Bradders

Think your definition of fun and mine may be slightly different! Glad you enjoyed it tho! If onyl I could work out how to do it, I have some fottage of Rolo workign really nicely today, but thre is an awful lot of camera wobble and shots of the sand when I didn't realise the camera was on! That spook was a good one - very unusual for him, but it just made Mel laugh! (Despite beign in the Barefoot!)

Hi everyone Not posted for ages, but have been reading!! Good luck with that little pony - sounds like she needs a bit of TLC - I use the full face masks on both Rolo and Nemo to stop sunburn - work a treat - a bit pricey tho. Hope the clinic went/goes well Clare (can't remeber if it is today or tomorrow! ) If you get a sapre min, maybe you would like to have a quick look at the video I took of Rolo being schooled today. It is not great - it was a howling gale and a helicopter went overhead at one point, and he was much spookier than usual today, plus I can't work the editing software! It has done it's own thign, but managed to incude the huge spook and him stopping to have a poo! Steven Spielberg eat your heart out!

My friend's siamese lost a hind leg after an accident - she is a very content cat The only thing she does do is forget that she has not got a leg there, and keels over every now and again

Very quick reply - will email you when I have more time! I used a hanging cheek with Rolo - I found it made him over bend - I think it encourages them to put their head down ? - will pick some brains at the yard tonight

Think that is it Jacky - Rolo occupies my thoughts almost constantly at the moment - I am totally distracted. Silly isn't it? All this heartache over a gypsy pony! He has been wierd with me ever since I made my mind up - not quite as cuddly as usual, so I suspect he knows all is not well - probably the fact that I am on the verge of tears much of the time is a bit of a giveaway!! I do not think it is brave! I think it is cowardly in some ways - like I have let him down. Even now, part of me thinks I should struggle on, but, that is what it would be, struggling - no fun for either of us. Thanks for the Kane roulette offer Would need to bring my body protector!! I just hope it works with this chap - I am torturing myself with thoughts like "what if he goes lame", "What if he hurts himself", "what if he gets a sore back and no-one notices" and so on I think I am going to have to accept that I am not the only person that can care for him! I am hoping that, one day, I will be able to post a piccie or video on here of him strutting his stuff!

Glad Nookie is more or less OK - sounded nasty! Am getting very envious of everyone's horsey activities - I am most definitely lacking in that department at the mo I had the complete opposite experience to Lady T with Nemo - I had been persuaded to enter him in a veterans class - he had goen just to keep my friend's mare company really as she was a cow to load. Anyway, they made us strip them off - I knew we were doomed from then on: he has no top line and looks worse with no tack on, and, he loves tryign to bite you when you a trotting up in hand. Judges came up to me and asked "how old is he again" - I told them 21 - they said "well, we've been discussing it, and he is much older than that " I politely informed them that I knew his exact date of birth and that he was 21, but had had a very hard life. Needless to say we didn't come first! I have some Rolo news! Someone is coming to see him in a few weeks time with a view to taking him on loan with a view to purchase. To say this would be the perfect home for him is an understatement I have been totally honest about him and they are still interested!! They are in to natural horsemanship and enlightened equitation, are established instructors in EE, do lectures/ demos etc etc. He should hopefully be working at medium level dressage onc ethey get him going . Only drawback - we are bloomin miles away from each other, but I have a tent and a car so can still go and visit him every now and again!! Will keep you informed! I have not ridden for ages now, and to be honest, am not sure whether I really want to again. Having to let Rolo go has knocked the stuffing out of me - he is the gentlest, kindest horse I have ever come accross, I am just not sure that I can put myself through bonding with another one again. Probably a temporary thing - I still feel envious when I see the others hacking out, so I suppose that is a good sign.

Can't see the then and now pics, but happy gotcha day anyway Loki!! Tip for show shirt - go for a nice cool one!!

Rolo has been described as a thoroughbred brain in a cob body

Ahhh, but you get in for nothing on the Saturday if you pick up a Friday Ad the week before - they normally have "get in free" vouchers in there - you just pay parking - which, if you have a full car, works out to be very economical I didn't spend a fortune in the shops either!

What a horrible thing to happen Angel. I suspect Paco's owner already knows her horse Nemo is a kicker - riding him taught me loads - I was always very aware of what his back end was doing, and would keep a safe distance from anyone I was out with. It sounds like it was an unfortunate event that just snowballed, as these things tend to, Nemo was always worse with strange horses, but would walk happily side by side with his friends. If the sharer is not used to a horse that kicks, I expect it all came as a huge shock to her too. Hope Feniks is none the worse for wear. Well done Clare - Loki looks fantastic!! Went to Hickstead yesterday - be seeign you there next year?!

I think you are doing yourself down a bit there Jacky Kane does not sound easy to ride, and the progress you have made over the last year or so is fantastic - who would have thought you would be jumping him now!

Good decision I may have some exciting news abut Rolo - he is pottering about quite nicely - has taken a shine to jumping , but, the most perfect home for him may be in the pipeline. It would be on loan, which leaves me a bit snookered to get anything else , but I could not ask for a better home for him - he would be well cared for and developed properly and compassionately It is very very tentative at the mo, but I just want some positive vibes being sent our way - we need all the luck we can get!! Please!

What beautiful cats - and what a shame - at least they will have lovely comfortable lives from now on

Think Jacky's idea is a good one! You are so right tho - finding the right instructor is a very personal thing - both to you and the horse! Wish we lived that little bit closer, would love for you to have a lesson with Sarah!

Looks like you were blessed with some glorious weather San. Shame about the fall - but, it happens to us all!! Kane looks gorgeous!!

Fantastic! Just reinforces what charlatans the other lot were

Hello Theresa You will probably not remember me, but I got Jerry Springer via you and Dasha 5 years ago - he was at a vets havign been found wandering the streets He is an old codger now, and deaf as a post, bless him. I think reds has some good advice there - you could also have a look at some Intelligent Horsemanship stuff on line. I learnt on a friends horse - it was a bit of a steep learning curve on occasions, but she did also explain the "whys" of things. I would also look for somewhere that does hacking - once you have got to grips with the basics, you may find it nice just to get out and about every now and again. Good luck

Awwwww, what a devoted mum

Feel free to sign! Bridleways petition

Fortunately, whilst I did not learn at a school, my Y/O is BHSAI and she has taught me on and off for the last 12 years. I think people sometimes see rescues as the easy option - and think that they are doing the rescue a favour. Being little has it's disadvantages Jacky - I struggled to get on my friend's 17.2 mare, even with a mounting block!!

Was toying with it - but too far really, and TBH, Rolo's only issue in life is that he is nervous, but he doesn't show it that obviously - he just goes rigid and tense - not a crowd pleaser! The open day looks interesting

Just seen your photos and video Clare - my God what a huge jump he's got!! He looks fantastic!

Will ring you! I promise! That little grey looks sweet and am very taken with the arab boy, but a bit too young for me I think!

I went for a couple of western hacks a couple of year ago - I really enjoyed them - could not get over the brakes tho - far more efficient than I was expecting!!

So pleased it all went well - Grant sounds lovely When is the Royal Show?