News Archive: November 2007

Monday 5th November: In action at the yearling sales again last Friday bringing home a flashy

Chesnut Piccolo filly with a great step about her.

Tuesday 6th November: On a bright and beautiful November day Compton Place x Billie  Blue leaves the sanctuary of Red House Stables to sample life  on the Newmarket heath.

Meanwhile, progress is made in the breaking of our other fillies.

Breaking in

Step 4: The Roller is now fitted on the filly in the confines of  her stable.  Scenes of mild peril which we survive!

Step 5: Side Reins are now added.  These are attached to either side of the bridle and then crossed on  the withers (base of horse's neck, above the shoulder).  They are then buckled on the roller.  This will help control and steering.

Friday 9th November: SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND by the Spotter

Monday 12th November: Step 6: Rein Round - Now we change the position of 

the lunge reins, removing them from the coupling and  nose band of the headcollar and attaching them to the  bit rings.  

This enables us to put one of the reins behind the filly's back legs whilst continuing to lunge her with with other.  

The first time usually causes issues with the horse  either trying manfully to kick the rein away or setting off at such a speed it is almost impossible to pull it up!

However, our young lady was relatively accepting of the process.                 

Tuesday 13th November: FOR KICKS all the fun of the fair.

Thursday 15th November: Step 7: Work Continues. Filly sustained an overreach on her near-fore (front left) heel.  This is when the horse's back hoof catches the one in front of it and "skins it", it's very sore for the horse.  

So we apply overreach boots (a bit like jelly moulds!) to shield the wound.  Rein remains behind back legs, but she is a little free and we won't proceed on to the next stage until she calms herself down. 

Friday 16th November: SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND by the Spotter

Saturday 17th November: Three wise men met at the Links schooling grounds in the early hours of yesterday.  The trainer watched Steve Smith-Eccles pop BOBBY CHARLES over logs and tyres on this cold, misty, frosty morn.  Deemed a success by all.  

Monday 19th November: Breaking In

Step 8:Turning - Well...we got a bit stuck!  Our filly decided that she was not for turning and it took all week to persuade her that turn she must. We needed her to slow down to a walk with the rein behind her back legs in order to put pressure on the back rein and release the other and turn her in the opposite direction.  This means she gets used to having pressure on the bit.  She (and we) got a bit hot and bothered, so we clipped her to keep her cool and tried again.  This time we were under pressure, owners present (see bottom picture), but she behaved beautifully, turning professionally and allowing herself to be driven around the lunge bed.  Now she's had a haircut she's rugged up too.  That's what I call progress.

Thursday 22nd November:  

Step 9: The sound of the penny dropping.  Our filly was turning and driving in the lunge bed, but  relaxed she was not. Horses are driven in long reins before being  ridden to teach them to respond to the bit, to start, to stop, to steer.  Clearly best done with feet on the ground!

It also gives the horse more confidence.  To help this particular filly to relax we decided to miss the visit to the lunge bed and drive her directly out of  her box and around the yard.  BINGO!

Friday 23rd November: SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND by the Spotter.

Monday 26th November: A frantic day at the last Tattersalls yearling sales of 2007 yielded a fine filly by Johannesburg out of an American "Black Type" mare.

Wednesday 28th November: Breaking in

Step 10: Spot the difference!  We've replaced the

roller with the saddle and she hardly seems to have

  noticed.

Friday 30th November: SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND by the Spotter