It seemed rather odd this year to be celebrating the official birthday for just one pony. Diva (Melland Queen of Scots) is now seven years old, though her actual birthday is not until July. Seven years old! How did that happen? It seems like a blink of an eye since she arrived as a little yearling. She has grown into a beautiful mature mare and her character has also developed along the way.
It’s easy to forget how important it is to manage our fields. We often see them as just turnout but grass isn’t just grass, fertiliser isn’t just fertiliser and winters seems to last six months of the year. What is important to remember is that, no matter how good your planning, the Great British weather will try its hardest to ruin all and any plans.
Well, I think the title gives it away: I fell off again! In my new year’s blog, I noted that I had fallen off Arlo for the first time since owning him for the last five years, and yet somehow I’ve now managed to fall off him twice in three weeks. You really couldn’t make it up.
Well, I think we can all agree this has been a horrible, miserable, wet (very, very wet) winter and for that reason until yesterday I had not been out hunting.
We are still on the road to recovery from the crash but are improving each day. My nerves are still bad when driving, especially near junctions, but the more I do it, the more I hope I will get back to normal. I managed to get a new car, not quite a 4x4 but it does have the four-wheel-drive assistance, so that should help in the winter weather – now just to make sure I keep it clean. Well, at least for the first few months!
Imagine it: you’ve just seen in the new year, you’ve eaten grapes under the table at midnight (thanks TikTok) to bring in good luck for 2024 and you’re feeling positive for the year ahead… until, of course, your horse (who you’ve never fallen off in all the years you’ve owned him) decides to bring your mood hurtling back down to earth.
Happy New Year! The break over the festive period was very much welcomed, although the weather could have been kinder! A lot of rain and mucky fields to battle against, but on the plus side, I got some riding in. We had our last lesson of 2023 on 21 December and Bob excelled.
Who can resist a foal? Who can resist a black (beauty) foal? Who can resist a black Friesian X Warmblood foal? Well, not me!
I’m not sure about anyone else but I lose all motivation in winter, and although I quite happily look after the boys day in, day out, I just don’t feel like riding like I do in the spring/summer/autumn. Anyone else?