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.

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.