From the Hoof
by Paula Babey

I have just returned from a holiday in England with my two sons. Staying with my parents and my sons getting to see their grandparents was wonderful. They spoil us rotten and it's great to be spoilt, after all that's what grandparents are for!  

 I was fortunate enough to have two rides when I was in England. The first was the best. It was on a 17.2 hh Hunter. His name was Monty and he's a true gentleman, divine to ride. It was like sitting in an armchair and he was so obedient. We rode over the Dorset countryside with a couple of friends. This is South West in England and the views are just breathtaking. Sheep were grazing in fields and we even rode past a Donkey Sanctuary. There was about 20 acres or more of fields full of donkeys. Each one had its on neck collar with their name on. My friend Angela's horse hates donkeys so he got rather upset and wanted to bolt but she managed to hold him together until we past them. We were able to have a few canters which were nice. The only annoyance was all the gates to open but I was lucky that my friends opened and shut most of them. 

 As the horses were shod (mine aren't) it was nice to hear the clip clopping of shoes/hooves along the road and the cars and horses were so considerate of each other, which, unfortunately is not so here, probably through lack of awareness. I thoroughly enjoyed my ride on Monty and thank Angela and Monty's owners who live and work in London during the week but come down to their country home for the weekend for a great ride.

 My second ride was at a riding stables where they escort all the horses and paying customers for a hack (trail ride) across the New Forest. The New Forest is unique. It is owned by the National Trust and is thousands and thousands of open land available for campers, mountain bikers, walkers with dogs, hikers, horse riders, etc.  People whose houses back on to the forest have rights to graze their animals so you will see pigs, cattle, etc. grazing, and its home to the wild New Forest Pony, a very versatile breed of animal, so there are lots of wild ponies around. 

 My friend Cecile and I hired horses to ride on the New Forest for three hours. We were with several other riders and the stables/barn provides an escort (although I am familiar with the area as I use to keep my horse Milly on the edge of the New Forest). I rode a mare caller Frere. Unfortunately, England has taken over some American traits and has become sue happy. That combined with bureaucracy meant that stables/barns can't allow riders into the stables to bring out their horse. They have to mount from a mounting block and the horse has to be held and the girth has to be tightened by a member of staff. I read a whole list of health and safety rules even for the workers and it was insane taking the meaning out of looking after horses….but unfortunately a few selfish money grabbing people have now ruined what use to be such a wonderful sport. 

 My ride was interesting. My horse was like a robot. I am a very experienced rider. Without sounding boastful, I ride exceptionally well. My horse had a hard mouth and did not respond to my leg. What it did respond to and all the other horses did was when the lead horses trotted or cantered we all trotted and cantered when the lead horse stopped we all stopped. If I wanted to slow down, my horse didn't respond. My poor horse has been used to people who say ‘yes I can ride', I have been riding for X amount of years but in reality X years meant two weeks. They had no proper lessons, and hauled and kicked on this poor horse until its sides became numb and its mouth hard. 

 We were in open land but our horses were one behind the other. I didn't have to do a thing…I could have been a sack or potatoes and for those of you out there that have done this sort of riding and think you can ride . . . .think again. Riding is an Art.  The best thing about this ride is that I really appreciate my horses. I appreciate their character, I appreciate their individuality, I appreciate how much joy they give me and I love them to bits . . . and I will never part with them.

 Please don't forget your horses this Christmas, why not buy them some horse multi vitamins or a blanket.

 Merry Christmas,
 Paula