Mack's first arena ride

Chris and I took Mack down to the Cambridge Adult Riding Club grounds today for a play in their arena. It was Mack's second time down there as I'd taken him down once before he was broken in. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect because the last time we went there was quite a bit going on and it was all too much for his pea-brain to cope with, but this time he was very well behaved.

Lowering the ramp

Out we get

Ooh where am I?

Looking around

Who's that horse over there?

Going for a walk around

Getting ready

Standing nicely

Handsome Mack

He stayed tied to the float while I was tacking without pulling back which was a great start. Once I'd tacked him up I walked him around a bit for a wee look around which was all no problem. I thought I'd better just clamber aboard and see how he went. I wasn't expecting to do much else apart from walk around, but he felt so good we did some trot and even ended with some canter on both reins.

Walking to mounting block

Off we go

Walking around

Exploring the arena

Walking through puddles

Walking

Negotiating poles

On a mission

Testing out the steering

Canter

Here is a short video taken by Chris of our arena adventure.

The next step is for me to take Mack down to the arena by myself. It will be very handy in winter when its too wet to ride at home in the paddocks.

Gardens and clotheslines

We have a clothesline! Chris has spent the past few months diligently scouring TradeMe in the hopes of finding a clothesline less than $100 (Scrooge McJackson strikes again). I would have gone to Bunnings and bought one months ago but Chris was adamant he wasn't going to pay $500 for a new one. Well his patience paid off in the end and he scored one for $50. It is now installed at the end of the pathway in front of the car park area.

In other news, Chris has been busy planting the gardens around the house. It is already feeling much more like a home, and less like a house plonked in the middle of a field. It will be even better when the gardens become established.

Using Grandad George's tools to get the job done

Oscar helping out

Had enough of helping - time for a council break

Oscar doing an audit and counting the used pots against the number of plants planted out

Finished product - passed audit

Mack is Back!

I picked up Mack from Dave's place today. It was a very early start, Jeanette and I were on the road at 6am to be there by 8am. We stopped for breakfast at McDonalds in Mercer, but had to wait around for 15 minutes as they didn't open until 7am! Despite the holdup we arrived at Dave's bang on time at 8am.

The home of DM Training - round pen, undercover yards/stables, sand track

Paddocks and arena

We saddled up the horses, me on Mack and Dave on his cool little appy, Zack. We headed straight out onto the farm for a hack (no mucking around!). Dave took us on a really awesome adventure around one of the paddocks. It was pretty steep in places and Dave didn't stick to the easiest route, instead choosing to go down some pretty hairy parts. I've decided that Mack must actually be part Mountain Goat because he was amazingly sure-footed. It was a real buzz for me riding on such challenging terrain on the horse that I bred. We went up hill and down dale, through swamp and over ditches. It was awesome!

Heading out for a ride with Dave and Zack

About half way through the ride, Mack and I took over as the leaders and we led Zack and Dave the rest of the way around the paddock and back home. Mack was super cool, even when the saddle slipped right back just about on his bum and I had to get off, readjust everything and clamber back on on the side of a hill. I really must remember to check my girth before I ride out, and invest in a breastplate and monkey strap.

Up we go!

Undulating hills

Heading back

Once we were back from our leisurely hack, Dave directed us towards the track for a bit of a trot and canter. We popped up into trot for a few strides and then straight into canter. Mack cruised around the track in a lovely relaxed canter, even while his buddies were running alongside him in the paddock. Once we'd done a lap we pulled up and then Dave decided it was a good idea to tell us what to do if things got a bit hairy. Luckily, I hasn't needed that snippet of information during the ride. I was super proud of Mack, and myself and Dave was pretty happy with us too.

"If things go wrong do this..."

"...and this"

After Mack was unsaddled, we stood him up and measured him. He is 165 cm or 16.1hh - so much for the 15.3hh I ordered! He might just get to 16.2hh yet as he's got another few years of growing to do. However, I feel fine once I'm on him and he doesn't ride like a big horse as he's very compact.

Once we'd said our goodbyes and thank-yous to Dave, we loaded Mack up on the float for the long trip home. He walked straight on the float no problem and travelled like a dream all the way home. His eyes lit up when he saw the green grass and hasn't lifted his head since. So much for the nice trim pony... I think he's happy to be home.

Mack at home

Stretching his legs after a long float trip

Back to the paddock

Mmm grass!

Nom nom nom

Naughty Mack!

Lawn

We have a lawn! The grass seed has germinated nicely thanks to Chris' careful watering and attention. It's looking fantastic.

These were taken four days after the seed was put down (25/02/11):

Green fuzz

And these were taken today (03/03/11):

Handsome Puss enjoying the lawn

Mulch spread in one of many gardens