Yesterday we went on a horsey 'venture!
Yesterday I took George on his biggest test yet. We went in the trailer to a place called Carsington water and joined a sponsered 20 mile ride in aid of the international league for the protection of horses (ILPH)
Anyway, as I expected, himself was quite worried at first, hyper, plungy and really not a nice horse to ride. But after a half hour or so he was grand and thoroughly enjoyed himself. Claudia came along with Tess and despite the horses being really fit we took it very steady and enjoyed the lovely scenery. There were a few endurance riders out and they forged ahead but we were happy just to set our own pace and mainly walked and trotted with a couple of lovely steady canters thrown in.
I have never ridden him such a distance before but he loved it and we were careful to stop a few times to let them have drink. It also really helped I think to get off them two or three times, loosen their girths and let them have a bit of grass. (Certainly helped us mere humans to get off anyway!). George wore saddle bags at the front of his saddle and we had a good supply of human drinks and horsey polo mints!
The ride took us just over five hours and we raised about £150 between us from sponsership.
The horses were wonderful and VERY tired by the end of it but we put them to bed after a HUGE feed and left them perfectly content and dreaming of their autumn adventure.
Have given him the day off today which is probably a good thing as my ass is in severe pain right now! I however do not have the luxury of a day off and am currently on my way to work for a 12 hour shift. Waaaahhhhhhh lol
Anyway, as I expected, himself was quite worried at first, hyper, plungy and really not a nice horse to ride. But after a half hour or so he was grand and thoroughly enjoyed himself. Claudia came along with Tess and despite the horses being really fit we took it very steady and enjoyed the lovely scenery. There were a few endurance riders out and they forged ahead but we were happy just to set our own pace and mainly walked and trotted with a couple of lovely steady canters thrown in.
I have never ridden him such a distance before but he loved it and we were careful to stop a few times to let them have drink. It also really helped I think to get off them two or three times, loosen their girths and let them have a bit of grass. (Certainly helped us mere humans to get off anyway!). George wore saddle bags at the front of his saddle and we had a good supply of human drinks and horsey polo mints!
The ride took us just over five hours and we raised about £150 between us from sponsership.
The horses were wonderful and VERY tired by the end of it but we put them to bed after a HUGE feed and left them perfectly content and dreaming of their autumn adventure.
Have given him the day off today which is probably a good thing as my ass is in severe pain right now! I however do not have the luxury of a day off and am currently on my way to work for a 12 hour shift. Waaaahhhhhhh lol