The Importance Of Plenty Of Feed! And a Natural Lifestyle.

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

Two Lots, Happy Herds and Old Friends, Plus the Escaping Neighbours!

So its been a week since the shake up and all is well.  Doing two lots, means a lot of driving, but it also means lunch at Valley Farm Equestrian Centre at Wickham Market, Suffolk. The only place you can get a decent home-cooked lunch while watching a lesson, and looking at llamas and a camel!

Its hard work having the herd split, and sometimes we are pushed for time. But the three on holiday are as happy as pigs in shit. We are lucky if we get a wicker. Its like "Hello, nice to see you but can't stop! Grass to eat". Next door there is a mule, and a couple of ponies.

Totally unhandled, Jo and i have been fascinated with them and have been making friends. On Tuesday, we noticed the mule had escaped, and was frolicking on 30 Acres of Sugar Beet Crop next to their field.  We think it belongs to their owner.  We phoned the vet and asked them to let the owner know. On Wednesday, the Mule had been joined by her field mates and they all looked like they were having the best time. Today our landlord told us people had been trying to round up the escapees with sheepdogs.  By the time we arrived all was quiet.....but the intrepid trio were still loose.  Hope our herd don't decide to join in!!

Meanwhile back at the Ranch, Molly has well and truly settled in. At the moment the herd are following her every move (But she doesn't yet know Mini is actually in charge......Mini is biding her time).  Its nice to see them settled. Molly has become more relaxed each day.  To start with I was feeding her, as she is a little underweight, but after wolfing her grub for two days, on day 3 she wasn't interested.  They have plenty of grass and ad-lib hay, so she has realised she is not starving.  Because there is plenty to eat, she has chilled out no end. To start with her droppings were dry and 'stressed', but now they are dark and shiny like everyone elses.  When she arrived she was tucked up, (a sign of stress). At last today her belly has 'dropped'. She is part of the herd now, they are all grazing side by side. 

Molly has had some very welcome visitors from the RDA.  Clare, who used to ride her, and Ty.  Moll was happy to see some old faces, as were we. When we get the others back home Clare and Ty will be able to hack out on Moll and Daisy, while Jo and I concentrate on Charlie and Lil. Happy days ahead!!

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

Charlies Hormones!!!

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!

Everyone Loves Lil, Minis Colic and Charlies Progress

So everyone loves Lil.  She seems to have had a great influence on the Mini herd. Dora, having no-one to bully seems to be calmer. They all seem to do their own thing, but Lil is definitely the one that moves the herd...very sweetly. So far she has taken everything in her stride, not phased by fly-spray, being caught, led about, tail-washing, or being led in a lesson. Rob who brings his daughter Nancy to ride (and has an allergy to horses and a morbid fear of Mini), is completely besotted and thinks she is the most stunning horse he has ever seen. He is ignoring his allergy and the very scary Mini, to spend time with Lil.

The best thing for Jo and I is that at long long last Polly has a best friend. Lil and Polly have been grooming each other......something we have always longed for.

And even little Dora loves Lil...........

Speaking of the scary Mini....Poor little thing had a bout of gassy colic the other night.  They say everything happens for a reason.  The night before, I had been at a long and crazy party, and was unable to appear until late afternoon!!! What a good thing!! Mark the Mechanic and part-time Horse Whisperer and I went over late afternoon to put the hay out.  As we drove up the drive, I could see Mini lying flat out away from the others and my colic radar went into overdrive. It pays to know your ponies, as a lot lay flat out.....but not Mini, she always lays like a dog. I left Mark delivering hay and went to check on her.....Fast breathing, rather warm and a bloaty tummy.  Plus not getting up for the hay. Yup 100% colic....although the nearby droppings suggested it wasn't an impaction.  I called Jo, who called the vet, and sat down to wait with Mini, while Mark went for Chips. Mini, very glad I was with her, gave a groan and lay her neck across my legs, while i cradled her head.  Got a telling off from the Vet for that....she had a student with her, and had to point out health and safety regarding sitting with a colicky pony on your lap!!  Anyway vet agreed it was gas colic, and 15 minutes after a shot of Buscopan and Bute, Mini was on her feet with Jo and I trying to keep her moving to 'fart it out'. 

Once Mark came back with fish and chips we all retired to the tack-room (Mini included).  The pony showed no interest in a warm bran mash with fresh mint, but picked everything up off the table, tried to eat my fish, and then set about up-ending all the supplements!!  By the time it was dark, we were satisfied it was safe to leave her. Not in the tack room obviously!!

On a serious note.....Don't mess about with colic...even just gassy colic. Call the Vet! Buscopan relaxes the gut, Bute kills the pain. If its impaction a tubing will be needed.  In my time at various yards I have seen horses die of colic. Remember they cannot be sick or burp.

So Charlie has made huge progress this year.  Having spent months on clicker training, he will stand wherever I put him, no matter where I go. We started with a cone to 'target', but now just saying 'stand' works. He's still a little unsure if I get on a mounting block, but we are working on that.  I have been working on putting my foot in the stirrup (from the ground) for the last couple of weeks.  If he moved I hopped about, only rewarding him, with a click, a treat and removing the foot, once he stood still.  Having outgrown the little saddle, I have finally got him another saddle which doesn't slip, and he will now allow me to not only put my foot in the stirrup, but pull myself up to lean over him, without batting an eyelid. Time to swing that leg over!!  This may seem like the longest time ever to break a pony, but working at snails speed is paying off. With my dodgy lungs and dicky ticker I can't afford numerous falls, or a battle. This way we have an amazing relationship, and at last he feels ready.

Lils' Story

So last Friday we went to pick up Lil from World Horse Welfare. She is a 4 year old, 13hh black and white (actually more white and black) Gypsy Cob mare.  She is one lucky lady!!

Eli drove with her trailer, I had huge fun sitting in the back with her twins, Billy and Ted who are approx 21 months old and most entertaining!! That left Jo map reading.........Not her specialist subject. Still we made it in time, despite Eli and I having phone sat navs that disagreed with our planned route and each other! Eventually I silenced mine and went on sense of direction, and the vague map of Britain that lives in my head. 

When we arrived Jo filled in the paperwork, while Eli ran around after the twins, and I hung on to Prudence, while re-filling my coffee beaker from the WHW office kitchen! Good job WHW are so professional.....we managed to look like the not far off pikeys that we are. Having imprisoned the twins in a buggy and Pru in the truck, we professionally stood back while Lil was loaded and hurried off before they could change their minds!! 

The trailer was completely devoid of partition or hay, and Lil was travelled loose (as per WHW instructions). She trotted around the trailer for a bit, which we could feel even in Elis' Land Rover!  What I found most disconcerting was when she stood with one eye firmly pressed up against the little window at the front of the trailer. 

After a while she stood quietly and I went back to playing with food with the twins. Yes they ended up covered in chocolate spread, with sweets in their ears, while I wore Prudence on my head, trying to stop her being fed too many treats! We went back a completely different way, and ended up for a brief stop at Burger King, pretty much blocking the entrance for anyone else.  As Lil was loose we had all the doors closed and it was looking like a sauna so I opened the jockey door and fed her a carrot, but was worried she might make a break for it. As we weren't too far from West Meadows at that point I figured if she escaped she would probably end up there. Not an improvement from where she came!!

Lil was rescued with 70 others from a Gypsy Cob dealer in Wales, 2 years ago.  Back in 2012 he was banned from keeping horses and fined £44,000.  But that didn't stop him and by 2016 he had a herd of 70 again, that were tethered all over the place in appalling conditions.  They don't mess about in Wales it seems.  The local council removed the ponies and had him prosecuted again.

The ponies went to various rescue centres. WHW have several more from that rescue, that are ready to be re-homed. As I said....She is a lucky lady.  If it was Suffolk County Council, she would still be tethered and would have had foals by now!!

When we got home, Lil came out of the trailer calmly, just a little sweaty from the sauna effect, but not in the slightest traumatised.  We turned her out with Polly in a paddock-pen between the Biggies and the Minis. She had a drink and a roll and calmly started munching on the grass. Having watched them for a hour or so, we left them to it.

The next day was lots of children and lessons. We moved the fences around so Lil was with the Minis when they came back. Dora stormed into the field all gung-ho, marching up to Lil, full of wrath. Lil gave one squeal, struck out with her front leg and with that Dora stalked off sulking.  Mini just doesn't care whats happening.  So that was that.  Thing is, Dora thinks she is the boss of the Mini field, but in truth neither Mini nor Polly care what Dora thinks...They just do their own thing. Lil is very similar......No big show, just indifference.  So Dora has no-one she can bully.  By the next day they were all grazing very close to each other.  I would say Lil has settled in very well.

We brought her in with Polly when all the children had gone, and gave her a groom, foot clean, fly spray and some carrots. All of which she took in her stride. She seems very laid back at the moment. No doubt she will test the boundaries when she has her feet under the table....

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.