the ground.... we even had reasonable brakes and had a wee trot...
Abbie, did exactly what I expected and threw a tanty... however she soon clicked out of irt, and was then perfect! turning beautifully and even managing some nice halts... all the while in a natural head carage, looking very pretty... No trotting for her, but she was also walking over poles on the ground, and eyeing up the jumps!!

Billy had a run in the pen and his eye cleaned and zapp ed with the light again (twice) on Sunday.. he picked the yellow lens this time, so we will see how it goes...

Will ring the vet again today and see if she can come and have a look again... still no bill either...

Busy busy

Well, we made a start on the round pen, have gone for 18mtres, and this seems a good size. Have got some tress planted as wind break for when I get the crusher dust surface... looking out for some hose for the railings...

Billys eye, has started to puss through his suture wounds, I managed to coax some nasty looking stuff out of it tonight. Tried the clear light tonight, and he stood like a rock, so very happy with that. I have cliped him and added a $$ sign, for his name and what he is costing me...

Have also done a bit of work with the babies tonight and taken a few pics of the fuzz balls.

Round pen..

After using Dys round pen at the weekend I have decided I need one...

I am a bit confussed as to what size, but think I will aim for a 15 mtre one.....

Marked it out last night, so hope to be getting sorted with the hole digging etc tomorrow!!

Eye ball update

Vet has been out again and had another play..
She was a bit worried about Billy having an abscess somewhere, the injection is a bacteria, so no abs for this boy..
I have upped his garlic intake (thanks to KA for a huge bag)...

I have also looked out of the square and have had an energy clensing/healing done on him. will post the link to the web page at a later date.

This am he has some puss coming out from a suture hole (has healed, but a weak point)

Some ridden ones of the lovely Lady *FOR SALE*

Pics from the weekend

Lady and Abbie awwww

Lady *FORSALE*


Billy's eye

and again