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George
May 25, 2011 16:29:35 GMT 1
Post by nellie on May 25, 2011 16:29:35 GMT 1
Hi Erika, It's so lovely to get an update on how you and George are getting on and what an update! It seems to me you have made huge progress over the 5 years of owning George and I love the picture of George hurdling the jump, you can see his enthusiasm - and speed, wow ! It seems amazing that he is also the horse happily strolling along through the bluebell woods. What a lovely relaxed picture and, again, all the more special because of the journey that George and your husband have made in order to be there, together. Hope to hear of more exploits soon! Helen
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George
Jun 12, 2011 17:57:07 GMT 1
Post by lisandsaf on Jun 12, 2011 17:57:07 GMT 1
Lovely piccies, erika,, you are so brave to even attempt jumping,, let alone at full pelt,, i just cannot jump and avoid it at all costs,, Well done you and George
Lisa and Saf
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George
Jun 15, 2011 22:31:23 GMT 1
Post by Erika George on Jun 15, 2011 22:31:23 GMT 1
Hi Nellie, Yes you are right we have come on a huge way in 5 years. 5 years ago only a very tight collected canter was all that I was comfortable doing on George, the thought of letting him have more leeway was too scary. I have had some issues in the past where I have given him his head a bit more and he has tried to take off with sheer exhuberance. However despite his enormous strength, a good tug on the reins has been enough to remind him of his manners. But as I am getting more confidence in riding him faster, it is now easier to ride him faster because he settles straight down and doesn't rush so much. He enjoys a good blast and like most horses once he has worked it out of his system he is very mellow. And as for looking calm on the day, a large cup of camomile tea before we set off sorted out my nerves a treat. Enjoy the softer ground, Erika & George
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erika
New Member
Posts: 35
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George
Sept 10, 2011 21:46:14 GMT 1
Post by erika on Sept 10, 2011 21:46:14 GMT 1
3rd sponsored ride today, and what a difference! Unfortunately my instructor has been ill over the summer and hasn't been able to give us any lessons so I had to just get on with it. It was the same ride as I did last year which is local and very laid back and low key. I was in a bit of a flap to start with because George was sooo dirty this morning that I struggled to clean him up before we could set off. George and his companion were not in the mood for a ride to start with as we have interrupted their after-breakfast nap. We had a 40 minute hack to get to the ride and they soon perked up and realised that something was going on. George was so chilled, he didn't sweat up or get excited and was remarkably relaxed about the whole thing. I even managed to jump the first jump which was going into the woods! He didn't spook at the jump, the marshall standing in the hedge or even the chair on the other side. He didn't even panic when his field mate cantered off to do a couple of jumps unexpectedly. He was lively, enthusiatic and forward going. He coped with 2 bolting horses including one that streaked past us as we were cantering down a slope. We even managed to jump several fence sequences, probably because they were not in a straight line but in boggy and difficult conditions. He (and me!) were having an absolute ball. We even had a gallop side by side at the end and both George and Murphy were going well. I had to jump the final fence 3 times for the photo as other horses got in the way! I am so proud of him because I know that he has to put up with my lack of confidence, we only had one run out on a fence and that was because as I approached it I noticed that the top rail was hanging loose and I thought "oh, I wonder if George will spook at that". Well he did. I must keep telling myself "he can do it", because he can. I've got to stop telling him he can't. What was also especially noticeable was that I rode with minimal contact this year whereas last year I was hanging onto him for grim death. IT WAS FANTASTIC !!!!!!! George I could see was very chuffed with himself when he got home. I was very chuffed with the both of us. Definately not Chatty standard, but we all have our own mountains to climb. Erika & George
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George
Sept 12, 2011 14:15:01 GMT 1
Post by angelac on Sept 12, 2011 14:15:01 GMT 1
Well done Erika and George Congratulations to both of you and sounds like you had a lot of fun too Please do keep us posted Angela
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George
Sept 12, 2011 21:38:41 GMT 1
Post by lisandsaf on Sept 12, 2011 21:38:41 GMT 1
well done guys,, brilliant xxx
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George
Sept 13, 2011 1:44:29 GMT 1
Post by liz on Sept 13, 2011 1:44:29 GMT 1
Yay! Well done Erika and George!
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George
Sept 13, 2011 7:22:14 GMT 1
Post by sarah on Sept 13, 2011 7:22:14 GMT 1
Wow, fantastic, well done both of you. ;D
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George
Oct 28, 2011 23:51:59 GMT 1
Post by Erika George on Oct 28, 2011 23:51:59 GMT 1
George is not himself at the moment but I am struggling to work out what is wrong. I think he has probably pulled something in his back or neck and I am waiting for my back lady to come and see him. The problem initially showed itself as him pulling up lame in canter (the first time in 6 years!). I got off and checked all his feet and legs but nothing evident. I then walked him all of the way home, but again no evidence of anything and he seemed prettty happy and relaxed in himself. I gave him a thorough check over when I got home, but George's legs are permanently red hot so checking for inflammation is impossible. So I poked, prodded and tapped his feet and legs but all he did was rest his head on the fence and fall asleep. The difficulty is that the problem is very subtle and if I didn't know George I wouldn't necessarily notice. He is short striding in trot and doesn't seem so elevated as usual. However he is still willing enough but it will be interesting to see what my lady says. In the meantime, sticking to walk and ambling about. Enjoy the weather, Erika & George
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George
Oct 29, 2011 13:55:20 GMT 1
Post by angelac on Oct 29, 2011 13:55:20 GMT 1
Hi Erika Hope your back lady is able to help. Get well wishes from Angela and " the boys " By the way, did you buy George from Avril a few years ago?
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George
Oct 29, 2011 23:52:49 GMT 1
Post by liz on Oct 29, 2011 23:52:49 GMT 1
I'm sorry to hear George is not 100% and hope he mends soon. Do you think he may have tweaked something when you had the misfortune to meet the reversing van and speeding motorist the other day? I hope the back lady can sort him out.
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karen
Full Member
Posts: 133
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George
Nov 2, 2011 14:38:55 GMT 1
Post by karen on Nov 2, 2011 14:38:55 GMT 1
Hi Erika - hope George is on the mend soon and your back lady can help.
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George
Nov 4, 2011 21:35:23 GMT 1
Post by Erika George on Nov 4, 2011 21:35:23 GMT 1
Hi everyone, To answer the first question: I bought George from Safecobs of which Avril was a part 6 years ago. I wasn't fortunate enough to meet Avril but I see much of the training still in George. When he was lame I was in the middle of a forest. I got off, asked him to stand and went around to check his legs. He wasn't tied up but just stood and let me check him out. In answer to Liz's question I also wondered if the stress and panic of the dustbin lorry attack was responsible for his problem. Anyway to cut a long story short the back lady did come on Wednesday and she found some stiffness in George's shoulder and back but nothing serious. She has given him some treatment and I have to work him over poles to get him to supple up a bit. Then once he is better some schooling over poles to get him to use his back end more. The only problem with having a horse that is as good as George it doesn't necessarily prepare you for what other horses are like. When she came to do his treatment she insisted that I shut all the gates in case he bolted and got out onto the road. I won't say that he wasn't worried, he was, I could see it in his face but he stood still and let her get on with it. "Such a gentle soul" was her comment on him. So we shall see how we get on. Trouble is, hardly any daylight and I have been working all week. Autumn is truly here, Erika & George
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George
Nov 6, 2011 20:27:56 GMT 1
Post by nellie on Nov 6, 2011 20:27:56 GMT 1
Hi Erika,
I am sorry to hear George has been a bit "off". Good luck with the suppling and stretching, I do hope he is back to his chipper self very soon.
Helen
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George
Nov 27, 2011 23:22:39 GMT 1
Post by Erika George on Nov 27, 2011 23:22:39 GMT 1
Hi everyone, Just to let you know that George is on the mend. He was better after the back lady treated him and was walking in a straight line rather than doing "shoulder in" for most of the ride. The dark days have been very very frustrating as i haven't been able to do the pole work needed for him to get better quickly. I have only been able to do them on the weekends because of the darkness. It has definitely helped him as he has to stretch through his body to get the distance right. At the end of each run I have to then turn him on his forehand to make him step across with his back legs. He is fine on one side but stiff on the other but after several repetitions he is much more supple. This week is the first week he has done his "extended" trot with gusto. He was sooo up for it and his companion had to canter to keep up. I could feel that he was much more elevated in his moment and we had a lovely canter as a bonus. Today I went out with my livery lady and George was totally up for it. We had a short spell of short striding, so clearly not out of the woods yet, but he was absolutely fired up and we had about four extremely fast canters when he was in his element. So clearly on the mend but I must organise some schooling sessions in the new year. Not for obedience but to keep his suppleness and agility going. Bit like us going to the gym I suppose. Erika & George ( taking advantage of the few hours of daylight on the weekend whilst my house remains uncleaned!)
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