Roosa's Horsey Life

"If I had to choose between breathing and loving you, I would use my last breath to tell you I love you.” – Deanna Anderson At the end of January 2022, Mellu got diagnosed with Cushing's Disease after a blood test to see why despite losing her winter coat earlier than everyone else she was growing a thick coat back. After the results, she was immediately put on Pranscend and after 6 weeks I got good news that the new blood work showed a significant drop and the future looked better again. However clearly the disease was more progressive than what the blood tests showed us and in just four weeks Mellu started to go downhill and by the end of August, it was confirmed by the vets that there was nothing we could do for her. Losing Erkki a year ago shattered me, but losing Mellu feels like losing the last parts of my soul.  Have fun up there with Basse and Erkki, make sure you keep them out of trouble, my angels 💔 My Queen I don’t know how I’m meant to go on without you or what I'm meant to do without you here everyday making me smile. Thank you for everything my love 💫... [Read more]

Spring is officially here! The start of the arrival of new SS22 collections has begun, and that means that spring is really on its way - finally! I know I'm a little bit late to the game this year because of my work and real life, but I'm so excited to get back to sharing these gorgeous new collections on my blog again, and of course we will be starting with the new SS22 Anky collection as Anky is always the first to release their collections. I always joke with one of my matchy friends that there will always be black, navy and pink in each Anky collection and once again there they are... BUT, we have a new shiny pattern and some absolutely beautiful new colours. In the below photo from left to right we have: black zebra, stormy weather zebra, jade lime, dark navy zebra, rum raisin zebra, pretty purple, cashmere rose, summer berry and finally frosted almond zebra. The zebra patterned pads are ridiculously pretty in real life, so if you are into your patterns these pads will make your day! Personally patterned pads have never been my thing, but I appreciate that a lot of people do like them and that Anky is willing to try different materials and looks. They have been doing these collections for SO long that I'm pretty sure they'd have run out of colours to do unless they used patterns. I also love that there is always a pink or red colour, a lot of other brands don't do red at all so if you're a red fan (I so would be if I had a grey or black horse!) at least you can buy good quality matchy from Anky! But I must admit my absolute favourite from this collection is the pretty purple, it's one of those colours that changes depending on the light, ranging from purple to really light blue which is just beautiful!  Here's some more photos:  It’s sometimes so hard to see the true colors from stock photos, but from what I've seen on social media every single colours looks much better and more vibrant that in these stock photos!... [Read more]

Here's wishing you a Merry Christmas and all the happiness in the world! ❤️🎄🎅🏻 I finally managed to grab a few festive photos this year and I think these two are just so adorable! Next year hopefully we can introduce tinsel and out do ourselves ✨... [Read more]

Oh my favourite time of the year - autumn is here! I personally adore the autumn winter collections, and this year we start this year's trends to watch out for series with Le Mieux from HorseHealth. They have done absolutely classic colours for autumn - rioja (wine red), oak (dark green) and dijon (mustardy yellow). It feels like I'm looking at the colours one the trees that I see outside my window when autumn fully sets in 🍁♥️ HorseHealth have gone ahead and create ALL the possible equestrian clothing too, everything from scarves and socks to base layers, hoodies, short and long and waterproof coats. The Mollie hoodie and the Loire Waterproof ring coat are my favourites of this collection, and whilst I already own a winter riding coat it's not completely waterproof so I am very tempted by a waterproof one for riding! There's also thermals in matching colours and finally a men's collection too! It might be a small one, but it's a start - I don't think it's fair that so few equestrian brands cater to men and it is great to see another company join in!  For each saddle pad there is matching bandages (classic and loire) as well as grafter and fleece brushing boots - although weirdly enough there aren't any fleece brushing boots in dijon, only grafter boots. I have used both their fleece brushing and grafter boots and can wholeheartedly recommend both.  Here's some more photos for you to look at, I really appreciate their photographers' skills ❤️‍🔥 What do you think of this collection? I know the colours could be classed as being a bit too close to burgundy, mustard and hunter green but these can be hard to find these days even second hand, so the 're-release' of these colours will be happy days for a lot of people!... [Read more]

"So this is where we part, My Friend,  and you’ll run on, around the bend,  gone from sight, but not from mind,  new pleasures there you’ll surely find.    I will go on, I’ll find the strength,   life measures quality, not its length.  One long embrace before you leave,  share one last look, before I grieve.     There are others, that much is true,  but they be they, and they aren’t you.   And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,   will remember well all you’ve taught.     Your place I’ll hold, you will be missed,  the fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.   And as you journey to your final rest,   take with you this… I loved you best."    I tried everything to fix you, but our time was up. I wish heaven had visiting hours, and I would ask them if I could take you home 🕊️ The only thing that I could not protect you from was time.  I love you always and forever my angel horse, thank you for letting me be yours. 'Til we meet again my love 🤍... [Read more]

"Life is about change. Sometimes it's painful. Sometimes it's beautiful. But most of the time, it's both."  —Lana Lang Although it may seem crazy to some, at the end of February I moved again - although with the way that the last two years have seemed to be going, it really shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that I decided to move in with my boyfriend and take the dog and my three horses with me 🏡 I have contemplated for the last few months on whether I should just quit blogging entirely, to delete this one and start a new fresh one or to carry on with this one. I came to the conclusion that this blog, like it always has been, is first and foremost my diary of my horsey life. It just so happens to be a publicly available online diary that others can also read, but at its core it remains my diary - and with all of my history on here starting from 2013, it felt wrong to delete this and start again. So I'm carrying on here, because finally I feel like it's the right time to write again. The move itself it went really well despite having the most horrendous weather ever as the temperature rose nearly five degrees overnight and the snow and ice all melted into a slush that was incredibly slippery and even more annoying to drive in. But we got to the new livery yard safely with no drama, and I am over the moon that the horses are all incredibly settled and happy there from the very beginning. Whilst Melisse and Vallu are both really happy there, it's mind boggling to see how much more chilled Erkki has become. Yes of course there are days that are too much for him (like when it's incredibly windy and the plastic wrapping of the hay bales is flapping in the wind 🚀) but overall I would say he's more calm here than I've ever known him to be, which makes me SO happy. I think there are several reasons why they're all so happy here: a small yet big enough herd (, the most kind and sensible yard owners who have placed horsemanship as the most important aspect of the yard, as well as the nearly free range amount of great quality hay. Another part is that the horses do all day turn out - so they stay out until 6/7pm. And as the paddocks are built next to the arena, it means that when I'm riding, no one is ever alone. And with horses being herd animals, I believe this has a huge effect on my three.   So here we go, here's to new adventures! 🎉... [Read more]

My own little house, separate from the main house And in case you couldn't guess from the photos, we're moving back to Finland 🇫🇮 There's nothing quite like hard Brexit, a world wide health pandemic and the death of your grandparents, your dog and one of your horses to really teach you what you actually want from life and that the best place to live is somewhere close to your family and somewhere that is safe. I don't ever want to be stuck in another country away from my family if something like this ever happens again, it's not an experience that needs repeating. So let me give you a quick look at our new home here at Juniper Hill Stables ⤵️ The barn with a hay storage area upstairs so exciting as I've been entirely reliant upon videos and photos for keeping my posture for the last two years, I know the mirrors will help a lot with this! And no more riding big horses on a small arena 🙌🏻   Here's to a new and very exciting chapter! 🤍... [Read more]

I know a lot of people might know a lot about and already own PS of Sweden products, but I wanted to share my thoughts on the PS of Sweden blush saddle pad, that I bought from Foster Equestrian. I've blogged about all of PS of Sweden's collection since their SS18 collection, which means that I know their products inside out especially as we have collected a lot of their matchy sets over the years! So looking closer at their saddle pads, PS of Sweden pads are created from a shiny, dirt repellent and breathable material with a PS crown patterned quilt. This pad also has a quick drying, anti-fungal and antimicrobial material on the inside to efficiently wick away moisture and keep the saddle pad fresh. I can't reiterate enough how well these pads wick away sweat and keep my horses cool. The older pads have a black material on the inside, whilst the SS20 and this particular blush pad have got a white material. Don't panic - both are equally good at wicking moisture away and the white does come up really clean after just a single wash! The material is such good quality, it doesn't snag, tear or damage easily so you don't have to worry about washing them.   Their forever stylish piping and the PS of Sweden badge give this pad a really sleek look. It definitely helps that pink and grey go so well together, but I have to say that all their saddle pads are gorgeous. There is so much thought and love that go into the designs of PS of Sweden's products 👌🏻Some might find the embroidered quotes along the spine of the pad a bit cheesy, but I personally love them - the blush saddle pad has the quote "you are my antidote" which is just so sweet! 💖 The pad is gorgeously quilted with crown-shaped needlework and I really love these subtle details - it definitely has that high-end feel. For the horse's comfort, an anatomically shaped top line helps avoid pressure on the withers and the padded stop cushions at the front help to keep the saddle pad in place without any extra straps. For me, it looks extra classy without the extra straps because I have mono flap saddles for all my horses which are a pain when a saddle pad has girth straps. For best care, machine wash on a cool setting and hang to dry - PS Of Sweden recommend gently pulling the pad after washing to help avoid shrinking. The fabric on my older pads has not lost even a bit of the gloss over time, they're all still in really good condition, with no bobbles or shrinking. Overall, these PS of Sweden pads are super classy and so is the overall quality of all their  products, as you expect from a premium brand like PS of Sweden. They are my favourite brand and get 5 stars from me! ⭐️... [Read more]

I thought I’d share some of the ways I’ve learned to love myself more over the past few months. 1. Following Instagram and Facebook accounts that show more bodies like mine: 2. And unfollowing/unliking anyone who makes me question myself:  In the same way that I recognise which accounts make me feel good, I’m also quick to unfollow those accounts make me question myself or feel anxious about who I am. Unfollowing or unliking any accounts may feel harsh, but remember this isn’t about them – they could be  amazing and happy and the bee's knees – but they could also really play up my own insecurities, and so sometimes even if it’s temporary, I unlike/unfollow/mute them. I don’t follow any fitness accounts or anyone who discusses diets or describes foods as ‘good’ or ‘bad’. I also tend to avoid account which only show the glossy glamorous bits of their horsey life – I need a bit of a reality check in there.  I make a conscious effort not to. We are all beautiful, we are all unique, and we can never see the whole picture of what’s going on in someone’s life.  We should absolutely be raising each other up instead, and the #bekind movement has really helped. I hope this helps in some tiny way because you are AWESOME 💞... [Read more]

Carrying on from my last blog post (which you read by clicking HERE) you'll know that my mum's horse was going in to the clinic to have several teeth extracted after being confirmed to be suffering from EOTRH. But just a quick recap of what it actually is - EOTRH is Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis and is a syndrome in horses that results in resorptive lesions of the incisors and canine teeth. As the disease progresses, the roots of multiple teeth begin to resorb and the body tries to stabilise these teeth by laying down extra cementum, resulting in bulbous swellings around the roots of affected teeth. These teeth become infected, may loosen and can even fracture. It's still not a common procedure and as I couldn't find out much first hand experience of it online, I thought I would write a post about it, what they did and how Rama at the age of 22 has coped with it all! So on June 4th Rama was taken to the Willesey clininc of B&W Equine Vets for his operation, which I'm so pleased to say went really well 🙌🏻 All in all, six teeth were extracted under infra-orbital and mental nerve blocks and sedation as well as morphine. All his teeth were chronically affected by EOTRH, with large cementomata formation and painful draining abscess tracts, and severe periodontitis . The sockets were debrided, lavaged and packed with dissolvable gelatamp sponges, and temporary polysiloxane dental putty. Not only did he have six teeth removed, but he also had two fillings done and four diastema fixed. Infundibular restorations ('fillings') were performed because of  grade 3 infundibular caries, and the aim of these restorations is to try to prevent this ongoing decay process to reduce the risk of fracture or tooth root infection. These restorations will be re-examined and possibly improved in 6 months time at our next check up when his incisors are comfortable. There was also four grade 1 and 2 diastemata which were all widened , debrided of trapped food , lavaged and stented with dental cement. Any displaced cheek teeth or sharp enamel points and Exaggerated Transverse Ridges (ETR) which were causing this periodontal disease were fixed! There are also grade 2 peripheral caries throughout his mouth, so like the others  horses, he started on the Hexarinse mouthwashes every 3 days. The end result of this a VERY happy horse, who straight away after his op was eating grass in his field and only five days after was so energetic that he needed lunging (no bit in his bridle!) and overall, has a tremendous amount of energy in his life again. At his 2 week check up the vet said that it's all healing really well, the gums are starting to fill up as they should and that Rama could start to be ridden with a bit in his bridle too! I don't even have the words to explain how pleased we all are that he's doing so incredibly well. So for anyone reading this and worrying about whether or not to go ahead with the EOTRH operation, I say 100% do it. Your horse will thank you for it!... [Read more]

On Friday the horses had a dentist day! 🦷 It's been just over 6 months since they were last done, so it was definitely needed. I know some people still think that once a year is enough, but a lot of things can go badly wrong in that time which is why we have been doing bi-annual check ups for the last 7+ years. It might be more expensive but I think having the peace of mind that my horses have healthy teeth is worth it. Vallu, Erik and Melisse all got okayish reviews. Erik and Melisse have both got a chipped tooth (looks like a very old chip in both) but all three had peripheral caries. Dental caries are defined as “decalcification of calcified dental tissues by microbial acids, with resultant microbial destruction of the organic matrix" which in layman’s terms is that they are cavities/areas of tooth decay. Caries is the destruction of dental tissue by bacteria in the mouth, in a similar manner to people.  Most horses have peripheral caries, and peripheral caries rarely cause any problems. Commonly you see peripheral caries in horses leading to other dental problems and there could be a link between dental caries and diastema formation (gap between teeth) and associated gum disease, and as I want to prevent this leading to any of them getting a diastema, they are all going on a very low sugar diet as well as using Hexarinse twice weekly to help keep it clean 🧼 Vallu's teeth I've known that Vallu hasn't got the best teeth since 2015 when by chance managed to get a time with a really good dentist who spotted and explained how "not great" his teeth are. He gets quite sharp enamel points and excessive transverse ridges (ETR) and has a wave complex. These were all reduced as required (less than the vet would have liked to but this was to ensure no damage to the pulps) and will be further sorted in 6 months time. One of the signs on ETR in horses is that the horse feels tight and resists working in an outline and open their mouth whist being ridden. This is why I think 6 month check ups are the best, because imagine how bad the peripheral caries/ETR/sharp enamel points could have got if they'd had another 6 months without anything changing! So the treatment for EOTRH? Extraction of affected teeth is the recommended treatment and there is no cure for it. Horses with advanced disease may require extraction of all teeth, but Rama is only losing five teeth all together. He needs painkillers, antibiotics and rest after the op, but the vet was very optimistic about it all. Following the extractions,  horses can easily continue to eat hay and even graze as their lips take over the function of tearing off grass, and by watching them eat, you’d never know their incisors are missing. Horses that have undergone tooth extractions are typically completely healed between 4-6 weeks - but usually feel much better within days after extraction. Riding can be resumed after a few weeks of rest and a lot of owners have reported their horses getting their sparkle back after the op, so that's what we're doing next! Wish us luck 🤞🏻... [Read more]

Although you don’t get any extra marks for the turnout of you and your horse and it makes absolutely no difference to how happy your horses are, but a well presented combination does give others an impression of professionalism and tidiness. I love my matchy and will always buy high quality products for myself and my horses, and having us dressed smartly makes me feel more confident. There are PLENTY of days where I am definitely more mismatchy than matchy, but most days I do try to semi-presentable with my outfits! Recently I've often seen lots of people asking about how to look after and wash your your saddle pads, bandages, boots and other equipment to make sure they stay looking like new, so I thought I'd share my tips and tricks of keeping them looking their best. Let’s find out! 💭 2. Washing different coloured saddle pads separately: 3. Wash often: 4. Be very careful not to overdo boot polish, as that can’t be removed once it stains: For the love of all things clean - don't polish the inside of your riding boots.  And use only your grossest oldest saddle pads if your tack is freshly oiled (or just oil your tack during a time when your horse is having a holiday/week off!)  5. Competition whites: the best at removing dust and horsehair, or you can always brush the saddle pads if there is no vacuum close by. Over the winter to summer transition period when my horses start to shed no matter how diligently I groom my horses, you can bet that some loose hair will become stuck to the saddle pads. So I tend to brush my saddle pads after each ride because they get so hairy that it ends up looking like there's more hair on my saddle pads than on my horses. By removing as much as possible of the hair by hand before you put your saddle pads into the washing machine it prevents lots of hair getting into your septic system and your washing machine's filter. 7. Drying saddle pads: will cause damage to the fabric. The best way to dry everything is by hanging them up and allowing them to air-dry. I like to dry them in the shade, as the sun's rays can be harsh if you have a coloured saddle pad or bandages. I have seen SO MANY saddle pads and bandages ruined by being left outside in the sunshine to dry ☠️ Over reach boots, boots and bandage pads I often leave to dry in the sun. Do you have any top tips for keeping your equestrian products immaculate? If you do, let me know your secrets in the comments section below!... [Read more]

When this year started, I was very, very excited about the plans that I had made for the year and I can't remember when I’d ever felt better or more prepared for the competition season with my horses. I had weddings in America and Majorca to look forward to as well as my brother competing in the 2020 Olympics and therefore a trip to Japan was also planned! I had so many plans for arena hires, hacking out and competing once I'd had the flu jabs done for all the horses in mid-March. And then Covid-19 hit the UK. Of course, whatever great ideas I’d had were thrown out the window, and after nearly two months of grieving for a year where everything is cancelled or postponed, I feel like I need to make a whole new plan for 2020. And with more change coming soon (I cannot wait to share with you all about this, it's SO exciting) here's the new plan for 2020 👇🏻 The plan for Vallu: Not looking too bad here! The plan for Melisse And the plan for me? Now that the British Equestrian Federation has recommend riding again, it's time for me to pick up everyone back to full work. At the time of the peak of the virus in the UK I was only riding each horse 2-3 times a week in order to reduce the chance of me falling off and requiring the NHS. All three had extra days off and were lunged more, but now the plan is to ride a lot more and get us all fitter again. A non-horsey plan is to continue to pursue a healthier diet. I even made some resolutions about being a lot healthier in general but frankly the stress of coronavirus has me looking forward to a daily cider/vodka coke/G&T as well as the goods that my mum's stress baking has delivered (aka the most amazing home made breads, cakes, cookies) so the healthy diet went AWOL for a bit! But it's back now 🙌🏻 Another part of my new plan for 2020 is to remind myself that it is absolutely OK to not be OK. The pandemic is frightening, anxiety-producing, and plan-altering. It is OK to not feel alright with it and that’s the message I’ve been trying hard to get my brain to realise and accept.... [Read more]

These photos are obviously from a few months ago but I never got round to posting this blog post with the arrival of the coronavirus and the total craziness that happened with it! Life turned out to be pretty hectic after that, but I decided to go ahead and post this because I absolutely adore this outfit. Equestrian Stockholm's pistage is one of those rare colours that not only is it super classy, it also looks absolutely superb on every single horse. And in case you missed out on the pistage, they've just come out and released the new pistage white, which is a slightly brighter colour with a white binding, but equally beautiful! 💚... [Read more]

I thought I'd join in on a fun lockdown horse interview that I spotted floating about on Facebook. There are quite a lot of new followers & readers on here so I thought it would be a nice way for you to find out a little bit more about my horses! I have no idea who created it despite searching (if this is something you created, let me know and I'll obviously tag you) I hope you join in and share this wide and far, god knows we need things that cheer us up at this point 🙏🏻 Registered name: Donna Melisse Barn name: Melisse Nicknames: Mellu-Ellu, moody mare, cowbag (when she's in a bad mood!), angel, princess 👑 Colour: bay Gender: mare Disciplines: dressage Personality: dramatic, super vigilant to everything that's going on, kind Hates: people touching her when she's eating, not being the first one to be turned out  Favourite treats: everything! Age: 17 Height: 16.1hh Funny habits: after giving her a sugar lump she will lick your hand for a good five minutes 👅 Best feature: beautiful, kind, clever, loving  Worst feature: so stubborn when she wants to be! How long you have had them: 1 year So join in and let me know the results of your horse's lockdown interview!... [Read more]

Whilst warmer weather and longer days means more hours to spend with our horses, after a very wet but warm winter, it seems like we're going to have a summer that is full of flies, bugs and other annoying insects. It's only mid-April, yet I'm already having to use fly rugs and masks as well as using fly spray to keep the horses happy when turned out. Which is why when Brinicombe Equine got in touch with me about their new fly spray, I was more than happy to trial it out! Think Fly® spray comes in a 500 ml bottle, and is an innovative, organic insect repellent. What I think is most interesting about this particular fly spray is that it consists of a natural blend of organic ingredients. The spray contains a balance of lemongrass and their own PST22® technology, which are both 100% natural components. I personally love the smell of lemongrass so that is a definite bonus for me!  🌾 This fly spray uses a patented PST22 Polysulphide Technology® and by using this patented ingredient it ensures that every batch is as effective as the last, and I've noticed that each time that I spray it, it smells as powerful every single time. This technology means that it's at least 3 times more effective than similar products on the current market which use garlic oil as a base - this technology is one of a kind and exclusive to the Brinicombe Group and is a globally unique technology. And because every single batch and spray is as powerful as the one before it, I've noticed that all three of mine have been a lot more comfortable and less irritated during turn out and when they're being ridden. No one has been swishing their tails, kicking their tummies or shaking their heads in their paddocks. When I'm riding all three have been able to focus on their work really well, rather than trying to get rid of the bugs! Even in the evenings when I can see how many bugs are flying about none of my horses have been bothered by them. I only needed to use it once a day and it repelled the flies/bugs/insects even whilst my horses were sweating from work.  I really like the branding too, as it really caught my eye. I'm going to point out that obviously I've not been able to test its effectiveness against horseflies because we've not had any, but it has been very effective against every single gnat/bug/fly that we've had so far. And bring priced at £16.95, in my opinion it's a great price for something that's so effective, easy to use and genuinely lasts from morning until evening! Brinicombe Equine have got a deal going on so that if you buy 1 Think Fly® spray you can get another one half price, click the link HERE. I was sent the fly spray as a gift but all opinions are my own and truthful. I want to say a huge thank you to Brinicombe Equine for teaming up with me and sending me this fabulous product 💓... [Read more]

Feather & Fell's limited edition Luxe sweater. And as we're in lock down, I've only had the chance to wear it at home but it is the sweater that I always go to grab whenever it comes out of the wash. The limited edition Luxe sweater looks lovely whether you're riding or going out to the shops or grabbing a bite to eat (whenever that's allowed again!)  For only £30 I think it's great value for money, and if you use the code ROOSA10 you can get -10% off! Everything always comes beautifully packaged, which is a lovely touch 🤍 over the moon that this one looks and feels EXACTLY the same each time it comes out of the washing machine! It's a sign of great quality when it doesn't shrink and the logo stays in tact, and unsurprisingly this Feather & Fell sweatshirt is definitely a quality product! The reason why I waited to share this review was so that I could have the chance to test it out, to make sure it withstands day to day use in order to be able to tell you guys everything about it 🙌🏻 With these sweaters you're able to choose from metallic rose gold printed 'one stride at a time' or 'one hoof at a time' slogan that is positioned centre of the chest. I went for the one hoof at a time version because I also got the t-shirt with the other slogan on it. There is the option of either going for a fitted feminine feel or a larger casual boyfriend fit - mine is the fitted style as I prefer that style on me, but I did go for a size bigger as I don't like clothes clinging on to me, which I think it was the right choice! If I was skinnier I would definitely stick to the normal size. There are plenty of colour options too, you can get them in navy, grey, black or purple. I went for the grey because I know it will match with everything that I own and nearly all of my matchy. It looks great paired with any colour of breeches and leggings, but it looks especially lovely with navy and black leggings 🖤 And remember that you can use the code ROOSA10 to get -10% off your order! * Obviously I am a brand ambassador for Feather & Fell and have received this item with a discount, but all thoughts and opinions are my own *... [Read more]

With the country experiencing a lockdown it's no surprise that competitions and arena hires have been cancelled, all but essential travel has been banned and most full care livery yards going into lock down and owners not being allowed to visit and a lot of people not riding at all, I know that a lot of horsey people are struggling. Not only is the situation terrifying, but to then also lose what keeps us sane means that 2020 is turning out to be a bit of a disaster. With the government recommending to practice social distancing and self-isolation, I’m sure a lot of people have found themselves es with some extra time on their hands and not quite sure what to do with it. How to Dressage that I got for Christmas) or magazine you can read at home. On my blog there are a lot of blog posts about different exercises that you can check out so that once you're back to riding you can try them out. can get to the yard and aren't rushed for time (I know some yards have strict time limits for each person) but you don't want to ride or can't ride, here's some things you can do: No matter what you choose to do with your time, the health and safety of you and others is most importance. And if you are feeling poorly, even if it's more than likely to be a run of the mill normal cold, please stay home. The quicker we manage to stop the spread of this virus, the sooner we get to get back to riding & get to go out hacking,  training & competing again! Erik says "stay safe everyone!"... [Read more]

Through several blogs that I follow, I found this fabulous blog post from Liz who started a blog hop guaranteed to put a smile on everyone's face. She writes: In an effort to introduce a bit of positivity and happiness amidst uncertain times, I thought I would share some of my gratitude items here in the hopes that our lovely little community of bloggers will echo back with some of their own. It's been awhile since a blog hop has gone around, but perhaps our little group can come up with a suite of them in the coming weeks to ease us through these unknown times? I have so much to be grateful for at the moment. In no particular order, I'm grateful that: 3. The weather! After 6 months of nothing but rain, wind and storms for the last two weeks we've had GLORIOUS sunshine and one day I even managed to ride in just a t-shirt 💛 I know we've gone back to cooler weather and my fluffy hat has made a return too, but it was amazing to have some sunshine and that my paddocks have started drying! 6. SOCIAL MEDIA although it has got a pretty bad rep, it's kept me in touch with my friends and family all around the world. I don't know how I'd be able to keep in touch with everyone if this was happening in 2005! 7. Streaming services. Netflix, Amazon Prime, Now TV are my top 3. I'm happy for all of them right now, when there is nothing new to watch on actual telly 📺 I've become slightly addicted to the Chicago PD/Med/Fire series and binged the first seasons of all of them during last weekend. 8. My garden aka my happy place! All the flowers and trees are starting to bloom, we can plant new flowers and start to grow veggies now thanks to spring properly arriving and the weather warming up 🌱🌷 So what about you? Will you share with me a list of what you're grateful for during these unprecedented times? I'd love to hear about what's making you happy right now.... [Read more]

Hello weekend! Let’s give you some new trends inspiration, and this one features the one that I always look forward to the most, the Eskadron collection! Normally there are always leaks a few days in advance but this time Eskadron managed to keep it under lock and key right until the release date... 🔑 So let's have a closer look at Eskadron Classic SS20 collection two nice colours? 👎🏻 Also, a Classic collection to me means a proper big square saddle pad with a stripe. This new style isn't it for me.  A close up of my favourite colour & style of pad... [Read more]

Riders often criticise themselves when things don’t go to plan and many others frequently doubt their  own ability. Whenever I've taught riders giving them more confidence and belief in themselves has always been the thing that I've worked hardest on, because it's always been the one that they needed most support for. I've heard so many people wondering if they’re doing their horse justice, if they’re making the people who support them proud, if they’re really a good enough rider to achieve their goals 💫 Often this leads to perfectionism, overthinking or over-riding... Does this sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone! I wanted to share with you how to develop your self-confidence/self-belief, because I know so many riders who aren’t pursuing their dreams because of self limiting beliefs and their fear of the judgment, defeat or embarrassment - and I do include myself in this group. Why do you think it's taken me YEARS to get back out competing again? Out of fear of the judgement of others and from crippling attacks on my self-confidence. It's a feeling I know so well. And here I have point out that self-confidence is not something that you inherently have or don’t have! Self confidence has nothing to do with talent. Self-confidence and self-belief come from hard work and from your willingness to experience vulnerability. It comes from your willingness to experience judgment from other people, failure and embarrassment at a show, at a clinic or at your yard. Which is why the more you go out, whether it be competing or training, the less nerve wracking it becomes as you get used to it.  riding really is a journey. And it can be even life long one for the most lucky people, and therefore through simple logic you know that you will have good days as much as you'll have bad days. So will your horse. Sometimes, you'll both have a bad day. Sometimes it'll be just one of you and sometimes you'll both have a good day. So stop striving for perfection, because with riding there will always be room for improvement. We as riders need to recognise where improvement is needed without beating yourself up and killing your self-confidence, because when your focus is on trying to get the perfect result, you miss out on the journey. You miss important steps that are needed in the process of getting there. Now this may seem like something that is so incredibly simple and maybe I am just incredibly thick headed, but it has taken me years to really realise and recognise the fact that it is indeed the journey and the learning that is more important than that one result from a single competition. At the end of my life, will I care about a single bad result from a competition or the journeys and adventures I went on with my horses? I think you know the answer. The key is to develop the willingness to have your own support. Be kind to yourself. Regardless of what happens to me at a competition or in a lesson, I don't make it reflect bad on myself as a rider or a trainer, I try to be kind to myself. Even if I fail miserably, it still means that I tried my best and that I will get back up 👊🏻... [Read more]

but they're not the only brand to do this!) but lagoon, teal green and azalea are different and the fact that half the colours are sparkly does mean that there is a significant enough of a difference to warrant you getting them 💫 What do you think of this collection? Will you be buying anything from it?... [Read more]

Well hello second spring summer collection release of 2020! My goodness these companies are starting earlier and earlier each year, I think there might be a competition to get customers' attentions and get the customer to stick with them rather than going for other equestrian companies 🤗 Which is good for us, because we need something to distract us from the miserable weather we've been having recently! So, let's have a closer look at Equestrian Stockholm's spring summer 2020 collection... What do you think of this collection?... [Read more]

Instagram or my blog's Facebook page (and if not, then you've probably guessed for the title of this blog post) but I am SO delighted to share with you that I'm officially a brand ambassador for Feather & Fell! 💚✨ This is a company that suits me down to the ground - country lifestyle gift boxes as well as products for both dogs and horses, and I know you'll love them too! Let me introduce them to you a little bit more. here. And it's not just subscription boxes, there are also gift boxes for us equestrians which I think will be perfect for birthdays or Christmas, or whenever you're in need of a lovely gift! 🎁 limited luxe range of clothing with the rose gold print - I have both a sweatshirt and t-shirt coming and I cannot wait ✨ If there any products you'd like to see or you have slogan ideas or inspiration let me know and I can pass them along and we can see about turning them into a reality! But the BEST thing of all... I have a little discount code to share with you all: ROOSA10 💖 If you buy anything from F&F do let me know on my social media and I'll make sure to share it. Here's to a bloody brilliant 2020!... [Read more]

Wow! We're only half way through the first month of 2020 and already we have our first spring/summer collection being released! I for one am very very excited to start seeing more and more collections, I adore the brighter colours that companies bring out and it makes me feel like we are on the home straight towards spring. 💐 But first of all, let's have a closer look at this year's first collection which is by the fabulous British company Horse Health who produce all the Le Mieux products.  Here are some more photos:   What do you think of this collection? Do you like it?... [Read more]