Christmas

I arrived at the yard the other morning to the twinkling of fairy lights and the arch of Dudley`s posterior peeping through the stable door. Christmas is everywhere at the yard, from the beautiful lighted tree outside the back door to the house, to Blue`s red Christmas stocking and sparkling tinsel hanging from his door. That the poor boy is clearly scared of the yuletide objects seems to have been overlooked. No such fears for Dudley - if he`d even been offered them he`d have made short work of devouring the contents and picking off the tinsel.

Today was even more exciting (on a small scale you understand; I don`t `do` Christmas!) because it snowed! As I turned off the lane into the drive I could see the twinkling lights of the distant yard, the green fields now white and a thin layer of soft white snow perched atop the fencing. It was a magical scene of festive anticipation. Dudley was less amused to be stuffed on the walker with the others while the workmen pummelled and pounded some tarmac into holes on the drive beside their field. He`s a happy sort, Dudley, too short in stride to keep up with the long-legged others, hence the odd hoppity skip to keep up. Yep, he`s a happy sort!

Ab Fab

It was a lovely day today and although originally I had planned to ride Dudley in the school, procrastination and the lure of the sun drew us beyond the gate and into the loveliness of the day. Besides, Sarah was teaching and I had faffed so much as to make it unfeasible to use the school before her student arrived.

One of the things I`ve been learning in my lessons with Sarah is the need to be consistent and definite in what I`m asking of Dudley and to insist that he gives what I ask. I am learning the difference in Dudley`s way of going when he is on the bit as opposed to when he is lolloping along.

We turned right out the gate, Dudley`s favourite direction. I cut some slack as we walked downhill on the slippery tarmac and allowed him to slow as the bus rumbled past. At the T junction we turned left towards the village and wow, Dudley`s feet had little wings! The sun provided a shadow which enabled me to see (rather than feel) if Duds was on the bit. I had taken up the rein and pushed him forward into walk and felt that what he gave was the feeling of being ridden into my hands. He slowed only to ogle the firemen who happened to be returning to their vehicles which were parked at the TA camp. Not one to argue, we ogled together!

Riding him into a contact seemed to release an energyy and impulsion that was maintained throughout our hack. He was responsive to the slightest aid to the extent that I barely needed to do anything but sit and enjoy the ride. I could concentrate on where my legs where and what my heels were doing . Unlike on most hacks previously, I didn`t feel that I was constantly moving him over to the left or being thrown to the right. He was forward and straight and absolutely fabulous!

Arriving back at the yard with Dudley on a loose rein and ambling happily stablewards we were met by Peter who commented on the relaxed picture before him. I commented upon the difference that having Dudley on the bit had made and just what a lovely ride we had had.

It`s like having a born-again pony and I`m liking it a lot!

Many Little Kindnesses

It`s the little things that make the biggest difference. A simple little thing like the appearance of a cup of tea, mid mucking-out, tranformed the day from alright to on the up. It wasn`t asked for which enhanced the delight and unexpectedness of it. Further, it was exactly as I like it! Little kindnesses and considerations like that elevate the ordinariness of a day into something beyond the mundane. The rainbow, I thought, had sealed it. Not quite - that was the tea!

Yesterday at work was quite tricky and for a number of reasons very upsetting too. The sense of responsibility and protectiveness I felt for our `girls` and our unit was sufficient to spur me into action and to enable me to stand my ground. All well and good but what touched me beyond all else was the exceptional kindness and utter consideration of a colleague who could quite simply have gone home to bed after a shift on her own ward but who instead offered her services and solidarity to one of our girls who needed it most. A bad situation was made good through kindness. Bless that girl!

Talking of bad situations, I have got to get to grips with my determination and be focused in what I want to achieve with Dudley. With Sarah aboard, he is responsive, light, willing and forward. With me on board, he`s not! Granted, Sarah is top class (and half my size) and I`m not even middling while Duds is in a class of his own. Point is, he gives what Sarah asks and then some. After the initial waking up it`s as though a switch is flicked and he offers his best, even making corrections as he goes along. He`s poetry in motion to observe, smooth and collected, on the bit and oh, so very pretty! Then I get on . . .

Sarah`s natural approach is one of positive reinforcement towards both Dudley and me. To Dudley I only ever hear her say `good boo-ooy` in her quiet sing-songy voice and he responds with willingness. I`m not like that and much as I hate to admit it, I tend towards the negative. We talked about me having shorter but more positive sessions in the school when I am on my own with Duds, even if that means only ten minutes of good, positive, forward work. In yet another glorious, impromptu lesson, Sarah spurred and encouraged me on in a way that put me in mind of the midwives I have observed when they`re attending a mother in the second stage of labour. I have marvelled for some time at the incredible piece of theatre that transforms even the quietest, most timorous midwife into a forceful, encouraging and totally believable character who convinces the woman that she can indeed deliver this child. Sarah, in a piece of theatre of her own, convinces me that despite my lack of schooling and refinement, I can achieve a good deal more than I believe I am capable of. Dudley is such a talented, capable and genuine boy who, although he grumps and swishes his tail, means no harm and has no malice. He is willing, after discussion, to help me to learn what he already knows. Bless that boy!