Sarah Kreutzer and the Learning To Listen Team are doing their last horse whispering demonstration at Holmside Hall Equestrian Centre, Durham on Friday 11th September, 7.30pm.
Sarah and the Team will be working with three different horses whom they have never met before, covering issues such as trouble picking up feet, spooking and loading.
Tickets can be bought from Danielle at Holmside Hall on 0793 9900934 or www.holmsidehallequestrian.co.uk
Hi there,
I seem to be getting worse at this…it is because we are busy though so at least it’s a good excuse!
Anne & Roma finished their course on Friday and got home safe and sound, with Roma travelling much better, which I know was a worry for Anne.
Bertie, unfortunately, has been out of action this week after freaking out about the cows next to the drive on Monday and spraining his back leg. He’s much better now after lots of hosing, bandaging and stabling, and the poor boy is going out of his tree a little with frustration about being in. Bonnie is down there keeping him company today.
Eric arrived on Monday for training. He’s a 5 yr old, 16.2hh Irish Sports Horse who I think has been “broken to sell” and rushed through the system. Although he has no real issues he can get anxious and is wary of new people and situations. So far this week I’ve been doing lots of confidence and trust work, working with him bareback and off a mounting block, which he is particularly worried about. So far, so good.
Milly is also in training now for a month. She’s a 3 yr old welsh cob who’s here for starting. At the moment she’s a little scattered with her brain so all the work I am doing is to bring her into our world and settle her. She’s a poppet and very cute, just doesn’t know much.
I also went all the way to Newcastle yesterday to work with two horses, Max and Taz, both on loading into a wagon, but with different issues.
Taz is just wary and was very easy really to work with, but Max has some deeper set problems and as I was worried about his safety in the environment I suggested he come for a week, with his wagon, to do some intensive training. The last thing I want is for him to get hurt, and he’s at the peak of his event season, so it would be crazy to risk it. He’s arriving Saturday so I’ll let you know how he’s getting on.
I’m heading out now to do some work on the yard then out to see Sue Theakston.
See you soon
Alex
Morning
Well, it all seems very quiet this morning. Our second group of campers left yesterday leaving Hill Top Farm feeling a little deserted! Jodie, Megan, India, Emma, Victoria & Lauren were here for 3 days of nothing but ponies, ponies and more ponies. Actually, thats a fib, as it was Jodie’s birthday on Monday so we went bowling too. They all had a fab week and have gone to home to sleep I think!
Bertie is still progressing well, although I’m starting to ask a little more of him now and he’s getting a little cheeky. He was tired this morning when I brought him in poor thing, his body must be wondering what on earth is happening to him!
I have Anne on a Partnership Course this week too with her 3 yr old filly Roma. She’s very sweet and they don’t really have any issues. Anne has had her since 9 months old and Roma is an absolute credit to her. You don’t see many 3 yr olds as well rounded as she is. Both Anne and Roma are tired this morning so we are heading to the School House to do some theory and give their bodies a rest. All this thinking is hard work you know!
Right, work to be done.
Alex
Hey there
Its been another busy week down on the farm, so sorry for the delay.
Sid, Jasper, Mo & Lilly left at the start of the week leaving Milo & Bertie to work.
After looking at Milo some more I was becoming increasingly worried about what is going on with him, particularly with his hip/stifle and advised his owner we do no more work without full investigation into all his medical ailments, however small. As he was starting to buck even without the rider we knew he was getting worse. They’ve decided to take him home and have the vet out to them & take things from there so I’ll keep you posted with any info I get.
Bertie is just so good! I’ve been longlining him all this week, building up his mental fitness nevermind physical. He is like a little child starting at nursery and falling asleep in his dinner! But he takes all the training side of things in his stride - he’s so soft in his mouth with the bit its lovely, just how they should be.
I went out to help Kayleigh load Wellington on Wednesday. Wellington is an event horse who has a habit of not loading until about 30-40 minutes into a session, then he goes in. I think he’s hit his hips at some stage, and Kayleigh confirmed he does knock himself regularly walking into his stable. By the end of the session I had him running into the lorry in front of us! I’ve advised Kayleigh to get one of the Comfort Zone rugs (see loading blog) as that will protect him in future.
I also went to see Sue & Caitlyn again yesterday who are just doing brilliantly. We moved on to longlining, where there is lots to work on for both Sue & Caitlyn and it will give them both lots of confidence from the ground in prep for riding again.
A sad day for us today - Rhiannon’s last day. Rhi has been up here from Dorset for the last 2 weeks and has been amazing, both with the day to day stuff and the training of the horses - I’m going to miss her when I’m mucking out on my own again! Her boyfriend is travelling up today to keep her company on the long drive home so we are taking them both for dinner tonight to thank them.
So for me, I’m out now to work Bertie & get horses ready for Vicky Rawle coming at 4pm to do Bowen.
See you soon
Alex
Hi there
One of the most common horsey problems we come across here at LTL is loading & travelling issues.
Horses that don’t load, won’t load, travel badly, bolt out again, horses that fall over, pull off shoes and the rest, we have seen it all.
The first thing we always do is take out the bars and partitions from the trailer, as these cause us the biggest problems. Horses need room to spread their legs out and balance - they don’t need partitions or bars to hold them up, they are perfectly capable of doing it on their own. However, when the space is restricted they have to keep all their feet together and tend to knock themselves, as both them and the trailer are off balance.
Those little knocks are what cause bad loaders - it’s a vicious circle as the horse leans closer (goes into-pressure) next time, and knocks itself again.
If you’re horse is swinging him bum across when you try load him, he’s probably trying to tell you he knocked his hip or shoulder in a narrow gap once. If he lifts his head to the roof, he bashed that once - they will tell you the story.
We’ve also come across a fantastic rug from Comfort Zone Equestrian, which is padded on the hips, shoulders and tail, to help avoid your horse hurting himself if he does knock into something. I never travel without one.
Check out http://www.cz-equestrian.com/index2.html for more info.
Published by Sarah on August 13th, 2009 in General
What a fab week we all had. The sun shone all week for us. Everyone has gone home now to go on a diet I think as Jeanines cooking was amazing as usual. Lots of horses, lots of learning, food and sun shine. What more can you ask for.
Look out for our next Warrior Programme on the 28th September 2009
Published by Sarah on August 13th, 2009 in General
What an amazing week we have had with the ladies on the Warrior programme. I can’t wait to hear how they all get on back in the ‘real’ world. Take care ladies.
Good afternoon,
Things are quitening down here for a couple of days at least. Sid, Mo, Lilly & Jasper have all gone home, leaving just Bertie & Milo for this week.
Sid reverted back a little yesterday when we loaded him into his own trailer. The memories are obviously still there for him, although we have done our best with the time and trailer we have. It’s so difficult. He’s gone to someone for schooling now and then he’ll be for sale.
We took Jasper back to Leeds last night - he was very happy to see his best friend Solo. Mo & Lilly went out for a ride through the woods today before heading home in their lorry, so the place seems quite quiet all of a sudden.
Bertie is still doing really well, he’s now learning about long lining and being hosed. We’ve come to a road block with Milo, with the only way forward to really investigate his stifle problems and the cause of his sweet itch and digestive problems. Decisions, decisions…I’ll keep you posted on his owners decision.
Oh, and have you seen the big article in Your Horse magazine with Sarah and the herd of horses. You should check it out and let us know what you think.
Goodnight
Alex
I truly believe horses are here for other reasons than going around dressage rings & cross country courses. This clip is one of those reasons. Horses can heal us phyically and emotionally and help us understand our journeys a little better. Enjoy!
