In Which The Pony Is Footsore... Again

I'm a terrible blogger, like seriously.

I'm sorry.

I've got good and bad news, lets get the bad news out of the way first.

Midge is lame. Again.

Yeah so I'm going to break it down from the beginning of this year:

- October 2013 (I lie I'll start here)

He was doing fine down in lesson, to my knowledge he hadn't been lame or had anything happen before now. I went down for my lesson one saturday and I was riding a new horse so someone else in my lesson rode him, she got on took one step and Midgey came up super uper duper lame. Like he could barely walk on his leg so the rider got off untacked tied him. We finished our lesson and I led him up to the yards.

Next fortnight he came up sound so he was down in lessons again but because he'd had 2 weeks off and he's already kind of a special pony he started bolting and stopping centimeters before the fence and his rider would go flying off (he never did this with me, I guess cause I know his buttons and such (he'd still bolt but wouldn't manage to dump me)) So he was set aside for the instructors to ride but he didn't get any better so he was sent up to the yards to be used solely as a trail pony.

- December 2013

I was riding him when I volunteered and he was a very good boy, apart from the fact that he was generally stubborn. He also was 'fresh' I guess thats how I'd describe him, but he was good just very "Oooh whats that" but he didn't do anything apart from walking or trotting along with his ears perked forward as far as he could reach :D

- January 2014

The pony came up lame early January, suspected abscess in his left hind (I think) so he was off for a whole term (till April) well on and off really, the vet was out and he was told to just rest so he was!

- May 2014

He was back in action!!! I didn't get to ride him while I was up volleying either because he was already out on a ride or I was grounded (Not able to ride neck/back thingy) or he was on a rest day. He was ridden though, mainly a staff or volley horse because of the time he'd had off and his general personality/stubbornness/specialness 

- June/July 2014

He was going well up until this point, I'd ridden him once or twice but with my back and neck I was on and off so he got LOTS of TLC when I could see him.

- August 2014

The whole of last month he was on and off with little bursts of soreness (this also happened at the end of July) This was suspected to becaused by the on and off rain we'd been having intertwined with dry weather seemed to cause abscesses in quite a few horses at the barn. 

- September 2014

Now Midgey is footsore again :( So this time I pulled him down from the yards and groomed him for a good two hours because I had nothing else to do and I noticed that his soles seemed to sit fairly low! Now he's not shod at the moment because he doesn't need it with the work he's doing but I think when I buy him I might shoe him to see if that'll help with his soreness issues (I'll of course consult with vets and farriers and stuff!)

So that's where he is at the moment, getting better but he's starting to get a little 'round' with his lack of work lately. 

Now for the good news!

So you know how my parents have agreed to start looking for horses for me and my sister?  Well since we went to walk around agistment we've also been looking for horses and I went and talked to one of the yard managers 'F'. I asked her if any if the barn is planning on selling any horses that would be suitable for both me and my sister. 'F' and me were discussing how hard it would be to find a horse that would be 'gentle' enough for my sister while still challenging me, be the right size and have the right temperament on top of being able to last both of us longer that a year. So I've always had the idea in the back of my mind that I want to eventually by my own horse once I get a job so this just kinda strengthened the idea for me. We're still going to buy a horse but focus more on my sisters needs so I can buy my own next yearish. So 'F' didn't have anything for both of us at the moment but 'G' one of the staff/guides (they both know how much I love Midget) was telling 'F' how they should get rid of Midge soon because he's not really that useful in a trail setting and so 'F' said...

Wait for it...

She would love to sell Midge to ME!!!

Thats right people ME!

So excuse me while I go have a complete spaz and frantically get a kinda of resume together! I'm planning on asking the vet up the road from where I live beacause it's nice and close and I love animals and I just had my birthday so I can 'officially' ask for a job! So it really an win win :D

Be prepared for more Midge/job posts!

Happy horsing :D

New Lessons!!!

Sooooo I had the best lesson yesterday!!

I'm riding with school again (and back in the saddle!!) and we've changed stables (I'm still riding at GV just not with school) - first lesson was yesterday and I had an AWESOME time! They are primarily a dressage stables but they do offer jump lessons occasionally.

And I rode...

Wait for it.

AN EX EVENTER!

To some of you this might not be as exciting but for me (I've only ever ridden lesson ponies that have been trained for lessons and thats it) it was a fabulous experience that I get to continue with until the end of the term :D

So Ged is a wonderful 16.2hh (ish) (HUMONGOUS!) 15 year old thoroughbred that was a professional eventer when he was younger. He has a super personality and heart of gold and he obviously well trained. He's lovely and soft and responds well to seat and leg aids and was a general pleasure to ride (and I get to ride him for 10 more weeks!!)

I love my instructor too and she said after we all dismounted and put ponies away that she could see I had potential and a natural riding ability and she would love to push me further in my riding on a more competent horse like Ged.

I. Was. Gobsmacked.

I won't ever stop riding at GV so I'm going to see how these next few weeks go with school and if I enjoy it as I did the first time I'm going to see if I can volunteer/work there after school a couple of days a week in exchange for a lesson as we can't afford riding at two places.

Eeeek it was SO SO SO awesome and to know that she noticed my efforts and riding and that she pays attention to everyone in the group was really nice!

And just to clear it up :P I still love GV and all the people and riders there! :D

Varying Opinions...

We aren't definitely getting a horse but odds are looking up as dad took me and my sister to have a tour of agistment!!!

Such excitement! Dad has also been encouraging us to look at horses for sale (*bounces around the room squealing*) I have always said to myself that my first horse would be bought from my stables as I trust the people there and know the horses and how they are cared for and managed (none of them are rugged, small feeding in winter and shoes on the ones that need it).

Now I've been talking to a few people at my stables (instructors and yard managers) about buying a horse and such and I've heard varying opinions because me and my sister know that we just want a general all round pleasure horse that is fairly low maintenance (stock horse or quarter horse type - no thoroughbreds!) and thats what our barn sell generally.

However we've received two very different opinions on buying from the barn:

Opinion one: Don't buy from the barn as it would take months to train them out of their bad habits and trail riding ways.

Opinion two (more people agreed with this): Buy from the barn as the environment is extremely similar to the agistment up the top (large herd (100+ horses) no rugging, barefoot, etc) generally good doers, I know the managers and guides very well and trust their opinions on certain horses. Depending on the horse we got they may not have bad habits and may have been in an arena once or twice.

To be honest I'm leaning towards option two as I know the guides/instructors/yard manager's very well and trust their judgement + it would be a lot easier to take them up the top with less of a settling in period.

Eeeek there are so many decisions!

Anyone have any advice for me?

Probably the second most exciting set of news I will ever receive!

I have UBER exciting news!!!

My parents have said that they will do something concrete about buying me and my little sister a horse!!!

*Que jumping around the house squealing*

This doesn't mean that we are definitly buying a horse but it does mean that my parents will seriously consider the figures and such and we will be buying a horse if everything is in order both money wise and everything else wise. This also doesn't mean that we'll just be able to buy a horse and not have to work to keep him/her, I'm going to get a job as soon as I can and I will be paying for a large portion of upkeep.

Me and my sister will be sharing our horse and we will be agisting at the stables we currently ride at (I volunteer and know a large group of people so we will have plenty of guidance/support!)

Now, if the stars do align we probably won't buy Midge as he is quite stubborn and my sister doesn't like him very much (:( ) But! I will be buying him on my own when I can pay for a horse on my own.

So super duper exciting times overhere!

How are you guys going with your horses/horse journey?

*Jumps around Squealing*

Playing with bubbas!!!

The new batch of bubbas just started being brought in with the rest of the herd!!!

And this means I get to get up close and personal with foalies :D

They are so freaking cute its honestly unimaginable, it isn't the first time I've seen them because I was there when their mares were brought in for preg scans (It was so cool to see little fetus foals on the scanner, and I got to feel one of the mares back, back back most teeth! Oh and I got to walk a mare and her foal out to the back of the property and watch a covering. It was so cool!) and these guys were at foot. But never the less they are all still adorable!

And now I give you some photos of them (taken on my phone, camera was at home. Doh!)

 *Snuffle*

Super trusting for a bubba!

Oh Hey!

He loved his but scrtiches :D

She takes right after her momma

Joddie Problems!

I wear through a pair of jodhpurs in two months, maybe 3 months if I'm lucky. It's not like I'm riding an insane amount - twice a month and volunteering 1-2 times a month.

The thing is I have NO idea what's causing it!

I have one theory though - I have developed a deeper seat, probably since the end on last year.

Strangeness....

I refuse to ride in jeans though, I find they are too restricting and I find full seat joddies restricting in the but area....

Hmmmmm?

And sorry for the short post - I'm out of action for 4 (maybe 6) weeks because of my back, compressed spine + Muscle spasm = Not fun.

This is bigger than it seems

I may be off riding for 4 - 6 weeks.

I know its better than doing long term damage but I'll be on the ground while my friends are riding and I won't get to ride Midge. And to make it worse my parents have said that I probably won't be allowed to volley while I'm off even if its just groundwork.

Sorry guys I'm not super motivated to post at the moment, kinda depressed really...