We've made it home safe from or epic adventure in France and we have all been forever changed by the experience.  The people were welcoming, the accommodations were perfect, and the food was incredible!  All I can say is that we will be back.  Here are a few pics, I'll share more as I can.

So I recently took in a barrel horse tune up, she has been off all winter and the owner asked if I’d put a few rides on her to see where she’s at. I did not start this mare, she is a long 4 year old. 

She is really hot, sweats herself out at a trot when not getting asked to go fast at all. The first few rides I mostly worked on speed control, she seemed like she was picking it up and on ride number 4 I was asking her to yield her hips and when I asked her to yield left she had a come apart. I got her out of it and got her to go on and finish on a good calm note. On ride 6 as soon as I asked her to disengage her hips to the left she had another come apart, originally I thought she was fighting the bit, she is really mouthy on it, so I tried a side pull. She was really relaxed in the side pull until I asked for her to disengage her hindquarters to the left. On the ground I went all over her body, she is really touchy on the right side near the back cinch. 

Any ideas besides just going back and working on her sensitive spots? 

New Pony Alert!

So we had a free stable (stall) that is already paid for and it was for the new foal that wasn’t meant to be…… meet Sidney 

He is a bit of a rescue Job and is in poor shape, but I’ve always fancied having a mini cob (gypsy vanner) in the herd and he certainly is that.

8-9 months old and around 10h and a Grey Blagdon (not sure what your US equivalent is)

he had been tethered on scrub land and I don’t think has ever been handled, led, wormed, groomed, had his feet done or anything, matted up and in a bit of a state.

But this little lad, mark my words will turn out to be a swan rising from an ugly duckling, still a colt but a very sweet eye and inquisitive nature.

Can’t wait to get him sorted and cleaned up, he will be a stunner. 

Destined to be a grass cutter and also put on the cart to give him a job. 

His education starts tomorrow….. 

Finally found a good horse vet ( in our rural area all the good vets are cow vets) to examine my horse. She said he is blind. He can see blobs and not much of that were her words. Definitely explains a lot. Also, definitely helps with how to go about earning his trust and building his confidence. Anyone one have any experience with this? Also, if you have a blue-eyed horse that is erratic, defensive, and nervous, it might help to get its vision checked.

Stable update (because I know how you love it 🤣🤣)

Angel - she really has got over loosing the foal well, back in work and loving the round pen work, she has driven carts before so ground driving is second nature to her, although turning and softening the head is a challenge to her as she has been taught to not bend! Grasped the code very well and her attitude has returned (dominant mare who loves a fight) - couple of rides, all good 

Flicker - the old girl has worked the code but doesn’t really understand anything much and given her age that’s fine, discovered a tumour in her front hoof so that’s bad news as she is to old to operate on

Sargent - making good progress with moving forward, he is a master at the code and ground driving is coming on, back in the saddle for him soon although he has taken to trying to roll lots to get out of work so nipping that in the bud 

This trip to France has been incredible!  I'll share pics as soon as I get some good internet. 🤠

😔 Unfortunately our much anticipated first foal arrived in the early hours of the morning today and we arrived shortly after (cameras) to find it unresponsive as the sack had not broken and it suffocated, absolutely heartbroken to say the least, she was a big filly and colour exactly as we wanted, the wish list was ticked in all aspects.

As sad as it is my thoughts now turn to Angel the mum, can I draw on collective experience of how to proceed in terms of occupying her, bringing her back into work, conditioning her etc

She was ridden lightly before been in foal by myself 

thoughts would be appreciated as this was our first and only foal we have bred and have no knowledge. 

Richard Boatwright really appreciate your input on this also please 

I was going to post a video but can’t figure out how, so here are a few snapshots from some successful ground driving. This exercise has made a huge difference in this mare! She’s much softer when riding and it’s helped her understand backing 100% better. I think we’re both more confident knowing we’ve worked out a lot of kinks on the ground before doing it the hard way under saddle. Last pic is after a great ride. 

Richard Boatwright at what time do you recommend moving your horse from sniffle bit or a Bosal to a bit like the attached picture.  Also, do you have a recommendation of which bits to use?

I hope everyone had a great weekend and you're all ready for Monday!😁. Anyone using the ES20 Rope Horse program?  Any feedback?