What a sad start to the day! Returning from filling up with diesel for my trip to Southampton, I saw a lorry hit a cat. Pulled over sharpish and saw her just sitting in the road looking around in a disorientated way. Scooped her up and wrapped her in my jacket and placed her on the passenger seat. Big dillema! Where to find an ememgency vet on bank holiday monday at 6.45am? So I drove to the yard where I checked her over. Apart from shock she had a little blood in the mouth which may have been internal injury but then all her ribs were intact so thought she may have fractured jaw. Then there was the fact she could'nt stand so another fracture possibly pelvis. Luckily she had a collar on with owners number so I rang her and explained what had happened. Of course the poor woman was beside her self and very emotional. Anyway she rang the emergency number before coming to pick up Daisy. Lots of tears but owner and cat reunited and I could be on my way with a clear conscience!
I had some lovely horses and riders doing test riding today. It is a really good way of finding out where the marks are lost and gained. I especially loved the cob with a lady called Vicky riding. Both were so responsive and receptive to help and really upped their percentage. I would be happy to do this with my horse and find out how other judges are thinking! During a conversation with another judge the other day I found that judges are thinking that 7 is a high mark! 7 is fairly good not good! If judges are only using 0 to 7 then something has gone very wrong! 8,9,10 are there to be used! Ok, not willy nilly, but some horses are capable of earning mostly 8s at medium and advanced medium and should get them! Riders that produce these elevated, cadenced and through tests are in a class of their own and should be defined from the rest of us by 10-15 percent. I find I want to compete less and less these days as the scores are so low, what has happened to positive judging? I know I'm no Isobel or should I say Charlotte, but I also know Im not that bad either and neither is my horse. Sigh....rant over...
So after the test riding I drove off to another yard and treated some horses. My job is so satisfying. Starting off with a tense tight horse that has had discomfort for a few weeks and watching him relax as the treatment progresses is so rewarding. If only humans would attend their own back needs as much as they do their horses. It is impossible to ride a horse straight if you are crooked! Which comes first, the chicken or the egg? Does it matter? No, as long as both are straightened up, preferably at the same time, then progress will be made.Its a pity I can't treat myself as I am in desperate need at this moment in time. I will be ringing my mate Alan tomorrow morning first thing!
As I finished on the yard I received a text from Daisys mum. She had indeed fractured her jaw and pelvis but no internal damage, thank goodness. She was operated on in the afternoon and is now stable so fingers crossed for a good recovery.
Whoopi, my 2 year old,is still living out at night much to her disapproval! She really does like her stable and would happily stay in for all but a few hours. She makes it clear that she really does not appreciate being out in all weather by galloping a circle around me and pointedly kicking out! This is despite giving her haylage in the field and having a rug on. I nearly gave in tonight but the weather, although cool is quite clement. Instead I found a warmer rug, one that belonged to Pikeur,and lo and behold it fitted as if made for her! This is rather disconcerting as I really do not want a big horse to ride and shes not 3 yet! There is one concellation, she is not wide.
Roll on next year when she can be backed, I can't wait!
The lorry is due its plate tomorrow so I am praying it passes! Having given me a nervous break down on the way to the show. I had filled up with diesel,(another mortgage needed to do that!) and was on my way but there was no real pull or power. Usually she does 60 without a thought but she was sluggish and then looking at the oil gauge I saw that there was no pressure! Thats all you need when you are on your own with a horse on board. Flicking the gauge got a response and I realised that it was a connection problem ( a bit like horses!) and after a few miles the lorry picked up and was fine again! So if she passes tomorrow it will be great as I have to go and pick up straw on the way back! Oh the joys of owning horses. Every day a day older, is it time to start thinking about hanging up my boots?
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