Life has been pretty busy since my last post, in January 2024! Where has the time gone?!
My first winter running the yard with a baby was quite the reality check. Turning the horses out before my husband went to work, then timing naps around mucking out and bringing in, as well as the inevitable colds/flu/bugs that always seem to arrive at the most inconvenient times! We certainly couldn’t have managed without our wonderful parents’ support.
2024 saw the addition of the jumping paddock, with a full course of show jumps and a dressage on grass arena, complete with white boards. Schooling liveries came and went, giving me plenty of time back in the saddle seeing as I didn’t have a horse of my own. Speaking of which…
It will come as no surprise that on 1st June 2024, Honey’s 3rd birthday, I decided to buy her.. I told James it was short term, with the intention to sell her once she was backed and riding away, but I’m yet to sell a horse I’ve bought, so who knows? (Well, we all do. She’s not going anywhere anytime soon!)
In September 2024, I welcomed my first full liveries, Nicole and her beautiful boys Bunny and Leo. Then, in February this year, Darren and the lovely Dinky also joined us. Some may think I’m mad for wanting to be on the yard 7 days a week, but this is the job I’ve always dreamed of. Although the odd day off is nice now and again!
Talking of madness, in June this year, we welcome our second baby boy. That meant another nine months of no riding and back to planning yard work around naps! I wasn’t back on board quite as quickly this time though; I waited 7 whole weeks!
Although I wasn’t riding, I did spend the first half of the year doing plenty of groundwork with Honey. She’s come on in leaps and bounds this year, and is almost at a place where she’s ready to start under saddle. Her attitude towards people is unrecognisable to when she first arrived two years ago. We’ve had a bit and bridle fitted, as well as a saddle last month, however, I’m going to work on lots more groundwork this winter, before starting the backing process next spring. I’m so excited to finally sit behind those little ears, but I’m also really enjoying spending time with her on the ground.
With the weather positively tropical for this time of year, the horses are all still out 24/7. I’m sure it’ll turn in the next few weeks and they’ll start coming in overnight. There are a few new arrivals due this month: a new pony for a current livery, a new part livery and a new schooling livery, so this winter will undoubtedly be a busy one! I thrive off routine, so I’m actually looking forward to winter’s schedule.
Wow, almost two year’s worth of ramblings in one post. Who knows when the next update will be? Probably not anytime soon with winter around the corner!
Sadie in the Saddle 