260. Going to battle...

Yesterday i rode out with my friend and on the way back to the yard we were met by a tractor. Spice began her ritual of trying to spin, rear and run backwards and i immediately imagined that i was going to battle not against Spice but against the tractor and sent her charging forwards. Within seconds the battle was over, the tractor had run away and the victory was ours :)

259. Spice gets a new set of front shoes...

Yesterday i made the hard decision to put shoes back on Spices front hooves. Having watched her become more and more uncomfortable over the past two weeks even when in the field due to the ground being so hard (we have had no rain in weeks) i felt it was unfair to keep her barefoot. I am still intending to keep her hinds unshod as she doesn't seem to be in anyway sore on them i.e can walk over any surface easily even with a rider on her back so i see no reason to put shoes on them. But if they too become sore i would not hesitate to do the same. Do i feel like i've failed? In one way yes but in another way no. I do think that with the right diet, exercise plan and environment Spice may have been able to stay barefoot but i don't think i'd have been able to ride her across anything other than roads. I definitely would have had to avoid riding across stoney tracks, going down steep hills and also limit the number of times i hacked Spice out each week to avoid wearing them down too much. I know shoes are not ideal but then neither is leaving a horse in a field that you can't ride because they are too sore to get fat. Hoof boots are a great idea but i would be reluctant to canter or gallop in them having seen them come lose and twist around even in trot.

As always horsemanship is a balancing act. You can't just think about a horses hooves you have to consider the whole horse and having seen the difference front shoes have made to Spices movement i am 100% certain that i made the right decision. I would love to keep her hinds unshod but as always i will see how it goes...for now our barefoot journey has half come to an end....

258. Riding past our first motorbike!

Today i took Spice out for a hack on her own and we managed to pass our first motorbike! Spice has always been a bit wary of motorbikes but today she trotted past as though it was nothing. So pleased with how things are going hacking wise. The only thing i'd say is that she's feeling a lot like a racehorse i.e trots as fast as a slow canter and feels as though she has heaps of energy - probably because she does. However, i quite like the fast pace as have never liked being on a plod along.

If the ground isn't too hard tomorrow i want to try loose jumping her again as i really want to start jumping her. :)

257. Riding Confidently...

Yesterday i hacked Spice out by myself and as usual she was great - no big dramas to report except for a short attempt to spin backwards just as we were passing a lorry but as soon as i told her to go forwards she did. The biggest difference i have noticed in Spice is her fight/flight disposition...unlike before where she would put up the biggest fight to avoid going past something she now backs down as soon as i tell her to. It seems that because she now trusts me and has confidence in my authority she actually prefers to listen to me rather than carry on fighting with me. Seeing Spice change so dramatically has given me the belief that no matter how bad a behavioural problem is it can almost always be rectified. My friend at the yard said that having seen how bad Spice could be whilst out hacking she never thought she'd be able to hack out on her own and that's someone who has dealt with horses with behavioural problems their whole life but it just goes to show that where there's a will there's a way. Now that the whole napping thing has been resolved I'm really looking forward to doing some jumping with Spice. :)

256. Riding past our first tractor!

Today i took Spice out for a hack and not long into our hack we were confronted with a tractor. Tractors aren't one of Spices favourite road friends so as we approached the tractor she decided it was far too scary to go past and attempted to spin, run backwards and rear. Unlike the olden days where i'd have become nervous i actually relished in the opportunity to take control of the situation and demonstrate my authority. Sitting deep in my seat i kicked her on when she was running backwards, sat to her rear and pulled back on my right rein with not just my arm but the whole of my body preventing her from turning around. As soon as she realised that all three attempts to avoid the vehicle had failed she started listening to me and walked forwards to where i made her stand quietly whilst the tractor went past. It was a brilliant victory and made all the better without having to use a whip or any other kind of pain inducing device!

255. Spice gets thumbs up from Farrier

This week i had the farrier come out to see Spice because i was concerned that due to increasing her work load to 3 hacks a week she may need to have shoes on her front hooves. However, the farrier said that her hooves were in good shape and that unless i intended on riding her on the roads everyday she should be able to cope just fine. It was reassuring to hear these words come from a farriers mouth as normally one might assume that a farrier would be biased but this particular farrier was very neutral on his stand point which was refreshing. When i asked him how many horses he saw that he thought could go barefoot but didn't he said 30-40% - quite a shocking amount in my view. I am not against the usage of shoes but it would be nice to think that owners were only using them because they were necessary...

254. Spice...

253. Another depressing video...

252. Can you change a horses behaviour?

Yes! There were so many times when i contemplated selling Spice due to never feeling able to ride out confidently on my own with her and as a horse owner this was obviously highly frustrating as a lot about riding is having the freedom to jump on your horse and gallop off to wherever your heart desires but for me this was NEVER the case and NEVER felt like it was going to be. It was more like try to mount a horse that moves away from the mounting block 10-20 times and then trying to get out of the yard whilst the horse attempts to spin around and run backwards in the opposite direction! If i did get out of the yard i had a horse who generally spooked at anything and everything and would attempt to rear at anything they found too scary to pass. I never wanted to beat Spice up for not going past something she found scary because i didn't want to have that kind of relationship with her and i am pleased to say that no aspect of her training has involved doing this. People used to say to me 'you wanna put a martingale on that horse to stop her rearing' or 'you wanna ride that horse with a stronger bit' (i still ride bitless) or try using the whip on her - something which i did try with little success. The three major things which i feel have contributed to Spices improved behaviour are 'time off', 'groundwork' and 'consistency' - the latter being the most important. There was one day which i feel was particularly effective in turning Spice around - it was about 4 months ago when we were trying to cross a ford which had become so overflown you couldn't see the bottom - both myself and my friend were literally there for about 20 mins with Spice rearing, spinning and even throwing in the odd buck or two before she finally gave in and crossed - it was clear that this had a huge impact on Spices confidence and trust and i am sure that even though it was some time ago the memory of this event stuck. I feel that 'Time off' allowed Spice and myself to have a completely fresh start (both physically and mentally) and 'groundwork' which involved me walking Spice up and down a busy main road several times gave Spice the chance to see and walk pass lots of vehicles all shapes and sizes with me by her side giving her commands which enabled me to gain her trust.

251. Am i dreaming?

Had yet another amazing hack out on my own with Spice today...still think i must be dreaming. Went passed every single vehicle and obstacle without any hesitation whatsoever. Loving riding her at the moment and whats even better is that i think Spice is actually loving being ridden. :) Sure i will wake up soon...

250. Bombproof?

Today i took Spice out for another ride on her own and once again she was amazing. We passed lots of things that back in the day would have been 'scary' that she barely batted an eyelid at and even had a sneaky canter which was great :) Things are almost too perfect to be true at the moment what with Spice being completely sound and no longer spooking. If someone had have said to me 6 months ago that i'd be riding out on my own with Spice i'd never have believed them. At best i thought i might be able to hack out in front but never hack out on my own (at least not without a big fight!) Never thought i'd be able to describe Spice as 'bomb proof' but at the moment that term definitely springs to mind when i'm on her back. :)

249. Personality transplant!?

Feeding Dio before our ride...

Had another incredible ride on Spice today...super obedient, no napping whatsoever and willingly went in front when other horses on the ride were spooking without any hesitation/resistance. Feels like i am riding a different horse. Very very very happy today.

248. From running backwards to running forwards...?!

Today i decided it was time to hack Spice out all by herself and i am still shocked at how well it went. Not once did Spice try to spin around, run backwards or stop. All she did do when she was scared was trot forward a few steps but boy do i prefer that than the rearing spinning around and running backwards! Can't quite believe how well behaved she was...by far the best ride i've ever had on her in terms of obedience...just need to keep at it and never ever let her win a battle should she choose to pick one. :) Feeling very proud of myself today. :)

247. Spice grazing in the sun...

I took advantage of the amazing weather we are having today and took Spice out for a lovely ride who even though in season was better behaved than ever. Calm and quiet as can be. Think the time she has had off over the winter has done her the world of good. I feel so blessed that she has made a full recovery from her bone infection.

Although a little porky she has maintained her condition well over the winter period so i just need to start exercising her regularly to build up her fitness level.

I feel as though i should thank Kin the vet who treated Spice who although ridiculously expensive and somewhat 'cold' without a doubt saved Spices life with her wisdom and knowledge. And then there's Jenny who for want of a better way to put it 'lashed out' at me when i was at my wits end and very close to considering putting Spice down after 3 months of her being on antibiotics and there being next to no improvement and last but not least Yvonne, the livery yard owner who every night for nine weeks including christmas day and new years day injected Spice with her antibiotics which at times proved to be very testing. Were it not for each and every one of these people the pictures above would not exist....

246. Belgian horse meat...

Someone on facebook posted this video on my wall and although i found it to be one of the most difficult videos i've watched on the subject i felt it necessary to re-post it to help create awareness of these appalling practices...Please do the same.

245. Riding again...at long last...

After 3 months of not riding Spice, i finally rode her out again and boy did it feel good. She was so well behaved which given the length of time she has had off was amazing and she is still 100% sound which is an enormous relief. I'm planning on riding her out 3 times a week from now on so that hopefully by the summer she will be back in shape and we can go for long summer hacks. All the horses are being turned out 24/7 now too which is great. Can't wait till we get an arena so i can start doing some schooling/jumping. :)

244. Sound as a pound :)

Today i took Spice out for another 45 minute walk around the village and i am pleased to say that she is still 100% sound in both walk and trot :) It's now been 3.5 weeks since she came off of her antibiotics so i think it's pretty fair to assume that she is in the clear. Not sure how much all her treatment has cost me but she's worth every penny. I'm so pleased she's recovered. It's been a journey that i never ever want to go through again and hope that no other horse owner has to go through but in a way i think its made me appreciate her even more than i did before. With any luck i might even be able to get a cheeky ride in by the end of the week. :)

243. Rehab for me and Spice!

Today i took Spice out on a 45 minute walk around the village and she was as good as gold. I was almost scared that she might have forgotten my commands and that i'd have to start from scratch but she remembers everything :)

242. Perfect hooves for a perfect horse...

Walking across gravel.

241. Hooftastic! A year after being de-shod...

Today my barefoot trimmer came to trim Spices hooves and as always they are looking great. No abscessing, no chipping, no thrush nothing they are just perfect and so they should be after a full year of no shoes! Will definitely take some pictures when i next go up. Now all i need to do is get her using her them! :)

240. Getting my spark back...

Today i finally made it up to see Spice which was lovely. I turned her out and gave her a zillion kisses and she was as gentle and affectionate as ever. I even found out today that Charlotte the livery yard owners daughter has been turning her out, bringing her in, picking her hooves and grooming her every day and she is only 10 which shows just how gentle she is. Apparently she has also fallen in love with Spice.

Tomorrow Spice gets her hooves trimmed so as soon as they are done i am planning on bringing her back into work after 3 whole months off! Think i will start by walking her in hand 2-3 times a week and then taking her on some really short flat rides.

I can't wait to get back on her. I think two weeks of walking her in hand will be enough so with any luck i should be on her by the middle of next month. :)

239. Feeling torn...

I woke up this morning after yet another sleepless night wondering whether i would have enough energy to go up to see Spice and walk her out in hand (something i was supposed to do yesterday but couldn't due to tiredness). And it made me realise just how torn i feel. I love my baby but i also love my horse and at the moment it seems impossible to combine both :( I feel so guilty when i don't go up to see Spice - even though i know she is well cared for.

On a more positive note her hock seems to have finally healed and there doesn't seem to be any sign of infection still remaining which is great.

238. Missing my horse and my bump!

Today i went to visit Spice after not seeing her for 5 days. It's been exactly a week since she has came off of her antibiotics and so far so good so we are keeping our fingers crossed. I miss her so much and can't wait until i get into more of a routine with Dio so i am able to go up as often as i used to. Providing her leg stays good I am hoping that it wont be long until i can start riding her again. I never thought i'd say this but i really miss my bump and the massive amounts of energy i had whilst being pregnant. The excitement and anticipation of having a baby was really quite wonderful and now that excitement and energy have gone and been replaced with sleepless nights it leaves one feeling somewhat drained for instance today even the idea of mucking Spices stable out was too much even though i never missed a single day throughout my pregnancy.

237. Maternal instinct...

7 days since giving birth to my beautiful baby boy i find myself thinking about the attachment i have to Spice versus the attachment i have to my baby...and to be honest for me there is very little difference. I thought there would be but i still have exactly the same mindset when dealing with Spice as i do with Dio - to give them the best possible care i can. I have found it difficult to prioritise Dio over Spice but since it's a lot easier to look after a horse than it is a baby finding alternative care for her while i embrace motherhood has provided me with some much needed rest bite.

Five days of little or no sleep has left me feeling as though i am currently living on another planet - nothing short of the real thing can prepare you for motherhood and the tiredness that this entails. All i can say is that i now look at every parent on this earth in a very different light. I can't imagine a harder job role emotionally, physically and mentally and cannot believe at this present moment in time how on earth women have more than one child and definitely can't understand how/why my nona had 10! I am also at a loss as to how any single parent manages for i have no idea what i'd have done without my partner who beyond all my expectations has proved to be the best father and partner i could ever have hoped for.

I haven't been able to get up to see Spice for 2 days now due to feeling so tired but am hoping that one full nights sleep (luke is taking over the feeding for tonight) will provide me with enough energy to get into some sort of routine soon. Parenting is definitely a balancing act between taking care of yourself and taking care of your newborn. If you think about the whole thing it too much the responsibility seems almost overwhelming. The simple truth is they're solely reliant on you for their survival and this is something that is new to me for although having a horse is a big responsibility - if i suddenly dissappeared Spice would still survive. I guess in that way having a partner around to share the responsibility makes this realisation somewhat easier to deal with.

Anyway...enough of motherhood...Spice is still doing really well but we have decided to give her one last weeks worth of antibiotics since it is only in the last 2 weeks that she has been fully sound. So it will be another week or so before we know what the outcome is. I wont pretend that i am not dreading the time at which we take Spice off of her antibiotics for i know there is still a chance that the infection may not have entirely cleared. Which if being the case means only one thing.

I'm not sure how i would cope if this were to be the case especially due to the fact that at the moment i am not spending any time with her but i guess it does no good to worry about the worst case scenario...

236. As sound as ever...but will it last?

I managed to capture Spice hoonying around the field with the rest of the herd today and she is now completely sound which is a brilliant sign...but we will have to wait until we take her off the antibiotics next week to see if this is permanent.

It's lovely to see her so happy and well again, i just hope it lasts...

In the meantime, i went to see my friend go show jumping today which reminded me just how much i miss riding.



Needless to say with a round like that Alice came 1st and 2nd in both classes out of 32 contestants! But ironically had the cheapest and scruffiest pony there!

235. Almost sound...

Today i walked Spice out around the block and trotted her up for the first time since she started her course of antibiotics and was delighted to see that she is near enough completely sound. She had heaps of impulsion and showed no signs of discomfort so if the antibiotics do manage to fully clear the infection it looks like she is going to be fully sound and that no lasting damage has been done which is obviously great news. However, having seen her sound just a week before she went down hill with the bone infection i do not want to get too excited as it will only be when she is taken off her antibiotics for at least a month or so that we will be able to say whether or not she is in the clear.

Having now been injected every day for the last 4 and a half weeks Spice is beginning to become increasingly reluctant about having her injections but we have found that changing the place and time at which we administer it has helped as she doesn't 'expect' it and therefore doesn't get 'worked up' before hand. She is quite obviously sore from being prodded so many times but changing the injection site from one side of the neck and one side of the rump to the other has helped. She is so well natured bless her - it's almost as if she knows what we are doing is for her own good.

It would be a dream to have my baby in 3 weeks time and then be able to start riding Spice again...