Top Barn Challenge - Week 2 and 3

 Well our Top Barn Challenge is going great guns (touch wood), (Well touch anything wood like, Formica, plastic that looks like wood, chipboard, that horrible wood chip wall paper!!).

After having 2 weeks of Fence related incidents, we though 'What the Hell, lets start Week 3 with a little bit of Fencing'. We wanted to move the ponies over to the other side of the 4 Acre.  Apart from Lu getting impatient with the slowness of the move, and going under and through the fence midway through the moving, there was no drama.  Does that count as going under something??

In week Two while I was busy getting Charlie to drag a branch whilst in harness (which he had only worn once before), Lu ejected Jo with some force, while freaking out over a swinging Barn Door. Jo hung on to Lu, and cut her finger quite badly in the process. I don't do human blood, but managed to hand her a plaster. Nurse Ratchet at your service!!!!  Not to be put off by such things, Jo was up on Lu the next day.  This is the power of THE CHALLENGE!

Charlie and I practiced Long Reining in tack, Clicker Training with the Clippers and a solo walk out in hand down the lane.  We met a dog . In a Fluorescent Jacket. With a very nice owner. Despite being VERY used to dogs, this one was obviously different. A DIFFERENT dog in a DIFFERENT place. Out of Comfort Zone. Charlie became 15hh and managed Airs Above The Ground. 

In Week 3 we had very high winds (45mph). Storm Christophe or something. Jo went off riding Lu.  This is something she would never have done before Top Barn 2020!! The effect has rolled over into 2021!!  With Lu gone, Charlie was being a dick, so we had some fun in the Wind, in our 'so called School'. I kind of love the wind (even though it takes my breath away, which is not helpful with Dodgy Lungs).  The child in me wants to play, run wild.  The Child in Charlie wants the same thing. So we ran (well he did, I puffed like the Flying Scotsman), we (he) pinged over jumps.  I was trying to get a nice liberty jump over cross poles to tick off a Mini Challenge, but the Patchy Twat kept jumping Wing. Note to self....Make X pole higher!!!! Still we danced in the Wind together and had FUN!!

On Friday, both Jo and I opted for some Pamper Time.  Lulu LOVES being pampered. Charlie HATES it. He also HATES being tied and pulls back. He has broken more string than I have had hot dinners. And I'm 54, so I've had quite a few hot dinners! Anyway I cross-tied him.  It almost worked.  He only broke one piece of string. But I managed to comb out his mane, tail and feathers, and apply the dreaded Mite Powder. He almost looks cared for!!!  While we were in the Barn, I backed him into a stable, and got the clippers on his withers while he was eating. A major achievement as he normally leaves the county as soon as the Clippers are turned on!

Saturday.....I just casually tacked him up....yeah....and casually half mounted.

Yesterday (Sunday) was really cold. I went off for a walk with Charlie.  Got as far as The 3 Acre Field, and decided to try and write some rude words using the Equilab App. Small things etc!!!!!  Twat and Tit went wrong ( I must work on my T's), but my greatest achievement of the week was.....POO.

See You all in a couple of weeks, when our Mid Challenge Challenge will be revealed.

Top Barn 2020 Challenge Begins And Rhythm Beads.

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.