6 months of hibernation.

So after being M.I.A for 6 monthsish, I finally feel as if I'm ready to make a return to the world of blogging! For those of you who don't know, I took my GCSEs in the summer time, and unfortunately did not do too good a job at managing my anxiety and stress levels through out. However, despite not getting exactly the grades in which I was wanting, I still did fairly well, and managed to secure myself a place at my schools sixth form where I am currently studying Biology, Chemistry and Economics, with the hope of leaving in two years time to further my education studying either Veterinary Physiotherapy, or Equine Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation!

Though enough about myself and excuses, lets get onto the amazing -yet slightly delayed- progress which has been made with Saran!

Unfortunately, the day that the above photo was taken, a week prior to my exams back in May, a freak accident occurred in which Sarry attempted to clear the post and rail fencing that can be seen to the left , resulting in a nail becoming lodged in one of her hind legs, partially tearing her extensor tendon. This resulted in her needing 3months of box rest, during which period we moved yards, due to a change of ownership where we were which appeared to only have a negative impact on both the atmosphere and facilities...

However, after multiple events of trying to take the vets life  (Sarry was such a bad patient that she had to be doped in order for the vet to even touch her leg, and as for the doping itself, getting the needle in her required three people to hold her against a wall in order to stop her attempts of jumping the stable door), a certain colour mare made a very speedy recovery.

The photo below was taken just under 2 months later! Okay, her immediate response to having someone on her back may have not been the most welcoming, but never the less, it was progress.

And as for since then, she has been near enough perfect! After reading up a lot more on flatwork and fine tuning my riding, I now have a very willing little school mistress who has mastered near enough collection and extension in all gaits, as well as some more technical movements which I never thought would be possible! The way in which she carries herself has also improved immensely, and even her movement has noticeably changed as a result for the better!

The change in this creature is just astounding!

On top of this, even her jumping has improved to heights which I never thought would be possible.

Stoke Albany Hunter Trial

After being back in work for roughly a month, we attended a hunter trial in the company of my aunt, entering the 2ft pairs, which as you can see by the height of Rain's legs, she found no issue at all! She led the entire course jumping all that was asked (which is pretty good for a pony who isn't a fan of solid obstacles), with the exception of one run out, though I must admit, the responsibility for that it purely my own, I might have possibly forgotten the course, so therefore had no idea as to where I was going!

Stoke Albany Hunter Trial

Me and Saran (the coloured)with my aunt Sally on her horse Basil

And then, as for Rain's pole work, I am literally left speechless as to how quickly she has progressed!

She has gone from clearing 90-100cm, which I was fairly happy with, to courses and grids of 1.10m-1.25cm, bearing in mind the fact that this is her at by no means her fittest!

And as for the photo below, that shows my cow flying over 1.40m! Seriously, the willingness of this creature is just unbelievable in contrast to what it was before; it is amazing what a simple change in environment can do!

Even simple tasks such as bringing her in and washing her down are now so much easier, and even though it is initially a battle, as long as I keep a firm leg, we can even hack out alone which has previously been a major issue!

And as for now, that is where we are up to! The dark nights and access to only a grass paddock have halted our progress since winter has set in, however, within in the next 2 weeks or so, the floodlit ménage where we are should have undergone completion, meaning as of January, we can start truly knuckling down, and seeing what else happens!




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All photo credits to Beth McLean

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