Back To Normal....And A Plan

Oh boy are we glad to get back to normal!!  Despite Storm Deirdre, that brought cold winds, and freezing rain, we are happy bunnies, and the work load seems so much lighter. Its sooo nice to have them all back together.

On Saturday we thought we would put Molly in with Charlie and the girls in with Lil. You know what thinking did!!! Jo and Ellie got Daisy and Lu, while I got Molly. As soon as I got Molly to the gate Charlie raced over doing his stallion thing, while Molly reacted by rearing, and spinning to kick him. My hands were so cold, she pulled the rope clean through them and took off. One impressive leap later and she was back in with Lily!!  I've had horses jump out of fields and stables before.....But never back in!! So we left them as they were.  Molly and Lily are thick as thieves at the moment....even grooming each other.  But we know Lil is fickle when it comes to friends, so we will wait until the time is right.

Molly is very good at communicating what she wants.  Just before Deirdre arrived I tried to rug her.  After she took off bucking the first time, I tried again. This time I got the front straps done up (despite the faces), and then she took off again. It took a few minutes to persuade her i was going to take it away. No one else is rugged, but I thought she might appreciate it, being older. Apparently not. 

So the only one moved is Daisy. Being a bit 'Footy' we thought it best she went in with Mini and Dora, who have no grass left to speak of. Daisy is so laid back she can go in with anyone.  Dora seems to think Daisy is her mummy and is attached to her 24/7. 

After Storm Deirdre left the sun came out and they all had a good run about, frolicking in the sun for fun.  Its lovely to see.  We also brought Lu and Charlie in and set about them with scissors, rakes and grooming mitts, trying to remove some of the Ufford mud. They both seemed to really enjoy the attention.
Jo took Lu off to the school, where she danced and pranced. Meanwhile I took Charlie to the round pen where he was eager to please, even letting me lay across him. 

Time to get him riding!!  I have a hankering for another adventure while I still can.  Having sold the idea to Tess (my old partner in crime for the Ridgeway Romp), I am thinking of doing Peddars Way.  Its only 46 miles long and runs from Thetford in Suffolk to the North Norfolk Coast.  We could do it in 3 days easily. We wouldn't need back up like The Ridgeway.  Just a lift to the start and home again. We are thinking next Summer.....

Dora and Daisy

Molly

Lulu

 Charlie Back to work in the Round Pen

The Boys Are Back In Town...

Actually that should be girls and a boy! But that doesn't quite work as a title for anyone that remembers Thin Lizzy!!!!
Anyway after 6 long weeks Lu, Daisy and Charlie are back at the Farm after a very rough roughing off holiday. They had a whale of a time, scoffing 3 acres of lush grass, rolling in lots of mud, and doing nothing. During that time we had a lot of rain, and they were in very sheltered and low marshland, surrounded by streams. We have never seen them so muddy!!!

Jo and I have been run ragged, doing the Farm ponies and shunting off to the Holiday Ponies, where we have had to poo pick in thick mud with wheel barrows....BTW Thanks to everyone that has helped (Clare, Meg, Rob, Viv, Ellie and Girls).  We love you all.

Finally the buggers finished the grass!!!!  Meanwhile back at the Farm the four girls (Molly, Lil, Dora and Mini) have been getting on well and been moved to the Winter Grazing (the 4 acre).  The little uns have been giving lessons, and Molly has been out a few times.  (Once ridden by Clare and accompanied by me on Dora!!!!!!!! Sorry Dora....Although she did manage to rear!!) Clare took Molly out on Tuesday alone and she was like a cat on hot bricks!!  Feeling well!!

And so the day finally came (Oh yes we are soooo glad to get them back under one roof so to speak). We had planned the day carefully, until Ed rung to say he was on his way (2 hours early).  We raced over, loaded the car with the water bins, and caught them up. The lorry is too big for the drive, so I planned to ride Lu and lead the other two up the (very long) drive, while Jo brought the car. BUT.....They were fairly excited, not to mention a little feral. Lu absolutely would not stand still next to a fence for me to get on. My days of vaulting on from the ground are long gone! Meanwhile the other two were pulling like steam trains so we ended up leading them on foot.  Or should that be following them??  

Lu loaded first, while I hung on with all my strength to Daisy and Charlie.  Next up a very keen Daisy, (Charlie was trotting circles at this point)!  Charlie practically loaded himself.  Once again they travelled really well. Thank you Ed for your help and smooth driving. 

Arriving home, they realised things had changed.  Lil has become the dominant mare and theres a stranger in situ. We managed to drag them up to the far end of the 4 acre to let them sort themselves out!!

Lu is furious with the changes, Charlie excited to see his girls and a new mare, Daisy catatonic!!  They were all lying down fast asleep this morning, while Lil patrols the fence to ensure Molly cannot say hello!!  On Saturday, Molly will be moving in with Charlie, and Lil will have to answer for her cheekiness to Lu and Daisy.  Watch this space.

A Tribute To Polly

On Friday, a very sad day came. A day Jo and I have been discussing and dreading for a while.....Time to let Polly go over the Rainbow Bridge.

Polly was abandoned at the Farm, several years ago (Anywhere between 8 and 12 years ago).  At the time she belonged to someone else and already been stabled 24/7 for 2 years.  She had already given up, but after a little tlc from Jo became a happy pony again.  When the owners left with their ponies, they left Polly behind (maybe she had no further use to them?).

She then went out on loan to Ellie and taught her children to ride, having a brilliant time. However she had developed EMS,  a precursor to Cushings and very similar to Human Diabetes. At the time not much was known about EMS so Jo had her back. Doing a lot of research into Diabetes, Jo developed a feed for Polly, with a mixture of Homeopathic and Herbal remedies. EMS causes a loss of blood flow to the feet and therefore mechanical laminitus. The general cure for laminitus is box rest, no grass etc.  We felt it was worth trying a different approach.

So we turned her out!!!!  At first she wore boots filled with memory foam. Once she became sound, that was it. Boots off, normal shoes on. We have been careful to keep her off new grass, but let her have as much old grass as she wants. The walking around that horses do in a herd is essential to keeping the blood flow to the feet.

And so for the last 3 or 4 years, Polly has been sound, fit and enjoying life, out with the herd and teaching children to ride. What a mothers dream!!  She loved children!!  Totally trustworthy.  She wouldn't dream of biting, kicking, or being naughty. The smallest child could catch her in, groom, and tack her up.  Ridden she did as she was asked, without a complaint.  She taught so many kids the basics of walk, trot and canter, without a thought of bucking, napping, or trying to snatch grass. A complete confidence giver. 

To us, Polly was like a big pet. Every day we have let her roam free, grazing verges etc, when there was no grass in the paddocks.  On hearing her food being mixed, she would politely appear outside the tack room. In winter she would find her way to the Hay Barn, push through the tarpaulin, and happily munch away. She never needed a headcollar, being happy to follow us back to the others. 

We worked out she was about 27 this year.  Her Arthritis started to become more noticeable, and it became harder to keep weight on. We were feeding soaked nuts and Barley, plus the magic supplements all Summer. We know she had some loose teeth, hence the mushy feed.  We also knew she had a nasty looking growth on her top gum. Too old for the anaesthetic that she would have needed to remove it, we started to feed loose hay in the paddocks, just in case she couldn't pick through a hay net.

We had many discussions, and decided while Polly was still enjoying life, and had a spark in her, we would carry on and let ourselves be guided by our gut instinct and what Poll was telling us. You can tell in a horses eye when they have had enough. The problem with humans is they overthink things. Am I letting her go too soon? Too late?  Its a hard decision.

At the end of October we had a Halloween Party for the kids.  Polly was full of it. Competitive in the games.....Almost smiling!!  The next day, she was galloping around bucking.  Day by day, as it has got colder, she has slowed down. Her feet had started to hurt. Her knees had started to swell and get stiff. Each day, she has appeared perky when fed, but then moved real slow back to the field. We had noticed she had started to spend a lot of time asleep. The Hammer Blow came when sweet Lil ( who may become an Alpha Mare) started to drive Polly out of the herd.  In the wild, the Alpha Mare drives out the sick, old and lame, to fend for themselves. Sad but its for the good of the Herd. Can't have anyone slowing them down.

Looking at Polly she seemed soooo tired. This was the time. Not too soon....it was only a month ago she was Rocking, and not too late, not suffering, though her eyes were telling us she had had enough.

We had a lot of children up to say Goodbye the night before, which must have pleased Polly. Jo, Ellie and I tried to be brave, but didn't quite manage it. 

We have been so touched by the messages, letters, flowers and drawings done by the Children who loved Polly as we did.

Polly was the kind of pony that everyone loved. Sweet and Kind.  Not a bad bone in her body. I am missing her so much, and my heart aches from not seeing her....So I cannot imagine what Jo and Ellie feel, having known her so much longer. xx

I give you Polly.....One In a Million XX

The Importance Of Plenty Of Feed! And a Natural Lifestyle.

Let me clarify that title....I DO NOT mean hard feed. In my humble opinion horses only need hard feed if they are being worked hard.  Hard meaning hunting, eventing, racing, pulling a coal wagon!! Or if they are elderly and struggle to keep the weight on.  Otherwise grass and enough hay works a treat for most leisure horses.  We use mineral blocks, which they all have a lick of when they need.  Our two EMS girls have a handful of chaff with Turmeric, Oil, Garlic, Chasteberry and a few other goodies, just to treat their condition.  I also like to give a small feed after they have been worked, as a reward. Sometimes its just a handful of carrots, or Chaff, Vitamins and Carrots!!  Mostly carrots!!

We also believe 100% in the horses living out in herds 24/7. This is their natural environment. Horses are prey animals, and in the wild they live in large herds for safety, with an Alpha Mare, who makes the decisions and a Stallion for protection. At the first sign of trouble they leg it. In this environment, they are able to act out on their natural instincts, and they are able to form their own hierarchy and feel calm and relaxed. It also helps the oldies if they are able to move around and not get stiff.

And so 3 weeks down the line Molly is a changed horse. She has totally relaxed with her little herd. They have 3 acres to run around in and seem to be finding enough grass to keep them happy. A minor miracle after that Summer, when all the grass burnt off. We thought it would never recover! On top of that we give them more than enough hay.  More than enough means there is hay left in the morning. With the knowledge the hay is not going to run out, Molly has totally relaxed and is happy to share the Hay Feeder with the others.  We also put out a few nets, low down in the trees and a little on the ground so everyone can find a peaceful space to munch in. 

On Sunday Ellie came up with most of her children and some others to boot.  Molly was extremely interested in what was going on and un-phased with the twins (who are not quite 2 years old) hugging her legs.  Lil was happy to be sat on, while Mini took exception to a twin lying on her back kicking his little wellington booted feet on her backside, and started to buck. Luckily she is well behaved when actually tacked up. Guess she feels apart from that her time is her own.  Mini has very strong opinions on what she is expected to do!

Meanwhile over at Holiday Heaven, the other 3 have taken the meaning roughed off to the extreme. Covered in mud they now actually look like pigs in shit! They really wouldn't care if they never saw us again....apart from moving the fence back so they can continue to stuff their faces!

Huge thanks to Clare, Ty, Shaneece, and Meg for helping out xx

Two Lots, Happy Herds and Old Friends, Plus the Escaping Neighbours!

So its been a week since the shake up and all is well.  Doing two lots, means a lot of driving, but it also means lunch at Valley Farm Equestrian Centre at Wickham Market, Suffolk. The only place you can get a decent home-cooked lunch while watching a lesson, and looking at llamas and a camel!

Its hard work having the herd split, and sometimes we are pushed for time. But the three on holiday are as happy as pigs in shit. We are lucky if we get a wicker. Its like "Hello, nice to see you but can't stop! Grass to eat". Next door there is a mule, and a couple of ponies.

Totally unhandled, Jo and i have been fascinated with them and have been making friends. On Tuesday, we noticed the mule had escaped, and was frolicking on 30 Acres of Sugar Beet Crop next to their field.  We think it belongs to their owner.  We phoned the vet and asked them to let the owner know. On Wednesday, the Mule had been joined by her field mates and they all looked like they were having the best time. Today our landlord told us people had been trying to round up the escapees with sheepdogs.  By the time we arrived all was quiet.....but the intrepid trio were still loose.  Hope our herd don't decide to join in!!

Meanwhile back at the Ranch, Molly has well and truly settled in. At the moment the herd are following her every move (But she doesn't yet know Mini is actually in charge......Mini is biding her time).  Its nice to see them settled. Molly has become more relaxed each day.  To start with I was feeding her, as she is a little underweight, but after wolfing her grub for two days, on day 3 she wasn't interested.  They have plenty of grass and ad-lib hay, so she has realised she is not starving.  Because there is plenty to eat, she has chilled out no end. To start with her droppings were dry and 'stressed', but now they are dark and shiny like everyone elses.  When she arrived she was tucked up, (a sign of stress). At last today her belly has 'dropped'. She is part of the herd now, they are all grazing side by side. 

Molly has had some very welcome visitors from the RDA.  Clare, who used to ride her, and Ty.  Moll was happy to see some old faces, as were we. When we get the others back home Clare and Ty will be able to hack out on Moll and Daisy, while Jo and I concentrate on Charlie and Lil. Happy days ahead!!

Halloween Pony Party, Hello Molly and Biggies Off On Holibobs.

Well its been a busy old week....
On Monday we had a Halloween Pony Party. We all had huge fun as usual. We decorated the 'school' with webs and spiders.  Split into two groups, one went off to have a lesson and then a hunt round the 4 acre for Halloween Items (homemade) and pumpkins filled with sweets, while the others poo picked (Oh yes we know how to work them!!!). Swap over for round two, then it was lunch.

After Lunch It was Dress up time, and glitter a pony!  Lil had her first Glitter session and was a lamb.  So much so we popped little 5 year old Nancy up for a quick sit on her with no drama.

We had apple bobbing........

Then it was Gymkhana Games.......

It was a long but fun day......

Today was all change with the herd..............and another long day. With the help of Ed Daniell from Mike Daniell & Son Carriage Driving, who I worked for back in the day.
First up, going back to my most recent time at Woodbridge RDA , when we were still at Sutton, we borrowed Molly from my old friend Rachel Kearney.  Since the move to Clopton, I was unable to commit to teaching due to the dicky ticker and East Suffolk Ponies. In the last month or so Molly has become 'sour' to RDA. It happens sometimes. So as I promised Rachel I would look after her, today we went and picked her up in Eds Lorry. And the fact I fell in love with her way back. 

After dropping her at Snape, turning her out with the Mini herd,making sure they were all settled, we then loaded up the Big herd. The big herd, Lulu, Daisy and Charlie, were off to our landlords home (Lets hope they don't escape and trash his lawn!!),to graze off 3 acres of lush grass.

They were all amazing.  They all loaded straight off and travelled really well. I travelled in the lorry with Ed and was mesmerised with the camera feed from the horse area....so much so that I was able to ignore Boris The Spider, that was in the cab with us!!!!!  Arriving at the paddocks, we had a long walk down a narrow drive which was too small for the lorry. They were all so calm, and so happy with the grass that they even ignored the Mule next door.

I must also say thanks to Viv, who gave up her whole day to help us, as we had to put up electric fencing, and move a load of stuff to and fro!  Much gratitude!!
Long day but a bunch of happy ponies. 

Then it was back to the yard to check on the Mini herd. All grazing, all laid back, all looking happy.
When the biggies move back Molly will go out with them (being quite Big an all), but for now she needs to relax and our Mini herd are so laid back and friendly they are nearly horizontal!! 

Moll a bit sweaty from the journey, but laid back.

Lulu happy at her Holiday Home

Charlie just doesn't care where he is as long as he has mares and something to eat!!

Mini The Herd Leader..........Its All Cool With Me...Now Time For a Snooze

So once again a massive shout out to Ed Daniell and Vivien Sadler....And thanks also to Liz Lickert from Woodbridge Rda.  A smooth move all round xx

Charlies Hormones!!!

We all know what happened with Dora when Charlie attacked her, but we put that down to the fact we put her in his field, and she threw herself at him.

What happened last week was way more disturbing! Jo and I brought Charlie and Lil in together to work them. While Jo introduced Lil to a bridle (no drama) and led her around the round pen, I worked with Charlie outside, fitting a new hunting breastplate and hauling myself up. Again no drama. 

Afterwards I let Charlie loose while Jo held Lil and went to get them some carrots. Again no drama. We led them back to the Hill Field, which is divided into 2 paddocks (biggies and minis).  We got through the main gate, all calm, and both stopped to shut the gate.  Charlie was on a loose rope, and started sniffing Lil. No sooner had I said "Ahh do you like Lil?", he attacked!! It was like he smelt something and saw red. He leapt forward, kicking me in the process and pulled the loose rope through my hands, landing on Lils withers with his teeth. Jo had no choice but to let go as Charlie was mad and lunged into her. 

A crazy chase followed. Lil gave as good as she got, backlashing with both hinds. What seemed like months later, but in reality was only a minute or two, we had managed to drive Charlie on, whilst catching Lil.  I went to catch Charlie, who stood like butter wouldn't melt as I yelled at him.  Next thing he was trying to nuzzle me.

Bizarre behaviour from a pony that is 99% of the time a really sweet loving gelding. What got me the most was that I was leading him.  I really thought we that sorted.....I lead, he follows.  He's a dope on a rope...... And yet clearly his hormones sometimes get the better of him, and like a terrier after a rat he goes into a red mist.

Having gone home and spent the afternoon on horse forums, I doubt he is a true rig.  My last pony, Paddy, was a true rig, having been cut in a slightly barbaric manner, on the hills of the Northumbrian fells. After he had mounted several mares, I had a blood test done, and found he still had lots of testosterone. The vet thought he probably still had a stem intact, but as he was fine to ride, I left it at that. The mares he mounted were happy, and the only times he was a shit was at shows, where I used a stallion chain.

Charlie was cut properly by a vet and has definite scars so I doubt there is anything left behind. However he was cut as a 3 year old which is apparently late!  Some stallions can be cut really late and still be gentlemen, where others it seems retain a slight stallion demeanour! He has always been 'colty', throwing the odd tantrum if he doesn't want to do anything. He has the build of a stallion now he has grown up. And so I have worked very slowly with him, building up a partnership. Which is why I was very upset that he would behave that way while i was leading him. 

So from now on we will use more caution. He is fine with Lu and Daisy, who mother, mither and keep him in place. With the little mares we will not put temptation in his way. I am also feeding him with Chasteberry which is good to calm hormones.

This week I have been playing games with him. Letting him run loose and jump, and holding my hat. I will have a blood test done next time the vet is here, but basically he will be considered hormonal and stallion like from here on in!

Everyone Loves Lil, Minis Colic and Charlies Progress

So everyone loves Lil.  She seems to have had a great influence on the Mini herd. Dora, having no-one to bully seems to be calmer. They all seem to do their own thing, but Lil is definitely the one that moves the herd...very sweetly. So far she has taken everything in her stride, not phased by fly-spray, being caught, led about, tail-washing, or being led in a lesson. Rob who brings his daughter Nancy to ride (and has an allergy to horses and a morbid fear of Mini), is completely besotted and thinks she is the most stunning horse he has ever seen. He is ignoring his allergy and the very scary Mini, to spend time with Lil.

The best thing for Jo and I is that at long long last Polly has a best friend. Lil and Polly have been grooming each other......something we have always longed for.

And even little Dora loves Lil...........

Speaking of the scary Mini....Poor little thing had a bout of gassy colic the other night.  They say everything happens for a reason.  The night before, I had been at a long and crazy party, and was unable to appear until late afternoon!!! What a good thing!! Mark the Mechanic and part-time Horse Whisperer and I went over late afternoon to put the hay out.  As we drove up the drive, I could see Mini lying flat out away from the others and my colic radar went into overdrive. It pays to know your ponies, as a lot lay flat out.....but not Mini, she always lays like a dog. I left Mark delivering hay and went to check on her.....Fast breathing, rather warm and a bloaty tummy.  Plus not getting up for the hay. Yup 100% colic....although the nearby droppings suggested it wasn't an impaction.  I called Jo, who called the vet, and sat down to wait with Mini, while Mark went for Chips. Mini, very glad I was with her, gave a groan and lay her neck across my legs, while i cradled her head.  Got a telling off from the Vet for that....she had a student with her, and had to point out health and safety regarding sitting with a colicky pony on your lap!!  Anyway vet agreed it was gas colic, and 15 minutes after a shot of Buscopan and Bute, Mini was on her feet with Jo and I trying to keep her moving to 'fart it out'. 

Once Mark came back with fish and chips we all retired to the tack-room (Mini included).  The pony showed no interest in a warm bran mash with fresh mint, but picked everything up off the table, tried to eat my fish, and then set about up-ending all the supplements!!  By the time it was dark, we were satisfied it was safe to leave her. Not in the tack room obviously!!

On a serious note.....Don't mess about with colic...even just gassy colic. Call the Vet! Buscopan relaxes the gut, Bute kills the pain. If its impaction a tubing will be needed.  In my time at various yards I have seen horses die of colic. Remember they cannot be sick or burp.

So Charlie has made huge progress this year.  Having spent months on clicker training, he will stand wherever I put him, no matter where I go. We started with a cone to 'target', but now just saying 'stand' works. He's still a little unsure if I get on a mounting block, but we are working on that.  I have been working on putting my foot in the stirrup (from the ground) for the last couple of weeks.  If he moved I hopped about, only rewarding him, with a click, a treat and removing the foot, once he stood still.  Having outgrown the little saddle, I have finally got him another saddle which doesn't slip, and he will now allow me to not only put my foot in the stirrup, but pull myself up to lean over him, without batting an eyelid. Time to swing that leg over!!  This may seem like the longest time ever to break a pony, but working at snails speed is paying off. With my dodgy lungs and dicky ticker I can't afford numerous falls, or a battle. This way we have an amazing relationship, and at last he feels ready.