Childponysleeprepeat

When you get a little glimpse of the future and you love it.
Wilf, ridiculously bold and confident round horses so much so, he's not sharing his apple and laughing his head off as Bob (VERY GENTLY) tries to mug him. 😂💖🦄
Bob, you may have met your match when it comes to endearing stubbornness.

I know who needs to hear this but.. having ANY targets as a Mum is Ambitious.
Planning on leaving the house by 8am. I salute you! 🙋
Aiming to get all your fence moved and paddocks poo picked during a naptime? You are keen 🙋
Thinking that you can organise childcare and a lesson to fall at the same time and nobody in the chain will end up being late... Girl you've got GOALS. 🙋
So then it comes to what lots of people consider targets. PBs. Qualifications. A certain placing. A particular venue. The Dreams.
Trying to do those things with little ones in tow can seem flipping ambitious. The days it doesn't work out for one reason or another can hurt.
But you know what. When you trot down the centre line or gallop past the finishing timers, one thing is for sure, you've done all the relentless background work that takes the time and effort, and you deserve to enjoy the fact you've even made it to where you were hoping to and then just enjoy the experience. 🦄✨
On that note, I'm really, really looking forward to arriving at Moreton for Petplan Area Festivals and soaking up the atmosphere and watching some ponies dance.
I've managed to drag Albs and Wilf to a handful of my lessons, learnt my Prelim 19 test whilst they watch a smidge too much TV and they've both met Mechanical Millie the horse with me whilst I try to sort out my position.
For Bob, though for most it's the start of a dressage journey, this is like his version of the Olympics, this hairy, short, round little hunter is just counting down the days till October but if this makes his Mum happy, he's game too 🦄💗

Swipe to see the look me and Albie exchange after trying to get Wilf involved in a nice photo for Mummy to have, seeing as she NEVER has any of her taken, she's always the one behind the camera.... Oh WILF ❤️
🤣🤣🤣
Are you always the one taking the photos and never the one in them? Whether it's because you don't have someone to take the photo or feel a bit awkward in front of the camera, Here's your reminder today, be brave and get in front of the camera and ask someone to take it...
As these little creatures just keep growing and growing!! They won't be this little for long and I want to show them these when they're 21 and trying to do things without their Mum hanging on!
Maybe one day I'll wrangle Wilf into a picture with me 😅

❤️When you move mountains to make it happen, it's really, really lovely that sometimes it does happen. ❤️
Mum's competing know the drill. Night before 🤓PREP TO PERFECTION.🤓
Everything for you packed, loaded up, route checked, clothes laid out (well out of sticky fingers reach) Everything for the horse ready clean down at the yard, horse wrapped up to the eyeballs to save much cleaning. Older Children's school uniform ready, lunch already made, homework already done, if you've got a toddler you've got breakfast, elevenses, brunch, Lunch and a mini picnic ready for whoever has them for the day alongside changes of clothes and favourite toys packed up.
The morning of, you drag the horses in at an ungodly hour, check they're possessing all their shoes and haven't managed any mischief, then back for breakfast, shower and school run before screeching into the yard to throw the horse into the box and set off to attempt to do your best.
And that's all we're ever trying to do when we compete, just do our best, show what we can do, what we've practised and learnt so when you get the results you hoped for it's pretty flipping marvellous because win, lose or draw, the same effort, hopes and plans go into it. ❤️
After last week's disaster where my two brain cells didn't talk to each other it felt good to remember the tests (for the most part!) and to read the judges comments and totally agree with the good and the constructive.
🦄 Prelim17a felt really smooth and though I could pick it apart, I won't, I know I need to work on my accuracy and his impulsion vs balance but was pleased! 67.88%

🦄 Our first go at Novice 23 felt more rushed - his medium trots didn't have the push they usually do as I was over riding and pushed him out his rhythm. However he was very obedient and his canter work felt good. I did forget that there's a stretchy trot after the canter but only for a moment so it was a -2 but it didn't fluster me like last week. 64.33%
Bob, just thought it was great fun getting to go for an outing, having all the fuss and cuddles that are smothered upon him! ❤️🦄
Back in time for the school run 🎉

Sometimes, it's not always the ride you had planned.
It's not always the hack for a peaceful reset you really needed.
Or the fun day out where you gallop majestically through a field wind in your hair adrenaline going.
It's not the competition where you've trained and practiced and you've had the result you earned.
Sometimes, it's a spooky daft mess filed with eleventy new electric fences put up, or a pheasant leaps out whilst your mid gallop and you land on your arse watching your horse trot off into the distance.
👀 Or like for me on Thursday 👀 sometimes your nicely planned day out at a competition ends in sitting in two hours of traffic arriving with 6minutes to spare and your brain evacuating the building in the stress of it all and you get lost in a both your tests, retiring from your second one feeling a bit sick with the stress of it all 🤢.
The problem is, when you are juggling everything, work, children and horses, it's really easy to feel massive pressure for horses to BE FUN. Or BE GOOD.
When youve paid and organised for childcare, or borrowed a favour from a friend so you can do something for yourself, it really, really does feel quite pressured to enjoy yourself or do well.
But I'd just like to say, your children really don't mind that you've not been there for a day, they've probably really enjoyed a day spent doing something different. And your horse doesn't really know just how important he is to you and your need for a bit of space.
So try take the pressure off yourself, and if you haven't had the ride you expected, go find somewhere that sells a Magnum Ice Cream and give your pony a big cuddle, there's nothing that a good slobbery hairy hug can't make feel a bit better. 💕🦄
(Bob still thinks he was bloody fabulous and that's all that matters, he got to do a medium canter and he thought it was excellent! 🤣🦄)

Why do we do it? Why are we Equestrians?
We do it for peace. For quiet. To feel like ourselves. To have the headspace. To have a purpose. To fulfil goals and dreams.
Some of us do it for a job, but not to earn money. Some of us are talented enough to make real money. Some of us are driven by adrenaline. Some of us just enjoy the escape.
The sun is shining and it's days like today I remember my Why.
I love my children to the moon and stars but sometimes, when I'm having a day to forget, I can do exactly that and hop on Bob and feel everything melt away.

When Mum and Dad have a whole 48hours free of children...
How else would you spend the time but enjoying the gorgeous countryside with your wonderful horses.
We are so so grateful and lucky to be able to have two kind and generous ponies who are game for whatever adventures we have planned. 🦄🦄
Josh can now tick off taking part in a Hunter Trial, he seems to think Bob was slowing him and Dezzie down, so this photo is the moment he decided to take over .... Isn't it amazing the difference a year makes 🤣🫢🏇

To the person who feels like it's might be impossible. That you're being pulled in so many directions, that you're struggling with the time, the effort and in this current cost of living crisis the money that goes into running a household and having horses.
To the parent who shoved their own ambitions behind them and focuses on what they can do for now, not what they can't do yet
To the parent who whole heartedly throws themselves into being a Parent first and themselves second.
Nothing is ever permanent and times will change and circumstances will shift. Your children will grow, your lifestyle will adapt (and surely we can't keep paying through the nose like we are!🤞)
I got some amazing advice at the start of the year and I cling to it- ✨What we perceive to be the bad thing, isn't ALWAYS the bad thing.✨
So for when times are tough- find your tribe and surround yourself with family and friends and hunker down in the storm. 🌪️
But one day, with a little bit of luck, you will look back and you will go, Wow, if that bad thing hadn't happened, this amazing change wouldn't have either and look at where I am now.
You often hear of horses injured being turned away and though at the time it hurts your head and your heart, many look back and the beauty of hindsight they can say- Wow that break came at the perfect time for my family to grow or my horse has benefited all over from that enforced time off games and now they're better than ever 🤞❤️
✨ Keep going, you are doing the very best you can and you are amazing. ✨

📚 Uno is reaching the end of his pre-school years, and Today was his first proper DRESSAGE LESSON! 📚
Preschool is the time when all learning is just shaped and ideas are suggested and basic manners and repetition is all key.
You spend hours with your preschooler, doing the same things teaching them with fun and patience, repeating the same small easy tasks that are the building blocks for going into "big school" with the aim in mind of keeping them confident and able to believe in themselves, things like, being brave and saying hello, please and thank you, teaching them to sit and wait for shoes to go on before running outside, how to put on their own coats - I MUST show you the batman trick!- how to sit still for eating lunch and all sorts of little life skills that will help them move forward through the school years as we ask more and more of them. 🤞📚
Uno's had the equivalent of these life skills teaching, he's learnt he needs to be polite and steady whilst I mount (ex racehorses are used to people being legged up on the move) He's learnt that I expect him to wait for traffic (he's not at all frightened so just wants to keep walking past) He's been taught transitions are fun, they make him think, slow him down so now he's got all the building blocks for a consistent contact and wanting to use himself, I feel we are truly past the worst of giraffe mode and he's understanding forward, relaxed rhythm with suppleness 🦒🏇💨
He's so confident and happy. He LOVES when I approach the stable, he's affectionate and he leaves the stable yard with some much purpose and intent about him another school day for little Uno!! 🌟
But while the easy, shaping suggestive learning is going to continue there are now going to be slightly harder questions asked and slightly more demanding lessons are about to begin. 🤓
Just like when we reach reception, though there will be tough learning days where he'll come away a bit confused or tired, the following lessons will hopefully make sense to him & as the days go on his stamina will grow too. 📚❤️

🧠Baby Brain🧠
Does it ever go away? It's one of those things where I curse my forgetfulness and I regularly regretfully rue the loss of my memory and say "I used to know things, you know" to Josh about a hundred times a week.
I laughably didn't think it was so bad this time around with Wilf, I remember the HORROR I felt after having Albie that I genuinely felt my brain had fallen out, but this time around maybe I had less to lose and therefore it wasn't as noticeable.🫣🤷
Bob the Cob was a super star as per. He is an absolute delight to take out, he's so happy to be somewhere different, he's not spooky or silly in the warm up and he puts his best twinkle toe forward when I ask him nicely!
I am always so pleased with him, and I don't want to put down the test we rode because it was the same score as the winner, but our collectives were 0.5 lower so it wasn't a bad test. What's frustrating is -
🧠 I forgot part of a movement in the canter
🧠 I then instead of keeping cool and thinking it's just one movement ride the rest of the test, I went on autopilot and rode to just get the rest out the way.
🧠 I also continually second guessed myself which meant I over shot markers and was inaccurate.
All in all he was obedient, rhythmical, correct canter lead and felt active and willing, but I feel like I need a good few lessons to get me pulling my weight and riding for every mark we can score. 🤞💯
However another LOVELY day out with my gorgeous PatchyPony 💖🦄

✨Guess who is going to Area Festivals!?✨
Do you think this pony knows just how loved he is? ❤️
Bob the Cob, he could have come stone last today and I'd still dearly love and adore him because of the feeling he gives me ❤️
He gives me freedom. He gives me dreams. He makes me laugh. (He can make me equally furious, as I watch him escaping his field or trash whatever I've left in his reach 😂)
He is so human with his communication being SO clear. He is also delightfully silent when I need time to decompress but don't want to be alone.
He doesn't indulge my anxieties and he's kind enough though he very easily could, he doesn't take the mick.
Who else has a best friend, who doesn't say a word? ❤️🦄

For the days that are long, but the years that are so so short. ❤️
It's not Horsey content, but after a long weekend with my boy gang, it's an absolute treat to have spent time being just Mum and Dad. No rushing here and there no dogs to walk or horses to bring in and turn out...
For the rides that are missed whilst they're tiny, but for when they're big and you'd miss a ride or two to spend some time with them.
For the babies that become children, that become grown ups, and soon they'll be going on adventures with their families.
For family, big or small. Make all the moments count ❤️

When the cob you got, because you were a Mum and frightened to ride sharp, strong athletic sportshorses and thought you wanted to plod along hacking and maybe hunting if you were brave enough.... has ever since that day- turning up fully feathered and mane down to his shoulders 6 years ago- absolutely smashed the assignment of being a Best Friend, happy hacker, wicked hunter, had a top ten finish eventing... And then goes and wins his first BD dressage test with his wobbley pilot yesterday. Proper little Bobby Dazzler 🦄❤️
After having Wilf I've been really dipping in and out of being fit and well with dizziness and fogginess etc, however I've now got a good handle on what I need to feel well, I'm taking nearly the entire contents of Holland and Barretts and the staff in there have been super helpful finding the right vitamins and I'm feeling so so much better. Isn't it funny how seriously I take horses supplements and children's vitamins but not my own!?
Thank you so so much the last two weeks to the gorgeous people who have checked in on me, sent suggestions (people who struggle with Iron -Spatone- is the one!) and generally been the very lovely Horsey Mum Community I know we are.
This season I want to focus on you guys and big up your successes, your juggling acts and how could we make life easier for horsey mums, I want to celebrate how flipping brilliant you all are 💖🦄

The little cob that can.... And his poor rider who since having her baby has seemingly fallen apart.
Since carrying Wilf I've had so many dizzy and fainting spells.
Whilst I was pregnant the midwives and GPs were super diligent they took my bloods every two weeks monitored the iron and b12 levels throughout and sent me for a monofer when levels really dipped and I was in danger of fainting or falling on a daily basis.
When I was on my last Midwife appointment before my C Section I raised I was really concerned once Wilf was born they would stop monitoring my iron levels. I was reassured it would be checked at my six week check.
I (and Wilf) didn't get a six week check. They phoned me, asked how Wilf was, and then when I mentioned more blood tests as I was dizzy they basically, fobbed me off with see how you feel at 16 weeks.
I ride for a living, I drive for a living, I have two small children to care for and today, nearly 18months down the line, I have been so dizzy today I've walked INTO the horse whilst leading him through the stable.
Enough is enough. I'm incredibly strong minded and determined and I look after myself cooking from scratch, taking Ferrous Fumerate and I've kept going about daily life best I can. I'm just not poorly enough to warrant an incredibly stretched NHS space... Yet.
I've been passed around from surgery to surgery and through random doctors each time starting again with my symptoms- I've had a three week waiting slot for a NHS GP but tonight I've paid for an emergency private appointment tonight- aren't I lucky we can afford that?
After having your children how was YOUR follow up care? Mine has been painfully lacking.

Me and you my Bobby Dazzler. 💕🦄
I sometimes get asked when I'm going to get a "proper" horse, and when am I giving Bob to Albie (bahaha yeah I wish, it'd mean he was interested!) and it's mainly by people sat on huge, great, beautiful, sleek, anxiously, fidgeting, swishing sportshorses.
One bloke, I think he thought it was a complimentary thing said, you know, you can ride, you could have some real fun on a proper horse.
Where the idea comes from that Bobs not a proper horse with four legs, pricked ears and a floofy tail I don't know, he certainly eats like a horse!
The thing is, since becoming a Mum I don't have that want any more.
I don't have the sleep required for something sharp 🫣
I don't have the nerve for something spooky 👻
I don't have the athleticism for leaping or launching 🚀
I am still quietly competitive. I still have goals and dreams, I still want to be riding correctly, to train well, to have a fit, sound, happy horse.
But since having my two gorgeous boys I want to enjoy them growing up.
I want to have a day or two off from riding to go on family trips without worrying about getting back on the next time, I want to trust my horse to be around them quietly and calmly not be anxiously keeping them at bay, I want to know Bob will carry me safely and kindly so barring unlucky accidents I'll be back into to snuggle up Wilf and Alb for Bedtime. I want to enjoy my time with my horse so I enjoy every minute I get to myself.
My own enjoyment is so very different from the next persons who may only ride for the challenge, the adrenaline, the skill and the ambition to achieve, and that's what makes them tick, I would never question that for them or ask when they're going to trade for a nice steady cob, because I know that wouldn't make them happy.
I feel so strongly that each of us has our own level and ability and time to give. Mine is not equal to what it used to be when I only had me to worry about, but I'm so so incredibly happy I actually wouldn't change it for the world, so thank you, but I have a perfectly proper horse right here. 🦄💕

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🎉🎉🎉 WE DID IT.🎉🎉🎉
This time last year, my husband had a little bit too much whiskey at our end of shooting season party and he said, he really wished he could ride at the Countryman's Meet, which he had been invited to 3 times in a row and kept turning down because - he can't ride!!
As soon as the wish was said outloud, I didn't hang about. I put out Facebook adverts, essentially saying "Is there a horse big enough and safe enough out there capable of teaching Josh to ride for the summer?" I didn't mind loaning or borrowing if it meant I got a few weeks to convert Josh.
Something a little bit miraculous took place. A horse, old, slow, but safe and sane was semi retired- His wonderful groom rang me as soon as she saw my advert.
I have a lovely old boy here. He'll teach Josh to ride, but he's got find a home asap, he's on borrowed time.
The day in April Dezzie arrived at home was momentous. He was bigger than a t-rex. He was reportedly slower than a barge. He was perfect.
This last few months Me, Bob and Dezzie have worked hard teaching Josh the ropes. And Josh has been an unbelievable student. Never ever arguing, always listening and forever trusting me, Bob and Dez to help him. Learning as an adult is bloody scary!!!
Dezzie has blossomed. He has become a totally different character to the slow shy semi retired horse that he arrived.
He's spritely!! He's jolly and he's interested and the day I was riding and leading him and he tried to jump a log we were trotting past I said to Josh, this horse is nowhere near ready for his pipe and slippers - he's going to be fantastic!
Well Guys. We did it. We got to Joshes goal of Farmers Meet. From to begin with gingerly walking out on a lead rein, to galloping from 11am till 4.30pm and not only that - jumping almost everything that got in our way.
Dezzie was the absolute soul of responsibility and carried Josh so safely and Josh with so much trust in Dez was (scarily!) fearless!
Unbelievably proud and I did cry into Dezzie's shoulder thanking him for being exactly who he is.
How do we get so incredibly lucky to share our days with these two horses?

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I'm sometimes blown away by this little world of Instagram. Through all these little squares and from putting out an hour long podcast I have met some of the funniest, cleverest, loveliest people who really are part of a Horsey Mum Tribe of building each other up, being there for the good, the bad and the mud.
So that brings me to this, one beautiful sunny morning last week....
🎉 What a flipping fantastic group of amazing wonderful women 🎉 (and my PatchyUnicorn Bob)
I put out an open invite a month or so ago for some horsey mums to come and play for the day but I was super vague on what where and when or even why 😅 To be honest I wasn't 100% sure myself. But I knew I wanted to meet some of these super women juggling horses children work and life and I knew I wanted it to be organised chaos!
Well hopefully I did not disappoint! 🤞
The first day of organising "YARD MANAGER was, from start to finish one of the funniest days I've ever had at the yard and I hope my guests felt the same.
The premise was of anonymous Liveries sending demanding text messages setting ridiculous horsey challenges and my team of Yard Managers had to each have a go at the clients requests and they all rose to the task at hand like the bad ass Horsey Mums used to dealing with nonsense that I knew they were! 🤣🎉❤️
It was of course filmed for your entertainment and the First Episode will be on YouTube on Wednesday Evening 👀🐎📱

Another blimming wonderful day out with some of my best boys ❤️
I get asked a lot and talk about about Mum Guilt.
Guilty for doing something for ourselves.
Guilty for spending money on a hobby.
Guilty for time away from the children.
Guilty for leaving a mess at home.
Guilty for actually enjoying it 😅
But I tell you what. Parking that guilt and doing things that refill your empty cup whether it's riding, grooming, ground work or going to watch a friend have a lesson or compete, however you find that bit of happy just "you" time, I'll tell you now, what you ALREADY KNOW.
I am a million times better parent when I've had time to ease the mental and physical load of motherhood.
I am so much more present and I am so much more engaging when I've had time to be me for a bit.
And if you feel the same, and you need that time off or away... Take it when you get the opportunity ❤️
#

I thought having my children would mean the end for all fun and games for at least a few years.
I felt it was undeniable, a rule, a rite of passage.
I was told over and over by so so many different people, variations of-
You won't have time.
You won't have money
You will become nervous
You will have other hobbies around baby...
Your baby will be first priority
And as far as to be told,
You won't want to anyway.
I don't know who else was told, I don't know who else is having to listen to similar versions of this now, however I can tell you.
IF you want to.
IF you need to.
IF you can ask for help
IF you can compromise
And if you are willing to try.... You can do it.
You can still be yourself, it might not always be the same, it might not always be easy. You may genuinely not be that worried.. however since having my children, it didn't all have to end like I was told it would
I have had the best days I've ever had on my own horse and as of the arrival of Wilf, my husband has suddenly decided he too wants to ride. And we could ride together.
And yesterday, would you believe it.... We went out, and followed hounds together and it was a full day just being Josh and Rosie, not Mum and Dad.
🦄❤️ We are super honoured to have two such wonderful ponies who make it all worth while in Bob and Dezzie. ❤️🦄
And it has not been smooth, and it has meant a smaller Christmas, lots of favours, lots of bravery... But it's so so worth it. 🎉🎉🎉

I've been on some sort of mysterious Insta Ban 😵‍💫
However it left me a day or two to get heaps done without much distraction, Albies been back to school and Wilf's been on top form too so maybe it's one of those things we look back on and think it was good timing!
I took Dezzie out for a little test run with Hounds on Wednesday, as someone who used to be so brave it verged on idiocy, it was funny to have butterflies in my stomach about taking out a horse I'd been told was a total gentleman, but he hadn't been for so long I thought if he was going to get excited than it would be his first time out after a long break.
I loaded up forty minutes early 🫣😅
I was on board at the metr for nearly twenty more minutes than I needed to be.
I had TWO thimbles of port (unheard of)
I had a truly, truly WONDERFUL time. It wasn't a wild fast and furious day but it was a day where you were always moving, always watching, jumped unusual things and I had a lovely companion in Dez to enjoy it.
Oh Dezzie, we are so so lucky you found us, you are gentlest kindest soul, from the tips of your fluffy ears to the bottoms of your great big clodhopper toes.
I got home and cried a little bit because the thought that he was booked to be PTS all because he was old and finished with in his previous home chills me.
I am forever grateful to his amazing grooms for saving him, he is loved so so much here by all of us. 🦄💕
(Josh was straight up to the yard when I got back to make sure I'd looked after his pony correctly- I've never felt so much pressure to bring one back safe! 💕)