Progress

I've been finding it hard to keep positive about Le Big Trek recently.  What really upset me most was attempting to hold Cinnamon's leash in my right hand - she pulled a little and I could not hold on to her.  Now, Cinnamon weighs less than 5kg.  If I can't hold her, what hope do I have of holding a 500kg horse if he decides to tank off with me?

While the YD was here, I sat up on Flurry, which was funny - "Dad will kill me for letting you do this!!!"  I was pleased to find I could mount ok, although there was a strong urge to use my right hand while mounting, I don't know why.  While on board, though, I picked up the reins and found my right hand refused to grip at all, so I hopped straight off again - attempting to ride was pointless.  

Yes, I was p'eed off.  How can I plan on riding 500km in six weeks time if I can't even hold the reins now?  Flurry is very steady and sensible, but he does tend to speed up on the way home, and any horse can take fright and get taken over by the "flight" response. There is no way I would be able to hold him one-handed in open country if he really gets strong.

Meanwhile, there is the whole horse fittening issue - we're hoping these horses will do 4 - 6 hours per day, 6 days a week.  The LSH has been doing his best, but he has a job to do too, and he has only managed to ride Flurry twice this week. Now he is heading off to Barcelona on business and will be gone for most of the next week, so we are back to square one, no rider for Flurry for most of the next week.  Anne is also finding it frustrating, she is dying to explore the longer hacks locally but doesn't want to do it on her own.

A week seems to be a long time with a fractured limb.  

I found myself successfully using a knife a couple of days ago, so I was determined to have another go at riding.  The LSH and Anne were planning to hack after the rugby today, so I went along.

I got a leg-up onto my little horse, which avoided the "need to use my right hand" issue.   I was pleased to find my right hand could actually grip the rein, and even take a little hold as necessary.  I rode down the road for about ten minutes, just to the first turn.  We passed a very excited horse loose in a field - my initial reaction was "Oh shit" and panic, then I told myself to cop on and ride my damn horse, and of course he behaved like the little gent he is, although he was very interested in the neighing, galumphing grey creature in the field adjoining the road.

We turned off the main road after that, and I decided to quit while I was ahead and handed the reins over to the LSH.  I walked with him and Anne for a while, but they started trotting and quickly disappeared over the horizon.

They are the tiny spots in the middle of the picture!

I followed for a while, but then decided to head back to La Belle Cour and my friend C.

The LSH and Anne were out for a good hour and they did plenty of trotting, so Flurry sweated up a bit

 but you can't beat a good roll to dry up the sweat!

I think we're all feeling a little more optimistic after today.

There is a local lady who is going to ride with Anne tomorrow.  Hopefully that'll work out well, and I might even have another little sit-up too.  Fingers crossed!

This is our 100th post.  Huge thanks to all who have taken the time to read the ramblings of a pair of ould wagons, and most especially to our Facebook friends and the gang at the hay-net who have been following and encouraging us over the roller-coaster that was the last five weeks!