2021 Hacking and Riding

I rode this morning, or rather the mare took me for a ride. She needed exercise and felt very lively but that was counter productive as I was frightened she might take off and went for a careful granny ride. No sweat on her at all when I untacked her. My hi viz silk was crooked and my hair caught in my velcro. But I think we both had a pretty happy time.

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Are there any rules to what you may and may not do and where?
Yes there are rules. The Royal Parks have special police. Especially important now, as we are so lucky to have this space and with Covid many people use it for cycling and running and walking. OH and I walk there almost every day.
Dogs are not allowed off the lead during the deer birthing season. All summer. So from a rider's point of view that is one less worry.

For horse riding one is not allowed to school horses ( I think this means not to lunge them). Galloping is forbidden. Whereas on Epsom downs in the afternoon, one can gallop.

Riding is either "On track" or when the ground is dry "Off track".
When riding is off track, one may ride anywhere one likes. I have my favourite summer rides and there are long level canters alongside some of the drainage chanels.
In winter, riding is usually on track and I took some pics of the track a few days ago and will take some more.
If you go to the Royal Parks website I think there is a map showing the riding track. Roughly speaking it goes all round the park. It doesnt seem to be on line, but it is a printed paper map and I could pick one up and post it to you?
People who ride in the park pay an annual fee for the upkeep of the riding tracks. I dont know if one has to book to bring a horse box in.

The grass track you see there has probably been mown clear by the horse drawn mower. They use it in summer to mow the road verges and to clear walk ways. All the RS horses and the one I currently shared can spook when they see the heavy horses at work. I dont know why but they are very scarey to a ridden horse, it seems.
 
I rode this morning, or rather the mare took me for a ride. She needed exercise and felt very lively but that was counter productive as I was frightened she might take off and went for a careful granny ride. No sweat on her at all when I untacked her. My hi viz silk was crooked and my hair caught in my velcro. But I think we both had a pretty happy time.

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She looks a good soul.
 
The one and only time I did a speeding voluntary "fall" from Ramsey, was due to a carriage in the forest. There are two gents who do weddings etc, who have two beautiful big greys. They appeared over the brow of a steep hill, and Ramsey was off, full tilt, down the other side. It was very steep, and he was a tripper, so I threw myself into a gorse bush. They disappeared, he came back, and we prance and danced all the way home.
 
Went out yesterday, really enjoying extending the rides. We met a lady with a little black dog. She told me she'd rescued it from Romania. As we talked the dog sat down and Hogan lowered his head and the two of them were nose to nose - we both exclaimed at the same time "He's never done that before!" I wish I could have got a picture - it was lovely and they stayed like that for a good few seconds. It turned out to be a very "affectionate" ride, as I met OH with my grandson and granddaughter, who both wanted to hug Hogan. I realised as I rode away, that I would never have trusted him like that, even a year ago. A lovely ride, for different reasons!
 
Pouring with rain this morning, but I thought - sod it, we're going out! Very glad we did, as it was a lovely ride, if a bit damp! Hogan was very good - we're doing a lot of uphill trotting now, and he's not as horrified at it as he was. Hopefully, that's his fitness levels improving. Dopey drawers tripped and went down on his knees, but thankfully no damage - my fault as I wasn't concentrating. We had a lovely moment back at the stables - Mr Bolshy of yesteryear fell asleep, head on my shoulder, as I talked to my friend. Demon pony is really a bit of a marshmallow.🖤Screenshot_20210808-115455_Gallery.jpgScreenshot_20210808-115503_Gallery.jpg
 
Glad he didnt have any ill affects from his tripping to his knees.
He really is a sweetie.

I only did a tiny bit of low key play yesterday it was stiffeling out.
To make it worse I woke up later than usual instead of between 3 and 4am
With 430 being late omg it was 6am
I had to rush coffee and get outside
And instead feeling better sleeping longer
I felt sluggish and groggy.
Ugh even the turkeys were not happy.
They hang around the horses at feeding time.
Im out a bit later but still had to clean so they were sitting on the fence in the third area waiting for me to get done and leave.
Up just before 4 today felt much better
And everything done. Well before 530 am.

Not sure whats in store for today some rain is due.

I would not mind a bit of a shower.
I took 2 containers worth of worms from my worm box in the basement and dug them in around the forsythia out by the stone wall towards the arena.

Its doing REALLY WELL but i have to thin it down before the cold weather.

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Glad he didnt have any ill affects from his tripping to his knees.
He really is a sweetie.

I only did a tiny bit of low key play yesterday it was stiffeling out.
To make it worse I woke up later than usual instead of between 3 and 4am
With 430 being late omg it was 6am
I had to rush coffee and get outside
And instead feeling better sleeping longer
I felt sluggish and groggy.
Ugh even the turkeys were not happy.
They hang around the horses at feeding time.
Im out a bit later but still had to clean so they were sitting on the fence in the third area waiting for me to get done and leave.
Up just before 4 today felt much better
And everything done. Well before 530 am.

Not sure whats in store for today some rain is due.

I would not mind a bit of a shower.
I took 2 containers worth of worms from my worm box in the basement and dug them in around the forsythia out by the stone wall towards the arena.

Its doing REALLY WELL but i have to thin it down before the cold weather.

View attachment 107848
OMG - 6am is LATE for you!!!!?
 
All the days are running into one currently. I think my brain is still frazzled by my being ill and the nasty antibiotic allergy. I know we went out Saturday with the boys, but cant remember what we did. I think it was our normal 4 miler. I seem to recall going down the permissive bridleway.

Oh yes, coming back now, and we snuck on the grass verge for a canter. Half way along Billy decided to spook at nothing. Maybe some white flowers, not sure. So i ended up mid canter turned 90° as he bounced and spun. Fortunately i sat it. Rest of ride was uneventful.

God if my memory is this bad what will it be like when im older. Just remembered i took Billy out late friday evening now. Was just going to get boys in at 6pm to ride and got a phone call to say hay guy was coming to collect some hay we had for sale. So i got both boys in and groomed. Guy turns up so we killed 2 hrs nattering and loading his trailer with 150 bales. So it was getting very late by the time i took Billy out. Was a bit windy so i opted for a road ride down into town and back up through the woodland track. Considering he hadnt been ridden since last weekend he was really good.
 
Sunday was a little manic with loading cows first thing. Chunkys rider came up early as normal. Her parents go out cycling on a sunday so she comes up to me. When she got here she suddenly remembered she'd forgotten her riding helmet. Whoops.
After we finished the cows i asked mum to drop her down to her house to grab her hat. She doesnt live to far away. She doesnt have house keys but knows where the key is to get in. Only problem was the dead bolt had been put on so she couldn't get in after all. So mum brought her back up. Riding went out the window.
She really wanted to take chunky out, so i decided that the safer option was for her to drive chunky. I decided i would ride out on Billy. So i made her harness chunky up. She did it very well, considering last week was her first time. I opted to go via the mile long track and up the country lane for a mile turn round and come back. It was 4 miles effectively.
It ment we did have to stop at the too big gates. One i managed to open still sat on Billy and she drove through. The other i had to get off and do as there is a big chain wrapped round. Fortunately i found suitable remounting facilities just near the gate.

I kept Billy behind the whole time apart from doing the gates. Whilst he obviously has been driven i decided that i was safest keeping behind so not to spook him. We managed various little trots and canters along the track where ground conditions allowed, and a few up the country lane.
Billy was not really fazed by having the carriage in front. I have done it before a couple of times when i had the other girls. Chunky was just super as usual. His little driver still need to learn how to drive though. She did manage to catch the wheel on a large tree stump going out. On the way back she caught the thing again. She said she forgot, and forgot the carriage is wider than the horse. I told her when she learns to drive a car she better learn the width of her car or she'll be having a few accidents. She did very well though considering it was only her 2nd drive. I did have to laugh, Chunky was definitely listening for my commands even though i wasnt driving. When i told Billy to trot or walk chunky was doing the same.
 
Sunday was a little manic with loading cows first thing. Chunkys rider came up early as normal. Her parents go out cycling on a sunday so she comes up to me. When she got here she suddenly remembered she'd forgotten her riding helmet. Whoops.
After we finished the cows i asked mum to drop her down to her house to grab her hat. She doesnt live to far away. She doesnt have house keys but knows where the key is to get in. Only problem was the dead bolt had been put on so she couldn't get in after all. So mum brought her back up. Riding went out the window.
She really wanted to take chunky out, so i decided that the safer option was for her to drive chunky. I decided i would ride out on Billy. So i made her harness chunky up. She did it very well, considering last week was her first time. I opted to go via the mile long track and up the country lane for a mile turn round and come back. It was 4 miles effectively.
It ment we did have to stop at the too big gates. One i managed to open still sat on Billy and she drove through. The other i had to get off and do as there is a big chain wrapped round. Fortunately i found suitable remounting facilities just near the gate.

I kept Billy behind the whole time apart from doing the gates. Whilst he obviously has been driven i decided that i was safest keeping behind so not to spook him. We managed various little trots and canters along the track where ground conditions allowed, and a few up the country lane.
Billy was not really fazed by having the carriage in front. I have done it before a couple of times when i had the other girls. Chunky was just super as usual. His little driver still need to learn how to drive though. She did manage to catch the wheel on a large tree stump going out. On the way back she caught the thing again. She said she forgot, and forgot the carriage is wider than the horse. I told her when she learns to drive a car she better learn the width of her car or she'll be having a few accidents. She did very well though considering it was only her 2nd drive. I did have to laugh, Chunky was definitely listening for my commands even though i wasnt driving. When i told Billy to trot or walk chunky was doing the same.
Wow I am in awe of Chunky's driver - I was allowed to take the reins just once when my friend and neighbour took us out - it's lots harder than I ever imagined!!! I think you are both doing great - she's so lucky having you teaching her like that and giving her the chance.
 
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