Why do I end up working harder than the horse?

Mum took my uncle's ex riding today. Beverly has said for a while now that she wants to get back into riding so give's us £10 when she uses Rocky. She's still very novicy and hasn't rode in about 14 years so has very little balance, therefore mum rides out with her. I didn't go with them but took Nell around the lakes in the hopes of burning some fat off her due to her putting on some unwanted weight. We whizzed round the lakes in about 15 mins, trotting flat out pretty much all the way but it took about an hour to do the full ride. I'm careful about trotting on the roads for too long as it doesn't do Nell's hooves or legs any good and I wouldn't dare go faster than a slow walk down halammaning hill so it takes at least 20 mins to actually get down to the lakes. After Croft Gothal we'd still only been out for half an hour so I extended the ride a bit. By the time we got home, Nell was warm, tired and breathing quite heavily but she didn't even work up a sweat. There was a small patch under her thick saddle pad where the saddle sits but otherwise I had sweated more than she had. On the plus side I wasn't as hot, tired or sweaty as usual so I must be getting somewhat fitter.

Sarah said she would accompany me to the show jumping on the 9th August with Gully. We went to the beach last week and he was so well behaved for a 4 year old. I think thats Cobs all over though - you can't beat Cobs for temperment and amiability. We got some action shots and are hoping to go down again to get some more - possibly closer this time.

Rocky's nose, which was badly sunburned, is now looking lovely again and is smooth as a baby's bottom. He is developing some muscle tone now and seems to be more eager to go out these days. Tralee on the other hand is feeling rather grumpy and we may need to up his No Bute. His ringbone is getting bigger and seems to be more painful as the heat in his hoof today was much more than the other three. We knew when we got him that the ringbone would probably be the one thing to put him out of work but the riding does seem to ease it more so than just standing in a field.

Well, I'll try to get the photos up here soon but if not then you'll just have to be patient.

No go

Well the show is out of the question. Both Nell and Tralee are about ready to throw their shoes. Nell is holding on to them better than ever - they've both been about 8 weeks since Tony last came out and considering this time last year she was losing them after only two weeks her hoof horn has definately improved. It also goes to show that if you are trying to save money, ride your horse a bit gentler and the shoes and hooves will both benefit.
So now I have my gaze fixed on the 9th August when the next show jumping will be happening. Perhaps it's for the best and Emma may be able to take Tralee by then.
Well, having to shoe Nell less frequently will save me quite a bit of money and other news, I bought out the share Allison had in the jumps with her horse Fliss for £80. That now means we can use the jumps whenever we want. We now have plenty of time to practice for the next show and hopefully I will have someone to come with me.

Holidays

Well, the summer hols are here and I am already starting to feel a little bored. I have been riding between the rain showers but haven't felt as enthusiastic as normal. I am however, very excited about the upcoming show! Lisa said she was probably going to be busy that day as she's just got a job so it depends on whether Emma is off her legs. Damn surgeons had a poke around but didn't actually bother taking the cyst out from behind her knee... I'll phone her tonight and if she can't come I may have to ask Liz. Even if I don't make it this time around, there are plenty more shows this year.