Oh I love you guys...all my virtual little friendies!
Ceej, Faith should be fine at uni (think she'll miss the massive field though, but we'll be back in it in holidays and over the summer etc so she'll be alright!).
We were at one point considering putting her on part-loan with the university, to be used in lessons etc and looked after in the week and all mine at weekends (cheaper livery and improves Faith's schooling etc) but we've looked into it and have decided against it. Atleast for now because: -
a) she's still very green and I'm not sure she could cope with doing lessons;
b) she's got bad hocks and a sore back, which could go on 'til who-knows-when (some days seem better than others for her, so on an 'off' day I just wouldn't ride her, whereas they might, resulting in making her worse);
c) I'd get jealous seeing other people riding her when I couldn't
d) she's used to me and thrives on a one-to-one relationship, so not sure how she'd take to being handled/ridden by several different people
e) we're now on a yard where we are practising schooling everyday (albeit in-hand, but its schooling all the same)
and
f) I'd miss her
So for now, we're going DIY and see how that goes. She'll be ridden/walked in-hand daily (mainly because she thrives on daily work...give her a day off and she forgets everything and your back to square one!) by me, of course, and probably occasionally by my sister (under my supervision because I'm so overprotective of Faith that I can't let her out of my sight - that sounds really bad that I can't trust my own sister to ride my horse properly, but that's me for you!).
I'm actually really looking forward to it. I know I'll be poorer than I am already, but I'll have Faith with me so it really won't matter. PLUS, there are some GREAT off-road hacks on bridleways, just round the corner...can't wait to take Faith in a big open space and just flat out gallop...it's gonna feel like flying! I'm half-expecting her to dump me first time she bucks with excitement, but she'll probably stop shortly after and be like "Hey, where'd you go?" and come back for me, just to do it all over again!
As for the new yard, I'm liking it alot. Has to be said its not quite all its cracked up to be (not allowed to use shower room/horsewalker unless you pay for it (PAH! She can come to my house and have a wash...that'll confuse the neighbours) and the XC jumps are only available when the going isn't deep (so not yet, although we did pop over one on our way down to the field the other day. Just a small one, but it was our first of hopefully many), but other than that its good fun). The people are really nice and friendly. I already feel like I've been there forever and we only moved there about 2 weeks ago!
I do keep quietly tutting at people when they ride their horse with a whip/spurs/flash/martingale/strong bit/brushing boots etc and generally muttering "Just you wait 'til we start riding...then you'll see what you do and don't need" (not claiming to be a superstar because I'm anything but, but I do want to be an example to all those 'traditionalists' that you don't
need gadgets to get the horse doing as you ask. All you need is time, patience and a lot of balance (to sit to bucks/rears). I'll prove them wrong. We'll be b****y fantastic, and maybe then they'll wonder if they
really need those gadgets...if I can change 10 people, and they each change 10 people, we'll soon prove that 'traditional' isn't always best! (sorry if I offend anyone, just my opinion)
Sav, I think we should meet up one day. Let Faith and Savannagh (tee hee) meet eachother and have a play - even if its at a show or something. I'm going to hold you to that offer of doing XC doubles...we'll win. We'll show 'em!
