Computer crash, banana mash

Hey everyone!

My laptop completely crashed this week and won’t launch windows. I can’t find my vista recovery disc and I know it must be around, so am reluctant to buy a new one. Temporarily, I have managed to start it up using a program called Puppy, which Jon put on a cd for me. It is a very simple operating system (although I wish it was simple to use!). It allows you to retrieve your saved files in the event of a crash (If you can find them that is!). I have so far managed to recover over 2000 photos, but all my horsey ones seem to have vanished. I have also not had much luck with my outlook emails and have lost loads of contacts. If you have previously bought a horse from us or have been emailing recently about either about buying or selling a horse then please email me again! I have always been able to receive emails but have no record of email addresses or old messages and want to start a new contacts folder on one of the other computers.

We have had 3 loads of woodchip delivered this week and I have paid for 9 more loads to arrive asap. I cannot wait for our school to be done to enable me to do some proper schooling with the youngsters. I rode Tess in the back field (which is the least wet) this morning, initially she was strong and naughty and did 3 rather massive bucks but after 20 minutes she stared to go beautifully. She has taken quite some getting used to as she only responds if you are very, very light on her mouth and push her into an outline using your seat and legs.

When you learn basic dressage, you are taught to push the horse from your leg into your hand to establish a contact, but in reality not many horses or riders actually do this. I would like to think that most of the time I try to ride correctly but I know that sometimes, when I am on a difficult or strong horse I can find myself using too much hand and not enough leg - which can sometimes result in the horse over-bending or bending incorrectly and not fully engaging it’s hind quarters. Tess absolutely refuses to bend and soften if you try and force her into a shape with your hands. I have learnt by trial and error with her and found that if you keep your hands soft and still and push her with your leg and seat she comes instantly onto the bit and stays there. Like I said above, she has taken some getting used to because although this is the correct way for a horse to work, it unfortunately isn’t the norm with most horses unless they are specifically trained for dressage. I still need to practice more with her before we attempt a dressage test but after today’s session it seems a far more exciting prospect.

I hacked Laudie down the road today and he behaved impeccably - although he was plastered in mud and looked far from impeccable! Laudie, Tess and Ellie all had new shoes on today and were very good for the farrier.

I stabled Mel today and sprayed her sarcoids while she was eating her lunch and she wasn’t bothered by the spray. Sometimes she can be fidgety and doesn’t like them being touched (I think she has bad memories from after they were operated on and were sore and not really because it hurts to be sprayed).

I have bought an ex race horse and a cute dun pony this week, we are collecting the thoroughbred next week, possibly Wednesday and the pony the week after. I have plenty more that I could rattle on about but
won’t, as my 1 year old daughter has taken the opportunity of having only half my attention to smear banana on the sofa. Nice.