The 12 days of Christmas...2014 memories. The 7th day of Christmas

When thinking of what I could do for this years "12 days of Christmas" theme on my blog, Mark and I came up with several ideas for what you guys as readers would enjoy reading and what would seem dull.

In previous years I've focused on products that I would recommend using on your equine and canine friends, and the posts have always been well received. However, this year it's safe to say my blog has taken a very different approach. Ceaser's fan base has gotten considerably larger in comparison to previous years, and with the new addition, Ziggy, people seem to be coming to me to find out just how that loveable grey is getting on. Add this to the surprise Mark and I have coming up for you on the 13th December and we decided why not do a post every other day where I pick a favourite photo that means something to me and reflect on the memories I gained from it.

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me: "Light at the end of the tunnel!"

Ziggy jumping up the bank at Cross-Country. The beginning of Summer.

This photo means a heck of a lot to me. For some reason I had turned dare devil overnight and decided to take Ziggy out somewhere for the first time. Without much thought we decided to take him to a cross-country course, because that's where everyone takes their baby horses the first ever time they leave the yard. Right?

I was really looking forward to taking him out and showing him off but at the same time so nervous about how he would react in different surroundings and if it would all just upset him again. As we pulled him off the lorry he just stood like a little lamb that had been doing things like this all his life! Although the plan hadn't been to get on straight away, Ziggy was showing no signs of nervousness so I hopped on and off we went around the course!

Ziggy was an angel throughout the whole morning, he trotted through the water jump, popped small logs and even cantered up and down this bank quite happily. He quite literally took everything in his stride and I couldn't have been prouder of him.

Just remember, if things seems difficult or way out of your reach today, it doesn't mean they will be like that tomorrow or next week. Take a step back and a big deep breath, then plan how you're going to master your demons and make everything how you want it to be. Ziggy came to me a frightened pony that you couldn't get on, let alone sit on. He's now happily walk, trot and cantering under saddle and loves popping fences. I've done nothing more than keep reminding myself that it's all hard work and perseverance that has got us this far.

Just because you didn't achieve something this summer it doesn't mean you can't or won't be able to next summer. Make small changes to help you achieve your goals, it might only need to be something small but it can make a huge difference.

I never thought that after rescuing Ziggy in March we would be achieving something like this so soon, but it really does reiterate for me what a fabulous pony I have.

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The 12 days of Christmas...2014 memories. The 6th day of Christmas

When thinking of what I could do for this years "12 days of Christmas" theme on my blog, Mark and I came up with several ideas for what you guys as readers would enjoy reading and what would seem dull.

In previous years I've focused on products that I would recommend using on your equine and canine friends, and the posts have always been well received. However, this year it's safe to say my blog has taken a very different approach. Ceaser's fan base has gotten considerably larger in comparison to previous years, and with the new addition, Ziggy, people seem to be coming to me to find out just how that loveable grey is getting on. Add this to the surprise Mark and I have coming up for you on the 13th December and we decided why not do a post every other day where I pick a favourite photo that means something to me and reflect on the memories I gained from it.

On the Sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me: "No you're not stupid!"

Firstly, I want to apologise for my lack of posts last week. Unfortunately I was hit with the flu bug and once again ended up in hospital with sinusitis. Anyway, I'm on the mend now thankfully and starting to feel more human again!

May - BD Senior Camp. Ceaser loving the posh life!

This photo signals lots of happy memories for me, but also some memories I'd rather not relive! It was the weekend of the British Dressage Northern Region Senior Camp and Mark and I had looked forward to taking our new lorry away for weeks. We had got a tent and were all ready for a weekend of camping.

The first night I was really apprehensive about meeting everyone and fitting in but everyone was super lovely and Mark ended up getting rather merry on too much wine with a friends Mum. On our way into the tent he fell over the guide-rope and didn't realise at the time he had pulled it out the ground.

That night we had some of the heaviest winds we had experienced all winter and spring, along with awful rain. Needless to say at 3am in the morning I was woken up by an almighty bang with what was the tent almost falling down one side. Mark blamed it on me, saying I hadn't put the tent up that side properly, but I can promise you now - that's the side he fell over! Anyway at 4am he was outside putting the guide ropes back in so we could get some sleep!

No one from camp still lets us forget our tent experience!

I had a fantastic weekend and Ceaser and I both learnt a lot. I went away feeling much more positive than I arrived. The test riding with Andrew Fletcher was brilliant and when he asked me my goals for the summer I felt stupid telling him, until he told me I needed to speak up because they were achievable - especially with ceaser! I don't think I had ever smiled so much as I did that day. We got almost 70% in the Novice test riding and I was thoroughly on cloud 9!

We went home with lots to work on and adamant our plans for 2014 were going to be fulfilled.

So guys, don't forget this week to live a lot, laugh a lot and love a lot. Focus on the good and forget the bad.

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All About That Pace - Ceaser's debut Song!

The Hundleby Equestrian Centre Pony Clubbers were all singing a song on their annual presentation evening, so Mark and I decided to do something too.....and this song was born! 

It's taken weeks, if not months of planning, organising, film shooting, song writing; everything! I was a little apprehensive of whether we would be able to pull it off, but finally - it's done and we aired it last night to the children in a surprise presentation!

In case you're wondering, Ceaser is a 14.2h Dressage pony, and we're always told if he was just a hand bigger he'd be perfect. In our eyes he is perfect and we don't let his size cause any problems when dressaging! He can still do all the required moves for a medium test!

However, it was intended as no more as a bit of Christmas fun. 

Special thanks go to:

- Guy Garrett - vocals and Music
-Mark Ferguson - Video Editing
- Sian 

Of course, not forgetting the gorgeous Ceaser Pony, who this song describes down to a tee! 

So guys, thank you for watching and go ahead and share....BECAUSE YOU KNOW IT'S ALL ABOUT THAT PACE! 

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"Do you ever have a massage?" "Erm.....no actually I don't."

Ceaser is currently having massages every 5 weeks after pulling himself being silly at camp in the Summer. It's been a long (and expensive) road to getting him right again, but I'm finally happy to say that Amy my lovely massage lady thinks we've got it cracked. There wasn't anything particularly wrong but I had just noticed he was sore in his back and began to be reluctant to go forward. After several chats later with Amy we arrived at the conclusion that the day he spent most of the time on two legs, rearing up at his door whilst at camp must have resulted in him pulling something. I know...he gets wound up, my bank balance takes the brunt. But hey, what's an attractive bank balance?

Since then we've been massaging him every 5 weeks, doing various stretches with him, putting the massage pad on daily and various other things. Amy finally thinks we're ready to go a little longer than 5 weeks now which is fabulous news.

I'm a big fan of equine massage therapy and believe that all horses should be checked on a regular basis, especially those on periods of box rest, competition horses and those with previous injuries.

Over 60% of horses body weight is muscle and I believe it's important to look after these. Small injuries can take up to 90 days to become apparent, by which time they may have caused more serious injury.

We put a lot of strain our equines muscles on a day-to-day basis, through road work, jumping, dressage and even working in the arena, so I find it important to help look after them. Equine sports massage can increase the rang of movement and increase and improve circulation as well as much more. It's proven that they can benefit the well being of the animal and aid mental relaxation.

When Ziggy first came to me he was very reluctant to pick his hind legs up and hated to have anywhere behind his saddle touched. It would have been very easy to put this down to being naughty, but upon investigation when I thought something wasn't quite right we found his hind hamstrings to be extremely tight and in constant spasm. After just one session he immediately allowed us to start picking up his hind legs and brush his bum.

Ziggy has now gone from having massages every 3/4 weeks to every 5 weeks, which is great. He now also allows all four feet to be picked up and loves being scratched anywhere.

Sara was also treated to a massage today, which was her first ever. I have noticed in the last month or so her neck had been clicking a lot as she moved and was keen to get it checked out. Thankfully Amy saw nothing immediately wrong and gave her a good check over. She thoroughly enjoyed it and will now have them regularly to keep her feeling fit and healthy. 

Which leads me to....well me! I was telling someone last week about how many massages the ponies get and why, when they abruptly stopped me and said "So, how many times a month do you get a massage?". To which I could reply "well none!". After getting in my car and reflecting back on that moment I thought about all the times I've questioned why Ceaser feels stiff on one rein and sometimes Ziggy is the same. Maybe it's me? So you'll be glad to know, I'm booked in for Monday! Let's hope I'm in as good shape as Ceaser, Sara and Ziggy! Now hang on, I need to move slowly so my back doesn't click when I get up!

If you're interested in having Amy out to your horse then follow the link on the right hand side of my blog. Just click her logo and it'll take you straight to her page! 

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The 12 days of Christmas...2014 memories. The 5th day of Christmas

When thinking of what I could do for this years "12 days of Christmas" theme on my blog, Mark and I came up with several ideas for what you guys as readers would enjoy reading and what would seem dull.

In previous years I've focused on products that I would recommend using on your equine and canine friends, and the posts have always been well received. However, this year it's safe to say my blog has taken a very different approach. Ceaser's fan base has gotten considerably larger in comparison to previous years, and with the new addition, Ziggy, people seem to be coming to me to find out just how that loveable grey is getting on. Add this to the surprise Mark and I have coming up for you on the 13th December and we decided why not do a post every other day where I pick a favourite photo that means something to me and reflect on the memories I gained from it.

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Falling in love all over again! 

March 30th. The moment I allowed myself to love again. Ziggy. 

It's not necessarily this photo that brings back memories for me, because memories with Ziggy are still being created as we haven't been together that long, but it's the day the photo was taken. Ziggy had arrived a few days previously; the same day but just a year later that I had my Dougie put to sleep. 

I honestly thought I'd never get another pony so soon. I told myself I was going to throw all my time into Ceaser and Sara, whom were both already very spoilt, but I wanted to spoil them more. Then, whilst sat at work one day having a flick through Facebook I found an advert for Ziggy and on the spur of the moment I messaged the seller saying I'd transfer the money into his account, when could he deliver. 

The road from there wasn't an easy one. Ziggy wasn't easy and practically unrideable. But, if this photo reminds me of anything its perseverance.  Ziggy taught me that sometimes in life you have to take a step back and look at the bigger picture rather than what's right in front of you at that moment. 

I've got so caught up in trying to make Ziggy perfect too quickly instead of enjoying the here and now with him. I wanted him to be this dressage superstar straight away, when in reality he needed time and I needed it too. I didn't realise in the beginning how poignant Ziggy would be in my life, but he entered it with a bang and the date he arrived meant so much to me. I never thought I could love another pony other than my gang, so soon after Dougie being put to sleep, and I especially didn't want a dapple grey anymore if Granddad wasn't here to share it with me. His favourite colour had always been dapple grey. But, Ziggy came and he's taught me so much in just a short space of time. 

Tonight when you're feeling angry, mad or upset at something then just take a deep breath, take a step back and look at what you've got in life to be grateful for. I'm sure that will be much more significant than what you're upset about.

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The 12 days of Christmas...2014 memories. The 4th day of Christmas

When thinking of what I could do for this years "12 days of Christmas" theme on my blog, Mark and I came up with several ideas for what you guys as readers would enjoy reading and what would seem dull.

In previous years I've focused on products that I would recommend using on your equine and canine friends, and the posts have always been well received. However, this year it's safe to say my blog has taken a very different approach. Ceaser's fan base has gotten considerably larger in comparison to previous years, and with the new addition, Ziggy, people seem to be coming to me to find out just how that loveable grey is getting on. Add this to the surprise Mark and I have coming up for you on the 13th December and we decided why not do a post every other day where I pick a favourite photo that means something to me and reflect on the memories I gained from it.

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Saying good-bye. 

Originally 2013 - Dougie. 

I posted this photo at the beginning of 2014 after finding it on my computer and broke down instantly. It's hard to think that Dougie looked so happy, so content and so...well, yet it was a mere few days later I found him collapsed in the snow unable to get up and breathing heavy. As soon as I walked outside and found him in the snow I knew that very moment signalled the end and it was the beginning of a very long few days. 

I'll always wish I'd done more, I'll always regret some decisions I made and I'll always wish I'd done the inevitable sooner so that it didn't have to end like that, but I believe life takes us on certain journeys on purpose and I believe I was taken along that certain road to pave the way for something else. 

March will always be a hard month for me. It's the month I had to say good-bye to my Dougie after so many months of him being poorly, fighting to make him better, only for him to then get poorly again. I knew that day when I found him on the floor I wasn't going to ask him to get better again for me, it wasn't fair. I looked in his eyes and I knew he wanted to go, he was ready. I'll always be so grateful to Mark for sitting with me for 48 hours solid whilst we sat with Dougie, fed him carrots, stroked his gorgeous head and brushed him so he looked every inch of perfect. But most of all I'll always be grateful to him for allowing me to say good-bye and then allowing me to walk outside, whilst he held Dougie as he took his last breath. It sounds selfish but I couldn't stay, I wanted to remember him breathing and there. 

This photo signals so many happy memories for me. I was off work and I hadn't gone to university because the snow was so bad. I'd decided to take my camera to the yard and turn the horses out so I could capture them playing in the snow. I got so many pretty photos that day, of all the horses. It was the last set of photos I took of Dougie where he looked 'there', and looked like he was enjoying life. I remember him running around so much that day and flicking the snow up as he did. 

Cherish those that you love, because you never know what day will be your last. Kiss those that mean the most to you, hug that special someone or special pet for just that bit longer today. Cherish every moment that makes you smile and capture it all with a camera. Love life. 

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