It’s here, 2024, with a rising four-year-old on my hands, ready to be ridden away! I have patiently waited three and a half years for this!
I lightly backed Django last year (best moment ever), but sadly only at the end of the year due to him not being physically ready. So I only got as far as sitting on him, doing lots of walking and a couple of light jogs before turning him away for winter and allowing him time to develop.
Frustratingly, with what feels like rain since before the dawn of time, I have been unable to finish my arena. With my total lack of knowledge of breaking a horse Western, no facilities and very little help around, as I keep the horses at home, it made sense for me to start looking for schooling livery.
Django is now booked in for four to six weeks, where I will be visiting every weekend, so I can be a major part of his schooling, learn the very basics with him, bring him home and continue his education. I will also keep having lessons on schoolmasters in the meantime to keep learning as much as I can about this discipline. I will spend the next two weeks getting Django long reining in his tack, and lightly sat on, so he is ready to go.
I have to admit, despite knowing he is going to a very experienced yard, and I will be visiting every week, this will be the longest I have been away from him and it definitely feels a little odd. But I also know that it is OK to ask for help sometimes, to give myself and Django the best possible ridden start together.
We’ve been a bit quieter the past week or so, as I’ve been tied up with visiting my mum more as she’s unwell and having to go into hospital for an operation. As much as I’ve tried, with all the worry and stress I just haven’t been able to muster up much energy to ride.
I know I’m biased, but I don’t think I’ve ever found such a funny duo as my two boys. They actually make me belly laugh sometimes with the mischief they get up to when they are together.
After a nice winter break, I have finally brought Arnie back into a level of consistent work, and I am so pleased with how nicely he’s going. I really do believe in winter breaks, especially when they are that bit younger, and this one has really done him the world of good.
I really do love the retraining of racehorses. They are so smart and quick to learn new things. As Barqi is only four years old, he will pick up a new way of life very quickly.