tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56528844934973247622024-03-13T22:08:18.733+00:00Sir BraveheartA semi-retired dressage horse shares his thoughts with the world.Petalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17864179944363260839noreply@blogger.comBlogger204125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5652884493497324762.post-38597283436922221112019-11-26T16:55:00.001+00:002019-11-28T13:37:53.541+00:00image<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Petalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17864179944363260839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5652884493497324762.post-44576972221362281952015-05-16T15:16:00.001+01:002015-05-16T15:17:31.891+01:00<a href="http://petalsownblog.blogspot.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://petalsownblog.blogspot.co.uk/</span></a>Petalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17864179944363260839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5652884493497324762.post-20004174142698897662015-04-29T11:27:00.000+01:002015-04-29T11:27:03.158+01:00Vet again<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The vet came again and spent some time sawing at Hanuman's teeth and poking his stifle joint. Then it was my turn and She said that I was going to have an injection that would stop my feet hurting, and before I know it, I'll be cantering around Celestial Pastures. Hello, what's this? mmmmm... carrots! yum</span>Petalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17864179944363260839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5652884493497324762.post-30464213322317428892015-04-27T15:56:00.000+01:002015-04-27T15:56:11.819+01:00Hanuman comes of age<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hanuman went out for a hack on his own for the first time today, and returned with his rider still on board. He was a bit tense but very courageous. The proof is in the video snippet below, where he bravely moves over for a car and does manage to halt before climbing the hedgebank.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She is delighted with his progress. </span>Petalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17864179944363260839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5652884493497324762.post-26113154434768699922015-04-16T22:33:00.001+01:002015-04-16T22:33:58.877+01:00Banished<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Much to our irritation Hanuman and I have been shut out of the yard. We were very frustrated that we couldn't go in for our customary nap, although Posy was there. Later we realised that Posy wasn't there alone. There was a new arrival!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This made Hanuman very excited and he ran round and round neighing from the frustration of not being allowed to play with the new wobbly thing. She claimed that this was making Posy anxious, and we were banished to the bottom field to keep us out of the way. This enraged Hanuman so much that he jumped back out of the field again. I am not the athlete I once was and I didn't join him, so She was able to recapture him and put him back in the bottom field once more. Now we are trying to reconcile ourselves to a life of exile while Posy gets some relaxation.</span></div>
Petalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17864179944363260839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5652884493497324762.post-42256436334742558902015-04-06T22:27:00.000+01:002015-04-06T22:29:11.805+01:00Working Equitation again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The riding club held a working equitation party at our place. Hanuman and Posy were onlookers but I was invited to take part. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I set off with a stylish trot circle round some barrels</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was one mystery manoeuvre involving a pole which had me flummoxed. She said it was a side pass that we had successfully practised for a couple of days beforehand, but I have no recollection of any such thing. My efforts to untie with rope gate with my teeth didn't prove as helpful as I'd hoped, but otherwise, e</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">veryone was agreed that I did very well indeed.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I keep a safe distance from the 'bull' but She still manages to spear the ring on top</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The second section was the timed Speed section, so I hurtled round and did a canter weave round the cones of such brilliance that I got a round of applause, which encouraged me to go faster and I did a gigantic leap over the jump. The only thing that held me up was the mystery manoeuvre, the likes of which I have never done before.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then there was a prize giving and I had to line up for a ribbon (third) and look responsible and set a good example to Boss, the ex-steeplechaser, who was piaffing at the end of the line. I got some carrots and She got a chocolate Easter bunny, so everyone was happy.</span></div>
Petalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17864179944363260839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5652884493497324762.post-9595434096695346012015-03-22T22:01:00.000+00:002015-03-23T11:20:50.340+00:00Richard III<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today, the remains of Richard III have been taken to Leicester cathedral for reburial - a victory for the city of Leicester after a challenge from rival city York; resolved in the High Court fortunately, and not on the battlefield. As ever, moments of historical significance require horses - and my relations were in evidence throughout.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">waiting for the coffin to arrive</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Richly caparisoned chargers wow the crowds</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The chargers stood guard outside the cathedral...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These are clearly my relatives, notice how steady they are and have absorbed the gravity of the whole situation. Posy's relatives would have shied at people throwing white roses and would have been prancing and standing on their hind legs and making a spectacle of themselves outside the cathedral.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The marvel of this whole thing is that the discovery of his remains were due to a woman with a romantic obsession with Richard III who had a goose bump moment and had convinced herself that his remains lay in a car park under the letter 'R' in 'PARKING'. Whilst clearly barking mad, she persuaded Leicester University to excavate there and to worldwide incredulity - she was right! You couldn't make it up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a bizarre twist to the whole affair, Richard III is sending tweets from inside his coffin...</span>Petalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17864179944363260839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5652884493497324762.post-69046433674081574222015-03-20T10:13:00.002+00:002015-03-20T10:13:21.422+00:00Solar Eclipse<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were told that an event of cosmic importance was happening this morning - a solar eclipse would occur at breakfast time. We were warned not to look directly at the sun since She had failed to buy us special glasses. As it happened, we couldn't even see the sun.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">View from the yard this morning</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Solar eclipse at maximum</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apparently, birds were meant to have stopped singing during the eclipse, but we heard a number of rebel tweets. The only thing we noticed was that it had turned a bit cold, but otherwise there was nothing remarkable to interrupt our breakfasts for.</span>Petalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17864179944363260839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5652884493497324762.post-83005287696130591122015-03-14T21:27:00.001+00:002015-03-21T09:02:21.684+00:00Disco Disappointment<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The motorised cabin arrived today, but before we set off, Hanuman was loaded next to me. He was making a fuss and trying to destroy his cubicle - until we started moving and then he had to have all his feet on the ground - he he!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">When we arrived it became apparent that it was a riding club musical event. She had hoped that I would do my dance, but my feet were giving me gyp and I was reluctant to trot much and even more reluctant to canter. She was disappointed because She had given me more medication than was good for me in the hope that I would be alright. It was a shame because I didn't feel able to trot about with my new friend Binx either.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Hanuman was there for the experience and didn't do much other than stand on his hindlegs a few times, but was generally thought to be quite well behaved considering.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">At the end She had organised a little Horse Disco. She had compiled a CD of suitable trot/walk/canter music for people to try out. The others did not appear to share Her vision of a horse disco and completely failed to be in the right pace most of the time. One of them was trying to do reining patterns to the music and others were chatting in the car park. This made Her very grumpy.</span><br />
<br />Petalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17864179944363260839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5652884493497324762.post-18311164316669476792015-02-23T15:09:00.002+00:002015-02-23T15:09:39.768+00:00Winter Break<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have been having a lot of weather in the last month or two. It has been freezing cold, or very windy or hailing, sleeting or any combination of these. The cold weather makes my feet hurt especially going down hills, and there are a lot of hills around here, so I have been taking it easy of late. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Young Hanuman hasn't done much either as She says that She needs calm weather to be able to get any sense out of him as he is such an excitable fellow. She did try an Introduction to Trotting Poles session with him, he thought it was so much fun that She felt the need to keep a firm grip on him.</span><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J-mnV1e37Fc?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We gather that She is waiting for the wind speed to drop before She continues his trot lessons.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Meanwhile, Posy just ambles about getting fatter and fatter, and, inexplicably, is being given more food, not less.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We have eaten all the grass there is and are praying that spring will come soon.</span>Petalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17864179944363260839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5652884493497324762.post-74558195749782584822015-01-19T19:35:00.001+00:002015-01-19T19:35:46.572+00:00Another day, another contest<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yesterday, I knew something was up when She called us in for breakfast when it was still dark and then shampooed my legs. No motorised cabin arrived though, I had to carry Her up to Duchy College for, what turned out to be a Trec competition.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hIRM-s7zbyA/VL1VP8PiQ4I/AAAAAAAAAtM/YSSxRz_xWcM/s1600/trec%2B180115%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hIRM-s7zbyA/VL1VP8PiQ4I/AAAAAAAAAtM/YSSxRz_xWcM/s1600/trec%2B180115%2B001.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I quickly assess the situation; obstacle 2 looks ripe for demolition</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First of all I was confronted by an array of pallets and since I was not confident that these would bear my weight, I skilfully manoeuvred around them for 'null points'. The other obstacles I tackled with gusto - bending round poles at canter (mostly), prancing though the 'squeeze', standing patiently with my feet in a hula hoop for 8 of the required 10 seconds. I cantered down a 'corridor' in exemplary fashion and then soared over a jump and slammed on the brakes as next I was confronted by a rustic filler the like of which I have never seen before (another 'null points'). A small amount of destruction occurred in the S bend but otherwise it was agreed that I had acquitted myself well and earned my carrot.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I attracted a number of new fans, but was very nearly upstaged by the arrival of a Clydesdale in full feather but with a sporty body clip. He spends his summers carrying tourists around Dartmoor and his winters on loan doing all sorts, including dressage ("<i>he has points</i>" they said in awed tones). Furthermore, he goes racing - he came second in this race and can be seen on the nearside...</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She was very impressed at his versatility, but, to my quiet satisfaction, the final scores showed that I am better at Trec contests than he is. Hah!</span>Petalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17864179944363260839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5652884493497324762.post-85820298899902528532015-01-12T09:21:00.001+00:002015-01-12T09:21:18.294+00:00Hanuman is brave<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hanuman's progress has been slow and gentle. Although he goes round very nicely for a while, he regularly reacts to noises on the road. His very powerful hindquarters enable him to go from 0-60 mph in very short order and without warning, which She has found a bit disconcerting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She was very pleased with him yesterday when he coped really well with traffic noise and only stopped to watch the rattling trailer, instead of charging off. She is hoping that he has now learned that none of these things are going to burst into the arena and eat him.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We think he may be allowed to trot soon.</span>Petalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17864179944363260839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5652884493497324762.post-11356854926293013892015-01-01T19:24:00.000+00:002015-01-01T19:24:29.817+00:00Happy New Year!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We could start with a review of 2014, which turned out to be pretty uneventful. She can't think of any lasting lowlights, although highlights included:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My hock joint fusing and giving me a new lease of life</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My Achievement in qualifying for the Regionals</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her subscription to clipmyhorse, which I gather has given her many happy hours of entertainment in lieu of television</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It seems that I am not to have any targets this year, other than setting a good example to the others. (I have been excused because of my arthritis.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hanuman's target for 2015 is to get to a level of proficiency such that he could perform a Preliminary test if needed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Posy's target for 2015 is to qualify for the Regionals. She says that if I can do it then Posy can. Looking at Posy's ever-expanding waistline I think that this may be over ambitious.</span>Petalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17864179944363260839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5652884493497324762.post-76306729809674720772014-12-31T14:23:00.001+00:002014-12-31T14:52:53.129+00:00I win Horse of the Year accolade!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, She has awarded me the Horse of the Year accolade! I have exceeded my 2014 targets and have ridden Achievements this year, in spite of my physical disabilities.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MKAO9QQ-KOs/VKQFf9gJx9I/AAAAAAAAAs8/ggftTah-2XY/s1600/horse%2Bof%2Bthe%2Byear%2B2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MKAO9QQ-KOs/VKQFf9gJx9I/AAAAAAAAAs8/ggftTah-2XY/s1600/horse%2Bof%2Bthe%2Byear%2B2014.jpg" height="400" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I look forward to receiving a handsome reward</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has to be said that the opposition for the Horse of the Year title has fallen by the wayside. Hanuman has proved rather erratic in the arena as yet, so She has decided to take things slowly and wait until he can walk quietly round for more than two minutes before progressing to trot and canter work.</span><br />
<div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Posy hasn't done anything lately at all and is just ambling about getting fatter and fatter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I am the clear winner, and a most deserving one!</span>Petalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17864179944363260839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5652884493497324762.post-53848046554649294002014-12-25T16:32:00.000+00:002014-12-25T16:32:40.869+00:00Season's Greetings<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you for your Christmas greetings. We have celebrated here with extra carrots for breakfast. Sadly, when I opened my Christmas gift and discovered a bumper bag of minty treats, the bag was taken away again with only the assurance that I would see them again on 'special occasions'.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-99c1e6LqmAM/VJw6pN-E3UI/AAAAAAAAAsk/goJq4KCLqAs/s1600/Xmas%2Bpresent%2B004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-99c1e6LqmAM/VJw6pN-E3UI/AAAAAAAAAsk/goJq4KCLqAs/s1600/Xmas%2Bpresent%2B004.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yum, minty treats</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Still, it was better than being dressed up in tinsel and made to go out in public, like poor Freddie.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sNxtJwtplco/VJw6lSXDH9I/AAAAAAAAAsc/s1fv_DhHfzs/s1600/festive%2Bfreddie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sNxtJwtplco/VJw6lSXDH9I/AAAAAAAAAsc/s1fv_DhHfzs/s1600/festive%2Bfreddie.jpg" height="400" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Freddie prepares for his annual public humiliation</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway, Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year to everyone!</span>Petalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17864179944363260839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5652884493497324762.post-50253594805463738922014-12-14T22:03:00.003+00:002014-12-14T22:03:45.533+00:00Christmas Social<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was invited to a Christmas party but alas, I had nothing to wear. My little friend Luna was sporting red tinsel, jingle bells on her noseband and some fetching antlers, leaving me feeling somewhat under-dressed for the occasion. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3fDYSz6EmGE/VI2hjKr0sGI/AAAAAAAAAsM/xUFhW_CnpY4/s1600/Xmas%2Bsocial%2B141214%2B003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3fDYSz6EmGE/VI2hjKr0sGI/AAAAAAAAAsM/xUFhW_CnpY4/s1600/Xmas%2Bsocial%2B141214%2B003.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Luna seems proud of her Xmas get up</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> She said that dressing up was for girls, and just look at Laddie who was not at all happy about being made to wear antlers on top of his head.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iSKh85qERWs/VI2hgEMz8AI/AAAAAAAAAr8/hPAR0W-SOSE/s1600/Xmas%2Bsocial%2B141214%2B006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iSKh85qERWs/VI2hgEMz8AI/AAAAAAAAAr8/hPAR0W-SOSE/s1600/Xmas%2Bsocial%2B141214%2B006.jpg" height="400" width="365" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Laddie is less than impressed by his comedy antlers</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She was imbibing mulled wine and scoffing snacks but didn't offer me any, although I note that Luna was being given mulled wine.</span><div>
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<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B4KGTbad50c/VI2hhvDdeeI/AAAAAAAAAsE/sXZsQ_dP25Y/s1600/Xmas%2Bsocial%2B141214%2B002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B4KGTbad50c/VI2hhvDdeeI/AAAAAAAAAsE/sXZsQ_dP25Y/s1600/Xmas%2Bsocial%2B141214%2B002.jpg" height="288" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I spy mince pies<br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wasn't even allowed to eat any mince pies and it was only at the very end that I managed to extract an apple from the organisers.</span></div>
Petalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17864179944363260839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5652884493497324762.post-58971734065616005902014-12-06T22:07:00.004+00:002014-12-06T22:07:49.500+00:00Poorly me<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I felt pretty good yesterday morning but by the afternoon I was dripping with sweat and had come out in hives. I didn't know where to put myself I was so uncomfortable. I went up to the yard and when I saw Her I neighed loudly to draw attention to my plight. The vet speedily followed and was suitably impressed as my mouth had swollen and various other lumps and swellings had appeared. There was a lot of fussing and the inevitable injections followed. I am very brave with injections as I do find that they help. Then I was confined to barracks, feeling sorry for myself, although I did manage to force down some haylage. Touchingly, Posy kept a vigil by my stable. The photo below shows that some swelling remained even the following day.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6b4Y3o4KTiY/VH-Em_BEWBI/AAAAAAAAArQ/8GZh49TD-go/s1600/poorly%2Bbraveheart%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6b4Y3o4KTiY/VH-Em_BEWBI/AAAAAAAAArQ/8GZh49TD-go/s1600/poorly%2Bbraveheart%2B001.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was nothing actually wrong with my eye</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I felt much better after drinking several large buckets of water and eating quite a lot of haylage. Nonetheless, She had started to panic by the next afternoon because a lot was going in but nothing was coming out. I was taken on several forced marches and threatened with more injections until finally my digestive system started getting back to normal - averting a second vet visit in the nick of time. I have to face another night in tonight, but am hoping that I will be allowed back into the field tomorrow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">She has been wracking her brains trying to figure out what happened, and Her favourite theory is that I must have disturbed a bee that was trying to hibernate and it stung me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Petalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17864179944363260839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5652884493497324762.post-63552403851944885082014-12-03T21:39:00.000+00:002014-12-03T21:39:03.982+00:00Party Invite<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She has decided that I am not to compete in affiliated competitions any more because She says I now need to have the magic powder in my food and it is not allowed. Nonetheless, She was jolly pleased to received this - </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xky97bii0wA/VH-BvVsUUKI/AAAAAAAAArE/KdAv2qB3oPs/s1600/party%2Binvite.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xky97bii0wA/VH-BvVsUUKI/AAAAAAAAArE/KdAv2qB3oPs/s1600/party%2Binvite.png" height="600" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I thought perhaps I could go just for the drinks and nibbles, but She says it wouldn't be that much fun and has promised me extra carrots at local competitions instead.</span>Petalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17864179944363260839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5652884493497324762.post-3238928655620894222014-11-29T22:16:00.000+00:002014-11-29T22:26:48.957+00:00Reality check<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was carted off in the motorised cabin to prance to music again. I gather we were a bit late leaving and when we arrived it turned out that they were running 20 minutes ahead of time. I was quickly bundled into the warm up where I puffed round for a bit, and the next thing I know, I was in the big arena and being expected to dance to 'Happy' music. Her friend said I looked befuddled, and She wanted to know why I didn't want to go forward and why I kept feeling the urge to stick my nose in the air. Well, life just isn't that simple.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Edited highlights are below - </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To her dismay, the music didn't play back as it should and there were a number of unexpected pauses.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To make matters worse, She had made an emergency purchase of carrots from the corner store and they were a) not organic and b) very bendy. I had to insist on having the mint flavoured treats instead.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Anyway, we survived but I think She has decided that we won't be going to the Regional Championship after all.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Petalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17864179944363260839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5652884493497324762.post-60044216897803949462014-11-13T16:38:00.001+00:002014-11-13T16:38:50.141+00:00"He will grow into it"<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her verdict on Hanuman's new coat.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PlzDlIhLkH0/VGTcXUSnV3I/AAAAAAAAAqw/VHiypECByQ4/s1600/Hanuman%2Bnew%2Brug%2B004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PlzDlIhLkH0/VGTcXUSnV3I/AAAAAAAAAqw/VHiypECByQ4/s320/Hanuman%2Bnew%2Brug%2B004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3JRkQjxtL64/VGTcW5bvsRI/AAAAAAAAAqs/cY9zNaDjskY/s1600/Hanuman%2Bnew%2Brug%2B002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3JRkQjxtL64/VGTcW5bvsRI/AAAAAAAAAqs/cY9zNaDjskY/s320/Hanuman%2Bnew%2Brug%2B002.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hanuman complains that his ears are getting quite hot under the hood. Poor chap. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also have a new winter coat, purchased from the 'Big Horse Company' which specialises in making outerwear for the horse with the fuller figure. I have to say that it is very comfy and doesn't strangle me when I graze, like the previous ones.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Posy has been praised for looking after her coats, which means that she has missed out on the new rug bonanza. Posy is quite miffed that she has to wear last season's styles, and says it isn't fair.</span><br />
<br />Petalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17864179944363260839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5652884493497324762.post-27245722844388654732014-11-10T14:45:00.002+00:002014-11-10T14:45:16.476+00:00Hanuman's first ridden outing<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was surprised to see my chum Freddie arrive yesterday morning when we had no play date scheduled. It turned out he was to escort young Hanuman on his first ridden outing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Posy and I waited anxiously in our stables for more than half an hour, and when Hanuman returned we both neighed loudly to show our relief that no harm had befallen the little fellow. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Initially, Hanuman had been a bit surprised to find that She was behind him, on his back, and not in front of him holding a rope, but he quickly got used to the idea. Then he was a bit confused because part of him wanted to run madly about with excitement, whilst part of him was a bit nervous and wanted to be very cautious. In the end, he walked mostly and jigged a bit whilst ensuring that he didn't get too far from Freddie. This turned out to be a winning strategy that won him much praise and a large carrot on his return.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Freddie keeps a watchful eye on his young charge</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hanuman is praised for his bravery and good behaviour</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hanuman celebrated afterwards by prancing round the field and flinging off one of his new shoes.</span>Petalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17864179944363260839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5652884493497324762.post-71097694050637383622014-10-19T20:09:00.000+01:002014-10-19T20:09:35.153+01:00I finally get to strut my stuff<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My much anticipated affiliated debut in the novice freestyle to music class was today. Well, just call me Sir 'Twinkletoes' Braveheart! I danced my way to 73% and many treats.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It has to be said that there were a few glitches. She was a bit alarmed when I started in reverse gear (heh, heh!) and the canter music itself seemed to have a few hiccoughs and I thought perhaps the canter could have ended a lot sooner than it did, but none of those things detracted from my being declared a hero and a Very Good Boy Indeed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">My efforts can be seen below:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Apparently I have managed to qualify for the regional championship as a result of today. Clever me!</span>Petalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17864179944363260839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5652884493497324762.post-12480061818729971792014-10-11T20:29:00.000+01:002018-06-05T11:46:39.430+01:00Working Equitation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We all had to have a go at the riding club's 'Working Equitation' event at the weekend. It seems that She and Her chums are great admirers of the Portuguese rider Pedro Torres and dream of emulating him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Posy rapidly assessed the situation and realised that it was just horse agility all over again, only with more circles, a 'ring-a-bell' exercise and a 'bull' where the rider had a lance and was meant to pick up a ring (see Pedro Torres above!). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We were all very suspicious of the 'bull' and I snorted at it, but it didn't snort back and I soon realised that it was just a show jump with a calfskin draped over it and a roll of masking tape balanced on top.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To make it all seem authentic they played Spanish music (presumably on the grounds that Spain was near Portugal) and some of them wore Spanish costumes. Maddy was one of the participants, but she didn't squeal at all, presumably out of embarrassment for her rider's tenuous grip of geography.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Maddy's flamenco costume </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Anyway, a good time was had by all, even if none of them performed anything like Pedro Torres.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How quickly the excitement wore off though, as we came to terms with the tragic news that deer had been in the orchard and eaten all the remaining apples, thus decimating our treat supply. I don't know how we are going to manage.</span><br />
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Petalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17864179944363260839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5652884493497324762.post-66982648948828683172014-09-21T21:45:00.001+01:002014-09-21T21:45:39.906+01:00Happy Sunday<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been a little down since I have an eye infection which She says is because I keep throwing off my fly mask and then losing it. Today I suffered the indignity of having the fly mask strapped to my head with duct tape. I just hope She has a plan for getting it off again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">A trailer came into the yard and I was greatly cheered to find that I was to accompany a four year old to the riding club's western trail clinic. I pranced my way there and I'm sure she was very impressed. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am keen to impress my new young friend</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Less impressed was Maddy, a roan mare who squealed at me every time I so much as looked at her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I bravely tested the home-made 'bridge' obstacle and it was agreed that since it had withstood my weight, it would be safe for the others. Then I demonstrated some nimble footwork turning in a tiny pole square (Maddy squealed her approval). In the end I gave a master class on how to tackle the 'pattern' - no-one else could match my turns at canter. By this stage Maddy was squealing at me when I didn't look at her, so I think she had been trying to attract my attention all along.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Then I had to escort my young friend back and bid her farewell as she was loaded to go home. I have to say that she was very brave standing in the trailer for some considerable time while her owner did multi-point turns in the yard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Now it's back to the serious business of keeping the grass in the field tidy and under control...</span><br />
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<br />Petalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17864179944363260839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5652884493497324762.post-26133293991203372362014-09-10T19:37:00.000+01:002014-09-10T19:50:41.017+01:00Hanuman goes back to school<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Following the long summer holidays, young Hanuman is now going round the yard learning the three Ss - Starting, Stopping and Steering. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Posy and I have been sniggering from our stables as the little fellow has lessons. Initially he sprinted about in random directions, but that didn't earn him any peppermints. Then he tried going backwards but that didn't get rewarded either. Now he has figured out that he is supposed to wander about, allowing himself to be directed and then stopping to receive peppermints at intervals.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This video just shows him ambling about, but we were impressed at the way he strolled up to the mounting block on his own and waited patiently for Her to get on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nonetheless, Posy and I were pretty put out at how easily he was earning peppermints. We have to go sideways for ours these days.</span>Petalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17864179944363260839noreply@blogger.com0