I Loooooove a weekend of pottering with ponies. You know one of those weekends where you’re just at the yard and you get to go on a nice ride, not worry about being anywhere at any particular time, just bimbling along, enjoying myself.

Estrid did two things for the first time this weekend. She went on a hack away from home by herself. She’s done lots of little trips out where I’ve led her, or out with Tissy and Fluffy but this was the first time she’s gone out on a training ride in the lorry all by herself.

She really is a marvel, I think we’re getting there on the shaky nervousness, everytime seems to be a little bit better. But when I’m actually on board she’s keen, forward thinking and responsive. This ride did make me realise that I have been a little lax on my mounting technique, I have allowed her to walk off when I’m on a few times (I know, rod for my own back) and on this hack, one of my lights came off so I had to jump off to get it, I then had to get on from lower down than I normally would and because I hadn’t checked my girth (I know, stupid mistake again) the saddle slipped a little bit and she was already walking before I had a chance to rectify it. It was all fine, I just tipped the saddle back to the middle as she was walking, but there were many factors that may not have been fine in that scenario, so we’re going to do a few sessions of going back to basics and working on mounting again, which is never a bad thing in my opinion.

Estrid also had her first clip, we’ve been practicing with the clippers for a few weeks now, just turning them on and whizzing them around her every time she comes in. She’s also stood next to Tissy being clipped so I was pretty confident she’d be ok. She is very sensitive about noise so I gave her lots of breaks and she stood still 80% of the time, she was getting a little antsy towards the end so it’s not as neat as I would like but for a first time she did great.

Anyone else have a go to workout that they do when they’re just not feeling it? I think having a core set of exercises that you know well, a routine that you’re comfortable with and something you know is targeting what you need is a great way to still get something done when you’re not feeling motivated or 100%.

My go to routine is all about dissociation, being able to move one part of my body whilst stabilising another is perfect for improving my riding. I also just do a little bit of everything rather than focus on one body part so that nothing get’s fatigued and the workout is easier.

In my normal training I mix up the exercises, the focus is different in each session and I’m working towards a particular outcome. I currently go to the gym to do weights 4 times a week for two full body sessions with one upper and one lower training session. Some sessions I genuinely can’t walk downstairs at the end, but sometimes I just don’t want to go there and I don’t have the willpower to push myself, which is exactly when a comforting, easier routine is exactly what I need.

Firstly let me say a HUGE thank you to Ross of ROSCA Horsemanship for creating a relaxed and comfortable environment for us all to learn in. I have never been to an agility or obstacle clinic before, in fact, I’ve never taken my own horse to any clinic. I’ve been to watch loads of demos and talks but never actually taken my own horse to something like this so I was super excited when it finally came around.

I had booked Estrid into a ridden obstacle course clinic, my aim was twofold. Firstly to improve our communication when I’m on board. On the ground she’ll follow me through anything but when ridden we sometimes get stuck in the mud if she’s scared. Secondly, to get her used to going to new venues, being around other horses and experiencing new things. She got very sweaty, shaky and screamy at her first event and as it is I wouldn’t have high hopes of her passing an initial vetting, so our winter task is to improve this by going to do lots of things in lots of places.

She travels so steadily, munching away, that it’s always a surprise to open up the ramp and find her dripping with sweat and shaking. She doesn’t do anything bad really, she’s still good to handle, she stands still to be tacked up but her eyes are out on stalks, she’s on edge and jumpy, dripping with sweat and whinnying at everything that moves.

I did think we would end up being the disruptive kid at the party as we jogged sideways into the arena, screeching and snorting. I also did not think I would be getting on board anytime soon. That was ok with me, if the only thing we did was walk in the vicinity of the obstacles and calm down then that would be a win. But Estrid, as usual, pulled it out the bag, she settled down for her first-ever time in an indoor arena, first-ever time in the same space as a group of other horses. She walked with me, stood with me, went over every obstacle!

So much to my surprise, I hopped on and she did it all ridden too!!!! Once I took her back out of the arena, the screaming and shaking started again…….but we can’t win them all hey. Lots to work on this winter for sure, but Estrid has demonstrated quite the capacity to learn and I’m so excited for her progress.

We’re always looking for ways to care for our horses better, to understand them more and listen to what they’re trying to say. I have definitely been someone who only involves a vet if the horse is lame. I use Physio’s and Farriers to give their opinion on anything of course, I assess the horses regularly myself and I would like to think that I’m pretty good at noticing if something is wrong. But when I heard about the Pain ethogram and the 24 behaviours of the ridden horse in pain I was keen to know more.

Here is the link to see the documentary explaining the tool: https://youtu.be/hrZgtrqbMVI

I thought I would give the ethogram a go myself. So I set up the camera, my aim was a 30minute session, 5-10mins walk, the same for trot and 5mins canter. Alongside completing a ridden, dressage like, test that they advise you can use as part of the assessment. This was Roo’s first session back in the school in 5 months so I wasn’t expecting anything exceptional and I wanted to use this as a baseline measurement to compare to as our rehab progresses.

I then re-watched the footage at home several times looking out for any of the 24 behaviors. There were a few I wasn’t quite sure on and would need more clarification on what I’m looking for, but that’s because I lack experience in this kind of thing and I’m not a vet. Despite that, I found it straightforward and easy to implement and I think it will serve as a great assessment tool to add to my arsenal.

I have included the score sheet, guide and test below so you can also give it a go:

The Derbyshire group social rides never fail to deliver! Dimmingsdale was beautiful, the autumnal colours, the rivers, waterfalls and ponds, the route itself was interesting and varied. I had a wonderful time. This was Estrid’s first EGB event and I couldn’t be more proud.

She was SO nervous at the venue, sweaty, shaking, eyes on stalks, whinnying her head off even though Tissy was stood right next to her. She’s a super social horse, she loves making friends and whickering away at everyone at the yard so it was no surprise when she wanted to latch onto every horse that came near her as a new best friend. Definitely something to be wary of for her novice season. But despite her nerves she didn’t put a foot wrong, I could still tack up, still stand her next to a step (thank you to the lady that let me borrow her tall step) and she listened to everything that was asked of her.

She was forward out on course, never asked to slow down and never questioned me. She listened to my seat and was careful over the technical sections, balanced on the downhills and eager on the way up. She was most certainly tired, her brain was overloaded and it was further than she’s been before on steeper terrain than she’s used to. Despite this she never gave up and was an absolute joy to ride.

I fell like this is the start of being able to dream about getting back to race rides. I’m trying to keep my expectations low, we’re taking it slow and we’re going to have fun along the way rather than push towards goals, but at the back of my brain I really really hope she is the one that I can get that last loop of a race feeling with again.

I have never been so relaxed about a horses first ‘official’ outing. Although Estrid always feels like an unexploded bomb to ride, her eyes are out on stalks and her nostrils flare she always keeps herself together, listens and makes good choices. So when it came to the day before her first social ride I was feeling pretty calm and confident that we’d have a good time.

When she spooks it’s usually over legitimate things, like a surprise pheasant out of a hedge, and once she’s got over the initial surprise she quickly regains herself. Her ability to cope with triggers and then let them go is very impressive. My main concern was how she would cope with horses behind her and overtaking, as on the times we’ve practiced this she’s been a little wary and likes to turn around to look at them (a perfectly logical response to be fair). My second concern was washing her off after the ride. Estrid hates water, she hates rain, she hates having a bath, she hates post-ride wash downs, we’ve been working on this loads and she is getting better, but I would say she tolerates it rather than she dislikes it less.

So I was pleasantly surprised when our ride preparation bath went without any issues, I mean she still didn’t enjoy it but she was the best she’s ever been when faced with water…..slosh training is going to be interesting, that’s for sure!

Who else loves a good autumn reset? I don’t know what it is about autumn for me but it really motivates me to pause, take stock and assess where we’ve been, where we’re at and my future goals in all aspects of life. I get really nervous about sharing videos like this one, I guess because it’s also my profession, rather than just a hobby. But I have put my big girl brave pants on and have decided to do a few more human-based videos over winter.

So here goes…..First up my stretching routine. I love having a set routine because it acts as a continual assessment tool, I know how it normally feels so if anything is different it’s super easy to flag. Autumn is where I usually plan my own training more rigorously, as the horses are having an easier time. It’s where I focus hard on improving my areas of weakness and I feel motivated to be ready for next year. Don’t get me wrong, I train all year, but especially during the season I am more mindful of letting my body recover for rides, and as I’m riding more, there is less time for the gym.

I have a ‘regular’ stretch routine and I have a pre-ride stretch routine. I think any routine gives my brain the opportunity to quiet down and focus on the task at hand. So while I stretch before I get on, I go over my goals for the session, like spiraling 20m circles for schooling or multiple transitions on a hack. Does anyone else have a pre-ride routine that sets your body and mind up?

I absolutely adore the traditional dress, etiquette and history around hunting. I think that sometimes it’s so lovely to keep traditions even though they no longer really serve a function. The Four Shires Bloodhounds are trained to follow a scent, they will have a human runner go in with them so they all get a good sniff, then that person goes for a run around the lovely countryside and the hounds track their scent. It’s a pretty impressive skill and they’re such lovely creatures.

For hound exercise there is no trail to follow they are literally being taken out for a good run around, get used to bigger groups of horses and generally just get them ready for the hunting season. Hound exercise requires the riders to wear tweed and the horses to be well turned out but not necessarily plaited.

I tried my best to make Tissy properly presentable (I wish I’d had enough time to clean my leather tack properly, I love the process of cleaning and treating leather, then putting it all back together) and I even tried to mouse her plaits in……they didn’t last very long though! I even wore a shirt and tie and I thoroughly enjoyed getting dressed up and having a great time blasting through the Peak District with everyone else. It actually would make excellent training for an Endurance horse before their first mass start and race rides as it definitely gets them used to riding in big groups with horses passing them.

It has been just over 6 months since we purchased Estrid and oh my gosh I have SO much love for her. What a gentle and genuine soul she is. I was a little nervous for our first group ride out. The first time she’s traveled with another horse, the first time riding out with multiple horses in her group and also other horses on the course and the first time being ridden away from the yard. I’ve taken her on lots of in hand trips out and she hasn’t put a foot wrong riding her from the yard but you never really know how they will react that first time.

I was also a little nervous about the company we had. Cat on Tissy and Izzy on Fluffy, they are experienced, well-behaved horses but when those two are together, especially around this venue, they wind each other up and just want to race. So I was a little worried that they’d speed off into the distance or wind Estrid up too.

My main fears for Estrid were 1. Spooking at the cross country jumps and ending up in the electric fence which borders the course and 2. Losing her head, becoming fast and out of control. When I parked up I was a little worried that there were so many other lorries, which meant on top of all our new firsts we’d also have other riders to contend with, but even more so there was a pony and trap out on the course too! It was the same atmopshere you’d get at a venue albeit a little scaled down, which is excellent training.

She tied to the box beautifully, her eyes were out on stalks and she was shaking with apprehension but she kept it together, stood immacualtely to be mounted and got on with her job. We had a wonderful canter, went through water, went in front and behind, she even got overtaken at speed and didn’t follow on behind. She didn’t like seeing other horses in the distance or coming behind her very much but we can work on that. You really couldn’t have asked for a better experience.

Oakover has to be my favorite Derbyshire group social ride (that I’ve tried). It has hills, views, great going over grassy rolling tracks and the helpers are numerous in number and abundant in humor. It’s such a lovely atmosphere.

It would make an excellent training ride in the run-up to Red Dragon, as it’s usually timed a few weeks before. It has over 200m elevation with 11 climbs. We did 18.7km (because we did the optional canter around Ilam park 3 times!) at 8.2kph average speed. 7.6km of walk, 7km of trot and 4km of canter. Tissy and I had a great time and I hope to be back next year.