Riding over the Winter

Been a bit fed up this weekend that with no childcare, I didn't get to go riding this weekend as my ex had to work all weekend.  Just a shame when the weather was so lovely for horse riding to miss out because it is not going to get any better now as winter approaches.

That said I had a lovely weekend with the kids.  We went shopping for Halloween costumes, checked out a new riding stables and went swimming, which was fun.  It seems ages since we have spent a whole weekend together as they normally spend half the weekend with their dad and actually it was really nice to spend some proper time with them now they are both in full time school.

The trekking centre where I ride is closing for the winter soon.  Up in the mountains, I think the winter is harsher than down here in the city, and the ground gets very hard too.  Anyway, that means no more trekking during the winter so I need to decide how I am going to continue my riding over the winter.  I was thinking about starting riding lessons but have been slightly resistant to this as it is so expensive compared to trekking and feels less fun than getting out in the mountains and the forestry.

Anyway,  I have a plan which will hopefully come to fruition soon.  I am too supersticious to talk about things that might happen, in case it jinxes things but keep watching for further updates.

Pony Trekking with Friends

Now my youngest is finally in full time school, I can just about fit a half days trek plus the hour's drive each way in whilst they are at school.  I managed to persuade a couple of the mums to come along with me so I had some friends with me for a change.  If I only went when my friends were available to come, I would hardly ever go but it is nice to have some company.

Anyway, we dropped the kids off in school and set off.  It looked like it was about to start raining and felt pretty cold so wondered what sort of ride we were going to have but luckily by 10.30, the wind had eased a bit and it felt much warmer and the rain held off.  

Sarah on Dun Sunny

We arrived and collected our horses.  I was riding Apollo again and my friend Sarah on Dun Sunny and my friend Helen on Rose.  We went round the Grange which is the normal half day route which is nice because it is a very varied route.  Some country road, some steep climbs up the hill, crossing the river and a nice trek across the mountain top with a few canters before descending back down towards the farm.  Riding down the hill, there were a couple of horses in the next field who seemed very excited to see us and galloped down the field along the fence next to us.  Was hoping our horses weren't about to try galloping with them so reined in tight til we got down the hill.

Helen on Rose

After a cup of tea and some sandwiches, we headed back with an hours to spare before the school run.  Lucky me, another half days trek tomorrow.

Mastering the Canter

Finally made it up to Trevelog for a days ride, after what seemed like a very long three weeks during which I was definitely having withdrawal symptoms..  Weather was lovely and sunny, but not too hot.  Can't ask for more in September.  There was a surprise when I got to the stables.  Two new 17 hand thoroughbred horses, an unusual sight in the valley where the horses are predominantly welsh cobs.  I am glad to say though I was not riding one of them, and was more than happy with Apollo who I enjoyed riding last month.  Don't think I am quite ready for an ex-racehorse and it is a lot further to fall from a horse that size.

A slightly blurry photo of the new thoroughbred taken from horseback

So anyway, set off up the mountain for a ride over the top.  After a long haul up, we finally reached the top.  After the horses had recovered we had a long trot along the ridge.  Finally, it was time for a canter.  Surprisingly, only five of the fifteen of us held back for the canter. Although, I think some of the others intended to canter but were unable to hold their horses back and ended up trotting along behind the beginners instead.  Wasn't my best start to cantering for the day as managed to nearly lose my reins on the first canter but somehow managed to recover them and completed the canter without any mishaps.  It's lovely cantering along the top, but a bit unnerving sometimes as the ground can be uneven and when the horse steps in a dip, it is a bit too easy to lose your balance but a good handful of mane seems to do the trick and I avoid falling off.

Along the way, I spot my friends new foal - only three weeks old it is so cute and we pass several wild horses on the mountain who look very bemused to see the horses with riders on.  We also spotted some beautiful toadstools.  They were the quintessential toadstool, red with white spots like you see in the fairy tales.  Very beautiful and very poisonous, known I believe as the fly agaric..  There were also copious amounts of blackberries and elderberries.  Unfortunately, too difficult to pick from horseback though.

Wild horse on the mountain

We reached the lane and dismounted to lead the horses down the steep slope to the pub for lunch.  After lunch, one of the ladies decided she had had enough and couldn't manage the afternoon trek back to the farm.  Her horse, Floss, a beautiful Hanoverian cross, is very placid and knows the trek well  so headed back with the rest of the trek, riderless.  She was a star and didn't even need to be led just followed along with the rest of the herd, even when we got on to the road for the last haul.  We did get some funny looks from walkers along the way, who seemed to think her rider had fallen off and been left behind.

Apollo and I, ready for our afternoon trek after an hour at the pub.

On the way back, we headed up to the forestry path for some canters.  I was chuffed because I managed the last long canter without holding onto the mane for the first time for more than an a couple of seconds.  I felt so much more in control than with two hands on the reins than with one hand for the reins and one to hold onto the mane.  Although, I'm not sure I would want to try it, on rough ground.  I had a real sense of achievement to think that when I started pony trekking in the Brecon Beacons six months ago, I couldn't even trot without holding onto the saddle and now I managed a decent length canter with sufficiently good balance that I didn't feel the need to hold on.

Arriving back at the farm, it was time to untack and give the horses a well deserved wash down before their dinner.  Horses dealt with, time for a quick cup of tea in the farmhouse before the drive home.  What a fantastic day!

Pony Trekking in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

My pony trekking trip in Puerto Vallarta is a day I remember clearly even though it is nearly ten years ago now.  Having never ridden before, other than a couple of pony rides on a lead rein as a very small child, this is when I discovered the joys of pony trekking and horse riding.

I delighted to discover that the horseback trip into the mountains offered by the tour operator was open to all, regardless of riding experience or more importantly lack of it, so eagerly signed myself up.

The day started early because of the hot weather and we arrived at the ranch where we were given hats and allocated horses before a brief session on the basics of riding.  We were riding Western style and the horses were neck reined rather than using a bit, a subtly that was lost on me at the time having never ridden a horse with a bit.  I was more interested in the saddle horn.  I thought it was there for me to hold onto to stop me falling off, although I understand the true function is somewhere to put your lasso.  Unlike the holidaymakers, our guides were wearing cowboy hats and holsters with a gun and looked like the real McCoy.  When I asked what the guns were for, wondering if there was any dangerous wildlife up in the mountains to worry about, they replied it was just in case we met any bandits in the mountains.  I thought they were joking but in hindsight I’m sure they weren’t.

As I set off near the back of the trek, my horse had other ideas and decided to break into a run and over take the other horses to get nearer the front.  I actually think it was probably only a trot but cue a scream from me and a swift change of horse to a more placid mount which suited me fine.

The highlight of the trip was when we reached the river and they took the saddle off one of the horses so we could have a go at bare back riding in the river.  Following this, we swum across the river to sit and soak in the natural hot springs which felt glorious despite the awful smell of sulphur.

Sadly it was then time to return to the ranch but before they sent us packing we all sat down to a well deserved meal of Steak and Chips.  I left the ranch determined that this was not going to be a one off experience.