Lish and ireupe, who accompanied us

Cognac listening to the children playing in the school next door

11 mile pub ride!

It is my plan to get my route sorted and down on paper by the end of the month. Over the next few days I'm going to have to buy all the maps I need, I have been trying to find a way to sort the route without having to shell out £200 for maps, however i can't find away round it. I have started planning my route backwards, from Cornwall up, this is because there are no bridle ways in Scotland so I'm finding it easier to do the England planning first. Today I took cognac for an hours hack, we did a new route and encountered a few challenges! We tried out a new bridle way today and this involved crossing a little wooden bridge over a weir- cognac was worried, but calmly followed me over on foot after having a good look, we had to pass cows, just on the other side of the hedge, a large articulated lorry on a country lane, which released its air brakes as we went passed and a bus! I love my pony, he is such a good boy! Katrina

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Buying maps

I just went on Amazon and ordered six OS Explorer maps, covering Cornwall and Devon, can't wait for them to arrive! I know that I am going to follow the Kernow horse trail through Cornwall, but I still need maps to follow, especially if I come off the trail at any point, and also to find my accommondation each night, which will be off the trail. I'm not sure of my route through Devon yet, so I hope I have managed to choose the right maps. I want to go through the north of Dartmoor and then head north- east towards Bristol via Cheddar. Once I have decided on my rote through these maps I can get my next set and do the same- I am heading for the Pennine Bridleway, which ends near Derby.

Today I took Harry for a 30 min hack in high winds, where he proceeded to neigh most of the way- very irritating! But the was well behaved. I then took Cognac out for 1hr and 15mins with a friend, and he was an angel as always.

The Kernow Horse Trail

The Kernow Horse Trail is a linear trail from Lands End to the Devon Border. The trail uses existing definitive bridleways, quiet lanes and tracks. It connects many existing multiuser trails such as Mineral Tramways, Coast to Coast, Goss Moor, Camel etc. Although the trail is at its first stage of its development, the trail is already being used by riders planning a route through Cornwall either as a local initiative or part of a national ride from John O' Groats to Lands End.

The trail goes through lovely and varied countryside. The long term plan is to improve the trail by providing some more off-road sections, improve some road crossings and provide more connecting routes. The main trail route shown on these pages is all ridable, although some parts have no legal status. Apart from some road crossings the trail avoids busy roads, expect near Lands End, where a section of the main A30 has to be ridden.

The whole trail comprises of five sections

Schooling for strength and suppleness

Today I took Harry out for a hack on his own, this worked really well as it allowed me to ride him forward, which helped to keep him straight and forward thinking. I did the same route on him today as monday and he was an absolute gent. It rained really heavy yesterday so there were loads of really big puddles around, I was really mean and made him walk and then trot through as many of them as possible, I did this as obedience training but also I want him to be used to riding through water just in case we have to do so on the ride. By the time I had ridden Harry the weather had changed and it was pretty dark so I rode Cognac in the school, working on large sweeping circles and turns, keeping him soft and rhythmical. I rode him in walk and trot encouraging him to drop him head and neck, stretching his back muscles, while pushing forward with his hindlegs.
Katrina.

First days of training

Yesterday I took both horses out for a half hour hack each. It was pouring with rain so I put on my waterproof trousers, rockfish reflective jacket and wellies. I also took cognac out in a reflective rain sheet. I was quite surprised that I stayed mosly dry, but it did get me thinking about how I would cope if I had to spend all day out in the rain and the set up a tent and try and cook food. I was worried about my panniers leaking, but have been advised to line them with bin liners and then wrap everything in plastic bags. It was my first hack with Harry today as until now iv only ridden him in the school, for this reason I took him out with two other horses. I was really pleased with him and found him really forward going, if a bit kern and excitable!

New year- new start

The first off January. I've feel like I've been waiting for this day for months! I'm really excited to get my training underway. This last month, over Christmas, I've been busy doing a lot of overtime at work but this month I haven't got a lot on. So I can really focus on getting my route sorted and some planning done. All month my head has been overflowing with plans and ideas and things that need doing and because I just havent had the time iv just written lists and lists. I just can't wait to get stuck in!
Katrina.