Training with the RDA (Riding for the Disabled)

I went along for my first session as a helper today with the RDA at the Contessa Riding School in Ware.  I have been wanting to do something like this my whole life, but if you have a full time job and then young children it is impossible to get the time.  I am in such a fortunate position to be able to finally do this.

I was quite scared that I wouldn't be able to do it, that I'd be too upset working with the children.  However I had a very gentle introduction to it today as the children had mild learning difficulties and could ride really quite well. I was thrown in at the deep end a bit, as when I got there the RDA were a helper short and so I was leading a pony rather than watching.  However Alex and Jade, the children I led, were brilliant and really enjoyed themselves.  I am going back next Monday afternoon to continue my volunteering.

There is so much to learn, but after today I am convinced that this is what I want to do and I really want riding for children with disabilities to be a part of what we do with the field. Certainly not a money maker, but a very worthwhile and enjoyable thing to do.

I Passed My Exam!

Yeah, the letter and certificates came in the post today -  I have passed my stage 1 BHS riding and horse care exams. Phew. On to the riding & road safety and then my stage 2. We have had a v nice bottle of champagne to celebrate. Pic below is of me on the morning of my exam. x

Planning and drinking, drinking and planning

The field certainly gives us a lot to talk about - Russell and I have just drunk 2 bottles of lovely white wine whilst discussing our plans. If we can't get permission for the riding school then we will go down the sheep farming route. We will keep a few sheep even if we do get permission, for lamb, wool and the fact sheep are good grazers for horse pasture. We will also put chicken wire against all our boundary facing, plan for an orchard, plan for wild flowers along the track and Russell is going to start on the quail enclosure next weekend! x

The Hedge Comes Down and we have a Bonfire

Now we have a fantastic view of the field and the view of the sunset this evening was amazing.

I am v nervous about the bonfire though, it is still smouldering and my neighbour Trevor (who is very close) has a  thatched roof cottage. He came out to look at the bonfire this evening and said he thought it looked fine, but I wonder whether I'll sleep tonight ....I have put several buckets of water on it.

The Farm workers / stable grooms of the future

or possible Equestrian Olympic hopefuls of the future .. the centre of my world anyway, my 3 kids.

The animals

Well, so far we only have the chickens and the dog!
The chickens are really hard to take a good picture of, they won't all stand in a line and say cheese.  The dog, our lovely lurcher puppy, Jack, on the other hand is much easier (he will do anything for a piece of frankfurter sausage).

The Bridge

Here is the bridge from the bottom of our garden, over the brook and onto the field.

Some Pictures of the Field

These pix were taken at aorund 3.45pm in January,but  because the field is so open it gets all the sunlight going.

It's still just a field, but it has horse paddock seed growing nicely in it . . . . . . .

Certificate in Agriculture

Well, if anyone is interested in doing a course in Agriculture then the certificate in Agriculture (undertaken through distance learning, I'm doing it with ACS Distance Learning) is really good.  It will take approx 2 years to complete part time and is split into three sections - Agricultural Marketing, Farm Management and Animal Health care. Within each section there are around 30 "lessons", each lesson has some topic notes and then an assignment. 

As agriculture is such a practical subject, the assignments often involve the student visiting a farm or smallholding establishment to do some research and then write an assignment based on their findings.  So far I have only completed 3 lessons and assignments in the Animal health care section, but it is v interesting and I feel I have learnt a lot of useful information.  The discipline of writing an assignments does mean that I am forced to take in the information I am reading.  Hopefully it will all come in handy one day :-)

Here is an extract from one of my assignments:

 "Animal welfare is the physical and psychological well being of animals.  It is measured by indicators such as the behaviour of the animal, it's physiology, longevity and re production.  The need for animal welfare stems from the belief that animals are sentient, i.e. they have feelings. 

The Farm Animal Welfare Council, established in 1979, stated that farm animals must benefit from the five freedoms, namely:

1. Freedom from thirst and hunger (and so must be provided with fresh water and suitable food);

2. Freedom from discomfort (and so must be provided with a suitable environment of shelter and resting area);

3. Freedom from pain, injury and disease (and as such there must be a rapid diagnosis of illness and then appropriate treatment given)

4. Freedom from fear and distress (and so be kept in conditions that avoid mental suffering) and, finally,

5. Freedom to express their normal behaviour (and so be provided with adequate space, facilities and company to do so)."

So there you are!

The start of 2012

I have my BHS stage 1 exam on the 16 Jan (eek). It should all be straight forward, but as it has been 15 years since I last owned a horse and worked on a yard I am feeling a bit rusty. Still, I'm getting fantastic tuition at Hallingbury Hall and getting in practice riding Drummer (a horse I ride twice a week for his owner).

Once this exam is over I can concentrate on finishing the documents for the planning application for the riding school.

Wish me luck!

Happy new year!

Xx