Oliver
16.1hh Grey Gelding (middleweight) 6 years. This horse has nice substance. He is an absolute delight to hack and now has the look and attitude of an old fashioned hunter. He has had five days hunting with the Belvoir and is currently being schooled on the flat. He also has been show jumped at home and has been taken to 3, indoor and outdoor, training shows. He also has been cross country schooling four times jumping and looking carefully over solid fences. Oliver has recently been tried for four weeks by the Greater Manchester police proving to be very good in heavy traffic around Manchester but failed to train as a police horse for the reasons listed below. We think Oliver would make a fantastic field master's horse but he either needs more time with Julian to educate him out hunting or someone with experience to educate him more in the hunting field. We would like him to go to someone with experience in the right hand's this horse is a plod and a very laid back chap who needs a calm balanced rider.Even our daughter loves to hack and jump him.
Dam Country Lady - Sire Fast Silver (Oliver is a registered Irish Draught)
Oliver's half brother is Tipperary Liadhnan, ridden by Kim Severson who were placed 5th at the 2008 Rolex Kentucky 3***
About Oliver
We have had Oliver since November last year. We didn't intend on buying three horses, but as you can see from the photos we took of him in Ireland, he just looked in need of a lot of TLC and some education and as you can see from the diary we have done just that.
Oliver was wary when he first came and was very nervous about being handled, tacked up and generally everything,so we have started everything from scratch with him and have spent a lot of time working on his confidence and gradually, with time he has started to trust us and now he feels like a confident, well-mannered 6 year old, waiting to carry on with his education. He can sometimes feel tense when mounting him but he soon relaxes once he has walked on. I personally don't think he is cold backed I think how he was backed as a youngster has made him tense as he only occasionally show signs of tension when mounting also if you were out hunting or in a new exciting situation he might show signs of tension then.
We have done lots of hacking with him and he is absolutely brilliant to hack. We have a lot of heavy traffic, which he is totally unfazed by. Also, we've jumped him at home and he has recently been out on some outings to various indoor and outdoor shows, show jumping and cross country schooling. Even though he is still green, all he wants to do is please and jump what he's asked to. When on a cross country course, he likes to look but keeps going and just loves jumping things, even our 14 year old daughter enjoys jumping him.
He is a true middleweight and he is very responsive to the leg and feels agile in the school. He has had 5 days hunting with the Belvoir Hunt, towards the end of the season, jumping plenty of hunt jumps at a very busy children's meet.
This is a diary for Oliver to let you all know what he's been up to. This diary will be updated three times a week, so that you can get to know Oliver with me.
07/09/10
All the children are back to school now,so I am back in my usual routine.I rode Oliver for the first time in six week's as Julian and Emma have been pinching the ride from me over the summer holiday's.He was the same as normal,Oliver is always the same as long as he has a stable mate and regular turnout I think what I am trying to say is that he likes his routine at home it makes him feel secure his friend at home is Tilly who he adores.To ride out he does not give a monkey's if he is on his own or in company but when he is on the yard he likes his routine.
04/09/10
Oliver has been hacked out and Jumped by Emma through the summer holidays.Last week Julian took Ollie cross country schooling again,to begin with he was very excited and needed to go for a canter to settle him down but as soon as he was settled he worked well.
08/08/10
Last Sunday Julian schooled Oliver around Arena Uk one day event course,he was very chilled out and straight forward to ride.
31/07/10
Oliver took a day to settle when he returned,but now he is back to the same old Oliver.Julian,Emma and myself has hacked him out all week.
25/07/10
Oliver has returned home. I have copied out his report for you to read.
1) Oliver has shown signs of being cold backed from week 3 onwards.this did subside once he warmed up.
2) Oliver showed unsettledness when asked to stand still at traffic lights,and demonstrated low levels of stress when it was necessary for him to remain stationary.
Although the points above are all minor we feel overall Oliver is not fully suited to the GMP mounted environment and the future workload required.We feel it would not be in his best interest to become a Police Horse.He would however suit a different/environment as he has fantastic qualities. Oliver, whilst being on trial with us, has displayed the following points to his credit,
1) Calm and gentle character in and around the stable yard,
2) Well-mannered and confident working on the roads with passing and stationary traffic whilst working in company with another horse.This includes busy 'A' roads and town centre environments.
3) Responsive and polite to the rider's aids both on the roads and in the school.
4) Showed a high level of confidence and trust with low-level desensitisation training in the arena,ie. waving flags,drums and noise effects,walking over plastic sheeting and plastic bags.
5) Well behaved and accepting of the farrier, clippers.
When I first read this report I had mixed feeling's whether to put it on the website or not ,it's like when I first read my children's school report I want to tell people more the positive than the negative points (not that there is any!) but what I am trying to say is this website is about being honest. For Oliver to become a Police Horse he will have to get used to being in a busy stabled environment with no turn out, and obviously he does not like it . Oliver is sometimes tense in his back when you first get on him and like what Mimi said it does subside once he has walked on,but I think this is related to how he was backed in Ireland he has no malice in him at all only slight tension when mounting him sometimes.
26/07/10 My vet has just been to vaccinate the new tribe and give Oliver his flu vaccination.
Well Oliver fancy not standing at traffic light's when Julian hacks him out he does take longer than me he usually finds a nice spot where he can halt him and admire the view and have a crafty fag.But out hunting he does stand in a fashion one front foot goes up on his toes and then the other..it's like a little dance that he does,I have taught him to stand when being mounted and dismounted and he does stand maybe with more time he will learn to stand out hunting or he will keep practicing to become a ballerina but I can honestly say he is who he is.....
05/07/10
Oliver has been doing well. He has been introduced to flags etc. He also has been hacking out on busy roads. He has looked at a couple of things out hacking on these busy roads but nothing out of the ordinary, the only thing he can't understand is why he has to wait at traffic lights. (haha!!!!!)
14/06/10
I have just received a phone call to let me know how Oliver is settling in. He has passed a straight forward basic vetting just to check his eyes, for any heart murmur, soundness and flexion tests so that is good news. He has took a lot of time to settle but I'm not surprised as he was very unsure when he first arrived here but I know once he has a routine he will start to enjoy his work. I should be getting a weekly update so I will let you know on his progress in a weeks time.
12/06/10
It was a sad/ proud day on Saturday as Oliver went to Manchester Police to be tried for a further four to six weeks training to see if he will be a suitable horse to be trained as a police horse. Even though we will miss him, I am really pleased that the training yard have got him as it would be so nice to see if he will be suited. If they do select him he will do a further two years training before he would officially become a police horse. The yard are going to keep us informed on his progress.
03/06/10
Oliver was tried by the Greater Manchester Police yesterday. I don't know what the outcome is yet as he has a lot of competition. If he is still selected he will still have a six week assessment to do at the training yard until they know if he could cope and if he passes these tests he will either be sold and do a further two years training or sent back to us. Oliver has thorough pin on his hock area which doesn't seem to bother him, he also had it x-rayed a few weeks ago when he was vetted (5 stage vetting) and the vet passed him. I am very proud of him, fingers crossed!
28/05/10
I have schooled and hacked Oliver this week. He really does benefit being schooled once or twice a week,it really keeps him light in your hand. He is going to vale view tonight for a clear round and to be in a show environment again which he seems to take in his stride.
24/05/10
I schooled Oliver on the flat today. He is so responsive to the leg. He finds leg yielding and shoulder in very easy and he even was doing some flying changes over a pole.
23/05/10
We took Oliver to Vale View (jump training) on Friday and he went well really well. Also, we took him to Arena UK for a clear round. It was very busy but he coped with it really well and jumped very well. Please watch the video it will be on later today.
16/05/10
Julian took Oliver cross country schooling. He was a little unsure to start with, but once he got into the flow he really went well. I was in charge of the filming so fingers crossed that we have some footage as the camera was not working 100%.
15/05/10
Julian hacked Ollie last night and this morning. In his own words he described him as 'dope on a rope' to hack, I would say a posh hack but their you go a man's version of a posh hack!!!
10/05/10
Julian took Oliver to Vale View on Friday. They have clear round jumping with (John Steels) who is very good. He really has an outstanding ability to work with any horse and rider combination.
Oliver was very green in the indoor to start of with, looking at everything but even though he was nervous he was very sensible and not silly. Sorry, I forgot the camera but we will be going again very soon.
06/04/10
Alfie has had a few days of school this week as he has been feeling poorly, so Ollie has had a easy week this week, but I had chance to ride him last night so I just hacked and schooled him.
01/05/10
I have schooled Oliver a few times this week, I think he would do more than just hunting as he works well on the flat and enjoys his jumping, plus he is so handsome.
27/04/10
I worked Oliver on the flat today. He loves working in the school, even though Julian raves about him being a good hunter, he can actually gather himself up and float!
25/04/10
Oliver was hacked today he was the same as usual,he is so lazy when out hacking.
23/04/10
Oliver is back in full work now as his new mum wants me to find her another Oliver but a smaller version she feels over horsed and feels she has not got the experience to further his education. We will be taking him to Vale View clear round next week.
22/03/10
Oliver is now sold, subject to vetting to a very nice lady who has followed the diary since we first sold Sean. I hope the vetting goes well and even though I will miss Oliver, I know he will have the perfect mum. I am very sorry to anybody who has been interested in Oliver, as I have not really thought of selling him yet,as he has not been through the full Brewitt check, (ie..showjumping competitions, cross country, etc) but he is mainly going to be used for hacking and I feel he has done enough with us to go and do his job for his new mum.
19/03/10
I rode Oliver in the menage today to see if he was more settled. He was back to the old Ollie that I know. I only rode him for 20 minutes as the new tribe had just arrived an hour before and I had some work to do before the school run.
19/03/10
Oliver is starting to settle in his new routine I have put him in another box where he can't see the field, this seems to have done the trick (he has a good 12 hrs turnout). When I got on him in the menage yesterday he was a little tense as he could see the field but after ten minutes walking round he was fine.When out hacking he couldn't care less what's going on I suppose he is doing a job then, going round in circles in the menage was alien to him when there are new things to look at but he soon adjusted what was being asked of him. He just likes a normal routine at home.
18/03/10
I boxed Oliver over to Branston/Eaton yesterday for a hack it is so nice around there,I do hack out at home there is really good canter places but I if I ride down into the next village I always box up as the railway line near us causes so many problem's ,the horses seem to get some type of shock from it ,I know that is probably impossible but this is the only railway track I have encountered problem's with so I avoid it. So are horses don't have any issues with any other railway tracks I know this sounds ridiculous but I have had two horses slip on this track and go down,I used to live near the main railway London/Scotland route and I have never had a horse's jump in the air like they do with our's.Two mile's up the road on the same track the horses go over without any problem's???
Oliver was back to normal yesterday when I hacked him I think the change in his routine had upset him,he really is a big sensitive soul.Also when he is being shod he does like to be held and not tied up as he feels a little insecure.
17/03/10
We have started to use the field across the road from us for turnout now it has dried up, so Oliver has been turned out in the day for longer and stabled at night,he can see his field from his stable which he is not happy about at all he is so unsettled and lost some weight as well,so I am going to turn him out at night and leave him in in the day to see if that settles him,I can't leave him out all the time as all the horses share the field.He took a little settling in the menage yesterday,Julian said he has been fine to hack over the w/end.I am going on a hack soon so I will let you know how I get on.
13/03/10
Spring weather made me feel like going for a hack on Oliver ( fair weather jockey!! ) No sooner had i got going up the road five cars and an artic lorry towing a trailer came past me, Oliver looked at the lorry as it came past because he could not work out why there was a big piece of plastic flapping from the trailer! he was so good. We then went for a good trot off the road, his ears seemed very forward perhaps because the only time i get to ride him is when he goes hunting! anyway he so chilled out and was a pleasure to ride. Two partridge got up in the hedge next to us they made him jump a little but made me jump more as i don't like birds! Further on two pheasants got up next to us and Oliver this time just watched them fly up and away. Half way round the ride you have to go through a bit of a wood where the bridleway goes through and just before you came up to it there was some old coiled up pipe laying next to the path, Oliver was not sure about this and wanted to go the other way but i just gave him a pat and let him look at it. It did not take him long to work out that it wasn't going to jump out and bite him! Being a clever Irish man he just needed time to work it out rather than me hassle him past it. Looking forward to Sunday as Louise has allowed me take him round the village!
Julian
06/03/10
I hope you all like the new layout of the website! I'll update you on Oliver's day later. Louise xxx
22/02/10
Oliver went hunting on Saturday and thoroughly enjoyed himself, Julian is really getting attached to him. Today he worked in the school, hunting has given him so much more confidence, he really loves to please and thinks he is quite important now (but in a nice way).
20/02/10
My camera is broke how frustrating, I watched Lottie hunting yesterday, she jumped everything she was ridden to and jumped it well. She was ridden by Emma's friend who's 14. Julian took Oliver he stood really well at the meet he whinnied a couple of times,when the hounds set off he was really excited but soon settled and lead the field over a set of rails and then a hunt jump of the road followed by loads more and a couple of hedges. Emma took the Tom the nut case and WOW! they jumped a hunt jump down hill and Tom gave it 3ft easily. They looked like real pro's. I think Julian, Emma and Will (who rode Lottie) had a really good day!
14/02/10
I took Clara for a hack today on Tez and Emma rode Oliver.Oliver was really good he cantered away from us down a grass field Emma just sometimes had to walk him round while she was waiting for us slow coaches to catch up.
10/02/10
I have just took Lottie, Oliver and Frank for a good canter around the beacon. I took Oliver in the school first and jumped a round of jumps, then hacked him up our busy main road and then went for a blast!!!!! He really loves the mud and puddles! :)
06/02/10
Julian took Oliver hunting today. He was a little excited, the hounds were already coming towards us as we were unloading so, when he saw them coming towards him he gave a little small play buck but after that he was fine. He just likes to keep walking round when you are stood still but Julian thinks with a couple more outings and he will be fine.Please take note this horse does not do this at home or out hacking I am just not sure how much hunting he has really done in Ireland, that is why we put these horses through the Brewitt M.O.T. There is a video of today. They also jumped a log that was quite big until it eventually was too foggy to hunt.
05/02/10
I jumped Oliver today he is very nice to jump you just sit and steer him, he is going hunting tomorrow.
01/02/10
I clipped Oliver today. The first time I clipped him he was quite nervous and it took me two hours to half clip his head, so it was nice for him to now have his trust in me to let me clip his head with no worries. Two hours of patience the first time, turned into ten minutes the next time.
30/01/10
Lottie and Oliver went hunting today. Julian rode as I was on mum and plaiting up duty. Emma took a video of Lottie on her way to the meet, when she was at the meet and also standing on the side of the road while others past her. They jumped a couple of hunt jumps with no problems also she stood very well while waiting to jump. Oliver went for second horses and we were running a little late. Julian didn't have to look far as the hounds were hunting towards him Oliver's back was up a little but he soon settled once he met the field. Julian rode Ollie at the back, then later he took him away from the field to see if he would go on his own which he did perfectly. He still needs to learn a bit more but a very good start. We didn't get a video as Emma got a flat tyre on her bike but she did get a lovely picture of him. See the photos at the top of the page (with caption 30/01/10).
29/01/10
I boxed Oliver over to a nice place to give him some more canter work. I wanted to hack for miles on him but I had to head for home to do the school run. It was lucky that I did head for home as half way home my lorry broke down at a busy halt sign. Julian came over to help and whilst we waited for the recovery lorry I decided to hack home as it was getting closer to school run and it was a good job I did as Julian had to wait two hours but the one positive thing came out of today is that Oliver and I came across a lot of heavy traffic, everything and anything, even a jet plane came over. He really is so good. He'll stand anywhere to let you get on or off and will wait at any junction without hesitation. What a good boy! Let's see how Lottie and Ollie get on tomorrow out hunting!!!!!!
28/01/10
I took Oliver for a canter today. This was the first time I have took him for a good canter across the open fields so I started in trot, then cantered and then just carried on in a nice steady canter. He has a nice mouth but was not as steady in his contact as usual but when I got home I realised that his bit had rubbed him and he was sore on the right side of his mouth. I made up separate bridle's for the tribe but I have made a wrong choice of bit for Ollie. I will put him in his usual tomorrow (a snaffle with a french link). I won't mention the one i rode him in today but it was very expensive and similar to his usual (a snaffle type bit)!!!!
27/01/10
I took Oliver for a hack again today, two tractors passed one going towards us which had a large silage bale on it's forks going quite fast, the other one was more considerate and slowed down and passed us from behind. He was not bothered in the slightest. Oliver is hunting on saturday he will go out for second horses.
26/01/10
Sorry I haven't been updating you as usual, I think I have had January blues. Six horses, three children, two dogs and a strong minded stubborn person (that's me by the way) takes a lot of admitting that I am not 18 anymore and that I do get tired takes it's toll (poor Julian). I took Oliver for a hack around Belvoir Castle today it was so nice he is like sitting on a armchair he is so comfortable I think he will make somebody a nice Hunter or a posh hack, when he first came he was weak and timid but his confidence has grown so much he just wants to please. I am really attached to this horse as he has changed so much in his confidence just from being in a routine and knowing that he is very important.
21/01/10
It has been a busy week. Oliver has been hacking and schooling he has really took to the way of life on the yard, he is always so friendly. When he first came he would stand at the back of his box not sure what was expected of him, but he now has confidence and thinks he's quite important.
17/01/10
I overslept this morning, I am normally on the yard for 5.30am but I didn't wake up until 7.00am. Oliver woke me up at 2am this morning as he had got cast. He was a little shaken up but soon tucked in to some more hay so did all the others they thought it was great to be fed early!!!!. Sorry I haven't done any more video's this w/end I will next w/end. The tribe were all worked I hacked out with Emma today and it was lovely even the sun was out. Oliver was loose schooled as I thought he might be stiff after this morning but he wasn't he was fine and thoroughly enjoyed himself especially jumping.
14/01/10
I rode Lottie and Oliver in the school today sorry to bore you but it still isn't fit to hack or do anything else. Ollie's canter is really improving. I will take some more video's of the tribe this weekend.
13/01/10
Sorry I haven't been updating the website but all the tribe have just been working in the school as it is not fit to hack out or do anything else. Oliver is starting to really strengthen up and finding his canter work a lot easier he was a little tight in his back to begin with but relaxed after ten minutes. I am really starting to know these horses they are all so different in character but all of them have the good old fashioned Irish attitude.
08/01/10
I have covered a 15m circle, in the menage, with some old roof sheets last night. It has worked a treat and although I can't canter a walk and trot is still possible. Today, I just moved the sheets off the track to the side so I could ride. Emma was looking for more history on Oliver's sire, Fast Silver, this morning and she discovered that Oliver has the same sire as Kim Severson's Tipperary Liadhanan, who came 5th in the Rolex Kentucky.
06/01/10
The tribe had Flu/Tetanus jabs today. I just long reined as it isn't fit to ride.
05/01/10
A few people have E-Mailed and have asked why Oliver is not for sale yet. Ollie is still quite green in his trot to canter, so I want to work on them as he has only done a seasons hunting, and school work is a bit different for him, also I want to get him out to different venues as well. We have spent a bit more time taking Lottie out as we knew she would not take to long as she has seen more of the world than Oliver, I think he will be ready early spring. Thanks for your inquiries as it is nice to know that we have people following the diary and interested in how the horses are going.
31/12/09
Julian and I went for a Hack together this is a rare occasion (thanks Karen for looking after the children). This was Ollie's first time so we boxed him up and went somewhere a bit quieter, as I've mentioned before are main road is not the best for a first time out Hacking. We took a video, if you would like to see it on the images page. Thanks Louise
27/12/09
I rode Ollie in the school today, he felt a lot better. It was quite hard work for him the other day when we only had a small space to work in, I will try to take another video this week. I sat on Bob today for the first time. I only walked him but he is feeling a lot better now. We are starting Bob from scratch as he has not done a lot so it will not do any harm to start him again. Julian is just about to go out in the lorry with Lottie and hack out with Emma on Tom. Our road is very busy (it is a cut through from the A1 to A52), so I like to play safe and hack out somewhere quiet this time of year. Hunting is cancelled for Tuesday, so we are going to hire Arena U.K for a couple of hours, just to get the horses out somewhere different. Look out for the video of Lottie hacking today, plus there will be a video from Arena U.K. Last but not least, I hope you had a nice Christmas.
Louise xxx
25/12/09
23/12/09
Oliver worked in the school, I really like this horse. He was timid when he first came but seems so laid back in other ways. I think with a bit of time he will make a nice horse, if I won the lottery I would keep him. Everyday I see a difference in him his confidence is growing all the time he tries so hard to please. Only the top end of the school was ridable today so it was quite tight for canter work for him but he managed in a forward and chilled out way, I should have the camera charged a bit more tomorrow to show you a video of him.
Thanks Louise
20/12/09
Hunting has been cancelled due to frost, so instead we will do some video's of the tribe working at home early this week. My friend Amanda rang me yesterday as Sean and I have had our photo put in December's issue of Nottinghamshire Today. Sean was the first horse that I sold last year. Don't forget to check for video's this week. Louise
18/12/09 (Dentist is Amanda Stone from Gelston Haylage)
The tribe had their teeth done on Wednesday, they all needed doing. Ollie and Lottie were schooled today, Ollie is adapting to his school work and is starting to know where to put his legs on circles now. Lottie just wants more canter work. We should get them both out hunting soon over the christmas holidays.
15/12/09
All the horses were shod today (no problems). Ollie was worked in the school his confidence has grown so much, I really like this horse.
12/12/09
Emma and Clara both did a pony club rally last night at Arena UK, we took Lottie for a trot about in the outdoor and indoor arenas. She took it all in her stride, she just needs to strengthen up in her canter work like Ollie. Having to use themselves properly is probably alien to them but they are so soft in their mouths, quick to the leg and forward going that they feel so responsive. Alfie is putting them through the "being around children test". Alfie had every tractor out today, running around and sounding out every tractor noise you can imagine.
PHOTO SHOOT TOMORROW!!!!
11/12/09
Oliver is starting to relax more now when he works on the right rein. I don't think he has been schooled, so I am starting from scratch with him. Emma and Clara are going to a pony club rally tonight I am going to bring Lottie along and see how she copes with all.
09/12/09
Nicola (Touchtone Physiotherapy) came today to check Ollie and Lottie they both had no problems but poor Frank needed some of Nicola's magic he was very sore, it just goes to show to have their backs checked regular. I booked for three horses to be looked at, but I was a bit cheeky and asked for Frank to be checked, not realising the poor boy was in knots so his session took over Bob's. So Bob is having his session on Monday. I have nearly finished tidying the tribe, look out for the 'photo shoot' at the weekend.
07/12/09
I have been just walking Ollie in the school I don't think he has done school work before but if I give him time he will soon understand. I am not working the tribe to hard as they are all having physio on Wednesday. I just want to make sure their teeth and backs are checked before I start working them properly.
04/12/09
The horses arrived last night, I was very impressed with the transport company we used they were very professional (John Doran). Oliver seems to be recovering really well. He had a make over today but before I started I did some join up with him in the menage as he seemed a little bit unsure about me, but within 10 minutes his confidence grew. I even got a chance to clip him (chaser clip). He was slightly unsure about his lower jaw being clipped but I took my time and eventually I got him done, Join-up really helped as he didn't need a head collar on (just trust). I think he needs his teeth rasping they are a bit sharp. All three are booked to have teeth and backs checked next week. I will update you 4 times this week as there's a lot going on with the tribe.
26/11/09
I have just arrived back from Ireland today, what an experience the Irish really know their horses and are so natural with them. I have bought a mare and two geldings, there are pictures of them on the image page. They will need a good scrub and condition but with a bit of time, will turn out to be nice horses. Like I have said before I want everybody to see my horses from day one so you get to know them as I do. These horses have no names yet as I want to get to know them first. Thanks Louise xx
