Monday 29 May 2017

And then there were three...

As of last fall I made the decision to no longer board other people's horses and my backyard became all mine again.

Three is definitely my magic number <3
Wonderful for me, but the backyard fencing that was designed for multiple separated groups was no longer needed. Also, I had a round pen that I never used taking up valuable real estate and so this spring I set to work dismantling fencing. Lucky for me, I enjoy working on fences almost as much as riding. Am I strange? Yes. But the work is just so satisfying. I would think it is much like the enjoyment people get from interior design - creating a layout for form and function and seeing the beautiful end result. Then add on the fabulous feeling you get from a hard day's work. Now if only my hands would hold up to all the abuse. I have been suffering with tendinitis since March when I began dismantling fence lines.

Before...goodbye tiny arena!
There is more to do, but at this point I have the round pen down as well as the paddock fence line that was along it. Now I have a massive arena which allows for so many options with jumps and open space to still do flat work. Next I will be taking down some of the paddock divisions and upgrading some of the fence lines that might not keep my Houdini horse Shiraz inside the fence (she has no fear of limboing her way through wire).


After - entire space has been tilled.  The footing changes from tilled dirt, some sand from old arena I had purchased, and then tilled grass that needs many more passes with the tiller but it rides nicely.
I have also started working on making cross country jumps, but trying to come up with lighter, more portable options so I can change things up easily. My first fence completed is this ramp style jump. It turned out not too bad--I can lift it and it simulates a ramp jump nicely.

The old reused wood is quite um, rustic to say the least. I will be painting it brown to look more like the ramps we saw on the xc course at the derby.
However, I did not get to test out the new jump this weekend because of sore ponies. My horses had their spring shots on Friday and both Savvy and Shiraz had neck swelling mixed with mild flu symptoms all weekend. Poor ponies, but today both are much improved so I think after a few more days off, I will be back to riding again.
In other news, I was fortunate enough to sneak away from husband and kids to take in a couple hours of an eventing clinic at the Birds Hill xc park. The clinician was Chelan Kozak who has competed for Canada in the Olympics.


A friend of mine had a spot so I went to audit. Despite constant light rain, it was a great clinic. The group I watched were all at an intro level so the basics of body position as well as the importance of line and pace were covered. I really had wished I could have brought a horse but couldn't afford it at the moment. Auditing was quite useful though and I will just have to practice what I have learned at home.

Now to make more xc style jumps!

15 comments:

  1. I will totally be picking your brain for pasture planning and management whenever I get my place! I can send you my dads blueprint for some rolltop xc jumps if you'd like! :)

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    1. OOh, I would love blueprints! I have learned so much from trial and error with pastures. I have figured out so much regarding horse safety as well as protecting grass with rotation sections. My biggest piece of advice before purchasing though is water access. Putting in water lines is expensive and rolling out hoses from the house in winter is horrible (did that for two winters) so hopefully you can find a place that already has at least that in place!

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  2. Look at the size of that arena!! I'm so jealous

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    1. It is pretty awesome ;) If only it had a roof...

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  3. I love that satisfying feeling of adapting space for function - glad it's working out so well! Also yay for making fun new fences! I built some stuff at Izzy's barn and really enjoyed getting to play with it haha.

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    1. I do enjoy making stuff. I might like to try building a coop or a mini barn but not sure if I am that handy, lol!

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    2. that panel you already built can be pretty versatile actually - if you use it as the "back" rail of an oxer, it can sit on top of the front oxer rail to create a 'table' of sorts. allison from pony'tude made a pretty cool coop out of pallets once too. i used regular old garden lattice to make a panel similar to yours above with relative ease too. options options options!

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    3. I do have some lattice I could use. I also picked up a load of used tires I have an idea for. I hope I have the courage to jump these once they are built! :P

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  4. Farm work is so satisfying- I get it! I have been asked a few times if I would board and my answer is always 'no'.

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    1. I am loving redoing the back yard just for me and my horses :)

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  5. Chelan is awesome! I love your property updates - so cool to see all the changes being made

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    1. , there is so much more to do, but also so much grass mowing, garden planting, etc. to do right now too. Never a boring day on a farm! :)

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  6. I love your property. Also, I love building IKEA furniture so I guess we all have our weird quirks ;)
    Hope your tendonitis goes away. I've been suffering from pain in my hands as well that I believe could be tendonitis but I don't have the luxury of not using my hands. Haha. The price of horse ownership!

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    1. Thank you! It was just a hay field when we got it and built everything ourselves, which has proved hard on my body for sure. I can never get away from physical work, but now I really try to plan for a way to pace myself and not over-do it like I used to! But you are right, it is the price of horse ownership (unless you are rich enough to hire other people to toil for you...must buy lotto ticket!).

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