Posted: 8th October 2015 | Back to news feed
SOMETIMES it would be nice to say one day is very much like the next, but that rarely happens.
Running a busy yard means there are always people as well as horses coming and going.
At the moment we have around seven horses in work, so there is always a lot to do.
7.30am – My head girl brings the horses in from the field. All the horses have their breakfast and the day is underway.
8:30am – I am on the yard and start to ride the horses.
8:30am to 1:30pm - All the horses are ridden. The horses are worked six days a week and we try to have Sundays off, unless we are competing
I tend not to go in the arena much, as I think it can be mentally draining for an animal to continually do circles in a confined space; we are lucky enough to have various fields dotted around and can also practice their dressage movements whilst hacking. I like to keep the horses work varied, fresh and relaxed. We do a lot of hacking, where the horses can be horses, on a loose rein looking at the environment, walking through woods and to new places to stimulate their brains whilst improving balance and trust.
Every four days we do interval training, to build up fitness and then once a week we do road work to strengthen their tendons, as well as jumping them weekly also.
If a particular horse has a weakness we work on that, but generally there isn’t a fixed routine and I tend to go on gut reaction and feel.
There’s no real lunch time so we just grab something when we can.
2pm – In the afternoon I book in appointments for the physio, vet or farrier. On a normal day the tack will all be cleaned and the paddocks will be poo picked. Any other jobs that need doing will also be done at this time to try and keep the place looking tidy and smart.
4pm – The horses all get turnout out, even if there is a competition the next day. I like horses to be horses and live as much as possible in a natural environment.
5pm – All the stables are mucked out and all final jobs are done in preparation for the next day.
9pm -The horses have a final check, fly rugs are taken off and replaced with summer sheets or lightweight turnouts if required. I usually do paperwork in the evening, as I work the best at night.
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