The Bradshaw Family

[Roselina]

What beautiful photos …..always make me happy to see your boys

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

What beautiful photos …..always make me happy to see your boys

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

Weekly weigh in and health check time for the boys

 

[Merab]

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

Competition day:
It wasn’t our day for placing today, but we still came 9th in a huge class of 21 and scored 64.78%
Woody warmed up beautifully but was very very tense in the class (I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt with machinery and building work going on outside the arena). But I’m still a super super proud mum as he felt far more confident than our last outing. He’s definitely getting the hang of dressage life now and is gaining more confidence with every outing. The judge’s comments where reflective of this and they really complimented him; said he is stunning and has huge potential, just needs to get more confident and less tense.
So so proud of my gorgeous boy
Our biggest achievement today was riding past a moving crane and building machinery!

Can’t wait to get out again

 

[Merab]

Well done both of you.
I imagine that it’s like all new skills, learn the techniques and practise, practise, practise

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

Well done both of you.
I imagine that it’s like all new skills, learn the techniques and practise, practise, practise

Exactly and lots of judge’s feedback for our training plans

 

[Roselina]

That’s amazing ….no wonder you’re a super proud Mum
You have a family of super lovely boys

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

That’s amazing ….no wonder you’re a super proud Mum
You have a family of super lovely boys

Thank you!

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

Sorry I’ve not been posting for a while! Life is just so busy!

We’ve had staff shortages at work so I’ve been working crazy hours. Plus I’m training the university riding team so that means some later evenings. I’m trying to keep up Woody’s fitness and training as the winter weather moves in.
Piggies are all good! We picked up our lovely Banner’s ashes today. He’s got a spot on the shelf with the others - watching over our boys.

We did manage to get away for 2 days last weekend (a mini break). Koda had a fab time and thoroughly enjoyed himself:

21 October 2022

Woody has had his winter haircut. A full clip for him. I’m very proud of how well he looks:

21 October 2022

I hope everyone is well! I’m competing again next month and have lots on. Work is chaos, as is running the businesses alongside. But I’ll do my very best to keep up to date with posts on here.
Just give me a nudge if I miss anything!

 

[Merab]

Updates are always a delight but sometimes life just gets in the way.
I sympathise with the crazy hours and staff shortages.
Look after yourselves too

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

Updates are always a delight but sometimes life just gets in the way.
I sympathise with the crazy hours and staff shortages.
Look after yourselves too

Thanks Heather. Hope you are all well

 

[Merab]

Thanks Heather. Hope you are all well

We’re both fine, thanks.
Enjoying s long weekend on Anglesey which is lovely.
Like you life has been crazy over recent weeks.
Just hoping for a let up soon.

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

This is what weekends are for

22 October 2022

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

It’s been lovely to book a few days off for half term week. To spend some more time with my boys

25 October 2022

I had been looking for new jobs recently, to try be closer to home or work remotely. Life is far too short to be away from my family so much. But in looking at other jobs it’s really made me realise how much I love what I do. I love teaching, love working with students and I get to lecture up to post grad level in equine science (who wouldn’t want to talk about horses all day ). It’s just unfortunate that what I do is so niche and there’s nothing closer to home. We can’t relocate at the moment as our business is based here. The biggest issue with my job is the hours of commuting every day. So I’ve come to the conclusion that it may be better to reduce some hours and work part time at the university and try to focus more on my photography and our landscaping business to make up the couple of days not working up there. That way I’ll be my own boss for a couple of days a week, I won’t be commuting 80 miles and I’ll get more time with my animals. So I do hope this will work out next year and I’ll get that better work-life balance that I long for!

Other than the huge life decisions, everything else is well. I’ve got some time tomorrow to let the piggies have some floor time (away from the dog!) so I’ll get some videos of them all.

Hope everyone else is well!

 

[Roselina]

Sounds like a perfect Plan ! Commuting is so tiring ….good luck and we always love your photos and videos

 

[Bill & Ted]

Aw, I love to see your updates, your boys are a delight and always warm my heart

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

Sounds like a perfect Plan ! Commuting is so tiring ….good luck and we always love your photos and videos

Thank you

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

Aw, I love to see your updates, your boys are a delight and always warm my heart

Thank you

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

My boys

 

[Merab]

It’s been lovely to book a few days off for half term week. To spend some more time with my boys

25 October 2022

I had been looking for new jobs recently, to try be closer to home or work remotely. Life is far too short to be away from my family so much. But in looking at other jobs it’s really made me realise how much I love what I do. I love teaching, love working with students and I get to lecture up to post grad level in equine science (who wouldn’t want to talk about horses all day ). It’s just unfortunate that what I do is so niche and there’s nothing closer to home. We can’t relocate at the moment as our business is based here. The biggest issue with my job is the hours of commuting every day. So I’ve come to the conclusion that it may be better to reduce some hours and work part time at the university and try to focus more on my photography and our landscaping business to make up the couple of days not working up there. That way I’ll be my own boss for a couple of days a week, I won’t be commuting 80 miles and I’ll get more time with my animals. So I do hope this will work out next year and I’ll get that better work-life balance that I long for!

Other than the huge life decisions, everything else is well. I’ve got some time tomorrow to let the piggies have some floor time (away from the dog!) so I’ll get some videos of them all.

Hope everyone else is well!

Sounds like a good plan.
Hope you can make it work.

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

I absolutely love these pictures of Woody in his show jumping days It's amazing how he's now transitioning into a dancing dressage horse instead! Such a talented boy

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

The boys!
The piggies enjoyed play time today; after nails and hair trims

28 October 2022

 

[Roselina]

Oh my ……such cuties

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

Hope everyone is well and surviving the dreaded bonfire night weekend

Things are as busy here as ever.
But all piggies are well. Koda, the OH and I are looking forward to the potteries fair next weekend!

Woody is still training hard. We have been riding at 6:15 before work. It’s hard to get up and train in the dark and cold, but it’s lovely to see sunrises!




5 November 2022

5 November 2022

He’s also been enjoying some adventures, on lovely winter mornings







And I treated him to a full set of magnetic boots for his therapy time. Spoilt boy wants for nothing!



Oh and he’s looking smart (coat fully clipped for winter now)




And of course I need to share some pics on Koda’s adventures. He’s my whole world

 

[Roselina]

Lovely photos
Your boys are always worth spoiling

 

[Merab]

Beautiful photos as always

Looking forward to seeing you at the Potteries fair

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

I’m struggling to stay awake to watch ‘I’m a celeb’, with all these 5.30/6am training sessions!

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

What a lovely Sunday we are having

Woody enjoyed some early morning adventures….





I’ve had a lovely after with Dan and my gorgeous boy Koda, capturing some memories!






And I’ve been spying on these boys…….
All still seems settled Thor is having his moments of chasing Merlin around the cage, but it doesn’t appear aggressive. I think he’s asserting his position in the hierarchy. Merlin submissively squeaks and then they go back to eating peacefully together again

I have to say though…. Of all my boys, these two are the most messy! hay piles dragged around everywhere!



Merlin updates from this thread:
The updates you’ve all been waiting for….

Will now be on this thread with the rest of my boys

 

[Wiebke]

What a lovely Sunday we are having

Woody enjoyed some early morning adventures….

View attachment 214537
View attachment 214539


I’ve had a lovely after with Dan and my gorgeous boy Koda, capturing some memories!

View attachment 214540
View attachment 214541
View attachment 214542


And I’ve been spying on these boys…….
All still seems settled Thor is having his moments of chasing Merlin around the cage, but it doesn’t appear aggressive. I think he’s asserting his position in the hierarchy. Merlin submissively squeaks and then they go back to eating peacefully together again

I have to say though…. Of all my boys, these two are the most messy! hay piles dragged around everywhere!

View attachment 214543

Merlin updates from this thread:
The updates you’ve all been waiting for….

Will now be on this thread with the rest of my boys

They are busy establishing their new group, which is essential for their bond. It all sounds very much on the mild side, except that some of the cases must have gone through the hay!