40 Things for 40

Sorry if this offends anyone, but I found it rather amusing! Following on from my pity posts. If I am honest, not really. But I have managed to ride Amber and Matti 3 times each this week. I rode Mia once and she decided that she wanted to start napping and threatening to rear just walking in the school, so I loose schooled her over the weekend. I think I shall do this with her as much as possible this week, then try riding her again at the weekend. Doing my normal is it me/ the saddle/ bit/ too much energy via feed/ not enough work/ is she in pain etc type thoughts currently. Rightly or wrongly, I have a gut feeling that she is just being a cowbag and actually probably needs a damn good thrashing (not literally before I get reported for animal cruelty, but I think I need to get all incredible hulk on her and not let her intimidate me - which is easier said than done for me I know). So come the weekend, I'll be armed with a bottle or two of rescue remedy, my hat (obviously...

And a bit of a tiring one if I do say so. I managed to ride Amber and Matti, plus took Mia in the round pen for some loose schooling twice. Matti decided as he made a mistake the first time I asked him for shoulder in, he had to show me that he could do it every time we went down the long sides of the school. Bless. He also did some nice leg yeilding, including an unintentional one in canter. Amber was persuaded that she could do circles without sticking her head to the outside and swinging her arse right in, or at least almost. A big improvement compared to during the week anyway. Mia found the round pen (and being told what to do via a lunge whip) far to exciting/ annoying, but after some bucking and stomping, she settled down and started to listen to me. She is a bit of a cheeky madam as started being friendly (join -up type stuff) so once I had her back on the rope and asked her to do some leading work, she wasn't interested in me again. So next time, I'll work ...

I know, I know - I said no more woe is me posts. But I am struggling to think positive about anything at the moment and am starting to wonder if I can ever be the person I want to be - which is a horsewoman, and I am desperate to be a bloody good one at that. But I struggle do even get the basics right like feeding and keeping their health checks up to date (ie teeth, back, saddle checks), let alone riding them that often. Speaking of riding, I'm not particularly great at that and have always felt like I am terrible compared to everyone else. Even since I was a kid and riding Gypsy aka the-tank-off-at-every-opportunity-and-get-worked-up-at-the-thought-of-work and Sceptre aka spawn of satan aka I'm-gonna-make-you-regret-ever-putting-that-saddle-on-me. The fact that my mum wouldn't even let me ride her horse ever probably says everything really. So the fact that I now have 3 pretty difficult horses to ride doesn't really help me feel like I have any skills. Well, ok, ...

Mia , a photo by Smart-Cookies on Flickr.

Amber , a photo by Smart-Cookies on Flickr. Fun in the school

Matti , a photo by Smart-Cookies on Flickr. Doing a bit of loose- schooling

I know, I'm a few days late on this one, but I do have a sick note - honest. All in I haven't made a very good start to the year, so I may need to have a re think of my goals. I may need to make them more specific or have weekly targets or something. I do not really know what to do at the moment. Anyway, a breakdown of the little I did achieve: 1. Be a better me Don't really think I achieved anything towards this goal. 2/3/4 Amber/ Matti/ Projects Amber has had front shoes put back on as her footiness has been getting worse over the past few weeks. She's still lame on her front right in trot, so I will be keeping a close eye on her and if she is no better by the end of the week, then it will be time for further investigations. Matti hasn't really had a lot done with him this month if I am honest. As described in some of my previous posts, Mia has been rather challenging. Sadly she's been too much for my confidence which has decided to take up residence un...

After the issues with hacking Mia, my confidence has decided to run off to Tunisia without me. The fact that she has now decided to start rearing while tied up when she has decided that she's had enough isn't exactly helping the situation. I know and appreciate that she is a horse, and this is her way of dealing with stress, but I really do not know how to cope with rearing. Pretty much anything else I can cope with, but not rearing. So, I really have 2 choices. Sell her or keep her and get on with it. If I sell her, it may take a while to find her the right home as I will be honest about her 'quirks', and, to be fair, when you write it all down on paper, she doesn't sound like the most appealing of horses. She's not able to jump, she can't be shown (due to a scar) and she doesn't hack alone! I'm not sure how she is going to be in company again now she has found her "up yours" reaction. Although I think she's do great at dressage,...