Ridgefield Stables Barefoot Horses

13/08/2025

This summer drought has been hard on the land. I can see cracks appearing in exposed areas and we took less than a third of the hay from the 'middle' of our track *compared to last yrs bumper yield). Why bother for so little return? I think it is partly the satisfaction of knowing we are sticking with the plan and following a 'cycle of support' for the land. The mowing helps the grass to send out more shoots and keeps weeds at bay. The hay we did make was super quality and clean (stalkier the better for the Welshies and less dust for Ted) and now we've just finished muck spreading. This is the hardest job as there is a bit of a clean up job afterwards as we have to drive down the track from the muck heap but it's only once a year. Nothing organic leaves this yard and I buy in tonnes of hay and feed so it's reassuring to know we are regenerating the soil and helping to protect it from washing away. It's a hot day to be flinging poo around but nonetheless very very satisfying!

21/06/2025

06/06/2025

15/06/2024

We rode without a bridle!!! I also wanted to show how I think teaching Ted to lift his front legs is improving his postural awareness and I hope will make it easier for him to carry himself in the ridden work (we struggle with lengthening in trot and with canter being rather flat but both felt better today
). Weather not playing ball today, it went from Sun to pitch black so Pivo struggled to track us and then I decided to try riding without the bridle just as ANOTHER thunder storm rolled in. Im not that brave but at least we have video proof! I am going to keep doing it because it will help me not to rely on hands!

20/05/2024

Trafford captured this lovely shot of me and Ted on the cross country course at Burghley PC ODE on Sunday (the SJ one is mine) and looking at these photos has really cheered up Monday lunchtime! For once the sun shone on Sunday and a gentle breeze blew and we had two lovely *clear* rounds of jumping and Ted put in a creditable dressage for 30 (the best was 28.8 from a well established BD partnership so it was clearly a tightly marked section).

Unfortunately I had a complete mental block in the SJ and had to stand stock still (for around a minute it turns out) gawping like a frog and clocking up time penalties before cantering around and over my tracks to try and find fence four, which, it turned out I'd already jumped. Back on course we finished clear and pretty stylish for Ted and I. I didn't bother galloping much XC after that - 32 time and 4 jumping faults for what Ted thinks was a clear round SJ put us out of the competition but the XC was fluid and fun and this is a rare shot where you can see Ted and I both smiling and looking where we're going next. Ah well - sometimes you need to let go of the pressure to really enjoy it and Ted and I had a ball. PS Yes the two better dressage test entries did have jumping faults and so yes, were it not for me Ted could have taken home first prize but let's not think about that eh🤦

12/05/2024

Fantastic day out at the Quorn Hunt Pony Club One Day event. This was Fergy's first ever event and he has been really working hard especially with his jumping, and learning the dressage test. On the day it all paid off and he rode a beautiful test for 25 and led the field from there to take first prize after a well deserved double clear. I'm especially proud of hime as it's taken time to build this little mare's confidence and now the trust they have in each other is really something special to see. Fellow PC Mums will know that Ferg is not one to smile for the camera so that just tells you what amazing day was had by all. Thankyou to the organisers and volunteers that made today just as exciting and memorable as a trip to Badminton! Quorn Hunt Pony Club Members

10/03/2024

A really helpful session with Lili Brooksby-Dalby yesterday and especially to see pica as it often feels harder work than it looks. Ted starting to find a better balance and carry himself. Having worked so hard to ride front to back and push the hands away I've now gone too far and need to relax a bit in my upper body and enjoy it (i'm not handling uranium!).

11/02/2024

I couldn't be more proud of Seiont Tesni Haf who was a star at a lovely low key dressage come at Canaan Farm Equestrian Centre this morning. The friendliest venue and two lovely tests.I had felt canter wasn't really show ready but sevens for all of it so am thrilled. Fergus groomed for me too (another first!). Thanks Marie for videoing the intro :-) a lovely morning.

28/01/2024

I often lack the mojo to set up poles but its sooo worth it. Really pleased with this. I had a brainwave this yr to stagger the horses 'holidays'. January was Ted's holiday so Tes has been in dressage bootcamp and then she'll have a break when Ted starts back this week. It's meant I've been able to stay focussed and motivated through Jan which is a first!

19/01/2024

Winter track tour and home hack. Winter can be hard work but it is also beautiful. The sun shone this morning and despite a frozen arena (-5 first thing) the sun on the grass track (rested since late Dec) made it just right for a home hack. People regularly ask me how the 'equicentral' set up and our limestone topped mini track we built in 2022 are holding up so here's a video tour with commentary.

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17/12/2023

Tesni barefoot and bitless on the gallops this morning pilotted by Marie Hanlon. We did have a proper gallop after this (when i wasn't riding Ted one handed holding the phone) and I can tell you she took some chasing...Welsh fire breathing she-dragon that she is this is one little over achiever 😍