Nicki’s Equine Services

23/08/2025

My gorgeous boy looking after me today, after feeling crappy this week we went to the Breed Show, the ground was quite slippery so we took it steady and came a very respectable 4th, unfortunately retired from the dressage due to the ground but he felt great and is always my winner 🥰

31/07/2025

That’s a very late wrap for the New Forest Show this year thanks to the weather, although the rain was quite welcome !
George was fantastic and came 2nd, he gave me a lovely ride and felt very relaxed 😍

26/07/2025

NEW FOREST PANNAGE SEASON 2025

A heavy acorn crop is expected this year, and therefore Forestry England and Verderers have agreed that the pannage season will commence on Monday 15th September. Unless an extension is agreed, the pannage season will end on Friday 28th November.

Pannage is the practice of turning out domestic pigs in a wood or forest in order that they may feed on fallen acorns, beech mast, chestnuts or other nuts. Historically, it was a right or privilege granted to local people on common land and it is still an important part of the New Forest’s ecology. It helps the husbandry of the other New Forest livestock – pigs can safely eat acorns as a large part of their diet, whereas excessive amounts are poisonous to ponies and cattle.

Owners of property abutting the Forest are reminded that it is their responsibility to fence out Forest animals from their land. Fences that keep ponies and cattle out will not necessarily be adequate to stop pigs.

Commoners who wish to exercise their right of pannage are reminded that they must arrange for their Agister to inspect, mark their pigs at least 14 days before they turn them out.

For further information regarding the pannage season, please contact the Verderers’ office at The King’s House, Lyndhurst, Hampshire, SO43 7NH or telephone 02380 282052.

23/07/2025

It’s been full on since we got back from our holiday, today was our last prep session with Roland before the New Forest Show next week, I think I looked slightly worse than George 😂
Thank goodness we rode early 🥵

12/07/2025

Absolutely 💯

Seeing the joy of everything coming together and watching the journey you all go on makes it worth it every time ❣️

🚨 INSTRUCTOR REALITY CHECK 🚨
Things They Don't Tell You About Teaching Riding:

🎓 "If you can ride, you can teach"
REALITY: Being a good rider ≠ being a good teacher. Pedagogy, psychology, and communication skills matter more than your last show ribbon.

📱 "Students will respect your time"
REALITY: You'll get calls at 10 PM asking about tomorrow's lesson and texts asking if "light rain" means lessons are cancelled.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 "Parents will appreciate your expertise"
REALITY: Dr. Google and YouTube make everyone an expert. You'll defend basic safety protocols to parents who "know better."

☀️ "Work outside in beautiful weather"
REALITY: You'll teach in 100°F heat, freezing rain, and hurricane-force winds.

💔 "Share your passion with others"
REALITY: You'll love seeing breakthroughs but watching students quit due to money, fear, or teenage drama will break your heart repeatedly.

🏠 "Great work-life balance"
REALITY: Weekends and holidays are your busiest times. Date nights happen on Mondays (if you're lucky).

BUT HERE'S THE TRUTH:
Despite all this, when a scared kid gets their first canter or an adult conquers their fear... when you see that spark in someone's eyes as they connect with their horse...

You remember why you chose this impossible, beautiful, crazy career.
The hard parts make the magic moments even more precious.

Been there? What reality check would you add? 👇

28/06/2025

I’m back on the 11th 🤩

22/06/2025

After a super hot lesson on Thursday with Roland 🥵 we had a lovely breeze at Crofton Manor Equestrian Centre today, George felt great, a few rider errors over shooting markers 🤦‍♀️
Still managed a 2nd with 67% !
Julia and Rose did great coming 5th in a huge prelim class 🥳

05/06/2025

When you’re pony goes for a mud spa 😩

01/06/2025

Out out with Julia and the boys, in the ribbons, Inky 2nd and 3rd George 1st and 4th 🤩

28/05/2025

Just a bit of George and Rose spam from our session with Roland today at Quob !

26/05/2025

Great day out yesterday for Inky, first show of the year and only his second show ever !
George came out to babysit with Julia and very rudely stole our placing 😂
Inky was pulled in second after the group go round, George 4th after the individuals they were swapped round.
I’m beyond proud of both of them in hand isn’t our thing but Inky was a star in my eyes 🌟

18/05/2025

George had his new running shoes on this week so I thought I’d put mine on too instead of lunging we went for a long reining session 😅
Whilst Julia and Rose had a jump with Roland, we’re looking forward to joining in the next one ! 🤩