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.

Jump - Finally another book about horses by Jilly Cooper

At last, the new Jilly Cooper book. The front cover features a woman in tight jodphurs flexing a whip.  Jilly Cooper is back in the saddle.  Her new book, Jump has just been released.  After departing from the world of horses in her last few books, she failed to captivate me in the same way as her earlier books like Riders and Polo.  However, the front cover implies a return to the deliciously naughty world of wealth, riding and sex, that made her name in Riders.

Let's hope this book features the illustrious Rupert Campbell-Black and that time hasn't passed quite as quickly in his world as in the real world.  It must be nearly twenty five years since we were first introduced to him in Riders.  I don't want to think of him being nearly sixty.  For me, he was the ultimate literary fantasy of my teens.  Much naughtier than Jane Austin's Mr Darcy but just as irresistible, the eternal fantasy of the bad boy that women want to tame.

Jilly Cooper has always managed to create a wonderful blend of horses, great characters and lots of sex.   For many women, Jilly Cooper's books are a guilty pleasure, best enjoyed with a glass of wine, or preferably champagne.  Whilst not politically correct in anyway, and with sexual equality non-existent her books present a very traditional British image.  Falling in love means staying at home, and cooking for your husband. You would think that the feminist career woman would really hate her.  However, I know enough career women who love her books to know that Jilly taps into that forbidden fantasy - a nice strong man to take care of everything.  You might not want it in real life but on a bad day, it's an appealing thought.


'I want to give you half a dozen babies to look after, to stop you having any thoughts about pushing off and leaving me.'
This is a quote from one her deliciously male characters  Jilly has has no truck with political correctness or sexual equality but we read the books and for a few hours, we don't care.

I will definitely be heading on down to the bookshop to get a copy of this and soon!!!!  Then I shall disappear for a few days until I have read it cover to cover.

Pure Indulgence - A private riding lesson

Was feeling a bit bored and fed up today, so on the spur of the moment I decided to drive over to the riding school today and see if I could have a lesson.  It was pure indulgence because I am already booked to go trekking on Friday and Saturday morning and one hours lesson on a one to one basis cost more than a two hour trek.  However, it was well worth it.  As those of you who have been following me will know, I am slightly ambivalent about riding lessons.   My previous two riding lessons were not the greatest success.  My experience of learning to horse ride has been primarily pony trekking in the mountains.  The horses are not schooled in the same way and do not require leg aids. It is also a much more relaxed environment, because as long as you are safe, there is not the same concern about technique and perfect position etc.

I am so glad I went though.  A one to one lesson was completely different and although I still felt less confident than I do on the trekking horses I felt like I was making progress.  I found it really hard to concentrate in a group lesson because I was worrying about where the other horses were and there seemed to be a lot more time not doing very much.  The lesson was a nice combination of some work in the ring and time in the paddock.  The horse was a lot harder to get moving than the trekking horses which just follow the lead horse but we were in the ring on our own.  I am still finding trotting around the ring tricky so we concentrated on trotting in a straight line and changing to a walk for the corner and then trotting again.  I struggled a bit to get my horse trotting until I realised the reins were a bit tight.  Wouldn't bother the trekking horses but it made all the difference when I figured it out.  When she was trotting better, so was I.  As the lesson went on, I was definitely more in control, telling her when I wanted to turn rather than her deciding to cut the corner.  My horse was nice and I felt comfortable on her although she is slightly less chunky than the welsh cobs I ride.

After half an hour, we went out and had a walk and a little trot down the lane before going into the paddock for another go at trotting.  I was warned that she could go into a canter so to be careful and steer her up the hill if she did.  I started trotting and she went straight into a canter.  At which point, I couldn't decide whether to go with it and enjoy the ride or slow her down because she hadn't been asked to canter and she was meant to be following my instructions.  My indecision nearly lost me my balance and I forgot to keep my heels down and started to fall forward before recovering my position and bringing her to a stand.  Not the most graceful piece of riding, but it didn't scare me and I managed to regain control without any intervention from the riding instructor which left me feeling positive.  I just need to try and remember my position when I am having to steer the horse and assert my authority with her.  It is so much easier when you are following another horse.  I know you still need to steer around long hanging branches etc. but tend to do that just on the reins which is easier than using your legs and trying to keep the right position and give leg aids.

I am feeling now that if I can't go trekking over the winter that I will definitely have a few lessons if not weekly ones.  But having tried several group lessons I think I would rather pay for a half hour private lesson than a one hour group lesson.

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!

Withdrawal Symptoms

Off to Trevelog for a day's pony trekking today and I can't wait.  Due to my ex's other commitments, I have had the kids all weekend for the last two weekends and haven't been on a horse for three weeks now.  I have definitely been having withdrawal symptoms.  Was hoping to go tomorrow as well but unfortunately left it too late to book and no horses available as they are fully booked.  But I am more organised for next weekend and I will be going Friday and Saturday.  One things for sure though, no more camping in the field at the farm this year.  It was absolutely freezing at the end of August.  That will have to wait for next year! Unfortunately, the end of the season is approaching as they close for the Winter at the end of October.  I don't know what I am going to do.  I will probably have to try and find some riding lessons, if I can afford them by then.  I suspect I probably need them.  I have really enjoyed riding this year.  It has kept me sane in a difficult time in my life. I have managed to ride lots of different horses. My control of  the horse has come a long way in six months,  thanks to lots of help and guidance from the trekking guides but I still have a long way to go in terms of learning to horse ride, particularly with my balance and general seat position.  Anyway, time to get my jodhpurs on and head for the mountains.  The weather looks sunny, if a bit chilly.  What more could you ask for the middle of September in Wales.

Taking my two babies trekking for the first time.  My little one's feet don't even reach the stirrups but he had a fantastic time.

Equestrian Fashions on the Catwalk

Equestrian fashions hitting the catwalk with gusto this year.  The lucrative celebrity endorsement industry appears to have discovered horse riding with the likes of  Zara Phillips launching her collection with Musto and Katie Price aka Jordan launching the fourth collection of the KP Equestrian range.  It seems obvious that the industry has finally began to pay attention to Equestrian clothes.  Horse riding is seen as a hobby for the affluent who will also want fashionable clothes and have the money to pay for them. 

Photo: Musto.com

Whilst twenty nine year old Zara Phillips is granddaughter of the Queen and daughter to the Princess Royal, she is clearly not just a pretty face and has impressive riding credentials.  She hopes to compete in the 2012 Olympics in London after missing out on the last two games because her horse Toytown was suffering from injuries. In keeping with this, she is endorsing a collection by Musto, a leading supplier of  sailing and country sports wear, famed for developing high-performance fabrics that can withstand extreme weather conditions. 


On the website Nigel Musto commented on the collaboration with Zara: “Zara Phillips has been a strong supporter of Musto and has worn the brand for many years. Her own equestrian range for Musto really takes the relationship to the next level. Zara has been heavily involved with the product designs right from the start of the project, rigorously testing each garment and ensuring she is happy with the style and fit. She is a dedicated and extremely successful horsewoman and is a natural fit with the brand. We feel her new collection will significantly enhance Musto’s already successful offering in sports apparel.”. 


The collection has  a classic red and black colour scheme and includes a range of pieces from a long sleeved tech t-shirt priced at £35 to a fleeced lined riding jacket costing £200, .

Zara was keen to stress she was no clothes horse and that whilst she wanted something "which you wouldn’t be embarrassed to be seen in, in public.", the collection was about practicality and good engineering rather than high fashion.  The  Eventing World Champion has used her British Eventing number 176 and her initials as the collection logo.  Zara who is engaged the to the Rugby player Mike Tindall, modelled a range of Musto products in a photo shoot at the 12th century Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire.  Whilst she looks "hot to trot" in the photos, Miss Phillips who is 11th in line to the throne appears uncomfortable with the label of "model" preferring to be described as an athlete.  I think given her sporting achievements this is only fair, and her lack of vanity and committed approach to her riding has resulted in a stylish but functional range of technical clothing.

The same can not be said of Katie Price's equestrian range.  Stylish it is not, the bubblegum pink range of equestrian clothes are tacky at best.  However, whilst Zara's stylish collection is completely in keeping with the image of the Royal Equestrian, Katie Price's collection is equally in keeping with the image of the reality star and former glamour model and page three girl.  She said of her collection that she wants to  bring  'real glamour and sparkle onto the yard'.

KP Equestrian: Raspberry Pink Velour hoodie and joggers

Katie will be launching her collection at this years Horse of the Year show in October. Katie commented: “Ever since I can remember, I’ve dreamt of riding at Horse of the Year Show. So I’m just so excited at being asked to ride there in October to coincide with the launch of my equestrian clothing range. I know I’m not of the same standard as those riding there competitively, but I’m working with my dressage trainer, Andrew Gould, on something that will have a definite ‘wow’ factor. I can’t wait!”  Whilst, there is no doubt, Katie has long been an enthusiatic rider, she is not in the same class as Zara Phillips and the equestrian range is part of a large array of Katie Price products from perfume to books.

Characterised by its predominant colour scheme of bubblegum pink the range sports a  mix of sparkly buttons and zip pulls as well as our signature silver trims and prints.  It even includes diamontee decorated t-shirts.  Whilst the KP Pony range has been a big hit with little girls, I challenge any grown woman to wear these outfits and keep a straight face.  Without doubt, it certainly appears to lack the high levels of technical engineering and functionality of the musto range.

KP Fashions features Jackets, T shirts , Hoodies, Sweats and Velour tracksuits as well as related childrens wear range £14.99 for a vest top to £69.99 for a jacket.

Other fashionable equestrian brands include Anky Technical Casuals, Kingland and Gersemi.

Anky Techical Casuals was launched by triple Olympic champion Anky van Grunsven, one of the best modern day dressage riders in the world. Again as you would expect whilst fashion was important, there is also a focus on superior technical materials and optimum functionality.  Kingsland originates from Scandinavia and is designed by Lin Kingsroed who herself comes from a family of top riders. This brand combines classic equestrian wear with up to date styling and uses top quality materials.  Finally another  hugely popular Scandanavian brand, Gersemi  market themselves as 'The Equestrian Fashion Brand' and emphasise style and quality.

Pit Ponies

I recently came across the website for Fforest Uchaf Horse and Pony Sanctuary - The Pit Pony Sanctuary. I was surprised to see that they still had several former pit ponies living at the sanctuary.    I remember learning about Pit Ponies when I visited Big Pit, National Coal Museum,many years ago and I recall seeing the stables underground and being shocked that  horses had worked underground.  Worse still, many pit ponies lived, worked and slept all their lives in the mines. There were stables underground for them, as I saw at Big Pit, National Coal Museum . Most never saw any daylight unless they became ill and had to be taken out of the mine to get better.

As you would imagine, the use of ponies in the mines began in the 19th Century and expanded rapidly after a parliamentary act in 1842 banning women and children from working down the mines.  The RSPCA calculated that there were around 200,000 pit ponies working in 1878.

In Britain, the first legislation governing the welfare of Pit Ponies was passed in 1887 followed by a Royal Commission in 1911 which took evidence about the working conditions of pit ponies resulting in further legislation which made protective head gear compulsory for the ponies.

By the nineteen thirties and forties, the number of pit ponies was in major decline as mechanisation took over and the last pieces of legislation, in respect of the welfare of pit ponies was passed in 1949 and 1956.  These regulated the number of hours a pony was allowed to work amongst other things.  By 1952, there were only 15,000 pit ponies left.

There seems to be a great deal of debate on whether these animals were badly treated or well cared for.  Some people arguing their conditions were significantly better than the men they worked beside.  However, what seems clear is that it was a hard and difficult life, no matter how well they were treated in some respects.  Whilst it is a myth that they lost their sight through being underground, it did take a day or more for the eyes to become re-accustomed to daylight when they returned above ground and many were blinded through injury.  Horses were forced to carry their head low because of the height of the tunnels which often caused back problems.  Many horses were killed in explosions or when tunnels collapsed, serious injuries such as broken legs resulting in horses having to be put down were common and many horses continued to work until they died. In addition to that, the horses natural flight instinct if allowed free rein would almost definitely result in its death underground.  Those that returned to the surface in retirement, like their human companions, often suffered breathing difficulties as a result of the coal dust in their lungs.

However, what shocked me the most was to discover that not only were pit ponies still working in my lifetime but that the last two pit ponies only retired in 1999. And within an hours drive of my home, I would never have imagined that animals were expected to work in these conditions little more than ten years ago.


To learn more you can read "Harnessed: colliery horses in Wales" by Author: Ceri Thompson