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.

winter is coming.

I forgot the dog biscuits for Maisie she is wagging her tail and looking hopeful.I feel so guilty that I have to beg some biscuits off a fellow rider .We eventually to head off down the lane the day is glorious and feels like Autumn with that hint of coldness.The horses are skitty and shying at everything including their own shadow.we go to the top and passed the trig but we will not be able to come here for much longer as in winter it gets very boggy.The view from here is stunning on a clear day like today ,you can see over to Wales and all around.We met only our fellow friends and a lady leading a pony and 2 dogs to control and she was doing well.The exmoor ponies watched us as we cantered down the zigzag they no longer take action to met us ,they are use to us.We hope the winter will not be to hard and I can still go riding.

Autumn is creeping in

It feels like Autumn and we have missed the chance four a day ride.Pam has hurt her leg so we go at a slower pace today.Butch and Misty our steeds for the day.Butch looks like he has put on weight.We only meet a horse man and his dog and a runner,no one else about.At the cottage we see right up close a deer nibbling at grass and because we are on horses it ignore us even thou we are talking out aloud.We go up on the top and go to the trig via the ups and downs.We seem to be slow to day but it is very nice ride.

we have been having very good rides across the sheep fields.Not many know it here and we have never met any other riders here.It is a lovely ride through four fields,three are straight canter to the end.We canter to the end (we do not go further as the bridle path goes very steep at the end ) and turn to walk back.We have 3 gates to get through.The first is to go through but not on the way back,it has a wall that prevents the horses getting close.The other we have to watch the Badger holes and the3rd is a wide gate but we are getting better.Missed not going this week but Pams car is being changed hope to be back in the saddle soon.

were back as a team

Butch is much better now and is being very alert and alot of go in him.Pam s favorite horse along with Misty we head for the woods as it is very foggy and pouring with rain every now and again.We all get very wet and we have been stuck in the woods as on top gets very blustery.We meet only 1 rider and did not see Chris or Michelle.The seasons are going fast and the summer will soon be gone.It has not been to good weather wise but we have had very good rides.We dont seem to do the day rides like we use to but having said that were happy with what we have.I can say no more than how lucky we have been with our 2 favorite horses thanks to tam and amy.

Fern.

We have been having a good hacks with our good friend Fern .She is really very well behaved and Pam adores her.we have been up the sheep fields.The weather has been kind to us and we have manged to go up on blackdown and able to do the trig as well as the up and down bits.It is amazing how we are able to get round sometimes doing great distances yet other times we fail to get even half way round.I think our friends want to ride by their selves and I do not blame them.Riding with just two of you is safer and you can ride at your own pace.I love it here and wish we had found it sooner.I think we have learnt such alot since coming here and enjoyed every moment.

rain and gales in May.

When we left Bristol it was pouring with rain and as we arrived the wind was blowing hard and the rain was lashing .The other riders were going out on their own and since Tam was not about we all decided to get in the saddle our selves ,no reason not its only that we are lazy.Misty refuses to stand still as I board so there is a bit of gap before I get to the saddle.Off down the track we meet walkers and dogs ,Butch eyes them up but we push him on before he decides to react .Decided not to go up on top as the weather was bad.The trees are blowing and we can hardly hear our voices against the roaring wind.We have quite a few canters and at the Treasure trail a tesco bag sends Butch into a shy but Pam stays on board.Arriving back we untack and feed them before taking them down to the field.

We start off today with our pals Butch and Misty.We meet a couple on bikes who were celebrating a birthday so we gave them a greeting in passing.We went to the Sheep fields ,poor old Misty seemed breathless so on the way back I let the girth out.We headed for the ups and downs and back.It never seems long enough but we enjoyed the hack and the views.Chris and Michelle were doing their trotting ,very boring from our pointing of view.The weather was just right.

may is our summer.

We had a good ride,the weather was a little undecided and we were lucky to get away with just a odd shower.We took our route to the trig where they have put stones on the mound with the trig on top.The bags of rumble caused concern for Butch the week before but Fern did not flinch .Butch was off sick as he has been losing weight.Fern is a good replacement and Pam likes her a lot .Misty was good as always and knows just how to shut gates.There were a few walkers and the riders were all from tynings.

summer is here!

we are back as team!Butch is better and coming out with us to day.Chris and Michelle are out before us but we dont mind and we see them in the distance.We head for Blackdown ,the weather is beautiful and we know how lucky we are to be able to ride by our

selves and discover different paths and enjoy the freedom of riding here.There are not many walkers here today but the ponies want to shy at some big white bags, scary but we get passed and spot the other two cantering off into the distance.We saw the wild ponies but they stood staring at us as though we were mad to canter down the dips,Misty was not sure if she wanted to go pass them but in the end she did.I could of ridden all day and so would Pam but the ponies would dis-agree.So home to carrots and Apples.

breezy march

Todays ride was a breeze one, the wind was very strong up by the stables gusting its way about the stable doors.We were a bit apprehensive knowing horses anything blowing in the breeze is a good excuse to bolt.

Pam had Trigger today as Butch was still lame and fleur had a sore on her back.I had Misty who is looking more brown than white.I dont mind as we are out to get more muddy having fun.Once we are up on our steeds and away down the path the therapy begins,we chat and canter along our routes,meet people on the way such as the rude women who said Trigger was ugly,as you can see to the left of the photo he is indeed very handsome,of course he took this personally.

We also met Chris and Michelle who were returning to base as they had started at 9am.At first we did not recognise them but they waved and we stopped for a chat.

On the return we tried to go to the treasure trail but Trigger refused ,he was having none of it.So because we tired of going in circles and he was being stroppy we decide to let him have his way which of course is not the thing to do,still we know next time to go the other way.

Fleur is voted the best after Butch.

Poor old Butch is still lame and on rest.We visited him in the stables where he looked sad at not coming with us,well that's what we think.

Pam decided to take the chance of choosing Fleur a new horse on the block.She felt nervous at first even though every one said she was good,you never really believe them.Anyhow we saddled, up me on Misty who was already muddy and was to get more muddy as time went on.I have to say Fleur behaved so well,bikers,walkers,dogs barking and scary paper bags nothing phased her at all.

We had a good ride and good canters ,Fleur disappeared out of sight and me and Misty did a fast trot to slow canter to catch up!

We enjoyed today but missed our pal Butch,get well soon Butch.

Jennifer Marchant riding diary: poor butch goes lame

Jennifer Marchant riding diary: poor butch goes lame: "Today we arrived in mist and rain.Chris arrived to join us out on a hack.The weather did not look promising but once in the saddle you do no..."

poor butch goes lame

Today we arrived in mist and rain.Chris arrived to join us out on a hack.The weather did not look promising but once in the saddle you do not care.

we took the root to the river which was running slower than last time.we took the route through the wood and saw two deer cross our path.we have not seen deer here for awhile as the loggers have disturbed .We went along the old mans trail and up to the first gate before we noticed that Butch had gone lame.Pam dismounted and walked back with him then changed with Chris while I held Butch.Back at the stables it did not look good so we left a note for tam.I hope he is alright,he is a very dear friend.

bitter north wind

The wind was biting and we all felt very cold.Misty kept leaping and turning round as if a ghost or spooky something was behind her and butch was not in the mood for anything except the odd nervous jump at nothing.We did the bridle paths in the woods meeting a few other horse riders out in this cold wind.The loggers were cutting the trees but were not in our way for once,when will they go away?The treasure trail was are route back and some surprised bikers who were putting up illegal jumps thought we were going to tell them off except of course we were illegally on the path too! getting back to the stables we were frozen,my feet like blocks of ice and my hands numb with cold.Misty was very unhappy and refused my carrots,annoyed about going out in the cold no doubt.

muddy ride.

The weather was looking bleak and full of rain clouds and we thought this was going to be a wet ride.Arriving early due to a muddle with days off we found our steads waiting for us.The weather was grey but no hint of rain.

We set of down the lane towards the river so far so good no hint of floods but coming to the ford the river was deeper than usual and crossing we had to urge them on.Over the other side it was muddy but passable and we met another horse rider whose horse refused to cross the river,we sympathized and carried on only to find the path flooded and the roar of the river shut out all conversations.Butch and Misty refused to cross either crossings so we too had turn back and go up the far steep path losing half an hour of ride.We headed to the old mans path but turned as time now was short.We had a few muddy canters the mud flying up and hitting us.On the way back we just missed the wardens van speeding up the lane.Back at stables we untacked quickly as we had to get back by 1.