Phew its been HOT. Too hot to ride. Not complaining (much) but this is a bit like winter. We are in Survival Mode. By the time we have finished the chores, its time to hide from the heat.
This doesn't quite mean contact/bonding has stopped. I am actually having a major break-through with Charlie......This is because of his pink nose and the searing heat. It has become imperative to sunblock him daily. So I have been taking a tiny feed or carrots up to him daily. This means catching is no longer a problem.....He's starting to drop his nose into the head-collar. He has a minor protest about the sunblock... A very small rear or two, but its getting on and stopping him having a crispy nose. Oddly enough he is fine with fly cream on his face and sheath.....and talking of sheaths, he is really happy for me to clean his. Odd Pony!!!
Our grass is now standing hay...and burning off, so we move the fence back without fear of laminitus. It is vitality important to keep the water clean, fresh and topped up. And to fly spray everyone. Including ourselves!
Last week I got bitten by a larger than normal horse-fly on my jelly belly. This week its swollen and spread, and has lovely blisters. Doc says its called Cellulitis.....I thought that was only on my thighs! So antibiotics and slight apathy from me to do more than strictly necessary.
We thought we might use the time to clean all the rugs with the pressure washer.......but inevitably its broken after one rug!!
Oh Charlie and I have fell out......over sunblock. On Wednesday it was hot...New hot....that sort that burns unexpectedly. The one which makes sane adults look like cooked lobsters. I tried to put sunblock on his nose without a head collar. Stupid mistake. He clearly didn't like the smell......He trotted off, with his lip curled back, which made me laugh. Until I tried to catch him with the head-collar. No go. I had Thursday off. So today I had double punishment. Having caught up the other two first to give their hooves a good slosh of Kevin Bacon, I went to get Charlie.......Not a chance.
An hour later, of constant stalking him, we were both dripping with sweat. There's almost no chance of doing the join-up method in 3 acres. I had chucked the headcollar away by this point. Finally, by sitting on the ground, and feeding handfuls of fresh grass to the mares, did he dare approach me. At this point that was all I wanted. Him to approach me. I know in my head, its a baby thing....A protest, a few steps back, no biggie.....but in my heart it hurt. The boy that lets me sit with him while he is laying down to suddenly react like i have an electric prodder....Oh well, tomorrow is another day.
Jasmine on the other hand made me feel a bit better by sticking her head under my armpit and nibbling me. We have had a lot of mutual grooming sessions lately. If I kneel down and scratch her belly, she grooms my back. And she loves having her back raked with the poo-picker....
