11th November, 2017 Blackberry Kisses

Today I ran a course for three students and two semi-feral Forest donkeys, Blackberry and her four month old son, Willow. Tomorrow we have two new students coming for the second day.

10th November, 2017 Dr. Watson

Once again Watson proved what an intelligent dog he is, progressing to being on an invisible lead whilst out for a walk with Petra. Once we got back we allowed them both to be loose distracting Petra with hay and Watson with small cheese and sausage treats which we secreted around the yard. The two animals practically ignored each other and he wasn't tempted to go and chase the other horses either.

8th November, 2017 Backwards and Forwards

Petra had a visit from the vet today for introspection, that inward-looking demeanour they get when something is wrong. Fortunately the vet thinks it was just wind! Let's hope so. I'll be keeping a close eye on her.

Having experienced something that was something and nothing, I lost my nerve about moving the New Forest ponies to a different field as there was stock fencing between them and the ponies next door and a risk of one of them getting caught up. I turned round and took them back to their original field. Nelly behaved immaculately, being led in just her neck collar, whereas Peechay and Juma, who were loose, spent much of the time zooming about.

6th November, 2017 Hangers-on

Henry seemed to enjoy her little trip out with the riding horses today. One day, when we're feeling brave, we might try taking her out riding with us.

A lovely ride this afternoon with Pat. Neither of us seem to want to grow up.

4th November, 2017 New Home

Another session with Watson the Labradoodle yesterday. He is so much steadier around horses already, calmly minding his own business and keeping his attention on his owner. We brought him much closer to Petra Perkins and then took them out for a walk together, separated by the two humans at first but then walking side by side.

Today David and I took Honour to live at her new home in reception at The Barn Equine Surgery.

2nd November, 2017 New Eyes

Whoops! Realised that it has been a good six months since I last went to town, or in the case of Salisbury, a city, and I actually felt quite edgy about being there. Everything from parking the car to finding my way to Specsavers and the appointment itself. I would draw the analogy of when Théoden came back into work and suddenly realised that everything was quite big and new. I was pleased to be able to go back to the Forest where I always feel earthed. The Americans might call this Forest-sour as in 'Barn-sour' which always sounds like the opposite of not wanting to leave the barn.

Salisbury is a beautiful city with fantastic historic architecture and of course its great cathedral.

I prefer open spaces in the Forest where Juma's sisters were relaxing in the sun...

Blue and Blue seem happy...

Henrietta is pointing at something...

On the other side of the woods Nelly and her boys are always pleased to see me and my buckets.

...and the Forest ponies are enjoying the radiant sunshine too.

1st November, 2017 It's Oh So Quiet

Apart from riding and cleaning up fields behind nine ponies this week, it's all very quiet. At the weekend I went back to work with Leo who has had a break in his training and needs a bit of revision before his training goes forward again. Leo is my 'very last' pony client since my insurance runs out at Christmas and I shall be putting up the closed sign.

Nelly, Juma, and Peechay, are thriving in the holiday paddock at Fritham and will stay there for another week or so while they still have plenty of grass. I envisage that they will all stay in until the clocks change back again and I can be certain that there is a strong connection between Peechay and his Mum and brother which will keep him anchored to them out on the Forest.

While we were out riding yesterday we came across Pie, who looks great, and his girlfriend, Orange Girl who is beautifully camouflaged in the autumn bracken.