Darcie's great day

Today Rose and I took Darcie to Mickley show. With the intention of doing clear round. We hacked over (I walked)and as we got to the show ground Darcie planted and stood just listening till she realised that if she moved forward we were actually going to the show! Last time we took her to clear round she bucked after a couple of jumps and I mean bucked and then cat leaped most of them, and came to a halt nearly throwing Rose over her head. It took two goes to get her steady. She is very green at SJ! Well this time she flew! we were allowed to go over them all to warm up as there was no-one else waiting to have a go. Rose finished giggling and said "well she certainly is fast today!". I think that was an understatement! So off we went (well they did) for their first go! Clear.. With Rose really having to sit back and slow her down. "Lets just have another go to see if she takes it a bit steady, take the first jump from trot" says I.. Much better this time.. another clear! "Take her again and see if she pays more attention" says I , off they go again with a really nice clear round again...3 rosettes later, we decide she has got rid of her silliness and now needs some training over jumps. Rose and I are going to share her, I will do the flatwork stuff and Rose will groom and she will do the jumping stuff and I will groom. Looks like exiting times ahead for Darc.

Just on the therapy side Darcie has the start of arthritis in the hocks so I am going to see how she holds up after this hard day, also she tends to pull her hamstring and did seem a little stiff after the stubble field, so I shall be keeping an eye on that. I'm going to make sure that I incorporate stretches into her schooling routine to get those hamstrings more supple and also for monitoring whether or not the arthritis is getting worse. I will keep you posted!

Moves afoot

Well its been quite some time since I updated this blog. Since the last post Lynsey Peacock and Fair Trade and Zoe Haigh with Ceejay have both been on the up, they have been competing with BD and have both been very successful. Both riders are sponsored by KB equine Therapy. I am sure their regular treatments aid their success.

Darcie and I have moved yards to Lightwater Valley Farm, North Stainley. What a difference it has mad to my horse, she is really chilled and only seems to windsuck when she eats, previously she did it 24/7. I never realised that she liked a quiet yard. All is not well though as the silly horse lost her footing and cut her periople and coronet band. one out of hours call, sedation and then dressing, thanks to Rachel from Bishopton vets in Ripon. Darcie is so sensitive we had to dispense with the dressing after 10 days instead of 14 as she reacted to something... who knows what, anyway all is on the mend now.

I recently found a brilliant site on basic anatomy.. great for pony club or any horse owner. More about that next time