A day at the stables

[MysticExotics]

I am envious
Beautiful horses. I hope you're healing quickly!

 

[diamondlil]

The scary object was a buch of helium filled balloons, floating over the neighbouring fields. Lola took up the duty of watching the balloons as they landed in the cornfield next to the pasture, and it was fascinating to watch the herd dynamics. She didn't relax her guard until Cathy and I were past her, as we decided to be good 'herd leaders' and sort out the balloon menace!

 

[MysticExotics]

Haha...horses are funny like that

 

[diamondlil]

So, with the balloons retrieved, Cathy showed the ponies there was nothing to be worried about. Lola was the first to approach and the only pony to actually touch them. She's 2 years old and the way her character is developing we think she'll be the dominant mare as an adult, but she is very confident in both Cathy and I and trusts our judgement.
Cathy rode Joe and I was having a snooze on the grass when Lola decided I needed company. Joey's eyes suffer from pollen so he had them bathed.

 

[diamondlil]

So then off to supervise the next stage of the garden makeover at Cathy's. There will be raised vegetable beds, but right now the levelling and digging out of underlying concrete is the priority. Our tomatoes, beans, peppers, leeks and onions are thriving.
We had a takeaway curry and a lovely evening.

 

[diamondlil]

So the next morning, up bright and early and collected by Kim. I can't believe how fast Buddy the neopolitan mastiff is growing! He's easily as big as Eddie (Dogue de Bordeaux) already!
After seeing to the dogs and horses we took a trip to collect a new bridle and bit for Curo.

 

[diamondlil]

Then after finishing up the yardwork, off for a wonderful 2 hour hack through the big woods. This track is too treacherous in wet weather, with a thin slick of clay over the track, there are overhanging branches where you have to lay on the horses' necks to stop getting whacked in the face, interspersed with open stretches where you can relax for a few minutes, but all so steep and uneven footing that you have to ride properly at a controlled pace the whole way.
Kim's been saving this ride until she thought I'd be ready for the challenge and I absolutely loved it! My ankle stood up well, Merlin was really well-behaved even when I was riding blindly pushing through the undergrowth and low branches he did all I asked of him willingly. It's the perfect summer daytime ride because it's lovely and cool in the woods.
And then, we flushed a deer! Kim had passed along the track and I wouldn't have seen it if it's nerve hadn't broke, there was a crashing in the undergrowth and off it went, a lovely fallow deer 10' away bounding away like a scene from Bambi!

 

[snakemom1961]

As always wonderful pictures and dialogue. Thanks Janine.

 

[diamondlil]

As always wonderful pictures and dialogue. Thanks Janine.

Thanks Nancy. I love my time with the horses so much and I love sharing it all on here!

 

[alan]

That was very interesting to read about their reactions to the balloons, even better with pics and your insight.

We love your time with the horses, too.
As long as you give us pictures.

 

[diamondlil]

That was very interesting to read about their reactions to the balloons, even better with pics and your insight.

We love your time with the horses, too.
As long as you give us pictures.

Thanks Alan! I really owe Cathy's little herd so much for how I've learnt about horse behaviour. It makes reading about it in books come to life when you can see them in quite a natural setting, how their postures and body language become clear signals to their intentions.
I enjoy the psychology as much as actually riding and as we'll be starting the 2 year olds under saddle next year having Luna and Lola trust us as good 'leaders' will hopefully be a step in the right direction. If they are confident in us then calming any spooks is just so much easier. Both will walk up to put their heads in the halters when asked, lead up nicely and are learning the Parelli games in short sessions. So you have already got breaks and steering being learnt because they yield to pressure and disengage their hindquarters when asked.
Nut's foal Luna appears more confident, but it's actually a facade, her nerve breaks suddenly and she runs back to Nuts for a comfort nursing. (Yes, at 2 years old she still takes milk from Nuts, even though she's several hands bigger!) Lola is initially slower to trust, she stops and assesses situations by watching us carefully but is far more willing to accept direction once her mind is made up.

 

[diamondlil]

I visited Merlin yesterday, but our plans to ride were put off because Eddie the French mastiff had to be rushed to the vets, very lethargic and with pale gums. As the vet examined her she said she felt Eddie was seriously ill and would need to stay in for bloodtests and scans. Eddie's nearly 14 and the sudden change in her health has absolutely devastated Kim and John.
Karen has moved Ben to a livery stables nearer to where she lives, so now there's only Merlin and Curo there. As you can see, Merlin had had a lovely dustbath!
Zoe, Merlin's new rider was visiting, and taught Buddy how to lead a horse!
The boys' bigger field is now fenced safely, so we turned them out on their grass and made light work of the poo-picking.
Then Kim got a call from the vets, so we went to collect Eddie. Her bloods were deranged, she's anaemic and has low platelets, plus an abdominal mass. Due to her age the vet feels that it's most likely cancerous and that she's too high an anaesthetic risk to go ahead with biopsies, the management would be the same in any case. So Eddie is home with drugs to keep her comfortable and the vet will visit when her time comes.

 

[Asbit]

J9, please tell Kim and John my prayers are with them and Eddie, I understand what it is like to have that kind of news from the vet. Let them know that I will pray for Eddie to go peacefully and without much pain, as well let them know that I am very sorry to hear the news, she is a beautiful dog!! (((((HUGS to Kim and John and you too)))))

 

[diamondlil]

J9, please tell Kim and John my prayers are with them and Eddie, I understand what it is like to have that kind of news from the vet. Let them know that I will pray for Eddie to go peacefully and without much pain, as well let them know that I am very sorry to hear the news, she is a beautiful dog!! (((((HUGS to Kim and John and you too)))))

Thanks Tisha, I'll pass that on.

 

[kathylove]

So sorry to hear about 14 year old Eddie. I have gone through this so many times over the years, usually with old, beloved cats. It never gets any easier, no matter how many times it is repeated.

 

[diamondlil]

After a few hours sleep on Saturday, I got collected to go to stay at Cathy's and visit the crazy gang. Luna (who at 2 years old is still nursing from Nuts!) was being very sweet and loving. It was far too hot to ride or really do any groundwork so we just picked poop then enjoyed being with the ponies.

 

[diamondlil]

After some more work on the garden makeover we had a relaxed evening, then got up early to walk the dogs while it was still cool. I'd fallen asleep on the sofa and wasn't quite ready to hit the hillwalking until I'd had some coffee and watched the dogs having a wrestle. The steep climbs up through the woods were well worth the effort.

 

[diamondlil]

Then we visited a big garden centre to price up materials and get ideas for a patio area. I got some new plants for myself and some for Cathy, then we got some stained-glass paints for a little craft project, tealight holders made out of jars to hang in the garden!

 

[diamondlil]

Another visit to the crazy gang, with the 2-year olds Luna and Lola learning about fly-spray! We had the most magical game, introducing the girls to 'chasing the tiger', which is when you get them to chase after an object, I'd seen some footage on youtube and thought it would be fun, and it was!
First off, a bright red rug was offered to sniff and investigate. Then the rug was dragged along for the girls to chase, slowly at first as they were hesitant, then faster as they gained confidence. As they learn to play the game they mirror you, so walking steadily gets them following quietly, trotting energetically gets them prancing and snorting! Luna added her own touch by actually catching the rug and stepping on it until asked to move back.

 

[diamondlil]

I stayed overnight, we potted on some of our vegetables and did some more work on the raised beds. Went down to visit and water the ponies ealry this morning. Then off to Kim's for the day, and met the new addition..........an 8 month old Dogue de Bordeux bitch that her and John have rescued! Renamed Billie, she was from dire circumstances, and spent her first couple of days cowering in fear and wetting herself when spoken to. With plenty of food and love she is the most gentle and sweet girlie, and I lost count of the kisses I got from her and Buddy