Fri 2nd
Really lovely having the horses follow me about when poo picking the field.
This was them standing on a small hill, me at the bottom calling them down….
…it used to be quite a ‘spooky’ hill to come down but they came down when they knew I had some herbal treats for them. When coming back up they used to just canter up fast but today they managed a slow trot into a slow walk so they’re getting used to not having to feel they need to run back to the top which is good 😉
Sat 3rd
Trimmed all 4 Bella’s hooves today, they’ve started to slow down in their growth which really shows Winter is coming 😉
Thur 8th
Finally managed to get a lovely soft calm ploddy ride on Bella today. The ground is hard but not too bad and we only did walk so as not to heat her up but it was just SO lovely to plod around the field again on her. Also had a short bareback ride on Stormy after Mark had trimmed his feet so I was a very happy girl today <3
Sun 11th
Snow up on the hills this morning but not too bad here with the horses 😉
Tues 14th
Not much doing at the moment apart from feeding, poo picking field and generally hugging and doing small bits of play while we can at this time of year. SO….pics of the Snow Horses for today….
Sat 24th (Xmas Eve)
Well it was good that we took the horses back to the big field the other day as yesterday was the estate’s ‘Game Keepers Day’. This day means that the estate game keeper and others go around shooting some of the ‘wildlife’. It also means there were a few ‘beaters’ with sticks/plastic that beat the pheasants up into the air and in a certain direction for others to shoot, bangs from the many guns and it went on in different places all day. The horses were anxious and a bit high headed to say the least ;(
Today though, we brought them back to the house as it gives us a bit of a rest going up and down to their main field on the quad bike, we can visit them through the quiet days to come this week and it’s just generally nice for us to have them outside the house for a while.
We’d decided to bring them home on the lower estate track as it was less icy and through fields so more room for them to move next to me rather than one in front and one behind in places BUT because of yesterday’s energy, noise and commotion in the area we wanted to walk dear Bella was just too anxious to go that route and was getting uncontrollable SO I head back to the field and go the regular route which she appreciated….
This was the first route….not successful….
SO…walk up the field hill regaining our connection.
Nearly at the top and calm and attentive now 😉
The track is a bit icy so we step carefully together.
Negotiated through the trees.
Bella noticing that estate ‘woodman’ has taken down some broken trees…she’s very aware of everything.
Icy bit of track again taken slowly.
The gateway behind us here is a solid piece of ice which recently smashed in the middle SO they had to step on ice, into water, back onto ice and quickly onto the grassy bit. Finally manage to sidle Storm to a high edge and jump on him for a lovely ride back home…phew 😉
Off the track onto some grass is very much needed and the horses relax more.
Really connected and happily heading back to the track….
Up a steep bit, which Stormy negotiated beautifully, back onto the track and heading for home.
Home paddock on the left of pic so safely home and me very grateful for Stormy letting me ride him as I was getting tired <3
Wee video of last part of the ride home….
HAPPY XMAS EVERYONE
Have a great day xxxx
Mon 26 – Boxing Day
Not a bad couple of days so far over xmas, weather is getting colder and we’re expecting some more snow soon.
Can’t believe Stormy found the muddiest patch to roll in! LOL
They follow me around for hugs and treats when poo picking 😉
Tues 27th
Been snowing since early this morning. Horses rugged since last night as below zero. They’re warm and just had breakfast, now waiting for their dinner and a long dark night ahead.
Fri 30th
5″ of snow fall last night and without the forest anymore behind the horses it’s a very white/grey/blue day out there
- Shelley – HorseSavvy