Today we decided to have an experiment with Rocky. He is 31 years young and for the most part retired. I tried Tamsin’s saddle on him and it seamed to fit ok, so I gave her a leg up (well its a long way.)
We decided that the round pen would be the best bet and so after leading the pair there with Rocky firmly on his toes, and Tamsin feeling a long way up, we did a lap either way on the lead.
Then they were launched on their way.
On Tuesday we took advantage of the lovely weather and went to have a look at Ynys-hir. Wow that is the first thought that comes to mind, the bird and squirrel feeding station by reception started a very enjoyable trip,
One very fat squirrel.
Once we had signed in we went on our way and met up with the ecological grazers.
I am nothing if not predictable and was happy to see the horses.
We moved on the hides on the 1.5 mile route and got some lovely views, from the first one:
Canada Geese were in the majority on land
and the lake
But there was a ?Teal having a nice swim in the sunshine.
We then moved onto another Hide with different views looking out over the estuary.
Canada geese on the estuary
After a while in this hide we went on more of a walk, which has been done very well by sinking the path and stream between the birds grazing and swimming areas. The stream is a haven for insects amphibians and water plants.
the Bulrush stream
AnnMarie catching a rush to show to Tamsin.
We then had more of a walk while admiring the view and trying to creep over the bank to take pictures of grazing geese while not getting thistle thorns in ones hands.
My pictures all had too much foreground reed in them though,I tried to catch the geese as they flew over and eventually I just caught this person though this is an area I need a lot more practice in and he is not highly focused.
Flying goose.
So on round the walk passing another hide witch we glanced in but decided to leave as it was rather full and we had more we wanted to see. The walk in its self is worth while and as long as you are quiet there are plenty of things to see.
Tamsin and AnnMarie Tamsin
We completed the estuary trail and headed onto the woodland trail, to see some different birds,
Robin.
this robin accompanied us for a while. When we rounded the corner we spotted this lovely hide.
Woodland hide.
As you can see the sun was getting low, we stopped to admire the view from this hide then moved on.
This was a really enjoyable walk through the woods then into the wetlands again.
Tamsin on bridge.
Reflections
The path went past another couple of hides one with the story of the Red Kites in it.
After the path went between hedges that were being layed and we watched a spectacular sun set, we came to our last hide of the day, from which we watched hundreds of birds flocking in for the night.
Birds flocking in for the night
We then had the very enjoyable walk back to the car passing the horses that were now being ridden. Dusk was well advanced by the time we got back to the car, I was glad I had my torch with me just in case!
I can highly recommend a day out to this RSPB reserve though good footwear would be a necessity as the trails are 1.5 and 4 miles of natural surface.
Well we decided to take a trip up to Clocaenog to see if we could see a few things as you do, well you do if you home edd anyway 
Tamsin was beginning to feel a bit sick just as we got there so we pulled over for some air as luck would have it we were right buy a small lake with some lovely ducks on it.
For some reason my post got eaten from here on so I have replaced the Pics but the text is gone and as one can never get it right 3 years later I will leave you with some Pics from the day.
Fungi
Tamsin and AnnMarie
The stunning Przewalskis
Saying hello
and looking stunning.
I have been curious for a while what became of Nedly’s (Cedric’s) dam Marsara for a while as I had been in touch with the breeder and knew he had sold her on. I decided to post on the ex racehorses group asking for any information, well this morning I got an email from her owner ) with a mobile phone number attached, need less to say I rang it and had a long and very informative chat to the lady who owns Marsara now.
It turns out that she knew Nedly as a foal and all the way till he was sold at Ascot Sales in Late Autumn 2004 where the lady we purchased him from brought him. He then came to us on 03/05/2005.
Cedric on his first walk round the farm and showing no worries about water
Cedric meets Tinkerbell a definite what is THAT moment
On the canter track
Scary poles
I feel very privileged to know Nedly and I finally feel he has dropped his barriers to me and let me in, this has been hard for him, although he has not had as many owners as some ex racehorses I now know he has experienced many different yard’s and methodologies.
I hope to be able to start working him again soon only this time we will take things at his pace and see where we end up, I do know he is a lovely horse to ride and his stride and jump are very effortless when he’s not scared.
Click on the more tag for a video ~14Mb (more…)
Well we wanted to see how Snowy behaved in company and Tamsin wanted to ride up the river, so I felt that Rocky who is 30 years young might enjoy a little walk round and splash in the river (hmm).
With Rocky it is bareback now as his skin is over sensitive to a girth, so Tamsin rode Snowy out to Rocky’s patch on the back of the canter track (it saves mowing it!) and I carried his bridle. I popped it on him and jumped aboard, then we were off!
Snowy did not like the idea of being too close and definitely not alongside us but at least we know Tamsin is still in control. We went round the canter track to the path through the wood, Rocky was beginning to think this was rather fun, Noggy wasn’t sure though and felt the need to show off some of his skills!
We left him to it.
Just past the last tree on the right Rocky decided to have a moment, gave a good old squeal and whipped round, luckily no bucking however.
We then went alongside the river for a little,
to get to the best entry point just below the water falls, they are both good with water and just walked straight in.
Up the river.
We rode along to the ford and then back out into our fields and a little canter back along the bottom and up to Noggy’s field again. Yes I know I said a little walk but Rocky has always had ideas about this track and they have never involved walking 
So when we got back up I wondered what would happen if I asked him to jump a very small jump using the excuse of seeing whether snowy would follow him! one thing led to another as it does and well click on the more if you want to see the video, and yes he did “lock on to” the full sleeper fence. Not bad for my boy who has been semi retired at least from jumping for about 5 years