Ridgefield Stables Barefoot Horses

15/06/2024

We rode without a bridle!!! I also wanted to show how I think teaching Ted to lift his front legs is improving his postural awareness and I hope will make it easier for him to carry himself in the ridden work (we struggle with lengthening in trot and with canter being rather flat but both felt better today
). Weather not playing ball today, it went from Sun to pitch black so Pivo struggled to track us and then I decided to try riding without the bridle just as ANOTHER thunder storm rolled in. Im not that brave but at least we have video proof! I am going to keep doing it because it will help me not to rely on hands!

20/05/2024

Trafford captured this lovely shot of me and Ted on the cross country course at Burghley PC ODE on Sunday (the SJ one is mine) and looking at these photos has really cheered up Monday lunchtime! For once the sun shone on Sunday and a gentle breeze blew and we had two lovely *clear* rounds of jumping and Ted put in a creditable dressage for 30 (the best was 28.8 from a well established BD partnership so it was clearly a tightly marked section).

Unfortunately I had a complete mental block in the SJ and had to stand stock still (for around a minute it turns out) gawping like a frog and clocking up time penalties before cantering around and over my tracks to try and find fence four, which, it turned out I'd already jumped. Back on course we finished clear and pretty stylish for Ted and I. I didn't bother galloping much XC after that - 32 time and 4 jumping faults for what Ted thinks was a clear round SJ put us out of the competition but the XC was fluid and fun and this is a rare shot where you can see Ted and I both smiling and looking where we're going next. Ah well - sometimes you need to let go of the pressure to really enjoy it and Ted and I had a ball. PS Yes the two better dressage test entries did have jumping faults and so yes, were it not for me Ted could have taken home first prize but let's not think about that eh🤦

12/05/2024

Fantastic day out at the Quorn Hunt Pony Club One Day event. This was Fergy's first ever event and he has been really working hard especially with his jumping, and learning the dressage test. On the day it all paid off and he rode a beautiful test for 25 and led the field from there to take first prize after a well deserved double clear. I'm especially proud of hime as it's taken time to build this little mare's confidence and now the trust they have in each other is really something special to see. Fellow PC Mums will know that Ferg is not one to smile for the camera so that just tells you what amazing day was had by all. Thankyou to the organisers and volunteers that made today just as exciting and memorable as a trip to Badminton! Quorn Hunt Pony Club Members

10/03/2024

A really helpful session with Lili Brooksby-Dalby yesterday and especially to see pica as it often feels harder work than it looks. Ted starting to find a better balance and carry himself. Having worked so hard to ride front to back and push the hands away I've now gone too far and need to relax a bit in my upper body and enjoy it (i'm not handling uranium!).

11/02/2024

I couldn't be more proud of Seiont Tesni Haf who was a star at a lovely low key dressage come at Canaan Farm Equestrian Centre this morning. The friendliest venue and two lovely tests.I had felt canter wasn't really show ready but sevens for all of it so am thrilled. Fergus groomed for me too (another first!). Thanks Marie for videoing the intro :-) a lovely morning.

28/01/2024

I often lack the mojo to set up poles but its sooo worth it. Really pleased with this. I had a brainwave this yr to stagger the horses 'holidays'. January was Ted's holiday so Tes has been in dressage bootcamp and then she'll have a break when Ted starts back this week. It's meant I've been able to stay focussed and motivated through Jan which is a first!

19/01/2024

Winter track tour and home hack. Winter can be hard work but it is also beautiful. The sun shone this morning and despite a frozen arena (-5 first thing) the sun on the grass track (rested since late Dec) made it just right for a home hack. People regularly ask me how the 'equicentral' set up and our limestone topped mini track we built in 2022 are holding up so here's a video tour with commentary.

Edited by YouCut:https://youcutapp.page.link/BestEditor

17/12/2023

Tesni barefoot and bitless on the gallops this morning pilotted by Marie Hanlon. We did have a proper gallop after this (when i wasn't riding Ted one handed holding the phone) and I can tell you she took some chasing...Welsh fire breathing she-dragon that she is this is one little over achiever 😍

06/12/2023

Downsides of free range barefoot horses on a equicentral / track hybrid in the winter in UK. 1. I had to bend down a bit to dislodge some frozen poos that were stuck to the track this morning which was a bit bumpier than usual after the rain and deep freeze, 2....errrrrrr that's it. The positives are too long to list or ill be late for work. Heres a sparkly frosty video of the horses coming in for breakfast. I just have to rattle and shout. They know where they need to go. horsecare 😍

07/10/2023

Some upgrades to the barn as despite it being seemingly lovely and cosy as it was (from a human's perspective) the horses didn't agree and would only use it in truly horrendous weather. They preferred to stand out side it using it as a giant windbreak or just inside the door. By contrast all three of them will happily cram into the Belvoir Barns mobile arch shelter in their mid way loafing area (go figure!?). In the absence of any definiitve snagging list we have aimed to a) make it more open by taking off a whole end wall b) which also makes it walk thru ...like a mega sized arch c) take out some boards to increase the light at the other end d) more space with an extended area under an architectural sail that is also waterproof and should help stop too much weather coming in the open side e) the whole area is now Jelka matts topped with old arena surface and theres the sandpit for rolling in and mattress mats in the middle (most open) part of the barn by the door as thats where they seem to feel safest (not cosied up in a corner which is where i thought they would want to rest. Lucky horses. Sail is v high tesnion and heavyweight. An italian company called Maanta (about £450) so not cheap but also a lot cheaper than a roof and hopefully more airy which seems to be what my lot prefer. Video in comments.

05/10/2023

What a unique opportunity...i really wish I could go. If you're within striking distance of Walford this event offers such amazing value.

👀 What is happening when? 👀

👉 Saturday 14th October, Walford Equestrian Centre

👉 10.30 - Doors Open

👉 11.00 - Tim Froydenland opens with a brief discussion on Common Ailments caused by Poor Posture & Core Strength.

👉 11.10 - Simon Cocozza & Rui Campeao will demonstrate lunging and in hand techniques.

👉 11.30 - Simon Cocozza will showcase his ridden exercises for building core strength on the flat and he will work with a horse and rider over show jumps. Simon will also discuss the ethics of training.

👉 12.30 - Pick & Mix talks. During the lunch break there will be a series of small talks by a selection of specialists. Spectators will choose which talks interest them and which to attend.

👉 13.30 - Rui Campeao will work with a selection of 4 horse/rider combinations including 2 ponies, a Welsh and an Iberian. He will demonstrate exercises for straightness and strength in the basics and up into the advanced work where the horses really dance.

👉 14.45 - Simon Cocozza & Rui Campeao will close the event with a combined Q&A session giving the audience the opportunity to ask any questions that have arisen from the demos.

Message me to book, or use HorseMonkey:

https://horsemonkey.com/equestrian_event/50552/The+Happy+Athlete

16/09/2023

Fantastic lesson with Julie Mann at Field Farm this morning. Fergus and Holly both took a bit of waking up but they got there in the end!