29th June. Field photoshoot

Yet another awesome hack on Adam today.
I asked a good friend, Jodie, to come and take some photos of him having a canter in the field. So we met at 7, gave her directions to the field and she met me in there with Lisa!

He actually had a little gallop today! Go scaddy!
Some photos to prove how awesome he is...

15th - 28th June. First canter in open field. Centering 20metre circles!

Things have improved!

I was very set on moving him to Saltash today, but decided that hes better off where he is for now on. He has settled into the quieter way of life, the grass has been eaten down (woohooo!) and i don't think i can cope with moving him again whilst we are trying to sell the house (boo).

Referring back to my old post, i was feeling a little bit wobbly about life and was lacking confidence.
since then i think i grew some balls and everything seems to be better.

Canter work left rein (squiffy rein)

Canter work right rein 

Ive had another few lessons from Lottie, which is giving me a goal and keeping us on the straight and narrow. We are now cantering 20metre circles with no problem. Trot work is sometimes a little rushed, but I'm trying to teach him how to use him self correctly. i.e from behind, not digging himself into a hole from the front end! So this is going quite well!

The thing im mostly really pleased about is our first canter in an open field...
I left the yard and he felt relaxed, so took him down a very narrow bridle path and turned back on myself to canter up the field next to it. The grass is taller than me...so we did a lot of leaping in and out of it which was quite fun! But he was good as gold! Then the horse flys came and attacked us (it wasn't bad back at the yard and didn't use my noggin to put fly spray on, DOH!) This upset the delicate prince and he decided to back right into the crops and get his knickers in a twist. nothing nasty, he was being eaten alive! So i hopped off and led him out the field (which i might add is very tricky, i had to find a gap in the fence where there was no wire. I'm short and the grass is very tall) to chill him out and fly swat!!

I tried this hack again today, armed with fly spray and the knowledge of where the gap was, always a winner. He had a calm and steady canter up the field, then pottered up to the gap. Surprisingly there was a lady walking her dog, I could only see her head and was waiting for Adam to spot her, spin around and piss off down to the bottom of the field again. but NO! he greeted her nicely and walked past her! Good pony!

Overal, I am very proud and pleased with him and myself. It has taken alot of guts and hard work to get this far. I just hope the good behaviour and fun continues!

4th - 15th June. Feeling wobbly.

These past two weeks have been interesting...We have achieved alot but also feel like i have taken a few steps back at the same time.

The grass he is currently on is very rich for him, it hasn't been grazed since last september so its full of goodness. He is looking well, feeling very well and hes pretty fit!

I've hacked him alone a good handful of times. Still happy to walk out the yard without having any arguments, hes very very forward going! Even took off with my down the track, bloody little devil!
I've now schooled him twice, the first time being rather entertaining due to a massive leap off all fours sending me a metre into the air and landing back in the saddle again (Thank you Adam) but we did finish the schooling session off with a canter on both reins which i was pleased about!

second schooling session was a success. He was less spooky and really buckled down and got on with the job. Lottie kindly gave me a 30 min lesson to help myself and his confidence. Need to learn to work as a team together again and forget about what he is capable of doing. Mentally we are still a little wobbly!

Another little change, he is now on Top Spec calmer to help take the edge off him a bit. Seems to be working and he is a little more settled!

Not many photos as i've been so so busy....

24th May - 4th June. Moving time.

Lots of things have changed...!

Adam has been hacking alone well, enjoyed taking him out so much! he has become so much braver and really tries when he is generally terrified. Started with just walk work on a long relaxed rein, and then putting the pressure on up the hills and asking for a contact.

I've had him at my work place for the past year, but as i'm due to move on from where i am, i have now moved him to a private DIY livery yard.
Really lovely yard and surrounded by friends which is the best part! I moved him on the saturday and then spent the whole day pottering and cleaning/organising everything (always find an excuse to organise!) The yard has two other horses, a lovely little stable block and a well maintained school. As Adam has started to put on condition again, the owner kindly topped my field before he arrived so i didn't have a massive bloater on my hands!

I havent got any photos of him there yet, but he hasn't been there long!
But he's had a gander in the school, hacked twice in company and is still maintaing his forwardness which im really chuffed about! soon will take him out on my own which will be the ultimate test!

Some recent photos of him at his old yard...

 Finally turned out with no rug! yipeeeee!!

 My little pocket rocket!