40 Things for 40

Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous 2016. I would like to thank everyone for their support and I hope that the New Year brings you everything you wish for. from Solstice Dressage http://ift.tt/1dZceUn via IFTTT

Happy New Year one and all. I truly hope 2016 is all you wish for and more. by Hazel Watts December 31, 2015 at 08:06PM from Facebook via IFTTT from Facebook via IFTTT

16 Things For 2016: 2016 is just around the corner from Facebook https://t.co/RnWsyYz0tN via IFTTT

16 Things For 2016: 2016 is just around the corner https://t.co/RnWsyYz0tN — Hazel Watts (@My_Dog_Blue) December 31, 2015 from Twitter https://twitter.com/My_Dog_Blue December 31, 2015 at 03:34PM via IFTTT

My blog :) from Facebook http://ift.tt/1JLvpuL via IFTTT

I thought that I would have a go at doing some goals again next year. The last time I tried, I did not get very far and so decided not to do any for 2015. This time round I am going to keep to a low number and keep to fairly simple goals. Some are related to others, but other than that they should be fairly easy to achieve. 1 Fix horsebox We currently have 2 horseboxes. One really needs to go to the big scrapheap in the sky, but the other only needs a couple of minor jobs doing. Because it is an older box, finding the parts is the most difficult part of this goal. I did say to Simon that I would like it fixed as my Christmas present, but I am going to aim to have this one completed by the end of January. If the lorry is not fixable, then there are two options - get another horsebox or get a trailer. Getting a trailer means that Simon and/ or me would need a trailer licence though. 2 Competing So this one does need goal 1 to be completed before I can actually get out to any compet...

So, in less than 12 hours, the New Year will be upon us. For me 2015 has been an okay kind of year, but I feel there was room for more improvement! Highlights include taking Matti and Amber to a couple of competitions and winning some rosettes. Over the spring and summer I was having regular riding lessons and noticed a big improvement in both horses. I also did some confidence building sessions and online which helped me with hacking. We also gained an extra pony and husky! For 2016, I have a few goals to aim for and also improve upon 2015. The most simple and yet most important is to have happy, healthy humans, horses and dogs throughout the year. from Solstice Dressage http://ift.tt/1dZceUn via IFTTT

Blue and Daisy enjoyed their walk round the woods this morning :) by Hazel Watts December 28, 2015 at 11:27AM from Facebook via IFTTT from Facebook via IFTTT

So full! Made a valiant attempt but couldn't finish it all. Blue is very happy though! by Hazel Watts December 25, 2015 at 08:09PM from Facebook via IFTTT from Facebook via IFTTT

Just for something a bit different :) by Hazel Watts December 25, 2015 at 05:51PM from Facebook via IFTTT from Facebook via IFTTT

Wishing all my family and friends a very happy Christmas. I hope you have a wonderful day, full of gifts, food, family, friends, happiness and joy. by Hazel Watts December 25, 2015 at 12:07AM from Facebook via IFTTT from Facebook via IFTTT

Merry Christmas everyone from me, Simon, ponies and huskies. My Christmas resolution is to keep this page updated more often! from Solstice Dressage http://ift.tt/1dZceUn via IFTTT

Christmas shoppers endure SIX HOUR wait leaving Bluewater Centre. Glad we didn't go yesterday now Catherine Watts from Facebook http://ift.tt/1RCUMqe via IFTTT

My evening sorted :) Watching Olympia— Hazel Watts (@My_Dog_Blue) December 21, 2015 from Twitter https://twitter.com/My_Dog_Blue December 21, 2015 at 07:19PM via IFTTT

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So day one of our 'stay-cation' has been reasonably successful. Simon only worked for a few hours(!), house is still tidy, cupboard under the stairs is tidy (the hoover fits and everything), kitchen cupboards sorted out, had a trip to Robinsons then lunch in Conkers and made a good start on Christmas shopping. by Hazel Watts November 30, 2015 at 09:53PM from Facebook via IFTTT from Facebook via IFTTT

Simon's choice. Haven't watched this for a long time!

Watching Ender's Game. The trailer looked good, so we decided to put it on our LoveFilm list. Not quite what I was expecting to start with, but once it got going it is a really good film. One to add to the collection for sure! by Hazel Watts November 29, 2015 at 07:21PM from Facebook via IFTTT from Facebook via IFTTT

Brought mum out to The Leather Bottle. We had a lovely evening and light bite to eat here. Time to go home now (just as I get phone signal). by Hazel Watts November 28, 2015 at 08:46PM from Facebook via IFTTT from Facebook via IFTTT

Decided to do Robinsons before attempting Festival Place. So even when shopping the pets are first lol November 28, 2015 at 12:09PM from Facebook via IFTTT from Facebook via IFTTT

At The Shack with my mum, which was rather busy due to a family having a meet up. Breakfast nice as always though. November 28, 2015 at 11:19AM from Facebook via IFTTT from Facebook via IFTTT

Hack time again for Matti and Blue today. I thought he might be a bit fresh but he was actually very relaxed today. Even when the huge german shepherd decided to come over and say hello. Bodyguard Blue was on hand to distract her while we snuck past though. from Solstice Dressage http://ift.tt/1dZceUn via IFTTT

Why am I sitting in my cold car, when Simon's is next to it with the engine running??? — Hazel Watts (@My_Dog_Blue) November 24, 2015 from Twitter https://twitter.com/My_Dog_Blue November 24, 2015 at 08:23PM via IFTTT

Fucked off doesn't even come close to how I'm feeling right now — Hazel Watts (@My_Dog_Blue) November 24, 2015 So I had to visit work to pick up some leads for Simon, and take them to site. It took me several minutes to get the door to the warehouse open After spending ages looking for the blasted things, nearly hurting myself in the process, I finally loaded up the car. Then gave up trying to get the door locked again.Next my key got stuck in the padlock of the gate and took me five minutes to get that sorted. Got in car, and the darn thing wouldn't start - flat battery. So Simon had to come over anyway to jump start the car. from Twitter https://twitter.com/My_Dog_Blue November 24, 2015 at 07:59PM via IFTTT

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Done at work for the day, so heading home now. via IFTTT

Partly Cloudy today! With a high of 46F and a low of 42F. via IFTTT

On my way to work now. Little later than planned but at least it was a productive morning. Turned out 9, got all stables mucked out, haynets, waters and feeds done, brought Pazzaz in and rode too. via IFTTT

Got quite a busy morning ahead, hopefully I can get everything done in time. via IFTTT

Cloudy today! With a high of 9C/ 49F and a low of 5C/42F. via IFTTT

Rain today! With a high of 44F and a low of 46F. via IFTTT

Horses tucked in for the night. I mucked out, cleaned and refilled water buckets, weighed out hay and made up feeds. Also skipped out kennel run and feed the dogs. Gave all cuddles too. via IFTTT

Journey not too bad. Now to try and get everything done before it gets too dark. via IFTTT

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Didn't ride in the end, but had some cuddles instead. I got stables ready and cleaned out dogs. Tilly was mucking out supervisor for today. via IFTTT

Simon has already done pick up so I am here just to get as much done as possible. Might try and squeeze a hack in if I can. via IFTTT

Mostly Cloudy today! With a high of 44F and a low of 38F. via IFTTT

I'm not sure how we managed to end up here again. Honest! by Hazel Watts November 22, 2015 at 09:39PM from Facebook via IFTTT from Facebook via IFTTT

Matti is now scalped - well almost! I've given him a hunter clip as he had been getting sweaty on our hacks. He was good, except for around his ears and under his belly, so I need to give him a little tidy up. On the plus side he is so shiny! from Solstice Dressage http://ift.tt/1dZceUn via IFTTT

With a high of 42F and a low of 29F. via IFTTT

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Hacked Matti out today, just a walk round the training hack with Blue. Both were good boys. The only disadvantage of taking Blue is that I have to walk on foot out to the forest before I can let him off, which means I then have to get on from the ground. I am certainly not as flexible as I used to be! Or Matti has gotten taller ;) from Solstice Dressage http://ift.tt/1dZceUn via IFTTT

With a high of 40F and a low of 30F. via IFTTT

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AM Rain/Snow Showers/Wind today! With a high of 39F and a low of 29F. I very much doubt we will see any snow today. It is cold though. via IFTTT

Today I did ride and lead with Amber and Matti. I'm not sure if was because the weather was calmer, or because her 'wingman' was there, but Amber was a lot more settled on our hack. Matti was good too, and I had one of those moments where I got a bit soppy and felt proud of my two wonderful horses. from Solstice Dressage http://ift.tt/1dZceUn via IFTTT

Having a relaxing evening and warm mulled cider by Hazel Watts November 20, 2015 at 09:35PM from Facebook via IFTTT from Facebook via IFTTT

Not another attack :( from Facebook http://ift.tt/1kLgET9 via IFTTT

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With a high of 47F and a low of 35F. via IFTTT

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Seeing as I was having a productive day, I decided to have a little hack on Henley. Of course it decided to chuck it down while I was tacking up, so I offered her a carrot if she could let me get on before the saddle got too wet. My bribe didn't quite work, but she was fairly good. We just did a short hack, but managed to squeeze in a little trot. And a canter. Clever pony and very smiley me! from Solstice Dressage http://ift.tt/1dZceUn via IFTTT

Next it was Matti's turn. He was rather full of himself but rather than sit quietly and try to get him to settle, I actually pushed him on and made him go on. We also had a lovely long canter - long because I let him go, then pushed him on a bit more when he wanted to stop. Result was a very chilled out, happy pony, so actually working the freshness out of him was more benefical than making him stay slow. Obvious on paper (sorry, screen) but not so easy when you're sitting on a silly, dancing, ginger pony! from Solstice Dressage http://ift.tt/1dZceUn via IFTTT

So feeling more chilled out from my coaching, I decided to brave the wind and hack Amber. I kept it to a short 20 minute hack as there were killer leaves everywhere. I've learnt to keep quite a firm contact with Amber as this seems to give her more confidence. I also do simple exercises such as neck bending to either side, asking her to lower her head and even baby leg-yield to help keep her mind occupied. I even put into practice some of what I learnt! from Solstice Dressage http://ift.tt/1dZceUn via IFTTT

Full reports to follow, but having mucked out 6 stables, done feeds/haynets/water buckets, ridden 3, poo picked, had a coaching session, walked 5 dogs and done some housework I'm officially knackered! from Solstice Dressage http://ift.tt/1dZceUn via IFTTT

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So, first report is about my coaching with Flying Changes Coaching. Having had a slight hiccup with anxiety etc, this was well timed. We worked on ways to deal with the overwhelming feeling I sometimes get. One of these was to do a 'timeline' on the ground, and use that to find times when I felt relaxed, happy etc and think of a symbol to represent those feelings. Then when I have a hiccup again I can use those to help me cope with the situation. That probably doesn't make much sense written down, but it feels like it will be a very good tool to have in my 'how to cope with life kit'. from Solstice Dressage http://ift.tt/1dZceUn via IFTTT

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With a high of 54F and a low of 50F. via IFTTT

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With a high of 49F and a low of 43F. via IFTTT

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With a high of 58F and a low of 47F. via IFTTT

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With a high of 57F and a low of 46F. via IFTTT

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Heavy Rain/Wind today! With a high of 60F and a low of 47F. via IFTTT

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