We are up later than usual this morning. Cheryl asks if I am ready and I announce that I am on strike! I am not feeling 100% and my body aches all over, similar to the start of flu. Cheryl announces there is a small ride and I can chill for the day. I am stoked, clean up what I need to and return to bed. I get up when they come home at lunch time. We chat and I return to bed for another hour or so. I am up for the evening and still not feeling 100%. Let’s hope tomorrow is a better day!
Monday, December 29, 2008
I GET THE DAY OFF 28th DEC
The river mouth opened
We are up later than usual this morning. Cheryl asks if I am ready and I announce that I am on strike! I am not feeling 100% and my body aches all over, similar to the start of flu. Cheryl announces there is a small ride and I can chill for the day. I am stoked, clean up what I need to and return to bed. I get up when they come home at lunch time. We chat and I return to bed for another hour or so. I am up for the evening and still not feeling 100%. Let’s hope tomorrow is a better day!
We are up later than usual this morning. Cheryl asks if I am ready and I announce that I am on strike! I am not feeling 100% and my body aches all over, similar to the start of flu. Cheryl announces there is a small ride and I can chill for the day. I am stoked, clean up what I need to and return to bed. I get up when they come home at lunch time. We chat and I return to bed for another hour or so. I am up for the evening and still not feeling 100%. Let’s hope tomorrow is a better day!
I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD GIGGLE LIKE A CHILD ON A HORSE 27th DEC
It rained the whole night long and came down in showers this morning. We left home at 08h45. Only five of us riding, we went out. I took Bliss this morning. He did not seem so skittish today. However, I was a bit apprehensive on the beach with him and held back on the canter. I get nervous with Bliss when he seems to focus on so much of what’s going on around him rather than the ride. A few more outings with him and I’m sure I will calm down for the canter on the beach (Remember, he’s the one who Cheryl had to stand her horse in the way of my last canter with him, to stop him). We get home early for lunch today and then head off for the afternoon ride.
For the first time since my arrival here, I rode Zeus this afternoon. He is a gorgeous Frisian Stallion and a scholar and a gentleman. One can sit a trot on him without even posting. It starts to rain but we carry on. Down on the beach we prepare to canter. I am tail end Charlie and prepare to canter behind the kids on the ride. They get into a very brief canter and I spur Zeus on to canter and my giggles begin. Being Frisian, his canter is so, so, very different to the other horses. He has a very large stride, almost like the motion of a train I guess. I sit so relaxed on him. We stop and he backs off from the waves coming onto him. He is scared and starts to shy. Cheryl shouts to me to force him to face the waves, all the while he is backing off. I force him, he doesn’t like it but it is the only way he will confront his discomfort and insecurity with the waves. Horses can also get motion sickness from the waves returning to the sea. We have a small canter back to the river mouth and Cheryl takes the kids and tells Don and me we can stay behind for a proper canter. Don is riding Nsync. We head back up the beach and canter back. Again, my giggles begin, yet it is such a beautiful canter. We get home. I’m in the shower to warm up from the rain. I’m ready for an early night!
For the first time since my arrival here, I rode Zeus this afternoon. He is a gorgeous Frisian Stallion and a scholar and a gentleman. One can sit a trot on him without even posting. It starts to rain but we carry on. Down on the beach we prepare to canter. I am tail end Charlie and prepare to canter behind the kids on the ride. They get into a very brief canter and I spur Zeus on to canter and my giggles begin. Being Frisian, his canter is so, so, very different to the other horses. He has a very large stride, almost like the motion of a train I guess. I sit so relaxed on him. We stop and he backs off from the waves coming onto him. He is scared and starts to shy. Cheryl shouts to me to force him to face the waves, all the while he is backing off. I force him, he doesn’t like it but it is the only way he will confront his discomfort and insecurity with the waves. Horses can also get motion sickness from the waves returning to the sea. We have a small canter back to the river mouth and Cheryl takes the kids and tells Don and me we can stay behind for a proper canter. Don is riding Nsync. We head back up the beach and canter back. Again, my giggles begin, yet it is such a beautiful canter. We get home. I’m in the shower to warm up from the rain. I’m ready for an early night!
OFF TO AN EARLY START 26th DEC
No Beach
Clients have asked us to take their kids on an earlier ride so we can get them back to the hotel early as they are leaving Morgan Bay today. Cheryl and I take the kids out ride and Don takes another client. We get back early and head home to hang washing out and to start injecting the balance of the horses at home. There are only two clients to take out to ride this afternoon, so I will take them out whilst Don and Cheryl sort out the injections at home. Jeanine, Cheryl’s niece, is joining us for the ride. We headed out with Veronica and Jess (Mom and daughter clients). I rode Gunstone and Jeanine Royal. Veronica could only trot to begin. I coached her and got her confident enough to want to learn to canter. We got to the cliffs and Veronica was prepared to give it a shot. She was riding Bestman. We headed off for the canter and hey presto… I have taught my first client to canter. From then on, the ride was awesome. We had a beautiful long canter on the beach as well and headed home. I am grateful for an early night home.
CHRISTMAS DAY 25th DEC
Don and I are up early preparing the Webber braai for the turkey, which has been delegated to me to cook. We have our final clean up and setting of tables on the patio and all head for our showers. I am missing the kids and close friends very much indeed and am grateful to be kept busy. Our guests arrive. We have a festive meal, fit for a King, the wine and beer is flowing and we sure have a merry time. Don is set to challenge me. He loads my Christmas cracker with a dead roach! Our time off is over before we even know it. I crash to bed at 18h30. I wake at 20h00 and have a snack and decide to update my blogs. Tomorrow is back to hard work!
MKULU KEI REINDEER PARADE 24th DEC
The wind is howling. We can almost not hear one another speak. We round the horses up with ease, tack up, put a Christmas hat on Apollo, who I am riding, and put Antlers on four other horses and head out. We get down to the Hotel area and see there is no beach. The seas are exceptionally rough and the waves are crashing in to shore. The river mouth has been totally opened. It is an incredible sight. It is too windy to ride up to the cliffs. We ride through the caravan park today and head home. We are on our way to the shops. There are more horses down. I go and do the shopping whilst Don and Cheryl tend the horses. We tack up and take the afternoon ride. We have eight children. This time we get them all singing through the streets of Morgan Bay and the Caravan Park. By the end of the ride, I am hoarse, having had to scream instructions to the riders in order to be heard over the wind. We get home late. We have ten people coming for lunch tomorrow and need to tidy the house up. We all muck in. I cook dinner and we absolutely all crash to sleep.
LESSONS IN IDENTIFYLING A REAL STALLION 23rd DEC
We have a hard morning rounding up the horses earlier than usual so we can find time to get to the 8 colts in the other field to inject them. I do all the injections. We go to the stables. Maverick is down on the ground with a seriously high temperature. All the horses temps are taken and again, we inject those with temps over 38 degrees. Cheryl is stressing big time. Once the panic is over, Don and Cheryl start my education of a Stallion. I am instructed to look at the testicles of young Zeus….. Well, how I ever thought Apollo was a stallion is mind boggling. Stallions have incredibly large testicles and there is definitely NO mistaking a Stallion. It is not a mistake I will make again!
We are back from our morning ride. Maverick is battling with his temp. We water him down to reduce the temp. Again, we grab lunch and tack up for the afternoon ride. We have a fantastic group of riders and thoroughly enjoy the outing. We are back home, exhausted. Whilst I go to bed, Cheryl and Don make the Antlers for the horses for tomorrows ride. We are going out as Father Christmas with his Reindeers.
We are back from our morning ride. Maverick is battling with his temp. We water him down to reduce the temp. Again, we grab lunch and tack up for the afternoon ride. We have a fantastic group of riders and thoroughly enjoy the outing. We are back home, exhausted. Whilst I go to bed, Cheryl and Don make the Antlers for the horses for tomorrows ride. We are going out as Father Christmas with his Reindeers.
OUR HORSES START WITH TEMPERATURES 22nd DEC
A couple of the horses start with temperatures, one of the signs towards many problems they encounter from Biliary to Horse Sickness. Their normal temperature is around 37 degrees so any horses with temps above 38, we are injecting for Biliary as a preventative. We pray this is all it is and not Horse sickness. We start a log of all the horses’ temps, mornings and lunch time. This is a stressful time for Cheryl. Maverick and Hermes seem to have the highest temps. They are both young (3 yr old) stallions and have very limited immunity to Horse Sickness. We are having now to limit the rides in order to avoid tired horses which would make them more susceptible to illness.
We have a small ride today. A Father (Quinton) and his 2 kids arrive for the ride. Cheryl takes the kids so she can teach them and I take Quinton. We head off to the cliffs. It is a crystal clear day today. At the top of the cliffs, Quinton dismounts to look over the edge to the sea below. I am taking photographs of the sea scape and he tells me to come and look. I am nervous of this height with the horses but Quinton reassures me the view is worth it. I concede. It is spectacular.
We head for the beach. We have a glorious ride and head home. In the evening, Cheryl Don and I are recapping. I’m telling them of my difficulties in recognizing the difference between Bliss and Apollo. Michaela and Laura previously told me Apollo was a stallion, so naturally I have been looking for Apollo’s’ testicles, every time I need to tack him up. Cheryl and Don are in hysterics and tell me Apollo is a gelding. They have known about this all along and have been chuckling at me every time they see me looking. They decide tomorrow is the day to show me a stallion, so I will not be confused in future!
We have a small ride today. A Father (Quinton) and his 2 kids arrive for the ride. Cheryl takes the kids so she can teach them and I take Quinton. We head off to the cliffs. It is a crystal clear day today. At the top of the cliffs, Quinton dismounts to look over the edge to the sea below. I am taking photographs of the sea scape and he tells me to come and look. I am nervous of this height with the horses but Quinton reassures me the view is worth it. I concede. It is spectacular.
We head for the beach. We have a glorious ride and head home. In the evening, Cheryl Don and I are recapping. I’m telling them of my difficulties in recognizing the difference between Bliss and Apollo. Michaela and Laura previously told me Apollo was a stallion, so naturally I have been looking for Apollo’s’ testicles, every time I need to tack him up. Cheryl and Don are in hysterics and tell me Apollo is a gelding. They have known about this all along and have been chuckling at me every time they see me looking. They decide tomorrow is the day to show me a stallion, so I will not be confused in future!
TIME TO LEARN TO INJECT 20th DEC
This morning I woke at 05h00 to make coffee for Don, Cheryl and I. We had a mission ahead this morning before our outride, which was to walk Franks farm (500HA), looking for 9 mares who evidently got through a fence which appeared to have been cut, a couple of days ago. We returned home at 08h00, having walked approximately 6-8 km’s, only to have found 7 of the horses, in the paddock directly opposite the house.
There is horse sickness in the area and Sandy (a local friend of Cheryl’s) has a number of horses down. The pressure is on to dip and inject the horses. Cheryl takes the rides out and Don and I will tend the horses for dipping and injecting. We stable the horses at the house stables and begin. In no time, Don has me injecting my first horse. My first patient is poor Lola. She and I, both survive the ordeal. We dip (actually spray) for ticks and I am holding the horses who do not really like this to start. What an experience. It is labour intensive and requires strength. The horses have a tendency to want to kick out when spraying under their tails.
There is horse sickness in the area and Sandy (a local friend of Cheryl’s) has a number of horses down. The pressure is on to dip and inject the horses. Cheryl takes the rides out and Don and I will tend the horses for dipping and injecting. We stable the horses at the house stables and begin. In no time, Don has me injecting my first horse. My first patient is poor Lola. She and I, both survive the ordeal. We dip (actually spray) for ticks and I am holding the horses who do not really like this to start. What an experience. It is labour intensive and requires strength. The horses have a tendency to want to kick out when spraying under their tails.
19th DEC
My job this morning was to look after the walkers (beginners and children). I rode Apollo. The rest of the group (there were 17 of us in total), were split between the 3 remaining guides. I had to dismount to collect someone’s jacket which they had dropped. It was hysterical to see me now attempt at least 6 mounts without my launch pad. When even lengthening the stirrups failed to help me, it resulted in September, the 12 year old Development kid having to give me a push up from my backside to get me on! The group with Cheryl had their canters and we met up with each other en route home. Really an uneventful ride this morning. We run off to the shops to grab us rolls for lunch. We make and eat the rolls in the car. We are back for the afternoon ride.
I rode Nsync this afternoon and Carmen and I got to have our own beach ride. This was awesome and we cantered back and forth on the beach. Out of all the horses I have ridden to date, Nsync is the one who I will choose to canter with, on any day.
I rode Nsync this afternoon and Carmen and I got to have our own beach ride. This was awesome and we cantered back and forth on the beach. Out of all the horses I have ridden to date, Nsync is the one who I will choose to canter with, on any day.
17th DEC – 23rd DEC
Things have really been so hectic that there has just not been enough time to do my daily blogs. By the time we get home at night, we are absolutely exhausted and just die to get to bed. Here are brief encounters I can recollect. We seem to think I have mumps.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
A TRADEGY AT MORGAN BAY TODAY 16th DEC
I am up early. I need to try and wash this hair in a bucket. 45 minutes later I am feeling like new and with clean hair. Janine, 15 yrs old, arrives from East London this morning for a five day stay. There are 15 riders to organize this morning. They are a mixed group of non-riders, beginners, kids etc. I am riding Apollo. Laura takes Atlas again. Janine is on Maverick. I am tail end Charlie, once again. We have a heavy wind this morning and clear skies. We are off. It’s like watching a long snake. The problems start with the rider on Robin before we cross the river at the second crossing. Robin is going to have a field day. We cannot teach the rider anything. She is sitting wrong, is halting on the rein the whole time whilst kicking Robin on. Whilst approaching the first gate, Atlas is getting skittish. Laura manages him. We are through the second gate and still battling Robin’s rider. Laura needs to dismount Atlas to spur Robin on, who has now tried to kick at Cheryl whilst coaxing him on. Cheryl is going to the front of the line to see what problem is happening there. There is tumble weed rolling around in front of the horses. When Laura tries to mount, all hell lets’ loose. Atlas is now in the middle of the road, cars coming from both directions. I shout to Cheryl to warn her of what’s going on. In that split second, the wind picked up even more, tossing plastic bags across the road. Oh deary me, is that Janine I see on the floor? Maverick has had a plastic bag come directly onto his forelegs and spooked him. Cheryl is getting tenser. It’s a long line of clients to be responsible for! She instructs all to move on and riders on the ground are to now walk until we get to a safer zone to remount.
Whilst passing the Hotel, the owner comes to tell Cheryl it is not wise to take the ride to the beach this morning…… Cheryl comes to inform me of the bad news. A holiday maker (43 year old man), has drowned this morning and they have paramedics on the beach. It unfolds that he was swimming with his two older kids this morning and they clearly got caught in the riptide. The lifesavers sent a raft out to them. The Father told them to take the kids and come back for him. It was too late. What a sad event. We did not even go to the cliffs today. We headed back to the stables. I ask Cheryl if I can submit a day’s leave for tomorrow. I am finished! Cheryl makes a deal with me…. She will have this afternoon off and I can take tomorrow afternoon off. I am sooooooo looking forward to it. My body is aching and I am burnt to a frazzle coupled with wind burn!
We did not have a chance to go home before the next ride. We saddled up and were off. Again I rode Apollo. His responses to me today were brilliant. I have gained so much confidence from riding this Stallion. Nikkita and Jordan have joined us for the ride today. We head straight for the beach. We also have little Mia with us. She is riding Alex. He is just too strong for her and keeps eating at the grass. She has lost her nerve and no longer wants to trot. Laura and Jordan stay behind with Mia whilst we go off for our canter. Gee, I so enjoy Apollo. He is a scholar and gentlemen. We are on the canter back and I have Nikita behind me. I hear screams and then tears. I look back. Nikkita is building sand castles whilst Bestman is running for help. Bestman, her EX MOUNT, runs for help. September rescues Bestman, whilst Don dismounts and joins in building sand castles. Hee hee. Oh well, that’s now TWO chocolate cakes in ONE day. Nikkita remounts and we head on with our last canter home.
We get home at 18h30. Don and Cheryl go off to refill our water cans. Janine and I walk the paddock with dogs and cats and then start the supper. We are all tired tonight. We have Pork Chops, chips, egg, tomatoes and mushrooms. We all eat little. The tiredness takes over. We have a big ride set for the morning.
M
Whilst passing the Hotel, the owner comes to tell Cheryl it is not wise to take the ride to the beach this morning…… Cheryl comes to inform me of the bad news. A holiday maker (43 year old man), has drowned this morning and they have paramedics on the beach. It unfolds that he was swimming with his two older kids this morning and they clearly got caught in the riptide. The lifesavers sent a raft out to them. The Father told them to take the kids and come back for him. It was too late. What a sad event. We did not even go to the cliffs today. We headed back to the stables. I ask Cheryl if I can submit a day’s leave for tomorrow. I am finished! Cheryl makes a deal with me…. She will have this afternoon off and I can take tomorrow afternoon off. I am sooooooo looking forward to it. My body is aching and I am burnt to a frazzle coupled with wind burn!
We did not have a chance to go home before the next ride. We saddled up and were off. Again I rode Apollo. His responses to me today were brilliant. I have gained so much confidence from riding this Stallion. Nikkita and Jordan have joined us for the ride today. We head straight for the beach. We also have little Mia with us. She is riding Alex. He is just too strong for her and keeps eating at the grass. She has lost her nerve and no longer wants to trot. Laura and Jordan stay behind with Mia whilst we go off for our canter. Gee, I so enjoy Apollo. He is a scholar and gentlemen. We are on the canter back and I have Nikita behind me. I hear screams and then tears. I look back. Nikkita is building sand castles whilst Bestman is running for help. Bestman, her EX MOUNT, runs for help. September rescues Bestman, whilst Don dismounts and joins in building sand castles. Hee hee. Oh well, that’s now TWO chocolate cakes in ONE day. Nikkita remounts and we head on with our last canter home.
We get home at 18h30. Don and Cheryl go off to refill our water cans. Janine and I walk the paddock with dogs and cats and then start the supper. We are all tired tonight. We have Pork Chops, chips, egg, tomatoes and mushrooms. We all eat little. The tiredness takes over. We have a big ride set for the morning.
M
TODAY I HAD TO BE RESCUED 15th DEC
En route to the stables Cheryl and I jump out the car. We are going to put halters on the 4 naughty escapees. We get them and walk through to the stables. Again we have a fair size group, all intermediate riders. Laura is going to back Atlas. He is a black stallion and 3 years old. He is BIG, at approx. 17.2 hands. We leave. I am on Gunstone. Don is taking Solo out with no reins again. At the second crossing of the river, I need to lead the ride. We cross the bridge for our first canter. It is glorious today. At the top of the road on the way to the cliffs, Cheryl asks me to give one of the clients Gunstone to ride and I need to take Bliss. The client is very nervous on Bliss. Cheryl and Don have just allocated me my own saddle, which is awesome and which means I do not have to spend hours organizing my stirrups every morning! Drat, I have to forego my saddle! We swop. Down to the beach we go. We begin the canter. The group is big so we have split into two groups for the canter. The first load goes off. Cheryl and I take the next group. I am the tail end Charlie. Bliss is excited. And we are off….. The next thing, as Murphy would have it, I have two rats in pursuit of me (Jack Russell’s). Bliss is OFF, with a vengeance of note. I start the halt. My feet are too far forward in the stirrups. Bliss has taken the bit in his mouth. My reins now mean nothing to him. I must confess, I am “pooping” myself. Cheryl sees Bliss and me veering to the left and almost starting at the gallop. She is brilliant and places her horse in front of me! I am saved a near definite fall, and, chocolate cake! We are heading home.
En route home, the wind has picked up a tad. We enter the field through the first gate and are nearing the second, when Atlas, up front near Don, bucks a good three or four times and Laura is rolling on the ground (remember there is favouritism here), NO CHOCOLATE CAKE? We are back at the stables and Don and Cheryl rush off to grab us pies and cool drinks. Before they get back, Laura decides we are going to play around with Spirit. She puts a bridle on him, then a saddle blanket on him, then a saddle. We eat and are tacking up for the next ride, of two young girls. I am riding Midnite. We decide to let Spirit follow the ride, rider less. He ends up back home shortly after departure, having rolled in the grass with his saddle and then decided this was too much like hard work. It is a slow ride. We head straight for the beach and have a canter and head home. I cook a dinner of sausages, mash and veg. early, whilst Don and Cheryl go to collect water for us. Cheryl and I are desperate to wash our hair. It has been 4 days. We eat at 20h00. They do not remember when last they ate this early. I wash, check emails and crash into bed.
M
En route home, the wind has picked up a tad. We enter the field through the first gate and are nearing the second, when Atlas, up front near Don, bucks a good three or four times and Laura is rolling on the ground (remember there is favouritism here), NO CHOCOLATE CAKE? We are back at the stables and Don and Cheryl rush off to grab us pies and cool drinks. Before they get back, Laura decides we are going to play around with Spirit. She puts a bridle on him, then a saddle blanket on him, then a saddle. We eat and are tacking up for the next ride, of two young girls. I am riding Midnite. We decide to let Spirit follow the ride, rider less. He ends up back home shortly after departure, having rolled in the grass with his saddle and then decided this was too much like hard work. It is a slow ride. We head straight for the beach and have a canter and head home. I cook a dinner of sausages, mash and veg. early, whilst Don and Cheryl go to collect water for us. Cheryl and I are desperate to wash our hair. It has been 4 days. We eat at 20h00. They do not remember when last they ate this early. I wash, check emails and crash into bed.
M
CHERYL IS DETERMINED TO TEST ME 14th DEC.
We are running a bit late. Laura has been out of action since Friday. It is just Cheryl, Don and I. Cheryl informs me I am riding Chester this morning. He is a common horse of note, about 14.2 hands and about 6 years old. Chester is still learning about the outrides. We head for the stables and not far up the road we spot the youngsters out of their field. Don and I round them up and start the run after them. It is a scorcher. It is far to the stables. I break into a jog. Where the energy comes from, fails me. I get them into their field. I have lost Don. I continue on to the stables, half jog, half walk. We have a big group this morning. I get to the stables to see Cheryl rounding the horses from the fields opposite the stables. I go to lend a hand. We feed the horses and tack up. We head out.
We cross the river and come to a halt, waiting for the Cheryl who is watching the 4 year old on Blaze. I am standing behind Nsync on Chester, minding my own business, when Nsync decides to kick out at Chester and catches him on the neck with his hind leg. Chester spooks, as do I, but I stay on. We continue on. Chester is very aware of what is around him. He is on his toes. I am prepared for anything. I notice he is apprehensive around paper and plastic bags. I encourage him on all the time. Don is in front with a few horses behind him, then there is a gap and then there is me. Chester sees a car coming and stops. I put my legs on him. He doesn’t want to go. I persist and persist. He is turning, he is on his toes, and he is skittish. We are directly in front of the car, which has stopped. It can see I am battling. Cheryl instructs me to discard the cigarette from my mouth as I need all attention on Chester and my focus is all on Chester. We cannot risk him bolting off and perhaps the cigarette drops from my mouth onto him! Don comes back to encourage Chester to move on. He does so. Chester is not a lead horse (not used to being in the front of the line), so he was hesitant and nervous. We go on. I am enjoying this learning curve. I have two girls and a man on Buckle behind me. We cross the bridge and Don is preparing to canter. The riders behind me announce they do not want to canter, so we walk up the hill.
We walk and trot the beach and head for home. Just up the road past the shop, we have a small canter up. We are at the last house and are going to wait for Cheryl and her group. As Chester nears the other horses, two Labradors come running out the house and are barking at Chester. We spook and leap left towards the ditch. We are down off the path and on the road. I love this challenge. Again, I stay on. I am proud of myself. We get back to the stables; it is too late to go home. Don goes and fetches pies. The clients for the afternoon ride arrive. There will be six of us. We grab the horses we want from the paddock, feed them and saddle up once again. I am riding Gunstone, the beautiful Dun. We have a most enjoyable ride. The clients can only trot. Cheryl holds them back and tells Don, September and I to go on ahead and enjoy the canters home. We do so. We are tired, bed the horses and decide to go to Morgan Bay Hotel for a drink. We are home late. Don cooks up some lovely Pork Rashers. I eat, wash and get to bed. My first night to bed before 23h00. I am finished.
M
We cross the river and come to a halt, waiting for the Cheryl who is watching the 4 year old on Blaze. I am standing behind Nsync on Chester, minding my own business, when Nsync decides to kick out at Chester and catches him on the neck with his hind leg. Chester spooks, as do I, but I stay on. We continue on. Chester is very aware of what is around him. He is on his toes. I am prepared for anything. I notice he is apprehensive around paper and plastic bags. I encourage him on all the time. Don is in front with a few horses behind him, then there is a gap and then there is me. Chester sees a car coming and stops. I put my legs on him. He doesn’t want to go. I persist and persist. He is turning, he is on his toes, and he is skittish. We are directly in front of the car, which has stopped. It can see I am battling. Cheryl instructs me to discard the cigarette from my mouth as I need all attention on Chester and my focus is all on Chester. We cannot risk him bolting off and perhaps the cigarette drops from my mouth onto him! Don comes back to encourage Chester to move on. He does so. Chester is not a lead horse (not used to being in the front of the line), so he was hesitant and nervous. We go on. I am enjoying this learning curve. I have two girls and a man on Buckle behind me. We cross the bridge and Don is preparing to canter. The riders behind me announce they do not want to canter, so we walk up the hill.
We walk and trot the beach and head for home. Just up the road past the shop, we have a small canter up. We are at the last house and are going to wait for Cheryl and her group. As Chester nears the other horses, two Labradors come running out the house and are barking at Chester. We spook and leap left towards the ditch. We are down off the path and on the road. I love this challenge. Again, I stay on. I am proud of myself. We get back to the stables; it is too late to go home. Don goes and fetches pies. The clients for the afternoon ride arrive. There will be six of us. We grab the horses we want from the paddock, feed them and saddle up once again. I am riding Gunstone, the beautiful Dun. We have a most enjoyable ride. The clients can only trot. Cheryl holds them back and tells Don, September and I to go on ahead and enjoy the canters home. We do so. We are tired, bed the horses and decide to go to Morgan Bay Hotel for a drink. We are home late. Don cooks up some lovely Pork Rashers. I eat, wash and get to bed. My first night to bed before 23h00. I am finished.
M
LET’S START TESTING MY SKILLS 13th DEC.
It is Michaela’s last day. We head off for the morning ride. Cheryl wants me to ride Bliss today in the hope I can stop him from any nervousness which may have been instilled in him from Ashleigh’s last ride. Bliss is a young horse at 4 years old. Up until now, I have ridden the older horses from 10yrs old up. I am keen and perhaps a tad nervous. Ashleigh had told me how Bliss shakes his head all the time and goes farming (veers off in his own direction when trotting or cantering). We are walking down the road towards Morgan Bay (the most beautiful view of the sea). We see the Whales, three of them frolicking in the sea. Bliss’s’ head is shaking a tad but I control it. He tries to shy periodically; I am cool on him and manage a perfectly good ride.
We grab a bite and set up for the afternoon ride. Cheryl allocates Apollo to me to ride. Again, a young horse at nearly 4 years old. Apollo is a Frisian Stallion. Apollo also likes to go farming. But what a beautiful ride. We are walking toward Morgan Bay, when a huge truck is coming towards us. There is a ripple effect. Michaela’s horse shies, Bliss shies and lastly Apollo. Shoo, I am still in the saddle! For the first time since my arrival, I am cantering without holding onto the saddle. I scream in delight as Don passes me going up the hill towards the cliffs “I’ve left the saddle”. Don screeches to a halt to check I’m okay. My bad, having said what I said, Don had visions of the saddle being left behind on the road. Sorry Don! We now enter the area to climb up the cliffs and it’s off to another canter. Don is behind me on Solo (a palomino) who is so energetic! Again I show Don I canter with both hands on the reins, and again I announce “See Don, no saddle”. At that precise moment I am now shouting “AND I’VE LOST MY STIRRUP”. The adrenalin is pumping. It is awesome. I am getting so much more confidence at my new abilities every single day.
Back home, it is time for Michaela to pack up. I shall have a peaceful sleep tonight knowing there will be no tricks. I shall miss Michaela (the rat pack). We have dinner and are all tired and get to bed just after 23h00. Yes, Michaela had put an ice-cream container under my pillow – No spider, just a packet of biltong in it for me! I look forward to seeing you in the New Year Michaela J.
M
We grab a bite and set up for the afternoon ride. Cheryl allocates Apollo to me to ride. Again, a young horse at nearly 4 years old. Apollo is a Frisian Stallion. Apollo also likes to go farming. But what a beautiful ride. We are walking toward Morgan Bay, when a huge truck is coming towards us. There is a ripple effect. Michaela’s horse shies, Bliss shies and lastly Apollo. Shoo, I am still in the saddle! For the first time since my arrival, I am cantering without holding onto the saddle. I scream in delight as Don passes me going up the hill towards the cliffs “I’ve left the saddle”. Don screeches to a halt to check I’m okay. My bad, having said what I said, Don had visions of the saddle being left behind on the road. Sorry Don! We now enter the area to climb up the cliffs and it’s off to another canter. Don is behind me on Solo (a palomino) who is so energetic! Again I show Don I canter with both hands on the reins, and again I announce “See Don, no saddle”. At that precise moment I am now shouting “AND I’VE LOST MY STIRRUP”. The adrenalin is pumping. It is awesome. I am getting so much more confidence at my new abilities every single day.
Back home, it is time for Michaela to pack up. I shall have a peaceful sleep tonight knowing there will be no tricks. I shall miss Michaela (the rat pack). We have dinner and are all tired and get to bed just after 23h00. Yes, Michaela had put an ice-cream container under my pillow – No spider, just a packet of biltong in it for me! I look forward to seeing you in the New Year Michaela J.
M
MY DAY OF BRAVERY (OR STUPIDITY) 12thDEC.
The girls were exceptionally wicked last night. Toothpaste is nothing. I go to climb into bed and I scream. I opened the duvet to climbing and these wicked girls had an ice cream tub stuck in my bed, no lid on, with a Rain Spider in it, which now crawled all over my bed and landed on the floor. They were forced to get it out. Then they ran outside to my bedroom window and threw it back in through the window into my room. As if this was not enough, they then spent the next half hour flicking my bedroom light on and off (the switch for this is outside my bedroom), then they bashed on my bedroom wall for the next half hour (their room is next to mine). By now I have slammed by bedroom door closed as they cannot open it from the outside without me being aware of it. With the building going on here, there is expansion in the door, thus making it a difficult door to open and the door only has a handle on it from the inside of the room. I shall get these girls back (and yes, Cheryl one day too) – She is in cahoots with the girls.
I am up at 07h00 to prepare for our morning ride. Oops, I cannot get out of my room. I see Don has just driven out the gate. I am stuck. I need a pee. Now what? I have no choice but to SMS Cheryl to pls come and let me out my room. I wake the girls up. They are not pleased. We tack up the horses and I am riding Gunstone today. He is about 16.2 hands and a Dun (this is his colouring). On the beach, Andrew and I are together with me riding in the front of him. He is riding Buckle. Michaela goes into the canter for us to follow. Andrew and I could not achieve the canter. Gunstone takes me into an extended trot. I cannot break it. My kidneys are taking a bashing. We reach Michaela and Don and Don instructs us as to what we must do for the canter back. Here go the kidneys again….. We achieve the canter back. We grab pies and go home for lunch. We shall go back to the stables after a small break to split the horses up and put some of them in the field across from the stables. We have no ride set for this afternoon.
We go back to the stables and are just mucking about with the horses. I call Gunstone. He comes. Cheryl and I lie on the ground directly in front of his legs. She is desperate to build up my confidence. She forces me to stand directly behind Robin and pull his tail. Yikes, I AM getting brave. Then Don puts a halter on Robin and tells me to get on him bareback. Robin is about 15.2 hands. Don gives me a leg up. I am on – Bareback. Cheryl instructs Don to remove Robins halter. I am petrified but soon relax. Well, Robin then decides to scratch himself with his back leg. As if that was not enough, he then gives himself a shake (similar to what a dog does). Cheryl then instructs me to slide my body backwards towards Robin’s backside. She wants me to slide myself off him, over his back legs. I hold my breath and go. It seems like I’m sliding off a 3 storey building. I land, I am alive
We now put half the horses in the paddock over the road. I am watching Spirit. He is a Chestnut Arab Stallion. I have been scared of him since I arrived here. He permanently wears a halter as when Cheryl got him about 4 years ago, he had learnt la behavior pattern from his previous owner, to storm people. Having the halter on makes it easier to catch him when needed. Cheryl grabs Spirit to move him away from the gate. I tell her I would like to touch Spirit. She brings him over and tells me to take his halter. Once again, I am nervous but remember the rule of being assertive and the fact that horses are telepathic. I take Spirit, he starts to pull me. I stand my ground and tell him to stand. He responds, positively. I am getting brave, very, very, brave. We go home. Michaela and I work together in the paddock at home. We are destroying and removing thorn trees, leveling the ground and placing jumps up. We are tired after some 2 and half hours doing this. We come inside, have dinner, and are exhausted and ready for bed. We now have no water. The Borehole pump has been struck by lightning. Bath in bucket night tonight.
M
I am up at 07h00 to prepare for our morning ride. Oops, I cannot get out of my room. I see Don has just driven out the gate. I am stuck. I need a pee. Now what? I have no choice but to SMS Cheryl to pls come and let me out my room. I wake the girls up. They are not pleased. We tack up the horses and I am riding Gunstone today. He is about 16.2 hands and a Dun (this is his colouring). On the beach, Andrew and I are together with me riding in the front of him. He is riding Buckle. Michaela goes into the canter for us to follow. Andrew and I could not achieve the canter. Gunstone takes me into an extended trot. I cannot break it. My kidneys are taking a bashing. We reach Michaela and Don and Don instructs us as to what we must do for the canter back. Here go the kidneys again….. We achieve the canter back. We grab pies and go home for lunch. We shall go back to the stables after a small break to split the horses up and put some of them in the field across from the stables. We have no ride set for this afternoon.
We go back to the stables and are just mucking about with the horses. I call Gunstone. He comes. Cheryl and I lie on the ground directly in front of his legs. She is desperate to build up my confidence. She forces me to stand directly behind Robin and pull his tail. Yikes, I AM getting brave. Then Don puts a halter on Robin and tells me to get on him bareback. Robin is about 15.2 hands. Don gives me a leg up. I am on – Bareback. Cheryl instructs Don to remove Robins halter. I am petrified but soon relax. Well, Robin then decides to scratch himself with his back leg. As if that was not enough, he then gives himself a shake (similar to what a dog does). Cheryl then instructs me to slide my body backwards towards Robin’s backside. She wants me to slide myself off him, over his back legs. I hold my breath and go. It seems like I’m sliding off a 3 storey building. I land, I am alive
We now put half the horses in the paddock over the road. I am watching Spirit. He is a Chestnut Arab Stallion. I have been scared of him since I arrived here. He permanently wears a halter as when Cheryl got him about 4 years ago, he had learnt la behavior pattern from his previous owner, to storm people. Having the halter on makes it easier to catch him when needed. Cheryl grabs Spirit to move him away from the gate. I tell her I would like to touch Spirit. She brings him over and tells me to take his halter. Once again, I am nervous but remember the rule of being assertive and the fact that horses are telepathic. I take Spirit, he starts to pull me. I stand my ground and tell him to stand. He responds, positively. I am getting brave, very, very, brave. We go home. Michaela and I work together in the paddock at home. We are destroying and removing thorn trees, leveling the ground and placing jumps up. We are tired after some 2 and half hours doing this. We come inside, have dinner, and are exhausted and ready for bed. We now have no water. The Borehole pump has been struck by lightning. Bath in bucket night tonight.
M
Saturday, December 13, 2008
IS THAT DON LYING UNDER NSYNC? 11th DEC.
Cinnamon Resting
I was up at 0650 after receipt of the first sms of the morning. It is my birthday! I am tired. Michaela would not stop talking when we got into bed last night at 01h00, so little sleep was had! We have a ride at 09h30. We leave home and head for the stables. We tack up and we are off. The heavens have opened. I am on Bestman. He is such a good ride. I canter, I am in heaven. My groin can tolerate the pain today. We take the horses to the beach and walk them into the sea, we canter again. It’s awesome. We head back. In the car, off to the shop, grab a pie and drink and now we must round up the next load of horses from the field. An hour or so later, we are back! Exhausted, only to have to tack up for the next ride.
Saddled up, we are off, I am riding Midnite again. Cheryl has a new Development kid riding. He must be 4 or 5 yrs old. We ride out through the field. Two minutes later, we hear a commotion. Buckle has had a bite at NSync whilst Don is standing next to him. The next minute, Don is grounded. He is furious. He is ready to kill Buckle. Buckle is smiling. I’m thinking, “So I will get birthday cake, afterall!”. We all know better. We say nothing and ride on! Cheryls new development guy has had a brilliant new ride. First ride, first trot, first canter and wham, he’s on the beach at the halt of the canter. All his firsts and he is still smiling. He also rides home with no stirrups and arms out like an aeroplane. What a charming little boy. He even rides home facing the tail of the horse. A good ride had by all, we are back home by 18h40. Cheryl even gave me a birthday present by telling me my riding skills have leaped forward by leaps and bounds since my arrival. She even tells me I look like a rider now. I am proud of me. Lifes gift to me, is just to be!
Don is cooking up curry. Again, we are all in the kitchen telling our stories. We are so chilled. I am having some red wine. The young girls are almost pouring it down my throat. They have a plan……… I am tired. I have had an awesome day. The best birthday in years! I am concerned though. Michaela and Laura have something up their sleeves to catch me out tonite…. Is this more toothpaste? Or something worse? I think tonight I will sleep in the car! These girls are wicked :-) VERY WICKED!
M
I was up at 0650 after receipt of the first sms of the morning. It is my birthday! I am tired. Michaela would not stop talking when we got into bed last night at 01h00, so little sleep was had! We have a ride at 09h30. We leave home and head for the stables. We tack up and we are off. The heavens have opened. I am on Bestman. He is such a good ride. I canter, I am in heaven. My groin can tolerate the pain today. We take the horses to the beach and walk them into the sea, we canter again. It’s awesome. We head back. In the car, off to the shop, grab a pie and drink and now we must round up the next load of horses from the field. An hour or so later, we are back! Exhausted, only to have to tack up for the next ride.Saddled up, we are off, I am riding Midnite again. Cheryl has a new Development kid riding. He must be 4 or 5 yrs old. We ride out through the field. Two minutes later, we hear a commotion. Buckle has had a bite at NSync whilst Don is standing next to him. The next minute, Don is grounded. He is furious. He is ready to kill Buckle. Buckle is smiling. I’m thinking, “So I will get birthday cake, afterall!”. We all know better. We say nothing and ride on! Cheryls new development guy has had a brilliant new ride. First ride, first trot, first canter and wham, he’s on the beach at the halt of the canter. All his firsts and he is still smiling. He also rides home with no stirrups and arms out like an aeroplane. What a charming little boy. He even rides home facing the tail of the horse. A good ride had by all, we are back home by 18h40. Cheryl even gave me a birthday present by telling me my riding skills have leaped forward by leaps and bounds since my arrival. She even tells me I look like a rider now. I am proud of me. Lifes gift to me, is just to be!
Don is cooking up curry. Again, we are all in the kitchen telling our stories. We are so chilled. I am having some red wine. The young girls are almost pouring it down my throat. They have a plan……… I am tired. I have had an awesome day. The best birthday in years! I am concerned though. Michaela and Laura have something up their sleeves to catch me out tonite…. Is this more toothpaste? Or something worse? I think tonight I will sleep in the car! These girls are wicked :-) VERY WICKED!
M
LET’S VEGETATE 10th DEC.
Cleopatra & Gibson
Michaela and I are up. Ashleigh is packing her car. She announces she is leaving and hands Don and Cheryl a letter. I like Michaela’s thinking. We decide Cheryl and Don can take the morning ride, whilst we veg out. It’s raining on and off. They leave and are back in about 30 mins. We all veg. Next minute, holiday makers arrive with their dog for Veterinarian Cheryl, to look at and fix. It is never a dull moment here.
We eat lunch and I graciously, minding my own business fall asleep on the couch. An hour later, APPARENTLY, Cheryl coaxes the kids into smothering toothpaste over my face. I wake up only to smear it all over myself whilst Cheryl is taking pictures of this whole scenario. Nothing is safe here.
The afternoon ride is cancelled. The rain is coming down too much. I am coffeed up. I must now take Laura home, on an empty tank of petrol. The two girls take me to see Kei River Mouth and then inform me of the Kei Ripper, whilst making me drive through Lovers Lane, where they also tell me you cannot be there after 18h00. I now put foot and got out of there oh so quickly. We have dinner and I get the Mickey taken out of me about so many things, let alone the fact I’ve been pinned in a trough by such a placid horse!!!!! We are shortly off to bed.
M
Michaela and I are up. Ashleigh is packing her car. She announces she is leaving and hands Don and Cheryl a letter. I like Michaela’s thinking. We decide Cheryl and Don can take the morning ride, whilst we veg out. It’s raining on and off. They leave and are back in about 30 mins. We all veg. Next minute, holiday makers arrive with their dog for Veterinarian Cheryl, to look at and fix. It is never a dull moment here.
We eat lunch and I graciously, minding my own business fall asleep on the couch. An hour later, APPARENTLY, Cheryl coaxes the kids into smothering toothpaste over my face. I wake up only to smear it all over myself whilst Cheryl is taking pictures of this whole scenario. Nothing is safe here.
The afternoon ride is cancelled. The rain is coming down too much. I am coffeed up. I must now take Laura home, on an empty tank of petrol. The two girls take me to see Kei River Mouth and then inform me of the Kei Ripper, whilst making me drive through Lovers Lane, where they also tell me you cannot be there after 18h00. I now put foot and got out of there oh so quickly. We have dinner and I get the Mickey taken out of me about so many things, let alone the fact I’ve been pinned in a trough by such a placid horse!!!!! We are shortly off to bed.
M
GOING DOWN IN A BLAZE OF GLORY? 9TH DEC.
Caribbean
Today was a long long day, with some 7 hours in the saddle, between two rides. I have Bestman, a pure Nooitgedachter. We trek off. We have a mixed bunch from advanced to total beginner riders – 16 people. It is exceptionally hot. Whilst going through the first field, Cheryl has already worked out the groups between advanced / intermediate riders, to beginner riders. Michaela leads the first group, who go on ahead. Laura, who is backing Hermes for the first time is suddenly on the ground. (NO chocolate cake? Definite favouritism here). I’m in the middle of the group. Cheryl is back and forward between us all. We all trot on. My groin is coping.
The group now splits up into two. I’m at the tail end of the first group, with 8 year old young lass, behind me, on Excalibur. She is coping well and Cheryl is monitoring her. We cross the bridge and come to the road which goes to the cliffs. Cheryl asks me to take the young lass for a canter. Off we go. Four strides later, I realize my groin cannot take this. Cheryl takes over and puts me in charge of the beginners group, who are happy to trot and walk on. I am pleased. We take our time on our ride and all meet back at the stables. We untack, sort out the horses, grab a pie at the shops and we are back at the stables reorganizing for the next ride. We are tired and burnt from the sun.
There are 10 people to saddle up for. We start. I am allocated Midnite to ride. I saddle him up. I ask Michaela who else is gentle enough for me to saddle up. She tells me to do Blaze. He is NOT a problem horse (so long as you have the right attitude). I walk into his stable and he turns his butt to me. I land in the trough. I hope and pray no-one witnesses this. I am safe! Or so I thought. Panic stricken I stay pinned up against the wall, IN the trough. Cheryl turns around to see me ashen and asks “AND NOW?” I become a child and tell her I am scared. One of the development kids, September, (9 yrs old), comes giggling, to my rescue….. Blaze is the softest natured horse!
Again, the group is split. Ashleigh is on Bliss. She is nervous. This time Cheryl asks me to go ahead with the faster pace riders. I know my groin cannot cope. I decline and offer to take the 2 children who are beginners, one who is very quick to cry. The kids are led on a lead reign by the development kids behind me. Midnite is a good ride with great responses to me. By the time we get to the bridge, the faster group is coming back. I’m placating our young crying rider who has got a fright from the horse sneezing. We turn back, the faster riders passing us by to head for the beach. I am en route home and Ashleigh joins my group. We get back home through the rain having made the kids touch their toes whilst riding and getting them to ride with their arms outstretched to their sides. Ashleigh dismounts to open the gate to the stables. Cheryl is not far behind us with two young boys having great fun with her.
The next thing Ashleigh is hitting Bliss in the face. Apparently he tried to bite her. Bliss does not bite but affectionately licks one. Cheryl rightly so gets agitated and shouts at Ashleigh. The problem is twofold. Cheryl and Don are angry over Ashleigh going AWOL and missing from their ride to the beach. You never leave a group without informing someone. You never hit a horse in the face. This could cause major future problems with either putting a halter or bridle on the horse, or even coming near it. We untack and go home. Everyone is very subdued. Ashleigh is in tears. I have a long chat with her to get her to understand their concerns. We eat dinner and Ashleigh goes to bed. I blog and email and get to bed at 01h30, only to be rudely awoken at 02h15 by Cheryl just about throwing my cell phone to me with some repeated alarm going off. I will never live this down!
M
Today was a long long day, with some 7 hours in the saddle, between two rides. I have Bestman, a pure Nooitgedachter. We trek off. We have a mixed bunch from advanced to total beginner riders – 16 people. It is exceptionally hot. Whilst going through the first field, Cheryl has already worked out the groups between advanced / intermediate riders, to beginner riders. Michaela leads the first group, who go on ahead. Laura, who is backing Hermes for the first time is suddenly on the ground. (NO chocolate cake? Definite favouritism here). I’m in the middle of the group. Cheryl is back and forward between us all. We all trot on. My groin is coping.The group now splits up into two. I’m at the tail end of the first group, with 8 year old young lass, behind me, on Excalibur. She is coping well and Cheryl is monitoring her. We cross the bridge and come to the road which goes to the cliffs. Cheryl asks me to take the young lass for a canter. Off we go. Four strides later, I realize my groin cannot take this. Cheryl takes over and puts me in charge of the beginners group, who are happy to trot and walk on. I am pleased. We take our time on our ride and all meet back at the stables. We untack, sort out the horses, grab a pie at the shops and we are back at the stables reorganizing for the next ride. We are tired and burnt from the sun.
There are 10 people to saddle up for. We start. I am allocated Midnite to ride. I saddle him up. I ask Michaela who else is gentle enough for me to saddle up. She tells me to do Blaze. He is NOT a problem horse (so long as you have the right attitude). I walk into his stable and he turns his butt to me. I land in the trough. I hope and pray no-one witnesses this. I am safe! Or so I thought. Panic stricken I stay pinned up against the wall, IN the trough. Cheryl turns around to see me ashen and asks “AND NOW?” I become a child and tell her I am scared. One of the development kids, September, (9 yrs old), comes giggling, to my rescue….. Blaze is the softest natured horse!
Again, the group is split. Ashleigh is on Bliss. She is nervous. This time Cheryl asks me to go ahead with the faster pace riders. I know my groin cannot cope. I decline and offer to take the 2 children who are beginners, one who is very quick to cry. The kids are led on a lead reign by the development kids behind me. Midnite is a good ride with great responses to me. By the time we get to the bridge, the faster group is coming back. I’m placating our young crying rider who has got a fright from the horse sneezing. We turn back, the faster riders passing us by to head for the beach. I am en route home and Ashleigh joins my group. We get back home through the rain having made the kids touch their toes whilst riding and getting them to ride with their arms outstretched to their sides. Ashleigh dismounts to open the gate to the stables. Cheryl is not far behind us with two young boys having great fun with her.
The next thing Ashleigh is hitting Bliss in the face. Apparently he tried to bite her. Bliss does not bite but affectionately licks one. Cheryl rightly so gets agitated and shouts at Ashleigh. The problem is twofold. Cheryl and Don are angry over Ashleigh going AWOL and missing from their ride to the beach. You never leave a group without informing someone. You never hit a horse in the face. This could cause major future problems with either putting a halter or bridle on the horse, or even coming near it. We untack and go home. Everyone is very subdued. Ashleigh is in tears. I have a long chat with her to get her to understand their concerns. We eat dinner and Ashleigh goes to bed. I blog and email and get to bed at 01h30, only to be rudely awoken at 02h15 by Cheryl just about throwing my cell phone to me with some repeated alarm going off. I will never live this down!
M
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
AND I AM OUT OF ACTION 8th DEC.
So much for the early night…… 03h45 was when we climbed into bed. We were trying to sort out a document from my computer to Cheryls which insisted in being encrypted once opening it on Cheryls PC. I still managed to wake at 07h00 to shower and get ready. Whilst Cheryl was organizing tack and saddles to take down to the stables with us, I decided to groom Caribbean. I am so at ease with her. She is teaching me a lot and helping me overcome my fears. I walked directly behind her rear, whilst holding onto her rear. I picked up her front and back legs. Cheryl tells me to breathe. I am proud of myself. A little more everyday and I will get the confidence. We are now ready to go for our ride. It is 11h30 and scorching hot.
Oh no, some of the horses have worked their way back to the first paddock. We climb out and start to round them up (Only about 6-8 of them). En route to the gate to let the horses onto the road, I twist my leg on a grass clump, pulling the muscle in my right groin. As if that was not enough, I repeat the same thing. I hobble forward, I am in agony. Don picks me up. We are missing Buckle and Midnight. We head for home and see them. Don gets out and tells me to drive the car. Cheryl and Laura are in the next paddock trying to find another horse. Ashleigh joins them and I go home to drop off the groceries. I drive back to find them all in the first paddock we stopped at, to see Don and Ashleigh still trying to round Buckle and Midnight up. Don is getting frustrated. It is hot, seriously hot. Eventually Cheryl and Laura get the two mites and head them to the stables. Everyone is exhausted. We decide to rather head home and have lunch and take a ride in the afternoon. At home, the electricity is off. Don & Cheryl set about fixing the problem.
With lunch over, I have to inform them I cannot ride. I am too sore in the groin. We agree it best to rest it and see what tomorrow holds. Don, Laura & Ashleigh go off for the ride. Cheryl decides as the electricity is on, she wants to finish her saddles. I try to sort out the computer glitch. The glitch is hampering me from getting my daily blogs loaded. Let’s hope this is not another 03h45 sleep time. The electricity goes off again. It is miles to walk to the mains to try and sort out. Cheryl does her cutting out instead.
The guys come back around 18h30. They had a good ride and now Michaela has joined us. She is 14 yrs old and from East London. She has brought her horse here and will stay for the week . We have a ride set for 09h30 tomorrow. I have to exercise my groin in the hope I will be able to ride tomorrow. We start cooking dinner by candlelight and a one plate gas cooker. Spag Bol tonight. I do the bolognaise and am just about to get the water on the plate when the electricity comes back on. Early eat and bed tonight. We are all exhausted.
M
Oh no, some of the horses have worked their way back to the first paddock. We climb out and start to round them up (Only about 6-8 of them). En route to the gate to let the horses onto the road, I twist my leg on a grass clump, pulling the muscle in my right groin. As if that was not enough, I repeat the same thing. I hobble forward, I am in agony. Don picks me up. We are missing Buckle and Midnight. We head for home and see them. Don gets out and tells me to drive the car. Cheryl and Laura are in the next paddock trying to find another horse. Ashleigh joins them and I go home to drop off the groceries. I drive back to find them all in the first paddock we stopped at, to see Don and Ashleigh still trying to round Buckle and Midnight up. Don is getting frustrated. It is hot, seriously hot. Eventually Cheryl and Laura get the two mites and head them to the stables. Everyone is exhausted. We decide to rather head home and have lunch and take a ride in the afternoon. At home, the electricity is off. Don & Cheryl set about fixing the problem.
With lunch over, I have to inform them I cannot ride. I am too sore in the groin. We agree it best to rest it and see what tomorrow holds. Don, Laura & Ashleigh go off for the ride. Cheryl decides as the electricity is on, she wants to finish her saddles. I try to sort out the computer glitch. The glitch is hampering me from getting my daily blogs loaded. Let’s hope this is not another 03h45 sleep time. The electricity goes off again. It is miles to walk to the mains to try and sort out. Cheryl does her cutting out instead.
The guys come back around 18h30. They had a good ride and now Michaela has joined us. She is 14 yrs old and from East London. She has brought her horse here and will stay for the week . We have a ride set for 09h30 tomorrow. I have to exercise my groin in the hope I will be able to ride tomorrow. We start cooking dinner by candlelight and a one plate gas cooker. Spag Bol tonight. I do the bolognaise and am just about to get the water on the plate when the electricity comes back on. Early eat and bed tonight. We are all exhausted.
M
ROOM FOR MANY SURPISES? 7th DEC.
We are all up late and well rested. Well, Ashleigh got up at 13h30; only after I was seconded to go and check she was still alive. Ashleigh “CLAIMS” she has been up reading since 07h30. WE do not believe her for a minute! I am grateful for the rest at home today, out of the sun, and giving my feet a rest out of the boots! We have had a chilled relaxed day. Don, e v e n t u a l l y caught Valentino, a previously abused horse, and rode him down to the stables. I was forced to wash dishes and clean the kitchen (oh so NOT). From tomorrow, we expect the onslaught to come. Rest oh wicked one. Cheryl then decided to introduce us to another bit of wildlife. The dangerously poisonous Tree Frog, who secretes venom of note, is chilling under the toothbrushes! Ashleigh and I will now be brushing our teeth in the kitchen.
I spend sometime this afternoon with my precious Caribbean who seems to have kidnapped Kingston from his Mom, Topaz. Kingston is a 3 month old Bay, still with his fluffy coat. I start to groom Caribbean. She senses I want to touch the foal (remember the body language and telepathy). Caribbean turns to present me with the foal. I love this girl. She is so gentle and kind. It makes me more determined to be the one to back her!!!! I introduce Kingston to the brush and allow him smell it. I want to touch him. He smells the brush (Cheryl is watching me). Kingston turns his rear to me (Baby or no baby, I’m not about to test his kick). Cheryl sees me back away and then tells me Kingston just wanted a rub on the top of his tail. What a fool I feel…… I will get there. All in good time. Funny, it’s about trusting in me too. Caribbean then takes off with the foal. Topaz is coming around the corner. Cheryl then tells us that it seems Caribbean has stolen Kingston. A temporary issue no doubt.
We chill for the rest of the day, only to get the SURPRISE of note later. Cheryl announces she will cook supper tonight. Spaghetti Carbonara. We are all gob smacked. Cheryl CAN cook. And all this time we thought she was just good with horses?
We have a 09h00 ride tomorrow. We shall have to be up early. It will be an early night again tonight. I am rested, at peace and loving every moment of this. Candice my child, this is for YOU. You HAVE to make a plan to do this in your life.
M
I spend sometime this afternoon with my precious Caribbean who seems to have kidnapped Kingston from his Mom, Topaz. Kingston is a 3 month old Bay, still with his fluffy coat. I start to groom Caribbean. She senses I want to touch the foal (remember the body language and telepathy). Caribbean turns to present me with the foal. I love this girl. She is so gentle and kind. It makes me more determined to be the one to back her!!!! I introduce Kingston to the brush and allow him smell it. I want to touch him. He smells the brush (Cheryl is watching me). Kingston turns his rear to me (Baby or no baby, I’m not about to test his kick). Cheryl sees me back away and then tells me Kingston just wanted a rub on the top of his tail. What a fool I feel…… I will get there. All in good time. Funny, it’s about trusting in me too. Caribbean then takes off with the foal. Topaz is coming around the corner. Cheryl then tells us that it seems Caribbean has stolen Kingston. A temporary issue no doubt.
We chill for the rest of the day, only to get the SURPRISE of note later. Cheryl announces she will cook supper tonight. Spaghetti Carbonara. We are all gob smacked. Cheryl CAN cook. And all this time we thought she was just good with horses?
We have a 09h00 ride tomorrow. We shall have to be up early. It will be an early night again tonight. I am rested, at peace and loving every moment of this. Candice my child, this is for YOU. You HAVE to make a plan to do this in your life.
M
HOORAY FOR NO ROUNDING UP 6th DEC
I am up at 06h00 to shower and prepare for the ride. It is a glorious morning with not a cloud in the sky. Don is going to East London to take Luisa to the airport. He drops us at the stable yard. We are blessed. The horses stayed where they should be. No rounding up today. We cross the horses over from their field opposite the stables, into the stable yard and begin the feeding. The clients arrive, we introduce them to the herd and Cheryl tells me I will ride Robin again. She wants to see him roll me on the beach again! You are wicked Cheryl. No, Cheryl wants to teach me how to be assertive. Now we are all ready, Cheryl drops another bomb – You can lead the ride she says to me. And off we go. Kick him says Cheryl…. Get him moving forward……. And so the ride begins, with the pressure on my legs to get Robin moving forward. About 250 m up, I am stressed and my legs are tired…. Cheryl pulls up and coaches me…. At the same time I’m told to be assertive and not aggressive. I do not think I am aggressive but perhaps the power play between Robin and I begins. We do the usual route. I stop ahead to take photos – Wrong move. I cannot get Robin to walk on. Cheryl passes me and obligingly Robin moves forward. I hate the fact a horse can make me feel so incompetent. I also begin to think I’m riding a donkey….. Cheryl insists if you can ride, then Robin will give you a good ride. We will talk a month from now Cheryl……..
We do our usual route and head for the beach. Cheryl is dying to see Robin roll me on the beach yet again. I am determined this will not happen. We are back en route home. I won. No rolling on the beach today. So Cheryl, please tell me I have accomplished something……. You say little….. Give me a pat now and then ok….. I work better with recognition…. Ha ha ha….. I am burnt today. A beautiful day for good weather, but with the wind we had, there was no recognition of the sun penetration. I am sore.
Again, peri peri chicken, which Ashleigh is taught to make. We eat and I bed early.
M
We do our usual route and head for the beach. Cheryl is dying to see Robin roll me on the beach yet again. I am determined this will not happen. We are back en route home. I won. No rolling on the beach today. So Cheryl, please tell me I have accomplished something……. You say little….. Give me a pat now and then ok….. I work better with recognition…. Ha ha ha….. I am burnt today. A beautiful day for good weather, but with the wind we had, there was no recognition of the sun penetration. I am sore.
Again, peri peri chicken, which Ashleigh is taught to make. We eat and I bed early.
M
DRIVING US WILD 5th DEC.
Luisa is going through to her school in East London this morning. It is her last day of school this year. She is staying overnight with a friend and then flies to Joburg tomorrow to be with her Dad for Christmas.
Laura arrives. Laura is going to back Thumbelina today. She is a black Friesian cross miniature, one of only three in the world, 3 year old and about 12 Hands. I watch with interest whilst she catches Thumbelina. Some 30 minutes later, Laura is walking Thumbelina all the while giving voice commands. She has only a halter on. Cheryl asks me to go and help by encouraging Thumbelina on from the rear. (Yeah, right Cheryl). Laura knows better and offers me the halter whilst she encourages Thumbelina from the rear. Within 5 seconds Thumbelina reads my lack of knowledge and starts to take me for a walk. We get it under control for about 3 minutes and then Thumbelina decides to show who is boss! It is definitely not me. And that is it, she is off and I surely let go, having been dragged with her for about 10 metres. About 30 minutes later, we get her back and start again, this time I just walk next to Laura and watch with keen interest. The time is right now to place the saddle on Thumbelina. I watch in awe as Thumbelina does not so much as flinch at having anything on her back (so much for the movies). Laura walks her around with the saddle on her back for some time before even attempting to get onto the saddle. The backing is done ever so gently and in stages. Only a good hour later does Laura start to place her weight over the saddle (whilst she is still firmly rooted to the ground). Then bit by bit, she places her weight in the stirrups (on the one stirrup and then back down). Eventually, Laura is in the saddle and Thumbelina is fine with this. I see so much skill in what goes on here.
Again we must round up the horses in the field to take them through to the stable yard. The rain has stopped. No problem, off we all go. The horses are driving us wild. We have far to go to find the horses today who are split up around the field. We round up the first lot, about 20 of them and get them off. Just as we get to the stables, Cheryl tells us we need to go back as Ayanda, (Cheryl’s’ Jack of all trades), has spotted more horses at the top of the field where we were. Don, Ashleigh, Ayanda and I go back. The feet are sore and I am tired, but the excitement of another round up restores my energy level. Getting to the top of the field, I hear the thud of hooves coming. I’m too late as they pass me and head straight down to the bottom of the field. I run and manage to get them to cross over towards the side we are herding them to. Now, I am on my own. There are 8 horses. I have them cornered, but they are cleverer than I am. They go into the thicket of the bush. Now I know it’s time to test my skills. I am nervous that in brushing them out, they will gallop back over to the other side. I am coming up their rears and the fear of being booted comes to the fore. Cheryl always says “Make yourself big” and be assertive. Well, I did it, all on my own. I got the horses out and now, with Ashleigh’s help, up to the gate. Now the trek begins once again to the stable yard. My poor feet are really taking a hammering. I cannot wait to get home to take off my riding boots.
We have lunch. I am exhausted and opt for an afternoon nap. I am grateful for the break in a ride today. We have to be up early tomorrow. We have clients for a 09h30 ride. We have lamb riblets for supper. Again, Cheryl forces me in the kitchen!
M
Laura arrives. Laura is going to back Thumbelina today. She is a black Friesian cross miniature, one of only three in the world, 3 year old and about 12 Hands. I watch with interest whilst she catches Thumbelina. Some 30 minutes later, Laura is walking Thumbelina all the while giving voice commands. She has only a halter on. Cheryl asks me to go and help by encouraging Thumbelina on from the rear. (Yeah, right Cheryl). Laura knows better and offers me the halter whilst she encourages Thumbelina from the rear. Within 5 seconds Thumbelina reads my lack of knowledge and starts to take me for a walk. We get it under control for about 3 minutes and then Thumbelina decides to show who is boss! It is definitely not me. And that is it, she is off and I surely let go, having been dragged with her for about 10 metres. About 30 minutes later, we get her back and start again, this time I just walk next to Laura and watch with keen interest. The time is right now to place the saddle on Thumbelina. I watch in awe as Thumbelina does not so much as flinch at having anything on her back (so much for the movies). Laura walks her around with the saddle on her back for some time before even attempting to get onto the saddle. The backing is done ever so gently and in stages. Only a good hour later does Laura start to place her weight over the saddle (whilst she is still firmly rooted to the ground). Then bit by bit, she places her weight in the stirrups (on the one stirrup and then back down). Eventually, Laura is in the saddle and Thumbelina is fine with this. I see so much skill in what goes on here.
Again we must round up the horses in the field to take them through to the stable yard. The rain has stopped. No problem, off we all go. The horses are driving us wild. We have far to go to find the horses today who are split up around the field. We round up the first lot, about 20 of them and get them off. Just as we get to the stables, Cheryl tells us we need to go back as Ayanda, (Cheryl’s’ Jack of all trades), has spotted more horses at the top of the field where we were. Don, Ashleigh, Ayanda and I go back. The feet are sore and I am tired, but the excitement of another round up restores my energy level. Getting to the top of the field, I hear the thud of hooves coming. I’m too late as they pass me and head straight down to the bottom of the field. I run and manage to get them to cross over towards the side we are herding them to. Now, I am on my own. There are 8 horses. I have them cornered, but they are cleverer than I am. They go into the thicket of the bush. Now I know it’s time to test my skills. I am nervous that in brushing them out, they will gallop back over to the other side. I am coming up their rears and the fear of being booted comes to the fore. Cheryl always says “Make yourself big” and be assertive. Well, I did it, all on my own. I got the horses out and now, with Ashleigh’s help, up to the gate. Now the trek begins once again to the stable yard. My poor feet are really taking a hammering. I cannot wait to get home to take off my riding boots.
We have lunch. I am exhausted and opt for an afternoon nap. I am grateful for the break in a ride today. We have to be up early tomorrow. We have clients for a 09h30 ride. We have lamb riblets for supper. Again, Cheryl forces me in the kitchen!
M
A NEW DIMENSION TO BEING BEACHED? 4th DEC.
We all rise between 08h30 and 09h00. I have muscles in places I never knew existed. I am bruised on the inside of my left calf. My thighs do not belong to me? As for the rear I am carrying, I am not sure to whom this belongs…..We chill and chat. Greetings to the horses around the home and once again, I spend invaluable time in the paddock with them. We have a ride set for this afternoon with two clients. We have lunch and are told to be ready by 14h00. I’m told I will ride Alexander, who loves rolling in the water. Cheryl is set to test me. She has a wicked sense of humour.
We leave to round the horses up once again – They keep getting out of the paddocks we put them into recently burnt with new shoots coming through. Cheryl says it becomes a habit for them but with peak season on the horizon, we need to get the horses into a routine of where they are to stay. Again, we move the horses. It is raining and getting worse. We slip everywhere. My feet are dead but the passion for the ride takes over the pain. Once at the stable yard, we start the routine of feeding and then introducing the clients to the herd. The lady rider, has arrived in a long denim dress to ride in? They choose their horses with Luisas guidance. The female rider chooses Alexander. I am now allocated Robin Hood. 15.2 Hands and a dark Bay, full of himself in the stables. I am a tad nervous.
We have lost Don.... Don has got stuck in the mud with the car!
We tack up, help where we can with the clients and now we all mount. Don arrives. And off we go. Same route as before. We head to the beach, drop off a cement driveway and onto the beach, and I hear Luisa tell the client to make sure she watches Alexander with the water. The last thing I was expecting was to have Robin Hood drop his legs and drop down onto his haunches. He was preparing to roll in the sand WITH me on his back. It all happened in slow motion. As he lay down on the beach, Robin Hood waited for me to get off his back. He didn’t have long to wait, because as he dropped down, I voluntarily bailed off, for fear of being squashed. Only now to stand up, giggle and watch Robin roll through the sand WITH saddle on. What a sight. What a feeling. I was beached. I got up, with pride and dignity intact, brushed the sand off me, Robin and the saddle and remounted. All the riders had a good laugh at my expense. Robin won that round. I could not wait to get home and shower. When showering, you do so with every conceivable bug to be found in a rural area.
Don cooks up a stunning peri peri chicken meal for tonight. We ate and sat and chatted about the day and under the guidance of Cheryl and Don, learnt more of what we needed to learn. Their knowledge and stories are brilliant. Another day over, exhausted by 20h30, I take myself to bed. I yearn for someone to rub my feet.
M
We leave to round the horses up once again – They keep getting out of the paddocks we put them into recently burnt with new shoots coming through. Cheryl says it becomes a habit for them but with peak season on the horizon, we need to get the horses into a routine of where they are to stay. Again, we move the horses. It is raining and getting worse. We slip everywhere. My feet are dead but the passion for the ride takes over the pain. Once at the stable yard, we start the routine of feeding and then introducing the clients to the herd. The lady rider, has arrived in a long denim dress to ride in? They choose their horses with Luisas guidance. The female rider chooses Alexander. I am now allocated Robin Hood. 15.2 Hands and a dark Bay, full of himself in the stables. I am a tad nervous.
We have lost Don.... Don has got stuck in the mud with the car!
We tack up, help where we can with the clients and now we all mount. Don arrives. And off we go. Same route as before. We head to the beach, drop off a cement driveway and onto the beach, and I hear Luisa tell the client to make sure she watches Alexander with the water. The last thing I was expecting was to have Robin Hood drop his legs and drop down onto his haunches. He was preparing to roll in the sand WITH me on his back. It all happened in slow motion. As he lay down on the beach, Robin Hood waited for me to get off his back. He didn’t have long to wait, because as he dropped down, I voluntarily bailed off, for fear of being squashed. Only now to stand up, giggle and watch Robin roll through the sand WITH saddle on. What a sight. What a feeling. I was beached. I got up, with pride and dignity intact, brushed the sand off me, Robin and the saddle and remounted. All the riders had a good laugh at my expense. Robin won that round. I could not wait to get home and shower. When showering, you do so with every conceivable bug to be found in a rural area.
Don cooks up a stunning peri peri chicken meal for tonight. We ate and sat and chatted about the day and under the guidance of Cheryl and Don, learnt more of what we needed to learn. Their knowledge and stories are brilliant. Another day over, exhausted by 20h30, I take myself to bed. I yearn for someone to rub my feet.
M
THE FIRST RIDE 3rd DEC.
Shoo, we are all up this morning after 09h00. The change in altitude, the fresh air, coupled with yesterdays exercise, grabs us big time. Be that as it may, we are still rearing to go. We await our instructions. Coffee is up – It’s still raining on and off. Mud everywhere. I go outside to chat with the horses. Tenacity comes up to the verandah and decides to have Dons’ coffee out of the cup. I take pictures. I am so in love with the horses and being here. The dogs and cats join us in the walks to the paddock by the house. They too play with the horses. Closer to nature, happiness and unconditional reward, you will not get. We mill around and do what we can to help Cheryl where we can. We spend the morning around the home doing odds and sods. Before we know it, it is now lunch time. We eat and Cheryl tells us to be ready by 14h30.
Cheryl says we are going to ride this afternoon. She tells us all about the horses we will ride. I am going to ride Buckle. Buckle is a Bay, 16 Hands, with a small blaze and white snout. Good natured. He does not like anyone riding behind him. Worse yet, he can bite when you put his girth on. AWESOME! This will be the first time I tackle up in ten years. Yes, I’m nervous.
I get my saddle and bridle to prepare Buckle. I’m nervous and wondering if I can do this on my own! I manage the bridle and then saddle but when it comes to the girth, Don comes to help. I think he knows I’m scared to be bitten ha ha. I put the girth on whilst Don holds the bridle. All goes well. We are all saddled up and off we go. We have a 3 hour ride towards the cliffs, which are just amazingly beautiful, past Morgans Bay Hotel. We have our first canter up the road and then turn and go towards the beach. Over the Morgans Bay Estuary, we are now on the beach and begin a long trot towards the rocks. Oh, Don has to go back to Luisa, who is riding Maverick. Maverick has just been backed. He is only being ridden for the second time. Luisa’s expertise and incredible knowledge of handling the horses is admirable. Maverick does not want to cross the trickle of the estuary. Don tells us to carry on to the rocks. We then canter on and wait. It is beautiful. Freedom abounds. The sound of the horses cantering hooves, next to the waves rippling on the beach, is something out of a movie. I’m in heaven. I’m alone, yet so complete, filled with the happiness of unconditional unison with Buckle. Some 10 minutes later, with no sign of Don and Luisa, we head back. Into another canter we go and meet up with them, still at the Estuary mouth. Now, Maverick crosses over and then leads us into the river to cross it and head home. On the way home, a lorry hoots as he passes Luisa on Maverick, who shies. Luisa handles this so well. Again, her expertise comes through. In the sable yard, we dismount – I feel like John Wayne. My rear does not feel like it belongs to me, let alone my thighs. They are numb! We put the tack away and head home.
We shower, sit, chill, talk, eat the lamb curry and I fall asleep on the couch, absolutely exhausted. Ashleigh in the meantime becomes a seamstress of note. She is hand sewing the edges to the nose bands.
M
Cheryl says we are going to ride this afternoon. She tells us all about the horses we will ride. I am going to ride Buckle. Buckle is a Bay, 16 Hands, with a small blaze and white snout. Good natured. He does not like anyone riding behind him. Worse yet, he can bite when you put his girth on. AWESOME! This will be the first time I tackle up in ten years. Yes, I’m nervous.
I get my saddle and bridle to prepare Buckle. I’m nervous and wondering if I can do this on my own! I manage the bridle and then saddle but when it comes to the girth, Don comes to help. I think he knows I’m scared to be bitten ha ha. I put the girth on whilst Don holds the bridle. All goes well. We are all saddled up and off we go. We have a 3 hour ride towards the cliffs, which are just amazingly beautiful, past Morgans Bay Hotel. We have our first canter up the road and then turn and go towards the beach. Over the Morgans Bay Estuary, we are now on the beach and begin a long trot towards the rocks. Oh, Don has to go back to Luisa, who is riding Maverick. Maverick has just been backed. He is only being ridden for the second time. Luisa’s expertise and incredible knowledge of handling the horses is admirable. Maverick does not want to cross the trickle of the estuary. Don tells us to carry on to the rocks. We then canter on and wait. It is beautiful. Freedom abounds. The sound of the horses cantering hooves, next to the waves rippling on the beach, is something out of a movie. I’m in heaven. I’m alone, yet so complete, filled with the happiness of unconditional unison with Buckle. Some 10 minutes later, with no sign of Don and Luisa, we head back. Into another canter we go and meet up with them, still at the Estuary mouth. Now, Maverick crosses over and then leads us into the river to cross it and head home. On the way home, a lorry hoots as he passes Luisa on Maverick, who shies. Luisa handles this so well. Again, her expertise comes through. In the sable yard, we dismount – I feel like John Wayne. My rear does not feel like it belongs to me, let alone my thighs. They are numb! We put the tack away and head home.
We shower, sit, chill, talk, eat the lamb curry and I fall asleep on the couch, absolutely exhausted. Ashleigh in the meantime becomes a seamstress of note. She is hand sewing the edges to the nose bands.
M
LET THE GAMES BEGIN 2nd DEC.
I am like a child again. I wake up at 06h00, check there are no snakes in my room and I’m rearing to go. I just want to work with the horses. I walk outside to be with them. It is still raining, on and off. We sit on the verandah and chat on and off with Don and Cheryl and Luisa, who are now telling us all about their 64 horses. Cheryl starts to teach us about the pecking order and the body language of the horses and ours to them and the telepathy the horses have about our fears. We are told at this point that whoever falls off has to bake chocolate cake. At this point I inform them all that there are two traits I do not possess. Baking and sewing. Whilst on the verandah, the horses, predominantly the mares and some foals, roam around. There is Cleopatra and Gibson (her colt, just 3 weeks old). He looks so funny with such long spindly legs. I’m taking pictures, lots of them. It’s an awesome sight to be so close to Mom and her foal. I sit in the paddock with the horses to familiarize myself with them and to learn about their body language. I need to work on my own nervousness. I sit on a plastic barrel and the horses slowly but surely, start to approach me. They are inquisitive, yet so casual. I take photographs. Cleopatra brings Gibson so close to me, I can almost touch him. Gibson has the funniest tail I have ever seen. It’s like a horse tail which has been crimped. Natural for a foal, I am told. Cinnamon strolls up and promptly lies down next to me. This shows you just how relaxed and trusting the horses are. There are 13 Stallions here, of which all but 2 (Spirit and Zeus) will be gelded. The gelding (castration) should have happened in winter, but due to no water, this could not happen. The water is imperative for washing the area of gelding thus preventing infection and screw worm. The screw worm eats living flesh!
Now I have the pleasure of Caribbean introducing herself to me. A Friesian cross Arab cross, she is 3 and a half years old. A beautiful Blue Roan with the gentleness of an Angel. She approaches me with the softest of eyes and sniffs me. In no time, she is almost resting her head on my shoulder. I have fallen in love with her. I’m told she has not yet been backed. I categorically state that this will be the first horse I will be willing to try and back. I have to first watch how Luisa and Laura (her friend), will back horses. I am keen. Dead keen. Luisa and Laura are both senior guides having worked here forever.
Now the fun begins. We are told to go with Luisa to a H U G E open field, to round the horses up and drive them through to the stables, along the road, some 3km from the house. Cheryl’s property of some 500 HA is spread wide and far. We meet Nikkita (a local teenager), en route, who joins in. This is my first time ever involved in getting into a field, finding the horses and then having to assert my authority in telling them where to go and where not to. Ha ha. The first horse I come across I endeavour to assert my authority with. He looks at me as if to say “Is there something I can do to help you?” I once again attempt to assert my authority and he looks up again as if to say “Do you mind, I’m eating”. Don then shouts out for me to leave him alone. He is Strike, who is some 30 odd yrs old, riddled with arthritis and retired. Good start Mish! All is fine in the field, when suddenly you have some 30 horses cantering / galloping towards you. Yeah right, I will guide them, all 5 ft of me. We are taught to make ourselves big and authoritative. I am trying to now be the Matriarch. Hee Hee. We run in the field with the horses – Talk about freedom. You have to experience it to understand. The horses are now rounded up by the gate to the road, where our 3km long trek along the road begins. Already we are tired, beads of sweat pouring down, yes, even in the rain. Now we are taught the importance of driving the horses forward. I’m thrown the luminous green jacket to slow down or control any traffic. I’m at the rear end of them all (I am the biggest chicken when it comes to the rear of horses – Aint no horse gonna kick me) and we now trot and run towards the stables keeping the horses in check and making sure they don’t split up. It is incredible how ignorant the public are whilst in their cars as to how to travel a dirt road with some 30 horses, none of whom are on any halters. We arrive at the stables, leave the horses loose in the stable yard and now must prepare each stable with food in each trough or bucket. I am exhausted!! There are 17 stables and one larger fenced off area for the balance of the horses to feed in. The excitement of being and working with the horses replenishes any exhaustion. Now the horses are to come in to their stables and they push and shove to get to their cubes first. Robin Hood is very pushy, forever pushing his way in and out of his stable, despite the ropes across his entrance. They are fed and released into a paddock opposite the stable yard. We pray they stay there for the night. I have learnt a lot. I have walked and run a lot. I am tired. I am keen to hit the sack. Luisa makes Spag Bol for supper and I make Lamb curry for tomorrow night. I retire early and sleep like a baby.
M
Now I have the pleasure of Caribbean introducing herself to me. A Friesian cross Arab cross, she is 3 and a half years old. A beautiful Blue Roan with the gentleness of an Angel. She approaches me with the softest of eyes and sniffs me. In no time, she is almost resting her head on my shoulder. I have fallen in love with her. I’m told she has not yet been backed. I categorically state that this will be the first horse I will be willing to try and back. I have to first watch how Luisa and Laura (her friend), will back horses. I am keen. Dead keen. Luisa and Laura are both senior guides having worked here forever.
Now the fun begins. We are told to go with Luisa to a H U G E open field, to round the horses up and drive them through to the stables, along the road, some 3km from the house. Cheryl’s property of some 500 HA is spread wide and far. We meet Nikkita (a local teenager), en route, who joins in. This is my first time ever involved in getting into a field, finding the horses and then having to assert my authority in telling them where to go and where not to. Ha ha. The first horse I come across I endeavour to assert my authority with. He looks at me as if to say “Is there something I can do to help you?” I once again attempt to assert my authority and he looks up again as if to say “Do you mind, I’m eating”. Don then shouts out for me to leave him alone. He is Strike, who is some 30 odd yrs old, riddled with arthritis and retired. Good start Mish! All is fine in the field, when suddenly you have some 30 horses cantering / galloping towards you. Yeah right, I will guide them, all 5 ft of me. We are taught to make ourselves big and authoritative. I am trying to now be the Matriarch. Hee Hee. We run in the field with the horses – Talk about freedom. You have to experience it to understand. The horses are now rounded up by the gate to the road, where our 3km long trek along the road begins. Already we are tired, beads of sweat pouring down, yes, even in the rain. Now we are taught the importance of driving the horses forward. I’m thrown the luminous green jacket to slow down or control any traffic. I’m at the rear end of them all (I am the biggest chicken when it comes to the rear of horses – Aint no horse gonna kick me) and we now trot and run towards the stables keeping the horses in check and making sure they don’t split up. It is incredible how ignorant the public are whilst in their cars as to how to travel a dirt road with some 30 horses, none of whom are on any halters. We arrive at the stables, leave the horses loose in the stable yard and now must prepare each stable with food in each trough or bucket. I am exhausted!! There are 17 stables and one larger fenced off area for the balance of the horses to feed in. The excitement of being and working with the horses replenishes any exhaustion. Now the horses are to come in to their stables and they push and shove to get to their cubes first. Robin Hood is very pushy, forever pushing his way in and out of his stable, despite the ropes across his entrance. They are fed and released into a paddock opposite the stable yard. We pray they stay there for the night. I have learnt a lot. I have walked and run a lot. I am tired. I am keen to hit the sack. Luisa makes Spag Bol for supper and I make Lamb curry for tomorrow night. I retire early and sleep like a baby.
M
THE DAY OF RECKONING 1st DEC.
A view of Morgans BayI boarded on time and slept the whole flight. Arrived in EL on time. Don & Louisa (16yrs), Cheryl’s daughter, fetched me. Off to Mkulu Kei we went, towards the Transkei, near Haga Haga, close to Morgans Bay.
I meet Ashleigh, a volunteer here for 3 weeks. Cheryl & Don are ex Rhodesians (I feel at home immediately). I unpack and am stoked at the fact that the horses are milling around right outside my bedroom window!
We spend the rest of the afternoon chilling between the two paddocks close to the house, getting familiar with and introducing ourselves to the horses. What a feeling of nature and freedom combined. We are also introduced to some 5 cats and two dogs (Boytjie and the very excitable Maya). Welcome to farm life. We are warned of the snakes which the cats bring in to the house. Then we are told about the Rain Spiders (as big as your hand) all over. If anyone knows me, they will know these are my two pet hates, all in one. I am charmed to say the least. Oh and mind you don’t go out at night, there are Jackals! I love the thought of farm life….. Tonight we saw the line of Jupiter, the Moon and the evening star, an event which apparently only takes place every 200 years (and I might be comfortable at the rear of a horse by then)!
Cheryl has a multitude of tasks ahead of peak season. She has taken on making her own saddles and bridles – No mild task! Cheryl, I can see, thrives on stress and the pressure of it all. I offer to cook dinner for the first night. Ashleigh and I get stuck into the kitchen. Pork chops, boerewors, baked potatoes and salad are on the menu. We eat and we bed ourselves early, prepared for what lies ahead. We are warned this week will be easy. Peak starts from the week end with all the holiday makers coming down. It is raining now and cooling things down.
M
I meet Ashleigh, a volunteer here for 3 weeks. Cheryl & Don are ex Rhodesians (I feel at home immediately). I unpack and am stoked at the fact that the horses are milling around right outside my bedroom window!
We spend the rest of the afternoon chilling between the two paddocks close to the house, getting familiar with and introducing ourselves to the horses. What a feeling of nature and freedom combined. We are also introduced to some 5 cats and two dogs (Boytjie and the very excitable Maya). Welcome to farm life. We are warned of the snakes which the cats bring in to the house. Then we are told about the Rain Spiders (as big as your hand) all over. If anyone knows me, they will know these are my two pet hates, all in one. I am charmed to say the least. Oh and mind you don’t go out at night, there are Jackals! I love the thought of farm life….. Tonight we saw the line of Jupiter, the Moon and the evening star, an event which apparently only takes place every 200 years (and I might be comfortable at the rear of a horse by then)!
Cheryl has a multitude of tasks ahead of peak season. She has taken on making her own saddles and bridles – No mild task! Cheryl, I can see, thrives on stress and the pressure of it all. I offer to cook dinner for the first night. Ashleigh and I get stuck into the kitchen. Pork chops, boerewors, baked potatoes and salad are on the menu. We eat and we bed ourselves early, prepared for what lies ahead. We are warned this week will be easy. Peak starts from the week end with all the holiday makers coming down. It is raining now and cooling things down.
M
Sunday, November 30, 2008
MY BAGS ARE PACKED AND I'M READY TO GO!!!
My last entry from JHB.
Awoke this morning with what is commonly called a "hangover". So much to do, I had to lose it. Thank heavens for Grandpa!
We had a family gathering of note. All were here to have a lovely late lunch. My bonus, I get to keep Braden tonight, sleeping with his Nan. Birthday and Christmas gifts exchanged.
Then my Nikki (Mike's girlfriend), was on my case........ Yes, the suitcases needed finalising. Well, at long last it's done with only last minute toiletries to be packed in the morning. I'm sad, Basboo took up too much room and had to be left behind:-(.
Then, the emotions came into it - My farewell to my youngest child, Nic, who has now, as of this evening, moved in with his Dad for the next two years of his life. I shall miss him terribly but will stay in touch as often as possible. I love you Nic. You are a special gift to me x x
I am now off to bath and bed. I shall sleep both well and with a heavy heart. As tomorrow dawns, I have to bounce out of bed and get ready. The kids arrive at 6.30am to start my trip. My flight to East London takes to the air at 11.05. My next blog will probably only be sometime on Tuesday.
M
Awoke this morning with what is commonly called a "hangover". So much to do, I had to lose it. Thank heavens for Grandpa!
We had a family gathering of note. All were here to have a lovely late lunch. My bonus, I get to keep Braden tonight, sleeping with his Nan. Birthday and Christmas gifts exchanged.
Then my Nikki (Mike's girlfriend), was on my case........ Yes, the suitcases needed finalising. Well, at long last it's done with only last minute toiletries to be packed in the morning. I'm sad, Basboo took up too much room and had to be left behind:-(.
Then, the emotions came into it - My farewell to my youngest child, Nic, who has now, as of this evening, moved in with his Dad for the next two years of his life. I shall miss him terribly but will stay in touch as often as possible. I love you Nic. You are a special gift to me x x
I am now off to bath and bed. I shall sleep both well and with a heavy heart. As tomorrow dawns, I have to bounce out of bed and get ready. The kids arrive at 6.30am to start my trip. My flight to East London takes to the air at 11.05. My next blog will probably only be sometime on Tuesday.
M
Friday, November 28, 2008
FINAL FRIDAY AT HOME
The pressure is on to finish my Christmas shopping today. It's also Bradens 2nd birthday next week. Off to the shops I must go, finalising the ultimate last "Things to do today" list. The Kodak shop to finalise the pics of my precious cargo to take with. The groceries for the final send off party on Saturday night 29/11. Not much time to blog between now and my lift off 1st December 2008.
The pain of yesterdays goodbye, still lingers. I live now for Monday, to get on my journey with my new friends, the horses.
M
The pain of yesterdays goodbye, still lingers. I live now for Monday, to get on my journey with my new friends, the horses.
M
Thursday, November 27, 2008
I NEVER THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE SO HARD
Wow, you have NO idea how hard this is for me today! To say goodbye. My heart aches. Goodbyes are NEVER nice.
4 more sleeps. I must stay focused on my Adventure. The rewards I stand to get from giving so much of myself to the horses, will be what I live for. Soon, soon, I will be boarding.
Life's gift to me, is just to be!
M
4 more sleeps. I must stay focused on my Adventure. The rewards I stand to get from giving so much of myself to the horses, will be what I live for. Soon, soon, I will be boarding.
Life's gift to me, is just to be!
M
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
THE PREPARATION OF MY ADVENTURE
Certain things have happened in my life over the past few months, which resulted in me deciding to go to East London. Why East London? Well, I decided I wanted to do something along the lines of working with traumatised animals and get them through this difficult stage of their lives. I considered all types of animals, from Baboons, to Tigers, Elephants and even bears. Having been accepted and invited to go and work with wildlife in Thailand, I was then accepted to go on a working holiday in East London, to work on Horse trails coupled with the rehabilitation of abused, unwanted and neglected horses.
The Trail also has a Horse Riding Development Programme with the backbone of the project being skills transfer, aimed at children between the ages of 10 to 16 yrs, from families who do not have the finances to enable the child to have this kind of experience. In the programme, not only will I improve my own knowledge and riding skills but I will be given the opportunity to teach others or work at a stud and riding stable. I will be exposed to awesome facets of horsemanship including grooming, foaling (pulling out foals), halter training foals to backing them, training green horses, helping with medical problems and exercising trail horses, learn the day to day management of an established concern and become a second guide.
Sounds sooooooo cool and having been a rider before and knowing the unconditional love and reward you get from working with horses, I could not resist I leave 1st December 2008 - One way ticket in the hope of finding, not only myself but my vocation in life!
Wow, who can believe it's ONE MONTH to Christmas? And only 6 more sleeps for me.
My past month has been preparing for my trip. So so much has had to change in my life. God willing, He has created the most awesome opportunity for me. The hardest and most emotional preparation perhaps, has been making sure my three kids will all be okay. Candice (23) lives in her own spot with my beautiful Grandson, Braden and her Frenchman beau, Didier, Michael (21) lives with me and will now have to fend for himself, and Nicolas (16) is going to live with his Dad for the next 2 years. I have never been "Childless" for the past 23 years!
So all is ready with the last thing done yesterday in kitting out myself with all my riding gear. Was so exciting. This week is busy with so many people to say good bye to. Thursday will be my hardest farewell. Saturday is a final parting party with the family. Sunday to pack and rest and prepare for the hard yet rewarding labour from 1st December 2008.
I find myself sad, scared and yet excited! Similar to the beauty of the Drakensberg which can encounter 4 seasons in one day, I am encountering 3 emotions all at once.
M
The Trail also has a Horse Riding Development Programme with the backbone of the project being skills transfer, aimed at children between the ages of 10 to 16 yrs, from families who do not have the finances to enable the child to have this kind of experience. In the programme, not only will I improve my own knowledge and riding skills but I will be given the opportunity to teach others or work at a stud and riding stable. I will be exposed to awesome facets of horsemanship including grooming, foaling (pulling out foals), halter training foals to backing them, training green horses, helping with medical problems and exercising trail horses, learn the day to day management of an established concern and become a second guide.
Sounds sooooooo cool and having been a rider before and knowing the unconditional love and reward you get from working with horses, I could not resist I leave 1st December 2008 - One way ticket in the hope of finding, not only myself but my vocation in life!
Wow, who can believe it's ONE MONTH to Christmas? And only 6 more sleeps for me.
My past month has been preparing for my trip. So so much has had to change in my life. God willing, He has created the most awesome opportunity for me. The hardest and most emotional preparation perhaps, has been making sure my three kids will all be okay. Candice (23) lives in her own spot with my beautiful Grandson, Braden and her Frenchman beau, Didier, Michael (21) lives with me and will now have to fend for himself, and Nicolas (16) is going to live with his Dad for the next 2 years. I have never been "Childless" for the past 23 years!
So all is ready with the last thing done yesterday in kitting out myself with all my riding gear. Was so exciting. This week is busy with so many people to say good bye to. Thursday will be my hardest farewell. Saturday is a final parting party with the family. Sunday to pack and rest and prepare for the hard yet rewarding labour from 1st December 2008.
I find myself sad, scared and yet excited! Similar to the beauty of the Drakensberg which can encounter 4 seasons in one day, I am encountering 3 emotions all at once.
M
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
