Progress has been going well with Ben and he is really taking to life off the track!
The ground has finally dried up, and the horses are now out all day. Ben having been on a race yard for 12 years didn’t really know what to make of all the space, so he ran around, a lot!
This seemed to take a toll on his energy levels, and most days in the afternoon I will catch him having a nap, he has even spent a few nights out, but I am certainly not complaining, as it seems to be taking the ‘spring grass’ feeling out of him!
We had been doing tonnes of schooling, really mixing it up with transitions and pole work and he now feels less of a coiled spring and more like a horse, even offering some long and low work to help build up his non existence top line. Being an older horse I have noticed that carrot stretches have been a crucial part of keeping him supple, so are now part of our daily morning routine.
We went and did Intro B at the end of March and he was foot perfect, didn’t get at all hot in the warm up and wasn’t bothered by the environment, meaning we got a nice 4th, which I am super pleased with. His canter at home is gradually getting less excitable and is really balanced when he settles so hopefully a prelim will be on the cards soon.
I have also taken him out jumping a couple of times, and he is really calm and enthusiastic, even in a large open field. It’s lovely to feel that nice big open stride and being carried into fences.
We have little in the way of finesse yet, but certainly having lots of fun… when we can keep shoes on!
As I write this, the weather is unseasonably hot, which brings new challenges in caring for the horses. Diva, Mabel and Flo have been turned out 24/7 since the overnight temperatures became mild.
Bob decided to give me a fright and day of worry in the last week. We moved the horses to their other summer paddock which had started to grow a bit crazy.
Both Florence and I have our birthdays on the 2nd of May, and it’s hard to believe my tiny foal is now a strapping seven-year-old. I’m not saying what my age is!
I have honestly done absolutely nothing, but go to work Monday - Friday, working insanely long hours, and then not leave my house Saturday and Sunday! Fortunately there is still so much work to do around the yard, and I am incredibly lucky to have my horses at home!