Feeling Betterer and Betterer! And Animal Inspiration

Saw the doc on Tuesday - I could've done with seeing her at the beginning of last week to be honest, especially when she said, "Well, we'll just up your medication."! I had been terrified she might need to put me on something different altogether, something like methadone, which involves a 5 day admission to the hospice, but we're nowhere near the upper limits for my oxycodone - what a relief!

Yesterday morning I took my double dose of liquid oxynorm (instant hit stuff) and began to feel comfortable again very quickly, however when combined with my double dose of oxycontin (slow release 12 hourly stuff), I ended up a tad dizzy, nauseous, and ever so slightly out of my tree! Had to re-arrange my riding lesson for Friday, but today it's all been good (apart from the nausea!), so should be fine and dandy tomorrow. It is fabulous to be pain free after so much agony for so long!

I've come across a couple of inspirational stories/vid clips I thought I'd share with you - who said animals are dumb creatures?!!! And who said we cannot form relationships on any levels other than master/follower or predator/prey?! Take a look at these!



I did some research on this one too, as I would have been devastated had it been faked! The original story in the press can be found here. I dare you not to cry!

Also found this with more loving lions;



Plus this - which I cried my eyes out over when I first watched it! It's not just the fab relationship with the horsie either but the song lyrics were/are so relevant.



The song is called, "Live Like You Were Dying" by Tim McGraw

Verse 1
He said I was in my early forties, with a lot of life before me
And one moment came that stopped me on a dime
I spent most of the next days, looking at the x-rays
Talking bout' the options and talking bout' sweet times.
I asked him when it sank in, that this might really be the real end
How's it hit 'cha when you get that kind of news?
Man what did ya do?
He said

Chorus
I went skydiving
I went rocky mountain climbing
I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu
And I loved deeper
And I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I'd been denyin'
And he said some day I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dyin'

Verse 2
He said I was finally the husband, that most the time I wasn't
And I became a friend, a friend would like to have
And all of a sudden goin' fishin, wasn't such an imposition
And I went three times that year I lost my dad
Well I finally read the good book, and I took a good long hard look
At what I'd do if I could do it all again
And then

Chorus
I went skydiving
I went rocky mountain climbing
I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Shu
And I loved deeper
And I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I'd been denyin'
And he said some day I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dyin'

Bridge
Like tomorrow was the end
And ya got eternity to think about what to do with it
What should you do with it
What can I do with it
What would I do with it

Skydiving
I went rocky mountain climbing
I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu
And man I loved deeper
And I spoke sweeter
And I watched an eagle as it was flyin'
And he said some day I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dyin'

To live like you were dyin' (4x)

Sunday Morning and...

... I'm listening to Russell Brand on BBC Radio 2's listen again thingy and it is most excellent, except it makes me start talking very sillily and in a pseudo cockney accent. Don't worry. It wears off after a whiley while!

Righto - what else... these site meter things. Hmmm. I've got Statcounter which tells me lots of interesting things like how many people stop by each day, and how long you hang around for (though not who is who obviously!). I also have a Technorati account, and that serves to tell me that my blog is ranked 182,641 out of hopefully a bigger number than 182,641, and that I have an authority of 34, whatever that means?! I also have 1 fan. Boo Hoo! Just 1? More recently I got Feedburner and that tells me what people have searched for to arrive at my ickle bloggiewog (Stop it Russell!).

So this is what you've been searching for:

"Embarrassing Stories"

My life is full of these. Yup.

"Pitt Rivers Museum in Novel"

Ah. Sorry. I did do a piece on Pitt Rivers but didn't put it in a novel.

"Favicon How"

So glad that's been useful to someone out there!

"Maktub Andalucia"

This means that some poor Spanish person has turned up thinking they're going to find a Spanish language site, only to find tons of English. It also means that people are searching for Maktub Andalucia and that's utterly wonderful because they are utterly wonderful!

Si no habla Vd Ingles y quiere Vd hablar conmigo en Español, por favor, algo mejor mandame un email y responderé a la pregunta si puedo!

"Lisa Ratcliffe"

Found me!

"Bleeding Moon Poem"

Beg your pardon?!

"Smeaton terrorism comparison us die"

Does this person speak English as a first language?

"Alan Halsey"

You'll be wanting Rob Sheppard's pages methinks.

"Vagina discomfort from riding horses"

I'm sure I never said that! I would never use such a word on my blog - it's just not that kind of blog, dear!

________________________________________________

Horses (I did warn ya!)

*Saying of the week: Green on Green = Black and Blue*

It's been an interesting week.

On Tuesday I went to meet a friend's horse - well he belongs to her teenage daughter. He is not a school horse, and I'm a baby beginner, so there's work to be done here, for both of us. He is a big bargy boy who wanted to use me as a scratching post, and I'm a bit nervous which he can sense. Hmm. I think we'll just have to get to know each other slowly, and I'll let you know how we get on. So far I've had a little ride around the manege which was okay once he'd stopped freaking out about having someone new on his back. Singing works. Singing saves lives!

On Friday I had a group lesson with Toucheé and he was, as I'd been warned, very difficult with other horses, but towards the end of the 45 mins he started listening to me and I got a real buzz from that. For anyone who thinks riding is just a case of sitting there, kicking 'it' to go, and yanking the reins to make 'it' stop, please think again. I have calf muscles like tree trunks already and it's far more complicated than learning to drive a car ever was!

Going Natural

Now sadly, I'm a bit wary on the ground since that pony bit me last year and I'm confused by the amount of conflicting advice. I don't want to die at the hands (or hooves) of a pissed off pony, or through my own lack of handling ability, but at the same time, I keep thinking there's gotta be more to working with horses than shoving a bit in their mouths and whacking 'em with a whip. So I've been watching and researching Natural Horsemanship. This is what I've discovered so far.

Pat and Linda Parelli

Savvy is the key word here. I couldn't believe my eyes when I first saw these two with their horses. You can watch them on Horse & Country TV. They play their Parelli Games and teach people how to get the best out of their horses based on 'Love, Language, and Leadership'. They use American and English Saddlery, as well as bare-back and bridle-free. If I ever get a horse I'll try to learn these techniques - carefully!

Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling

Natural Horse Meditation. This guy's DVD is well impressive. The critics tell us we'll get ourselves killed trying to emulate this guy and they're probably right, but we can still learn an awful lot just by watching. He goes out walking with his horse as though it is a dog - running and playing. Total trust. A proper relationship. This would be something to dream of with a horse of my own but I think you'd need someone to teach you.

Nevzorov Haute Ecole

This is the ultimate in horse/human relationships. The photos on the website are exquisite but can't be reproduced here due to copyright so you'll need to pop over to the site to see. Choose ENG for the English version. I'm in love! Nevzorov has written a book called The Horse Crucified and Risen. He is against all forms of horse abuse and has the most wonderful working relationship with horses I have ever seen.

Here's a taster of his work.



Want to see more?!



The first few minutes are disturbing but they are meant to be. It's well worth it to keep watching!



Isn't he fab?! And for those of you out there who are going to start shouting at me about traditional methods (horse people seem to be very shouty for some reason!) don't bother! I'm not stupid. I know I can't begin to do this stuff with school horses, or other people's, but I just want to show what is possible, what can be and to give myself something to aim for. I don't expect the horse to carry me, and am grateful when he does. Does that make me a naive fool? Given the choice between a horse who wants to play with you, and work with you in partnership, or an animal who has given up, lost his spirit because he knows the bit will pinch his mouth, and the whip will sting, I know which I would prefer!

And for the record, I don't like Monty Roberts. And I don't like his halter contraption either.

Rant over!

Canter Canter Canter

I can canter!

Well, the horse can canter.

BUT I can steer the horse while it is cantering!

How wonderful am I?!

*Huge Silly Grins*

Spooked!

I had a riding lesson in a different place today, in an outdoor school. I was on a lovely horse - very sensitive to my aids and willing. He's also bigger than the horse I normally ride.

All was going beautifully. I was luxuriating in being outside, riding in the sunshine with short sleeves (they seem a lot more relaxed in this school). Any way, about half way through the lesson, another horse is put out to pasture at the end of the school and starts rubbing itself along the fence. My horse doesn't seem too bothered by this and we trot by quite happily and onto a 20 metre circle (okay - oval!). As we come around again, the instructor asks me to give the horse by the fence a tap with my riding crop as I go past. I wasn't too sure about this, but thought I'd do as I was asked, but of course I made two fundamental errors!

1. Instead of just walking on the approach to the other horse, I asked for trot.
2. At the same time as asking for trot I put the crop into my outside hand and up - yes I know now - by his ears.

It was quite awesome - the power of the spooked horse. Firstly we went up into the air, and then off into a sprint around the school. I lost one stirrup and still had the crop up by his ears as I clung to his mane. It then dawned on me that unless I got rid of the crop, we'd never stop, but didn't fancy letting go of the mane either. Eventually - I say eventually but it all happened in a split second - half way around the school, I managed to stay sitting firm, letting go of said mane, and throwing the offending crop to the ground. I could've tried putting it into my hands the correct way but I couldn't think too straight while hurtling around the arena.

Poor horse! I will never do that again! But on the positive side...

1. I didn't feel frightened at all.
2. I didn't fall off.
3. I brought him back to a steady canter, then trot, and finally to walk in only 3 circuits of the school!
4. It was sooooo exciting! I love it! Even when they spook I love it. I think I must have a death wish, but no matter what anyone says - horses are never as scary as rock climbing!

Now I'm off to soak in hot bath because my legs are aching!

Late holiday snaps - Meet Ghengis

Some late holiday snaps arrived courtesey of my in-laws. It's like it used to be before we went digital because we have to wait until they arrive home after us and pop their pics on a disc for us. Oh the suspense! Plus, my mother-in-law takes much better pics than me!

Anyway, these were taken on the last day in the Valley Bouchee. Meet Ghengis. He's lovely. And for those of you who don't like horses, scroll down and see what other folk were getting up to on their last day of skiing!


Down The Valley Bouchee


Meet Ghengis


What have you been sitting in?


Er how do I do the girth thing again, and what's girth in french?!


It's this way...


And off we go!

And for those of you who don't want to look at horses, I did promise to show you what others were doing on their last day of skiing over the hill...


Brrrr!

Horse Mad!

I rode a horse once, when I was 18. She was a big old chestnut mare who graciously carried me up onto Bodmin Moor despite the fact that all I had going for me was good balance, strong legs, and the confidence of the terminally stupid. My companion, a highly experienced jockey, decided to pop off for a quick gallop. He said, “Just wait there,” but the mare had other ideas. The minute his back was turned she reared up, whinnied, and set off at full speed back down the hill. Head and neck were nowhere to be seen as she threw herself into the descent.

Instinctively, I wrapped my legs around her as tightly as I could, which made her go even faster. There was a brief moment of relief as the ground evened out and her head reappeared, but then I saw the gate, right in front of us. I thought she’d stop, but no. On she went – straight over the gate – my first (and only) jump! If my companion hadn’t appeared beside us, breathlessly grabbing the reins, and bringing us to a rather abrupt halt, I think she’d have galloped all the way to Bristol. Any sensible person would have been put off, but then I’m not any sensible person.

After 19 years of waiting patiently (read: saving up) I had my first ‘proper’ riding lesson on 12th September last year. I loved every ridiculously expensive second of it. The lady at the riding school told me not to rush out and spend a fortune until I’d had a few more lessons. Very sensible, I agreed, then drove straight to the nearest tack shop and bought a lovely black velvet riding hat, leather riding boots, and a pair of jodhpurs – with full seat no less!

After almost 5 months, I still love going to the stables. I can’t wait until summer when I can spend more time down there. It never fails to amaze me just how hard everyone works – lugging heavy skips of manure to the tip, stuffing hay nets, grooming the horses, sweeping the yard, and a thousand other jobs that can’t be ignored.

Here’s what I've learned so far:

1. Riding is really hard work, and that’s not including all the stuff on the ground! Have you ever tried to get half a tonne (78 stone!) of muscle and bloody mindedness to move over using just your inside leg?!

2. Horses can bite. It hurts like hell. Not only that but they're really fast. They can also kick. I imagine this also hurts like hell.

3. Top class show-jumpers do not mix well with complete beginners. It’s like putting a six year old behind the wheel of a Ferrari. Needless to say, I haven’t been invited back!

4. Good school horses, by contrast, are the most patient teachers you’ll ever meet; forgiving (as in please sit properly, my back’s killing me!), helpful (as in I think you want me to trot/go left/etc. so I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and do it for you), and most concerned should they suddenly find you in a heap on the ground!

5. There’s a billion different things to learn, a billion different opinions on how to do them.

6. The crotch area is called ‘the fork’ – as in “Sit back, you’re on your fork!”

7. Horses are expensive. No, like I mean really expensive! Stabling, Vet’s fees, rugs, saddles, bridles, riding lessons, insurance, and we haven’t even started on food, transport (trailers & 4 x 4s), and all the rest of the kit.

8. They also need new shoes, or their feet trimmed every 4 – 6 weeks, so there’s the Farrier to pay too.

9. The world’s largest living horse is called Radar. He stands at 6 feet 7½ inches to the withers (19 hands 3 ½ inches). The withers is at the base of the neck.

The world’s smallest living horse is called Thumbelina. She stands at 17 inches to the withers.

Whereas Radar drinks 20 gallons of water a day, and eats 40 lbs of hay, Thumbelina has a handful of hay twice a day!

10. Not everyone rides horses by sitting in the saddle. The Puszta Team school in Hungary drive a team of horses whilst standing on their backs! And it all started from a painting called the Hungarian Post.



Watch them in action under the link on the left at The History of The Pusza.