Well. the lethergy of Harry could be because he has a cold. He had a big runny nose on Tuesday, and just like a two year old boy, took delight in licking and trying to get as much of the snot on you as he could.
He has had a duvet day, watching the day time Telly, that you can only bear when you a poorly. Lemsip and Vicks seem to be doing the trick and he looks brighter.. honestly, he has been on vit B supplement and Horse Health air power cough mixture.
We will see what tomorrow brings...
Thursday, 31 March 2011
Sunday, 27 March 2011
Your lesson is with Ben!
Sometime ago I entered an on-line competitions for a free lesson at Bedgebury Park Equestrian Centre, as I never usually win anything, I was surprised to receive an email to say that I'd won a lesson. I chatted to the owner of the centre and agreed on a jumping lesson. So I got another email to confirm the time and date of the lesson and that it would be with their in-house trainer called Ben... but Ben who I cried... but I was never told.
To be honest I wasn't sure I wanted to bother to drive for an hour and a half for a lesson with someone called Ben, but decided that I might as well, I had nothing to loose. So we set off, the weather was glorious and we arrived at Bedgebury. I haven't been before, but had heard lots of good things. It is the new base for Sharon Hunt, and the facilities looked fab on the website. We got a little lost on arrival as we went up a back drive, but a quick call and we got rescued.
Ben came out and said hello and said he would meet us at the indoor arena. Harry was as chilled as ever, and we wandered down to the indoor arena.
The lesson was good, Ben was quick to work out Harry put as little effort in to things if that was an option and therefore I often tried too hard. So the flat work session to warm up for jumping was to do as little as possible and not to expect to much from Harry to start with. He got me to ride with shorter reins but hands a lot further forward than I am use to when in the jumping saddle. He wanted my lower leg more wrapped around and we did a lot of on to medium steps (even if only little ones) and also half steps to help Harry engage and bend his hocks. I really enjoyed this work. Next was on to some grid work and Harry then showed that he could jump, even taking off at the canter pole and clearing the whole lot and continue on down through the grid.
All in all I enjoyed the lesson, it was calm and worked Harry within his own balance. I found out that Ben did have a surname which is Cook, and we actually had a few mutual contacts. I certainly would consider another lesson... it has also got me fired up for some more jumping lessons, and to pull my finger out and sort out some faster fittening work for Harry.
We got back at 6pm, did the horses and then I went off to work Pluto - who again was super and tonight showed his owner what he could do off the lunge line. What a star.
To be honest I wasn't sure I wanted to bother to drive for an hour and a half for a lesson with someone called Ben, but decided that I might as well, I had nothing to loose. So we set off, the weather was glorious and we arrived at Bedgebury. I haven't been before, but had heard lots of good things. It is the new base for Sharon Hunt, and the facilities looked fab on the website. We got a little lost on arrival as we went up a back drive, but a quick call and we got rescued.
Ben came out and said hello and said he would meet us at the indoor arena. Harry was as chilled as ever, and we wandered down to the indoor arena.
The lesson was good, Ben was quick to work out Harry put as little effort in to things if that was an option and therefore I often tried too hard. So the flat work session to warm up for jumping was to do as little as possible and not to expect to much from Harry to start with. He got me to ride with shorter reins but hands a lot further forward than I am use to when in the jumping saddle. He wanted my lower leg more wrapped around and we did a lot of on to medium steps (even if only little ones) and also half steps to help Harry engage and bend his hocks. I really enjoyed this work. Next was on to some grid work and Harry then showed that he could jump, even taking off at the canter pole and clearing the whole lot and continue on down through the grid.
All in all I enjoyed the lesson, it was calm and worked Harry within his own balance. I found out that Ben did have a surname which is Cook, and we actually had a few mutual contacts. I certainly would consider another lesson... it has also got me fired up for some more jumping lessons, and to pull my finger out and sort out some faster fittening work for Harry.
We got back at 6pm, did the horses and then I went off to work Pluto - who again was super and tonight showed his owner what he could do off the lunge line. What a star.
Saturday, 26 March 2011
The Horse that makes me cry
His name is Pluto. He belongs to a friend's son who is currently in the USA. Pluto is a 17hh Danish x TB Gelding. He has competed Novice BE and a sensitive soul. He has had one of two little issues in his life, and one of them a physically problem is one reason why he has come in to my life. The other is that he hates travelling and has a tendency to panic in confined spaces.
In the last few weeks his physically issues have become worse and he is being seen by Gavin Scofield and soon will be having x-rays. Vets and Gavin's advice was to continue working but do more ground work. With the help of my friend Fiona, we started him with some parelli. Oh boy, today, whilst working on my own with him, I finished normal lunging which we are using to get him long and low and to open up his back, I finished the session by taking off all his tack, and walking with him around the arena, I then started the circling game with him, and he did everything I asked, stop, go, stop, walk, trot and canter... the way he turns and looks at you really does bring tears to your eyes. This horse has a look in his eyes that is so deep it hurts.
What an end to the day. Quite remarkable as Parelli really is very new to me, and I have only Fiona to thank for opening my eyes to this technique
In the last few weeks his physically issues have become worse and he is being seen by Gavin Scofield and soon will be having x-rays. Vets and Gavin's advice was to continue working but do more ground work. With the help of my friend Fiona, we started him with some parelli. Oh boy, today, whilst working on my own with him, I finished normal lunging which we are using to get him long and low and to open up his back, I finished the session by taking off all his tack, and walking with him around the arena, I then started the circling game with him, and he did everything I asked, stop, go, stop, walk, trot and canter... the way he turns and looks at you really does bring tears to your eyes. This horse has a look in his eyes that is so deep it hurts.
What an end to the day. Quite remarkable as Parelli really is very new to me, and I have only Fiona to thank for opening my eyes to this technique
Virgin Blogger
Oh boy, what I'm I doing... my first venture in to the world of Bloggers. Spurred on by friends, Rach and Alexis, I've bitten the bullet. Please bear with me as I learn about blogging, please ignore any spelling and punctuation mistakes... (sorry Alexis, I'm bound to make many!)
Today is going to be busy, so bye bye for know and we will report back later!
Today is going to be busy, so bye bye for know and we will report back later!
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