erika
New Member
Posts: 35
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George
May 15, 2012 22:08:10 GMT 1
Post by erika on May 15, 2012 22:08:10 GMT 1
Absolutely Nellie. It has taken hubbie along time to bond with George but he thinks that he is fab now. Hubbie is a good rider but didn't have any experience of horses and their little foibles, but he has learnt loads from George.
I loved Avril's post about teaching the horses to deal with the unexpected which is unlikely to be encountered in the school. On Sunday I went on the most remarkable ride as I set off and found myself in the middle of a mountain bike race! The riders were very polite and went past reasonably slowly down the steep hills and then we would canter and catch them up on the way up. George was having a ball as he is used to going out with my boys on their bikes. He is so careful when people are around that he wouldn't dream of overtaking them. Well, the best was to come when a Lancaster bomber decided to perform a low level fly past! I had spotted it coming and had watched it go past at low level but we were cantering along a long stretch of bridleway when it came straight over the top of the hedge. It was so low that I could see the lights on the underside of the fuselage. George carried on whilst I was looking backwards at the fantastic sight. The plane then did several fly pasts and we stood at the end of the bridleway with 6 bikers looking up in awe and wonder. I was standing up in my stirrups waving like mad, the bikers likewise, we could see the pilot waving back. It was just amazing. When the plane finally tipped it wings in salute and flew off, I had a little chat with the bikers. It was just so amazing. I then picked up the reins, asked for canter and off we went. Totally amazing !!!!!
Erika & George
PS. I am trying to talk my livery lady into taking us both to a Le Trec event in June. Watch this space!
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George
Jul 8, 2012 21:14:22 GMT 1
Post by erika George on Jul 8, 2012 21:14:22 GMT 1
Well the Le Trec was cancelled because of the awful weather. I am so fed up with it, I might live at the top of a hill but we have had so much flooding. Some mornings the horses are marooned in their field shelter looking out onto a lake that was their paddock. Once the water has receded they then look out onto a sea of mud. George is constantly coated with thick mud and it takes an age to get him clean. By the time he is clean the heavens open again. Cheesed off and sat here in my thermals having been caught out in a frreezing thunderstorm this afternoon. As my son says, "where does it all come from?"
Erika and extremely muddy George
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George
Jul 8, 2012 21:47:53 GMT 1
Post by liz on Jul 8, 2012 21:47:53 GMT 1
It's a pain, isn't it, Erika? There are times when I'm quite glad I no longer have horses - only a few times but the current weather doesn't make feel I'm missing out!!!
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George
Jul 8, 2012 21:51:30 GMT 1
Post by em on Jul 8, 2012 21:51:30 GMT 1
Erika When your horse performs like George under all these different circumstances your heart just swells with pride doesnt it?..he sounds such a treasure but with such a well defined personality which is wonderful ... The weather is indeed unbelievable .. I got a drenching at work then semi dried off on the way home with the heater on then got thoroughly drenched again sorting out my own horse and pony! I also realised one of my boots leak so my foot looked like a prune by this evening ;D My problem is I have yet to find waterproofs that dont make me hot when I am working which I hate so I would rather get a soaking and change when I can! Good luck with having a go at Le Trec and let us know when your up so we can all wish you good luck x
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George
Aug 24, 2012 20:55:15 GMT 1
Post by Erika George on Aug 24, 2012 20:55:15 GMT 1
Well it has been a very quiet riding year this year, having had the worst spring on record. To see the horses marooned in their field shelter surrounded by a lake of water, morning after morning was extremely depressing. The horses have missed the long rides as well because the bridleways were often rivers and we were reduced to riding on flooded roads, which brings it's own difficulties especially if drivers don't slow down enough.
Having finally broken up for the summer I was looking forward to catching up with the riding. I had a lovely 3 day trail riding holiday in Wales and left George in the capable charge of my livery ladies. On my return I brought George in to pick his feet and give him some TLC only to find that his back leg had ballooned up. I must admit I didn't notice until I went to lift his foot and then realised that I couldn't see or feel any of the tendons in the lower part of his leg. After some tentative poking and proding with no response from George, I did lift his foot with again no reaction. Hubbie was called to assist and hold his head whilst I investigated further, I only thing I found was a small cut on the hock but no discharge. It is impossible to check him for heat spots as his legs and feet are permanently hot. I trotted him up and down, still nothing. So arnica and a hose down and I then turned him out. He rewarded me by doing a 3 circuit rodeo whilst chasing Murphy around the field. The next morning there was some reduction in swelling but I called the vet just the same. She spotted the swelling immediately but also couldn't find anything obvious even after trotting him up and down the hard paddock. "Sound as a pound" was her view but I was advised to keep him in light work and see how he goes. That was two weeks ago and the swelling has gone but I have another mystery .... something is biting him on the legs at night. Not dog size bites but about the size of a single cigarette butt. His lower legs are covered in these and in the morning at least one is bleeding. They are on the sides of the legs and even on the back of his heels so I don't think that the are self inflicted as I haven't seen him nibbling his legs (even if he could reach the back of his heels!) Anybody any clues or have I got vampire bats living around here somewhere? George is fine in himself and keen as mustard to go out so I will take him on a longer ride on Sunday. I'm glad he is not used for showing because he is covered in scabs and bald patches, ( but only if you look closely.) I am hoping that he will be up for the local sponsored ride in 3 weeks and then the re-arranged Le Trec is at the end of Sept. So still hopeful for that. Anyway, enjoy the rest of the summer
Erika, George and the vampires.
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George
Aug 28, 2012 12:56:49 GMT 1
Post by picasso on Aug 28, 2012 12:56:49 GMT 1
best of luck for your sponsored ride, Erika, just enjoy it. Couls the bites be ticks?
Jane H
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George
Sept 5, 2012 22:04:35 GMT 1
Post by Erika George on Sept 5, 2012 22:04:35 GMT 1
Jane, I had thought about tics but no evidence. None of the other horses or the dogs are affected and George is normally immune to most things. What ever it was it no longer doing it and the wounds have all healed. Swelling has all gone as well and he is riding out happily. Sponsored ride on Sat. so looking forward to that though we are not very fit. Let's hope enthusiasm carries us through.
Erika & George
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George
Sept 6, 2012 11:20:31 GMT 1
Post by angelac on Sept 6, 2012 11:20:31 GMT 1
Glad George is well again I hope you both enjoy the sponsored ride Best wishes Angela
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George
Sept 6, 2012 19:27:06 GMT 1
Post by avril on Sept 6, 2012 19:27:06 GMT 1
Strangely enough we've found that even the most insignificant cut can cause immense swelling, especially on heavy cob legs. Seems totally incongruous considering the amount of flesh and bone but they seem to heal up ok as long as there's no infection. The bite marks you describe, Erika, are altogether mysterious. Could they be linked to an insect only found in your area? If that was the case, presumably his companians would be similarly afflicted. Would love to know what it is causing them if you manage to find out, they don't sound very nice at all. Hope he gets back to his usual Georgeness in good time for September Le Trec. Wishing you the best time with the upcoming sponsored ride.
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George
Sept 25, 2012 21:16:01 GMT 1
Post by Erika George on Sept 25, 2012 21:16:01 GMT 1
Hi Avril and everyone, Well the final conclusion regarding the swollen leg is a possible snake bit. A friend of mine who often visits the New Forest said that it looked like one. Initially I was extremely sceptical having never seen a snake around here. And then guess what, I spotted 2 small adders within one week. Certainly the conditions are probably ideal as the horses have been grazing off the scrub grass during the summer. However, still doesn't answer the bites on the heels which seem to have re-appeared. I am sure that the wet, cold weather will kill off whatever it was. Still didn't manage to get into the Le Trec as it was full when we applied. However did manage a lovely sponsored ride and George was like an old pro. Even managed to jump a series of jumps without him becoming totally flat out. Such a good lad as we haven't really done any jumping since last year. I do have a piccie of us but as usual I am not sure how to post it. Erika & George
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George
Sept 30, 2012 8:28:11 GMT 1
Post by avril on Sept 30, 2012 8:28:11 GMT 1
Here's George showing his prowess over one of the obstacles on the Sponsored Ride. His face is brimful with concentration and so is the rider! Well done Erika and the lovely George. Attachments:
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George
Sept 30, 2012 20:57:54 GMT 1
Post by liz on Sept 30, 2012 20:57:54 GMT 1
A great pic, Erika, and I'm so jealous!!!
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erika
New Member
Posts: 35
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George
Oct 2, 2012 21:03:20 GMT 1
Post by erika on Oct 2, 2012 21:03:20 GMT 1
Thanks Avril for posting the picture and thanks to Liz for the nice comment. As for the picture of concentration, just as we were about to take off a lady and her labrador walked out of the hedge about 5 strides ahead of the fence. For once I am looking up and not at the floor as I was trying to decide whether we would salem in front of or behind her. A bit of a scary moment but she seemed oblivious.
Hoping to grab a ride tomorrow,
Erika & George
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George
Oct 12, 2012 23:09:54 GMT 1
Post by Erika George on Oct 12, 2012 23:09:54 GMT 1
Hi everyone, Wish me luck I am off to Windsor Great Park tomorrow for my postponed sponsored ride. Large mug of camomile tea needed in the morning I think. I might make one for George too!
Erika & George
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George
Oct 13, 2012 11:27:46 GMT 1
Post by sarah on Oct 13, 2012 11:27:46 GMT 1
Hope you and George have a wonderful time Erika - I will look forward to a full report, and maybe even a pic.
Best wishes, Sarah. xx
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