Back to riding

I've enjoyed my week off from being ridden, I just did some lunging which is hard work but at least I don't have someone sat on me, I've done a bit of free schooling too so I've been having a good roll around in the sand and some mad moments, running around like a loonie. Ellie came to see me yesterday, I haven't seen her for ages, she did a bit of groundwork with me, she said she was making sure I had respect for her before she rode me, yeah yeah whatever. Sarah rode me for about two minutes then she got off, said she was too hungover and her jeans weren't stretchy enough to ride in, maybe she's been eating too much grass too.

Sarah rode me today, I was having a snooze when she came into the field, we both sat in the grass for a while, I got my neck, shoulders and head stroked which was nice then she said I had to get up but I didn't want to so I didn't bother but Logan came over to see what was going on, I thought I'd better shift rather than risk getting a kick from him. It's such a nice warm lazy sunny day today so I would've rather stayed where I was but I behaved myself anyway. I don't go out in my headcollar by the way, it's only on in the photos because Sarah had just put it on in so she could take me in and ride me.

Busy busy busy

Well I've had a really busy few weeks, I've got new shoes, had my teeth done and got a tattoo. Sarah said the tattoo is a freezemark to prevent me from being pinched like the microchip that I've got. I didn't really like the woman who did it to me, I tried to boot her but she's used to us horses and got out of the way, I had a go at rearing too but she persevered so I gave up, I've now got four marks on my back, I think it looks stupid.

The dentist man was really nice, I liked him a lot and I was a super good boy for him, he was telling Sarah that I could do with seeing a physiotherapist, Tom has said that too and Cath who makes sure my saddle fits properly so Sarah had already booked one, she's coming next month and will make me feel better, I just don't feel quite right and I'm a bit stiff. Once I've had physio then the dentist will sort my teeth out even more, Sarah said my dentist is far cheaper than hers, I am glad she looks after me properly, I'm a happy boy at the moment.

A new boy has moved onto the yard, I like him, he looks like my friend Logan, I always talk to him when I see him.

Here's a recent snap of me asking for some treats, I had a belly full of grass but I just love, polos, extra strong mints, pony nuts, carrots well anything really!

Time flies...

Wow, almost a month since I last wrote on here, I've been pretty busy so I haven't had much chance to put my hooves up and post an update.

Hmm lets see, what have I been up to...

Well I've put some more weight on, Sarah calls me fatty now and says I need working harder so that I get fitter, I disagree, I'm in shape- round is a shape!

I had two weeks off from ridden work and just did lunging and stuff, it was quite good but I wasn't too keen when Sarah turned up with the saddle ready to ride again. We've been trying new bits too, at the moment we're using a neue schule verbindend, I like the taste of it and it's comfortable in my mouth but it's a loose ring so when the bit slides through my mouth a bit after I've been messing around it pinches a little. I have tried my friend Moomin's bit too, I preferred the sides but it wasn't as comfortable in my mouth when Sarah asked me to stand. Sarah thinks I will like a myler bit and has said she will order one for us to try. I will let you know if I like it or not.

Last weekend I got some visitors, Sarah's cousin's and her auntie came to stay (at Sarah's house, not at my place), I liked them they gave me a good grooming to help me get rid of the rest of my winter fur and they brought me lots of mints to eat, I love mints! Sheona was nice, she rode me a bit since I was behaving myself that day, well I didn't think it was fair to protest much because she's only young. She took me for a walk around the arena an d I took advantage and stopped for a good roll, she thought it was funny, I did too. I got given a shower that day as well, it was a hot day so it wasn't too bad but I don't really like being washed.

Since Friday I haven't been going back to my stable to bed, I've been living out in the summer field with the other boys, I love it! What I don't like much though is being caught and brought back in to be ridden so I run away from Sarah, I can do this for around 20 minutes then I give in because I'm out of puff and can't be bothered anymore, it is funny making Sarah run after me though hehehe. When Max's mum Jo comes into my field I go and see her, she doesn't put that stupid saddle on my back and make me do work she just fusses me and gives me a cuddle, she's nice. I will find a video of me running away from her to make you laugh.

Progress pictures

Ugh it's so unfair

I really can't be bothered with all this ridden work we've been doing recently, I prefer just doing nothing, Sarah says I've been a really lazy boy for the past two weeks, I disagree. I keep trying to make it difficult for her so she gives up especially when she tries to get on me at the mounting block, what kind of stupid horse doesn't protest though.

Yesterday Sarah was the lazy one and she free schooled me, she thought it would be good for me to have a bit of a change, stupid woman it means I can get away with being more lazy than when she rides because she can't get on my case unless she chases me which I think is really funny.

Here are some new photos of me and one of my neighbour Jack, he is so nosey, sometimes he pokes his head over the wall when I'm playing with my treat ball so I try and bite him just incase he tries to pinch my food, he's so annoying. Sarah thinks he's cute, I thought she was on my side!

P.S It was my birthday on Wednesday, I was 13, I'm still waiting for my cake and for my name plaque to be put up and my stall guard-bloody humans. She was late this morning too, she didn't get to the yard until 8:30 so I made a right mess in my stable so it will take her ages to muck out later when she's feeling better, she looked well rough but its her own fault for going out drinking with her friends, oh well I might get out of doing some work this afternoon.

Here comes the summer sun and the flies

Sarah was really early this morning so I was quite suprised to see her walk into the yard but pleased that I didn't have to stay in my stable any longer. I got a really good grooming, it took ages and there was loads of my winter coat all over the floor. Bye winter coat, its time for summer now! I had a bit of a hair cut too so my mane is all neat and tidy and a far more flattering length, just need to grow the bit I rubbed off now so it all matches. I got vaseline put on all of my little scrapes and on my shoulders where my rug rubbed, it will help my fur grow back although Sarah informed me that my shoulder hair is starting to grow back now, I will be a good looking boy when its back.

The only thing I wasn't bothered about was this stinky spray she put on me but she told me its to keep the nasty flies away, she'd made it herself- cheap skate! I got a good covering then had my power ranger mask put on and went out to play with no rug on, haha I'm so going to cover myself in mud whilst I'm out.

Oh and Frank the dog took a dump in my feed room, I'm going to have words with him when I see him!

P.S We did some two line lunging last night, it was hard but I was a good boy.

It's been a while..

wow, its a long time since I wrote on here, I've been so busy that I forgot to do it. I've moved into one of the summer fields, there wasn't any grass left in our winter one, we ate it all. I've got new rugs because the weather is getting warmer. My winter coat is coming out now so I will have my summer one soon, I can't wait to get rid of it all, it gets everywhere when Sarah grooms me.

A few weeks ago Sarah bought me a treat ball, I didn't get it, I tried to get the treats out through the hole but it was too small, then I tried licking the ball but it didn't taste of anything, Sarah moved it and the treats came out so I moved it and when they didn't fall out I nudged her for them. After a couple of weeks of the stupid thing being in my stable I got hungry whilst waiting for my tea and decided to have a go, now I think its great fun, I get extra food!

We have been having lessons too, I try and be really lazy when we have lessons because I know they are 45 minutes and to be honest I just can't be bothered. I behave much better when its just me and Sarah in the arena. We've even been for a couple of short rides down the track, when we got back to the yard I wanted to go in for my tea but Sarah wouldn't let me, we had a bit of a fight, I shoved her leg into the wall but she won in the end and made me do more work in the arena for it- pah! Anyway must dash I've got some grass to attend to.

Here I am in my new rug:

Proper Schooling

Yesterday afternoon I was called in from the field early and taken to my stable, Sarah tacked me up and then we went in the school with this man, Tom, I had tried to pinch his coffee and knocked it over him a bit but he wasn't cross. He told Sarah to keep me walking at a good pace (pah- not amused, I like plodding!) and then she had to keep shortening my reigns, I did not like that but started to give in after nearly an hour. Sarah said her shoulders were aching, good I thought because my backside is aching too! Tom gave Sarah a whip and asked her to ride with it, I decided I didn't like him much for that, I like getting away with doing as little as possible! After our lesson I went and tucked into my haylage and had my rugs on to keep me warm, I had to wait a while for my tea so that I didn't get colic, I don't like waiting for grub but I really don't fancy getting colic so didn't mind too much.

Early this morning more white stuff fell from the sky, I went out with my friends, Logan came to greet me when I got into the field. I think I will be coming in early today.

Here I am in the white stuff, I've mamaged to make my new rug really dirty now by having a good roll every day.

New Neighbour

There was a right commotion a few nights back in the stable next door to me, its been empty since Whisky went to the paddock in the sky but a few days ago it was painted then when Sarah left for the night these people came and put matting and stuff down. Then the straw went down and in came a chestnut pony. I don't like him, he invades my space and keeps looking over the wall taunting me, last night I thought sod this and went for him, I tried to bite him. He winds me up constantly, my water bucket is in the corner near the wall where ginge can look over, Sarah said she will move it though so I can stay away from him, he's been upsetting me so I've been walking round in circles because I'm so wound up.

On a better note I got new shoes this morning, Sarah told the farrier that I trip up sometimes so he put different ones on, now I just have to pay more attention!

Aint no fence high enough

Pah yesterday I got put in a niew field with Hollie, we had a good run around together then just had a munch on the grass, I was quite happy with this set up, Charlie came to join us a little later and everything was great. Later on though two other horses came into our field, one of them kept trying to herd the others away from me which I didn't think was very fair, then there was madness so I thought balls to this I'm out of here and jumped out and cantered up the lane back to my old field where I stood and waited for someone to let me in sod that!

I then got free schooled, followed by being ridden in the school for a short while, I did my best not to let Sarah on but she won in the end, she then did something strange and rode me out of the school, I went right back to my stable, she wanted me to go left so we had a bit of a fight, I won or at least I thought so, I turned right and she made me walk properly and go straight past my stable and back out of the courtyard, I couldn't believe it, outwitted by a human. Then she had the nerve to ride me down the lane towards the big riding field, Jeanette told her my girth was too big and tightened it up she also said Sarah should get a smaller one- damn it busted I thought to myself. It kept trying to turn back when we went down the lane but she just made me bend and walk in a little circle so I gave in. How dare she take me out on my own, I just don't do that! The walk around the big field with Dave was good but I did get a bit excited by the big open space and wanted to go a bit faster, she wouldn't let me! On the way back I started to trot as I was eager for my tea, Sarah wasn't impressed. All in all an adventurous but tiring kind of day!

More work

I've been a busy boy recently, I've been ridden quite a lot, I've stopped getting as grumpy when my girth is fastened. Sarah said she's really impressed with my progress, well I have been here and done it all before, silly woman. I huff quite a lot to let her know this but she does keep me guessing on where I'm going next which stops me getting bored.

I'm not overly impressed with this weather, my neck has been pretty itchy, Sarah put some cream on it for a few days, it was cold even though she rubbed it between her hands so I tried to get out of her way and held my head really high so she couldn't do it. Anyway last weekend I got my mane and tail washed, it felt so much better afterwards, it was less itchy. Sarah sprayed some stuff on too, she does this every day now and gives my mane a good brush so I don't get lots of dry skin building up again.

After my mane and tail wash I went in the school but without the evil saddle and even without the evil bridle, I rolled around to try and stop myself from smelling like a girl.

After I rolled Max's mum Jo made me trot and canter, it was great fun, I definitely want to do it again sometime soon.

No work and lots of food makes Toby a naughty boy

Hmm I've been feeling a bit full of myself recently, I've run off up to my stable on my own twice before Sarah could stop me, I thought it was great fun but Sarah was really cross with me and said I'm usually a good boy. Yeah well I didn't feel like being good this week, I've been having lots of fun with the other boys, we've all been having a good tear around together and I was in a rush to get back to my stable for my tea, I grumped at Sarah when she moved my bucket, how dare she!

Anyway I got tacked up this morning, I tried my best to get out of it, threatened everyone who tried to tighten my girth and then I moved my bum away from the mounting block so Sarah couldn't get on, ha ha. Unfortunately Jo made me stand still so Sarah could get on, damn it I thought I'm going to have to do some work now. It was quite good though, I went for a walk with Charlie, he walks too slow though so I tried to bite his bum to speed him up it didn't work so I just went past him instead. I think I suprised Sarah because I don't walk as fast in the school, I wasn't very impressed when she tried to slow me down or make me stop though, I wanted to keep going. What is it with women not making their minds up about what they want us to do, when I'm in the school she wants me to speed up and when we're riding out she wants me to slow down, silly woman.

Back to ridden work

Along Sarah came with the dreaded saddle again yesterday, she tacked me up in my stable whilst I was having a good munch on my haylage so I didn't mind too much, I couldn't even be bothered to try and bite her when she tightened the girth up. I went in the school at the same time as my friend Logan and Sarah hopped on, no horrible lungeing first! It was a bit strange for us both but I decided to be good for her since she feeds me and everything, we went around the school and down the centre line and threw in some circles for good measure, all in walk though thank goodness, I'd have been so out of puff if I had to trot as well. The saddle got checked, apparently it fits me well but she wants to see me trotting to double check, oh no I'm going to have to put more effort in! I walked around for 40 whole minutes, Sarah said she had lost track of time but was very pleased with me, I got lots of pats and my tea was waiting when I got back to my stable so I was quite happy.

I got a new rug today too, another one, it's bright red, don't you think I look handsome in it? I tried to get as close to the camera as possible ( I thought it was something to eat hehe).

Time for riding again

Just when I thought life couldn't get much better, (aside from it being a bit chilly) the white stuff all disappeared and Sarah turned up with a damn saddle. I tried to scare her off when she fastened the girth around my belly (which she said had got fat, the cheek of it!), trying to bite her didn't stop her putting it on so I must be more menacing next time.

I had to go on the lunge for a bit then Sarah got on, I wasn't very impressed with the idea so threw my head up so she couldn't control me, haha. She got off after a little while, I think we'd both had enough of that. The next night I just got to go in and eat my tea so I was pleased, I got a new rug too, it's lovely and warm.

On Wednesday though Sarah rolled up with that damn saddle again, I tried to bite her more this time, why on earth would I want to be ridden, I am perfectly happy just eating, sleeping, rolling around and playing with my friends. Anyway we did a big circle in the dark, she said that she will get on again soon and ride me for longer but I don't like that idea.

Here is a video of me having a really good roll around a few nights ago, Sarah and Dave put loads of fresh straw on my bed so I just couldn't resist.

Haylage, yummy yummy haylage

Sarah decided a few weeks ago that perhaps it might be a good idea to introduce me to haylage now that my tummy is used to being fed properly. I was so excited when she put up my big net and it smelled so good, I have pinched some from my friend Logan before when his net was left dangerously close to my stable door so I have already tasted it.

But it was a bit of a problem, I just didn't know whether to eat my tea or eat the haylage so kept taking a mouthful of each.

I noticed that Sarah had put some hay in the net as well so I just ate around it, I don't know why she thought I would want to eat that muck when I had so much haylage to get through.

She said that I was a cheeky boy for doing that and that I was lucky that I didn't get the squits! She's lucky more like, I don't clean up my own poo!

Snow, snow everywhere

Where is all this white stuff coming from, it's been a bit hard finding the grass underneath it all recently which wasn't good but at least I was outside with my friends. Yesterday there was even more white cold stuff, I thought the others were going out so I threw a bit of a strop, turns out they were all staying in like me. Pah, stuck in my stable all day long until Sarah could come and make my bed nice again, oh well at least I had loads of hay to eat. Sarah put lots of straw down for me but before she could spread it around I decided to have a good roll around in it. She put even more in this morning and again I just couldn't resist rolling in it all, she thinks it's funny.

Yesterday Sarah put a saddle on my back, she said she wanted to see if it fit me, I was crossing my hooves hoping it wouldn't, I was gutted when she said it looked good, oh well at least this white stuff means she won't get on it. Come on white stuff keep falling from the sky, I'm quite happy doing nothing but eating. I get three buckets everyday, Lynne asked Sarah if I wanted an extra one today, I was thinking, yes nice one more grub but Sarah said no he's got a fat belly. Fat Belly! I have not! Anyway I thought she was trying to put weight on me...