Undemanding time

This evening I drove the route from work to the yard for the first time since early January, smiling. It's wonderful to be driving to the yard to go and see Breeze. I have really missed this part of my life and am glad to be feeling like I am complete again.

Breeze seemed to have had a pleasant day. She had been eating haylage and had lain down for a nap judging, by the shavings stuck to her flanks. We had a quick graze around the yard before the rain started although it wasn't heavy. Then a rainbow appeared above the yard and I made a wish lol.

I gave B her tea and a groom and tried to sit in her stable for some undemanding time. Fat chance! She wouldn't leave me in peace lol. B has already worked out where I keep the treats. As I sat on the upturned feed bucket she stood with her muzzle pressed to the pocket in my jacket breathing in and out, probably hoping to snort those treats out of the pocket!
I had kept hold of a brush and began to stroke it through her forelock. Her muzzle became heavier and she rested her head in my lap and half shut her eyes. This went on for a while until she decided it was treat time again. I didn't give in and even sticking a finger or two in her mouth didn't deter her either lol.

So thats how I spent my undemanding time...alternating between brushing her forelock or playing porcupine game with my fingers and her mouth. She makes me laugh. Not exactly undemanding on her part!

Before I left her I went to say hello to Bertie, tied up in the aisle. B hung her head over the stable door staring at me until I went back and cuddled her head while she blew warm breath on my neck. Bliss.

B DAY part 2

Breeze had a bit of a run around and a roll after the journey in the school. She seems to be taking it all in her stride. I am reminded of Pat saying horses need certain things, safety, comfort and play. I am hoping she feels safe and comfortable now. The play comes later!

First walk in the woods

It gladdens my heart to finally be in the woods with B. Last night I took her there briefly for some grass which she couldn't eat. So today we had a lovely walk and play. She appears to be quite a confident horse once she has a look and a think. Very happy to walk next to me or out in front to about 12'. She didn't have many thresholds and when she did it took no time at all for her to say ok let's carry on. I am delighted she is so calm and steady.

The log trailer was more like twigs to her! She steps out of there over the logs like they 're not there at all. Made me laugh. It's quite challenging to have her stay in the trailer. She wants to come to me all the time so draw is very good lol. More time needed on drive, I think.

How many photos have I taken of Lizzie doing just this!? Gazing along the bridle path in a very green and leafy spring woods. Lizzie used to have a bit of a world weary look about her with puckered lips and a grumpy face. Breeze seems open and interested. I hope these woods never get boring for her.

We walked to the top of the old woods where she stepped over the logs there like they were nothing. I didn't want to bring her life up yet as I would like the woods to be a calm and good place to be.

Down the straight we did some sideways and I think I got complacent...B trod on the rope and was too close to me and....crunch!!! B bashed me on the head with hers as she scared herself!! OUCH! I have a nasty bump on my forehead. We worked on my personal space after that. Oops!!!

The journey home was uneventful. Phew! Some weaving around trees and sideways. Then past the exit to eat the grass she didn't last night. Two riders from the yard had passed us earlier and we met them again past the exit. B decided she had to be with them as they left the bridle path so we did some back up and wait there until she was calm. We have some way to go before I am completely the leader in this new relationship lol. I notice she is licking and chewing more and I can see her tongue now. Cool.

Oh and we played stand on the tree stump out in the woods but although B tried she couldn't stay on it for very long. Back at the yard she stood on the pedestal without much hesitation whereas last night she looked at it like it was going to eat her. This girl is a fast learner. I am going to have to up my game pretty soon so I can be interesting and provocative enough for her when she has learned what I know lol.

B DAY ! Part 1

Finally after what seemed like a long wait The lorry turned up with my Breeze!

She came off the box a little sweaty but quite chilled really. She was keen to look around and very calm considering she had been traveling for 7 hours and more. I was so happy to see her!

I took her to the school for a run around and stretch her legs and she had a roll. Then we went to her stable to chill out while I got the paperwork done.

We went for a quick walk in the woods to see if Breeze wanted to sample the grass but as dusk was coming in it was a little too spooky for her. While I chatted in the pub car park she stood calmly even with cars coming very close to her.

She seemed right at home in this strange new place and I cannot stop smiling. She did call once or twice and I watched her wait for a reply which didn't come. Perhaps she was checking to see if anyone she knew was around. Breeze and Bertie met over the stable door and there were no squeals or face pulling from either horse.

I kept an open mind about how she might be when she arrived and it was great to see Breeze quite calm but interested in her new surroundings. I didn't want to leave her this evening. I sat in her stable for a while as she ate her dinner. When she had finished she kept coming and nuzzling me as if to check in with me. Very sweet. I think I have 'struck gold' with Breeze. She is turning out to be even more fabulous than I thought.

ONE

One day to go! Someone please pinch me because I think I am dreaming. Breeze will be here very soon!

Leigh sent me an email yesterday and at the top it said to B's mum lol. Made me smile and feel very happy and proud. The journey is about to begin.

Two!

I just had to go to the yard this morning and spend 2 hours pottering about, cleaning feed bowls, sweeping B's stable out and getting haylage in. Oh and talking to people too!

Only two more sleeps!!

Leigh sent the Loan agreement back all signed etc. The weather is fabulous and I am getting quite excited. And . . . . I booked the L3 Parelli course for 2011 only to discover someone I met last year, who has become a great friend, has booked the same course!!!!! Only down side is we have to wait over a year! Oh well. Can't have everything!

All there is to do Thursday is go and buy feed, probably new brushes too as mine are quite scruffy and have lost a lot of their bristles and put a bed down. I have shavings left over from when Lizzie was alive. It would be silly not to use them. Jan and I are going to rearrange the shed and put some shelves up so that should keep me busy. But I bet as the E.T.A. gets close I will be pacing up and down!

Four.

Four days until B Day! I didn't get to the feed store. I decided I should do that Thursday morning so I have something to do instead of fretting and getting excited lol. I bought dog food instead and spent the best part of the day exhausting myself taking all the shrubs I have out of their pots and planting them in the garden. I mowed the 'lawn' and just enjoyed being outside.

Leigh tells me they had rain last night and my girl came in this morning covered in mud lol. I am really looking forward to finding out about Breeze and her likes, dislikes and habits. Perhaps she will let me sit with her in the stable when she is lying down, like Bertie does.

I got an insurance quote for B and it wasn't too bad. Have made sure there is enough cover for vet bills. I don't want to get caught out again like I did with Lizzie.

Five

Breeze was seen by the Podiatrist and Leigh tells me she is balanced again. I got the vets report in the post which says she is lame and at present not fit for what I want her to do. BUT I am confident this is just the transition into being barefoot.

I can't wait for Thursday. I am going to the feed store tomorrow to buy feed for B and spread the news some more lol. As it turns out I have the Saturday and the Monday next week off work so there is extra time for me to hang out with B and settle her in some more. She will be in quarantine for the first week and then slowly introduced to Bertie and some other horses. We will probably be spending a fair bit of time out in the woods online. Sandra has promised to call me to remind me when it's time to come home if we go missing for too long.

Oh and Parelli has released the dates for courses in 2011. I have sent my application off already for 'Moving into L3' May/June. That gives B and I a year and we should be ready by then. Seems weird planning so far ahead. Never really done that my whole life because you just never know what is going to happen. But I am not going to dwell on that!

B DAY!

No, not birth day but Breeze day! 29th of April, that's B day when she will be here. Six days and counting . . . . . . . . .

Vetting!

Breeze is coming!

Zzzzzzz

Hi there!

The vet called me this evening. Although Breeze is a little lame... probably because she went barefoot three weeks ago, I have been given the all clear to go ahead! I got on the phone to Leigh immediately and told her if she was happy I was going to book the transport. So I wrote an email off to the transport company lol.

Leigh is getting her podiatrist to have a look at Breeze tomorrow. I am sure it is simply because of being barefoot and it would be much better for B to be with me as Leigh has enough to do already.

P.S. Leigh sent me the loan agreement which I have signed and am posting off today along with a halter and 12' line for B to travel in.

Go Bert!

Sandra and I were in the woods with Bertie for 2 hours yesterday! It was a gorgeous spring day and we spent a fair bit of time hanging out and basking in the sunshine while Bertie stuffed his face.

We swapped this time and Sandra played on the journey out and I the journey home. I really got some great energy from Bertie again and we almost got sideways in trot. I am still loving his enthusiasm for jumping over things. We walked the whole of the old woods with a bit of 'off piste' too. I introduced sandra to the idea of 'hill therapy' as she thinks Bertie is a little unequal in his back, one side being less developed than the other. His sideways is getting so good we tried it up and down some of the hilly bits on the bridle path. I think sandra enjoyed seeing how Bertie can move and watched his muscles working. Its great for her to see this as she is usually on his back lol.

I heard from Leigh and fingers crossed Breeze is getting vetted this Tuesday! She sent me some lovely photos of Breeze rug-less in the spring sunshine. Oooh exciting!

Springy Sunday!

I sat with Bertie lying down in his stable for a while this morning and took him grazing before Sandra arrived at the yard. I always feel so honoured that he stays lying down when I go to see him. I never had that with Lizzie. Bertie is very affectionate and its lovely to lie next to him in the stable (if I can find a clean bit!).

The three of us walked together into the woods. Sandra and I have agreed that for the time being I play with Bertie going out and she swaps and plays on the way back. Today Sandra sat on him bareback while I led/drove him. She tried some pushing passenger too.

Bertie has really got the idea of jumping over logs without exploding and Sandra is learning to trust him to know where to put his feet. Today she was great at bringing her life up and Bertie jumped the log trailer for her! Great fun!

I can ask for sideways without a c/s now, in fact I am relying on it less and less, which is cool. Breeze isn't very keen on the c/s so being light and subtle with just my body language and rope line will be great for when she arrives.

Bertie has become more and more chilled out in the woods. It no longer matters what others do, he takes no notice. I had a few people pass us from the old riding school and ask when my new horse is coming. One horse and rider almost careered into him as they jigged past but he stood still and ignored then lol. Sandra says her lessons and just riding in general have become much happier for both of them and far more enjoyable. I love that!

Vetting

Breeze's stage 2 vetting is set for sometime next week. Then it will be all systems go for getting her transported up to me.

I feel like I am living in a vacuum. A horseless vacuum. I am getting on with other things, conscious of the time limit to do all the stuff in my house that needs doing before she gets here.

Spring has arrived and the woods are bursting into bud. I have played with Bertie along side Sandra, made new 12', 22' lines and a halter and I guess, I have been waiting lol. That's it, waiting.

Oh and wondering how different it will be with an RBI instead of an LBI lol. Let the fun begin!