Rona's blog

Hi Pen how are you? How nice to hear from you! How is lovely Normandy? We are staying in the UK for the summer, and then coming back to France late autumn. We have sold our old house thank goodness and now have the old barn that we converted together with the land and stables - it's going to make life much easier in France. That old house was not easy to live in - always cold in the winter.
My horse life has not been very smooth. As you know I bought Harka way back in August and had great hopes for her. She was lame off and on and then after we got back to the UK she went a little crazy and hurt herself. I gave her three months off and started her back in work. She has been a difficult horse - I am beginning to get the impression she won't be completely happy until she has me on the floor! There is something calculating in the way she sizes up her surroundings and makes sure she is in sight of home before she throws in a big spin and drops her shoulder. Sometimes I end up in the middle of crop fields, not sure how I got there!! She did a nasty one on the road the other day and I was worried about going down. She has not dislodged me yet and is upping her game - fly bucking the other day. I have learnt if I put on a neck strap and hunch over her withers with my leg on tight, I can usually take what she throws at me. I have had a young girl ride her for me but it's expensive. But things are hopefully going to get better. From tomorrow she is living out 24 hours and I am separating her from her mare friend as they are always in season together. Now there is grass she is going off her nuts and going onto chaff only. But had some good news - an acquaintance of mine who has done horse trials has agreed to take her on and try her out at hunter/horse trials. It might be just what she needs to calm her down and get her head in the right place.
God sorry pen, I have really gone off a bit!!! Wish you were here to ride out with!!!
Am looking around for a new horse now - A GELDING!!!!! Maybe get some luck next time.
How are your horses? What are you up to?.

Okay okay you lovely people, I know I have been going on a bit, but actually I think/hope this might be an example about what can happen when you take on a new horse, or mare rather, and why it is probably worthwhile sticking at it. I have had a difficult time with Harka but my nerve held longer than her naughty behaviour thank goodness, and now we are finally in love. She is still best left in the field when she is in season, but she has turned into the most beautiful, glossy, deep liver coloured creature - much admired for her looks - much admired by me for her courage over difficult ground. She is still jolly spooky but has not done that spin, drop the shoulder bit for a while and although she sometimes feels like a volcano about to bolt, I have learnt to jump off before she takes off and we get past things, and that feeling is getting less as time goes on. She has totally bonded now and trusts me completely - I can do anything with her on the ground. She always nickers when she sees me and comes to my call. It is very rewarding and just shows, some alpha mares are like a garden - you need to see them through all the seasons to get to know them before trying to do much with them. Thanks to all, especially pen, for your advice with this xx

Hi Rona , I'm glad she's working out for you , sounds like you have had a rather too exciting time   I'm getting out on Mandoline a fair bit lately and I have time to prune the overhanging branches on route and if we meet someone on foot she would 'chat ' all day    so I have to ride her if we are to get anywhere while getting her fit again
Enjoy the sun everyone   less so the flies

How lovely to hear that everything is turning round for you and Harka.   It can often be the most difficult starts that end with the closest bond (especially with mares)  
I think it can take up to two years to really get to know your horse or to be more precise for you horse to know you.  

keep it up rona  

penny xx

Thanks pen xxx

Hi Rona, not been on here for ages, couldn't believe I was reading about Harka in your posts  , it didn't sound like it could be the same mare as she was always a complete angel when I rode her at her previous owners - else I wouldn't have ever clambered onto that big old mare   !  Anyway, glad to hear that you've turned the corner with her, I too think that you can form really deep bonds with mares, I love them & their quirks  !  Can you post a pic of her, would love to see how she's gleaming, love chestnuts!!

Lovely to hear from you lula - how are you? Harka is a completely different horse from the one I saw in Brittany. She was in the wrong skin for ages when I got her; she just couldn't cope with the change to Normandy and then to the UK. She was all over the place both under saddle and in the field and as a result kept hurting herself and had to have four months off (I think she must have pulled a muscle in her shoulder). Once we sorted that out as well as her teeth, jabs, saddle, bridle (she can't abide a browband), bit, nose muzzle in the Spring to stop the pollen and her headshaking, and I had had back and hock checks, physio and equine massage, she is finally happy and settling well. It's only taken 9 months! Also she is a beauty. She is a rich liver colour and gleams; an aristocrat all over with her beautiful head and I am proud of her - she really does turn heads If you are ever in West Sussex you must visit and meanwhile I will sort out a photo. Here you are rehoming your baby - how's that going?

Won't you bring Harka with you when you come back to France rona? We could organise a visit.  

pen

Oh yes I wouldn't leave my darlings behind but it would have to be long enough to make the cost worth it - ie two months or so

What d'ya reckon then lula?? can we come and see you rona?

pen x

 

Hey that would be good! You could bring Tzar and try out our long distance tracks!!!! Perhaps we could ride from us to you? :cowboy2:We can ride to the Mont St Michel from here okay. Got to get fit first though pen

Wow what a journey you've been along with Harka, am soo glad she's ok now!  Yes would love to come & see Harka when you're over, when you get here let me know & I'll see if I can escape for a day (You're a long way from me!).
Hoping to have loaned Amirah for the summer, get some miles under her belt then maybe she'll be ok for me later on, don't really want to part with her as she's special!

I'm thinking that could be a date rona   I'm thinking of organising an over-nighter in the region of Mt. St. Michel  
Like you say, and after two months off, got to get riding fit.
pen  

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Sounds good!!! Here's a very bad photo of Harka taken after riding today. It's dark but they are both in all day in their relatively dark stables as it's the best way to keep the flies away

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Hello Harka, hello Herbie