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
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.
