Horses
We
bought the property in April 1997 and in the Summer
of 1998 we soon realised why there had been horses in the fields when we
initially viewed the property. The grass, rushes
and every other plant you can imagine grew about three feet high.
A trip to the lake was the equivalent to hacking through a South American jungle. The following year Peter brought several of his horses, including "Lady", into our fields and the problem never materialised
again. In 1999 Sorcha got to ride "Lady"
and we began to seriously consider getting our own horses to keep the grass
down and also get some enjoyment from riding them. In the Summer of 2003 we bought Pickles, a three year old
Connemara pony from Peter.
Unknown to us all, she was pregnant and in April 2004, Primrose was born. Although Pickles has had a few
riders on her, she isn't completely rideable and it is our intention to place
her in riding stables, during the Spring of 2006.
(click on pictures
to enlarge)
Sorcha and I have been taking riding lessons
since 2003. Sorcha, like most children seem to take to it naturally.
Unfortunately, Sorcha suffers an allergic reaction with horses. She
will sneeze endlessly and often gets blotchy skin where she has been in contact
with the horse. Strangely, this reaction only occurs once she has
finished her riding lesson and gets off the horse. From that moment
it is a race against time to give her the anti-histamine tablets which seriously
reduces the reaction.
From my point of view horse riding is surprisingly
one of the most physical sports I can think of. Within a half an hour
of trotting or cantering I am completely exhausted and I can't even walk
properly for about an hour afterwards. It makes jogging, cycling, swimming,
etc., feel like armchair sports.
