Equine Photographic Blog

After nearly a year of not really doing much other than slouching around on hacks, I realised that my riding was pants. Some photos demonstrated I had developed an impressive chair seat, I was riding far too short and seemed permanently in the ‘brace brace brace’ position of having my heels wedged down. Pony was objecting too, whenever I tried to school in the school (which was twice *looks embarrassed* isnt that what winter is for!?) he was reluctant to go forwards and seemed to be struggling. Seeing as he was going so nicely in long reins I reckoned that his disability was me! So unfair to expect a youngster to put up with a numpty rider so now I was gainfully employed I decided to get some lessons.We had a lack of riding schools in the area with schoolmasters and a couple of riding schools just didn’t want my money, preferring to concentrate on kids classes instead. I understand that they need to earn a living but still, it was frustrating! I wanted lessons to concentrate on my seat and position-I am not remotely interested in schooling someone else’s horse and I know the secret to a good seat is pain and humiliation. Finally, I remembered that Ernest Dillon had opened up a new EC about an hours drive from me. The brochure was impressive, the prices weren’t completely outrageous (I do believe you get what you pay for but cant pay silly money) so decided to give it a go. In preparation I did work without stirrups every day for about a week-not for any great amount of time but lots of transitions etc. Once I started to relax, Vico started swinging along, floppy eared and content. I’ve also been carrying out an exercise in trot when hacking, 7 rising strides, 7 in two point, 7 rising and 7 sitting and so on. The idea is to carry it out without interfering with the horse’s rhythm or way of going and while I probably look like an idiot doing that through the countryside, it certainly seems to help!

That first time I went for a lesson with a junior coach-I can’t afford Ernest yet and besides, I am not worthy at the moment. Had a chat on the phone when I booked about what standard I (think!) I am, what I’d like to achieve etc. Basically at the moment, I want to concentrate on getting my seat better-I want that feeling I had 20 years ago when I could sit on most anything and get a decent tune out of it!

So, when I arrived they introduced me to a huge Dutch WB who competed at medium level dressage. I kid you not, this horse was bigger moving in walk than Vico is in canter! Not to mention the lovely length of neck! Coach (find it a bit odd calling them coaches) asked me to work in - walk and trot. Erm, couldn’t trot. With V I think trot and we’re trotting but however hard I thought ‘trot on, nothing happened!

We then did some work on the lunge, without stirrups-just concentrating on me relaxing and sitting to this huge movement. This was great-with his trot I could really feel how my hips had to move to absorb him. V is so comfy you can get away without doing it properly but this of course, leads to problems. Also she told me to stick tummy out! Noone has ever said that to me before-why not (it’s not that huge!)? It really seems to help relax you. The horse did a reasonable spook across school and I didn’t move so either those big horses are easier to stay on or the minus-stirrup work is paying off. We then practiced collecting and lengthening the trot on and off the lunge, with and without stirrups, just using seat and leg. It was wicked, coach and horse were very nice…oh, and I could get him into trot by myself at the end !

I then had another lesson when I returned from down south. Different horse and different coach but good results once again. This one had me doing all sorts of contortions in the saddle which really freed up my hips and thighs and had me hurting for the next 3 days. The upshot is that since I started doing all this I am riding 3 holes longer, feel much more secure, am still carrying out exercises and contortions-including 2 point on tippy toes to free up my ankle, pony seems happier and we are schooling again Will definitely continue training at Kingsbarn and would love to take V up there in the New Year (and hope they don’t notice when I move in ). Have also heard of two freelance instructors local who I like that I hope would come out to give me some lessons on V soon.

Vico is going quite sweetly at the moment, I havent bothered too much about head carriage (although when I’m sitting well it happens by itself-funny that!) but concentrated on him being relaxed and ‘happy’ (although thats relative when it comes to schooling in the pouring rain )

Well, it’s the end of August already and I’m feeling that I haven’t achieved anything! Not riding wise anyway. Don’t think I can be blamed for all of it mind you. V has decided to injure himself on a fairly regular basis. First he was kicked rather badly (OK, so he didn’t do that himself but am fairly sure the wee beggar deserved it!) and it needed stapling, antibiotics and him some boxrest. I bring him back into work and get his hinds shod for the first time. Then he overreaches badly (in the field where he is now out alone) and it’s sore. I have to keep it clean and dry when there is 6 inches of mud everywhere. A week later he is sound and I bring him back into work. I turn him out in brushing boots and overreach boots. He decides that its fun to jump into his neighbours field. And back again. He kicks himself where the boots don’t reach. He has a couple of days off. I bring him back into work and *grabbing wood* he’s OK. Oh, and why he was out of work he got a bit fat so I bought him a grazing muzzle-the expensive kind. The kind that’s hard to get off…………if you’re not a Lusitano. So, due to wet weather and mad grass he’s being kept in overnight, being fed soaked hay and I’m still mucking out!

Anyway, we were back out hacking. A brief window in the wetness that is July 2007 one weekend led to 2 lovely hacks. Quite reminded me just why I have my own horse again being out in glorious countryside.

Well, a week later he starts being all spooky and reactive. On trying to get his attention by schooling through the village, he starts tilting his head. He’s a complete bisum for the whole ride except he does behave for the bad motorbikes and huge logging truck. Hmmm. Get vet to check him when he does his jags and it turns out top tushes are on the way. Joy. Right one appears alright but left one turns into enormous bump and just stays like it! It’s obviously giving him gyp when he’s eating his hay etc. I get hold of a Dr Cook’s rip off-he really doesn’t like it and I feel very insecure in it. Feel like a failure as various websites tell me I should be able to control my horse without putting metal in its mouth….. Am not game for a hackamore either, I like my steering and I don’t feel my seat is good enough for one.

I do lots of longreining off the lunge cavesson and we have a bit of a breakthrough –start a bit of shoulder in and get him working very nicely. We do pole work once a week and get him lengthening and shortening his stride. Very pleased-I enjoy groundwork. Just as well! Previously he’d started this weird behaviour on the lunge-he wouldn’t always go forward from halt, sometimes from trot he’d go into halt instead of walk when asked, and then nap when asked to walk on. This was odd-he’s always been good on the lunge and his reaction voice commands excellent although I do have to be very careful that he doest start anticipating.. I couldn’t work it out, I’d asked him to move on, he’d give me a ‘good grief woman’ look and either refuse to or go off kicking! Well, it seems as though I’d been a bit sloppy of late with my body language-I realised (need a ‘I’m with stoopid’ sign) that when he did this, I was standing too far forward ie slightly in front of his shoulder. The withering look was warranted! Its not happened since.

The couple of times I try the French link it’s obviously uncomfortable and cue mad reactive pony. I therefore get a flexible mullen mouth and he seems much more comfy in that (had to order it in, what sort of 15.2h horse has a 4.5 inch mouth!). Five weeks after the vet visit and left tush is just below the surface. Surpress urge to squish it He’s back in work although he did manage to throw a shoe recently he has been in work consistantly. I have even started riding without stirrups to help stop me riding like a numpty and we have some lessons booked up soon, now that I am financially solvent again!

Although I had seen Iberian horses in films and pictures, I had never really given them a second thought to be honest. I had natives as a kid, fell in love with warmbloods as a teen and worked with TBs in my 20s. I had a complete break from horses when I went to university in my late 20s (with my horse habit it tends to be all or nothing, I cant/wont do it by halves :D) and then went on to study for a PhD. I then started riding again but got frustrated with my progress as a once-a-week-rider at a riding school. I cashed in an old endowment and went on holiday-I looked for good value and settled on a classical riding holiday in Golega, Portugal.

I was horribly nervous on my first day-not helped by being presented with an (albeit small) bay stallion and expected to mount up from the ground. Being somewhat overweight and not having mounted from the ground for about 10 years I hardly presented an attractive or athletic picture!My god though, I had never sat on anything like it! I cant pretend to have done the horse justice but the sheer power of that little horse (not to mention how dashed comfortable he was!) made me feel like I was driving a ferrari after years of driving….., well lets just say they werent ferraris )

On my return home I joined the British Luso Society, went to the breed show and kept in touch with what was happening in the Luso world. Even when I came to buy a horse, I didnt consider one to begin with. Backed and ridden away, they start at about £5K which was out of budget. After a few weeks of a disappointing trawl throught the websites and classifieds I had one horse fail the vet and another that would have had I got that far. I saw Vico’s ad on a website and the rest is history (well, he is pretty!). He was at the top end of my budget and unbacked but thanks to a very understanding fiancee I scraped enough together to have him backed and schooled for a few weeks and transported up to Scotland (he was in Western Wales).

Whats he like? Apart from adorable? Well, on a practical level he is very easy to do. He’s not too big (15.1h), he’s a very good doer (a bit too good-have to watch his weight when not working!), he does need rugging in the winter but not as much as most (havent bothered clipping yet) and has no feather. Apart from forage he gets pony nuts-the effects of beet pulp, molasses and alfalfa have been hinted at. He is very quick to learn and has very good manners but he is a youngster and as was cut late, can be a little colty sometimes, nothing thats not sorted out with a growl though.You can play football or tag in the paddock with him and he’s never come close to touching me when playing-he’ll also steal your skip bucket or tip over the wheelbarrow when poo-picking. He has been known to steal hats and loves the sound of velcro being undone. He really hates having his temperature taken-really hates it. Good to worm, shoe, teeth etc.

He is as bold as brass: traffic, farm machinery, dogs, cows, alpacas, scramblers and even miniature shetties dont phase him. When they put up automatic waterers he was on box rest-he spent two days watching intently with his head over the blokes shoulder even when the hammer drill was being used. Thats not to say he doesnt spook though-its just I never see what he spooks at and when he does, he really does! He is very affectionate, a real show off and loves to work. He does get tense trying to anticipate you so schooling is a balance between keeping him occupied without causing stress-mainly he gets tense when I am tense though so I have to be ultra aware of that. He’s comfy, very sensitive, likes to jump (although from my point of view there’s not alot in front!) and I wouldnt hesitate to get another. V is bred very hot, not all Lusos are although have heard it more and more that they are hotter and less forgiving than the Andalucians.

Conformation wise, they arent for everyone. Quite upright they are built for collection rather than speed - Vico can accelerate fast enough to make your eyes water but I wouldnt think he’d be fast over much of a distance (if I ever brave the beach I’ll let you know ) He has quite a high knee action and dishes-the dishing is much better when he is going properly but sometimes when excited on a hack *shakes head*. He is slightly pigeon toed and could be broader across the chest. As he’s a typical old bullfighting type he was hell to fit a saddle to as mentioned previously-very short coupled, very round rib cage and narrow shoulder means that saddles have nowhere to go other than forward (that’d be why a crupper is part of the traditional turnout maybe?). The only saddle tried that could accomodate me and him was a Wow.

So thats how/why I ended up with a poncy foreign breed instead of something else and to be honest, having ‘done’ lots of different horses in the last few months he has to be one of the easiest and lowest maintenance. (*whispers* and the best looking )

So, in my old age I have become what I said I always wouldnt- a breed enthusiast!

and some other examples

Well, its been a while. In a nutshell, work and weather conspired against me being consistant with V’s work and although we had some good moments I came off again in late March (in the school). I wasnt hurt but was at a loss as to what was happening-well, he was spooking and whipping round but I wasnt sure what was behind it. He didnt seem his usual happy self either ridden or on the ground. It didnt seem to be pain related as checked teeth etc so out it down to management. Although he had turnout daily, there wasnt alot of room, grass or any company. I asked that this change and he was turned out for a couple of weeks holiday with a friend before I brought him back into work.

Since then he’s been pretty good. Back to being friendly, happy Vico-happy to see me, be caught and worked. We have moved yards to one with more grass and the prospect of being turned out all summer. He is going quite nicely in the school and loves his hacking (we have more people to ride with now but we are also back hacking alone ). The only downside is that he is too playful with others in the field-it generally ends up with him being kicked. He is so fine boned compared to everything around that he is back to being on his own (although with horses within touching distance on 3 sides). I am on the look out for a lightweight companion for him but dont tell the other half

This is a blog about my horse Vico - rhymes with psycho although he’s not one. Well, as long as he doesnt get any molasses, grain or alfalfa anyway. He’s an (almost) 5 year old Lusitano gelding, about 15.1h-thats him below. He was bred in Portugal and has since lived in Cornwall, Wales and Scotland.

I am an (almost!) 37 year old woman, English and living in Scotland. Started riding as a kid and had my own ponies, I then worked with horses on and off for years but he is the first horse that I have owned since leaving school. I’ve had him since January 2006 and he was brought up here after being backed and schooled at the yard where I bought him from. I had ridden Lusitanos before, on holidays in Portugal but it didnt cross my mind to look for one over here as didnt think I could afford one! I set out to find a Section D-even went on a lightening weekend trip visiting studs in Wales. We found one but she unfortunately failed the vet. Shortly afterwards I saw Vico on the interweb and was smitten.

I had already decided that a youngster was the way to go-simply couldnt find anything else I liked within budget. Vico was at the very limit of my finances but at the same time, so much more than I ever dreamed of. Another trip to Wales to go and see him and it was love on first sight-if subject to vet!

This blog is to describe his schooling and our relationship as he grows up.

To summarise the year that I’ve owned him- we had saddle fitting problems due to his short back, round ribcage and narrow shoulders. Luckily for everyone, Vico is very quick to decide which saddles he dislikes and displays his displeasure by refusing to go forwards and bucking. He also has very good taste and decided that a Wow saddle was the only one he liked (although we hadnt tried a reactor panel, orthoflex, Hennig or any other that cost more than £1400-fortunately for us). I lucked out though and found a 1/2 price ex-demo Wow at a show thank goodness. We both love the saddle though and he goes so much better in it than his last synthetic, seemingly perfect fitting ‘cheap’ one!

In the hot summer of last year he threw a small splint that didnt cause him any problems and then kicked himself in the field, resulting in a hot, swollen leg around his suspensory. This caused me far more worry than him though!I spent the next few days trying to freeze his leg off below the knee and he was put on box rest for 2 weeks. Luckily it proved to be an inflamed tendon sheath, with no lasting damage observed from the scan. He then had six weeks walking and from then to about Christmas I concentrated on hacking with the odd session of longreining.

A few weeks ago (during the month of the never ending gale force winds) I managed to come off (in walk-*hangs head in shame*) when he spooked and whipped round on a hack. I was concussed but more seriously he scared himself and legged it home-crossing a road and jumping a fence on the way. The road thing freaked me out and we suffered a lack of confidence which is slowly being restored.

Although I am given (so they tell me) to the over analysis of events, the fall was just one of those things. Have decided however, to up his work load and begin schooling and jumping again-give him more to think about! So thats where we are at them moment-and for those of you wondering why I chose a strange foreign pony please see the next installment which will contain some info on Lusitanos and my take on them.