I’ve had a few different things going on this month which you’ll be able to read about further into this blog. I am also going to be continuing Dino’s sarcoid treatment updates in this blog so if you haven’t already checked out April’s blog (which I uploaded really late ooppps), I’d recommend having a quick look even if it’s just at the pictures so you can see the full treatment.

1st of May…

Dino finished his sarcoid treatment so I am currently waiting for things to heel more so that he can start getting brought back into work. For now he’s doing some in hand walking and short lunge sessions.

2nd of May…

I got not one but two exciting deliveries in the post one being the May box from Forelock & Fringe which I ordered earlier in April and the other being the brand new Pegasus Jewellery rose gold vitality bracelet 😍 I’ve been wanting one of the vitality bracelets for a long time but could never decide on the colour 🤷🏽‍♀️😂 so the rose gold made it an easy choice, I sware I’m not addicted to rose gold🙄I absolutely love receiving the Forelock & Fringe boxes, I’ve so far received three (two I have won and the other I purchased). They are a really nice treat at the start of the month filled with gorgeous products from a selection of companies for yourself and your horses. I’ve discovered new products through these boxes that I would not have otherwise.

5th of May…

Today was such a good day for a number of reasons, one Maisie jumped insane at home, two Dino is looking and feeling more himself now which is great and three for the first time after many many attempts I finally managed to get my hair to curl!It was the first time I had jumped Maisie at home since our lesson do we really focused on some of the points we took away from the lesson as well as trying to change the jumps up a bit.She had a few stops as I changed the jump pretty much every time we jumped it. I done simple changes like changing how the ground line sat and putting a jacket under or over the pole as we have quite limited jumping equipment. It was good to have her stop at home though as she normally doesn’t bother too much so I was able to find a way of stopping her from looking down into the jump and keep her going. We jumped over a related distance working up to around 85cm. She jumped amazing we even had correct flexion on approach round the corner pretty much every time. After jumping through the related distance a couple of times off each rein we worked on oxers. Maisie isn’t very confident with oxers so she had a stop the first time but jumped the next time. She jumps them brilliant though and again we managed to work over a 85cm oxer which was really good.

8th of May…

Today I done something I wasn’t really looking forward to at all… My BHS stage 2 exam. The first assessment was the riding part which was a nice place to start as I felt most confident in this part and gave me more confidence for the other assessments to come later in the day. My first ride on the flat was a lovely appaloosa and I couldn’t have asked for a more lovely horse to have. He worked so well and done everything I asked. My second flat ride was another appaloosa! Equally as lovely but just a bit tricky in comparison but I rode him the best I could on the time we had. After flatwork we moved onto the jumping, my first rode was another great confidence giver who had a nice rythem and jumped everything out in front of him. My second ride was quite the contrast, much busier and really quick at the jumps but boy he had a heart of gold and was a lot of fun! He jumped brilliant around the whole course and I really enjoyed riding him. A short break before the first part of the care assessment. The care part was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be so that was fantastic. We then had lunch and had the lunge part of the assessment which again went really well. I had the most adorable little pony who was a gem to lunge so that made it a lot easier. Finally I had the remaining care section to be assessed on before being set free😂 The exam centre and the assessor where all brilliant and definitely helped you to enjoy the day as much as you possibly could.I have so far done two BHS exams before today, the first being stage 1 and the other being Ride Safe. I can’t say I really enjoyed either 😂 but today I felt so confident after my stage 2 exam! Normal I leave the exams thinking failed that one even though I end up passing them when the results come through the post 10 days later. I actually left the exam centre feeling like I had passed, yeah I’d not quite got a few things just right but I noticed my mistakes and was able to correct or justify why I had done it that way. Just the 10 days to wait to get the results (which always feels like the longest 10 days of your life).

14th of May…

Maisie had her second jumping lesson with the riding club with Danni. I was really looking forward to seeing what feedback we got this month to see if we had made any improvements from last time. We warmed up and started to work over some poles on a circle. Maisie went so well over the poles, I wasn’t too sure how she’d cope as we hadn’t really done an exercise like that. After going over the poles a few times we then done a exercise where we went over the poles bit instead of doing a circle we went onto a jump (it quite hard to picture so I’ll add a drawing showing what we did). We done this both reins. After we had managed that exercise we started over the poles then over the jump, change the rein after landing then back to the poles over the jump and round to a skinny plank. Maisie hadn’t jumped a skinny in ages so she had a stop and a look but popped it after that. The next exercise was over the poles followed by the jump and then over a related distance. Maisie took a bit of a disliking to the first fence of the related distance which made life more difficult than needed but we got over it and she jumped the distance really well. We finished after that as it was so warm and Maisie had worked really hard.She jumped amazingly well all night giving all the jumps loads of room and making such a good shape over the jumps. Can’t wait for next month’s lesson!!!

15th of May…

When I got to the yard this morning after work Dino had the most angry/grumpy face I’d ever seen, he’s not a grumpy horse at all so knew there was something not quite right. I popped in the stable and his sarcoid was hanging from his leg by a thread😳 Hence why he was so annoyed. We called the vet so she could cut it off and have a look. He now has a huge hole in his leg but is much happier.After the morning routine at the yard I went home to find a large envelope which could only mean one thing…BHS results. I nervously opened the envelope although I had some feeling that I must have passed something as it had a cardboard back and a do not bend sticker so that normal indicates some sort of certificate. Drum roll, I had!🎉🎉 I had passed all the sections so now have my BHS stage 2 qualification to add to the list. The feedback sheet were also included so it was good to read through those and have some feedback.

17th of May…

Today was total change for me I ended up swapping my horses for my first pony Basil. Going back to a 12.2hh pony wasn’t quite as much fun as you’d think it would be. A girl’s mum had approached is about her riding Basil so we said yes so he could get back to doing what he loved hopefully. I decided since he hadn’t been ridden in years it would be a good idea to have a sit on before an eight year old did. I gave him a quite lunge in an attempt to save myself and then jumped on. I just gave him a walk round the field and a little trot as I am far too big for him so didn’t want to be on him too long. It started off really fun although noticing there was no neck in front of me was a little daunting. When I asked for trot in true Basil style we got a few small bucks which felt much worse than they actually were as his neck literally disappeared in front of me😂 and I thought I was off. My conclusion was that the dream of riding my 12.2hh again was better remember as the 12/13 year old flying round showjumping and I was better sticking to 14.2hh upwards maybe a 13.2hh at a push. As much fun as if I did have give me a 17.2hh anyday😅

18th of May…

Dino had the day off (not that I’ve been doing much with him anyway), as it was his birthday. He turned seven today🎂🎈He celebrate with having not one but two Stuns Muffins. I didn’t get him a present even though I feel really bad for not getting him anything but he didn’t need anything and he truly is spoiled anyway.

21st of May…

First ride on Dino since his little break for his sarcoid treatment. We only had a walk around the field but he was much better behaved. It was really nice to get back on to him after what has felt a long break.

22nd of May…

Maisie had a brilliant flat work session this morning. I’m so pleased with how her leg yeild has improved in such a short time. Her bend in canter is also starting to come along with more of an outline in canter which I am so proud of her for.I also had not one but two amazing surprises when I got home from work this evening. I found out I had won a pair of Makebe stirrups via Facebook which I am so excited about as I absolutely love them and have been toying whether to get a pair or not. The other suprise was a huge shock, I received an email to say I had been pick as a HOYS super fan! So I will be working along side the HOYS team to promote the show. Look out for a special link to order tickets from which I will share you all as soon as I have it. I can’t wait to get started as I think it’s going to be a great experience.

23rd of May…

I rode Dino again this morning in a different field from last time. We set out for a nice relaxed walk round a couple of times again. He started out fine but after a bit he started his rearing again. This was something he’d started to do before he got his sarcoid treatment and I though it was down to pain hence why we got the physio last month. After today I think it has just been a habit he’s got into and being a bit nappy as he seems to do it if he can see the gate. He’s never been nappy before and general will do what’s asked of him so I’m not sure why he’s got into this habit. However I think I may have managed to get the better of him today so I’m going to share what I done so that if anyone is struggling with a similar issue they can try what I did. After he reared the first time I had figured out it was being naughty so I held onto his breast plate so that I could stay in balance with his with out jabing him in the mouth. He then walked round fine but again facing the gate he done the same this time when he went up I had both hands on the breast palate. As soon as he came down I got him straight and going where I wanted to go this time I only had what would be my outside hand on the rein and again towards the gate he reared. This time I got him though because I had my inside rein off the breast plate I could use it. I opened my had so that he couldn’t spin round and kept it low which stopped his head from getting too high and in a way I was able to pull him back down. I then got him to walk on again and walked a few circles and not once did he nap. He even walked in a nice outline rather than being a crazy giraffe 😂 At some point during his shananigans my vitality bracelet must have come undone and after searching the fields it is officially lost😭☹️ so I have ordered two more. I really hope this has solved the issue bit we’ll find out next ride.When I got home my Amare Equipment order had been delivered so I enjoyed opening up that parcel. I bought myself a lovely jacket from their sale which was only £17, as well as Maisie a stunning girth which has pink glitter!!!!

24th of May…

Maisie was such a dream this morning doing a bit of fitness flatwork. She worked in such a gorgeous soft outline in trot and even a little bit in canter. I’m so unbelievably happy with how she is not only going but looking at the moment. She had her first ride in her new girth two which is so lovely and I think she rather liked it based on her performance😄I did have to squeeze her into in a bit to get I done up but once it was on it want tight. Hopefully the elastic will give soon or she’ll loose a bit more of that belly🤭🐷

25th of May…

Whilst getting Dino read for a ride this morning I has a quick look at what I call “the hole” in his leg from his sarcoid. I am amazed by how quickly it is healing, his skin normally takes ages to heal even from a small scratch and this hasn’t even had any creams on to help with healing.Our ride today started out will untill he was spooked by a bit of flying plastic in the field🤣but after that he behaved himself. He felt a lot more rideable and relaxed and although he did throw in the odd small rear he was much better behaved. His trot work was really nice.Back home and my new vitality bracelets arrived to replace the one I lost, I absolutely love the new blush pink one😍 My HOYS super fan goodie bag also arrived and I love everything they sent me, again I can’t thank them enough for their generosity. Look out for loads of HOYS updates on my social medias I may also do a little video for YouTube about what they sent me.Unfortunately the glorious sunshine has come to an end for the time being and it’s an afternoon at work in the rain for me, thank goodness none of the horses at work are needing ridden!

27th of May…

Maisie was so good today, I really tried to focus on keeping her straight and having an inside bend. Her way of going is improving each day and I am so happy to see the work starting to pay off as she’s been a real long term project.

28th of May…

Today I got canter in Dino and he wasn’t the crazy hooligan I thought he was going to be. He was much better behaved today thanks to calm cookies! He did try to have a moment at one point where he just got a bit tense however the rest of his work was good. Again I tried to work on keeping an inside bend and stopping him from falling in with his shoulder. He got better and started to have a clearer understanding of what I was asking him but we’ll need to return to this next time. His canter on the left rein also needs some work. He tends to get over excited and as a result switch legs and get disunited.
After his ride he had a quick bet visit to get photos of where his sarcoid was to send back to the people who made the Liverpool cream. We’ll know once they’ve looked at it if he needs more cream on or not.

29th of May…

I had another schooling session with Maisie who produced some fab work today. Today I really wanted to keep working on the straightness and bend bit also on improving her outline. She worked much straighter than the previous time which even showed in her leg yeild which is improving every time. I managed to get her canter work to feel more even on both reins as well as throwing in a planed flying change! She normally never gets them so I don’t really bother too much but the canter just felt right so I went for it. We tried do do one on the other rein which went how they normally go, no change and just speed up the canter. Maisie had a little slip in the excitement which nearly resulted in an arse over tits moment for myself 😂

31st of May…

Well I managed to get some fantastic work out of Dino today with out the need of calm cookies! It wasn’t until I was in the field and he spooked at what only could have been a peskie Pokémon which of course only a thoroughbred could see. It was in that moment I realised crap I forgot the cookie. After this I was expecting the rest of the ride to go horribly wrong so I really tried to keep his head down and try to work him on to the bit. This really seemed to work well for him as it kept his head low making it much harder for him to rear and kept his trot and canter work more consistent. I’m happy to tell you all he also managed to do left canter with out changing legs or getting disunited every other stride. Really happy with how he’s come on in a couple of days.

I’ll be off to a nice relaxing products party at a local salon tonight which I’m looking forward too as it’s not often I take time to pamper myself, it’s normally the horse who get the pampering.