Top Barn Challenge Week 7, More Storms and Breakfast With Charlie

So Jo and Lulu are still in the Top Barn Challenge, and week 7 is now finishing. Jo has used the last week as her rollover week, and so from Monday we buckle down to finishing the last 5 weeks.  This week has been a non-starter.  Jo has had home stuff to tackle, I am still next to useless (Chest Infection gone, but low on energy, breath and ribs still painful), and no sooner had Storm Ciara gone, then Storm Dennis rolled in.

Storm Dennis seems never-ending. He must have a very whippy tail, as the wind has not dropped below 20 mph, generally being around the 30mph mark, and according to my weather app, there is no end in sight. Despite being naked and on top of the only hill in Suffolk, the ponies are doing well. They are all like polar bears! Its at this point Winter seems to drag.  Now the nights are drawing out, and the blossom and daffs are beginning to bloom, I get impatient for the T-shirt days to begin.

Last weekend it was so wet and cold that we brought Mini into the Tack-room so Nancy could dry her off before a quick ride. That child is hardcore!!! Mini amused us by showing how good she is at saying Please!

Speaking of Minis.....We are looking for another Shetland.  Preferably a Standard Mare. Older rather than younger, but unbroken to ride is ok.  Our Mini has spent the best part of her life with Sweet Pea (another Shetland who passed away 18 months ago) and just seems a little lost still.  She would like a friend her size.  We would be happy to do a loan swap with Dora The Explorer, a Welsh Sec A who is wasted with us at the moment.  Dora would make a great 2nd pony, is fully papered and has great paces. She is just not really a lead rein pony.

So as I am still crook, and unable to do anything too strenuous with Charlie Bear, I brought him in for a breakfast date.  I set us up a table and chair, and he had brekkie from the table, while I had my morning coffee. Was a great date.
While this may seem a little strange, you can't beat just bonding with your pony.
As Humans, we are always in a hurry.  We often put pressure on ourselves to hurry hurry hurry, to 'achieve' something.  Every moment with our horses must be spent doing what we feel is important (schooling, jumping etc).  Horses live life at a much slower pace.  They don't get the need to get on and learn something every time they see you.  They don't go back into the field satisfied that they have learnt shoulder-in. If you work your Horse every time you see him, he is not going to look forward to you appearing in the field with a head-collar. If you really want to create a bond with your horse, just spend time together. Hang out with no agenda. Bring him in for a Breakfast Date. Spend time just scratching him. Give him a pamper session. Go for a walk together. 

To learn some tricks check out my YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLYQBYhWqo_WPVdz9MFkCtA/videos?view_as=subscriber

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