The Team .

Wish this cold snap would go away,it means we can not ride this week due to the slippery ground.I can remember the last time we rode in these conditions .It was dangerous and it was nerve wrecking as we tried to avoid icy puddles.To add to it we had a dog go for Butch and Fiona decided it was good idea to bolt on ice and get away from these awful scary animals.The took flight down the lane ,how we never slipped I do not know.side by side they raced manically refusing to stop until I was so exasperated I said "for god sake stop will you!" and with that they both stopped and we turned round walked past the dog (now on a lead) and we stopped to chat to the owner.We would ride in snow ,which is not so bad but you can not do much ,but ice is a no,no,its not worth the risk.So I am hoping the cold snap will end soon ,like next week.

We turn up early today as the farrier has come to shoe the horses and for some unknowen reason we have to come at nine.I am glad as the weather was fine and did not turn nasty till the afternoon.

Trigger was my mount for today as Misty  was being shoed.Pam had Butch so it was a boy day.

We were surprised to find the woods and valley not as wet or boggy as one might expect after all this rain.Just as well as butch hates the river spot when it floods,he dipped Pam into the river here once and calmly walked all way back to the stables without her.we took the route up to the

dips and trig point .Here the Exmoor ponies took

a  liking to trigger to which I had to wave at them madly to back off,these were the young ones the nosey ones.There were schoolchildren out map reading ,they were well behaved compared to last year even if they left the gate open.No wonder the cows were nowhere to be seen ,escaped no doubt again.The ground up on blackdown was very wet and boggy under hoof and deep puddles had to be negotiated with care.A good hack and the ponies had their carrots .

I have not written for awhile and things have changed again for the better .my mate misty and I are back together riding the mendip hills.She is not the fastest thing on four legs but she suits me .We are off wandering the paths of blackdown and the surrounding woodland with either butch or fern.
The loggers have at last gone and left barren spots where trees once were,leaving the paths unregonisable .They have to retun for the logs ,hopefully not when we are around.Over the years the paths have changed and the on going of growing trees alters the landscape.for example we use to jump logs in one dense forest spot and now its nowhere to be seen,just replanted trees taking thier time to grow.
we have been up on the fields behind rowberrow fort,we call it the sheep fields.Here you can canter through 4 fields(it may be more)straight and either turn and come back as we do or contuine down to rowberrow warren hamlet.The views are stunning from here and very qiute.Hopefully our next hack will be in better weather,lets hope so.

goodbye to a trustie pal

My mate Misty will not be my champion for awhile if at all as she has a bad back,I hope she will not go to the sky or the knackers yard as she deserves more than that for all her hard work and loyalty.I will miss her very much but I can do nothing to help her.You never lose the pain of parting but if only.... .
This time we went out in bitterly cold weather ,well wrapped up and ready to go along the icy paths.Trigger was a little skittish but not to bad and butch was just his self.we rode in the valley it was cold here.we saw a dead fox poor thing,from a hunt you can tell,the tail was cut off and marks on his neck.What person enjoys killing another life for pleasure? a sick one and their time will come.Going further was sunny and just a hint of warmth but the wind blew and it was freezing.We did not go far as it was to cold and slippery but we enjoyed being out and about.

Trigger is becoming my hacking mate

Poor old misty is still off.How I miss her but I guess I wont be riding her for awhile if at all.I know have Trigger who is my faithful companion and we are hitting it off alright.
We had arrived in a very low mist with an ice cold wind wishing we had put more layers on .Maisie is waiting for us ever hopeful for a dog biscuit,good job I had pocket full or those sad eyes would make me feel guilty.The other two riders turned up and we nattered for awhile as Tam tacked up the ponies in the freezing cold.After a while we board our steads and headed off down the track.We try to go in pairs in different directions as its better all round but we kept bumping into each other on route.In winter it is hard not too as we do not go up on top as its far to cold and slippery.We did meet up at the end of the treasure trail and and strolled back together.In the yard the farrier was busy and his little dog T-Bag was there looking for tit bits,I think the farrier was in a mood about what I do not know or care.Any way good hack all round.

Misty is lame

Arriving I have the feeling not all is well with Misty .Tam says she is lame and I guess she really was not feeling to good the last time I rode her and I feel guilty about that .Tam suggests I have Trigger who can be a bit naughty at times but I love him all the same.The two dogs Maisie and Tilly are hounding us for treats and Tilly tries to follow us but we send her back.The ground is wet and muddy but we do not mind that and they both go well all though trigger did veer off to the right when cantering on top.The wild ponies only glance at us now and just stare in amusement if horses could do that.we make our way back along the treasure trail at full canter getting splashed with mud,it always seems more fun if you come back muddy and tired out.At least it is not snowing or gales blowing .Trigger was not to bad but not as comfy as Misty but he does canter well.

november rain

this time I remember the dog biscuits but there is more than one dog,Maisie and her friends are there .The farrier has 4 dogs and they are so sweet so we have to find time to share out the biscuits.Today looks very stormy but with our trusty steeds we set off.The ground under foot soggy and we hope that on top will be fine.We head for the top but as we near the old mans trail the heavens open and we are soaked from head to foot but we decide to turn and go in the woods.The paths turn to rivers and it rains off and on,we are very wet but we don't care riding is so therapeutic .

We arrive back sodden and tired and put the ponies away and dish out the apples.