Gael Force

I was recently contacted by a lady called Michele about her new Shetland pony, Gael. Gael was bought as a companion pony for her last remaining pony, Sammy, whose little herd had diminished until there was no-one else left. Although Michele had befriended wild ponies before, she had never worked with one like Gael whose wariness of humans came not just from living independently but also from being man-handled. She had bought a copy of No Fear, No Force and just wanted to know where, and indeed where, would be the place to start since Gael was 9 years old and living in a vast expanse of field. Fortunately Gael enjoys hard feed so there is a way into her soul. 

By complete coincidence, Julie and I are heading up to Scotland for a celebratory holiday in September, so having given Michele some advice, it seemed like the Black Isle where she lives would be a great place to centre our stay so that we can visit her and the ponies and also enjoy a tour of places such as Inverness and Plockton. This is the view that Michele's ponies have enjoyed over the years. 

When they're not above the clouds. 

'im Indoors

 

Temporarily at least, Prince has his own stable and Ruth is taking the opportunity to get him used to it. Prince was always worried about small spaces. 

Atlantic Crossing

I have sold a few books in the USA recently and one copy of No Fear No Force has gone to assist with the training of Fern, a Friesian x filly who is already 14.2 h.h.  She was a bit wafty with her back legs and so her owner, Theresa, is using the leg handling techniques which are further on in the book. Fern and her quieter mate, are going to be lovely horses. 

A Wing Waggle

It was a goodbye to the RAF and Army cadets yesterday who will be leaving the farm early this morning in order to avoid a clash of 100 parents at the school gate as another load of students come back from a skiing trip. I wonder which lot will be the most tired. Ours have walked miles and miles, learning how to orient themselves in open countryside. They received their silver or bronze awards yesterday evening and tucked into fish and chips as a treat! 

Inevitably the constant footfall to and in the main tent caused the already wet field to get very muddy, but it's good to see teenagers who are not afraid of a bit of dirt, and always great to have a helping hand with the horses when they have an hour or two free. Yesterday I gave Rachel the honour of letting the horses into the first summer field (which will no doubt get wrecked because it is so wet).

Theoden took a little while to realise that the others were not waiting for hay  alongside him, although we will still be giving them some every day in the new field.

Theoden still doesn't look right despite being fed ad-lib hay all winter and a considerable amount of feed. I am still not convinced that he had laminitis last summer and wish I hadn't put him on a laminitis regime at the time. This horse has thrived on grass all his life and never had a problem before. Let's hope he picks up over this summer. 

Blue is changing coat and moulting faster than the others. She's an angel of a pony and I love her to bits. I know that I can trust her to be kind to cadets!

My cadet friends, thank you for helping me this week, and for giving the ponies lots of attention and brushing. I know they have enjoyed your company too. You all impress me so much with your hopes and dreams. You've been through so much what with the pandemic and the feeling of uncertainty about the world, but somehow you have found your balance in this mad old world, and your discipline and politenes, your loyalty to each other and your focus will see you through. 

Domestic Bliss

Snippet and Mulibwanji have taken to a domesticated life like proverbial ducks to water and I am pleased to see that Mulibwanji's education has begun. 

Meanwhile, Snippet is being thoroughly spoilt after a lifetime of survival on the Forest. Every pony deserves to have a pink princess in their life for a little while at least!

Such Fun

A couple of times a year. I have been letting the cadets from the Basingstoke area use my field as their base for orienteering camp. It was tempting to cancel this year thanks to the relentless rain but I would have missed out on a lot of fun. There's a little group of the cadets who love spending time with the horses and I am taken back to when I was 16 and not 61. 

The Barn is like a hairdresser's salon but Rachel in the bottom photograph goes above and beyond, letting my horses into the additional grass in the mornings, and helping with the chores in the evening - sometimes helped by Keston or Alex. Both of them are Lance Corporals in the cadets now and used to taking on additional responsibilities. Rachel is studying Animal Husbandry. 

Principality

Ruth sent me this rather gorgeous photograph of Prince. Although it annoys the staff when he actually joins in with the classes in the school arena (they only need to shut the gate!) he  now stands and observes everything that is going on in the yard and last week that included a Pony Club Rally. 

The things he has taught Ruth are immeasurable. She wasn't a horsey lady in the slightest but now she is sent to catch any horse that is being difficult. Prince needs to look out though because his next feat will be having his teeth cleaned. 

After 77 days of recovery I can drive again although putting the car into reverse is painful. I've been walking two or three miles a day with various non-horsey friends (it's interesting to talk about other things for a change!) I am duty with the horses this week although I hope to have a small assistant - more on this to follow.