Of Mud and Ladybirds

It was a glorious and warm autumn day, a relief after the heavy down pours we have had recently.

When 'Jane' and I went riding in the fields the other day I noticed hundreds of ladybirds along the stone wall and I made a mental note to return there the next day.

And so, today I made my way up to that spot equipped with my camera. In passing I went to take off 'Madame's and 'Mr F's rugs as it was a beautifully warm autumn's day.

 'Mr F' lazily nibbling grass while lying down.

Of course the first thing most horses do when the rug has come off is to roll in the mud! 

Which is exactly what both of them did. As I have been taking photographs of 'Mr F' regularly, I felt it was time to take some of 'Madame'. She is a wonderful mare and great to have in any herd. 

I quickly dropped the rugs and grabbed my camera which I had in its bag ready for the ladybirds. Although it was equipped with the wrong lens and not necessarily for fast moving objects but the pictures turned out quite OK:

And she can still do a full turn!

 ... and stretch ... 

'Madame' remained in this 'seated' position for quite a while, seemingly relaxed.

 'That feels better!!'

Looking at both, I knew I would be busy later on trying to get all the mud off! 'Mr F' holds the record so far: one time he was so coated in mud that he looked like a chocolate brownie! It took me a good 40 minutes to get it all off! Thanks!

After this nice little display I went to hunt for the ladybirds. My fascination with the ladybird goes back to my very early childhood; my grandmother bought me a little ladybug radio (back in the 70s) that would open its wings when switched on. I refused to go to bed if that radio was not next to me! Apparently, so my grandmother said, I would wake up each night at midnight, turn that little radio on and sing for an hour. After that I would go back to sleep ... I don't remember though.

'I need a hug!'

'Mr F' has been on his own at night for the entire week now. Although 'Kid' (who is still at 'Buttercup farm' due to his leg injury and is not allowed out at night) is near him in the stable, it just isn't the same as having a field mate. 'Mr F' has dealt with this situation so far amazingly well considering his character. He put up with it all  without calling out or running around but he is clearly, somewhat subdued and gives me according looks in the evenings when I have to lock him out. He can peek into the stable as there is a gap at the top of the stable door so at least he can see 'Kid'. The weather also has been quite dreary.

Horses are different, some are quite ok on their own. 'Mr F' however is a being that needs life around him. Not because of the company as such but he likes to 'herd'. He loves to be in charge of a group and I must say he is excellent at his job. His authority is never questioned and he is very gentle yet firm with others. He doesn't panic, he doesn't randomly bite (well, unless he is in a grumpy mood!). There is a clear authority which he exhudes at all times, which is very clearly noticeable when I observe him in the field with the others.

And now, at night, he is stuck in that field on his own. Judging by the state of the ground near that stable door, he doesn't move much all night. This bothers me greatly but 'Kid' is not allowed out yet. It also isn't my property or my grounds so I am making the best with what is.

At least during daytime both are together in the same field. I do go and spend  time during the day with 'Mr F', if I can. And in the evenings I take 'Mr F' for walks just so he gets out.

Home Alone

It has gone quite again on 'Buttercup Farm'.

'Rose', 'Madame' and 'Luke' have left to stay at 'Jane's for a few weeks as she has grass that needs eating. The only ones here now are 'Kid' (who is here until his foot is better) and 'Mr F'.

I and 'Mr F' went to wave goodbye to the others and then wandered back to yard where we continued with our evening routine of cleaning, feeding and sometimes playing silly games. 'Mr F' finds it most interesting to watch what I do and as he does get bored quickly, I try to come up with something new each time to keep his attention.

In the 'old' days, 'Mr F' would have been out of his mind being left behind without his mates. I remember the days when he would frantically throw his head around out of sheer panic and frustration of being left on his own in the stable, which sometimes happened if 'Rose' was taken out for a ride by 'Jane'.

But over the past months he seems more and more content with being in just my company when we go out, there is no longer any loud calling for hours on end or head shaking.

He only called for the others twice after he'd been placed in the paddock behind 'Kid's stable. Although on his own in the field, 'Mr F' can easily look into 'Kid's' stable if he needs assurance that he is not alone.

During daytime they both will be with each other in the bigger paddock.

It is a new experience for 'Mr F' but it is good for him to learn to cope with different situations.

Meanwhile I am sure that 'Rose' 'Madame' and 'Luke' enjoy their 'grass eating holiday'.

'Last of the autumn berries'

Pedicure - 2 Visit

Today was the 2nd appointment with the barefoot lady. There was not all that much to do or comment on and his feet, they are now keeping in shape nicely. The big crack on his front hoof is healing up too.

Regarding the rather deep central cleft (back of frog): this has improved greatly thanks to 'Artimud' by 'Red Horse Products'. I apply this every day after cleaning the hooves with a brush and plain water. Artimud works really well I have to say; within two weeks of application I noticed a considerable improvement.

Although the wet weather and the mud are not helping as the soft areas at the heel bulbs are constantly covered in mud. Cleaning them regularly is doubly important to avoid problems. The good thing about artimud is that it does stay in place for some time. For very deep hoof cracks 'hoof stuff' can be applied; I used that on the rather deep crack on 'Mr F's front hoof which is slowly healing now I am glad to say.

Other than that, there is some more 'could walking'  to be done with sole mates pads. I think I described this in the previous pedicure post.

So far so good on the hoof front and I am glad to know because afterall: no hooves no horse!

Just before fetching 'Mr F' for the pedicure: 'Hang on ... just one more roll ....'

 'mmmmm .... feels good. Now for a full turn ...'

'... well, maybe next time ...'

Things between Heaven and Earth - 'Rose' and that evil rug, again!

I have mentioned in various previous posts how 'Rose' does not deal with having her rug on. She is fine inside the stable and reasonably OK with it on in the yard but as soon as she is let back into the field she charges off in wild panic and gets herself into a right state. Or she completely refuses to move away from the gate. She spends all day standing right next to the gate, as though the rug is somehow electrocuting her should she step outside a certain range ... 

This gave me and 'Jane' some headache, especially with the cold weather arriving. 'Rose' is not one to keep weight well.  It took some time for her to put on weight when she arrived at 'Buttercup Farm'.

'Jane' and I had various thoughts  with regards to the reasons behind 'Rose's fears but we had not managed to come up with a satisfactory solution. As a last resort, 'Jane' decided to employ the services of a local animal psychic. Yes indeed, you read it correctly: an animal psychic.

I myself am open-minded in these matters, having in my personal life had various experiences which cannot be explained with science (or at least not yet). Therefore I remain open minded, without an opinion on the matter.

In preparation for the meeting with the psychic, 'Jane' had sent her some photographs of 'Rose'. I took those photographs a while ago, showing 'Rose' with and without rug. Apparently, the psychic lady has the ability of communicating with animals over distance as well as in 'person'.

It has already been a difficult time for 'Rose' lately - we think she must have known that 'Jane' was looking for a new home for her. Suddenly 'Rose' began having problems with her foot and this has been  going on for many weeks, in various stages of recovery.

When the psychic lady arrived 'Jane' spent some time talking to her prior to both going to see 'Rose'. I remained in the background, not wanting to interfere.

At some point we all met in the stable with 'Rose' and were discussing her history - the little we knew -  and the current state of affairs. The psychic also wanted to know mine and 'Jane' roles in 'Rose's life.

Oddly enough, while we were listening to what the lady had to say, 'Rose' was hide her head under my arm. She did this several times as if to find some comfort. This rather puzzled me considering that the two of us weren't really 'getting' on recently (weirdly enough, ever since I had decided to take on 'Mr F', 'Rose' became more and more grumpy with me. I am really trying not to humanize their behaviour but I can't help noticing there being some form of 'disappointment').

Much of what the psychic lady said was what 'Jane' and I had thought all along but where unable to find a solution for. The lady did point out some rather interesting details though:

• - 'Rose' emotional state is that of a very young child - meaning that she is very jealous and desperately wanting attention and reassurance. She wants to belong.

•  - 'Rose' is afraid of moving on - she appears to have known that 'Jane' was trying to find a new home for her and that is why she developed a poorly foot. Mental problems often display themselves physically.

• She also said that 'Rose' would be more comfortable to be in a smaller field if she has to wear the rug. Not sure why ... 

The psychic lady did however not have a solution for the rug problem. We explained to her that we think it may have to do with the fact that 'Rose' used to have a warming blanket before each race. She hated racing (I understand that she sometimes even refused to get out of the box) and perhaps there is still this connection for her that rug = racing.

The psychic lady said she would try and 'talk' to 'Rose' later on that day (remotely).

Whether one believes into these things or not, it cannot be ignored that the next day 'Rose' was in the field, with her rug on and it was as if she never had a problem with it in the first place!

Only 'Jane' and I have seen and dealt with 'Rose' when she had one of her rug panic attacks. Seeing her standing quietly bearing the 'mental' weight of her rug was a major improvement!

If 'Rose'  will continue to keep her calm with the rug is yet to be found out. So far so good!

 A calm 'PL' with rug!

'Madame' keeping an eye everything - although 'PL' is not wanting to share the hay!

Knowing me, knowing you - Part III - Field Games

I have not made as many visits to the field recently because:
a) there are now 5 horses plus a pony in that one field where all the useful obstacles are and
b) we ('Mr F' and I) had been spending most of our time together riding.

I however noticed a change in 'Mr F'; he was becoming disinterested with my appearance at times, unless it was feeding hour. If you observe your herd in the pasture, they do form friendships / relationships. And they spend time together while grazing, grooming and playing with one another. I figured that I had neglected my part of the 'deal'. The only time spent together lately had been while riding, which to 'Mr F' means work. A horse doesn't want to be ridden, if it had the choice it would prefer to go out walking alongside rather than carrying a rider on its back. And my riding level won't be of much interest to 'Mr F' yet. Unless 'Mr F' is entertained one way or another (in a way that is 'pleasurable' to him) he'd much rather hang out in the field lazily grazing. I have to work on this relationship again some more on the ground. It won't be constructive nor productive working with a horse that doesn't enjoy being with you. If 'Mr F' decides that being in my company is OK, it certainly will make it easier for me as a rider as I don't have to 'fight' against his will.

Despite the field being full I decided to spend more time in there regardless of the other horses. I knew the other horses which are 'Rose', 'Madame',  'Little Sam' and 'Kid' and they weren't bothered by my presence. And I fed them on most days so they know me.

I went into the field equipped only with a food bucket (empty) and some thinly sliced carrot nibbles. My plan was to use the old metal barrels in the field to make some noise and the bucket was for hiding the carrots. 

To start off, I walked to the obstacles, placing the bucket upside down in the grass. Not once did I look at any of the horses and continued as though they where not here. I wondered which one might come and check out what I am up to first.  I made myself busy collecting some of the wooden planks and branches strewn all over the field. Very much on purpose, I made a lot of racket. Out of the corner of my eye I could see that I now had the attention of all the horses in the field. They all stood still, watching me. Although I was not directly looking at them I could see that there were very different reactions. 

The first one to come and examine what I was up to was 'Luke'. Each time I placed another wooden pole on the pile in front of the metal barrels, he proceeded to pull it down with his foot. I kept piling them back up. Every now and then one of the poles rolled down the back of the pile, hitting the empty metal barrel with a loud noise. 

The first time this happened 'Luke' raised his head, made a few steps backwards and studied the pile from a distance. His entire face kind of said "Woah!! What was THAT!?" I ignored him and continued. Seemingly intrigued by it all and after a while of 'thinking', 'Luke' approached the pile again and continued. More poles rolled against the barrel but he by now had figured out the source of the noise and the reason why it occurred. The other horses weren't showing any further interest yet.

'Luke' playing ... 'Mr F' (in the background) prefers the grass ... 

After a while of play 'Luke' decides on a quick snooze right where I was being busy. Next one to show interest is 'Little Sam'.

And while I watch 'Luke' and 'Little Sam', I can hear 'Mr F' approach behind me.

'Mr F' is now showing interest too and both are examining the barrels.

Time to play some more. I had sliced some carrots into small pieces and hidden them in my pocket. Curious to find out how they both might handle a carrot hunt, I place several pieces all over the barrels and the wood. Both 'Luke' and 'Mr F' very carefully examined the  metal barrels. It took both some time before they dared to pick up the carrots.

Meanwhile I continued to pile up the wood that I collected and continued making a racket by letting the wood fall against the barrels. 'Mr F' was not bothered by the noise but 'Luke' had to think about it for a little again.  Eventually, they were both no longer bothered by the noise and continued with their carrot 'hunt'.

I also hid the carrots under the food bucket and it was 'Luke' that figured out first how to get to the carrots by kicking away the bucket with his nose.

Towards the end, 'Rose' joined us too and was most interested and seemed very excited about this carrot hunt! But the photos I took of her hunting for the carrots are unfortunately all blurred.

As I was leaving the field, 'Luke', 'Mr F' and 'Rose' were still examining the wood and the barrels -
"Perhaps she dropped some more carrot slices!" 

Interestingly, only the horses that I have been handling regularly joined in, which is the three in the above picture. The other horses never came near. They showed some interest at the very beginning but soon continued grazing.

And while to some people this seems a pointless or boring thing to do, I learn a huge amount from play time in the field as it tells me how each horse reacts and deals with the world and all that is part of it. It also tells me if they trust me, and how confident they are as a being. Playtime is a lot of fun!

It is a busy time for some ...

... and not for others!

October surprises us with some more warm sunshine!

 'Madame' stretching - 'Luke' flat out - 'Rose' and 'Mr F'.

There have been various events worth reporting on such as several game plays etc but I am currently struggling finding the time to write about it.

Hopefully I can catch up over the weekend.