I can't believe that I have almost had Ben for 3 weeks. I have experienced every single emotion possible within that time and at the end of it I think that I am the happiest person alive. He is my absolute perfect horse. I love him so much and can't believe that I have been so lucky to find a horse who matches me completely.
We had a rocky start with him being in isolation for 10 long days with no turnout at all. During that time we had to deal with having his gutteral pouch flushed and got his teeth and vacinations done. He was finally declared strangles free and was able to move into the main stable block where he was so much happier straight away.
He now lives out at night and comes in for about 6 hours during the day where he can eat some hay and have some time away from the elements. He goes out in a herd of about 7 horses but only 4 of them stay out overnight. He has been accepted into the herd (although this took a few days) and has become friendly with one horse in particular called Henry. He is a very vocal horse and he likes to call out to his friends.
In the stable he is very polite and loves to be brushed. I love to groom and he always looks like he is ready to go to a show - even when I just put him out in the field. His bottom lip drops and his body totally relaxes. I love the fact that he enjoys being groomed so much - it makes me feel like I am bonding with him even more.
I have ridden him most days and been for a couple of hacks. He is nosy and likes to look at things, but he hasn't done a single spook, buck or given me any cause for concern. In his old home he did lots of road hacking, but here I have taken him in woodlands, over open fields, ridden him under floodlights in the school and he has taken everything in his stride.
We have done most of our ridden work in the school under floodlights and I have discovered that if I press the right buttons he is a total schoolmaster (at the grand old age of 7) and works in a lovely soft outline. He can do amazing lateral work and has a very willing attitude. The yard has many people who compete in high level dressage and they have said that he has naturally good paces and that we could do well in competitons. They may just be saying nice things, but its nice to hear anyway.
We have so much to work on but in a very positive way. He loses attention easily so when working in the school I have to make it interesting for him. I am going to try and have more of a focus for our work and make sure I plan our sessions. The weekends are going to be spend hacking/exploring the farm and generally riding anywhere outside of the school. I'm also wanting to start to jump him. I have a very experienced friend who has offered to help me with my jumping so hopefully one evening she will come down and we will get started.
All in all, my horse owning experience is better than I could ever have wished for. I'm exhausted and have to be very organised to make sure that my family and kids are well taken care of as well, but it's well worth it. The only downside is the expense of the yard. He is on full livery and it costs a fortune, but for the time being we will stay put and I'm sure that I will make ends meet. As my kids get older I will be able to go to at least assisted DIY, but for the time being my situation is perfect and I'm the happiest girl alive.
Sorry for the long post - I just wanted to share my happy vibes and give my poor husbands ears a rest!
We had a rocky start with him being in isolation for 10 long days with no turnout at all. During that time we had to deal with having his gutteral pouch flushed and got his teeth and vacinations done. He was finally declared strangles free and was able to move into the main stable block where he was so much happier straight away.
He now lives out at night and comes in for about 6 hours during the day where he can eat some hay and have some time away from the elements. He goes out in a herd of about 7 horses but only 4 of them stay out overnight. He has been accepted into the herd (although this took a few days) and has become friendly with one horse in particular called Henry. He is a very vocal horse and he likes to call out to his friends.
In the stable he is very polite and loves to be brushed. I love to groom and he always looks like he is ready to go to a show - even when I just put him out in the field. His bottom lip drops and his body totally relaxes. I love the fact that he enjoys being groomed so much - it makes me feel like I am bonding with him even more.
I have ridden him most days and been for a couple of hacks. He is nosy and likes to look at things, but he hasn't done a single spook, buck or given me any cause for concern. In his old home he did lots of road hacking, but here I have taken him in woodlands, over open fields, ridden him under floodlights in the school and he has taken everything in his stride.
We have done most of our ridden work in the school under floodlights and I have discovered that if I press the right buttons he is a total schoolmaster (at the grand old age of 7) and works in a lovely soft outline. He can do amazing lateral work and has a very willing attitude. The yard has many people who compete in high level dressage and they have said that he has naturally good paces and that we could do well in competitons. They may just be saying nice things, but its nice to hear anyway.
We have so much to work on but in a very positive way. He loses attention easily so when working in the school I have to make it interesting for him. I am going to try and have more of a focus for our work and make sure I plan our sessions. The weekends are going to be spend hacking/exploring the farm and generally riding anywhere outside of the school. I'm also wanting to start to jump him. I have a very experienced friend who has offered to help me with my jumping so hopefully one evening she will come down and we will get started.
All in all, my horse owning experience is better than I could ever have wished for. I'm exhausted and have to be very organised to make sure that my family and kids are well taken care of as well, but it's well worth it. The only downside is the expense of the yard. He is on full livery and it costs a fortune, but for the time being we will stay put and I'm sure that I will make ends meet. As my kids get older I will be able to go to at least assisted DIY, but for the time being my situation is perfect and I'm the happiest girl alive.
Sorry for the long post - I just wanted to share my happy vibes and give my poor husbands ears a rest!
