Moonlight Manor Horse Riding

Nomad got a haircut….

Winter coats in horses are really designed for subzero climates. They thermoregulate VERY well.
In Brisbane, their winter coats can almost be detrimental for working horses.
Why? Because they sweat almost as profusely as in summer & it’s really hard keeping their skin clean. On the seriously cold nights (8oC or less) then yes, they need those thick coats. But, working late, under lights, sweating up a storm, makes it really hard to wash off. You shouldn’t rug a wet horse with a full winter coat under 8oC.

Not to mention, the unseasonable weather at the moment & Nomad has taken to lying down in the swamp that is the Bog of Eternal Stench. I thought anyone coming near him on Tuesday was going to fail their petrification roll…..

I shampooed him TWICE & decided, that’s it, OFF WITH HIS HAIR!

And of course, found a reasonable amount of skin irritation under his coat. Yeah, well, that’s what happens when you use Bog of Eternal Stench’s as your skin treatment 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

He’ll be easier to manage now. Best part, you can hose them head to tail ANY time of night, throw their warm winter rugs on & they’re dry in 5 minutes….

Now, let’s see if he decides to stop being Shrek…. Unlikely….

Diesel having a little snooze the other night.
Horses that are brought up around people (he is an ex-racehorse, from NZ, bro) generally don’t really bother if people are around them when they’re lying down.

You can even look up his racing history in the Thoroughbred registrar. His race name was Zealandia!

Sooooo good….
Just, don’t go bananas trying to figure it out!

Last weekend, with all that rain, after deciding to cancel lessons, as a VERY LATE decision, I chose to go down to Ballarat for a family event.
Which meant of COURSE I had to take little man to his first “castle” , Kryal Castle!
AND we were lucky enough to see some jousting! Kalten knows that mommy is a “knight” , but it was the first time he got to watch it.

If anyone is going to the Abbey Medieval Tournament, next month, keep an eye out, as, very excitingly, Diesel & I will be THERE!
Unfortunately, my armour doesn’t make the grade for Abbey, but Diesel will be jousting & I’ll be ground crewing.
It will be my first time back, involved with Abbey since Covid.

I can’t wait!!!!

If anyone tries to book in lessons, you will see that they are locked until next Friday, 29th May.

I have been in hospital with a fairly nasty gastroenteritis including fevers of 39oC & extremely low blood pressure.

I know there are some messages to respond to as well. I will get to them over the next few days!

Cheers
Liz

You know you’re cool when you appear on Rebel Morrow’s reel looking ridiculous….

Took Hercules out for a cross country lesson. We’re doing more at 80cm, still a little bit untidy, but, we’re definitely on the right track! Takes time & exposure when you’re on a horse that isn’t the bravest. No video evidence of jumping though, next time!!!

Maybe I should make The Lizardnator my joust name……
🤣🤣🤣

I identify as a …….. porcupine!!!

…… or, an echidna!!!

Why not both??? 🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️

We’re home, safe & sound!

Diesel was a champ & I scored the most shatters! They declared me winner of the joust!

It was fantastic introductory training for Leo, as giving the horses opportunity to hear & experience crowds & festivals, is its own form of training.

Some photos of the sunrise this morning, before we started packing up.