Hooray, what a good boy!

[FirenLady]

Managed first ride on Sunday in 12 days! I don't think Fire since his accident 9yrs ago has ever had that much time off. Still too hard to lunge him so I took my chance and hopped on Not really having the fuzziest what he would do, but he happily poodled along beside my OH. Not a peep out of him. OH took us up to see Lady's grave, which made me feel a lil sad but they have burried her in a lovely spot near some trees and the grave has been covered with Daffs, tulips and crocus. Couldn't have picked a better place.

Took Fire out y.day on his own and he was good as gold again. Ground still not great so only walking still, but he seems really happy to do this. Two dear had been lying in front of a tree about 2m diagonially from us and completley sprang out in front of us and he just took a lil jump backwards, that was all He could have justified spinning and leaving me in a heap. Also there was lots of guns going off yesterday and he didn;t bat an eyelid. ;D Clever pony.

Roll on the close of shooting season. Peace and quiet back. Does feel great to be back on board though ;D Thought I was loosing my sanity.

Today though it has rained all day But maybe it will have softened everywhere up so we can do some schooling tomorrow.

[racaille]

Isn't it a relief to be back on board? Fire sounds very sane!

I finally got P out yesterday and he was OK, a bit 'wide-eyed' - and we too have the hunters out everywhere with the shiny new Xmas guns. But I too am still pretty much only doing walking hacks up and down the hills as it's shocking how fat P is.

[Jen]

aww bless fire he is a good boy really lol!!

[solomon]

Good boy Fire, what a star. It is lovely riding again isn't it. this winter has been a real challenge.

[fimacg]

Good Boy Fire... are you still taking Trav out?

got Brave out for the 1st time in two weeks yesterday and he was a very good considering he is a horse that needs to work to keep his head straight, we danced and pranced and cantered up the road some of the way home but he was just on his toes and not wanting to walk home - despite our cantering Chomps and H was still WALKING beside us, Brave wasnt really cantering opposed to bouncing with legs going in a canter sequence.

[FirenLady]

hee hee Fi,

I must say I have been totally impressed with Fire this year. He seems to have really matured (maybe its cos he is mid teens now). But given he hadn't been out since before Lady died and that Trav has played a lot of silly devils when hes been gone. (galloping up and down whinnying at the top of his voice). Hes not batter an eye lid. I thought her death would have had a huge effect on him, he has lived with her for 8 yrs, but he has taken it all in his stride. I think hes known its coming. Trav on the other hand he was off in the days leading up to her dying and hes not been 100% since. Despite having only lived with her 8 months I think he developed quite a bond with her. (maybe a mother figure? Given his age?)

Got to have a canter and do a few tiny jumps today which was lovely

[zara]

So glad to hear that you and Fire have had a good time and that he is coping well with losing Lady, Trav will soon settle but maybe you should think of a lil companion for them when one is out and the other is at home ;-) Zx

[FirenLady]

lol thats just what I'm trying to avoid! Although i dunno if I will be able too. Fire always used to be dreadful when left alone but time will tell if hes grown out of that one too!

[fimacg]

Give him a couple of months before you make up your mind whether he needs a companion, Dexter was a bit like this initially so I used to leave him in a stable but now both Brave and Chomps will be gone and Dexter will wait at the heighest point in the field to be able to spot as as soonas we come into view - then he will stop eating canter down to the closest corner say hello and then walk back along the fence until we are back in the yard.