Winter Grazing, Feral Charlie, and Top Barn 2020

First Published 7/11/19

Wow Where has this year gone??  It seems 5 minutes ago since we were barefoot and in shorts.  Now its Waterproof trousers and Winter woolies!! I have looked at the Wood Burner in the Tack Room at least twice recently with the thought of lighting it.

In a matter of weeks, the Ponies have devoured the 'Bowling Green' aka The Future Campsite side of the 4 Acre and have moved onto the rough side. The permanent Winter Grazing. Knee high in standing hay and weeds, which I like to call 'Herbage'.  The Biggies (Charlie, Lu and Daisy) have already bared it enough to stop playing "Spot The Poop".

They had their first Winter hay today. The Mini Herd still have a way to go, despite eating for England. They are all a little fat. Not a bad place to be this time of year.  They all have enough Winter coat and fat to get them through the cold season.  Living in this natural fashion, they will thrive in the Winter months without feeling cold or hungry. Not sure the maids will do do well!!

While Charlie was out on the Hill Field with Lu, he became a little feral again.
Having spent the Summer learning tricks, having me get on him, ride up the drive etc, its now time to work in the Round Pen again. Being part of a trick group, I set out to make a video about static targets (cones), and how the Pony will stand by the cone while he is groomed and tacked up. Charlie had other ideas. See YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVqsTnk2Q-w

So its seems we are back a few steps. Again!  Hey Ho...Watch this space.

The Top Barn Challenge is back!! Charlie and i had a blast last (this) year. The Idea is to accept the challenge to work with your Horse for a certain amount of hours each week in deepest darkest Winter for 12 weeks.  This is designed to motivate during the Dark months. It starts in January 2020. There are Mini Challenges to complete.  There are prizes....but the real prize is self challenge. This year I have entered with both Charlie and Lily (what was I thinking). My personal challenge is to be riding both of them by March.  Jo has entered with Lulu.
Again....Watch this space!!

We also have a challenge this Winter to set up BET. Blossoms Equine Therapy. We aim to provide Equine Therapy for children with Autism and other Learning Difficulties.  While not ready yet, we already have Ellen and Byron, who are helping us. They are both teenagers with High Functioning Autism and we are very grateful for their input.

Byron learning to Long Rein with Daisy

The Boys Are Back In Town...

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.

Lunging As A Workout For The Handler

Take one young under-worked, not quite broken, still coltish pony, Add one aging, unfit owner with 'dodgy lungs and a dicky ticker.' Attempt to lunge. Result? A great workout for said owner!!!
Yes Charlie has gone a bit feral again. As I have started a drug trial for the above mentioned 'dodgy lungs and dicky ticker', and am up and down to Papworth like a whores....ahem, Charlie has been having a (much needed LOL) break.

Time to start working the boy. When I am poo picking etc, he is as friendly as.. Lots of cuddling, nose blowing, affection, scratching etc (from both of us). However, a day being a jump judge at an Eventer Trial recently, has spurred me on to get the boy ridden.  I have to just say here.....The standard of riding at the 80cm was appalling. Riders shouting at their horses, whipping them, cussing them, when 99% of the time the horse stopped because the rider asked them to, or didn't help. Seriously?  Sort yourselves out before you start blaming the horse!!

Anyway......I had serious rider envy.(Not the BAD riders)  I Soo want to jump x country again. It was always my favourite. So with a new determination, I WILL get himself ridden. 

So back to basics.....Step One.  Lunge until he understands....I make the rules up!  He does as I ask. Today was Day One (again).  He bucked, plunged and reared. He came in at me.  His eyes rolled with mischief. I am sure I used more energy hanging on, and keeping him out on a circle than he did. Eventually we had a few nice circles.  Time to stop and feed him.

With his ever thickening winter coat, he was sweated up.  Mild day. Hose down. Oh Yeah?  More rearing, spinning and charging.  Once I had the hose on his sweaty chest and neck, and flanks, and belly, he stopped and seemed to enjoy it.  Result?  One exhausted, aging, unfit owner!!