we've arrived!!!

Can't believe I haven't written anything in so long but I guess moving takes up more time than you think. We've been in Bulgaria about two months now and the horses are finally starting to settle in. We've had a lot of problems with the two mares, elle and angel. They're both pregnant and very unsettled; especially at all the farm animals wandering around the village. None of the horses took to the new feed straight away but their starting to feel more at home.
Cat and I have spent the last two months clearing buildings and land ready to build the stables and arena and Pete has chopped down lots of trees but still theres lots to go. We also opened a shop in Popovo so time has to be shared there as well. Now we're here expect more posts!!

training

well I spent a couple of hours moving the horses from the field back on to the livery yard. Free decided the horsebox was the most frightning thing he'd ever seen in his life and angel ran off to the other side of the field to hide. So i had to chase her around until she decided to cooperate.
All the horses were pleased to be back and I decided to make the most of the indoor areana to get some much needed schooling started. Caitlan and Free worked on their parelli level one exercises. Free has learned to follow, move away and halt on direction without using a rope. They also worked on his free jumping, top of the wings, not bad for a baby.
Lolly started his parelli training and did very well with his following and halting. Bee and angel had a jumping lesson with caitlan and her friend connor. Pete and I hacked spook and baby up to the local pond to practice their road work in heavy traffic. Pretty good day all round.

equine facillitated learning

Just realised some people will have no idea what my horses do. Through exercises and interaction with the horses, people can learn about confidence, body language, positive social demenour, independence, asertiveness, cooperation and lots more. It is ideal for management training, adolecents with behavioural problems, autism, depression and lots of other people too. In fact anyone wanting to build self esteem and social skills would benifit. Currently only spook and bee are trained to perform the exercises but the other four are also in training. it takes quite a long time to train the horses to be safe to use and not all personalities are suited to the job. Our Baby will unfortunately never be suitable although he is great for normal riding lessons. The horses that can do it have to be very gentle and willing with no sign of impatience or it can be off putting to the learner.
so to have another one showing potential is great.
the weathers improved now, the sun is shining finally so i think a spot of showjump building could be just the thing for this afternoon.

4 april

Wonderful british weather has caused trouble again. We've finally given up with trying to fitten the horses in a deep muddy field and it's time to go back to the livery yard. Spook and bee have some bookings for equine facilitated learning so definately time to get some work done.
Am a little worried about the foot and mouth in bulgaria. I hope it doesn't spread right round the country like it did here.
Lolly is slowly improving. As the youngest of the gang he has a lot to learn before he can be trusted to take part in lessons. but he's getting there. Yesterday he learned to lead quietly for autistic children. what a star.
Time to check the horse box ready for leaving the field tomorrow. Fingers crossed they feel co operative.

first times

Bee and Gem were amazing today. Gem had his first go at being a pony dog. He was really excited to start with, charging about on his lead and jumping up and down. But after an initial run round he waited nicely in the car until bee was tacked up. Caitlan has been trying to persuade her pony that she would enjoy hacking out and today was the day to see if it all paid off. We set off across the field with gem charging along behind. There was a hair raising momment when he decided he was frightened of a motorbike and hid under bee's legs. But otherthan tossing her head she ignored him. We went right the way along the bridle path, passed the river and the golfers without any problems and all the way back home. Good job caitlan, Bee and Gem, great day's work.
Unfortunately just found out today Bulgaria has foot and mouth desease. Which is awful for all involved and may put back our transportation of the horses. So eyes peeled for more news.

Mud Mud Mud!!!

Trying to get the ponies fit isn't going too well. Their field is knee deep in mud and bee is starting to resemble a mud monster. I keep expecting the scooby doo gang to come and solve the mistery. Lollipop has a nasty bite thanks to baby fighting to be first in the que for food. But on a bright note I only have to go a bout five meters in before I stop sinking. Maybe the mud is trying to tell me I should get fit too.
Diet for all starting tomorrow.

House cleaning

Pete and I have recently returned from bulgaria from a cleaning experdition. Any of you who have a rural property in bulgaria will probably know what i mean. Our new house came will nine rooms full of junk and cobwebs. So in light of the fact my son, cam, requested a room without rubbish and no holes in the ceiling, We've been cleaning up.
Razgrad is an interesting area. After 6years of going to malomir near yambol it was frustrating starting over in a new area where we didn't know where anything is. However the people are great, really friendly. Not as many cheap furniture shops, or at least we haven't found them yet and the clothes shopping leaves a lot to be desired. But on the whole I think we made the right choice. I'm looking forward to going to malomir when we go back over in july though. It's always nice to see friends.

introductions

Hi welcome to my new blog. I'm sarah and with my husband Pete and daughter Cat, we're moving to Bulgaria in October to start a riding school. With us will be our six horses and dog. So i'd better start the introductions.

Spook is a 4yr old chestnut arab, and definately the family favourate. He likes to show off and admire his own reflection whilst out and about.

Free is 2, and spooks son. Very beautiful and sweet natured.

Angel is a 4yr old appalousa (spotted to you and me) arab. She was mistreated as a foal so has lots to learn about love and having fun.

Lollipop is the other baby in the family. He's 2 and a red and white cob.

Baby is the family monster, very naughty and always pinching the others food and nibbling in pockets for extras.

Bee is the lady of the group, 10yrs old and amazingly good at everything except hacking out.

Our other baby is gem our border collie puppy, who at the momment thinks he should eat everything.

So we have a property, a dream and all we need now is a minor miracle and maybe spell check. See you soon