Bradders

Jacky - that is absolutely fantastic!!! He looks superb. You must be so proud of him

Sounds like everyone has had a great weekend - can't see the pics of Loki, but will try at home later - sounds like the "boy done good" tho How did the show go? Easta looks fab - what's the idea of the hairy dangly thing under her chin? (Showing my ignorance!) I had someone new out to ride Rolo on Saturday - I was quite anxious about it as he is such a worrier, but it was a huge success! he was very tense to begin with (picking it up from me I suspect!), and she found the Barefoot less than easy, but she got him going so nicely - he worked better than he has done in months. She is very confident but very sympathetic - the perfect combination for my sensitive little flower. Glad that Bumble is on the mend Glad you enjoyed your hack Elaine

Sorry, quick response again! Clare - have you tried natural balance shoes - Nemo had flat feet until I changed to a farrier that uses Natural balance shoes - he uses them on Rolo too and his feet have improved beyond all recognition. Nemo is also prone to very dry feet in the Summer - I use Effol once a day - that helps!

I don't know about you, but I can't wait for him to move - so close and yet so far

Gosh, so much has happened since I last checked in. Being blind in one eye does make sense of the guarding his off side - he probably never did it with you as he trusts you and has no reason to guard it. Thus you could not ever be expected to notice it. As everyone else has said - being blind in one eye is not the end of the world - we have an old girl on our yard (she is in her 30s), who went blind in one eye last year. As long as you talk to her as you approach her blind side, so that she knows you are there, she is perfectly content. Ignore the being shot stuff - inflammatory shock tactics from a spoilt brat of a bully - not worth giving it a second thought. So glad that he is leaving there - the only way is up now!

God, too many posts - I can't keep up with them all!! Love the photos of Tara - seems like she has been with you for years already! I think this yard move is the best thign you could have done Jacky - sounds liek such a nice friendly yard and that both you and Kane are reaping the benefits Hope Bumble is doing OK. Apologies to everyone else - I have the memory retention of a goldfish!

Now had a chance to read everything properly Very dubious about their motives/methods/comments made to you. It could be that they have your best interests at heart, but, it could also be that they see the chance of making a quick buck. This off side business - if he has been flinging himself about a bit, could it be that he has twinged something and is just sore? Do you know a back person that could have a quick look? Is his eyesight OK? We have an elderly mare who has become blind in one eye - she guards that side. My gut reaction to all this is to try him with someone different who shows more empathy, but is not afraid to put firm boundaries in place.

Oh dear a fellow horse dilemma person Welcome to the club! Sorry, but am at work so have had to scan through your original post - will try to read it properly later. With regards to Thug's riggish behaviour - Nemo was cut as a youngster, but even now, at the grand old age of 26 still behaves like a stallion - he protects his mare from horses in the neighbouring fields, shows off like it is going out of fashion and has an enormous stallion pile of droppings in his field! Some geldings behave that way - it made him an entertaining ride on occasions! I would echo Clare's sentiment - how well do you know these people? At 6 he is probably testing the waters anyway, but it will not have been that obvious until you started to ask him to work At the risk of sounding horrible, are they trying to unsettle you in the hope of getting a superb horse at a bargain price? Can you get someone else in to see him? Search your heart - and listen to it - if you think you and Thug are not right for each other, then, hard as it is, the decision is made. If on the other hand you think that you are meant to be, stick with it. Brace yourself for some hard times in the next few months, but focus on the end result I am torturing myself over Rolo, but I know in my heart of hearts that we are no longer right for each other - I am holding him back, and he now needs someone much bolder than me. In the words of Doris Day " Que sera, sera"

Hmmmm - not that I am cynical or anything, but, I have lost all faith in saddlers!! Can you text me at about 5 - to remind me to ask Sarah about breast plates!! Rolo has a forward grith groove - that is an issue as well apparently - depending on which saddler you are talking to! Tara is looking great!! My caption would be "You put your right arm in, you put your right arm out" ...........okey cokey and all that! So glad that Kane and you are so happy Sorry that Bumble has done himself a mischief - hopefully he will be back to normal soon

Great pics - I had no idea about his placing tho - what a shame for such a plucky little horse (and rider!)

Think peopel are a bit more wary than usual as Appleby is looming

All 3 of mine could recite that today!

Good to hear that it is going so well

Jods can make a whole heap of difference Glad that it is still going well You have got some nice policemen in your neck of the woods Clare We have the anti terrorist ones up and down our bridle path every day (near Gatwick flight path) - last Summer Rolo terrified one . He was complete with guns, the works (copper, not Rolo ) - Rolo was not sure what to make of him so I parked him next door to the policeman and let him have a good sniff - didn't occur to me that a gun toting policemen could be scared of my little Rolo He was terrified!! The WPC was a bit braver Well done Jacky . Barney my old pony used to nap for England - I found sitting there and not making a fuss got us there in the end. I think this is the beginning of a new and exciting era for you and Kane The TB last night wasn't a huge success - he is as stiff as a board - he is physically unable to bend left and his saddle was horrific - it was far too low on him. I am not very happy about riding him again to be honest - he seems so miserable. I will see if his owners will let me do some ground work with him - they are lovely, lovely people, who have effectively rescued him. I was horrified at how scared I was - at one point someone led their horse past the school to turn her out - TB looked and picked up his step a bit - that's all - and I nearly had heart failure! But at least I tried trotting him after that! hopefully this is a temporary blip!

Oooh Wanda - very smart Duke and you both look very happy to be out and about Reds - Duke is lookign good! Glad that Loki is back to normal - this particular clinic was obviously not meant to be!! meant to ask Sarah about topping tonight - and forgot - sorry! Will try to remember tomorrow! Finally got some ridden photos of my boy today - unfortunatley he was covered in mud, so can't really use them to advertise him (another delaying tactic!), but at least they give an idea of how he can move - my friend is looking determined as she finds that saddle very hard work!! Ooh, nearly forgot, I rode the TB gelding tonight - was a bag of nerves and it was like sitting on a razor blade after Rolo, but we survived!

So glad to read this - have spent all weekend wondering how you got on. It sounds marvellous - within a week you'll be wondering why you didn't do this ages ago!! Really happy for you and Kane

Zak rides in it and he is 6ft 3!! (I thought he would look ridiculous on Rolo, but he doesn't - he says that he doesn't feel ridiculous either ) Sort of good news about the saddle then Clare - amazing the difference pads can make - I was once told that too thick a cloth was the equivalent of wearing thick woolly socks in a pair of close fitting shoes. Not such good news about the filly - fingers crossed that it is just the stress of travelling and that it is nothing to worry about I had no idea Lynn was being funny either - I assumed it was all tickedy-boo. Oh well, nowt as queer as folk - you'll be away soon enough and I am sure she will be fine then.

Good idea! Sorry Jacky, forgot to say that my Barefoot is a size 1 (dress size 10 to 12 I think)

Can we do "Buy one get one free?" Glad you are getting his back sorted - good that you have a friendly physio too Not such good news about the shoe tho - naughty Loki!! We are a yard of midgets Jacky!! Everyone else would have the same problems as me when riding him! Tara is a star - I love the photo of you both surrounded by cow parsley You'll soon be up to umpteen pairs of jods Wendy!!

Can relate to the chaffing - I rode in work trousers once! Never again! How did you get on with the physio Clare? When Rolo goes I will have the Barefoot, unless I sell it with him. You would be most welcome to try it and see how you get on - Rolo is very happy in it - it's just us that hate it! He was hacked out on the roads on his own again yesterday morning - he was tacked up and gone by 7! Apparently he was a very good boy again.

Good news - can't see pics tho!

You are bound to be worried, but I am sure everything will be fine Nemo is a complete git to other horses and there has never ben a major trauma with putting a new horse in with him

That brought a lump to my throat - thank you I have posted on Enlightened Equitation about the pony in Barnstaple & Trallwm in general - fingers crossed

I am totally heartbroken but he has matured in to a very chunky boy and I find riding him uncomfortable/difficult. (I have a weak back). He is the gentlest horse I have ever met and I am determined to find him the perfect home that he deserves.

Can I cross post on to Enlightened Equitation?