Whoa! We're Halfway There, Blackthorn Blossom and Over-Rugging.

 Wow this year is moving fast....or is it my age?  We are over halfway through the Top Barn Winter Challenge.  In fact we are just finishing Week 7. We have had no rollover or Holiday weeks, so I'm aiming to finish with Charlie on Week 10, and maybe even Daisy if I can bank some more time with her.  Both are working on Agility.  Charlie got 2 x 2nd places last month and Daisy was un-placed in our attempt at Equigility.  In fact we were last with a poor score of 90/100.  But, trying to teach a 24 year old that is used to trying to lean on the bit and pulling, to respond on a loose rein off a headcollar is certainly a work in progress!!

Spring is still springing. Although it's rained a lot, the temperatures have gone up. The wind is still cold, but you can't stop Mother Nature. The bloody Ragwort has started to pop its ugly heads up.  But the snowdrops are well and truly out, along with some daffodils. And the Blackthorn trees are starting to blossom. Hello Hayfever season!  

And this brings me on to the subject of over-rugging.  As you all know our herd of Natives live out 24/7 naked and as fluffy as they should be naturally.  With the nights getting lighter, they are shedding their winter coats.  All as nature intended. They have not been cold this Winter (wet yes).  We don't have to rush around taking rugs on and off the minute a cloud comes over.  They are shiny and muddy and healthy. It's been 13c. Horses are comfortable at much lower temperatures.  They survived the Ice Age.  Their coats are designed to stand up and trap the heat in.  The act of eating roughage causes an internal heating system.  Over-rugging a horse not only messes up its coat, but causes untold metabolic issues, leaving the horse unable to regulate its body temperature. 

So one of the Shetlands has grown a really really really thick coat. She looks like a cross between a lion and a siberian hamster.  Poor thing was getting sweaty in 13c, so I have given her a beard, neck and belly clip. It was a real test for my Liveryman Harmony Plus Clippers, as they really only look like trimmers, and are as quiet.  But as they have worked really well on Charlies thick feathers, I gave it a try.  I am so impressed with them!  Although I think the blades may need a sharpen now!

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A False Spring, Tricks Galore, and The Top Barn Challenge is Galloping By

 OMG Its February already!!!! Where did that long long month of January go? And whats with the English spelling of these early months (all this uary endings is stressing my spell check)?  So after a nasty January weatherwise, I'm now being lulled by this false spring and thinking of removing some layers.  Its been a calm, mostly sunny few days with the temperatures hitting double figures in the East. The nights are pulling out, the birds are singing and the snowdrops are out.  In fact on Tuesday I was so lulled by this False Spring that I did indeed shed some layers. Oh what a mistake.  The wind was bitter and out in the fields on the tractor I froze. Must remember that some of our worst snow-outs have been in February/March! But still, Spring is coming.......

I know a lot of people doing the Top Barn Challenge are having much worse weather than us, so Charlie and I are setting Charlies Challenges every week for a bit of fun, and ideas for things to do with your horse without moving from the field or stable. A long long time ago I joined Horse Tricks Club (find it on Facebook). We learned a lot of tricks, and so most of Charlies Challenges are trick related.  We have been going over some old tricks and its amazing that he remembers them all.  I have been working on a Maths Trick with him, but I'm not showing it here, because it will be a Charlies Challenge (Spoiler Alert).  I have to say I am crap at Maths and my OH (Mark the Mechanic and Part Time Horse Whisperer) laughed his head off when I said I had been teaching Charlie Maths! Next up Card Tricks!!

And as fast as the month has galloped by, so is The Top Barn Winter Challenge. We have already completed a Third of it. You may want to check this fact as I have already admitted my crap maths!  So far me and the ponies have kept up with our hours.  Charlie has banked one and a half hours, done all the Rhi's Randoms and 8 Mini Challenges.  Daisy is bang on target and has completed 7 Mini Challenges. I'm taking it very easy with her, due to her age and the length of time she had been retired. But she is totally enjoying the attention.

Both ponies have managed Agility entries this month. Charlie with his WO Liberty and OLHA and Daisy has tried Equagility!!!!  Having been only a brood mare and a Happy Hacker (being ridden in a Dutch Gag) she has never had any formal schooling and is only just learning Clicker Training.  She pulls like a steam train and isn't the sharpest tool in the box, but she is the sweetest Mare ever.  And we have to start somewhere.  Also she sucks her water!!!!!!

And so as a very special person used to say "Onwards and Upwards" and "To Infinity and Beyond".   Keep it up Top Barners.  And Good Luck to all the Agility entrants for the January Competitions.  

Oh and by the way......I have just entered the shady world of Tik Tok.  Charlie now has an account called er....er...Charlie The Trick Pony???? I think.  I'm doing the Tik Tok on my phone and the Blog on my Laptop, and I'm way too old to share any links.  We also have a YouTube channel (Charlie The Trick Pony) and Instagram (also Charlie The Trick Pony) and a Facebook page (also Charlie The Trick Pony) .  While I am plugging Social Media, I have 2 books available on Kindle. "The Ridgeway Romp" and "Tails From The Rda".  Sorry I can't share any links.......Thats Old Age!  

See you in Spring x