A Wedding, A Tantrum and WHW

So last Saturday the ponies were invited to a wedding! Some way of amusing the kids for a bit.  They loved it. We were stormed by very well dressed children, who ended up covered in glitter.
We  took Mini and Dora. It was the first time Dora had been out on a Pony Party, but she was a star. She loved all the attention and stood like a dream.  She was very popular and looked stunning as a unicorn with a pink and purple mane.

Sunday we returned to real life. While Chanice groomed Daisy ready for a lesson,  Jo took Lu to the tack room for a trim.  Meanwhile I took Charlie into the school fully tacked up for a mounting  session.   But he couldn't concentrate without knowing where Lu was. So I took the reins off and let him loose to buck it out. Once he was settled he was a good boy.  We are nearly there.  He surprised me Wednesday.   It was hot, so while filling the water tubs I sprayed him and Lu. He normally wanders off but Wednesday he turned his backside to me and backed up towards me so I could thoroughly soak him.  Finally at the end of summer he has realised its nice to be hosed down! He even came back for a second hosing.

We have even had time to ride this week. We took Daisy and Lu up through the village to the Burger Van.  They were both very good. ....despite having a huge lorry pass us on the hill. Daisy had a moment where she thought about bolting,  but listened to me and kept fairly calm.

Thursday saw Jo and I heading to Norfolk once again to WHW (World Horse Welfare ), to look at a pony to rehome.  Last time I went there it was the ILPH and was at a different yard.  I have to say, I was really impressed. The yard was immaculate. There is a visitor centre that's open weekends, with a lovely cafe overlooking an indoor school.  Most of the ponies were turned out, but there is also a big barn type stable block with a few in.  There are lovely small/ all weather arenas for laminitics. The staff were really friendly. The whole place is like some sort of heaven for the ponies they rescue. Apparently they currently have around 130 ponies.  A Lot are young gypsy cobs.....
I would  seriously recommend going for a visit. ....especially if you are looking to rehome a pony. It's a never ending job for them. Until the laws are changed, it will continue to be a never-ending job so please if you are looking for a pony try them first.  They do an amazing job.

Anyway the mare we went to see has proven a little uneven and in need of more physio, so we were shown 2 other similar mares. We saw them in the paddocks where we were greeted by other friendly happy ponies.  Both mares we looked at had been part of a big rescue from Wales where a big herd had been abandoned on waste ground.  Both black and white gypsy cobs.  One was 3 years old,  with good  markings and looks as if she will grow into a bruiser. She was also very friendly.   The other was a 4 year old called Liv.  She was slightly  nervous  of 3 people coming at her, but she stole our hearts.  So that's the one we chose.  Now we have to have an inspection which shouldn't be a problem  and once shes ok to travel we can welcome another rescue girl to our herd.  Watch this space.

It Finally Rained And The Search

So it finally rained in August!!  June and July were completely dry. Not a drop of wet stuff. Our grass became standing hay.  The ground was like concrete. The temperatures hit 32c . We almost became used to it. Almost..... We finally said those words "Its Too Hot" which we vowed not to utter in the extremes of the worst winter we have seen for 10 years. Truth is we don't do extremes in England.  A baking hot summer has been as trying as a freezing snowy winter.

So we haven't ridden. We have spent the heatwave working in the heat to keep the horses cool, fly free and fed (we have even had to feed hay!!) Its amazing how extreme heat saps you, as does extreme cold. The Ponies look amazing and have coped as well as they did in the snow. They were getting used to being hosed down. Lu even stood under a sprinkler.  And Charlie positively loves fly spray now, coming over to get it (and trying to eat it).

But at last we had blissful rain.....Oh how we loved getting soaked. Another short heatwave followed the rain, but the last week or so we have had a few cooler rainy days. The ground is softer, and greening up.  Theres hope yet.

Over the last couple of days we have moved the ponies to the Winter Grazing. Yes its very early, but we are hoping for September revival!!  We still have four acres of standing hay (which is getting greener).  Piggy has gone home as Mini seems to be recovered from the shock of losing her best friend and Piggy is prone to laminitus.  We loved having him.  Mega thanks to Sarah who owns him. 

So the search is on for another mothers dream on loan.  We decided against another Shetland, as Mini is actually doing a sterling job with the little kids.  Who knew??? After 15 years of being sweet on the ground, but unrideable she has finally grown up. With her buddy Sweet Pea she has always been L'Enfant Terrible.  But now she seems to accept she has to take up responsibility and its time to grow up, buy a semi, and play squash with Gerald on a Friday Night!

So we have decided to find another Polly instead.  Polly is actually enjoying her teaching and is full of life, but she is 26/7 so may want to share the burden. To this end we drove to Kings Lynn yesterday to look at a Dartmoor Hill Pony. Very sweet pony but only 6 and sadly already ruined by a child!!  Yes shocking, but this 12/13 year old girl was so rough with her, the pony was totally freaked out by having her bridle on. And wasn't good with the farrier, and didn't travel. And they had had her since a yearling. With the right handling this pony would have been perfect, but unfortunately the child had wreaked her.  The mum was lovely and kept telling her child to be gentle.  Too nice.  If it had been my child, it would have been banned from riding until it quietened down. Sorry Mum if you are reading this.....But you know your child is a brat.......Sort her out. Hopefully this sweet pony will find a home with children that love her.

Although we are set up to sort out problem ponies, in fact I relish it, what we are actually looking for ourselves is a mothers dream.  Good with children is essential, quiet, been there done it.  We have to have a mare because of Charlie. Must live out 24/7 although in my experience ponies thrive out 24/7 as its natural. We need a 12.2hh to 13hh for the older kids, preferably stocky so I can ride it out. The pony will have a 5 star home, in a natural herd, but in return must be willing to teach youngsters and put up with petting, grooming and glittering.

Thanks please share .

Ps.... I would love another Fell Pony although it would have to be a smaller one.

Fell pony (my Paddy)

Polly.. A Mothers Dream