Horse riders on the road

Driving at peak time at 5.30pm, to go to the yard, I came across a rider on a nice big bay horse, wearing no hat or any hi-viz wear. You may think "so what, mind your own business busy body". Quite honestly, I am a 'so what, don't care type'. But this incidence made me think "oh my god, what a totally irresponsible horse rider". I was really aggravated for all horse riders, seeing this rider. That sort lets the responsible horse riders down.

The road in question is a notorious country side road, that has a very fast national speed limit.It is fast all day long, busy and bad at peak times.

I just can't believe a horse rider would CHOOSE to take their horse out on a busy fast road like that, at 5.30pm peak time. Even more shocking was she wasn't wearing a hat! I personally wouldn't dream of taking my horses out at that time, in fact, I often weigh up if I will be back plenty of time ahead of work traffic to hack out at all. Not only do I not want to be a hindrance to the road users, I don't want an unpredictable accident to happen. After all, your super duper bomb proof horse, can have an off day.

I am also one of them that thinks no horse rider should be on the road without taking lessons in riding and road safety and/or, taking the riding and road safety certificate. It always baffles me that any age or any experienced rider, can take a big sturdy animal like the horse, on to roads, let alone busy ones. If it's compulsory for young motorbike riders to take a CBT course before they're allowed on the road on a scooter, then why aren't horse riders having a compulsory test before they take a horse on the road? A horse  in general will undergo similar moves to that of a scooter when it comes to road manners and use of the highway code?

I have edited my certificate, to protect copyright

I'm one that is quite against that typical horse persons argument, "we were here first" "horses were here before cars" and so on. I, like many, should have moved with the times by now. There is a time and place for horses and it's not on busy fast roads, at busy peak times. As riders, we should learn to share the roads and do it responsibly.The world has moved on in many ways, we can not justify having horses on roads like we do, since the motorcar has taken over massively since post second world war.

Yes, I know, some riders don't have a choice but to ride on the roads if they have lack of facilities, however, they do have a choice on WHEN to take that horse out.
I love hacking. It's super for the horse, for their fitness,bonding time with it's rider and for their psychological state. It's also nice for the rider to relax, bond, enjoy your surroundings, thinking time away from the 'real world'. We have hacked for hours and hacked for miles but we always choose the right sort of horse friendly time to do so. As well as pick an area to do it, if you are lucky enough.

So please, wear a hat, wear some hi-viz no matter what time of day it is, just so cars can see you in advance and please, choose your time to hack out, to suit the other road users too.

On the horsey front, i've been excited these past couple of days. I've finally found a Equitrek Trailer and have done a sort of deal for it. We go to look at it tomorrow, like usual, because I am a spoilt brat if all goes well, we will be having it. I've waited long enough for one under £4000. It's the model we are after the Sport with living, witwoo, can't wait, but as always, will be going with a business money head and not a fluffy can't wait head. We will know tomorrow if we will own this one or not. This is it:

We have other good news, I'm not going to say too much because I don't want to jinx it. But i'm looking at a place to put the horses,if all goes well, I intend to rent it as a whole on contract. We visit the place at the weekend. I'm not getting too excited, I have learnt not to when it comes to plots, houses and yards. However, my hubby gave me fabulous news, that we can, in a year or so, consider buying another plot of land.We all know though, anything can happen. I'm going to take each day at a time.

The Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre is having an open day, see below;

https://www.facebook.com/events/441612422595733/

Annual Open Day

9 June at 11:00

Whinney Hill, Aughton Road, LA2 6PQ Halton, Lancashire, United Kingdom

Why not take the family along to a country fair held at Myerscough College, see below;

Myerscough College Open Day and Country Fair 2013

Myerscough Open Day 2013 Admit One Vehicle 
£12.00 

Secure payment with Barclays

On Sunday 09 June 2013 , 10:00am - 5:00pm

Sunday 9th June 2013
10am - 5pm
Open Day and
Wyre Tourism Awards “Event of the Year”
ONLY
£15
ADMISSION
PER CAR

Rivington Hill - Pike Lancashire

Flying the flag for Lee  xx RIP xx

The hubby, and I, had a fabulous walk out around and to the top of, Rivington Pike, Lancashire. We also took our dog for the day out. It was my first time visiting the area for a walk so I was quite taken aback when the hubby drove near to the Reebok footy ground. I've been to that ground plenty of times but never realised there was such a beautiful place to visit near by.

May 2013

Rivington Pike, is an easy hill to walk up and an easy place to walk around. You can take all members of the family .There are various options available for various peaks of walker, you don't even have to walk to the top of the hill to enjoy this walk and scenery. You could just walk along the flat areas and take a picnic to take in the stunning views.Sadly the top of the hill will probably not be attainable for them with a mobility disability, but they can enjoy all the other walking pathways. So, other than the top of the hill, it is suitable for all including them with a disability and young children that may tire easily. It's 2am so my descriptions will probably short and sweet, will proof read one day , like usual, i'm going to apologise in advance,wink wink.

The day we went was so warm, it was like a long awaited summers day.It made you excited for the summer ahead. We now know summer is pretty much short lived already,we haven't had much sunshine since our trip two weeks ago. However, I can't complain.The glorious weather brought out hundreds of people to the Pike that day. I couldn't believe how many families and dogs- for that matter, were out and about . We also visited the barn to buy a drink (coca cola) and there were loads of bikers too, so that was exciting (motorbikes).

Hubby chops

It was a great all round walk and I'm glad we visited. We also saw two older riders on two bay horses. I thought what a lovely ride on such a lovely day in such lovely surroundings.....mmmmmm think I like the word 'lovely' :) . The hubby referred to them as we walked by and said "i could do that on Alfie", me as usual thought , yeeessssss, he could and thought, 'oh, maybe I can get myself a Warmblood and he can take over Alfie' ha ha. It was a nice thought, but I carried on walking and got out of my daydream in a split second and laughed it off ha. I nearly forgot to mention, that the place is perfect for mountain bikers, we saw loads!! The terrain is interesting, exerting and thrilling for them that like biking! The hubby wants to try that next..... rolling my eyes here lol.

I was proud of our dog. He walked for miles with us and was a good boy to all the other dogs coming up to him and saying hello. I did think 'oh no', this is going to be hard work as he isn't a friendly sociable type, but I suppose he does switch off to his own mode and stuffs what's around him. I think every dog owner had the same idea on the day, every where you looked there was a dog in tow. I was very proud of the mutt. With him being black and fluffy and walking for miles on a hot day, he drank loads all the way up and down. He looked a spoilt brat too because he looked like the only one? or one of a few perhaps (but I didn't see others? that had water at hand. I always take plenty of water for him and his own bowl on various walks lol.

The walkers, families and dogs also walking and enjoying the day,were so very pleasant. Lovely and civilised, many greeting you as you walked past, how nice eh.

Going half way up to where all the stone work is that belonged to the property, you see such stunning views over the Rivington valley. So calm and peaceful, it is worth having such a nice vision to take away with you as a memory.

What is enjoyable about the walk then the trek up to the hill, is it is an easy manageable walk. It is worth the trek to the top of the steps, for the surreal atmosphere joining the others that have made it, and of course, the wonderful views.

At the top, there were hundreds of people and dogs

At the top

Me and our mutt

I highly recommend this walk to anyone that is visiting Lancashire on a nice day. The tips I will give you are ;

1/ Remember which route you took. This is because we took the wrong route back down and went down a steeper way. This route wont be too good for children, or silly dogs you can break your neck over. Not good with a strong dog pulling you down stone steep steps like mine. Yep, I did need to hold on to the rails tight, because the dog also wanted to get down quickly... hard work.

2/ IF you take a dog, please take plenty of water for it. It can be quite hard going terrain for a dog.

3/ Take drinks for yourself and your family!

Going down and visiting the barn

The barn is a lovely place to take the family before or after your walk. Nice cold refreshments and the nicest public toilets in Lancs, so my hubby says. So over all, it is very child friendly too!

I am flying this British Flag in memory of one of our young soldiers, called Lee Rigby who was 25 years old, he was brutally, barbarically murdered this week by two Islamic terrorists, in broad daylight, in front of many many witnesses in Woolwich ,near London. I wont go on too much about it and won't have my opinions on it. I will put a link to a few reports. It is current world international news due to the brutality and what the murder stood for in the hands of the murderers. I don't want to give them terrorists MY air time, my physical typing time, my voice. IF, for some very bizarre reason, you haven't heard of this terrible news that has shocked not only the nation, not only the Muslim community, but many around the world, I will put some links here for you to click. For more information, visit the daily mail online, itv news, radio 5live.

More Woolwich horror

Woolwich angels of brutal attack, comforted Lee

Woolwich brutal murder of young soldier



Please note; you can also see some of my twitter posts on it by scanning thought them on the right.

I dont want to be a weather hater,but......a bit of boring myself in this blog post

For you previous readers; I have recently updated the Badminton blog below. I have added a link to a few hundred Badminton photos. I do hope they get to show you the hustle and the bustle of the day (we only went for the dressage Saturday), eventing next year hopefully.

Luckily, it was a beautiful hot summers weekend for us at Badminton, well, hot compared to what we've been used to here in the North West Lancs area. Since that weekend, we have only had one day of sunshine to get excited about. Still, its great seeing families and every body out and about enjoying some quality family time. Thinking about hot weather....One of my daughters is in Crete as I type this, I'm not jealous at all, wink wink.

I just need to mention todays world news. Last night in UK time (afternoon, American time), Oklahoma suffered massive devastation with the biggest tornado recorded there in Tornado Alley. Apparently it was a mile long and at a speed of around 200 mph, also remaining on the ground for around 45 minutes. Many have lost their lives and many are still missing. It's so saddening to hear of loss and devastation. You just can't envisage what they are going through at this time. Please click the link below for the bbc news report:

BBC Oklahoma Tornado News May 2013

Myerscough have a fun Open Day in June, go along with your family and support it whilst having a fun day out, Click the link below for more info:

MYERSCOUGH FUN DAY OUT JUNE 2013 CLICK HERE


My hubby promised me a garden swing for summer this year. I can just picture myself lazing around on one of them in the sunshine. Oh yes, I just realised, I will probably fight with my teenage girls for that too. Is there any point of getting one? Will it be a waste of money? Will we get a summer this time?

We become immune to the crappy weather here , when it comes to the weather, we are quite a resilient breed of people. We easily adapt and end up again, pretty satisfied with the odd day of sunshine. We' re also pretty much easy to read, we have that traditional BBQ as soon as there's a bit of sunshine. You see guys (in general, to avoid me looking sexist ha ha) from many households, washing their cars and doing their lawns, we just do the same with a bit of sunshine around . What is lovely is, seeing all the families out and about. What we sometimes ignore here in the UK due to the weather letting us down constantly, is just how absolutely stunning, our country is. We have everything here except the guaranteed summer. Saying all this, I must admit, I did ask for rain for the fields here, seeing they have been pretty much parched for months on and off. With this, we have had concrete fields and no influx of grass growth until now! I think someone listened to my rain request too! It does amaze me how green everything becomes with a spot of much needed rain. I'm so in touch with nature, that as I drive to work and so on, I look at potential images in the environment, that will make wonderful photos.I'm boring myself now lol. Oops, I also kick myself when I put lol in my blog. I feel pretty childlike doing it and pretty illiterate, ah well, reading these you probably know my writers tongue by now.



April 2013

I've been having a tough time with the horses. I am not enjoying the place we are at in the slightest. I am only at the yard two hours tops each day. I go there, do the nedlets then go home. It is punishing me greatly. I miss pottering around with the horses, riding loads, hacking out, messing around spoiling them. I also miss just sitting there watching them. I am very unhappy and sadly the horses don't get much of me. I've been trying to move to somewhere quiet for months. Also looking at properties. Just anything to get somewhere new. The mentality of myself at this point regarding my horsey life is; go to the stables, do them quickly (normally let them play out for up to two hours, then go home), I don't even go in the day anymore, I go late afternoons/evenings. any occasion just to get in and get out. Boohoo. Awful. Even my dad and my horsey daughter don't go.

April 2013

This means, my young coblets training has been very behind on progress. In fact, he has only been ridden twice since I have re-backed him after his winter off to mature. And wow, he has matured well. He's filled out, he's got taller again and his mental state is cheekier but he's still a gent, aww love him. This also means the little zigs monster hasnt done much either, he's probably only been hacked out a handful of times and ridden a handful of times in all the time we have been there. Six months! It's just not us at all.

Taking a bow April 2013

Alfie being re-backed after his winter off April 2013, just getting a pat for good boy stuff

Alfie being re-backed after his winter off April 2013

I've put this on because its a daft kind of photo ha , one in the moment,

lovely

A wave from a shadow of myself

COBS;

Aren't they just amazing? They are so faithful and loyal. They just 'do' what is asked of them. They are hard workers and just seem to understand what you are asking of them. They just comply like a well trained husband lol. You all know , I adore my boy, he is such a special one. He loves humans and giving them hugs and kisses.He's just generally an all round goody. This year as he is four years old this time. He is really maturing well, he's quite a chunk and has took his mums Welsh cob stamp rather than his dads cib stamp. He is now verging on just over 15.hh stood correctly, with once again, him being a touch croup high. His mane and tail are growing back after my horror of him being scalped by a foal at the barn.I nearly died when I saw all his mane had been chewed off all in one day! Its taken months to grow back. I'm just glad I caught the tail in time as that was scalped short on top too. I just wish the people would have told me they had a youngster that did that. In fact, I did wonder why all the horses had no manes and tails! Thankfully it is starting to flow again. I do miss a warmblood though. So I have lots of plans for Alfie. I need to get my act together and seriously need to look for somewhere so I can continue his education and do all the horse fun things we like to do.

We also have to buy, yet again, another horse trailer so we can go on horsey holidays and designated treks, trips to somerford park, beach, alsorts. Notice I haven't put shows haha, I just dont do them anymore. In fact. I havent done them personally since I was a young teen/kid, except showing Alfie the ropes as a yearling. I have just done too much of it as a girl it bores me to death as an adult, if you're not a kid or stud or dealer , or young horse trainer etc, I just can't understand the whole point of showing. It's not my idea as a fun day out on a horse. Hours and hours of end of grooming prep, in fact, days of, hours and hours on end waiting around for your classes to start, then hours for a huge class just for your two minutes of activity, nah, can't think of anything more boring. I've always been the behind the scenes kind of girl as an adult, the breaking, schooling, the groom at the events, the eyes on the ground, the husbandry side of things, the horse kitchen side, the science side, you get the idea, in general.....The Boss haha, of course. I have done the Boss at dressage, jumping, cross country and showing scene for decades and it's what I like best. So in my forties, i'm looking forward to horses as a fun leisurely hobby.

Show prep



Hard work paying off

A day in the life of a typical show day



Homework

Babywork

The grooms job

The groom

The prep for breaking work

The day olds job

I could show lots of examples. I just love all things horsing around. I need to move soon so I can get doing more!

I haven't proof read it, so it will be a lot of jibberish talk, but hey, any excuse to throw some photos in here.

Oh by the way, not sure if I ever told you? with all the emotional hurdles through loss of loved ones........... I DID IT!!!