Sorry, it's been a while...
Hello fellow horse mad people!
It's been a while since I posted a blog - life got in the way (the usual stuff!) and to be honest, I had invisioned a different journey for my blog when I first started it, when that didn't go to plan I got it into my head that it had failed and I felt a bit deflated about the whole thing. But, on reflection, it's not that it failed, it just took a different path. I also didn't fully understand what blogging was all about when I started it, I was sort of winging it! So, let's try this again, with a new slate. My old blog posts are still available for reading but, I am aiming to give it a more personal touch.
The last 12 months has been ROUGH...
I have had a lot of ups & LOTS of downs in my personal equestrian journey in the last 12 months. I lost my heart horse Happy Chap, this is something I have not publically spoken about too much. If anyone has lost a horse, particularly the really special ones, you will know, it changes you as a person. I am still processing his loss almost a year later.
This grieving journey has made me realise there is a lack of support and channels for people struggling with the loss of a horse, maybe this is something I could look into deeper.
Would you use a support service for grieving the loss of a horse?
Some positive news... I got a NEW HORSE!! I found him quicker than I had expected, he was the first and only horse I tried. I know.....they say never go for the first one you try. But it just felt right from the moment I sat on him.
Theodore (Theo) 2021 dark bay Gelding (Barely a Moment X Ballybunion Cavalier). Never ever in my life did I think I would end up with a young horse, I have always had school masters or ready made horses with experience under their belt. It's a total learning curve for me and one I did not expect. In my work, I treat horses of all breeds, ages, shapes and sizes but when I am actually doing it for myself it's totally different!
I am a very nervous rider, particularly if it's a horse I am not familiar with. These days, I don't mind if the horse is not a superstar jumper, as long as I don't get killed in the process that's a big plus for me! This is why temperment is everything to me....TEMPERMENT, TEMPERMENT, TEMPERMENT. Theo's temperment is what won me over so quickly, he is litterally anti-spook. When he is fresh (which is rare) he just walks a bit faster. None of this 'lunge before you ride' malarkey, I am self employed, I don't have time for that.
He has a great brain and attitude to work, always wants to please and looking for that connection with his rider. I am taking it very slowly with him, he was quite weak when he arrived, he had been evented and hunted as a 4 year old so I knew he could jump. I have spent this summer doing lots of ground work, stretching, core exercises and pole work, I describe it as rebuilding the foundations of a house.
Myself & Theo are at the stage were we are ready to start shows but my head is stopping me. I keep telling myself I am not good enough of a rider for him and that EVERYTHING has to be perfect before we can even think about going to a show. I know once I get the first trianing show out of the way there will be no stopping us but it's just taking that leap of faith, paying the entry, hooking up the trialer and actually going! Confidence in the saddle is something I have really struggled with over the last few years.
Work life
My business EquiFlexx Therapy is still going strong. I am constantly learning and improving my skill set as an Equine Bodyworker. I made the decision at the start of 2026 to tighten my service area. I was beginning to stuggle with lower back and neck pain myself from the long hours driving in the car and I felt if it contiuned, it would start to effect my work and the service I provide to clients. I exclusively cover the following areas:
Monaghan
Louth
North Meath
Cavan
Most of NI
Regular clinics at The Irish Equine Rehabilitation & Fitness Centre https://www.ierfc.co.uk/
Derry/Donegal - every 8 -10 weeks
I am always welcoming new clients for Bodywork, Rehabilitation and PEMF. If you would like to start your journey with me, drop me a line Book a Session
I promise to keep more up to date with my blog this time! If you have any comments or feedback on the topics discussed in this blog post, get in touch.
Thanks all, Emer x
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