Well she looks like innocence personified, doesn't she?Since my last post (a long. long time ago) we have really been through some rough times.
When I bought Darc she had a hoof problem which meant she had to stay in her box with just short periods of turnout. This drove her mad, you can imagine! The farrier never thought she would come right, but thanks to him she did! However when we started to hack out she went mental, throwing herself around like a bucking bronko till she got me off!!!! This happened every time I hacked out ( I am surprised my friend Val still rides out with me, more about Val and Madison next posting). I really nearly decided to sell her. Anyway in desperation I asked my riding instructor at (Bogs hall Stables) for help and started lessons every week. (I wont go into the ins and outs of what we did here as it was a long time ago now- if you want to know message me or add a comment here and I will get back to you). Well things got slightly better although I became a very nervous rider ( I still did everything but was very scared whilst doing it).
Next thing that happened was disastrous! My friend Ruth was training for her BHS teaching certificate and Darc and I were her guinea pigs. She was giving me a lunge lesson in the new indoor school (lovely soft deep bark flooring, you can see where I am going with this cant you?) we were working without stirrups and reins in walk and trot. Ruth asked if I wanted to try canter, "yes" said I, always up for a challenge, "but on her good lead". ....Well how surprised was I, it was great... "Shall we try on her other lead" I said , "are you sure" said Ruth, doubtfully, "Yeh, it'll be fine" Off we go then.... Buck, off I fell, what a lovely surface to fall off on. Then I moved.... I had broken my arm, quite a serious break and have had two operations and It all took 2 years to mend and I have been left with nerve damage in my hand, which affects things such as tightening girths and altering stirrups when I am on board. Well that's having horses for you, they tell me its a high risk sport.
Anyway I have loads more to fill in those years about how far we have come and what we have been up to. Watch out for the next installment.
