
Back on Board!
Forgiving of my wobbliness following 8 months off, Baxter and Oakley were both very gentle and kind while we walked and trotted around the paddock and arena, just like I’d never stopped riding! Oakley moseyed past a barking dog and wheelbarrows and got a bit excited about the whole experience but held himself together and...

Extreme Weather Racing – Braving Ice and Heat!
While the lads have been on an extended holiday in the heat, I have been doing some investigation into the horse racing industry and it’s effects on the horses and potential ways to prevent injuries in unpredictable climates. Icy conditions on the UK racing scene have been reported by racing site ‘Paddy Power’ and with...

Wooly Work for Oakley
Sheep seem to be Oakley’s new favourite thing! The past month has been full of rides with new challenging obstacles and moving a mob of sheep was the first challenge! Steep slopes, mud, stepping over small jumps, logs, rocky outcrops and lots of cantering practice, Oakley will tackle anything! We have also had a little...

Taking it Easy…
The last few weeks have been dedicated to riding around the paddocks on a loose rein, pony heads relaxed, walking and trotting over green grass, contour banks, rocky outcrops and down roads. Oakley has been a champion with our walk, trot and canter all coming along swimmingly J Obviously I’m not riding Harley, but we’ve...

Four Again
Kadill has rejoined the lads after 7 weeks away. He tested his boundaries more than I thought he could and sulked in his time away and is now happily tucked back in his paddock with his friends. All in all… we missed Kadill and after a little trail ride in the paddock today, we have...

To a New Home…
I have been dreading writing this post… amongst the chaos of seeding on the farm, work, life and squeezing in rides where I can I have come to make one of the biggest decisions yet in my horsing career… Kadill has gone on a trial/lease for 6 weeks to a local, trusted horse owner who...

Out in the Wide Open World!
Oakley and I are up to our 6th ride! For ride number 5 we worked on improving our balance in trot by riding around the whole jump and dressage arena area ‘bowling’ along in trot. Oakley is improving his balance on every ride, though we sill feel a little wobbly! Ride Number six we ventured...

Running a Muck with Trucks!
Trucks were spreading lime in the paddock today… Oakley and Harley thought it was great!

Breaking-In Oakley ~ Progress up to Our Fourth Ride
We are now up to our fourth ride, here is a recap on our rides so far… Ride Number 2 Having had time to think about the first ride, Oakley walked forward without hesitation as I gently squeezed my lower calf on his tummy while also asking to walk on with my voice. For our...

REMEMBER THE ANZACS… LEST WE FORGET
Lest We Forget all the fallen diggers and horses that fought for Australia. Where would be without them… Image Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial

Our First Ride!!
Today was the day of my very first ride on Oakley!!!!!! The photo’s can do most of the story telling, though we rode for between 5 to 10 minutes, in walk only practicing one rein stops every five to ten meters. I found achieving forward movement the hardest part, which was definitely a good thing....
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