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.