So its Week 3 in the Top Barn Challenge, and we are still going strong. Well Jo is. I still have the Cold from Hell! I know its dragging on!! Mark The Mechanic and Part-Time Horse Whisperer has turned Doctor this week and has diagnosed me with a cracked rib from coughing. After I had finished laughing (which was quickly coz it hurt so damn much), I actually agree with him. I have properly broken ribs in the past, and its all the same....Can't breathe without it hurting, can't move, change down gears, steer the truck, cough, sneeze or laugh without stabbing pains. Mark reckons my ribs are weak due to the Radiotherapy and Pneumonia (he hasn't mentioned menopause!!!), and he has a point. Still a little cracked rib and never ending mucus in my lungs and nose is not going to stop me!!
So Week 3 saw Jo and Lulu disappearing out for hacks alone without a care in the World. While I had a falling out with Charlie. After a nice walk out on Monday, by Wednesday he wouldn't be caught. I chased him down for half an hour.....But gasping for breath and a top speed of snails pace per hour in a 2 acre field meant I had as much chance of catching him as a 2CV racing a Formula One car. I gave up, sat down in the cold wet mud 10ft away from him, and told him how upset I was that he couldn't give me half an hour of his precious time. I told him that I loved him and was very hurt when he treated me like the enemy. I explained to him, that by the grace of The Gods (actually the wonderful Sara Higgins ), he could have easily ended up in a Tesco Ready Meal (other supermarkets are available). I told him how much I go without to ensure he wants for nothing. Oh yes! I got it all out!! He waggled his ears to and fro, and came over and nudged me. Whereupon I staggered up, said "No its too late", and marched over the to willing Lily.
So the next day I wanted to make amends. I wondered if he was hating the boring stuff like lunging. I know he loves his Trick Training. For the last year or so he has met me at the gate, stuffing his nose into the headcollar, eager to see what we would learn next. So I went out to catch him. He said No again. So I took Lu in and went back for Daisy. Charlie did NOT want to be left out, so came in with Daisy, sharing the one headcollar and rope. We ran through some tricks and all was good.
Friday was a big day!!!! Meg answered my plea to ride Daisy!! We decided to go down to Marsh Farm and back. Jo and Lu lead the way (by about half a mile) and Meg bravely gave Daisy her first hack in about 10 months. I followed, panting on foot with a very brave Charlie. We encountered Sheep and Swans which scared him, but he remained attached to me at all times.
Meanwhile Lily has been a star. We have spent the week Long-reining, working through obstacles, Liberty work and hanging out at the Mounting Block. She has tried hard with everything and is very keen to learn.
Today the Farrier came. He pared back Daisy's feet and nearly cried. Underneath the new growth, her soles have stabilized and pushed those protruding Pedal Bones back. He was amazed. So thank you Vince Buckman for getting our little Highland sound again. Daisy has now got her front shoes on normally!!! We are all soooo Happy!
We were overjoyed today to see Vivienne Sadler and Sharon Bleese, who has had a fight with Cancer. Sorry I had to disappear quickly, but the Tractor spat out its dummy (steering rack) in the Biggies paddock, and Mark The Mechanic and Part Time Horse Whisperer turned up to work his magic. Please come back soon xx
Phew it's Full On Top Barn Challenge. We are smashing it so far. Can we keep up the pace for the next 10 weeks? Hell Yeah! Even though this week I have dot a dold.....(moan moan). It's the 1st cold I have had for about two years, so I shouldn't moan...But i will!! It is PANTS. And the reason why I am still up this late....I can't breathe. I know with PAH I have trouble breathing anyway, but this makes it worse......So Moan Moan Moan!!! And Charlie in particular can feel I am weak, and is taking the mick big time. Makes for funny vids tho!!
Last week (the first week of the challenge) we totally killed it!! I explained to Charlie that he couldn't push me around, and gained trust with Lily by walking her alone in scary places. Jo became Stormin Norman!! Hacked Lulu out alone in a proper Hoolie and came back grinning!! Now we can't stop her!!! To be fair, Lu has become a different pony. Being the Herd Leader, she gets worried when left alone too long. She feels all the responsibility for the safety of the herd. She is highly intelligent, and when she has nothing to do except look after the herd, she overthinks everything and gets stressy. In the last 10 days, Jo has taken control, taking Lu away from the others, and by taking her out of their comfort zones, has shown Lu that in fact, she is not in control. Lu has visibly relaxed, knowing that her Mum is in charge.
Week Two. Lulu is still relaxed and happy that her Mum is in charge. Charlie on the other hand has been on the phone to Horse-Line complaining that his Slave is trying to sit on him. They obviously told him to stand up for himself, and use his strength. Sensing my weakness (Yup THE COLD), he has been a total TWOT!! Today, I ignored him and took Lily out. Himself didn't like that, and followed me along the fence line, grabbing at Lil's headcollar, and waving it at me. Hey Charlie...You Snooze, You Lose!! Meanwhile Lily has been a star. She is a pleasure to walk out with, and is eager to work, coming over to me as soon as she sees I am holding a headcollar.
BTW....Daisy is beginning to feel like she isn't loved!! Jo brought her in Monday and gave her some love and grooming. Maybe I should have entered Daisy into the Challenge as well, but doing Lily and Charlie is more than enough hours. However Daisy would love to get out. So if anyone would like to come and ride her out...she is ready to go. She is a great hack. Bombproof, but not a slouch. Real fun... Meg? Viv? Shona?
And so my verdict on the Rhythm Beads? I think they work. They have definitely calmed Lu down. Lily seems laid back when she is wearing them. And I have before and after Videos of Charlie going from wild to calm after I put them on. So I have been busy making Rhythm Beads for all our ponies. At the very least, when they are wearing them, they will understand they are working, and at the very most, the bells will distract them from scary monsters, and soothe them into a rhythm and calmness. These Rhythm beads were first used by Native American Indians....and what they don't know about horses isn't worth knowing!
I am starting to make these bead necklaces for sale on Ebay #theriverrat66 and Etsy Suffolkbeachcombers.
Yes its here at last!!! The Top Barn Challenge 2020 began today. Woohoo. For those that were not following our blog last year....This is what its all about.
Top Barn is a centre in The Cotswolds that holds a Facebook Challenge every year. There are a number of levels to join depending on how many hours you can achieve each week. Bronze level is only 3 hours a week. Silver 5, Gold 7 and Platinum 10. There are also Mini Challenges to achieve. The amount of Mini Challenges depends on the Level picked. The Mini Challenges for Groundwork include things like 'Pick up All Four Feet From one side', and 'Back into a Stable'. This year there are also Plus Levels. For instance Bronze Plus. Each week a surprise Challenge will be issued for the Plus-ers. This Challenge lasts for 12 weeks.
I did the Bronze Challenge with Charlie last year. We had a heap of fun. The group is one of the nicest on Facebook, with everyone encouraging each other. The main object is to challenge yourself. Its all too easy to do nothing with your horse in the Winter months. So this is mega motivation. And working through the Mini Challenges is basically a self challenge.
And so this year I am doing the Bronze Plus challenge with both Charlie and Lily. Thats 3 hours each a week. Meanwhile Jo is doing Bronze Plus with Lulu. I will be videoing everything, and posting on my YouTube channel weekly, so keep your eyes peeled....or subscribe to my channel so you don't miss it (its free!!).
So Day One today. We started well. I started this morning with Charlie. As I have been reading up on The 100 Mile Challenge (which involves walking 100 miles with your horse to gain trust and a bond), we went for a walk. There is no way I can cover a 100 miles with my lungs, but the general idea is there. You start in places that your horse is comfortable in. So we went for a half hour walk round the Farm.....in fields Charlie has grazed in. Ok so it was windy and the mares were yelling but it was like flying a Cobby Kite. I was very impressed with the 'Airs Above The Ground' Stuff!!! Yes my stocky cob is quite capable of doing Caprioles!
After the poo picking, haying etc, Jo and I got Lu and Lily in. Lu had a lunge session and Lily had a tidy up, and a play with a very scary football. As Lil's tidy up doesn't count all three ponies clocked up 30 minutes each today.
You may notice Lu has a jangly necklace on. These are called Rhythm Beads.Its basically a necklace made of beads and bells. Rhythm beads are an ancient Native American tradition. They supposedly help the horse by minimizing distractions as the horse focuses on the bells rather than spooky situations. We shall see in time if this works....but its a great idea to let the horse know it is at work. Like a guide dog in its harness. When I worked at the RDA we had special neck straps that had handles on. Not only did this give the rider a hand-hold when needed, the horses also learned when they were wearing them they were at work.
