29th September, 2010 Nine O'Clock (good) News Part II

It's been some time since we worked with Magic and Merlin, the wild Bodmin Moor ponies. I got this e-mail from their owner this evening and she has promised me photos very soon:

"Tthought I would let you know how the boys are getting on. We have been walking them one at a time all around the fields then out of the top gate down the road and all around the front garden, in and out of the cars and back out up the road and back to the stables. They have been brilliant!!. A tractor and trailer went past while they were in the gate way and they just looked as it. Merlin has calmed down so much, when I brush his tail his head nearly touches the floor and I have taught them both to be floor tied." TT

29th September, 2010 Nine O'clock (good) News (Part I)

Julie with Fern

Almost eighteen months ago I worked with a starter called Fern. As well as starting to ride her, we spent time getting her used to traffic again as she and her owner, Linda, had been hit from behind by a car when walking out about a month before she came in. Little did she realise at the time, but Linda actually had a broken bone in her back and later underwent very difficult surgery and a long period of recovery. Sadly the driver who hit her didn't stop at the scene and hasn't ever been traced. I was delighted to hear that Linda is now riding again and it is all going well:

"Just wanted to tell you that although it's a year later (what with broken back and all that jazz) I'm now riding Fern regularly and she is a dream. Despite being ignored for a year and being greener than a green thing she is just the sweetest thing. Soft of mouth, yields to the slightest leg, listens and only gives things a thorough stare when unsure - a friend rode her out in traffic alone to make sure she was ok with it and she is fine with cars in front, behind, to the side, anywhere and everywhere - all that walking down that busy road you did obviously paid off! I have hacked out across the village through 'rush hour' on my own now and we survived despite my singing! I can't thank you enough - I know that the root of all this is your excellent care and attention to her and her wellbeing. I really wanted to say was thank you again to you and your lovely team for making just the best job of Fern, she is really much too good for me now! I have been offered loads of money for her too (twice) because she is just so responsive and quick to learn and despite being steady as a rock is not at all asleep, she's keen as mustard - I'm keeping her though! "LBP

28th September, 2010 Who am I, what am I, what am I doing here?

Hinny

Pony friend

I wonder if most of an equine's sense of self comes from those that he is with? I use the word equine advisedly here as I have been fascinated by the mules and hinnies that live on the Forest and who they choose for company. As most have pony mothers, they seem to hang out with ponies rather than donkeys.

28th September, 2010 Little police horse?

This is Pepsi, aged three. As you can see, she isn't worried by much even a pretend vet and the helicopters that come over regularly and hover over the field next door. I was asked to assess whether she is ready to be started and then ridden by the owner's grandchildren. With the whole of the winter set aside for her preparation, I could see no reason why she shouldn't be absolutely fine. She did have a rather grumpy expression at times and put her ears back when approached along her neck. She was quite reactive at the poll and responded well to some light massage. Pepsi was Forest bred and I strongly suspect that she was halter broken by tying her up to something solid knowing who the breeder was. I have recommended that she have her neck and poll checked and treated by a specialist.

"Just wanted to thank you millions again for today, I am now looking at my little bay pony in a completely different light."VR

28th, September, 2010 Good attention, bad attention - anything will do

Last Friday I went out to see an Irish Sports Horse that actually appeared to be mainly Arabian that had been behaving aggressively when loose in the field. At that time on her own, but due to get a companion, she was demanding the attention of visitors the moment they entered her field - sometimes she would do it nicely with her ears forward and then in an instant she would become nasty and try to bite or even turn her back end and threaten to kick. It seemed that she didn't care what sort of attention she got as long as there was some attention involved - it was if she needed to prove she existed and people had to be the entertainment committee. We worked on changing the whole emphasis by not giving her attention either when she pulled a happy face or a cross face as both were invasive and intimidating as she came up really close and waiting until she was peaceful and calm around us and then giving her a lovely rub (rather than a pat). The good news is that it seems to have worked and even better, she now has a little companion so that she can be a horse with a horse again.

"Just with that hour she was totally different the next day, I was taken by surprise as I didn't expect her behaviour to change so quickly. Instead of flat back ears and a bottom in my face, I had a leisurely head raise to say hello and then total indifference - bliss! I was able to walk over to her and give a lovely gentle 'caress' and then walk away to finish poo picking in peace! She now has a companion in the shape of  a little 10yrs old Welsh Section A gelding. This appears to be love at first sight but not over the top excitement just the opportunity to relax and roll (almost Rock 'n Roll!). So, I hope Missy and I go from strength to strength on our journey of enjoying and teaching other how to behave and as long and as I can always be leader I think we will be friends." SS 28.9.10

27th September, 2010 All the Single Ladies

Those psychic girls turned up today in good time for their pedicures on Wednesday. Blue's rather un-ladylike roll set off a wave of rolling.

27th September, 2010 Beyond Reasonable Doubt

Yet another legal analogy has struck me recently. Following my unscheduled dismount from Theoden a few weeks ago, I have been going over parts of his education to make sure that I haven't missed anything. I found that my confidence and his had been dented even though neither of us were hurt. Theoden, like most horses, is sensitive to how I feel and I can hear him asking me if I am really sure. The same test is applied to legal cases where the jury is told that they should only find someone guilty if they feel satisfied so as to feel sure that the defendant is guilty. The only way to feel satisfied so as to feel sure is not to take either of us way out of our comfort zone until we both feel good and ready. Bit by bit we have got back to the place we had reached in the first place and I hope that with the foundations even more solidly established, we shall both feel a lot more sure about where we are going - literally. It needs to be beyond reasonable doubt.