Easter Party And You Are Never Too Old to Learn

Finally the weather perked up and we had our Easter Party.  (More eggs were boiled!)  Sadly some children had already gone back to school, but it may have actually been calmer with less girls!!

Eli brought over her elderly but amazing Twix, and a new loan pony called Abby, who is a tall and very stunning Welsh Sec B.  I have to confess, she looked way too tall and leggy to me, for a Sec B, but she has a passport and we measured her.  She was just under 13.2hh.  We also measured Lily the other day, who came up at 12.3hh. As Daisy and Lu who are both only 14.2hh seem quite big to me, I can only conclude that I am shrinking with age!! 

So we had a great day. The girls had a short hack, followed by a lesson. Then they learnt to lunge, rugging, and points of the pony before lunch.

After lunch we had 'Field Maintenance,  Ok.... Poo Picking!  It has to done blah blah.  Its all part of owning a pony. The girls seemed happy!!!

Better than being indoors on The Play Station huh?  When I was a child (after I had finished my breakfast of road gravel, and polished the road with my tongue) I was taught to always look after my animals first! No matter how wet, cold, tired I was, make sure the dogs/cats/ponies/goldfish were seen to first!

After all that hard work we had gymkhana games. Always a laugh. Its the one thing that makes me sad about being an (aging) adult....No more Gymkhana games. And Bills, Wrinkles, and a stiff non bouncy body.....But mostly not being able to do Gymkhana.
The eggs got battered, everyone had fun. Gymkana has a purpose!  The kids are so busy trying to win, they forget fear, or to hold on with their hands etc. Its a great way of installing confidence.

And so to more serious stuff.. Charlie.  If you have been following, you will know Charlie has been special.  My normal attitude with horses throughout my life has been Gung-Ho to say the least. Get on, hope for the best, don't fall off.  Its half wild? Never mild, just ride it. take it to the shops, jump it, hunt it.....Its nervous?  What the hell, take it on a 120mile ride.  Two young just cut geldings? Pony them around the village on a mare. It bucks, rears, bolts? Sit it out and laugh. But with my dodgy lungs etc, and Charlies history (ie being taken off his mother and on his way to become a Tesco meal), not to mention his half sighted eye and riggy tendencies i have tried to slow up. 

Having tried to back Charlie as a 3 year old, and learning that flying lessons hurt at my age with my dodgy lungs and dicky ticker, i backed off. I have spent the last 3 years gaining his trust.  I have now sat on him, and rode him briefly in the School.  But, despite our good relationship, the basic building blocks are missing.....and this time round, I need a pony that will die for me. I need and want a two way relationship.

And so, I called in Bridget Colston for help.  Bridget books horses for Monty Roberts, and is fully trained in Intelligent Horsemanship.  We can all read the books and watch videos. But as I have said before, Horsemanship can't be taught, it is in you... or not. I watched a Monty Roberts demo in my twenties, and have studied horse language ever since. I think i have a pretty good handle on how horses think and can read most horses.  But, with your own you can sometimes get lost. Not read all the signs.  

And so I got Bridget in to help with the missing bits..... Yes Charlie will lunge, and long rein....but only if I get after him.  If he doesn't want to do something, he will get bolshy.  Is he just being naughty?  Or is he scared?  I am too close to see the answer. Bridget heard him immediately. Yes he is worried. She slowed things right down.  Today I feel humbled.  You are never too old to learn! And so, with a few more tools, Charlie and I will start again, and get it right before we move on.  

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

Pony Party, Hole In Hoof and Exciting News

First up we had an End Of Holidays Pony Party on 28th August.  It was a little quieter, and a lot cooler than the last one!!!  Same sort of format as before.....Minus the cooling off under the sprinkler!  A friend of mine (Shona) turned up unexpectedly, with her son Ben, unaware of what she was walking into. Ben was more than happy to join in.
After grooming and tacking up, everyone went out for a hack, followed by a lesson.  Then it was Poo Picking time, and tractor driving. Its amazing how quick this daily job is using child labour ha ha.  After lunch we had Gymkhana games, followed by Sparkle Up a Pony.

Next day we took Polly a feed with half a Bute in, as she had been very enthusiastic during the Games.  She didn't seem as if she needed it, as she cavorted around the Paddock bucking.  Dora meanwhile looked as if she had measles.......

Meanwhile Lu looked unlevel.  Being a tough old bird, it could have been anything.  After a good foot scrub we found a hole in her foot, so called the Farrier.  After a poke around he found the hole was quite deep.  We had been poulticing it for several days until there was no gunk.  On the Farriers advice we have plugged the hole with cotton wool soaked in Stockholm Tar (which was fairly hard to find being quite an old fashioned remedy). Lu is such a good pony, she was quite happy to stand in a bucket of Iodine water. Top Tip......If your Horse is lame call the Farrier first!

Charlie is nearly ready to be ridden again.  I have been working on getting him to stand at the mounting block without moving since January, using Clicker Training. In the last two weeks I have been leaning over him and getting a leg over (Phnarff Phnaff). Today Sammi (who he is very taken with) leant over him, followed by Eli (who couldn't resist), who sat on him. No drama at all. We are nearly there.

WHW have approved our application for LIv/Lil so we are picking her up on Friday.  Very exciting!!! Watch this space for her arrival.

A Wedding, A Tantrum and WHW

So last Saturday the ponies were invited to a wedding! Some way of amusing the kids for a bit.  They loved it. We were stormed by very well dressed children, who ended up covered in glitter.
We  took Mini and Dora. It was the first time Dora had been out on a Pony Party, but she was a star. She loved all the attention and stood like a dream.  She was very popular and looked stunning as a unicorn with a pink and purple mane.

Sunday we returned to real life. While Chanice groomed Daisy ready for a lesson,  Jo took Lu to the tack room for a trim.  Meanwhile I took Charlie into the school fully tacked up for a mounting  session.   But he couldn't concentrate without knowing where Lu was. So I took the reins off and let him loose to buck it out. Once he was settled he was a good boy.  We are nearly there.  He surprised me Wednesday.   It was hot, so while filling the water tubs I sprayed him and Lu. He normally wanders off but Wednesday he turned his backside to me and backed up towards me so I could thoroughly soak him.  Finally at the end of summer he has realised its nice to be hosed down! He even came back for a second hosing.

We have even had time to ride this week. We took Daisy and Lu up through the village to the Burger Van.  They were both very good. ....despite having a huge lorry pass us on the hill. Daisy had a moment where she thought about bolting,  but listened to me and kept fairly calm.

Thursday saw Jo and I heading to Norfolk once again to WHW (World Horse Welfare ), to look at a pony to rehome.  Last time I went there it was the ILPH and was at a different yard.  I have to say, I was really impressed. The yard was immaculate. There is a visitor centre that's open weekends, with a lovely cafe overlooking an indoor school.  Most of the ponies were turned out, but there is also a big barn type stable block with a few in.  There are lovely small/ all weather arenas for laminitics. The staff were really friendly. The whole place is like some sort of heaven for the ponies they rescue. Apparently they currently have around 130 ponies.  A Lot are young gypsy cobs.....
I would  seriously recommend going for a visit. ....especially if you are looking to rehome a pony. It's a never ending job for them. Until the laws are changed, it will continue to be a never-ending job so please if you are looking for a pony try them first.  They do an amazing job.

Anyway the mare we went to see has proven a little uneven and in need of more physio, so we were shown 2 other similar mares. We saw them in the paddocks where we were greeted by other friendly happy ponies.  Both mares we looked at had been part of a big rescue from Wales where a big herd had been abandoned on waste ground.  Both black and white gypsy cobs.  One was 3 years old,  with good  markings and looks as if she will grow into a bruiser. She was also very friendly.   The other was a 4 year old called Liv.  She was slightly  nervous  of 3 people coming at her, but she stole our hearts.  So that's the one we chose.  Now we have to have an inspection which shouldn't be a problem  and once shes ok to travel we can welcome another rescue girl to our herd.  Watch this space.

It Finally Rained And The Search

So it finally rained in August!!  June and July were completely dry. Not a drop of wet stuff. Our grass became standing hay.  The ground was like concrete. The temperatures hit 32c . We almost became used to it. Almost..... We finally said those words "Its Too Hot" which we vowed not to utter in the extremes of the worst winter we have seen for 10 years. Truth is we don't do extremes in England.  A baking hot summer has been as trying as a freezing snowy winter.

So we haven't ridden. We have spent the heatwave working in the heat to keep the horses cool, fly free and fed (we have even had to feed hay!!) Its amazing how extreme heat saps you, as does extreme cold. The Ponies look amazing and have coped as well as they did in the snow. They were getting used to being hosed down. Lu even stood under a sprinkler.  And Charlie positively loves fly spray now, coming over to get it (and trying to eat it).

But at last we had blissful rain.....Oh how we loved getting soaked. Another short heatwave followed the rain, but the last week or so we have had a few cooler rainy days. The ground is softer, and greening up.  Theres hope yet.

Over the last couple of days we have moved the ponies to the Winter Grazing. Yes its very early, but we are hoping for September revival!!  We still have four acres of standing hay (which is getting greener).  Piggy has gone home as Mini seems to be recovered from the shock of losing her best friend and Piggy is prone to laminitus.  We loved having him.  Mega thanks to Sarah who owns him. 

So the search is on for another mothers dream on loan.  We decided against another Shetland, as Mini is actually doing a sterling job with the little kids.  Who knew??? After 15 years of being sweet on the ground, but unrideable she has finally grown up. With her buddy Sweet Pea she has always been L'Enfant Terrible.  But now she seems to accept she has to take up responsibility and its time to grow up, buy a semi, and play squash with Gerald on a Friday Night!

So we have decided to find another Polly instead.  Polly is actually enjoying her teaching and is full of life, but she is 26/7 so may want to share the burden. To this end we drove to Kings Lynn yesterday to look at a Dartmoor Hill Pony. Very sweet pony but only 6 and sadly already ruined by a child!!  Yes shocking, but this 12/13 year old girl was so rough with her, the pony was totally freaked out by having her bridle on. And wasn't good with the farrier, and didn't travel. And they had had her since a yearling. With the right handling this pony would have been perfect, but unfortunately the child had wreaked her.  The mum was lovely and kept telling her child to be gentle.  Too nice.  If it had been my child, it would have been banned from riding until it quietened down. Sorry Mum if you are reading this.....But you know your child is a brat.......Sort her out. Hopefully this sweet pony will find a home with children that love her.

Although we are set up to sort out problem ponies, in fact I relish it, what we are actually looking for ourselves is a mothers dream.  Good with children is essential, quiet, been there done it.  We have to have a mare because of Charlie. Must live out 24/7 although in my experience ponies thrive out 24/7 as its natural. We need a 12.2hh to 13hh for the older kids, preferably stocky so I can ride it out. The pony will have a 5 star home, in a natural herd, but in return must be willing to teach youngsters and put up with petting, grooming and glittering.

Thanks please share .

Ps.... I would love another Fell Pony although it would have to be a smaller one.

Fell pony (my Paddy)

Polly.. A Mothers Dream

Pony Day and Tarpaulin at Burnt Grass Ranch

Its been quite a week........

Poor little Mini has been missing her friend Sweet Pea badly...as are we. So we have borrowed a Shetland friend for her.  Piggy, a little boy who is even smaller than Mini.  He is besotted by her.  Not sure she feels the same, but it has perked her up anyway. I think she may be feeling irritation rather than sadness at the moment, as he follows her about constantly. Not to mention Dora who has decided Mini was HER bff and is constantly trying to come between them. Polly is ignoring everybody.

And so on Tuesday we had a Pony Day...with 10 girls and errr 1 boy.  The boy most definitely did NOT want to be there, but had no choice as his mum Eli was teaching.  He spent a fair bit of time in the tack-room on his I-Pod ....Sensible boy!! The temperature naturally was about 28c (Nothing natural about that for England, but after 2 months of hot dry weather it has become the norm).

Elis' daughters (Grace and Georgie) rode their ponies (Twix and Sammie) over to help out. Jo bought the entire glitter supply for Europe, spare crisps and squash, and by 9.30am we were ready for the arrival of clients at 10.30am. We even made a make shift toilet in a stable with tyres and paper!!

Upon arrival, the girls had the safety talk, and learned where to go in the event of a fire. Then it was catch in, groom and tack up time.  The girls were split into two groups......Group A having a lesson, while Group B helped with poo picking, including a ride in the trailer, then we swapped.

Lunchtime saw the girls turning out the ponies for a welcome rest, and drink, before we all returned to the relative shade of the tack-room for a picnic lunch and a super-fun session running, cartwheeling and jumping through the sprinkler until everyone was thoroughly wet. When I say cartwheeling...that didn't apply to the adults!!! 

Then it was off to get Polly and Mini back in for Glittering. Freddie the only boy, having enjoyed the sprinkler, (and having his character on his game killed off), joined in and found he was actually having fun!!  The ponies being suitably decorated were then used for gymkhana games (in walk and trot only as the ground is so hard).  We used Sammie and Polly for Gymkhana, while Mini was de-glittered.  Sammie and Polly are both old hands and you could see them raring to go as were some of the riders.....but we kept it calm!

Very quickly 3pm came around and parents appeared to pick up children. Those that were left helped me bath and turn out Polly. (I don't mean they were left indefinitely!!)  We all had a really fun, if hot, day.  There were NO TEARS which has to be good. Only squeals and laughter.  We are already planning the next one......Maybe on a cooler day!!

And as the heat wave continues and gets hotter Mark The Mechanic (and part-time horse whisperer) and Jo spent yesterday creating shade for the small ponies with the lorry and some tarpaulin.  The bigger ponies had their field extended to include the shady dip. Were they grateful??? Were they ****.

This morning saw them all out of their paddocks, having trashed the minis paddock!!  Luckily the paddocks are enclosed in the 3 Acre Field which is surrounded by stock fencing and thick hedges of trees and gated and padlocked.  And so Jo and I spent all morning repairing the damage. Thankfully Charlie didn't take the lorry to pieces, which is a miracle as he loves vehicles!!!