Sunshine With Shadow

Despite the heavy rain predicted for today, we ended up having a gloriously sunny day, dare I even say almost summer like. It did mean I was sweltering in a waterproof coat. But anyway. I arrived and was asked to brush Shadow which of course I didn't mind in the least. I was brushing him on the fence as the girl looking after him had moved him there while she mucked him out. I discovered he is much easier to brush his face when he's haltered to the fence so actually got some mud off of his face for once which was good. Halfway through, we moved him back to his stable and finished off brushing and tacked him up and we were running late so I jumped on from the ground. I need to practice this much more as I still need a push from someone getting on a 15.3 HH horse. Once mounted, I followed another horse and was walking by myself again today in the glorious sunshine. My trots were fabulous and he was totally listening to me. Our contact was good and I felt so relaxed. We were on a ride with a lot of less experienced riders so I got to canter once on this ride. I was on my own, with one of the other girls running to the end to yell stop when I got there. I gave a squeeze and we got a few strides, then trot, then I squeezed again, another stride and another squeeze, another stride. But I was kind of pleased with this anyway, as he was going when I asked, just not staying and my sitting trot was pretty awesome. My RI was really pleased with me actually. She said I looked good and relaxed. I was reading a piece on Horse and country about heels down in canter and it seems I'm not the only one to have any of these issues. The strike off in the canter seems to be my biggest problem, or it has been. It possibly still is but I've not seen it for a few weeks. I'm just totally relaxed for some reason. More trotting and his energy was great. He did try to have a few snacks today which made me giggle. Nice try Shadow. Once back at the yard, I untacked him and gave him a few cuddles. Then was chatting to another girl and she had to jump off and take the saddle off of her horse and put it on a different horse so I offered to hold him and there was no hesitation or call for someone else, I stood stroking this lovely horse while holding him still. She'll not know what that meant to me. I was watching a jumping lesson before I left. My rI and I were chatting about para show jumping during my ride today and she had some really good and quite accurate ideas about how it could be done. I talked about the show jumper, Peter Charles recently leading a jumper who was blind around a show jumping course in France. He's done this before too, with Britain's first blind show jumper, who is also from my neck of the woods. :) It was good to hear her talk so positively about it. Just hope one day I can try my hand at jumping too. Anyway, that's today's ride and hoping tomorrow is another lovely, relaxed and enjoyable one. :) Thanks, Marie http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1422548_leap-of-faith-blind-showjumper-represents-great-aunt http://www.horseandcountry.tv/ask-the-expert/help-how-do-i-keep-my-heels-down-canter

My Horse advertisement

I'm on the hunt for a loan horse, at the right price, maybe even buying one. However, I'd prefer to loan to begin with but I'm not ruling buying out as it's a good market at the moment. But I have been looking in this area and so far haven't found anything suitable just yet. I know it takes time so I thought I'd write down all of my requirements as they stand. Loan/buy: open to either but prefer part loan to ease into the responsibility of taking care of a horse. Purpose; This sounds obvious right, but even this question in my head needs to be answered. so

• 1. for riding and to get me into more regular riding than my current two days a week lessons.
• 2. Training. I'd like to learn the disciplines of dressage and maybe jumping so having access to a horse on a more regular basis would be great for my training.
• 3. Competing. Yes, it's something I'd like to see how far I can go with.
• 4. Becoming a better horse carer. Learning a horse's needs on a day to day basis and knowing how to take care, groom, care for when, God forbid they're sick, feeding, learning behaviourisms, and all that goes along with owning a horse.

so those are my reasons behind this new venture. We all know once you catch the bug, it generally gets worse not better. hee.

Breed: Cob preferably.
age:8/9 to about 15/16
Colour: No preference
gender: Gelding or filly. Maybe a mare.

I need the horse to be well accustomed to riding with a bridle and saddle, [broken in well]. A calm disposition yet very willing and responsive. No biting/kicking or other majorly undesirable habits. I know no horse is perfect but bad behaviour to the minimal. Well mannered and halts well. I am totally blind and although I know some horses may kick out on occasion or bite, I really don't want to deal with that on a regular daily occurrence. It would be nice if the horse had been socialised around dogs and was comfortable around them as I have a guide dog and he'd be with me most of the time.

an open medical history should be disclosed wherever possible.

size: at least 13.3 HH max 16.5

experience: intermediate or advanced, no novice or retired horses. I need one that is still going to be ridden. Preferably trained in dressage/jumping.
Shoes: This doesn't matter. Whatever is best for the horse.

Loan requirements: to be discussed.

If any of you wonderful horse people have any ideas to add to this, as it's my first time writing an advertisement for a horse, please comment and leave feedback. It probably sounds too simplistic, what I've written.

Thanks again,

Marie

My Equine dreams

Two years ago, if you had asked me, I would have said it was impossible for me to create a career with animals in any way. Not because I couldn't think I was capable but because of others attitudes. Although I know those attitudes are still prevalent in society, I am trying to ignore them.
I will not profess to being an amazing rider or the best person at anything I do but with the continuous fights I've had and continue to have getting a job in the "commercial" world and the prejudices I face there just to get an office job, I'm not sure I'll ever win that fight so why not try to fight for something I'm at least passionate about.
If you had told me a year ago, while I was battling to master the rising trot, still clinging to my saddle, I'm pretty sure I would have laughed in your face if you'd said I'd be cantering and progressing the way I am. All I do, is listen to my instructors, read up on horses through blogs and books and most importantly, listen to the horse I'm riding.
My dreams and ambitions have changed over the last few years. A year or so ago I wanted to get into canine and equine massage and that is something I would still love to do. I know teaching riding is not really in my future but running my own school, caring for horses definitely could be.
I'm also very interested in competing. Now, how good or bad a rider I am, I'm not sure how or when that will happen but it's something I would like to give a try too. Hopefully, once my bum stays in my saddle and my cantering is much better, there will be more opportunity to do other things.
I'm not pretending I'm the best or I'm even half decent, only others could tell you how good or bad I am, but I feel like I'm progressing so that's something, right?
My grandmother always encouraged dreams, she said without dreams you have nothing to aim for. So here are mine:

• 1. I will start all of my dreaming by loaning a horse. I am in no position to buy right now and figure a part loan will ease me into the responsibility I will need to own my own one day. Mum is very supportive of this idea and we are currently on the hunt for a good loan horse. So fingers crossed that we can find one at a reasonable rate.
• 2. If permitted, I'd like to train further on this said loan horse and maybe next season try and show and enter a few local competitions. Showing seems my aim but I do want to jump and maybe do dressage too. How this will happen, we'll see as I'm not so sure the mainstream arenas are exactly going to fly for this idea.
• 3. I briefly mentioned this, but proceeding to dressage and show jumping is something I'm definitely interested in. If I can figure out which I'm better in will also be a huge bonus.
• 4. Becoming a better horse person. Whether this is by doing an equine management course or just gaining the experience. I also think a trip to a career's advisor may be in my future as I need a clear path on the career I'd like.
• 5. starting on the road to qualification to become an equine therapist. I know some people think this is beyond someone with sight impairments but I'm determined to make something of my life. I have so much to give and feel like I'm trapped right now, horses and being with my Bailey dog make me feel free and alive. Horses can be dangerous, but hey, I got run over by a number 59 bus 10 years ago too. Just because I can't see, doesn't mean I'm any less equipped to read an animal. People forget I have other senses.
• 6. Once working, or having won the lottery, [which I never do], buying some land, preferably with stables, an arena and opening my own riding school, for anyone! No matter what! Horses have proven time and time again, that their company is therapeutic and I've seen this for myself and experienced it. Dramatic as it sounds, horses have saved my life. I haven't felt as alive as I have in the past few years.

So, those are my dreams when it comes to the equine world. Far fetched? Maybe! But dreams and putting them into reality are all I have. What do I have to lose? But more importantly, what more do I have to gain?
Thanks again,
Marie