Emotions and Sh*t!

Well, mostly this blog is written from a physical rather than emotional POV. I realised the other day, that I haven't really written about how we have all coped with the big move emotionally.

Now, of course, being a Brit we don't really do the whole 'feelings' sh*t but it's part of our journey and I should really note it all down.

As a family unit we are probably happier here than we ever have been. We spend huge amounts of time together which we missed out on the the UK and we do fun stuff, family stuff and it truly has made us all so much closer together and happier. We hiked last weekend for hours and it was tough, hilarious (I fell over on my arse in the creek) and tiring but we really loved it. A walk in the UK countryside just was never quite the same.

However, we miss our family and friends in the UK tremendously. From my part it still feels like a gaping hole where those people should be.

Small things make me miss England and our support system there. Seeing all the Christmas decorations beginning to appear and realising that this year it's going to be a whole lot different, from sourcing Gammon (not possible) to the shops NOT selling Christmas cake (better make my own). But more than that, to not spending it with my family. Not planning the whole crazy few days with Nana Lulu & Andy and Grandad & Nana Karen with Uncle Dan thrown in too. Even just writing it makes me all tearful.

We also miss our friends so much, For me- casual takeaway evenings with the girls, to those weekday dog walks and natters and our long Braai afternoons. I miss being able to call my buddy and get together for a good moan over a bottle of prosecco. I miss my Pilates giggles and I miss hanging out and drinking tea.

As much as he wouldn't like to admit it, Nics missing friends and family too. He definitely misses his golf buddies, his squash evenings and putting the world to rights over a cuppa with Matt.

Ethans definitely missed his friends too. He has started to make new school friends here but it doesn't make up for his UK friends, he was so close to them and its tough making new ones. He has really struggled at times but is starting to have some play dates and is making new friends at swim club too.

As time goes on we meet more and more people here, I have met some great dog buddies, horsey girls and some girls through Ethans school. We also had a great weekend with Nics friend Dave & his wife Lisa plus we spend lots of time with Nics cousin Neil and his wife Mel whom we just love! All is not lost, but my friends and family back home- we miss you all so so much and absence really does make the heart grow fonder xxx

Back in the saddle... x 3!

So, I was asked to ride Miss Sarah aka Jailbreak this week. She is being used in a lesson and hasn't been ridden for a while. Her nickname is Jailbreak as she jumps out of everywhere bar the round pen (when loose schooled).

Last week the guy who was meant to be leasing her turned up. This guy had told them he was a seasoned rider.and brought his own (Western Saddle) along. Apparently it looked brand new, an 'internet' saddle. After not being able to get her bridle on, then doing the cinch (girth) up to the stirrup leather he was told very (NOT) kindly that maybe he wasn't ready to lease... the quote was 'Not all money is good money". He didn't even get on her. Lucky escape for all parties I think.

First of all I needed to pull apart the English tack room to find some stuff. I tried all the saddles on her and found one that fit her pretty well. I started with some in hand work then lunged her, she was super sweet with both, apart from the fact that she had freaked a tad when I shut the gate to the school but she settled fast. Once I was happy that she wasn't a total nutter we did some mounting desensitization stuff then off we went.

Generally she did great green. We did LOTS of circles and changes of direction and speed in walk alone. She is a nice forward mare and will be a fun ride, she needs work but the basics are there.

I then got the chance to have a little spin on an older horse at the barn which was great practice for me and got my riding muscles awake.

Next we got to play with the gorgeous RoughCutt. Alicia teaches lessons and has her own two horses boarded there. She asked if I wanted to see RC ridden so I can understand him more. I tacked him up- Western style- felt like a beginner again- where do all the straps go!?! Generally it went fine except for the girth which threaded through weird rings multiple times! The western bridle she uses is a simple O ring snaffle so that was fine. I also put his blinders on as requested. I was warned that last time he was lunged in a western saddle he freaked so took it carefully, but he didn't blink an eye at it. Alicia also then said he also had got scared being saddled last time. I have been doing lots of work with him with ropes etc and it seems that helped a lot as he was fine with me saddling him too.

Now a short bit of background, we have no idea what happened to him, if he was punished or just rushed hugely but he is scared of his rider. The last girl who rode him at the Barn (who made some silly mistakes) first got bucked off as soon as she was on, then the next time he took off and galloped around the property until he managed to get her off, next he freaked when they chucked a stock saddle on him and broke away from them before mounting, the saddle slipped to his belly and he took off freaking out. The poor lad hasn't had a good time.

Racing blinders

After lunging for a bit Alicia got ready to get on. I stayed by his head as hoped after all the work I have done with him he might find it reassuring, we took it slowly with him as he holds his breath and freezes when he realizes someones about to mount. She just sat on him and stroked/ patted him until he relaxed while I chatted to him and her. After a bit she then started off with small circles until he felt really good and then used the whole school and worked him in walk, trot and a little canter! After that she asked if I felt ok to hop on, so Western tack and all. Again he tightened up as I hopped on but I made sure he knew I was there and scratched his neck and sat still until he relaxed, I copied Alicia and we started with circles, he chilled super fast and we had a little trot too. Once he relaxes he is super chilled. After halting I asked Alicia to take off his blinders so he could see me up there, as they came off he tensed a little but I made sure he looked round at me and sniffed me etc and off we went again, he did just great! We finished the session with Alicia getting on him and then riding him bareback and making sure he watched it all, he worries each time someone gets on or off but did great. I am hoping that all the work I have done around the mounting block with him helped just a little as he really did so well.

He needs lots more desensitization still and is a work in progress but, there is hope! I just wonder what happened to such a non spooky horse to scare him so much. He just is like an unbacked horse with mounting so I suspect they just skipped that bit totally.

He spent a lot of time when I was on the ground blowing into my neck, nibbling my shirt buttons and looked to me often. He needs reassurance and affection bless him x

Dress for success

One of the things I like about living here is the casual attitude towards clothing, you can pretty much wear whatever you want, wherever you want and you won't be under or over dressed.

Featuring at school pick up time from the Mummies is everything and anything. From flats and shorts, Dasiy Dukes and Sky high wedges, mini skirts and stilettos, workout gear, riding clothes and cowboy boots to hippy skirts and kaftans. No one cares! It's pretty cool to not be judged although I have pretty much lived in shorts, girly sandals and tank tops since I have arrived.

Its still roasting here, 88f today (31c) and too hot for anything but shorts and skirts really so thats what I live in.. oh and my cowboy boots sometimes too of course!

Sessions at FOH

I headed back up to Friends Of Horses (FOH) again last and then this week. On Monday I worked with four of the horses.

WEEK 2

Timeless Dancer

First up again was the big mare Molly Z. I had use of the round pen this time which was just fantastic so I got to do some work with her. We started off with leading manners again and she did great, she is quite a polite mare so tries really hard. In the round pen I worked her in both directions, she didn't want to stay on the right rein and kept trying to flip around, I managed to keep her going but I feel like my reactions aren't quite good enough to grab her before she starts to flip, I need to watch her much better and work on this for next time. I made sure she kept moving when I had asked her too. Again, to start with she galloped at the gateway but I wouldn't let her stop there so after five or six attempts at this she kept moving round much more freely.

Next I worked with a new horse 'Timeless Dancer'. She is about 15hh and very pretty. They didn't know much about her but she looked part Arab. She was sweet to work with albeit a bit sensitive but tried hard. I didn't work her loose as she has just recovered from a tendon injury so worked in hand instead, she did great and we did lots of de sensitization with her body/ ropes and whip etc. When I got back I googled her at it seems she was an Arab racehorse. I think she was pretty successful but guessing once she did her tendon she became useless. There are even some photos online at http://www.toskhara.com/racing/tatimelessdancer.html.

Then I got to work with my favorite so far, the gorgeous Rough Cutt. I think he is pure TB but he is stocky and around 15.2hh. He was a little star and I think he needs to play some new games. So this week I think we might have a play with some new challenges with mounting blocks etc. I have a real affection for this horse and he is so good looking. Its tough to stay detached.

Distant Land

Finally was a newbie. A 16.1hh (ish) TB mare Distant Land. She is very bright and inquisitive and wants to nibble/ sniff everything. I started in hand with her and she was good but lacked a few manners/ she tried grass snatching etc and called a fair bit but started to focus as the session began. She was great in hand and wasn't bothered by the rope etc. Loose schooling she did pretty well, she settled fast and there was no hooning. She has a strong personality and kicked out at the rope each time I pushed her on. She really is a nibbly mare though and I think she could quite easily turn it into a bite. I made sure she didn't put her mouth on me while I was working around her and she quickly got the idea.

All the horses had a good groom afterwards which they just loved and it amazed me how fast they all trust people and relaxed by the end of each session. They are teaching me so much and I can't help but be a little in awe of these clever animals.


WEEK 3

So before the next session I had a good think about what I wanted to do next. The round pen is fine for a bit but I wanted a little more focus on me and movement towards ridden work. I still don't have any long lines but there is one at FOH that I can borrow when I work as no one else really seems to use it!

So this session it was about focus and relaxation and we worked in the larger pens.

Molly Z came out nicely and we did a little work in hand, I then started to move away from her and let her move out quietly onto the long line, we got a lovely few circles on the lunge in a nice relaxed walk which was brilliant. Something then made her jump and she show forwards into canter and bucked, i let the rope out a little and kept the pressure off and she settled straight back down. We did another few circles and left it on a good note. I don't really want to lunge any of them as such but want to start long lining soon and so I stuck more to this, following her movement around the large pen and keeping her relaxed but paying attention.

Next up- work with Timeless. We did some work on body language and even more desensitization, she is quite quirky and can panic about things. One of the things I have now found that really worries her is trotting under hand, she throws her head up and goes straight up. Im not sure whats happened in her past but we quickly took it back a step and I am trying to keep her relaxed about this. She then just had some free time in the pen with one of her buddies.

Finally I played with RC, he did well and we have started challenging him with height. He is now coming up to the mounting block and I am standing on the top step and leaning over him/ scratching his sides and just getting him used to seeing someone higher than him and him being able to see me from both sides. He is clearly uncomfortable about it as he steps backwards when any weight is applied but I am hoping the more I can do the less it will upset him.

I am well aware that I am making little difference to the horses. Before I went up today I kind of wondered if it was worthwhile. I just am not experienced enough to really change much. Jules (The Queen of all groundwork) taught me huge amounts that I remember every single time I am around the horses; from body language to handling and approaching youngsters, loose schooling, desensitizing and some of the stages of backing (even though these guys are in theory backed). I also realize that they are being handled and worked by lots of different people; RC for example is still having people ride him at times in blinkers so it possibly counteracts anything I do or don't do. I decided to still go up as I had some items to drop off. I have asked around locally and managed to collect quite a few old head collars, lead ropes, buckets and numnahs etc so I wanted to give those to the rescue. When I went today I decided to just enjoy being with the horses and do what I can, some days they won't get out their stalls so even if I just went up and walked them around the property for a bit its better than nothing and they enjoy working in the pens with me. As long as they are happy and we are both safe then I am doing more good than harm. Today I truly enjoyed being there, I got to know quite a few more people which helps too. It is a huge place and they have so many horses there that its a little overwhelming at times, but if they can get the odd leg stretch; then all is good.

I've been driving in my car, it don't look much but I've been far...

Madness!

Well, yes the lyrics are 'Madness' but the driving here even more so!

I spent this morning at the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) to take my drivers test/ license. Firstly the paperwork require is crazy, you need more ID to get your permit than to get a social security number which is just ridiculous. Nic had to dash out from work to bring HIS drivers license as proof of... god only knows what! The employees were as Nic commented 'Simpsons Characters'. Every bit as quirky and odd as you'd expect. (Not all mind you just some)!

I arrived early as I had to take the written test first. It wasn't hard, you need 80% correct and there are a few off questions in there as always but it went fine and I passed - phew!

Love her!

After waiting around a bit, the examiner called me and we headed out in my big ole pickup! We basically drove around the area for about 8/10 minutes then back to the parking lot and job done and passed! NO reversing, NO parallel parking, NO emergency stop, NO gears, etc etc. Nada. Now, great for me as I passed with flying colors but seriously scary that new drivers can be on the road after that.

I can honestly say, the driving standard over here is terrible. Each driver is in their own little bubble with absolutely no awareness of whats going on around them. They break, change lanes and dawdle along on the highway but don't think about what else might be trying to enter those lanes etc. Honestly its pretty terrifying at best and downright critically dangerous at worse. You have to drive here with much more awareness that you would in the UK and given that the roads are huge and fast here its quite challenging.

I love my car and am pleased that I am so huge on the roads, it makes me feel a tad safer at least! Well, I'm official now so full steam ahead!

In the deep end!

So today I headed up to FOH rescue for my first few hours of volunteering. I found one of the main owners and he asked me to work with Molly Z and Rough Cutt. The round pen was being used so I was to use one of the larger oval arenas instead. I had to hunt around for a spare head collar and long line as they just have no equipment really. Anything they did buy got lost or stolen which is such a shame.

Molly Z

I knew a little about Molly Z from the weekends intro. Molly Z is a four year old filly straight off the track. She has done nothing at FOH and has just had one session with Lenora the other volunteer. Molly Z is a big girl, already 17h but sweet. Apparently she was trained by a super successful trainer and her Grandaddy is Secretariat- she didn't get his racing gift though... lots of losses! When I went into her pen; She was inquisitive without being pushy. I took my time putting the head collar on but she was fine with this. Once in the arena we spent ten minutes or so walking, changing direction, halting backing up and changing speed etc. She coped really well and it was obvious she was much happier being led with her handler on her right. I did some desensitization with a rope and the lunge whip and she was attentive but unfazed by it. I decided to do some loose schooling with her to see how she would react. She was not impressed with being sent away at first but then set off in a lovely trot away from me around the school, perfect I thought... next thing she pops her head down and gallops flat out at the gate. I honestly thought she was going to jump it but instead she ground to a halt in front of it. I asked her to keep going as I didn't want her to stop yet and again the same trot away to flat out then halt. We worked for a little while with her and I made sure she kept moving. She did not want to stay on the right rein but I just had too much space in the arena to do anything about it here so just worked on keeping her feet moving until I asked her to stop. After a short while she started to get the idea and i got some lovely calm trotting around the arena. After a good circuit I slowed her down then used some of Jennys lovely little tips and she came back into me really calmly. We walked around for a bit to cool off before calling it a day. She's a very clever girl and fun to work with but I would really love to be able to use the round pen for a bit then start some long lining with her.

Rough Cutt before loose schooling

Next was Rough Cutt. I knew nothing about him so decided to treat him as a total baby. In his stable he looked a bit worried. He was standing near the back with big eyes and didn't show any interest in me as I came in. I waited a while in his stable just watching him. He started to relax after a bit and after he had a huge sigh I went over and checked his reaction to the head collar. He was of course totally fine and I led him out to the arena without any drama. He was really very responsive apart from only wanting to be led on the right again. As both guys did this I am pretty sure that these guys nearly always get led from the right! He was much calmer loose schooling and really listened to me and responded to my body language. (I can still hear Jules in my head reminding me on where my shoulders are and what my body is saying GO or STOP!- its helped so much)! He has a lovely bouncy little trot but no movement through his entire torso he is so, so stiff. I am no expert at all but I assume that at least partly to do with his current muscle as he is muscled for galloping straight lines? He is a compact and powerful little horse and really pretty to boot. As the session went on he totally started to relax and when the session was over he followed me around the arena like a puppy and became really quite affectionate. It was like a different horse and I really felt fabulous- was a great feeling. After I popped him back in his stable he came over to the door while I was getting ready to leave. Very sweet boy. After I had finished with him I went to find some of the other helpers etc. I found out that Rough Cutt can be ridden, however he has a small issue in that he freaks out if he SEES someone on him. Apparently the previous owner (not sure if it was race yard or something else) just bunged blinkers on him and threw someone up and he coped ok then. Unfortunately this isn't helpful for a horse that needs to be rehomed as a ridden pleasure horse so this will need to be sorted out. I am thinking there might be a dummy jockey in his future...

All in all it was a great few hours. Both the horses did really well and I loved being around them. I am looking forward to seeing them both again and hopefully doing some work in the round pen, plus I will take my grooming kit so they can actually get a brush too!

Pretty boy x

Real Rescue Ranch!

What an eye opener today was!

I went along to a volunteer induction at Friends of Horses Rescue in Englewood, CO. I arrived with around twenty other volunteers and we started with a tour of the rescue centre. There are over one hundred and twenty horses on the site. They are a mix of newly rescued horses, leased horses and boarders. Pretty much every single one of them is a rescued/ retrained horse.

The rescue takes cases from different places, neglect cases, cruelty, financial strain, injured horses that owners can't afford fees and ex racers fresh off the track. Each horse undergoes some retraining or rehab if injured and is rehomed via the centre for a fee. The fees range from $500 to about $2000 depending on the horse and it's age/ experience etc. One of the things I noticed when walking around was the relaxation of the horses, yes they argued like horses do but we didn't pass one horse that lunged out/ bit or anything else. We had total horse novices walking around with us and the ranch owner was happy for any horse to be petted and stroked.

They have multiple pens that the horses live in plus stalls/ stables for the ones who need it and the liveries who pay for it! Full livery is about $500 per month (£330). The horses mostly live in groups if they like that, some in their own pens if they prefer but they can always reach the horse next door. There are also indoor and outdoor arenas, a round pen and hacking/ trails onto Cherry Creek State park.

At the moment they also have a pen full of orphaned foals. They have a week of foal handling with Anna Twinney coming up and will hopefully rehome most of the foals during the clinic. I wish I arrived earlier so  could have attending this- bet its amazing!

The orphan foals

After the tour we shovelled poo... a lot of poo. That many horses create some serious havoc! After a few hours myself and another girl went off for a chat with one of the head Ranch riders about helping with hands on horsemanship type stuff. The other girl is mega experienced as competed in 3 day eventing in Texas and has started ex racehorses etc herself. We went to meet him expecting a strict rule about what we can and can't do. We were pretty much told that any help we can spare will be great! He is happy for us to crack on and start working with anything. They simply don't have enough hands and the last thing they want is any of the horses just sitting in stalls wasting away. Myself and Lenora (the other girl) can select a few horses each and basically start working with them. Anything from ground work, simple catching and haltering to starting ridden work would be helpful however I have said I am not getting on anything that isn't broken as I just don't have the ridden experience but if there are broken horses that I can sit on and help get worked I am happy to do so.

Miss Sarah Mae x

I am so appreciative of all the help I have had over the years with groundwork etc. Jules taught me a ton with starting off, catching, haltering and handling youngsters and body language/ ground work. Then Jen with all her IH stuff and some real lightbulb moments have been awesome. I am also going to be the idiot walking and riding at the barn with my riding hat on. Obviously no one there really wears helmets when working or riding but I sure will- even If I look stupid!

One of the horses I am hoping to work with is a gorgeous filly recently off the track but who has been ridden for a few months now. Her name is Miss Sarah Mae and she is so affectionate and super pretty. She is pretty much ready for rehoming but needs maintaining.

They also have disabled riders and horses working through therapy there and I would really love to help with this. They always need people to lead horses and be calm around them etc while the therapists are working with the kids.

I am hoping to start this week for a few hours, so excited about this project.

Busy, busy!

This past week has been a busy one. Busy is good though so I can't complain really!

Ethan has now started at his new school. He is settling in well and is his usual happy self. He hasn't quite got the confidence he had at his old school at the moment but he is getting there and is doing amazingly well for just a week. We had a special email from his teacher telling us how well he was doing and how kind and confident he has been with some things. We are very proud of how well he has coped with everything so far.

Today also sees the collection of our loan furniture etc and tomorrow the huge delivery of our shipping container with all our stuff in! I always find it quite stressful as it means having people traipsing around, trying to decide quickly where things go followed by the joy of packing items away. Crown should do most things like rebuild, unpack etc but there is always madness afterwards especially as Nic will be in work! However I am really looking forward to having my own stuff here.

The Mountains! Love them x

I am still missing my friends and family very much but feeling a bit more settled here. There is lots happening at Ethans school over the next few months which keeps us busy and I have some volunteering plans locally too. Plus I still need to get my driving license and Social Security number!

Lots to do as always!

The weather here continues to be just incredible. Sunny day after sunny day, sunrise around 6.30am and sunset about 7.30pm means we can do so much. We have been for bike rides, basketball in the park, dog walks etc all after Ethan gets home from school at around 4pm. The heat gets to around 32 celsius each day and is still around 27 going into the evening. It cools down overnight into the next morning. The humidity here is also very low so it rarely feels stiflingly hot. Visitors beware though, the altitude can get to some people massively! We will leave the mountain trips until you have acclimatized ;)

Anyway, enough waffling about the weather- what a very British thing to do!

Chocks Away old chap!