tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19044928173590706922024-03-14T07:08:50.876+00:00Equine MumI am a 40 something horsey working mum with hubby and two teenage boys. Kept a diary for many years but due to the last 18 years of motherhood putting pen to paper has evaded me. So now blogging is my modern diary and here are a few of my moans and observations!Equine Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08745158633433533850noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1904492817359070692.post-40010825339508567142015-01-03T12:09:00.000+00:002015-01-03T12:52:10.985+00:00Let's Get Blogging...If I Find Time!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rBVmjsp6iRk/VKfVOxY407I/AAAAAAAAEuo/GaznjdxDtME/s1600/ZEB-16042014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rBVmjsp6iRk/VKfVOxY407I/AAAAAAAAEuo/GaznjdxDtME/s1600/ZEB-16042014.jpg" height="226" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Zeb's Caricature by Emily Cole for Haynet</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm meant to be cleaning the house today, I meant to be doing some food shopping, I meant to be answering some work emails BUT I'm not doing them now - I am writing a long overdue blog post!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we have entered 2015 I have been reading some super equestrian blogs and are slightly envious how up to date they all are. My blog however is not.... So if I make one New Years resolution (forget the diet, save money (yawn) it is going to be <b>MAKE TIME</b>. This is one factor of my life that I seem to struggle badly with. I think my time management is a bit pants really. I'm great at faffing about, looking busy but not actually achieving all the goals that I dearly want to accomplish.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MaI6NZJYH84/VKfXgxfaIdI/AAAAAAAAEu8/s0aeXtKfhs0/s1600/Billy%2Band%2BMiles%2BSept%2B14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MaI6NZJYH84/VKfXgxfaIdI/AAAAAAAAEu8/s0aeXtKfhs0/s1600/Billy%2Band%2BMiles%2BSept%2B14.jpg" height="233" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Miles and Billy - September 2014</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So what is my news? 2014 was in general an OK year, nothing melodramatic on the family front thankfully. The boys are now pretty much adults. Billy is now an apprentice legal financial assistant which he is enjoying. It has come hard to work from 9-5.30pm on an apprenticeship wage, but he has grown up immensely for it. Miles is in his second year of his BTEC engineering diploma and is planning to stay on another year to complete levels 4 and 5. He has recently passed his driving test (yes the worry has now doubled) and is working part time for Waitrose. It's great getting the discount and all the much reduced food that he brings home.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stephen is well. He had an ankle operation in February last year and now he is fitter than ever walking miles with Harley pups!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RmX-_7m3OQU/VKfXJSVyNOI/AAAAAAAAEu0/9mWVXI3Ox0I/s1600/Harley%2BChristmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RmX-_7m3OQU/VKfXJSVyNOI/AAAAAAAAEu0/9mWVXI3Ox0I/s1600/Harley%2BChristmas.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Harley having some Christmas pet humiliation</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of you that have taken the time to read my blog or be in on<b> </b><span style="color: black;"><b><a href="http://www.hay-net.co.uk/" target="_blank">Haynet</a> </b>may know that I have had a very turbulent year with Zeb's health. Thankfully his very bad arthritic pasterns have reacted brilliantly to the <b><a href="http://equinemum.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/the-golden-light-of-hope.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">turmeric</span></a></b> I have been feeding him and he is so much better. I have to confess that I have barely ridden in the last few months. Again I have to use the age old excuse of time. Luckily a friend of a friend is riding out most weekends with him so he is getting out and about. With the change in turnout, he is lucky that the fields can take him being out as much as he can but of course he has to come in when the weather takes hold.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J55W8Eno5NU/VKfZjiN-r8I/AAAAAAAAEvI/nKxj6VgFuZo/s1600/10703940_10204980331129609_1150939710504707767_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J55W8Eno5NU/VKfZjiN-r8I/AAAAAAAAEvI/nKxj6VgFuZo/s1600/10703940_10204980331129609_1150939710504707767_n.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Lovely Zeb</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">The mud fever has been kinder this year. He seemed to get it in November with a vengeance and I was dreading seeing how we were going to manage through this winter dealing with it. Thankfully with a couple of new products I have tried, it has cleared up. With washing his legs just once a week in an anti-fungal shampoo and using Equimins Mud Slide Lotion, he seems pretty clear. Luckily the fields aren't too muddy at the moment with the weather being much kinder this year than the incessant wind and rain we had last winter.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">So yes my goal is to get motivated and get back in the saddle more which benefits not only him but me too. With the amount of money he costs me, I need to have the "it's worth it" feeling again!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Haynet has been going great through 2014 and again I do not give it the time it deserves. I have plans for the next year with extra help which is so needs. I have some fantastic members and work with some brilliant people through the site.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">I end on a very sad note. I wasn't going to mention it, but I feel we have to put life into prospective sometimes. We lost on Monday a very lovely man who is a family friend of ours in a horrible car accident. Dan sadly lost his life while going off to open his butchers shop and lost control of his Land Rover on a lane covered in sheet ice. He was only 25 and sadly leaves his young wife a widow and his lovely four week old baby girl without a father. It has been a somber New Year for everyone that knew him and also a numbness on how can it happen. His wife sadly lost her sister in a car accident two years ago too, so the pain is immense. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">So let's grab life, stop moaning, make time for what you want to do in life and make the most of it. If that can be my New Years resolution please! Now shall I clean the house??</span></span></div>
Equine Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08745158633433533850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1904492817359070692.post-64499201584061936482014-08-10T11:36:00.001+01:002014-08-10T11:36:13.468+01:00The Golden Light Of Hope!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rg1yMlZG-xI/U-dAOmAhE8I/AAAAAAAAEl0/FjRNKqtIYt4/s1600/1656170_10204624051062830_3924351714801400885_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rg1yMlZG-xI/U-dAOmAhE8I/AAAAAAAAEl0/FjRNKqtIYt4/s1600/1656170_10204624051062830_3924351714801400885_n.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So from my last post about the old dude, Zeb was diagnosed with arthritis in his cannon bones, pasterns and soft tissue swelling in his coronet band. As you know, he was terrible on daily bute turning him into a zombie and I really feared for his future at that time.He was so poorly there was the awful nagging thought of whether to put him through a winter, with all these painful ailments he was having.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the vet's visit, I decided to put his shoes back on and see how he was to hack out, seeing as he was brighter being off the chemical painkillers. The farrier told me it would be a few days before he could get to me, so I had to wait. In the meantime, I had been reading on<span style="color: purple;"> </span><b><a href="http://www.hay-net.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Haynet</span> </a></b>where a lovely member told me a while ago about the benefits of feeding turmeric, especially for arthritic horses. I decided to join the<b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/415313751866609/768815233183124/?notif_t=like" target="_blank">Turmeric User Group</a></b> on Facebook and then had a good read up on turmeric which was used for a variety of conditions in horses, dogs and humans. There was so many success stories and being a natural substance, what was there to lose in trying it?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f9neRkAtBJM/UoZ5ga9sr6I/AAAAAAAACGM/rZo6uXAuTqI/s1600/Turmeric_benefits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f9neRkAtBJM/UoZ5ga9sr6I/AAAAAAAACGM/rZo6uXAuTqI/s1600/Turmeric_benefits.jpg" height="166" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So when my 5kg bag arrived just over a week ago, I hot footed up the yard to feed it to him. I mixed it with some olive oil and freshly ground pepper which was the advice from the Facebook group. I made it into a paste and added it to his feed. Well he took two mouthfuls and then threw his feed bucket across the field.......Not to the greatest of starts then! I decided not to make the paste and just sprinkle it in his feed with a smaller amount. This worked a treat and he ate the whole lot. I then increased it each day and he now has a whole heaped tablespoon and he licks the bowl clean. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So has there been a difference? Well in my opinion <i>a huge difference</i>. He is so much perkier and upbeat and has been seen cantering around the field this week - yes cantering! His shoes were finally put back on Friday and yesterday I could not put it off any longer - I needed to see if he was fit to ride. I was dreading it.... Dreading it because what if he was still lame after all the rest, care and attention I have put in over the last three months to make him better?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He pulled his usual faces when the saddle came out and played with the bit when putting on his bridle - these were very good signs as this is the normal 19 year old Zeb that I know! I hopped on asked him to turn in a large circle, which he was totally at ease with. I hacked out with my friend Sue and Zeb's buddy Flick for a straight, flat walk for about 20 minutes. I tried to keep him at a slow pace, but he was marching out. Totally forward going and on a mission. This is truly unbelievable - he has been so poorly over the last few months so it must be the turmeric?? It was a joy to be back riding him and I have had such an emotional and turbulent few months worrying about him. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will hack him out this week, giving him a few days off in between. So for now, we have hope. I have read up so much about arthritis and I am now armed with this information to make him as comfortable as I can. He is not a horse to be retired and he does suffer in the winter. However, we are now staying at our summer grazing home which has more acreage which means he can be turned out far more through the winter than previously. Keeping him moving is vital.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So with turmeric and better turnout, I hope this will keep my Zeb happy, sound and out of pain. Long may it continue!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rz0myO8T4XQ/U-dJ2Uk2eeI/AAAAAAAAEmE/sM_WKK0BYVA/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rz0myO8T4XQ/U-dJ2Uk2eeI/AAAAAAAAEmE/sM_WKK0BYVA/s1600/021.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sam and Zeb</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Equine Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08745158633433533850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1904492817359070692.post-75821946547276002082014-07-29T14:04:00.002+01:002014-07-29T14:35:36.498+01:00The Latest On Zeb<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pONrE50vG4k/U9eXgaklV1I/AAAAAAAAEhU/DmhAnOwmqio/s1600/Zeb+&+Co+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pONrE50vG4k/U9eXgaklV1I/AAAAAAAAEhU/DmhAnOwmqio/s1600/Zeb+&+Co+031.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I finally have an update on the old boy's health which I have been waiting for a few weeks now. (Sadly my vet is going through some health problems at the moment, hence the delay).</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About ten days before the xrays were due I decided to take him off the daily dose of two sachets of bute. He really wasn't good on the drug - very down, lethargic and really no life in him. He hung round the gate with very little enthusiasm at all. I was putting this down to the fact he was in pain and the bute just wasn't working. Since taking him off the bute he is so much brighter and better!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So the xrays were done 10 days ago and the vet thought he was marginally better but was concerned about the puffiness of his coronet band. I had the results this morning and they were pretty much what I thought. He has arthritis in the coffin joint and pasterns in both front legs. They are not chronic but there is a fair amount there which is not going to get better. After a long pragmatic chat about his situation and upon her advice, I have decided against steroid or cartrophen injections.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what am I going to do? Well I've decided to get back in the saddle with him this weekend and see how he is riding out at a slow, short hack. He has had about ten weeks rest so I am hoping he will be better and if he can be ridden out gently, then this is what I will do. So if he is sound with gentle exercise and turnout and showing me no real signs of pain, then I have decided to see him through the winter. The only problem I worry about is the mud fever.... He cannot come in for weeks on end, which is what happened the winter just gone. BUT I will do all I can to make him comfortable and keep him going without being in pain, with plenty of turnout. However if he is hopping lame, miserable and in pain, then I think the decision is made for me.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have put him on Devils Claw and trying out some oils in his feed. Zeb is only 19 which I know is no age for a horse. However, his hefty workload in his younger days as a Grade B show jumper have come back to haunt him as this form of arthritis is very common in show jumpers later in life.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So hooves crossed he get's a bit sounder with some gentle exercise and his daily dose of Devils Claw keep his pains at bay. Positivity for the future - I will keep you posted.....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Equine Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08745158633433533850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1904492817359070692.post-15102480045771191952014-06-21T09:38:00.003+01:002014-06-27T08:18:57.503+01:00I Will Do My Absolute Best For Him<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EeSVsigGv5U/U6Uykub63bI/AAAAAAAAEFk/ZTXC4Caf1a0/s1600/Zeb+March+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EeSVsigGv5U/U6Uykub63bI/AAAAAAAAEFk/ZTXC4Caf1a0/s1600/Zeb+March+14.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">MY LOVELY STOIC OLD BOY!</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My poor old Zeb has not been right for quite a few months now. I moved him in April for some summer grazing as the fields at the farm where he has been for over 7 years have really been trashed by the awful winter we had last year. Unfortunately for Zeb who always suffers with mud fever, he had to come in for 10 weeks or more as the fields were liquid knee high mud. This box rest though is detrimental for his legs also as he then suffers from edema. He has such a large frame being 17.2 with short boxy hooves so his confirmation is really not good, especially now he has reached his veteran years. This year it was bad though and he was really stiff and swollen. No matter if he had </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">gentle exercise in the school, rode him out or just turned him out in the school for a run about, the other 23 hours a day being in was doing him more harm than good. I've tried everything to reduce the swelling from bandaging to using magnetic boots but it didn't really help. His swelling was so bad his poor little winky was nearly hanging to his knees! He is a huge big old boy that needs to move.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0CIVHOzr-2o/U6VEBusSVAI/AAAAAAAAEF0/Hwcg5aIpm4s/s1600/543699_10201089193053589_1524510523_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0CIVHOzr-2o/U6VEBusSVAI/AAAAAAAAEF0/Hwcg5aIpm4s/s1600/543699_10201089193053589_1524510523_n.jpg" height="308" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since April he hasn't been 100% sound. He became lame in his near fore which I thought at the time he had twisted it as he was in a new field in new surroundings and high jinx was to blame. After cold hosing, equine claying and using a boot with some bute too, he became better. Not 100% sound but better. When riding him though(only gently) he just felt not right.... Although this leg seemed to have improved he felt off to ride. Then a couple of weeks ago he became very lame in his offside front leg. I did the same treatment initially but was thinking that this cannot be an injury or tendon as why would it replicate into another leg?? Then navicular came creeping into my head.... So it was time for the vet who came out this week.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a thorough examination, a trot up and lunging on both legs my vet is pretty sure he has degenerative arthritis in his front legs. I have decided to pay for some x-rays which is being done in a couple of weeks to see how bad it is. We had a long pragmatic talk about the condition and how it will affect Zeb considering his problems that he faces with his legs in the winter. It really isn't ethical or financially viable to pay for long term painful steroid injections with the chances of them not 100% working on a 19 year old horse. We have decided to put him on daily bute for now and see if he comes sound with this. I just want to immediately get him comfortable and out of pain. I have put him on Cortaflex and an oil with his feed also to see if this makes a difference to him.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-t-wUg2o0g/U6VEH51zjYI/AAAAAAAAEF8/7k0VL4Lo_1Y/s1600/933941_10151603783064227_2091970910_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-t-wUg2o0g/U6VEH51zjYI/AAAAAAAAEF8/7k0VL4Lo_1Y/s1600/933941_10151603783064227_2091970910_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">My worry is not now but for the up and coming winter and this is the concern of the vet too.... The fields are potentially likely to be bad again unless we have no rain from October to March (unlikely) so he will probably have to come in off the fields because of the mud fever. The vet and me have agreed that we are worried that his legs cannot cope with the edema again, especially with the arthritis now added to the mix. I could try and find a big barn turnout but they are few and far between around where I live and it's the practicalities of him being moved again (he's not good without his buddy and that's another long story). So........ I am going to have to think very carefully about putting him through another winter....</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NXp4vOpu3I4/U6VEZbNJtmI/AAAAAAAAEGE/gW6QGbvUmak/s1600/578240_4028761119026_858445118_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NXp4vOpu3I4/U6VEZbNJtmI/AAAAAAAAEGE/gW6QGbvUmak/s1600/578240_4028761119026_858445118_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am hoping the bute will work and I can try and keep him out as long as I can, it's just what the winter will bring. I am going to be positive about it but I am putting my level head on about his future and what is right for him. The thought of him in pain, swollen and stiff as a board is heartbreaking. But then it is heartbreaking of even thinking of life without him.Tough times ahead I think....</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Equine Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08745158633433533850noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1904492817359070692.post-19877105206058427692014-02-08T07:29:00.002+00:002014-02-08T08:30:53.214+00:00So Long Blue: Why These Animals Grab Your Hearts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3UEZpYtL8iw/UvSueODB1mI/AAAAAAAACeA/41nkR8_m65k/s1600/IMG_2948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3UEZpYtL8iw/UvSueODB1mI/AAAAAAAACeA/41nkR8_m65k/s1600/IMG_2948.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">BLUE AGE 14</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">t was a very sad day in the Hobden house yesterday, as we have lost our beloved little Blue cat. We carry on in our lives for years on end with these furry bundles of fluff, just always being there... They sometimes drive us mad but they make us laugh too however when they suddenly depart, life doesn't quite seem to be the same....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have never intentionally gone looking for kittens, they always seem to find me through friends. Quite a few of my friends over the years have had kittens and I end up going round for a cuppa, and a coo and arrr over the kitties and then those fateful words come out of my mouth..."Oh go on then, I'll have one".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blue came into our lives just like that. My friend Sally had a lovely sandy coloured cat called Blossom who had the most beautiful litter of kittens back in 1999 when my boys were three and four. Sally had seen Blue's dad (a big grey cat) all too briefly in her garden having a dalliance with Blossom and then if I remember rightly five kittens then turned up several weeks later. Sally's daughter who was three at the time, couldn't quite grasp the concept that they were not keeping all of Blossom's kittens and screamed the house down every time someone would come and collect the kitten to take home. She was the same with Blue, even though promises would be made that she could see Blue any time she liked. Ashleigh is now seventeen and we have reminded her on several occasions about this story!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NHV63E-WM-k/UvXVhWIaggI/AAAAAAAACeo/oXt-NUEIm-k/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NHV63E-WM-k/UvXVhWIaggI/AAAAAAAACeo/oXt-NUEIm-k/s1600/002.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></b></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Blue Always In The Festive Spirit</b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-swKgapmLNog/UvXX0cPuqbI/AAAAAAAACfM/DpoG7fNWxXE/s1600/582379_10200353540502735_403821659_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-swKgapmLNog/UvXX0cPuqbI/AAAAAAAACfM/DpoG7fNWxXE/s1600/582379_10200353540502735_403821659_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />I haven't got any wild tales to tell you about Blue as she was generally a quiet little soul, never really giving us any trouble at all. She was a toughy though and would put up a fight if she needed to. I have had many cats over the years, some always up to something or trip to the vets, but not her. She was always, just there. She had just one visit to the vets that I can remember and that was an allergy to flea treatment. We changed the product and she was well again. Now that is fantastic for her 14 years! My son Billy adored her and she was always with him. He cannot remember life without her. She slept on his bed almost every night. </span><br />
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K0nPrLHGUFE/UvXfOXHHDdI/AAAAAAAACfo/Luxf0WZ4pWk/s1600/1395171_10202458470804677_1057316197_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K0nPrLHGUFE/UvXfOXHHDdI/AAAAAAAACfo/Luxf0WZ4pWk/s1600/1395171_10202458470804677_1057316197_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>You Sit Behind Me Harley!</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xegG8vvP31w/UvXWp0_o2EI/AAAAAAAACew/jPUr_8Gkwzo/s1600/001+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xegG8vvP31w/UvXWp0_o2EI/AAAAAAAACew/jPUr_8Gkwzo/s1600/001+(3).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Queen of Sheba</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She would stand her ground as she was the quiet boss. Any new cat or dog that came in the household, she would put them in their place, and they all bowed down to her. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a1XRmHknbUg/UvXX08ZVkMI/AAAAAAAACfQ/GYhFp2DRDZU/s1600/429300_3539136878726_2120908670_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a1XRmHknbUg/UvXX08ZVkMI/AAAAAAAACfQ/GYhFp2DRDZU/s1600/429300_3539136878726_2120908670_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>You can sit there Diz but keep a distance!</b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/cVwaqqGrmCc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>BLUE AND HER FAMOUS SNORING!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She had recently been getting a bit doddery coming down the stairs and I was thinking that age was catching up with her. This week though she was bombing through the house like she was a kitten again! She was still fussing over her dinner as Stephen had bought the wrong flavour when he went shopping last weekend and she followed me round the house until I gave in to her. I then hot footed out to the shops and bought her favourite Purina Senior 7+!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b0VWQhwNTc8/UvXbvgueGaI/AAAAAAAACfg/5qFvYaVEavo/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b0VWQhwNTc8/UvXbvgueGaI/AAAAAAAACfg/5qFvYaVEavo/s1600/005.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1sc0Q021vPk/UvXXzvOQfII/AAAAAAAACfE/7TZDeliphco/s1600/38776_1546327179729_1893699_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1sc0Q021vPk/UvXXzvOQfII/AAAAAAAACfE/7TZDeliphco/s1600/38776_1546327179729_1893699_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></b></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>The day Dizzee kitten arrived..not impressed!</b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me and Stephen went out on Thursday night this week for a friends 50th birthday drinks. The weather was foul (as usual) and when we came home, Billy said to me straight away he couldn't find Blue. This was so unusual as she was always in and certainly wouldn't be out in gale force winds and rain. We searched the house and couldn't find her. I said she had probably popped out and would be back, but secretly I was fearing the worse. I woke up early yesterday and she still was not at home. I went and searched the garage and sheds...nothing. I took Harley for a walk thinking what was my next step in the search for her. I decided to do some notes and pass them to neighbours to check their outbuildings.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we got back Harley went off in the garden and kept going under our thick hedge, then coming out to find me. He then went under the hedge again, and then out to find me. I then knew she was there... When I crept under the hedge there was Harley sitting quietly by her body. She was not curled up and I honestly think she had an instant heart attack. I am pretty sure it was quick and she did not suffer.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We buried her yesterday in bright sunshine in a spot in the garden that I can see clearly from the house. When the bluebells arrive in the spring, I will put some there as a constant memory of her. We are all pretty upset to see her go, especially me and Billy. She was a fab little cat, and one that can never be replaced. We will miss her immensely.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">THE ONE AND ONLY BLUE</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ktkdeWH6-0/UvXXyeFoZ0I/AAAAAAAACe8/_-5t0bttG8o/s1600/549139_3630263396832_795654186_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ktkdeWH6-0/UvXXyeFoZ0I/AAAAAAAACe8/_-5t0bttG8o/s1600/549139_3630263396832_795654186_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
</div>
Equine Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08745158633433533850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1904492817359070692.post-29791211629047776572014-01-27T12:30:00.001+00:002014-01-27T12:30:06.062+00:00One Hand On The Reins and One Hand On The Cradle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/StateLibQld_1_175015_Eight_children_on_a_horse,_1907.jpg/800px-StateLibQld_1_175015_Eight_children_on_a_horse,_1907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/StateLibQld_1_175015_Eight_children_on_a_horse,_1907.jpg/800px-StateLibQld_1_175015_Eight_children_on_a_horse,_1907.jpg" height="458" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #302e30; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #302e30; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
How can you not smile and feel happy for Zara Phillips who became a mum recently to baby Mia. With the nation reading about another royal baby, it is no doubt giving us a lovely feel good factor. With Laura Tomlinson also announcing her pregnancy much has been written recently on how difficult it is to juggle motherhood with an equestrian career.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #302e30; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #302e30; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
However what about the “every day” day rider? Zara and Laura will no doubt have a fool proof support network behind them enabling them to ride, school and maintain their horses and career. I have read many blog posts over the past few years where new mums have had to make a heart breaking decision whether to carry on with horse ownership or simply put their beloved hobby on hold while motherhood takes over. If you decide to battle on with having a horse then the so called “juggling act” becomes an impressive display from La Cirque du Soleil!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #302e30; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #302e30; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Having horses is exhausting at the best of times and also a huge financial commitment. Factor a baby in the mix and any normal person would question why you would have a horse in your life! Well it’s because we love them and to give up on our horses would be the absolute last resort. So what is the answer? What if you had to fit in working as well. It would all seem an absolute impossibility, surely? These mum’s are out there and struggling to keep all the juggling balls in the air! Trying to beg, borrow and steal childcare becomes an art and craft. When a few hours has been given then it’s a frantic dash to the yard, muck out, groom and then off on a high speed hack that Frankel would of been proud of… To get some equestrian help is always the answer but it can be difficult to try and find someone trustworthy and reliable to share your horse in time and money.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #302e30; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #302e30; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I decided to enter horse ownership when my boys were six and seven. It was a huge decision which I did not make lightly as I knew the arrival of my horse would make a massive impact on our family life. How was I going to fit in this 17.2 money machine and time taker into our already hectic routine? With two small boys and a business to run, I look back now and I must have been mad. I managed it but only just, with Olympic runs to the yard after work to muck out before rushing back to put a thrown together dinner on the table. My boys (who did not share my equestrian enthusiasm) spent many hours in the car parked at the yard when it was pouring down with rain in the holidays. The little money I had left was spent on magazines and games to entertain them and to stop their moans that they were, yet again, at the stables… I did feel guilty about it, especially exhausting babysitting favours when I had to sort out childcare in order to work or ride my horse. I also felt guilty about the amount of money that was spent on my hobby. It wasn’t just only the weekly requirements of hay, feed and livery it was also unexpected vets bills, rugs that needed replacing or saddles that needed reflocking…. Was I being selfish? That was a question that I did ask myself and I imagine every horse owner mother struggles with. But was it “the battle of the sexes” question, did the husbands or partners give up their hobby when the babies arrive? I imagine most did not. Controversial as it sounds, most woman are expected to give up their identity almost when becoming a mother. You become “Ben’s mum or Molly’s mum“ almost losing your individuality. By having some time away from motherhood and work doing the hobby that you love, works wonders for any frazzled mother psychologically.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #302e30; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #302e30; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
So us every day horse owners who happen to be mothers too will battle on with our guilty pleasure. The years do pass by very quickly and my guilt has passed. My boys are now adults enjoying their own hobbies now. They sometimes ask after my horse, but it’s a rare occasion. I now have time to enjoy my hobby without syncing diaries with the school, work or my boy’s hectic social life. I have no regrets about fitting my horse into our family life. It has been extremely tough but worth it. You can continue to be a mother while being a horse owner too, it just needs some clever time and financial management and perhaps a crèche being opened at your local yard!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #302e30; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #302e30;">Please also visit </span><b><a href="http://www.hay.net.co.uk/"><span style="color: red;">www.hay.net.co.uk</span></a></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #302e30; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
Equine Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08745158633433533850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1904492817359070692.post-5019540352995205522014-01-15T13:26:00.000+00:002014-01-15T21:23:36.895+00:00Harley and Me - The First Year With My Dog<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bRfqPiWpK48/UtaKtOTOgEI/AAAAAAAACNA/_PWpxAyurKE/s1600/408580_4801370553779_61496940_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bRfqPiWpK48/UtaKtOTOgEI/AAAAAAAACNA/_PWpxAyurKE/s400/408580_4801370553779_61496940_n.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Harley Age 16 Weeks</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was watching Harley scampering along on our afternoon walk
and could see a family walking ahead with their children, one on a scooter. I
called Harley and he came back to me, not instantly but he then came to heel.
This time last year, my heart would lurch and mini panic would set in as I
would watch my over exuberant terrier make a beeline for the tiny people,
aiming to wipe them out with his excited greeting. Wow, we have come a long way
in the last year….</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlMFodpKAXg/UtaLLRbUCKI/AAAAAAAACNI/pVi2szXCDFc/s1600/11238_1304560015701_3388018_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlMFodpKAXg/UtaLLRbUCKI/AAAAAAAACNI/pVi2szXCDFc/s320/11238_1304560015701_3388018_n.jpg" height="241" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dad with Tyler his Border Terrier (2007)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have had dogs in my life, but I have had a twenty odd year
break from canine ownership. My dear dad was a huge dog lover, although my mum
was yet to be converted. Eventually after nearly twenty years, she finally
relented and “allowed” dad to have a dog. Within hours almost, Ross a ten week
old black and white Springer Spaniel bounded into our lives. It was pure chaos
and he was mad as a March hare, but a joy to have in our family. My mum then
went on to have her own dog and bought Paddy a Cairn Terrier home to join Ross.
I left home, married and had children but I always had cats to keep the family
company as in my opinion, a home is not complete without some furry animal
cohabiting! I bought my horse ten years ago who has had a huge impact on my
life and as every horse owner knows the bond between you is one you can never replace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HQ3TKmTPqAc/UtaLceQwTjI/AAAAAAAACNc/jBtHmK3WxLo/s1600/560621_4801372673832_88646551_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HQ3TKmTPqAc/UtaLceQwTjI/AAAAAAAACNc/jBtHmK3WxLo/s320/560621_4801372673832_88646551_n.jpg" height="286" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since moving to a more rural location in the last few years,
my husband who was very anti-dogs shocked us all and said he thought it would
be a good idea to have a dog live with us. Now <i>"live with us"</i> was in his mind, in
a kennel in the garden, all year round. He was going to make our dog his new
home complete with a run…or so he thought. We had long discussions about what
sort of dog was going to fit in with us and we ruled out a rescue dog having
two cats already. The dog had to be male and having two teenage sons, he had to
be a “manly” dog, no fluff whatsoever! I don’t know what came over us, but we
decided to get a terrier cross.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After much searching and researching, we decided on a black
and tan Patterdale cross Jack Russell. Harley arrived in our lives about
sixteen months ago now and what a whirlwind it has been. The day he came home
and jumped on to my husband’s lap, was the day that puppy secured his warm bed indoors.... I had totally forgotten
how consumed you get with a puppy and the first few months, my life seemed to
revolve around his bowel movements or how many hours it was between pees! We
were lucky with Harley that he cottoned on to toilet training well and within
about 10 weeks of being with us, he had cracked it. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iJ2gLViSRNs/UtaMM-X3VII/AAAAAAAACNw/ySL49misPRk/s1600/1167426_10202045144191770_1390039408_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iJ2gLViSRNs/UtaMM-X3VII/AAAAAAAACNw/ySL49misPRk/s320/1167426_10202045144191770_1390039408_o.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></span></b></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Harley's Favourite Place - With The Horses</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now walking him was a completely new challenge, mentally and
physically. As he long legs grew…yes long legs (He’s parentage has been
questioned as he almost has legs likes a whippet!) the more exercise he needed.
Come rain, wind, snow and boiling hot sun my daily routine now is a 20 minute
walk in the morning with a 45 minute walk in the afternoon. I find the people
you meet fascinating when dog walking and how you can meet a total stranger and
sometimes end up walking with them telling them almost your life story while watching your dog’s tearing around, doing laps of honour. It also has
made me get to know my neighbours since moving to the area, as I’m always
bumping into them when dog walking. I barely knew my neighbours in my previous
home as I very rarely walked about in my neighbourhood. My fitness has improved
no end and I love walking. There are days when I can do without it, but once I’m
out I feel better. Harley in general is a super little dog and absolutely loves
us to the point he is my stalker. I work from home, so I am around a lot and
when I am not about he takes himself to his bed and waits…and waits. On my return I am
greeted by him as if I have been to Australia and back! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eiDHW4IQyH4/UtaL_n74xqI/AAAAAAAACNo/mj_L0anknG4/s1600/226625_10201908775342634_181251698_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eiDHW4IQyH4/UtaL_n74xqI/AAAAAAAACNo/mj_L0anknG4/s320/226625_10201908775342634_181251698_n.jpg" height="320" width="304" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He is generally a really good boy, but not an angel… We have
had a few instances shall we say that left me red faced. Bounding up to a lady
dressed all in cream when he has just tried to track a rabbit down in a
quagmire of mud springs to mind. Taking a child’s football away and running
like a greyhound on the winning straight is also makes the top ten whilst I’m
apologising profusely to the parents of the screaming child. Hopping into the
builders van at home when we were having building work and eating all their
sandwiches – he loved cheese and ham by the way! He has managed to make some
epic escapes that Steve McQueen would have been proud of. Thankfully we have
blocked these escape routes so he is well and truly locked in his dog proof
garden now. Another one of his favourite tricks when meeting other dogs is to literally
high five the ones with a stick in their mouths and then hot foot off with the
said stick as fast as his long legs will take him. Again the “I’m so sorry”
routine comes from me when the pitiful dog looking at me as though Harley has
taken food from their mouths.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I9k6Crb8dBE/UtaLcbOXtDI/AAAAAAAACNk/Nsk2FKLF6ts/s1600/581710_10201710167857571_1248402497_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I9k6Crb8dBE/UtaLcbOXtDI/AAAAAAAACNk/Nsk2FKLF6ts/s320/581710_10201710167857571_1248402497_n+%25281%2529.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Harley's First Trip To The Beach</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You are probably reading this thinking I should of done some
dog training to teach him some canine manners – I did! Honestly I did! His
manners have improved and I have learnt to be one step ahead of him, almost
knowing what his next move will be when I spot a rabbit ten paces ahead or hear
the cluck of a pheasant in the distance. Yes he is gone…. I could have a whole
cooked chicken in my pocket but that “value” treat will not stop my errant
terrier on a mission!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kZtwuPMgeJU/UtaLbB6N2NI/AAAAAAAACNU/5bhkhxW-lbk/s1600/577862_10200129876711280_1137354643_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kZtwuPMgeJU/UtaLbB6N2NI/AAAAAAAACNU/5bhkhxW-lbk/s400/577862_10200129876711280_1137354643_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>HARLEY AND ME</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Life would be extremely dull without him now and I cannot
imagine our family with no Harley. I totally understand that dog/human bond and
how bereft an owner feels when they are sadly taken from us through illness,
accident or old age. I hope that day is many, many years away and I imagine I
will have many “tails” to tell about my life with Harley. I look forward to
thousands of miles of dog walks and being </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">his</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> companion.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Equine Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08745158633433533850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1904492817359070692.post-16105982154578043292013-12-29T22:11:00.002+00:002013-12-29T22:28:20.202+00:00Yet Another Year Flashes By....<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aC2_ATw4RWs/UsCPnn6_t_I/AAAAAAAACGM/Xl4sjkeJI84/s1600/73327_10201624631719221_459550250_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aC2_ATw4RWs/UsCPnn6_t_I/AAAAAAAACGM/Xl4sjkeJI84/s320/73327_10201624631719221_459550250_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A rare picture of Mr and Mrs Hobden!</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I opened my blog page today and was horrified to see four posts in draft that I had started to write and never finished.... That is shocking behaviour for someone that runs a blogging network! I can only blame it on poor time management on my part and will correct this as soon as possible. Once I start typing a blog post I really enjoy it, its just making the time to sit down and do it. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This year has been in general a good year. A few ups and downs on my part, but some friends around me have had a terrible year. You really don't know what is around the corner in life and watching some go through very worrying times, it makes you really appreciate what you have....</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
</span>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X95x7aQVXxo/UsCSIiKrxBI/AAAAAAAACGc/LZo2cJx_ZEo/s1600/P6280045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X95x7aQVXxo/UsCSIiKrxBI/AAAAAAAACGc/LZo2cJx_ZEo/s320/P6280045.JPG" width="249" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In June Miles had his leaving prom (pictured top left) which was quite sentimental really as it has been sad to think my children have now all left school. He had a great time and even us parents partied into the night at Sally's. A few days later we left for a week in boiling hot Rhodes which I think will be the last time we all go away together as a family... The boys bought along some friends too and we only saw them at dinner and the occasional breakfast when they surfaced before the dining room shut at 11am!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FI71R2Revyw/UsCUZUO1F_I/AAAAAAAACGk/NNXVa6ccDNQ/s1600/P7040015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FI71R2Revyw/UsCUZUO1F_I/AAAAAAAACGk/NNXVa6ccDNQ/s320/P7040015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The summer has been spent living in a building site with major building work going on with some re-roofing, walls being knocked down, floors relaid, rewiring, new plumbing and a new kitchen. Thank goodness the fantastic summer went with us on the works as it made it all so much more bearable. I am now the lucky owner of a fab new kitchen which is a complete improvement on what you can see below!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NXXQI3r3NJM/UsCVmZvTz3I/AAAAAAAACG0/YrEaQwfH4ec/s1600/IMG_2926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NXXQI3r3NJM/UsCVmZvTz3I/AAAAAAAACG0/YrEaQwfH4ec/s320/IMG_2926.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CM1ttclJ3lo/UsCVibsxWQI/AAAAAAAACGw/ANh7Rx7iVQ0/s1600/IMG_2932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CM1ttclJ3lo/UsCVibsxWQI/AAAAAAAACGw/ANh7Rx7iVQ0/s320/IMG_2932.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I inherited some money when I lost my lovely dad a few years ago and wanted to buy something in memory of him so I invested in an Aga! We have bought a reconditioned one with new lids and resprayed in charcoal grey and I love it. It has totally changed the way I cook and I have kissed goodbye to my kettle, toaster and tumble dryer. She is a complete work horse and we now have heat and it is nice not having to wear my body warmer on in the day like last winter!!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
All the animals are well and Harley has now calmed down quite a bit. I love having him and he really has changed our lives for the better! Nothing like a dog to make you get off your backsides and walk out the house twice a day come rain, wind, snow or sunshine! I am definitely so much fitter - it must be the running after him when he decides to belt after those errant pheasants for three fields!<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SB_uNNFym7Q/UsCXXNE5gEI/AAAAAAAACHA/w8a_zPtBbHM/s1600/IMG_3039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SB_uNNFym7Q/UsCXXNE5gEI/AAAAAAAACHA/w8a_zPtBbHM/s320/IMG_3039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Zeb is really well but despite battling a bit of mud fever which is now under control, he is all good! My riding has taken a bit of a back seat due to many reasons but I have had a friend ride him out in the week which takes the pressure off me. We have now four horses at the yard which has taken some more time and my friend Sue is sadly battling cancer so extra man power has been needed at the stables.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6OzPSizySB8/UsCYNFAbfbI/AAAAAAAACHI/z6QlOKzAUdI/s1600/1456571_10202650341801332_339880736_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6OzPSizySB8/UsCYNFAbfbI/AAAAAAAACHI/z6QlOKzAUdI/s320/1456571_10202650341801332_339880736_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Baby Rio came to the yard which my friend Bev decided to take him on after being orphaned losing his mother at 6 weeks. It certainly has been a big learning curve dealing with a youngster but a very enjoyable one. He has his moments which can be challenging but overall he is a well mannered lovely young colt.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m6yNHN4dP0Q/UsCZP8m3gPI/AAAAAAAACHU/18y-ghiAQYE/s1600/IMG_2623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m6yNHN4dP0Q/UsCZP8m3gPI/AAAAAAAACHU/18y-ghiAQYE/s320/IMG_2623.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The autumn has been busy with work and Haynet is becoming more of a job than a hobby. Again, it's a very enjoyable past time but changes are needed to take it forward. I hope 2014 will be a good and developing year for the network, so watch this space!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ngYLfMj4S2U/UsCZ0bPE4jI/AAAAAAAACHc/cxSCmoyP_o4/s1600/Haynet+and+Sam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ngYLfMj4S2U/UsCZ0bPE4jI/AAAAAAAACHc/cxSCmoyP_o4/s320/Haynet+and+Sam.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So we have just had Christmas which I simply cannot believe another one has flashed by. Billy turned 18 on Christmas Eve and again I was very sentimental about him becoming an adult. It almost feels like "job done" but I know that simply is not the case in this day and age! Billy has had a challenging year lets say with big ups and downs. College has been hard work and he decided in the summer that uni was not for him so A Level subjects were changed and now he is on course to do an apprenticeship in accounting next year. Anyway we celebrated Billy's 18th in style on Christmas Eve and both boys went to bed a little worse for wear. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nO8nnA3Pk1Y/UsCc7vGkqWI/AAAAAAAACHo/oqBWSzkmM9g/s1600/1505175_10202890243478724_460947211_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nO8nnA3Pk1Y/UsCc7vGkqWI/AAAAAAAACHo/oqBWSzkmM9g/s320/1505175_10202890243478724_460947211_n.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">So in just a couple of days we say goodbye to 2013. I have lots on the horizon next year featuring work, rest and play! Life is definitely too short and we must make the most of it. I absolutely promise to keep you more up to date as I have really enjoyed writing this post. Blog posting should not be a chore and write when you want to write. Well I have decided that I will write more often.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;">HAPPY NEW YEAR! </span></b></div>
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Equine Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08745158633433533850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1904492817359070692.post-21221210158054553582013-04-30T11:43:00.001+01:002013-04-30T12:03:36.301+01:00When Life Seems To Be A Military Operation....<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://test.badminton-horse.co.uk/randoms/BHT2011_4814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://test.badminton-horse.co.uk/randoms/BHT2011_4814.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The crowds and the walking @ Badminton!</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So this weekend I am escaping... I haven't escaped for a while, in fact it's been a few years. With last years chaotic house move, going away was way down on the list of priorities. I'm off to Badminton Horse Trials for four days with friends, and no family in tow. I'm so looking forward to it but the countdown to the military operation in order for my household to run while I am away has started. It gets to the point where I sometimes wonder is it worth all the work! I have a huge list to do, I should be doing them now instead of writing this blog post....</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://news.musto.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/William-Fox-Pitt-Badminton-Horse-Trials.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://news.musto.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/William-Fox-Pitt-Badminton-Horse-Trials.jpg" width="258" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>The fab William Fox-Pitt who I will be rooting for!</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have work to catch up with and then do paperwork to cover when I'm away, I've got horses to sort and arrange meeting the farmer to arrange for a bale in the field for Zeb to munch while I'm gone. I've got to shop for the masses for easy to open food for the family to consume with ease. I've got to make sure the cats and dog have enough food with written instructions on how to feed them. I've got to arrange for Harley to be walked as Mr H is on crutches (torn ligaments, long laborious story, it needs a whole new blog post for that one!). The boys have a social life I was told, so walking the dog would be very tricky to fit this in..... I've got washing and ironing to do by the ton not really for me but for the boys as they have work (uniform needed) and parties to attend.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why do I do it, I hear some of you ask... because I'm a mum and probably a little bit of a control freak I suppose. It's normally domestic carnage upon my return so to have a plan in place makes it all so much easier!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I head off with some friends on Friday for a totally horsey weekend in the Cotswolds. I will be mixing some business with pleasure meeting a few contacts to do with Haynet too. I am thinking of doing a stand with another company in the future so some market research is being done this weekend! We are staying with friends in an unofficial B&B capacity and we are thoroughly looked after and spoilt over the three nights we are staying there. I have robbed some money from the money tree and have a little list of necessities that I need from Premier Equine, Kate Negus and Joules!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://static.sgv2.com/img/1258/original/theme/1/638f987a64bacd06074a30d706718be492f41845.png" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="88" src="http://static.sgv2.com/img/1258/original/theme/1/638f987a64bacd06074a30d706718be492f41845.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway must dash and stop talking and start "doing"! I will be back with all the news from Badminton very soon!</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sam</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xx</span></div>
Equine Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08745158633433533850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1904492817359070692.post-328132371948602132013-04-23T19:21:00.003+01:002013-04-23T19:58:20.367+01:00The Winter Depression Has Lifted!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B88TNAoHq5I/UXbFNLnB7FI/AAAAAAAAAr8/jxm-AqKmTQs/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B88TNAoHq5I/UXbFNLnB7FI/AAAAAAAAAr8/jxm-AqKmTQs/s320/017.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Harley First Time In The Snow</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was dear Harley only a few weeks ago - hard to believe when I am typing this with sunglasses on (must sort out a blind for the window!) with the temperature gage showing a positively tropical 17 deg at 6.30pm in the evening!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been a very tough and long winter. Being in our new place which has not received any maintenance for some years has been a draughty and expensive house to heat in the last six months. Layer upon layer I have put on and we still fed the oil company and the log man twenty pound note after twenty pound note. I cannot write down what we have spent on fuel this winter but I could have had a five star luxury break in Bermuda with the money! </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NVxvuDrGlxI/UXbGTGTey8I/AAAAAAAAAsI/oOrVNCOheZI/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NVxvuDrGlxI/UXbGTGTey8I/AAAAAAAAAsI/oOrVNCOheZI/s320/021.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Zeb In His Winter Coat!</span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's also been incredibly hard work with the horses this year. It's either been a frozen ice rink making riding impossible or monsoon wind and rain. I make no secret of it, I will not ride in damp conditions! Zeb has continued to settle over the last few months and I can honestly say he is now back to the old Zeb that I know and love. Moving has been an upheaval for all of us but I really did not take into account how it affects the animals in our lives!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life has been super busy with work starting on the house with the front room now finished and a shower room upstairs which has been a god send. Having daily baths has been bit of a bind and also really time consuming! We have finally moved the office in the workshop outside and I am really thrilled with it!</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DvGk6IXDusM/UXbMKNdQPFI/AAAAAAAAAsY/lNbcXqJQ3jA/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DvGk6IXDusM/UXbMKNdQPFI/AAAAAAAAAsY/lNbcXqJQ3jA/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Haynets New Little Office</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The boys are fine and busy consumed with school and college as the last term starts with exams looming. Billy has found this years work with the A Levels quite tough as the workload is far higher than he has ever had to deal with before. We are off to college next week for a University meeting to start the process of applying for 2014..how scary! Billy has also been driving and has his theory test this week. I am dreading him driving when he passes his test. Do mums ever stop worrying?! He has also got a job part time at Herstmonceux Castle which he grumbled about at first but is now enjoying, especially with the pennies rolling in. He seem quite reluctant to part with them when I said he could now contribute towards his driving lessons and car tax - funny that!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Miles is leaving school in a months time and then he will have his GCSE's to do through May and June. He has been accepted to do a BTEC Engineering course for two years at college which we are really pleased about. </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qszqt5OWUSQ/UXbOYop0ysI/AAAAAAAAAsw/zAoTvMgaHIs/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qszqt5OWUSQ/UXbOYop0ysI/AAAAAAAAAsw/zAoTvMgaHIs/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Beautiful South Downs Of Sussex</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So Spring has sprung this week and my winter depression has definitely lifted. I was out today walking Harley with a tshirt on and he was shattered as it was the first time he has manically run about in this heat. I am very lucky the dog walks around here are just stunning with views towards the South Downs. It's amazing how the air just changes with a bit of warmth and sunshine. I have now got back in the saddle more frequently with the change of weather which has been great. Zeb has been a very good boy with no obvious spring nonsense (she says **touchwood**)!</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2OK28I4iW3U/UXbN5N1ardI/AAAAAAAAAso/MtDXZvY8Onc/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2OK28I4iW3U/UXbN5N1ardI/AAAAAAAAAso/MtDXZvY8Onc/s200/001.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Me and The Big Guy</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JGkCevm5zHg/UXbPSEByPAI/AAAAAAAAAtA/k7nsUXobR00/s200/028.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="148" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A Fistful Of Horse Hair!</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JGkCevm5zHg/UXbPSEByPAI/AAAAAAAAAtA/k7nsUXobR00/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have spent the last few days brushing and brushing and brushing his coat which is coming off in fistfuls. You could honestly make a lovely horse hair mattress out of it! I even think Zeb has come out of a winter depression and I was watching him in the field today with the sun on his back, looking a very happy horse!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I hope the summer is going to be kind to us this year because I think we all pretty much deserve a run of good weather. I have a lot going on in the next few months from Proms to Holidays, a trip to Badminton, Hickstead and Brightling for my horse fixes and then Hen Parties with an Alice and Wonderland theme among others!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope to keep up to date with all my goings on and will keep you posted with my trips out! Roll on summer of 2013!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sam</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">x</span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Equine Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08745158633433533850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1904492817359070692.post-18324186129336426842013-02-12T08:34:00.002+00:002013-02-12T09:03:03.125+00:00Coughs, Colds And A Horse Meat Scandal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://shaktiyogawithjessica.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/doggy-under-the-weather.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://shaktiyogawithjessica.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/doggy-under-the-weather.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well the last few weeks in this house has been full of the sounds of coughing, sniffing and generally moaning. We have spent half the weekly shopping budget on Lemsip and Sudafed and I am not sure they make a huge difference to be honest. Miles came home a few weeks ago feeling dreadful which developed into man flu, then Steve had the man flu and now I have a thick cold...which is what the true diagnosis is!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trouble is I cannot take to my bed when I feel ill (like certain males in this house did), the cogs of the household wheel would fall off. So I put on my "martyr" badge and carry on....with work, the dog walking, horse mucking out and exercising, washing, being a taxi driver and the food shopping. Talking of which what we put in out trollies has been full on in the media and social networks this week with this dreadful horse meat scandal.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/c43.0.403.403/p403x403/526440_481367568589663_1614461331_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/c43.0.403.403/p403x403/526440_481367568589663_1614461331_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This scandal is very close to my heart being a horse lover and being married to a qualified butcher. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The whole lesson of this whole sorry saga is the need and necessity to buy cheap food. My food bill like everyone's has soared over the last few years and to eat healthy and good locally sourced food is too expensive. This is why the beef lasgane in question is only £1.29 because it has not got any beef in it. If it had, it would be double the price. To be duped by the manufacturers that they are selling beef is down to them checking their supplier. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being a horse lover, I really have no problem in people eating horse meat, that is their choice. I personally wouldn't eat it, as it would be like me eating Zeb, or my cat or my dog. The whole issue of this scandal is the manufacturers making huge profits from their products lying through their teeth as to what is in them. However, I know that some families struggle to put food on the table because of the costs and to go to the butcher seems off limits with their budgets. My feelings are to try and go back to the good old days when a joint of meat should go further than the one roast, with cold meats used the next day and then whatever is left minced for the third. It may be more labour intensive but at least you know what you are eating and I think you would save money in the long run.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This also shows what happens when we import meat from abroad because it is cheaper. In this country we have strict guidelines with our meat production which I know is reflected in the costs when you have good quality, UK sourced meat. I hope our attitudes change with this and we all look more carefully at what we are buying. If we do change our buying habits then the need for cheap imported "meat" products will decline putting a stop to the dodgy practices and the awful animal welfare issues that have been seen in countries abroad that have been supply us with so called "beef".</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i.mol.im/i/pix/2013/02/12/article-2277223-1784B7A9000005DC-278_964x441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://i.mol.im/i/pix/2013/02/12/article-2277223-1784B7A9000005DC-278_964x441.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The animal welfare that is around this scandal is particularly upsetting, especially for the much loved horse. I have read some very upsetting articles about this. Truly shocking....</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway must sign off, lots to do and I have got to do some food shopping today as the cupboards are bare. I will be very careful label watching today and thinking a bit more about what I will buy. I just hope when the furor of this dies down, our attitudes to processed meats and cheap meat products has changed.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
Equine Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08745158633433533850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1904492817359070692.post-7770597552698950632013-01-17T20:39:00.002+00:002013-01-17T20:39:25.107+00:00I Have Been Nominated! It's Not An Oscar But An ESMA!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u408/haynetblog/2013_logo_zps4a1e5297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u408/haynetblog/2013_logo_zps4a1e5297.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well what a start to the week! My equestrian social blogging network aka Haynet (hay-net.co.uk) has been nominated for two awards!! I have been nominated for <b>BEST BLOG</b> and <b>BEST EQUESTRIAN SOCIAL NETWORK!</b> I am so excited and really thrilled. I haven't given my website 100% over the last six months as moving house twice and Zeb twice has been incredibly time consuming. However I did make sure that every day it was checked, content was added and chatted with members, even if it was only for a short while. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://static.sgv2.com/img/1258/original/theme/1/638f987a64bacd06074a30d706718be492f41845.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="142" src="http://static.sgv2.com/img/1258/original/theme/1/638f987a64bacd06074a30d706718be492f41845.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Haynet has been going for 16 months now and as the membership has increased and with over 245 equestrian blogs listed, members are starting to use it for themselves. I have some brilliant members that write some fantastic blogs showing us all the ups and downs that come with life with horses. It is also great to see members that do not blog, just use the site to meet with other horse riders. I am also so pleased to see members that haven't blogged before, start through Haynet.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u408/haynetblog/ESMA2013BestBlogLogo_zpsa11440bb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u408/haynetblog/ESMA2013BestBlogLogo_zpsa11440bb.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To be nominated for these awards have given me the boost I need to progress into this year with the site. I have quite a few ideas and changes that I would like to make. From hours that I spent approaching equestrian companies to provide content or advertise, they now contact me. To have this site as my main job would be my dream, but pennies are hard to find in the social network/blogging game. It is out there, but you have to work very hard to get there.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u408/haynetblog/BestEquestNetworkESMALogo_zps23f59eaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u408/haynetblog/BestEquestNetworkESMALogo_zps23f59eaf.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So if you would like to give me a <b><a href="http://www.equestriansocialmediaawards.com/finalists" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">VOTE</span>,</a></b> then please do and have a look and tick a box for someone else in the many categories. Voting closes on 8th February and the winners will be announced in March. Very exciting indeed! I will keep you posted...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Come and visit<b><a href="http://hay-net.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> HAYNET</span></a></b>, the UK's No1 Equine Social Blogging Network</span>Equine Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08745158633433533850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1904492817359070692.post-39917735956870017922013-01-02T19:51:00.001+00:002013-01-02T19:54:06.976+00:00Teenage Party Aftermath & A New Computer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zD76GyK9Tjo/TR1XDxz70lI/AAAAAAAACf0/CgRTUKzJb2Y/s1600/party-teenage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zD76GyK9Tjo/TR1XDxz70lI/AAAAAAAACf0/CgRTUKzJb2Y/s320/party-teenage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As promised and my New Years resolution was to blog more so its the 2nd January and here I am updating. Yesterday wasn't a very relaxing day in our household, yes far from it. In a moment of weakness I agreed to Billy (17 year old oldest son) to have a New Years Eve party. As we have moved into a house that is in the early stages of being done up, I talked myself into the fact that the aging carpets could cope with a "few" teenagers. Through my rose tinted glasses I thought perhaps his party may be as refined as in the picture above....the glasses didnt work - I needed black shades to cover the sight upon my return at 12.45am...</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/c0.0.403.403/p403x403/577887_3799126471333_730510474_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/c0.0.403.403/p403x403/577887_3799126471333_730510474_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Few Sneaky Pictures From Facebook I Spied!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/25034_4431883989985_140796230_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/25034_4431883989985_140796230_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me and Stephen declined a couple of NYE parties with the view that we needed to stay sober and also we had to find somewhere we could take Harley Pup Pups who would of had a nervous breakdown with the onslaught of a teenage invasion. We went to a friends to slop out on her sofas drinking coke and eating our own body weight again in crisps, sausage rolls and handfuls of Celebrations. When we returned home (I was dreading it) the first thing that greeted us was toilet rolls that were lobbed on the drive. When we went in the house the floor was a sea of lager with bottle tops to match. We fought our way through a throng of 20 teens and that was just in the kitchen. The small gathering was more hitting the 50 mark... (yes I have read the horror stories of teen parties ending up ripping out bathroom suites etc and they would of done us a favour if this had been the case!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To cut a long story short, it took nearly an hour to turf them out, amongst bin liners full of bottles and biscuits and ham.. Yes biscuits and ham! We left no food but they raided our cupboards and fridge to eat and squash in the carpet biscuits and ham.. each to their own.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We finally got to bed at 3am with about 5 staying over. I didn't really sleep very well as my OCD was kicking in big time. I went downstairs on New Years Day about 7.30am, put my Ministry of Sound 80's Anthems on full blast, started the hoover which the dog hates and barks constantly at and started the clear up. I spent the next 5 hours wringing lager out the cushions, clearing up ten toilet rolls from the garden, picking up garments, odd shoes and then flashing the house from top to bottom.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cbsmancave.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/tpteepee-thinkstock.jpg?w=420" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://cbsmancave.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/tpteepee-thinkstock.jpg?w=420" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To be fair nothing was broken, and it was just dirty and a mess. There is a blob of chewing gum on the carpet but if any one has some top tips to remove it, please let me know. They all had a good time which I am glad BUT I am never having a teenage party again! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DGks9UytEt0/UOSJ7VcOM-I/AAAAAAAAAqw/XLpAlxRcF7o/s1600/IMG_2583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DGks9UytEt0/UOSJ7VcOM-I/AAAAAAAAAqw/XLpAlxRcF7o/s320/IMG_2583.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My other news is that I have bought myself a new computer. My old one was getting slow and we just want to use for our business so it was time to replace it. After lots of searching and researching and bargain hunting in the sales, I have gone for a HP Pavilion All In One 23. So far very impressed and typing on it as we speak.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway must go - the washing machine full of cushion covers bought back to life I hope from not stinking of Bulmers and Fosters are ready... Until next time!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Equine Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08745158633433533850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1904492817359070692.post-90628150323548895512012-12-31T11:04:00.004+00:002012-12-31T11:04:51.769+00:00What An Exhausting Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/66526_4819424605119_1456613105_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/66526_4819424605119_1456613105_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I cannot believe I have not posted since August. Wish I had taken the time to do the odd blog post as I love reading them back. My main excuse for not writing is that 2012 has been a hugely exhausting year with many highs and lows...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/297624_10200151923022424_989965331_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/297624_10200151923022424_989965331_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have finished our house, sold it, renovated a bungalow which we lived in temporarily then moved to a new house in the country and decorated one room already amongst working, looking after teenage boys and animals too! So phew yes I am on my knees! It has taken some getting used to living in a new area, but we are loving it. We have been incredibly spoilt living in a house with all mod cons etc after spending 14 years doing it up to now living in a house that hasn't had anything done to it in the last 20 odd years. We have many plans for the place and it will all come together, probably after another 14 years!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have had a new addition to the house who swept in like a whirlwind - Harley puppy dog! He is a super little dog but I wont lie it has been hard work.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/397099_10200192311512111_29648642_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/397099_10200192311512111_29648642_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stephen who is not a massive dog fan, has really taken to him and we have has some lovely dog walks out which we are both enjoying. It's just fitting the dog in my day which has proved testing, as well as the toilet training. I have become a dab hand with wipes, kitchen roll and spray!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Zeb has proved to be very testing this year. I made the hard decision to move him to a yard opposite where I live to reduce the hours journey there and back to his old yard. It turned out to be the most stressful part of the whole move. He hated it there, becoming a right royal pain in the a**e, bucking, rearing and tanking off. He was just unmanageable and no one at the yard wanted to really deal with him (understandably)...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/282543_10200195085541460_1063377862_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/282543_10200195085541460_1063377862_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So after another week of hell, and him hurting a girl at the yard I de</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cided to move him back to his old yard. Well this has proved to be the best decision, as I now have a happy and settled horse. I am now doing part livery which works out better with the travelling. Sometimes things in life just </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">doesn't</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> work out.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/577862_10200129876711280_1137354643_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/577862_10200129876711280_1137354643_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/61348_10200129877511300_642040207_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/61348_10200129877511300_642040207_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The boys have been ok with the move, I think they have taken time to settle too. Billy is now at college doing his A Levels which are proving to be much harder than he thought. Miles is in his final year at school and looking at going into engineering. Our business is busy and it has been hard to move the business twice in a year.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/p206x206/483475_10200151920502361_1879034448_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/p206x206/483475_10200151920502361_1879034448_n.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christmas has been lovely here, despite the stormy weather. So tonight we are saying goodbye to 2012. A year of Olympics, a Golden Jubilee and moving house twice. A year that I will never forget. In a moment of weakness I have let Billy have a party here tonight so I have about 30 teenagers descending on the house. At least the swirly carpets can take the spillages and it will be a good excuse to rip them up later... Wish me luck!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year and I will blog post much more often in 2013. Have a good one :0)</span>Equine Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08745158633433533850noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1904492817359070692.post-3862180617744759582012-08-28T16:10:00.001+01:002012-08-28T16:10:47.139+01:00Four Paws On Order & Exam Results<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217937_4527107977386_107069843_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217937_4527107977386_107069843_n.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes I must be mad...Not only are we all moving again but I've been worn down by Miles and decided to get a puppy in amongst it all! It is not a decision we have come to overnight, we have been thinking about it for quite a while now. So this weekend we have bought this puppy who will be coming to live with us in four weeks time. Here is Harley and he is a Jack Russell x Patterdale.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No doubt you will see posts on here very soon where I am tearing my hair out with puppy antics and the cats disputing about the fact he has arrived to live with them! I am also moving Zeb at the end of the month, so if I manage to keep sane after all this, I feel I would need an award. Anyway I will keep you posted, but I am really looking forward to it and all the dog walking ahead of me!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://daveschneider.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/gcse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://daveschneider.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/gcse.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://daveschneider.co.uk/2012/08/gcse-english/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b style="background-color: white;">PHOTO SOURCE</b></span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Billy did well in his exams with 3 x A's, 4 x B's and 3 x C's. I was really pleased but he didn't exactly put mountains of revision into it which I have reminded him about. Anyway they are good results and have got him a place at college where he enrols at tomorrow to start is AS/A2 levels. There was a media hoo-haa about the marking of the GCSE's being changed this year especially in English. I'm just relieved Billy turned up and did his exams...unlike his dad!</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway off to bury myself in mountains of paperwork and emails with work, moving, and Haynet. Be back soon!</span><br /></div>
Equine Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08745158633433533850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1904492817359070692.post-2549851315479168902012-08-18T12:20:00.003+01:002012-08-18T14:38:27.662+01:00Settling In The Sun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/319418_4437610900015_1257746215_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/319418_4437610900015_1257746215_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So we have now moved and been in our temporary home for ten days now. The first few days were quite stressful as Dizz really hated being cooped up in the house and drove us all mad howling and hurling himself at the windows to get out.... Anyway by day three when the cat valium was still not working, he escaped out the back door between Stephens legs and shot over the fence and gone! Anyway the wanderer returned that night and that has been his routine since. He goes back to the old house and sits in the garden all day and then comes back to us at night (we have moved about 1/4 of miles away...)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This week has been really nice to actually not to be packing, ringing, stressing and life almost feels normal. However I know we have the rumblings starting again for the next move as we are hoping to exchange on our new house next week to move about 10 days after. So... I am making the most of my free time at the moment. I have ridden Zeb quite a bit which has been lovely.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/432065_4449901647276_959561025_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/432065_4449901647276_959561025_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am going to spend this afternoon tack cleaning and washing my rugs as we have some glorious summer weather with temperatures hitting 30 deg! I went on a lovely dog walk with Rhonda with her dogs and some other dogs she is looking after. The fields are glorious with lots of hay making.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217804_4449898367194_460484470_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217804_4449898367194_460484470_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/376282_4449894847106_1915616983_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/376282_4449894847106_1915616983_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a lot of thought and with our new rural home, we have decided to get a puppy! Stephen has always been a little anti the idea for many years but has finally come round it. We are moving to a house with long dog walking fields, so it will be fairly easy to keep a dog. We have reserved a male black and tan patterdale x jack russell which we will be picking up at the end of September. So exciting - I will post some pictures soon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So changing times ahead but looking forward to it. I hopefully will be back on soon as trying to make sure I keep my blog up to date (seeing as I run a blogging network!) Just off now to enjoy the sunshine - happy days.</span><br />
<br />
<br />Equine Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08745158633433533850noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1904492817359070692.post-87584877614958619162012-08-05T17:37:00.002+01:002012-08-05T17:39:25.709+01:00Nearly Time To Say Goodbye<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U2uZAnMTzx8/UBb4KvPAL8I/AAAAAAAAAoU/_sTW9mo1qdE/s1600/Jolan+May+2012-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U2uZAnMTzx8/UBb4KvPAL8I/AAAAAAAAAoU/_sTW9mo1qdE/s320/Jolan+May+2012-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I have only two days left at our lovely house which we have spent the last 14 years in. I have been sorting, chucking, giving away, keeping, filing, packing and binning over the last six weeks and I am exhausted. We are moving into the bungalow for (hopefully) only for a short while as we have found a new house. Its about 6 miles away and will be quite a change of life if it goes through. I am going to say very little about it and will only get excited when we exchange!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v-M5a5vtjDE/UB6e9YRehYI/AAAAAAAAAow/9y1F9sJht8w/s1600/Jolan+May+2012-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v-M5a5vtjDE/UB6e9YRehYI/AAAAAAAAAow/9y1F9sJht8w/s320/Jolan+May+2012-1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LWlDHTp6tb4/UB6fE4q8wQI/AAAAAAAAAo4/q6zx50EDOSU/s1600/Jolan+May+2012-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LWlDHTp6tb4/UB6fE4q8wQI/AAAAAAAAAo4/q6zx50EDOSU/s320/Jolan+May+2012-9.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I said goodbye to my neighbours today and she started crying which made me well up too. Change is good but it is very hard to move on without getting sentimental and emotional about it all. I bought the boys here when they were babies and they have grown up in this house. We have had great times here and have lots of happy memories. The house is looking very empty and echoes as we start taking the final pieces of furniture out. In the bungalow though this is starting to look like home as it has all our things. I think home is what is around you too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gHilIF1KtM4/UB6hqmKCsRI/AAAAAAAAApI/n21nvJ7rm2w/s1600/Zeb+April+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gHilIF1KtM4/UB6hqmKCsRI/AAAAAAAAApI/n21nvJ7rm2w/s1600/Zeb+April+2012.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1QP25gXSObo/UB6fyJIEfZI/AAAAAAAAApA/NMP26AxCebQ/s1600/196132_4210502462446_1061592350_n+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has also been a tough decision but I am going to move Zeb too. He has been at my friends yard for 6 years and we have been more than happy there. If we move to the house we are currently buying, it will be a 25 min journey each way which adds alot to the day and to the fuel bill. Luckily where I am moving to is horsey riding heaven and I went to see a yard this morning which is only a 5 minute walk from the house. It's very different in lots of ways. As always there are advantages and disadvantages to any yard but it felt a lovely place to bring him. They are very kindly keeping the box available for me until I move. I have said I want to move into the house first and then think about him next.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I make it to News Years Eve this year in one sane piece it will be a miracle! What a stressful and unsettling time but I know it will be all ok. So bye bye house - you have been great to be around. Let's hope the new owners love you like we did!</span><br />
<br />Equine Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08745158633433533850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1904492817359070692.post-23725588937583849262012-06-24T12:40:00.002+01:002012-06-24T12:40:29.277+01:00Calm Before The Storm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/576874_4174085634486_712512561_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/576874_4174085634486_712512561_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apologies for not writing and updating sooner, life is very hectic and busy at the moment. By the time I finally sit down at night its 8.50pm and I'm whacked. Our house sale is speeding ahead, and I'm amazed at the speed it has gone through. I honestly think that there are some media hype about how bad things are in the housing market. Its not brilliant but its not as bad as the newspapers make out. There are many Sale Agreeds around here now and it's slowly moving. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I feel my life is in the "Calm Before The Storm" phase... We are expecting to move in 4 weeks and have a bungalow to renovate in that time to put a new kitchen and bathroom in, rewire and put central heating in. Not much work then! We get the keys tonight and that's when all hands to the decks starts. We have another property in mind but not sure if that will come off. I will keep you posted.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I turned 42 last Monday - 42!!!!!! How did that happen!! I felt a bit better when I realised Sir Paul McCartney was 70 on the same day. A mere spring chicken I am then....</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://hangout.altsounds.com/geek/gars/images/2/1/5/2/9/14209--a6a4692b07ef9371605073654b956ebe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://hangout.altsounds.com/geek/gars/images/2/1/5/2/9/14209--a6a4692b07ef9371605073654b956ebe.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The weekend before Stephen hired an old VW camper van and we set out with Jo and Archie, Miles and Georgia and hit Cooden Beach for a barbie. It was lovely and a very different way to celebrate a birthday. The weather was kind for a change and it almost felt holiday like! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/196132_4210502462446_1061592350_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/196132_4210502462446_1061592350_n.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the equine side of things, Zeb is all well. I fell off him a couple of weeks ago in a comedy fall getting on! In the eight years I have owned him this is the only time I fell off. He just looked at me on the floor with an expression" what on earth are you doing down there!". I ached for days realising I certainly do not bounce anymore! I had another lesson yesterday and had an eureka moment with the collection and keeping him on the bit. Only taken me years... We are struggling with the grazing which we are just scratching our heads over. We have 5 acres to 3 horses horses with only a few blades of grass. The paddocks have been rolled, harrowed and fertilised with one paddock being rested for 9 months. Why is it struggling??</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Boys are well - Billy left school 3 weeks ago and had his last GCSE on Monday. We think its all gone ok, but only August will tell when the dreaded results are in! Billy will then go to college to study his AS/A2 Levels. Miles is now going into his last year so he needs to decide what to do. The boys will be working next week on the bungalow so I hope to keep you more updated and not once a month with all the goings on. I need some more hours in the day please! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sam</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">x</span>Equine Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08745158633433533850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1904492817359070692.post-42073414318121301102012-05-20T08:14:00.000+01:002012-05-20T08:14:42.043+01:00For Sale - 14 Years Of Happy Memories<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTKbuKDGGbqfBuc4afAM68dfDqqm47XJEm1AOILKX5rbWoP-vu7" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTKbuKDGGbqfBuc4afAM68dfDqqm47XJEm1AOILKX5rbWoP-vu7" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So after months of talking about the moving subject, we have finally bit the bullet and gone on the market. Well I say we have, we are not "officially" on the market until tomorrow but our agent decided to send someone round yesterday with the house in turmoil, the boys rooms resembling a squat, paint and ladders strewn in everywhere, cat footprints on the settee...but obviously the couple like than ambience of all of that and put an offer in!! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were just blown away yesterday that we would have an offer so quickly....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway it was a little under what we wanted so the agent has more buyers interested so the exhausting viewings start this week. Now I know I like a bit of cleaning, but it is draining to keep the house in tip top condition. I am going to pass on the coffee simmering in the machine and home made buns aroma wafting as the potential buyer walks in the door. It will have to be a cup of instant and some co op own shortbread I'm afraid!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So 14 years of happy memories are for sale.... I have loved living here and this house has seen so many happy times and the only odd sad time. With dad dying a couple of years ago now, I have a lot of work that he has done at this house, the sentimental side of me is looking at the bathroom he fitted, the radiators he put on. I have his plants in the garden..... He is not here to see our next change in our lives and I would of been talking all about this to him and asking his advice. Yes it is going to be very sad to leave it but it is time to move on with the boys leaving school and as Steve says, time is ticking by!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have an eye on the next property which we are viewing on Wednesday. It will be quite a lifestyle change is this goes ahead but I am saying no more until we have seen it, and if we put an offer on it. I will keep you posted!!</span><br />
<br />Equine Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08745158633433533850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1904492817359070692.post-74780633457911871442012-05-16T07:30:00.001+01:002012-05-16T07:30:13.081+01:00Riding In An Era Gone By...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://janebadgerbooks.co.uk/annuals/_wp_generated/wpa9fedcc4_0f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://janebadgerbooks.co.uk/annuals/_wp_generated/wpa9fedcc4_0f.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>
<h5 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I won’t divulge my age on paper but I grew up in what is now a nostalgic time when learning to ride horses and ponies. Through the 1970’s and 1980’s, before health and safety had gone mad, riding was fun and carefree in my opinion.</h5>
<h5 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I started to ride at my local riding school back in the seventies which would now be reminiscent of a Thelwell piece of artwork. It was bit of a scruffy farm with broken wheelbarrows, old tractors and guttering swinging in the wind type of riding school. We would turn up in our plastic wellies and second hand riding hats longing to see which pony would be given to us to endure the mad half an hour belting round the indoor school. The indoor school would be a loose term used for it as it was just a large corrugated shed that would creak and groan in the wind together with a mud floor.</h5>
<h5 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
There would be about eight of us in the lesson and my memories of the half an hour was organised but fun chaos. I was given the same pony nearly every week, and I would spend at least some part of the lesson, hanging in his mane or face down in the mud. No one worried whether I was hurt, in fact my mum would just drop me off and let me get on with it! In those days, there wasn’t a mere mention of insurance, compensation or signing a long solicited letter in order to ride. You just turned up to ride and if you fell off, you just picked yourself up, dusted yourself off and got back on.</h5>
<h5 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Compensation culture is killing the everyday riding school. These days’ attitudes have changed to compensation and many feel it is their right to receive payments for injured legs or a bruised shoulder. This unfortunately hikes the prices in insurance premiums which the every day riding school of today is struggling to pay. Many are closing down because of this. If you choose to do any sport, especially horse riding you should accept that if you get hurt that is part of the hobby. I remember we used to hack out round the fields of the farm and we would all be clinging on for dear life bombing up and down the hedgerows. Sometimes there were falls that would result in injuries and broken bones but no one worried about it. It was part of horse riding after all.</h5>
<h5 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I know that many riding schools now make the rider sign a disclaimer making them responsible for their own injuries, which I think is the only way a riding school today can avoid this compensation worry. When we were riding over thirty years ago, it wouldn’t have even entered our heads to “sue” the riding school if we fell off and were hurt. Riding schools have been the backbone of equestrianism, providing jockeys, equestrian experts and riders of all spheres. Those carefree horse riding years in the sixties and seventies have produced top riders of today such as Mary King, William Fox-Pitt, Pippa Funnell, The Whitakers and many more. I worry that in the future, this country will be struggling to provide riders at all levels if the starting point of using a riding school is taken away.</h5>
<h5 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br />Now with modern age indulging in Health and Safety and No Win No Fee Claims, it is so nice to look back to these days and reminisce about Follyfoot, Black Beauty and Flambards. I don't know about you, but those days I miss...<br /> </h5>Equine Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08745158633433533850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1904492817359070692.post-79643941062485394192012-05-13T10:22:00.000+01:002012-05-13T10:22:08.334+01:00A Delicate Horse Riding Lesson & A Trip To The Hospital!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS68oGd2QaGcT2urtL353FH_RIvVahCHvvpOM64Yb_5caNJyBb-fw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS68oGd2QaGcT2urtL353FH_RIvVahCHvvpOM64Yb_5caNJyBb-fw" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<h5 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
What a day I had yesterday.... After spending Friday night catching up with some friends over some bottles of Cava, I woke early yesterday morning thinking it may have been a better idea to move my riding lesson on a week. Yes I was feeling some what delicate! Anyway, my delicate state soon worsened when Zeb came in from the field a different colour to the bright bay he was meant to be....he was now a muddy dun. The big git was covered head to foot in mud - joy...</h5>
<h5 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</h5>
<h5 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
So after lots of scraping and brushing he finally resembled his normal colour again. My friend was having her lesson first so I decided to warm up Zeb by hacking down the long hill and back again. Coming back up the hill back to the yard, the horses across the road from us were going absolutely mental! Zeb, bless him, was not phased at all and was more interested if he could get a sneaky mouthful of grass whilst his neighbours were doing handstands!</h5>
<h5 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</h5>
<h5 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I haven't had a lesson since November so very rusty on the schooling side of things...again. My instructor said we would have a look at transitions and do some canter work to get me back into it again. My transitions coming down from trot to walk is particularly untidy so we worked on bringing the trot from a medium trot, to a working trot to almost a jog and then a walk to smooth the transition. After working on this it did start to look almost elegant. Zeb is very sensitive to aids but probably with mixed reactions from me, to come to a walk is almost a stop! Also by adding in some half halts seem to work as well which I am going to have to put this transition work into practise (she says......I will go in the school - honest!)</h5>
<h5 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</h5>
<h5 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Towards the end of the lesson we decided to do some canter work, particularly on the left rein as Zeb has a habit of putting in some un-asked flying changes. The problem I have is when he puts a flying change in, it puts me completely out of seat and then it all goes to pieces which results back to trot and the whole thing has gone. My instructor this time was making me sit deep, and continue on with canter by pushing him on, and not allowing him to stop even if puts in a flying change. This was done on a large circle as he does seem to be more prone to the FC on the straight. After a few practices and me pushing him on, this worked. We did it on the right rein which was so much better. So a good lesson all in all - I came out feeling positive and there is talk of going along to some low key dressage next month, so I will keep you posted on that.</h5>
<h5 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</h5>
<h5 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
That afternoon once home, my husband decided as for once as it wasn't raining (and we are putting our house on the market..another long story!) to start tidying the outside up. We have some rampaging ivy growing up the back of the house, so he got his ladder out and up he went to trim it all up. Five minutes later, a huge crash and bang, he fell straight down on to the decking! He was out cold then when he came too he was sick! So straight down to A&E....</h5>
<h5 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</h5>
<h5 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The wait was 4 hours!! Fortunately the girl on reception I knew as we used to work together and she got us in quicker, especially with a potential head injury. (It's not what you know - it's who you know!!) The waiting room was heaving and there were patients on trolleys in the corridors. The staff were running around and I just don't know how they do it. I spoke to my friend later about her job and she told me stories that would make your hair curl! One woman came in yesterday afternoon and said "what was the wait?" She was told 4 hours, then she said ok don't worry I'll come back tomorrow!!! Priceless.....</h5>
<h5 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</h5>
<h5 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Anyway Mr H had every test going, CT scans, XRays, bloods etc etc. Thankfully he only has a serious bout of concussion, bruises and a badly sprained ankle. It could of been so much worse.It was very humbling to see the workings of that hospital yesterday and I cannot fault the staff, they were absolutely brilliant. So if any of you that work in the NHS, especially in A&E - you need an award! We were meant to be going out to dinner with friends last nignt, which we obviously couldnt make it - so it was a drive in MacDonalds on the way home....with relief that it wasnt anything more serious and we were going home.</h5>
<h5 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</h5>
<h5 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
So a very calm Sunday for me today. We are both walking around like cripples...me from my lesson, Mr H from his fall....</h5>Equine Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08745158633433533850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1904492817359070692.post-21375653964576110682012-04-30T18:46:00.005+01:002012-05-09T18:36:05.397+01:00The Love Of Thelwell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.equineonline.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/thelwell1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://www.equineonline.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/thelwell1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="entry-content" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><u>THE LOVE OF THELWELL</u></b></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
How many of you grew up with <a href="http://www.equineonline.net/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #369b31; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="horses">horses</a> and ponies in the last 40 years had a Thelwell annual, a Thelwell bed cover, or poster on your wall in your childhood bedroom? The answer would be the majority of us horse lovers!</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
This great cartoonist, Norman Thelwell, gave us the humorous and a honest view of owning ponies in years gone by. We can all relate to the pony dumping us over the home made brush fence, or clinging on for dear life as the naughty caricature takes off over the brow of the hill never to be seen again. What is so endearing about these cartoons is that they have failed to date in the fifty years that they have been around. Pony mad children of the modern age are buying today pencil cases, books, photo frames all decorated with the delightful images that Thelwell is so famous for.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Who was NormanThelwell?</strong><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></strong></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Norman Thelwell was born in 1923 in Birkenhead, Cheshire, the son of a machinist. He was educated at Rock Ferry School in Birkenhead and was always seen carrying pencils and a sketchbook. He sold one of his first drawings of some chickens at the age of fifteen and left school a year later to become a junior clerk in a Liverpool office.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
He joined the army aged eighteen and became involved in an army publication where his first cartoons were published, and was soon earning a small income. After leaving the military he became involved in small magazines and then went on to lecture about illustration and design. In 1950 he sold his first drawing to Punch, depicting two horse riders which started his career in equestrian cartoons.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
From 1952 to 1977, Norman Thelwell contributed 1,600 cartoons to various magazines and newspapers. He also produced book jackets, worked for television and drew for advertising – including clients such as Guinness and W H Smith. His thirty two books sold over two million copies in the UK. He always signed his cartoons as “Thelwell”, where as his paintings carried his full signature. After a full and wholly recognised career, he sadly died on 7<sup style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; bottom: 1ex; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10px; font-style: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">th</sup>February 2004.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Why are the Thelwell Cartoons so Well Loved?<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Thelwell’s cartoons show a very traditional British way of life and the love of the countryside. Most gift shops and equestrian stores all have Thewell products that you can buy. If you travel to any of the county shows that are held in this country, there are many products that can be found for <a href="http://www.equineonline.net/equestrianclassifieds/216/Horses-for-Sale.html" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #369b31; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="sale">sale</a> adorning this favourite cartoon. There are stalls full of Thelwell merchandise ranging for ornaments to mugs, aprons to cushions, pens to birthday cards. His style and humour of the equestrian world is likeable to the young and the old. This is a genius marketing approach in today’s world that a cartoon appeals to many generations and that is not easily done these days. For the older age group, Thelwell’s images are reminiscent of how life with horses was so much simpler through the 1960’s and 1970’s before health and safety stepped in!</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<img alt="Thelwell cartoons" class="size-full wp-image-337 alignnone" height="271" src="http://www.equineonline.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/thelwell21.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: auto; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 97.5%; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; width: auto;" title="Thelwell cartoon" width="400" /></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> We Have all Ridden a Thelwell Pony!</strong></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Thewell’s popularity is that any pony or horse enthusiast will no doubt have ridden a pony just like those portrayed in his famous artwork. How many of us can relate to the Riding School cartoon, a chaotic hack out with naughty ponies causing mayhem for the long suffering riders! With most of his famous cartoon images we all have full sympathy for the little girl closing her eyes as the mad pony bucks her off in the hedge, or praying to her pony as it refuses to jump yet again in the show ring. If you see a portly adorable Shetland these days, it will no doubt always remind you of a naughty Thelwell pony.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Hold on to those Thelwell ornaments or cartoon books you may have sitting on a dusty shelf. As the years are going by since Normans Thelwells death, these are becoming sort after collectables, with valuations rising. However, these famous ponies give us fond and treasured memories of times spent riding ponies of an era gone by. So when you are having your next clear out, think twice before parting with your Thelwell china mug!</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Written by <a href="http://hay-net.co.uk/a-note-from-sam---haynets-founder" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #369b31; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Samantha Hobden</a> from<a href="http://hay-net.co.uk/" target="_blank"> <span style="color: #369b31; font-family: inherit;"><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-style: inherit; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial;">hay-net.co.uk</span></span></a>, the UK’s No1 <a href="http://hay-net.co.uk/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #369b31; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Equine Social Blogging</a> Network</div>
</div>
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style " style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div>Equine Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08745158633433533850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1904492817359070692.post-9137038905594095642012-04-23T08:31:00.006+01:002012-04-23T08:31:58.119+01:00Hazardous Hacking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.equineonline.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hazardous-hacking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://www.equineonline.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/hazardous-hacking.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is an article that I wrote for <a href="http://www.equineonline.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Equine Online</span></a> recently all about the perils of hacking out with your horse these days!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="entry-content" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
If you look up on the internet the term ‘Happy Hacker’ it will either shows you articles on website criminality or you will find numerous equestrian shops or happy hacker <a href="http://www.equineonline.net/equestrianclassifieds/216/Horses-for-Sale.html" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #369b31; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="horses for sale">horses for sale</a>. But is hacking out with your horse happy or more these days “hazardous hacking”?</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I’M JUST A HAPPY HACKER</strong></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Why do we feel a little unaccepted in the equestrian world for being a happy hacker? Hacking your horse out on the roads and lanes in this country is dangerous and hazardous but one of the most enjoyable aspects of horse riding. Figures show that more horse owners have their horse just for pleasure, and not to compete with. Yet many of these owners feel they cannot admit in the company of other equestrian riders, that they like nothing more but to ride their horse on the lanes, through the bridleways, along the fields and canter through woods. Horse riding in whatever chosen sphere is a high risk activity, and hacking should be accepted equally to those who choose to ride in a show jumping arena or a cross country course.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Many of us are lucky enough to have the use of safe bridleways or open fields where there is no traffic, but hazards will always present themselves to the horse rider. How many of you have come across a pheasant flying out from the undergrowth, a passing low flying helicopter, or just a rouge plastic bag stuck in a hedge to alarm your horse and then deal with their reaction. Thankfully the majority of <a href="http://www.equineonline.net/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #369b31; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="horses">horses</a> can cope with these dangers however big or small, but some horses respond in a “spooky” erratic manner needing quick thinking from the rider to limit a fall or an accident.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">DEALING WITH HAZARDS OUT RIDING</strong></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Always try and be one step ahead of your horse when hacking out foreseeing potential hazards that are out there. If you have to ride on the roads or lanes look and listen for traffic especially from behind. If you come across a noisy or dangerous hazard always reassure your horse. Horses look to the rider for support and guidance in these situations so a calm spoken word from you or a gentle pat works wonders. If you are in company and you have a horse that is more experienced, then let them take the lead. Your horse will follow and gain confidence by seeing another horse not reacting to the hazard ahead. Ride in a positive manner so your horse is feeding from your confidence. Even when you know your horse is going to react, portray calmness and assurance to them. The majority of the time this diffuses the situation and they then walk past or through the hazard, all be it twenty hands tall but you have got past it safely!</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">RIDING SAFELY ON THE ROADS</strong></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
It is not always possible to ride on rural bridleways or through quiet countryside, so sometimes hacking out does mean road work. Are you aware of the Highway Code when it comes to riding your horse on the roads? It may seem obvious to us what safety precautions we should be doing when riding out, but take a moment to have a read of the guidelines that are there. You should always ride on the left hand side of the road and never riding more than two abreast. With traffic approaching riding in single file is safer and always acknowledge a thanks to the driver. A courteous thank you to cars that have slowed down and passed wide goes a long way in driver attitudes to horses on the road. Always wear hi-viz clothing when riding out and ensure your horse has adequate hi viz attire too. A study has shown that wearing hi-viz clothing makes you more visible to a car driver approximately three seconds earlier than without it. Those three seconds are vital in an avoidance of a potential accident. Make sure you ride out in clear daylight and not when the light is fading or visibility is poor. Always wear a riding hat and have your mobile phone with you in case of an emergency. However, texting or taking a call when riding is not advisable! If you take all of these safety points when riding out on the roads, it is like wearing a seat belt in a car.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Generally hacking out is a relaxing past time and a great way to bond with your horse. Understandably if you have had an incident while out hacking it can cause you to lose your nerve. Getting your confidence back can take time, but it is vital to get back in the saddle sooner rather than later. Either ride an experienced horse, or ask a knowledgeable friend to accompany you when first riding out again. Make the first rides short and at a walk. Increase the length of time riding out which will help you feel more positive about hacking your horse again.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Take a moment to look about the lovely countryside and give your horse a thank you pat when you next ride out. How lucky we are to enjoy such a wonderful pass time with these very special animals. Hacking out is fun but it is equally demanding in skill you need to stay safe. Most of all, enjoy being a happy hacker!</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Written by <a href="http://hay-net.co.uk/a-note-from-sam---haynets-founder" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #369b31; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Samantha Hobden</a> from <a href="http://hay-net.co.uk/"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">hay-net.co.uk</span></b></a>, the UK’s No1 <a href="http://hay-net.co.uk/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #369b31; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Equine Social Blogging</a> Network</div>
</div>Equine Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08745158633433533850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1904492817359070692.post-82810965133798602822012-04-18T14:53:00.005+01:002012-04-18T15:11:21.436+01:00Catch Up Post - Ideal Home, Camber, Easter!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r0B4bh0lrf4/T47CJb7WxRI/AAAAAAAAAXI/il_gsysnsWw/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r0B4bh0lrf4/T47CJb7WxRI/AAAAAAAAAXI/il_gsysnsWw/s320/002.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been ages since my last proper blog post and it's just time! Since launching Haynet, it just consumes so much of my time - enjoyable times but many hours spent at the computer screen. Factor in running a family, horse and work, I look at the clock and realise it's 8 oclock at night!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me and Stephen managed to gra b a day out together a few weeks ago and went up to London to the Ideal Home Exhibition. It was really sunny and hot so it was a pleasure to be in London. The exhibition was great, 20K hot tubs, 5k garden sofas etc - I think you get my drift! We then went on to Harrods and did some more window shopping at a box of 10 bottle of win at 325K...I jest not! Afterwards we made our way back to Borough Market before catching the train back to Crowborough, de touring at Oxted as there was an incident on the line for an hour....</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TsPRXWmzs14/T47Dzgo2fAI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/EJr8RqLrIeQ/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TsPRXWmzs14/T47Dzgo2fAI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/EJr8RqLrIeQ/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Easter came and went with a change in weather to cold and showery. Stephen went to Barnsly to watch Brighton play. On Sunday even though it was cold and windy we decided to go to Camber Sands for a walk on the beach. It's a funny old place but very quirky and interesting. We ended up having a coffee at the cafe on the beach - blustery and cold but lovely.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FwBtVTG0EDA/T47EWOM0WjI/AAAAAAAAAXY/XDsXAWeRi6w/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FwBtVTG0EDA/T47EWOM0WjI/AAAAAAAAAXY/XDsXAWeRi6w/s200/005.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PEmQZcAyzFo/T47FPm59ouI/AAAAAAAAAXo/wzvLXbp82BQ/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PEmQZcAyzFo/T47FPm59ouI/AAAAAAAAAXo/wzvLXbp82BQ/s200/004.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Easter Monday we did the family thing seeing both sides which was nice. The boys spent the holidays fishing and shopping! Billy leaves school in a months which is a scary thought. I cannot believe my children are leaving school with Miles leaving next year! All the animals are fine, cats driving me mad. Zeb is all good, touchwood. Just waiting for the grass to grow and summer to arrive. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Promise I wont leave it so long next time. I'm off to Badminton in a couple of weeks which I cannot wait. I will report back!</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bUA0zTasg9E/T47GFyyybBI/AAAAAAAAAXw/jSSppwtkOWQ/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bUA0zTasg9E/T47GFyyybBI/AAAAAAAAAXw/jSSppwtkOWQ/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">MILES</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LUzmj_EmbI4/T47GNaAEv1I/AAAAAAAAAX4/aNYs7xZ-tkY/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LUzmj_EmbI4/T47GNaAEv1I/AAAAAAAAAX4/aNYs7xZ-tkY/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">BILLY AND DIZ</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span id="goog_840574939"></span><span id="goog_840574940"></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H8SWwm4Sws4/T47GrRyrDmI/AAAAAAAAAYI/y50Rnp_5DA8/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H8SWwm4Sws4/T47GrRyrDmI/AAAAAAAAAYI/y50Rnp_5DA8/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">NAUGHTY DIZ</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i_zvAGzhWSI/T47G97BaK-I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/OiiKEuip_0c/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i_zvAGzhWSI/T47G97BaK-I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/OiiKEuip_0c/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">BLUE</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7pn5bhYqS4c/T47HIyH26ZI/AAAAAAAAAYY/-coxcDY4ZVE/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7pn5bhYqS4c/T47HIyH26ZI/AAAAAAAAAYY/-coxcDY4ZVE/s320/018.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">THE ONE AND ONLY ZEB</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Equine Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08745158633433533850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1904492817359070692.post-89566041961921131512012-04-13T22:03:00.006+01:002012-04-13T22:05:22.008+01:00Equestrian Blogging - My Article<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.equineonline.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/horse-blogging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.equineonline.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/horse-blogging.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sorry it's been an age since my last post. I have been so busy with work, family and running Haynet. I am going to blog this weekend about the latest goings on but in the meantime here is an article that I have written for <a href="http://www.equineonline.net/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Equine Online</span></span> </a>all about Equestrian Blogging:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
"I imagine you have come across in the social media, websites and equestrian magazines celebrity and well known riders writing about their life with <a href="http://www.equineonline.net/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #369b31; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="horses">horses</a>. I have always read and followed these online diaries with interest and find it quite fascinating how people have such different lives with horses.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">WHAT IS BLOGGING?</strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I started writing a <a href="http://hay-net.co.uk/about-haynet-and-more" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #369b31; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">blog about my horse</a> really by accident last summer. I didn’t really intend to keep a regular diary but was following some friends online blogs, I became inspired to start my own. As a teenager I kept diaries for several years documenting the angst, worries and joys of being fifteen. I had forgotten all about these diaries and it was only last year that these were discovered in my mother attics after a clear out. I bought them home, dusty, tattered and started to read them. I laughed, cringed, and got very emotional at them as it bought back so many lost and forgotten memories of my teenage years. I had also written about the fun times horse riding, falling off every week in the lessons but living and breathing all things pony! These diaries are very precious to me now. However we have moved on in the thirty years since then and blogging is now the 21st century way of keeping a diary.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">WHY BLOG ABOUT YOU AND YOUR HORSE?</strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I don’t know about you but I sometimes struggle to remember what I did yesterday. I wish I had kept a diary over the last twenty years but time has evaded me. By starting my blog, I began writing about the joys and frustrations of owning my horse. I had started having lessons last year – some weeks I made brilliant progress, other lessons were exasperating disasters. By documenting this down, it was a way to read back to see where I was going right riding my horse and where my weaknesses were too. Blogging can also be a powerful way to share your knowledge, especially in the equestrian world. The majority of us horse riders source the internet these days to help us find answers to those problems that come up invariably having horses! By reading others rider’s diaries that are sharing their equine wisdom, blogging is now another way of sourcing this helpful advice.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">BLOGGING IN THE EQUESTRIAN INDUSTRY</strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Blogging is now becoming a very versatile tool in the equestrian world. The equestrian industry seem to be embracing this way of blogging to promote their equestrian businesses, <a href="http://www.equineonline.net/blog/category/competitions/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #369b31; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="competitions">competitions</a> or chosen equine area of expertise. Most websites these days have a blog which can then be linked to social network pages such as Facebook and Twitter. Some top equestrian companies are now using blog pages to raise their companies profile or employing professional riders to write about their career through their websites. All the tops riders especially through the competition season blog, tweet or post about their successes and failures these days. Rather than wait for a magazine article to come out in print, this is now the quick and fast way to get their equestrian news out there as well raising their profile and their horses.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">HOW CAN I START?</strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Why leave blogging to the professionals? Why not start writing about your equestrian life too? There are many ways on the internet to start for free through Blogger, WordPress etc. Do you think you haven’t got the time? Yes, this is a question that I am often asked. You can give as much time as you want to your blog but sometimes if an article or piece is short but interesting, that is better than long laborious text. Be yourself when writing and your personality will shine through. No two people have the same opinion especially in the horse world, so be honest, truthful and considerate in what you write. Add pictures to your text too which makes your article more appealing to the eye. Sometimes a page of full text can be off putting and the reader may pass by your interesting blog post. If you want to build up a readership, update your blog often to encourage followers to return.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I urge you to have a go and start writing about the ups and downs living with your horse can bring. I like nothing better than looking at my blog posts from many months ago. What seemed a hurdle with your horse then, is now a solution. Just think a few years ahead how nice it will be to look back at the wonderful times your horse gave you. As in the words of Oscar Wilde “Memories is the diary we all carry with us”."</div>Equine Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08745158633433533850noreply@blogger.com0