Due to ill health I haven’t done much recently, but today I had an appointment booked for the saddle to come and fit my boys first saddle, the saddler is going on maternity leave so I couldn’t reschedule 😩 but I’m so glad I didn’t. I have been practicing the head drop exercise and omg what an awesome activity this is. Every time I remove my boys head collar he backs up as a little protest so I have been using the head drop to reassure him, today he did his usual back up so I stopped and asked him drop his head and he did loads of licking and chewing he was so relaxed it took him ages to walk to the school 🤣 He was also happy to be clipped last week so he’s experienced loads in the last week and he was a superstar

✨ There’s this moment with young horses that catches a lot of people off guard where in the beginning they feel soft, willing, almost like…“wow this is easy.” They try, they follow, they don’t question much, and then one day…they do. Not in a bad way and not because they’ve suddenly turned into a “problem horse.” But because they’re starting to understand their world a little more. They realize they have options. They realize pressure can be avoided, or delayed, or questioned. They realize…you’re not actually in their head. And this is the point where people often say “He’s getting cheeky” “She’s being difficult” “He’s changed” But really…this is just a young horse starting to get getting wise. And honestly it's not a bad thing. Because a horse that starts to think is a horse that can learn properly, but only if we meet them there with understanding, not frustration because it can go south pretty quickly and the horses dignity is very questionable. 👉 In my world of horse training, we start horses, we don’t break them in and that matters more than people realize. Because in many cases (not all), to “break” a horse does exactly what it says - it shuts them down, it takes away the try, the curiosity, the personality. Not all, but most. Starting a horse is something completely different. It’s a process and one that takes time…so what you build becomes something permanent, something you can come back to, something that actually gets better over time instead of falling apart under pressure. And this “wise phase”…is part of that process coz it's where the holes show up and it's where your consistency gets tested. It's also where your young horse asks, in their own unique way. “Do you really mean this?” “Is this always the answer?” “Can I trust this?” If you rush it here, you will lose something. If you get frustrated, you dull them. If you overpower them, you might get control…but you lose the conversation. But if you stay clear, consistent, and fair, this is where everything locks in.

Am I the only one who sometimes adds interest on a situation that may not even occur with our horses????😂 I am sure I have got worse overthinking with my age😅 I have new farrier later teatime today.... it's only her 2nd time with my boys so early days getting to know her. She was super lovely though and I feel positive with her calm kind mannerism👌🏻🙂 However... I am already pre thinking as it's windy today... and they are hungry...so trying to pre-empt any scenario that I foresee occurring! I know I add interest on my anxieties and I tell myself off for getting anxious, but I do wonder if your the same sometimes with situations we have to manage??? Todays prep: ( I am in complete "getting good" zone lol 😍) - Ensure they are calm - Breathing excercises - Ensure they are fed and happy - Choose surrounding safe area as I am in the top field so it will be in there - Prepare feet-its been wet/muddy - Do some standing practice - BREATHE again lol☺️ - Reward afterward a successful farrier session Will update you all later... 🤠

A reminder for us all...my horses shape changes all the time, so I always keep a good relationship with the Derbyshire Saddle fitter😍🤠🐴 Proper saddle fitting is essential for ensuring horse welfare, comfort, and performance while allowing the rider to maintain a secure, balanced seat. An ill-fitting saddle can cause severe back pain, muscle atrophy, and behavioral issues, while a proper fit distributes weight evenly, encourages freedom of movement, and prevents injury. London College of Animal Osteopathy +4 Key Reasons for Proper Saddle Fitting: - Horse Health & Comfort: A well-fitted saddle prevents pressure points on the spine, withers, and shoulders, allowing the horse to work freely and comfortably. - Performance & Muscular Development: It encourages proper engagement of the back muscles, enabling the horse to develop a strong topline and preventing long-term damage or lameness. - Rider Stability & Safety: A proper fit allows the rider to sit in the center of the seat, facilitating effective communication with the horse without having to fight against the saddle for balance. - Dynamic Changes: Because a horse's shape changes throughout the year due to fitness, age, and weight, it is crucial to have the fit checked by a professional every 6 months to adjust for muscle development or atrophy. - Preventing Behavioral Issues: A poorly fitted saddle is often the cause of bucking, rearing, biting, or refusing to work, as the horse acts out due to pain! Hope this post helps remind us🤠🐴

...of course and depending on where and how you keep your horses, there can be financial costs including livery fees, feed, farriers, vets, equipment, lessons, travel…the list is long. Some setups make life easier, others make it heavier, but wherever your horse lives, there is always an investment involved. And then there’s the time. The early mornings, the late evenings, the muddy boots, the frozen fingers, the broken fence posts and the days when you planned to ride but ended up doing maintenance instead. Showing up even when you’re tired, learning even when it’s uncomfortable, looking honestly at what’s not working and deciding to improve it rather than ignoring it. 👉 But there’s another cost we don’t talk about much and that is that sometimes it’s how people treat you when you decide you actually want to get good. Not just dabble, not just go through the motions, but really learn. The moment you start taking horsemanship seriously, things can change and not always feeling for the better. Some people become supportive and well, others…not so much. You may hear comments. Get unsolicited advice. Be questioned. Be told you’re overthinking things. Or that you’re doing too much, too little etc. Sometimes the people who were comfortable with you before, become uncomfortable when you start to grow. Not because you’re doing something wrong - but because growth can be confronting (for them). For me personally it has been some of the lonelist times of my life. But then I only had to look at them, my beautiful darlings and immediately thought nah, and quite literally have always found the courage thankfully, and carried on. Big thanks to my amazing husband for this. So yes, getting good with horses comes with a cost - financially, energetically and sometimes socially too, but here’s the beautiful part, the return on that investment is incredible. The quiet breakthroughs, the moments when your horse truly understands you, the growing calmness, the trust that starts to show up in their eyes, oh my goodness, it is so worth it.