Day 13
So my parents should never of taught me to share when I was younger, whatever bug it was I had had previously I managed to pass onto poor Lucy. Luckily it appears to be only a 24 hour thing.
The sun is back!!! It was a nice morning and a good chance for us to take some of the horses up the mountain. Laura, Ashley and I took Jedi, Kandahar, and Matrix. So off we three trekked to the mountain at the back of the farm. It was a steep climb up over rocks until we reached the top. We came across one of the very old roads which would of been used by the farm years ago but has not been maintained for decades. From the top of the mountain we had a great view of the farm and the surroundings, not quite a 360 degree view but a pretty view none the less. We roamed across the top, on the way spotting for the horses which lived in this camp. There was also kudo spotting and a jeykll although I managed to miss both of these, clearly my 21 years are catching up on me. We found several of the youngstock the other side of the mountain and then trekked down this side. I don't think anyone else would ever dream of taking their horses down or up these slopes. The horses here roam on rocky terrain right from day 1 here so their feet are hardened to it and they are used to finding their way over rough terrain, so I felt quite safe on Matrix as he picked his way over the rocks and stones. As we trekked our way down the mountain I had my second chance to see some Kudo. They were right in front of me so there was no way I could possibly miss seeing them this time. The buck ran in one direction but the others jumped almost from a stand still over the wire fence into the next camp. However, one poor bambi didn't quite make the jump and got his foot caught in the wire. Laura and Ashley managed to prize the wire open to get the bambi's foot out and it hopped away with only minor scratches. So I definitely now know what a Kudo looks like and what it is I have been eating during my stay here, after being in such close proximity to one. Once down the mountain it was a short canter to home to a much needed drink and some lunch for both horses and riders after our 3 hour moutain trek.
In the afternoon, Ashley and I rode out Rafiki and Mabruk about 20km. We took the same route we had gone previously with Nile and the stallions but avoided the short trip to Sundes river, (don't think Ashley wanted a second bath in that river). As its flat and the going is good we cantered practically the entire route. As this was my first ride out on Mubrook I got the chance to find out how comfy he is and his canter is a gait I could definitely stick to all day!
After the day's business of riding out, it was an early night for me!
Day 14
Woke up to a very blustery day but alas we were not "in the hundred acre wood!" But still horses needed to be exercised. So off Ashley and I went with Mercury and Liberty up the schloof which only meant one thing, through "the corridor of cobwebs!" As I hate spiders I ducked following Ashley and Mercury through and keeping my eyes shut when ever there was a spiders web to go under, but I survived. It was then a canter up the schloof to the top but with no Jedi in front this time leading the way both horses were reluctant to go up to the top with much speed. The view from the top is stunning and at least this time it was a sunny day, rather than rain, so as we gave the horses a chance to catch their breath I could enjoy the view. There were also some springbuck at the top who took off on seeing our arrival, another animal to tick off the checklist! Back down the schloof and through the "corridor of cobwebs", which did not seem nearly as bad the second time around. On reaching the road we cantered the entire distance home to the farm, but little did we realise Laura and Jedi were behind us most of the way along the road returning from their ride. It wasn't till we were walking down the track to the farm that we realised Laura has been behind us. In all we did about 24km.
A quick rest and some lunch then it was back out to ride another horse. We had our orders to do a short ride and school the horses along the way, so off Ashley and I went for the second time that day. Kandahar and Matrix were to be our mounts, so we went for a short ride of 12km along the road working on their collection and using the back/hind muscles correctly as they lowered their heads accepting the bit (or lack of bit in Ashley's case due to being in a bitless bridle). 12km seemed not to take very much time at all and we were once again back at the farm. Horses to be washed off, fed and then they could go out with the rest of their herd.
Definitely looking forward to my dinner after todays training!