All 13 entries tagged Horses

Barbarella RIP

Follow-up to Heart melting moments from Cath's Blog

Barbarella (Born May 1980, Died August 2011)

My lovely superstar Barbarella had a really really long life and was still leading a happy active life in her superb retirement home right up to the weekend before she passed away. Although, obviously, very sad I've also been reflecting on how simply amazing she was.

When horse hunting way back in the mid 1980's I'd been searching around the midlands area and found nowt (within budget) that I would consider buying. So when I heard about a youngster, spotted at a HIS sale but returned home after failing to make reserve, in desperation I talked my parents into a rather long drive to Devon! Barbarella looked not so much her almost five years but rather more like a three year old... however for all the "rough around the edges" stuff her kind willing nature shone through and the rest is history!

I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Clive Milkins and all the team at South Bucks RDA for providing the most perfect "retirement" home for her. She was clearly very happy, well cared for and kept active through her twilight years in the most perfect way.

Catherine Fenn : 19 Aug 2011 09:40 |  Tags: Barbarella Horses |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Way to start the day…

...cold bite to the air but the sun adds pale golden light as it crawls up over the tree lined horizon. Mists roll down, flowing over the hedgerows, as the heron from the top pond swoops up and flaps off downstream. Hooves rhythmically beat on the wet turf for morning exercise. Heading back to the yard, haze now starts to lift and the mist transforms itself into thin veils above the valley, draping on the branches of the big oaks…

Catherine Fenn : 11 Sep 2007 09:34 |  Tags: Coventry Horses Life |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

for the readers of Horse and Hound

Follow-up to Heart melting moments from Cath's Blog

Thanks to a tip off from a friend I picked up a copy of todays Nag & Dog on the way home.

Check out page 10 and you will find a pic of my Barbarella :)

The image is a few years old and I’ve uploaded here the version of it that I have on file.

Lovely to be reminded of just how special she is.

Catherine Fenn : 22 Feb 2007 21:26 |  Tags: Barbarella Horses |  Comments (2) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Heart melting moments

Follow-up to Barbarella@26 from Cath's Blog

No matter how cynical & cold I get – about life, the universe and everything – some things will always melt my heart!

Weekend visit to Barbarella really hit one of those soft spots :)

The old girl is still looking fab & doing her stuff

(pic taken on mobile phone – note to self: don’t forget your camera next time! :P)

Catherine Fenn : 06 Feb 2007 12:20 |  Tags: Barbarella Horses |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Off–road on 4 hooves

Wild, wet weather has kept Megan stabled almost 24/7 since Christmas :(

Farm at least fetlock deep in mud/water = no turn out in paddocks & no speeding over the fields!!

Weekday exercise (0600hrs – 0700hrs) is currently in darkness on the all-weather surface – which can get kinda dull…

So yesterday, on a fine sunny Sunday morning, I headed for the local off-road track (bridle path). Have to hack out a few miles on the lanes to reach it but on a Sunday morning they are fairly quiet, more runners/cyclists/walkers than vehicles.

The track in question is sort of ‘Y’ shaped and multi-terrain. The base is fairly firm so standing water and mud are just added fun rather than serious hazards!

Plan was to head for one of the far short arms of the ‘Y’ track, weave through to the other short arm and then take a burn up towards home down the long stretch.

Found myself thwarted a little by fallen trees (too big to jump) from the recent storms :( (see below) but for the big kid me this just added to the adventure!! :P

Negotiated my way through what I could, taking Megan through as many gears as possible. Ended up thoroughly wet & muddy – fantastic buzz for both of us!!! :D

Notes:
To stop being a big kid (just for a bit) I did get to thinking:
This track is the only totally off-road bridle path that I can hack to. My horseback explorations found that an entire arm of the ‘Y’ has been cut off by large trees down at either end and elsewhere I couldn’t pass under partial falls due to the lack of head height.

1. Must get in touch with the Council and get this sorted (will blog back here on progress)
2. As with many bridle paths, this track is used by MTBs too. (not ideal but a fact) Whilst up on 4 hooves I’m more than happy to find a few fallen obstacles to jump ;-), but on my MTB I would come unstuck. Also, partial tree falls can be ducked under on MTB, but up 16 2hh on a horse they become a serious hazzard!? :(

Catherine Fenn : 29 Jan 2007 14:49 |  Tags: Cycling Horses Monday Sport |  Comments (4) |  Close comments |  Report a problem