#176 - getting back into it nicely.

Teddy tried it on in his very typical way when I mounted today. I'm determined that he will stand square and still when I mount and I take all the time it takes to gently encourage him into the right position. Sunday he did well but today I think he was like, "we only went riding two days ago, you've got to be kidding!" so today he would move just a little out to the side and when that didn't work he even tried a little nip but missed. It took a good 15 minutes to work through it all.

Once mounted we did some more exercises and did an excellent job. To improve and achieve centred riding I rode the last ten minutes with my feet out of the stirrups and the stirrups crossed over the front of the saddle. I actually found it better. Must be as I used to ride bareback as a kid (badly!) I did prefer it and it is good to feel the stability in myself. I do like the stock saddle too.

Teddy Log: #175 - Misson Accomplished!

Teddy Log: #175 - Misson Accomplished!: Teddy and I went for our first ride in ages today. He was a good boy. I was strict on him not moving while I mounted and he did great after ...

#175 - Misson Accomplished!

Teddy and I went for our first ride in ages today. He was a good boy. I was strict on him not moving while I mounted and he did great after a tiny amount of encouragement, then we just walked and trotted around the front paddock, going over exercises we are used to doing. The moment we got into trot he head tossed the worsed he has in ages but I was expecting it. Otherwise he did a great job.
Slowly but surely.

I'm stuffed now, I hope I have the energy to do the gardening I've been wanting to do. 

Teddy Log: #174 - Gearing up for a great summer

Teddy Log: #174 - Gearing up for a great summer: Teddy and I are both gearing up to make the most of the coming warm weather, regular riding and the return of "Teddy Log". We are both out...

#173 -Our farm ain't anything like FARMVILLE!

Now that Teddy and the four cows are sharing all the paddocks together I'm seeing a side of mongrel  in Teddy. Most of the time they all just go about their business being cows and a horse, grazing, pooing, mooing, neighing etc. But then Teddy must get bored and something takes hold of him and he goes, "Right! Those cows look like they need rounding up!" and off he goes at a gallop towards them and the poor cows get the life scared out of them and scatter.

Then it will be all back to normal and an hour or so later Teddy will go over to the hay roll and claim it for himself. If the cows go to the other hay roll he will go over and start pulling hay out of it and shake his head letting hay fly everywhere. He doesn't actually eat it but he makes a mess and the cows back off and will stop eating it. Then the next time I watch them they are all happily eating from the same place together without a care in the world. The other night I even saw Teddy and Gunny eating, side by side for ages, almost touching each other.

Then this morning I was watching them from the study and the cows were hanging around the left overs from an old hay roll. Teddy waltzed over and stood on top of the hay, took a wee on it and then waltzed away. I've never seen a horse do that! How bloody rude!  Was that a horse marking it's territory? It's more likely Teddy is just a mongrel.

Before I bought this property I used to play Farmville all the time. That game is just a big lie hehehe!

#174 - Gearing up for a great summer

Teddy and I are both gearing up to make the most of the coming warm weather, regular riding and the return of "Teddy Log".

We are both out of condition and practice, so we are working our way back into it. I want to be sensible about it so I don't set my health back in any way. Teddy also is a chunky bum so we don't want any injuries - for either of us!

The last two days has just been spent socialising more with each other. Teddy also got to meet Sweet Pea without the gate between them. They sussed each other out cautiously and the pig was making all sorts of noises leaving Teddy unsure of what to do. He quietly watch on with curiosity and a touch of trepidation. Sweet Pea did the same without the quiet. Then when Teddy thought he had worked her out he ever so gently touched her on the bum with his muzzle. Well the pig shit itself, let out a massive squeak and jumped out of reach. I swear Teddy barely touched her but I guess to a little piggy he is one mighty horse giant who could quite easily mistaken her for his next carrot! Teddy just lifted his head slightly and continued to wonder at her.

Sweeties actually quite bossy when the gate is between them, squealing for the next bite of the carrot. But judging by the sounds she was making when he was looking down at her and she staring back with her Mr.-Magoo-without-glasses squint, she quickly lost the bravado and her squeal became that sad "don't leave me!" plea.

Teddy seems quite taken in by her so it will be interesting to see how this friendship develops.

As for Teddy and I, we will be building up on our exercises and I will be putting into practise the routines I developed from Sally Swift's Centred Riding book while I was in hospital. I'm hoping this will enable me to judge if I'm ready to return to lessons.

I'm looking forward to it!

#172 - Teddy is being turned out

Due to my horrible health at the moment I will turn Teddy out until I get better. So he'll be running around with the cows until further notice.