Finally a ride!

I finally got to ride today. The ground is still very boggey and slippery so I took Sam across the road to the reserve for a walk around. He was very well behaved. I made sure I had breaks using my seat and checked that I was able to move him side to side using my legs - all systems go! We had a lovely explore for about 40min. I am so lucky I have a horse who enjoys exploring new areas. He ears were pricked and he had reasonably low head carriage and a lovely active swinging walk. I asked for a trot up a hill and that was a little too much effort but he did give it too me. I didn't want to do too much due to the ground but it was lovely finally being back on and enjoying it!!!

I think Sam enjoyed it too getting out and seeing new things.

Gus did finally get settle down when we left so hopefully he will get used to Sam going and not carry on each time.

Photos soon I promise!!!!!

NO TIME

Unfortunately with work and rain and setting up out new home I just haven't had time to work Sam. Last Sunday I did get a chance to lunge him and he went very well. I was really hoping to ride this weekend but it looks like rain so that will count us out. I think we are mostly clay based so the place is very slippery. Sam seems fat and happy and loves being able to graze all day everyday. My feed bill has decreased dramatically which is awesome.

The rain will allow me to spray the weeds out the front and then I will be able to get the ground ripped and sown with something for spring and summer. I am still chatting with the gentleman who will be doing the shelter with exactly what I want and can afford but I am still hoping it will be up by the end of June. We have changed where the tack up/wash bay area is going to be and that will need a roof over it as well so I think the arena will have to wait until next year - that ok I am very content with what I have.

We were given a lovely house warming present last Sunday. His name is Wilbur. He is 3 months old has a black glossy coat and is already running riot in our household.

I haven't got any really good photos yet so this will have to do for now. He is certainly making himself at home and Jack is learning to deal with having a little black creature having the run of the house. At first he was petrified of Wilbur but is now standing up to him a little more.

Time for bed for me and hoping I will get to spend some form of time with Super Sam.

Some more pictures!!!!!

This is Scott and Jack sitting on the back steps of our new home enjoying the morning sun!

Sam having a munch back at the agistment place

I am no good at pulling manes and this is the awful job I did to Sam's mane!!!!! Lucky I have a lovely friend - Jodi who will try and fix it!!!!!!!

Some Pictures

Sam checking out his new digs

Gull - New kid on the block

Gull polishing off his dinner

We're In!!!!

WE'RE IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday morning after the removalists had finished packing up our house I headed out to get Sam. I let him out for a pick while I finished packing the car, hooking the float up and cleaned his paddock. Jodi was going to come and help me load but I thought I would give it a go myself. I got everything ready caught Sam and headed over to the float. He walked straight in, stood a moment and then backed out. I asked him walk up again and up he went he stood still while I fumbled around with the rump bar. Once I got that done up Sam was still standing quietly so I put the ramp up, tied him up in the front and hit the road!

The trip was uneventful - which is a good thing. I was even relaxed enough to stop and pick up a loaf of bread on the way! When we arrived Sam unloaded splendidly. He stood still until I asked him to back out and he backed out slowly. I was so proud of him! He calmly took in his new surrounds and I took him around to the back paddock. It is about 2.5 acres where I let him go to explore and munch. He wandered around at a walk for a bit before he started to call out and trot and canter. Not much I could do but let him settled down himself. He soon semi settled but wouldn't stop walking around the paddock. Dinner time he did eat all his dinner and I locked him up in a smaller yard for the night. In the morning I let him back out and he started the walking around again.

A friend from work bought over one of her horses to keep Sam company so we now have Gull or also known as Mr Stumpy. He is a 15.3hh, 16yo Thoroughbred gelding. He seems like a friendly fellow and the meeting of Gull and Sam was also uneventful. Gull has settled in well and Sam follows him around like a bad smell. Gull is the boss, already pushing Sam away from his feed. We will just have to feel them separately but that's ok.

I am having trouble posting pictures so as soon as I can I will post pictures of Gull, Sam checking out his new digs and the cottage!

A sound pony and the big move!!!!!!

Sam has had a week off with turn out time being slowly increased. All looks good! I rode on Sunday afternoon and he was sound during the ride and yesterday so I believe all is healed. When I rode on Sunday I did some work in the round yard first and then we headed out to the large riding area. This time I rode in a halter only out in the large riding area. This is something I have wanted to achieve since having Sam at this agistment place. Now that he is so responsive to moving off your leg I feel I have more control about where we are going. We walk, trot and canted around all smooth, rhythmical, controlled, just lovely. I was also able to ask for him to come back to a halt from the canter using only my seat!!!!! How awesome is that! OK it wasn't in like 3 strides more like 10 but it is a start! It was a lovely last ride to have. I think Sam enjoyed it as well. Ears forward and I didn't notice any teeth grinding at all!

The big move happens today. We set up Sam's yard at the our new place on the weekend with electric tape and today the removalists take all our furniture out there and unpack for us. When they finish packing up I will go and load up Sam with Jodi's help and then head out. Scott is already out there today as he is helping to concrete my tack/feed shed!!!!!!! It should be ready to use on Friday/Saturday. I am planning on having the house unpacked by tomorrow sometime as I have to go back to work on Thursday.

Annette who I work with on the odd Saturday has offered me a horse to help keep Sam company until we find Scott a horse of his own.

All very exciting!!!!!!!!!!! When we are set up I will take photos to show you all our new home and Sam's new home!

http://www.farpoint.com.au/ This is who I am thinking to get to build my stables. I would be looking at the double shelter, I don't need to 'stable' them, that part is only really if I have an injury but I would like somewhere for them to get out of the weather. I think it should be big enough for two horses to fit in comfortably with room to move. I am going to get a quote for a 8m x 4m one as well. I was thinking 10m x 5m which would give me 5m x 5m stable but I think it may be a little too large. Too many choices!!!!!!! I would like to have them up by the end of June if possible!

I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another week off I think

I am going to give Sam the week off I think. This morning the fetlock was up ever so slightly. I think maybe if I give him just that little bit more time off it should be all good to go by the weekend. I am going to give him a few hours of turnout time in the morning. My OH can bring him in around midday for me, just enough time to fill his belly before play drive kicks in! Other than that he is still in very good spirits just getting a little bored I think.