So. Much. Mud.

TOO MUCH MUD. 

EVERYWHERE.

-cry-

Today was the first day I actually got any mud on my hands this Winter.

To top it, Kao had pulled his just washed rope off the gate and then walked around on it. I got a sinking feeling as I watched it disappear into the mud knowing I would have to get it out.

Kao, luckily followed me. Though after 5mins I gave up trying to avoid the mud and was greeted into the yard by Mother who laughed at my mud covered self.
=__=

This eye gets more and more interesting and scary every time I look at it for too long.

Not only is it eggy, but it's got a massive half-halo of Blue at the front. Thus making him look a bit like a crack addict on a high. 

We didn't ride today, though I put him on the walker for 20mins. So the fatty got some exercise.

Being brushed, having his food and generally getting attention is enough to keep him happy :)

Our Journey: Overview 6 Months

Whenever I do these overview posts, I take into account this:

1. What have we achieved?

Too many things to list. Kao was with no arguments a nervous walking blank patchy canvas who was too scared to have a personality. Till about the 4th day. In 6 months, which isn't a long time at all, he's gone from a pony barely anyone would touch with a barge pole in the appearance department, to a nicely conformed, well mannered, well conditioned little cob. 

I'm extremely happy with the progress we've made.

2.What could I have done to progress further?

My vanity tells me, nothing. Except to not listen to anyone who are, well, blatantly talking a big stinking pile of dog crap. NEVER listen to bitchy forums, NEVER listen to people who attempt (and fail) on telling you how to think and if your intuition tells you that something isn't right. LISTEN TO IT.

3. How has this time benefited the horse and myself?

There was no rushing. In such a short time, every step we've taken (trotting in a circle >> cantering in a circle >> schooling round/collected and on the bit >> jumping) are all steps we've taken in Kao's time.

When I first bought him, I had the intention of competing. But about 2 months down the line I took that pressure off me and I have to say throwing away my aims for competition has made me a more patient person. It's made me see that pushing a horse does nothing except potentially ruin a good pony.

After a lot of thought, contemplation and over viewing the next potential 6 months. I've decided that not only am I not fit enough to ride much anymore, but I can't offer Kao the loving family environment he needs.

He's a 5 year old, and I always think that at this age they go one way or the other.

Into competition life, or into a family life.

Looking at the effects of the competition life and seeing exactly what goes into it, I want him and his patchy backside as far away from major competition as possible.

Pony Club and kiddies + fluffy Kao-Bean = Win Win Lifetime.

So. I wont go into too much detail but in about 2 weeks, there are plans for him to go to a beautiful home where there's everything I could possibly want for him.

I consider this new home to be close friends, after the work they do, the way the look after their horses honestly makes me wish there were more people like them in the horse world.

I'll continue riding him, keeping this blog UTD with pictures and videos and maybe I can try and keep it updated after he's gone too!

After this journey, I think it's made me even more open minded about taking chances with horses. As soon as I'm in a financial situation where it's feesable, I'd like to re-hab another horse or pony. 

It takes a skill to see a horse for what it stands as, but another skill to see the horse underneath.

Overdue Update.

Wow. Haven't updated this in over a month!

Not much has happened really :S

The feathers are *sorta* back. Unfortunately. But, his clip has lasted insanely well.

We've had a Dressage lesson and are now working on our transitions. I expected to have this sorted by now, but I haven't been out and about for ages so ridden work isn't very consistent at the moment.

In the lesson, we also learned the start of leg yielding. So that's another thing I'm wanting to work on :)

We started jumping! Properly this time.

On the 30th of January I got some video and pictures. So here they are!

My position is super craptastic. But he was going nice, and we only had one stop! Which was entirely my fault.

At least he's "that" type.

As you know, I hadn't ridden Kao for 1 and a 1/2 weeks.

Got on him on Wednesday and he was perfect. A bit spooky but nothing major (there were new jumps and he was probably thinking AHMAGAD)

Haha, pointless update but hey. Will try get some new pictures :)

The Holiday

sigh.

Well, I haven't ridden for well over a week now :/ and I'm not going to be able to until the 15th.

I think.

If Mum is healthy again...maybe.

I'm so, so sorry for the lack of updates. Everything is so hectic at the moment.

Our horse Ilex (a.k.a the life and soul of the yard) went to a new home on loan. Beautiful place, amazing people, only to have a massive accident in the field and have to be put down the next day. Vet said she slipped over and ripped her flexor tendon off and broke her leg. So, everyone was insanely shocked about that.

Mother was in hospital yesterday. So that was insane.

Hammie is hopefully being taken to his new home on Thursday (9th December). The woman is buying him unseen, but, she seems pretty in love with him. Just hope the daughter loves him too!

We *may* be getting a new addition.

But more on that later.

I do however, have some recent pictures :)

He was saying hello from the field. At the moment we're doing individual turnout for him, and then *fingerscrossed* my genius plan comes together he'll go out with the new one.

Must. Not. Get. Hopes. Up.

D:

As for rugs. Hm. Well I guess you could call the following "A Guide To Rugging A Clipped Pony"

In order from closest to his body to outa-shell. He's currently in:

• MW Sheepskin lined no-hood
• MW  no-hood Turnout
• MW hooded Turnout
• LW Hooded Turnout

It's a lot, he also has brushing boots on because somehow, they might stop his leg fluff growing back a quick.

So, SO super pissed off that he hasn't got a stable. Until this week, he's was doing the most work. Instead of having a nice bedroom (god dammit ¬_¬ for ref, I'm not a fluffy bunny D:) he has to go out in the damn cold because horses who don't NEED stables "have" to be in.

GAH.

When I own my own yard =_= they wont be invited...ever.

Anyway. We've had a good few schooling sessions before I errm, decided? on this unintentional holiday. But I've realized I wont conquer the world on my seat alone, so, I took my stirrups away ^^

Anyway. I'm planning on making a blog for my riding. I'll stick up so info on my main blog:

http://kaoritaylorofficial.blogspot.com/

Jumpies :)

I thought we'd never ever jump, but hell we did xD

He's not the most push button jumper ever but if you ride him into it properly he's got quite a pop on him. He has a slightly strange habit of jumping the bigger part of cross-poles.

Nice ^^

We didn't get any video or pictures unfortunatly :( But next time I'll try and get some. It was late, we were running out of time and yeah.

On the other hand, he's finally got the hang of a consistant outline in walk and trot. Not much leaning anymore and he's just generally getting better and better everyday.

Short update, but I'm trying to get all my blogs up to date hehe :)

We're on the bit!

Woo! We were in Pink and schooled AMAZINGLY.

I'm so please :D

I also got lots of pictures ^^

 I thought I'd try out a quiff on him :D

 Beanbag says Hai!

 

Pink!

 He looks a bit big here :S

 Overbent, but atleast he's not hollow :)

 Quiff!

This is definitely one of the best co-ords. I'm not pink obsessed (even though I've got pink fluffy headphones, pink iPod, pink piggybank and a pink camera) unfact my favourite colour is blue. But, he really suits it!

I'm going to buy a Baby Pink numnah, some sparklies and finish off the set :D Might make a nice Baby Pink and White browband too.

Obviously, I'm going to do a Baby Blue set first. As much as he suits pink, he suits blue better :)