Let me clarify that title....I DO NOT mean hard feed. In my humble opinion horses only need hard feed if they are being worked hard. Hard meaning hunting, eventing, racing, pulling a coal wagon!! Or if they are elderly and struggle to keep the weight on. Otherwise grass and enough hay works a treat for most leisure horses. We use mineral blocks, which they all have a lick of when they need. Our two EMS girls have a handful of chaff with Turmeric, Oil, Garlic, Chasteberry and a few other goodies, just to treat their condition. I also like to give a small feed after they have been worked, as a reward. Sometimes its just a handful of carrots, or Chaff, Vitamins and Carrots!! Mostly carrots!!
We also believe 100% in the horses living out in herds 24/7. This is their natural environment. Horses are prey animals, and in the wild they live in large herds for safety, with an Alpha Mare, who makes the decisions and a Stallion for protection. At the first sign of trouble they leg it. In this environment, they are able to act out on their natural instincts, and they are able to form their own hierarchy and feel calm and relaxed. It also helps the oldies if they are able to move around and not get stiff.
And so 3 weeks down the line Molly is a changed horse. She has totally relaxed with her little herd. They have 3 acres to run around in and seem to be finding enough grass to keep them happy. A minor miracle after that Summer, when all the grass burnt off. We thought it would never recover! On top of that we give them more than enough hay. More than enough means there is hay left in the morning. With the knowledge the hay is not going to run out, Molly has totally relaxed and is happy to share the Hay Feeder with the others. We also put out a few nets, low down in the trees and a little on the ground so everyone can find a peaceful space to munch in.
On Sunday Ellie came up with most of her children and some others to boot. Molly was extremely interested in what was going on and un-phased with the twins (who are not quite 2 years old) hugging her legs. Lil was happy to be sat on, while Mini took exception to a twin lying on her back kicking his little wellington booted feet on her backside, and started to buck. Luckily she is well behaved when actually tacked up. Guess she feels apart from that her time is her own. Mini has very strong opinions on what she is expected to do!
Meanwhile over at Holiday Heaven, the other 3 have taken the meaning roughed off to the extreme. Covered in mud they now actually look like pigs in shit! They really wouldn't care if they never saw us again....apart from moving the fence back so they can continue to stuff their faces!
Huge thanks to Clare, Ty, Shaneece, and Meg for helping out xx
We all know what happened with Dora when Charlie attacked her, but we put that down to the fact we put her in his field, and she threw herself at him.
What happened last week was way more disturbing! Jo and I brought Charlie and Lil in together to work them. While Jo introduced Lil to a bridle (no drama) and led her around the round pen, I worked with Charlie outside, fitting a new hunting breastplate and hauling myself up. Again no drama.
Afterwards I let Charlie loose while Jo held Lil and went to get them some carrots. Again no drama. We led them back to the Hill Field, which is divided into 2 paddocks (biggies and minis). We got through the main gate, all calm, and both stopped to shut the gate. Charlie was on a loose rope, and started sniffing Lil. No sooner had I said "Ahh do you like Lil?", he attacked!! It was like he smelt something and saw red. He leapt forward, kicking me in the process and pulled the loose rope through my hands, landing on Lils withers with his teeth. Jo had no choice but to let go as Charlie was mad and lunged into her.
A crazy chase followed. Lil gave as good as she got, backlashing with both hinds. What seemed like months later, but in reality was only a minute or two, we had managed to drive Charlie on, whilst catching Lil. I went to catch Charlie, who stood like butter wouldn't melt as I yelled at him. Next thing he was trying to nuzzle me.
Bizarre behaviour from a pony that is 99% of the time a really sweet loving gelding. What got me the most was that I was leading him. I really thought we that sorted.....I lead, he follows. He's a dope on a rope...... And yet clearly his hormones sometimes get the better of him, and like a terrier after a rat he goes into a red mist.
Having gone home and spent the afternoon on horse forums, I doubt he is a true rig. My last pony, Paddy, was a true rig, having been cut in a slightly barbaric manner, on the hills of the Northumbrian fells. After he had mounted several mares, I had a blood test done, and found he still had lots of testosterone. The vet thought he probably still had a stem intact, but as he was fine to ride, I left it at that. The mares he mounted were happy, and the only times he was a shit was at shows, where I used a stallion chain.
Charlie was cut properly by a vet and has definite scars so I doubt there is anything left behind. However he was cut as a 3 year old which is apparently late! Some stallions can be cut really late and still be gentlemen, where others it seems retain a slight stallion demeanour! He has always been 'colty', throwing the odd tantrum if he doesn't want to do anything. He has the build of a stallion now he has grown up. And so I have worked very slowly with him, building up a partnership. Which is why I was very upset that he would behave that way while i was leading him.
So from now on we will use more caution. He is fine with Lu and Daisy, who mother, mither and keep him in place. With the little mares we will not put temptation in his way. I am also feeding him with Chasteberry which is good to calm hormones.
This week I have been playing games with him. Letting him run loose and jump, and holding my hat. I will have a blood test done next time the vet is here, but basically he will be considered hormonal and stallion like from here on in!
So basically Charlie is so laid back I always thought he should be called Dylan. He wanders about looking stoned most of the time. His mares henpeck him. He nonchalantly moves when they ask (glare at him). Occasionally when I am working him he has a colty tantrum, when he thinks he's had enough.....but generally he is a sweetie.
This morning first thing he was nuzzling me, lifting his nose for me to blow in his nostrils, blowing back and licking and nuzzling my face. So we never thought he would be a problem when we let Dora in to his field. They all know each other. If anything we thought Lu might object a bit, but after establishing she was boss, they would all settle down.
Thats how it started. They all had a little run, then settled to eating. Dora was flirting with Charlie. While he was grazing, she was backing up to him, squirting and squeaking. Eventually they started a game of 'Chase Me'. Charlie obliged, Dora squealed and bucked when he got too close......Just a flirt. I thought they would end up loved up.
Oh how wrong I was. Charlie just flipped. Suddenly he was chasing her with intent. Trying to grab her neck and put her to the ground. I was screaming at him to stop, still thinking they would sort it....
Then Lu bustled over....Not to break it up, but to help Charlie. Lu grabbed Dora,s back while Charlie had her neck in his mouth, on his knees trying to force her to the ground. When I heard a deep roar (like lots of traffic in a tunnel), I knew we were in trouble. Jo and I both ran towards them, screaming like banshees. Thankfully Charlie and Lu let go and Dora ran for the gate. Running to her I assessed her bites....then saw Charlie creeping up like a panther. That was it. I opened the gate, not really caring where Dora went, as long as she escaped.
Luckily Dora has only grazes. As she was neighing we returned Polly and the Shetlands to her, thinking she needed some girl time. Alas it seems she likes a bit of rough, and still continued to whicker and squeal towards Charlie.
I think Jo and I were way more traumatised!!!! We had to have a bit of rescue remedy. Having edited the pictures down, I actually feel sick! But here it is....Graphic Pictures!
