You know you're a horse person when...........

You Know You're A Horse Person When...
...your horse gets new shoes more often than you do.
…your mouth waters at the sight of a truck full of hay.
...every time you drive past a road construction sight you think what nice jumps the barricades would make.
...you consider a golf course as a waste of good pasture land.
...your friends no longer ask to get together after school/work or on a weekend because they know you'll say, "I can't, I have to ride."
...you pull a £17,000 horse trailer with a £1,000 pick-up truck.
...you buy duct tape by the case, and carry rolls in your pocketbook, briefcase, backpack, and car.
...your boyfriend complains that you love your horse more than you love him and you say: "And your point is..?"
...someone does something nice for you and you pat them on the neck and say 'good boy'.
...you try to get by someone is a restricted space and instead of saying "excuse me" to him/her, you cluck at them instead.
...you show up for an appointment in your city clothes and when you get there people reach across the table to pick shavings out of your hair.
...no one wants to ride in your car because they'll get feed and hay in their socks and on their clothes...but that's ok because you'll have to rearrange all the tack to make room for them anyway!
...you look at all the piles of laundry sitting next to your washing machine and most of them are breeches, horse blankets, saddle pads, etc.... but you don't even care about the horsey hair residue that will be left in your washer and dryer.
...you say "whoa" to the dog.
...your mother, who has no grandchildren, gets cards addressed to Grandma, signed by the horses and dogs.
...you see the vet more than your child's pediatrician.
...you groom your horse daily for hours and you haven't seen a beautician since...?
...someone asks for a screwdriver and you hand them a hoof pick.
...you clean tack after every ride but you never, ever, wash the car.
...on rainy days, you organize the tack room, not the house.
...you can remember worming schedules, lessons, and farrier visits in your head, but often forget your class schedule, household chores, and meals.
...you are unreasonably pleased to get a horse item, ANY horse item, as a gift.
...books and movies are ruined for you if horsemanship references aren't correct.
...you actually get to a point where flies don't bother you that much anymore.

Oh the embarrasment...

Dawn has done an excellent job on the Cybercheckout blog this week about the trials and tribulations of trying to get William to model for us. Here is the rather amusing link

http://cybercheckoutcouk.blogspot.com/2010/07/weatherbeeta-moments.html

Equestrian at Cybercheckout: A fresh new start.................

Equestrian at Cybercheckout: A fresh new start.................

A fresh new start.................

Well a lot has changed in the last few months. We are now, and I am very happy to announce this, a main supplier of Weatherbeeta, Saxon, Roma and Dublin.
This means we will have a full range of all things equestrian, ranging from yard equipment, Saddlery, accessories and rugs. I have been working hard getting all the initial stock loaded, and so far we have lightweight turnout rugs, Fly rugs, travel rugs, coolers, sheepskin saddle pads, competition breeches, show shirts and a range of beautiful bridles and browbands. I am offering most of these products with a promotional item, so for example, with the fly rugs you get a free fly mask, with the coolers you get a free sweat scraper etc. There are some very good deals and there are lots more to come so watch this space.......

The one thing I realise with selling on the internet is that image sells, and we are often given images from the suppliers of horses just standing there on a white background. I don't personally feel this gives a good enough first impression to draw people in to look at the products so good

old William got dragged in to do his bit of modelling. Here are some of his finer moments. He did such a good job and sales are going well, so big pats and carrots to him for helping us out.

One thing I do have to be honest about is how much I had become a bit of a 'brand snob'. Roma, to me, was always a cheaper make that I never paid much attention to, however, having seen these products now, especially the Sheepskin pads, I can honestly say they are fantastic quality and I have already purchased one for Will and from now on I will try not to be to 'brand specific'.

Our first dressage lesson with Jackie Bevan

Being as I dont 'do' dressage and much prefer to leap over random wooden poles this was rather exciting mixed with a bit of apprehension as to whether we would be good enough or just show ourselves up.
This was the first lesson so it was a bit of a get to know each other and finding out what works with William and myself. I had already explained I wanted to put some extra hard work into the flat to help with our jumping rather than trying to become the next dressage superstar.
So off I trot with our black boots and pelham with double reins ( I did take my snaffle just incase ) all ready to be frowned upon but no, what a lovely lady she is. I explained the problems I had had with bitting and she said stay with what he is comfortable in and lets see how he goes.
She very quickly picked up on Williams tension issues and said he had a lovely flowing free walk but when I collect him he walks laterally which I never knew so if I was ever to attempt this stressage lark I would need to have the collected walk very slightly longer than normal.
We worked a lot in trot, more than I normally do at home, and really worked on keeping the power. I have a habit of William offering it to me and then I sort of go "Ahh thats enough" and back off or I feel the tension creep in and I back off and calm it down and keep it simple before I push him over the edge but she worked on me keeping power power power and not being afraid to ask for things. I have to be a bit stronger and more "good boy well done" and " no not acceptable, behave, get over it". It all felt a bit strange at first and a lot more forward than I am used to but towards the end when I had got used to the feeling it was superb. I have to try and soften his neck a bit and she wants me to work on the flex left, flex right, flex left, flex right and straighten. A bit like the pro SJumpers do when they go in the ring.
The canter she liked a lot but again I have to soften that neck. At times down the long side he was strong but she worked on outside flexion and hey presto, he was back with me. Also shoulder in, in canter. She actually called it something else but I can't remember what it is called . William found this remarkably easy but a wonderful exercise for us. We also worked on cantering down the 3/4 line. Easier said than done, that was wiggly lol.
The main problem with Will is that he is a gobby little sod (her words) at times and this lets us down. He won't tolerate a flash and a drop isn't much different and I weighed up the pros and cons and decided it was best to let him open his mouth but we are going to work on this and have a play with different bits and nosebands and see what works and what doesn't. She wants me to try a double for now just to see how he is, as he was previously jumped in one in Belgium. Her sister was there watching (No pressure then) and she is very kindly going to lend me one so I look forward to trying this out.

The end comments were, he was a lovely horse with good power and lovely paces and she wishes she had found him as a 4yr old (shame he is 14 now) and if we can sort the gobby front end out there is no reason why he can't go and do some dressage if we ever feel the need. She also said I was a nice rider with a good position who she could tell worked hard and was focused and I was a pleasure to teach so that was lovely to hear.

I had a fab lesson especially for the first one and I will be working hard for now on what we learnt in todays lesson so after I have saved my pennies again I will be ready for the next one and I am really looking forward to it.

I am now the proud owner of achey inner thighs and a right butt cheek lol

An update on William

Well everything has been so busy with all the changes in seasons and rugs etc that I am not getting much time to update my blog, however there have been lots of fun and interesting things happening.
First big news is that William and I have moved yards and I have aquired a little pony along the way! We are now on a lovely quiet private yard just on our own. 3 nice big stables, huge tack room, lovely paddocks etc and my Brother in Law has a yard right at the back of me so I go and annoy them on a regular basis when I go and use his arena.
The difference in Will is amazing, I can't explain how chilled out and relaxed he has become. He is working very well, but the surface on the new arena is alot better, and he has been a very good boy to hack out which is unheard of, and his jumping is becoming a lot more together and 'with' me.
I was getting concerned he was ill at one point as I am not used to him being so quiet but he is fine and I have popped him on some Propell Plus just to put my mind at rest. Who ever thought I would be saying that :)
Little pony is another grey (god help me) and stands about 11.3hh and her name is Tinks. She is just a perfect little companion for Will and they get on very well and she really is no trouble. When she is, I am sure I will keep you informed!
So, in view of Will working well, I have just decided to go to Patchetts on Sunday for our first attempt of the year at a bigger affiliated course - now that will be a test on how relaxed he is.
I am just in the throws of getting finalised samples of the Chillton Fly rugs and I am pleased to say the Chillton turnout rugs have been going quite nicely. My next task is to get out and about and try and get these out in the shops for people to see and start knowing this brand.
We have just put our order in for the first lot of Horseware fly rugs as even though this weather still feels like winter sometimes, we are looking forward to our long balmy summer days...with all the flys and sunburn.............now there is wishful thinking

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