Hazel.

Walking down to the Hall last night for aerobics it was bitterly cold but this morning it was much warmer. There was hardly any wind at ground level and higher up the wind was blowing from the south-west hence the warmer temperatures.

The builders turned up first thing and have finished all the spraying of the render. All they've got left to do is put everything back. While all that was going on I was at the stables. Looking at the list I saw that I was going to be riding Hazel, a new horse who has only been at the stables for a few weeks. And that another of our group would be riding Meg another new horse. (My lovely horse in the 80s was called Meg too.) 

The first difference with Hazel was her size, a good hand at least higher than Cadno. It is standard practice now to use a mounting block unlike the days when I first had lessons when somebody hung onto the stirrup on the other side while you heaved yourself up and on. Getting on was no problem but it was noticeably further to jump down when dismounting. 

Hazel is ten years old but had been ridden no more than once a week by her last owner so she has a lot to learn. I was the first one into the school and she was getting quite excited by all the different sounds even calling out when she heard a horse whinnying in the field. I just stood quietly with her not even sorting out the stirrups until everyone else came in. Incidentally the stirrup leather had been wound around the iron as a 12 year old had been jumping her the day before. Every horse is different to ride and Hazel needed very clear aids including the occasional tap with a crop. Her biggest issue was that she frequently tossed her head around. No wonder she was wearing a martingale. I tried to keep my hands as still as possible and used my voice constantly to praise or say 'no'. I guess she will eventually settle.

We had a couple of minor spooks when a young Jack Russell that is also new to the yard decided that she wanted to come into the school. Suddenly seeing a small doggy head appear through the gap at the bottom of the doors gave Hazel a bit of a fright and again a bit later on when the dog managed to wriggle her way through. We have to remember that horses are prey animals and programmed to run away from potential predators even if they are only 10 inches high. But to give her her due when one of the yard cats ran across the corner of the school almost under her feet she took no notice at all. This might sound like our lessons are quite chaotic with animals running here and there but it generally it isn't the case. Iola has an older Jack Russell who sometimes comes into the school but Bella is much quieter in her movements and just curls up in a corner. 

After riding I did the shopping and called in at the dentist to book my check up. I had wanted to book having an amalgam filling replaced with a stronger white one something the dentist has suggested at the last few check ups. But no, I have to have a check up, pay for that and then arrange for the treatment at a separate appointment. More money to pay. And now the last NHS dentist in Aberystwyth has become private only and I've heard they weren't very good, pulling teeth out instead of doing remedial work because it was quicker and easier for the dentist. So anyone who can't afford to go private will have to travel far out of the area even for emergency work. 

Above was yesterday's evening view with the golden light of the sunset being reflected in the windows of the houses along the beach. Tonight there wasn't really a sunset, it simply got greyer and darker. But we have just returned from a walking group party at one of the houses on the beach. Or rather on the beach in front of the house. Our hostess provided baked potatoes and mulled wine and we all brought additional food. There was also a bonfire in an old oil drum to add to the atmosphere.