Perfect Day

Today has been one of those perfect days. Isobel and I arranged to go for a hack very early. We left around 7.15 am and I was aware that this was only my second hack out since having Nipper. Nipper went brilliantly! We had arranged that I would ride behind Isobel on Andrew, because Andrew really likes being in front. Nipper likes to walk and trot quite quickly, but I'm fast developing the art of teaching him not to rush, so it was a very relaxing ride.

The view of the Wolds on this Easter morning was perfect. The weather was calm and fine, but not too warm. I heard my first Willow Warblers of the spring, and saw a Barn Owl and a few Lapwing. A couple of Mistle Thrushes rattled at us as we rode by, joined by the nasal twang of Greenfinches in the wooded area. We continued up a steep hill, and then trotted across the side of a field. Nipper appears to relish the hard work, and seems very fit.

There was very little road work - not that Nipper minds traffic, but it's still nice to get on the quiet roads and tracks. We appreciated the views of people's gardens that you only get on horseback! Some of the cottages we passed have their front doors opening nearly straight on to the main road, and I've often wondered why on earth people can choose to live so close to a busy road, but when I saw their beautiful back gardens, I realised how they could trade one for the other. I could appreciate how many hours the owners had put into making their gardens so beautiful, and how wonderful it must be to wake in the morning, peer out of the window and see such a garden with a backdrop of the Wolds, especially in Spring.

At one point, as we rode, a partridge flew out of the undergrowth and made both horses jump sideways, but that's all - they didn't make an issue of it. They recovered and carried on as though nothing had happened. Other horses I have known might have skittered about for the rest of the ride once unsettled - very unnerving!

Turning for home, there is a collection of empty farm buildings - Andrew finds them a bit scary, but Nipper was unconcerned. However, we paused to watch the cows and their calves for a while in the next field. Calves are always so pretty - just one of the reasons perhaps why I'm vegetarian.

We carried on down the track, and encountered a steep and stony hill - and from the top of it I could see Nipper's field. The steep decline was different to ride, because I've not ridden down such a steep hill for years, but I soon got the hang of it. Nipper just carried on as though he went down that way every day.

We seemed to have been out only minutes as we rode back down the driveway to Isobel's place and Nipper's home. We rounded off the morning after turning the horses out, in the best way possible on Easter Day - tea and hot cross buns! Thanks Isi - you're a star!

Hacking and Schooling

It's already April 8th and I haven't written anything for nearly a week. Nipper gets better and better. He's much more settled, and is getting to know me. He has also teamed up with the mare in the next field and they keep each other company most of the day, but he's still fine to part company with her to come and do some riding with me.

One day last week I went out for a hack with a friend on her horse - Ann and Halton, a retired police horse. Riding down the busy road, Nipper was back to his usual self and went brilliantly in the heaviest of traffic. We encountered a constant stream of tractors, lorries, motor bikes and loads of cars. This was his first real hack out, and the only problem was a small Shetland pony skulking behind a hedge which Nipper thought was life threatening. He jumped out of his skin - and so did I - it was all so unexpected. But his saving grace is, that he recovers immediately and doesn't spend the rest of the ride spooking and quivering.

It's exactly a year this month since I returned to riding, after a long, long break. Confidence can take a long time to re-establish. For most of the past year, I've had lessons on my riding instructor's cob. In my view riding lessons are essential, no matter how long anyone has been riding horses. For newcomers to riding, lessons can establish confidence in a safe area, especially if the instructor is a good one. I've had loads of instructors in the past, but if someone is a good rider doesn't make them a good instructor. For anyone who has been riding for a while but never had a lesson, try it - you'll be surprised at what you don't know!

A good instructor isn't "at you" all the time. She will be encouraging and sympathetic, and not critical. She will know when to let you take a break, and when to push you that bit further. After every lesson, you should feel that you have accomplished something, and yet want to do even more. (I say "she" in this context because my instructor is female - there are obviously some good male instructors out there, it's just that I've never met any.)

There should be time to discuss any points that the pupil isn't sure about. I like to have a clear understanding of why I'm trying to achieve something, and exactly what I'm supposed to be doing to achieve it.

Nipper and I had a lesson today, and it was brilliant! Schooling isn't boring, it's the foundation of all riding. I enjoy lessons just as much as hacking out, and as a dog trainer I know just how important it is for an animal to have a job to do, combining mental stimulation and physical exercise.

We're doing our first Endurance ride on the 29th. Well, this one is just a pleasure ride, but it will I hope lead to more. Only two weeks to go!

I thought I probably wouldn't have time to ride Nipper today, as I had lots of dog training to do. But as afternoon turned to evening, Isobel came home and said she was taking a ride on Andrew, her coloured cob, and would I like to join her....? So, I did.

After yesterday, I thought Nipper would still be a bit excited and perhaps still prance about a bit, but he was brilliant. He loves looking around and stares with astonishment at a bunch of daffodils on the grass verge, and peers into people's gardens and gateways. But unlike many other horses, he doesn't actually do anything. He doesn't panic about things, he just loves gazing. We crossed a bridge and Nipper craned his neck to look at the water and as we moved on he stared across the next field at a herd of cows as though he'd never seen any before, and needed to check them out.

It was one of those lovely early April evenings, perfect for horse riding. An evening I won't forget in a hurry.

Nipper has been with me for exactly a week today.

First Lessons

Nipper and I had our first lesson with Natalie today. Whilst it's obvious that Nipper is still pretty unsettled with his move and all, we are getting there. He's very keen to prance around in front of the other horses when they come close to the fence, but he will settle down eventually if I just keep riding - and of course, it's early days.

I had a spur of the moment decision after my lesson. I rode him down into the village - just ten or fifteen minutes or so, but it was quite challenging! Nipper pranced almost on the spot constantly, and didn't walk at all except for a few steps here and there. He whinnied loudly most of the time too! It was a bit unnerving, but we turned round and came back again without incident. The thing is, he doesn't shy, or actually do anything else, it's just that he's sooooo up on his toes. Time and practise will take care of things I guess.

Today has been wet and windy, and cold in the extreme. I haven't ridden Nipper since his arrival three days ago and am itching to get on him again. However, today is dog training day, so no chance of riding. Also, riding wouldn't have been much of a pleasure today anyway. The wind is still howling outside as I write. Tonight we put our clocks forward, so lighter evenings will mean more time for riding.

My Seat Saver arrived yesterday, and looks soooo comfortable! As we go into spring and summer, I'm hoping for better weather and long rides. Nipper is a comfortable horse to ride, but my seat saver will mean that extra bit of comfort for those long summer rides.

They say that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. Today is the 28th of March and it's being a lion. Only three days to calm down and go out like a lamb. April showers to follow!

Nipper's Tea Party

To celebrate Nipper's arrival we threw a tea party for him last night. I made a chocolate cake - which in itself is unusual. I don't do kitchens and stuff. But as this was a special occasion I made a bit of an effort. You'll probably also notice that Fatty the cat turned up (middle photo) as he likes to be involved in anything horsey. Those of you that come to my dog training classes will remember Fatty as the cat who stalked around organising dogs and owners at our Doggy Fun Day summer.

Nipper and I have entered ourselves in a Pleasure Ride at Wykeham at the end of April. Thanks to Isobel and Ann for all your encouragement and support!

Well, Nipper is mine at last! Today I rode him the three miles or so to his new home and he was brilliant. I was accompanied by his previous owners on their cycles. Although the road is narrow and very twisty at times, with lots of traffic Nipper never put a hoof wrong. It's difficult to describe just how impervious he is to traffic. I've certainly never felt as safe as this on a horse before. As lorries, cars, motor bikes and caravans tootled past, Nipper's only interest was in looking around and occasionally snatching at something to eat - I understand his world revolves around food!

As you can see, he soon got the hang of mugging Lez, for some horsey treats!

A note about the traffic: It restores one's faith in human nature, when I say that without exception motorists were extremely thoughtful and patient. They weren't to know that Nipper was good in traffic and gave us the benefit of the doubt. A big thank you to any motorists out there who are patient and slow down for horses!

Nipper is now settled in his new home - at present he's hanging out with seven sheep - and of course other horses in the next fields. One of the other horses is my "loan horse" who goes back to his owner at the end of May.