7th May, 2011 Champion the Wonder Pony

Champ was backed by a real human this morning. It's good to have Julie back in action after quite a long break although I think we are going to have to file her down or fit her with roller skates for this pony. We'll be looking for a willing and competent child very soon. In the meantime no crisps or chocolate for either of them.

6th May, 2011 Anniversaries

It's been a year since I last saw Fern and Cougar. At that time Fern had grown nervouse about having a headcollar on. Today we worked on teaching her to load and in a short time she was walking in and out quite confidently. Whilst it was agreed that the trailer we were using was fine, without the partition, for training, it wasn't one I would want to use for travelling. The central partition on these type of trailers bolts into wooden blocks on the ceiling. All too often these become rotten. Important to check the floor regularly too especially where there is a double layer where urine can collect and cause hidden rot. They also have webbing backstraps -a pet hate of mine because they do not provide a solid barrier until fully taut and by then the horse may have started to panic.

In Cougar's case I introduced him and his owner to long reining. He took to it very easily.

6th May, 2011 Taking precautions

Like most foals, 'Peechay' (which is Hindi for Let's Go Back), has very long back legs which need to straighten out over his first few days of life. It must be quite a squash to be folded up in side a Mumm's tummy. However, I was concerned that Peechay was leaning back too much and although his pasterns were not touching the floor, he wasn't standing with his toes to the ground. His Auntie Amy, at the Barn Veterinary Hospital suggested that I bring him and Nelly in so that his movement could be restricted just a little until either he straightened out or remedial action could be taken if needed. I'm pleased to say that he has continued to improve and should be perfect very soon. I think he is perfect anyway! Nelly is very pleased with the hotel where food arrives on time and in quantity. They should be able to go out into a paddock this morning.

Postscript: Guy the farrier had no concerns about the foal's feet today and he has been able to move into a paddock with his Mum (the foal, not Guy).

4th May, 2011 Home birth....

When I went in search of Nelly today I was suspicious when she didn't come straight over. The reason soon became clear - one little colt lying in the heather. Both of them seem to be absolutely fine. She's a good Mum and has plenty of milk for him.

4th May, 2011 I'm here for you...

This beautiful horse is an ex-racehorse. When I met her on the first occasion it wasn't easy to take her away from other horses and to simply stand still in the yard. Today we worked in the arena, just redirecting her energy and then giving her a job to do. As we kept her mind occupied and her owner gave her clear but kind leadership, she grew more and more relaxed. There's a few gaps to fill in her education but the first thing we needed to do was to prove that we were there for her.

3rd May, 2011 I knew you were waiting for me...

Sorry about the quality of this photograph but I had no hope that the girls would just magically reappear today. I was so pleased to see them and they look absolutely fine although not letting on where they have been. I wonder if some of the other ponies told them that we had been looking for them?!! David and I went up to see them again this evening just to make sure I hadn't been hallucinating. This time we took carrots!

2nd May, 2011 No no Nelly

Twenty three wonderful people turned up today to scour the Forest in and around Nelly's haunt to see if they could find her but all to no avail. With ten groups all out for at least one and a half hours, some on foot, one on a mountain bike, two on horses and a couple driving, you'd think they would have come across her somewhere. Still lots of Forest to go. Thanks to everyone that came. No news is good news I hope.