"I don't believe it!" - A Victor Meldrew 'moment'

After the previous day's lovely solo ride I thought we'd go out again today as I had another day off.

One lesson again: just don't expect or have intent.

 I think 'Mr F' was trying to tell me something - mainly that he simply didn't want to go into the directions I wanted to take.

The main roads went fine but then I thought for a change we go back into our little 'fitness parkour' in the shape or a wooded area with ups and downs and tree roots over ground. Much footwork and balancing required. 'Mr F' and I have been in this wood many times, riding or walking. Always without any issue.

But today was a "bah humbug" day for 'Mr F'. We got halfway through the wood, all went OK, he slalomed nicely among the trees until we came to the steep part ... "NOPE ... not even a pig coming up from behind will get me up there, NOT today!"

There I sat ... wondering how best to proceed. OK, so here we have some proper napping (which is rare). I guess it is going to be a case of who is more stubborn/patient/strong willed. Although I didn't want it to become a battle of wills as such. I didn't want to have my ego involved at all.

Alright ... lets just stand here until 'Mr F' get's fed up with that too. Which happened after about 2 minutes. As he wanted to move I directed him again where he didn't want to go. Refusal. So I made him go backwards, sideways, anything that he would find irritating enough to stop refusing.

I had all the patience in the world, how much patience did 'Mr F' have?

Meanwhile I could hear the voice in my head "I don't believe it!". (for those that don't know: Victor is a grumpy old character in the British sitcom 'One Foot In The Grave'.)

Well, a good 10 minutes later we got where I wanted him to go ... I let him do a few strides, that's all I wanted. I praised him.

We moved on. This was followed by yet another refusal ... I asked him to go down a path that he doesn't like anyway. As he was in his 'Victor Meldrew' mood I proceeded as earlier. This time it took a little less time because I did trick him ... by moving him to a spot where he sometimes (NOT always) can eat grass and there I made him turn. By the time he realised what I did it was to late for  him to refuse. Well, that was one way around his argumentative mood.

We continued a little further and things went ok. He did as I asked. I left it at that. It wasn't great but it was acceptable. He doesn't usually behave like this, he's done this perhaps 5 times in these nearly 4 years his been with me. Back on the main road he behaved perfectly and never makes a run for home.

Of course I did check him out for any sores etc ... but there was nothing. He was most interested in anything that was going one once back in the stable .., and of course there was his food to be served anytime soon, surely!

Today's ride was nothing like our last ride out but then right here I had yet another lessson of: stop looking into the past, the moment is NOW. Don't look back, because the horse doesn't. He doesn't stand in the stable thinking: 'oh perhaps we are going to have another lovely ride today like we did yesterday'. To him there is only NOW. For him there is also no tomorrow. Now imagine that - another thing to learn - all this time wasting of daydreaming about tomorrow ... wishing wanting hoping ... all wasted life. Making us miss living, being alive in the very moment.

Oh so much to learn from these beings (all 'non humans').

"I don't believe it!" ....

Let me be in silence - Beautiful solo ride out.

Today the sun was shining beautifully. I went to attend to 'Mr F' in the early morning as usual, mucking out feeding etc. The short drive to his stable is a very scenic route and it starts quite high up, which in autumn/winter offers many breathtaking sights with the sea of fog and the sun rising. The same this morning, it was stunning!

After having breakfast with 'Mr F' - its such a peaceful way of eating, all the chewing and munching sounds - I went to fetch some more seeds and other bits and bobs.

I hadn't taken 'Mr F' out on my own for some time yet I have always greatly enjoyed it. Today I had time as it was a day off so I made my way over the the stables again just after midday.

He was sunbathing / snoozing in the field with 'Luke' and 'Little Sam' and I went to say 'hello'. I spent some time in the field with them. It's a first pointer to get an idea of his mood and the way he communicates when putting his head collar on: is he interested (turns towards me, lowers head so I can put on headcollar easily) is he not interested (stays put or gently turns away) is he in discomfort (usually communicated by 'Mr F' walking away at the sight of the head collar and herding the rest away from me) and so on.

He was in a kind of neutral / interested mood. Once in the stable I took my time to see to his hooves and to put on his hoof boots. Two layers of vet wrap around the hoof edges help making the hoof boots sit snug without twisting.

Then it was time for some grooming etc. A great deal is communicated between us when grooming. All the while I let him chew some of the haylage that is in the stable. 

Other people are too at the yard, all getting their horses ready, some going for lessons, others going for rides.

We are the last ones to get on our way. 

As my journey (some may call it spiritual journey) or as I call it: shedding of all the conditioned layers continues and brings changes and revelations every day, so did our ride today.  My placement on 'Mr F' was different, my lower body was part of his and for the first time I very clearly felt a figure of 8 movement in walk. Sway to the right, slightly forward, back and sway to the left, slightly forward and back, and repeat. It was a very even rhythm, just letting my hips 'roll' with it, having my upper body completely still. 

There is an exercise I do often when out riding: I balance my little whip (not actually sure why I bring it nowadays) in my open hand during walk and trott. Today I was pleased that I could balance the whip without actually holding it even during trott and transition back to walk (while not riding with stirrups). It appears that my body is learning, or more: I am less and less separating myself from 'Mr F'. I don't resist his movement, hence it is all much more balanced and united.

Being on our own he had to do the work of look out while also paying attention to me which made it all more interesting for him. He reacted very well to me 'steering' with my hips and the leg aids too were acknowledged immediately when 'slaloming' through groups of trees or making space for passing cars. He patiently would stand still (without eating grass!). Gait transitions too were accepted without arguing and by me just using my seat. It appeared that 'Mr F' was not minding me as his rider at all today. It was a true partnership today on this ride and being on our own I was not 'distracted' by talking. Although I do enjoy riding out with 'Lillian' because of our often silly conversations, I prefer being out on my own, just 'I' and 'Mr F'.

The last stretch just before getting back to the yard I use to let 'Mr F' enjoy some grass while I admire the views. It was a lovely late afternoon, the sun was setting and the fog was trying to creep up. We just stood there, in silence, beautiful joy and bliss.

Back at the yard I was getting 'Mr F' ready for the night, when 'Lillian' returned with the trailer. She came to spend some time in the stable with 'Luke' and as she was watching 'Mr F' stand next to me while I was listening to 'Lillian' she suddenly said: "You know, his (Mr F) face has changed so much over the past 3-4 months ... he no longer looks as though he thinks he is 'above it all', he is softer, but he knows he can trust you, I think he is 'in love' (not in a romantic cheesy way) with you."

Indeed, I felt a strong connection from deep inside flowing through all of my body, a wordless communication. 'Mr F' stood right next to me, his head very close (he isn't one for much body contact, but he sometimes likes to lean his mouth very gently against the curve between my neck and shoulder). He seemed extremely content.

Although I really am less and less looking back into the past nowadays but one thing is for sure: our countless walks too have very much contributed to our partnership level. For most this sounds a boring thing to do but I can only recommend it to improve the trust level between  you and your horse.

It appears that somehow today's ride has united us some more. 'Mr f' stuck his head out of the stable door for ages seeing what I was doing while I was sorting out stuff in the yard. Normally he just goes and chews haylage oblivious of what is going on. I didn't want to leave and would have happily slept in the stable. It was a sensation of belonging ... among other fellow beings.

Because in truth we are animals too, except over the past several thousand years we have developed emotional thinking ... or self awareness, other than that, there is no difference. We have the same basic needs. And I am quite sure that at some point in the past there was communication (without words) among all living beings ... all understood one another. We have 'lost' or unlearnt this ... 

But that's an entirely different topic.

The Saddle Experiment - Completed

In previous post I have mentioned and shown the 'new' 2nd hand saddle that I purchased for 'Mr F', in view of making trotting more comfortable with stirrups. It was a beautifully made treeless, western style saddle.

I have avoided testing the saddle because I am enjoying riding with the physio pad so much. It's so simple and it just fits both of us like a glove.

However, seeing that I bought that other saddle I might as well try it. So yesterday I had a few moments on my own at 'Buttercup Farm' and went to tack up 'Mr F'. He nowadays accepts anything that I put on his body so that is no longer an issue.

'Lillian' supplied me with some old stirrups so I could try it all out.

All tacked up we proceeded to the 'mounting' area (a stone wall, now with added mounting block). At that moment 'Lillian' turned up.

I proceeded to mount and as I sat in the saddle, legs in the stirrups, I felt disconnected from 'Mr F'. I couldn't feel him breath, I couldn't fee him move and I felt trapped with my legs in the stirrups and all 'steering' that I am used to (with hips and seat) was no longer possible as there was too much material between us. I was no longer part of 'Mr F'. I was some piece of meat sat on his back.

 What put the final conclusion in place was 'Lillian's comment:  "You look like you are riding a camel."    That is just how I felt! Decision was made: I shall stick with the Barefoot ride-on-physio pad. It is soooo comfortable to ride in and 'Mr F' too like its.

Meanwhile my legs have yet more adapted to rising trot without stirrups. It is all about being with the horse, being with it's rhythm and not to resist it. Don't think, just be ... as one. And suddenly things become near effortless. I may sound like a stuck record but this is really it, its that simple. Our job as rider is to get out the horse's way once we sit on the horse (and have prior managed to establish a 100% trust relationship!) The horse knows how to do its job, its us that don't, it's our bodies that are stiff and unfit and mostly unbalanced, so the horse has to compensate for our clumsiness on top of saddle discomfort. So yet again I realise just how much they put up with.

The less tools and gadgets I have on the horse, the more we are 'together'.

The Horse's Gift To Us

Further observations / revelations / acknowledgements ... whichever the word may be.

I am not wanting to go on about this too long, yet I am asking you to consider the following:

A horse isn't born to be ridden. It is not a car that is purposely built to be driven. It is a fellow living being. It just happens to have evolved into a shape that allows for it to be ridden. But so are cows, elephants, camels etc etc.  But you cannot do with these above what you can do with a horse. Just think of all the wars when horses were used, when they were used for work our ground so we could eat, when they were used to hunt so we could eat, cow herding, archery, jousting etc etc. And in more modern days dressage, show jumping, eventing etc etc. Their willingness to team up with a human, their ability and gentle ways allowing for us to form a partnership, to become one. There is a depth to the horse that I cannot find in other animals (living on land).

Most people seem to see the horse as a tool or machine. The horses are tacked up, gadget-ed up, often ridden by too heavy riders, insensitive riders, spoilt teenagers, forceful riders. Some get beaten up, some get severely neglected, some are being used again and again regardless of their pain, some are treated like pets, belittled, controlled, dominated, used, abused, misunderstood.

They could easily kill us with one kick if they wanted, yet they very rarely do.

They put up with use, they let us get close, again and again they try, they try to get us to listen. They give and give and give. And most of us NEVER say thank you. Do you realise the IMMEASURABLE GIFT offered to you by YOUR HORSE?

Everytime I see them in the mornings and evenings and sometimes in between, I am aware of this, more and more so. It's a sensation in my stomach, when I see their heads so kind and gently look out of their stable doors or when they come to say hello in the field, their heads down and their eyes warm and open, forever giving and forgiving for WE DO NOT KNOW BETTER, and THE HORSE knows that.

So then the least we can do is to care for it where it cannot. Be honest with your horse, don't pretend, don't emotionalise it (it doesn't understand), just be. Open up to your horse, let go of your thoughts and your intentions, be with your horse as one. And you will find that it will teach you so much about being alive, not about living, but about being.

That is their gift to us.

Nature's Glory

 Making you speechless ... at last

The above photograph I took 2 days ago - it was a beautiful day again and I was 'working my socks off' to get everything done at work so I could be at the stables for 15:30. There I grabbed 'Mr F' and we got to our sunset watching spot just in time for this display of indescribable beauty ... timeless, speechless, thoughtless ... only sensation. Even 'Mr F' watched now and then in between eating grass.

 'Mr F' in the early days of his career as an illumination ... a more up-to-date version is to follow soon. I will have to make something that highlights his body shape (not an exercise sheet though).

Don't think, just be :)

This month there was a seemingly haunting task awaiting someone that is small and light ... and an adult. Guess what: it was me. 

What needed doing?

Well, there is a large water tank at 'Buttercup Farm'. We use the water to soak the hay nets and other matters although I never use it for drinking water.  So, the other day I noticed a stench come from near the tank. I couldn't quite figure out what it was until I saw a bucket with water. As I picked up the bucket, the stench grew rapidly stronger. 

As I inquired where the water had come from I was informed that it was from the tank. I had always wondered over the cleanliness of said tank as it wasn't covered and anything could fall in. This seems to have happened because when I turned the tap on, the stench was revolting. Upon climbing up to see inside the tank we all came to the conclusion that something dead must be floating in there.

First of all the tank had to be drained. However, the tap is a few inches above the tank bottom so there were a good 4 inches of water in there that needed to be emptied by hand. So, one Saturday, 'Helen' and I decided to attack this at first daunting task. We needed 2 ladders, one to climb up and one to climb inside the tank. Upon closer examination I discovered at least 2 bigger dead beings floating in there. It was hard to tell at first if it was rats of magpies. 

I wasn't sure how I would do with the stench but I treated it like my job: don't think, just do and do as good as you can. And so we began our job, a job that turned out to take us a good 4 hours in total! 

At first I lowered buckets on strings and pulled them back out until I felt it was OK to go and stand in this sauce of death and natural decay. 

All the while we made sure not to speak or have our mouths open. I didn't fancy swallowing any of this contaminated water. Interestingly enough, I wasn't at all bothered by what i was doing and in fact hardly noticed any smell. Probably because I was breathing through my mouth which was covered up by my thick scarf. 'Helen' and I used sign language to point out to each other which buckets contained dead matter and which didn't, just as a warning. 

There were 2 very big rats in there ... half decayed ... I guess they drowned in the tank in desperate search of water due to poison that had been put out some time ago as the cat failed to do her job!

At last we reached the stage where we could wash it clean ... and below you see the emptied and scrubbed clean tank bottom. 

Emptying the rotten water of the water tank: 

A task done best without thinking (about the matter at hand ... or anything!)

Another task which was of quite a large scale ... the repair of the nearby bridle path. Used by riders, walkers and cyclists alike. The loose stone was brought down by a dumper and then tediously spread with shovels and rakes by about 12 men / women from the surrounding area, either members of the riding club or other organisations that deal with public access paths. I cannot remember all the details.

There is another section of the path before this one above ... its a fairly steep, stoney and at the same time VERY muddy part of the path. After we finished with the fine stone (and many had already gone home), 'Lillian' I and another lady (who's name I just cannot remember) continued our work. 'Lillian' and I were shoveling all the heavy mud out of the path and placed it along the sides. A back breaking piece of work. Meanwhile the other 'nameless' lady was very busy with flattening the path ... with a vibrating ground compactor machine. (again, technical term has escaped).

'Lillian' and I were determined to finish the clearing of that top part. Meanwhile I was disciplining myself not to think ... about anything. Which is tricky when having a conversation! 

The next day I was quite surprised to realise that my back wasn't aching at all ... despite the tons of mud and stone we must have been moving by hand.

I have in the past week been out riding with 'Mr F' twice. In the old bareback pad still. Somehow I cannot bring myself to try out that new treeless saddle. I just don't fancy my legs' movement reduced by stirrups. Not having ridden for nearly 2 months made it feel all fresh and new and much more secure and balanced than before. Every time I have a long break in between riding I notice improvements upon picking it up. Old stuff that was tricky suddenly becomes easy. 

Nowadays all I do is to keep out of the horses' way while I ride, so that 'Mr F' can choose how to move his body. Especially when navigating over uneven ground or also when riding in the dark. 

I have said this before and I say this again: I implicitly trust 'Mr F' to look after us as much as he trusts me to do the same. We have no issues apart from the odd disagreement over which path to take. Sometimes he chooses, sometimes I do. It's all about balance. :)

As we often return almost in the dark, I have a led body vest that is also reflective. Meanwhile 'Mr F' has his own 'flashy' gear: hi-viz wraps for the legs and bridle, and led rings for the legs and an led body harness. We can be clearly seen by any member of the public when travelling in the dark, long before their headlamps reach us. I will try and take a snapshot of it next time.

On Saturday we went out with 'Lillian' and 'Luke' - who has this year behaved impeccably at all times. and is getting used to being a horse that works with humans and seems to begin to find it interesting rather than frightening.  

 View on our ride home - How could we spoil a view like this by thought ...

Winter Sunshine - Blood Test - And other ...

And so, as the seasons change, so does my work. Today I had a day off - first in a long time. Much of it was spent repairing parts of a nearby bridle-path and general maintenance around 'Buttercup Farm'.

In between working on the Bridle path I went to 'Buttercup Farm' for a quick tea break. Although very breezy, the sun was out and the colours were beautiful. I took my big mug of tea out into the fields to the boys.

The camera on my phone isn't great but it will do.

 And here we are ... the boys in the field, quite evenly spread out. I quietly stood there, only looking at them while taking the photo but then turning away to face the sun and soak up some of the sunbeams.

But it doesn't take long before the crew join, 'Luke' was the first to come and say hello ... 

,,, followed by 'Little Sam' who is the furthest away ... 

.... and of course 'Mr F' ... 

His coat in this season is simply stunning! Being a dark bay, his coat shimmers in gold, brown, and almost red ... and is very very shiny. Everyone is commenting on it, including strangers that we meet on our walks. I do use natural hair brushes which do spread the natural oil of the coat rather than taking it off as some synthetic brushes do. I use a rubber curry comb which is great to take off the dry mud and because of its soft edges, it doesn't hurt the skin as many of the plastic curry combs can do if the ends are split (often not visible to our eye).

But 'Mr F' is also back on Thunderbrook food now, for about 4 months and I am now beginning to see first changes in his hooves, and even his hair seems to be a little fuller. In his hooves it is especially noticeable because that crack he's been having for nearly 2 years has almost grown out! I am curious to see if we will get rid of it at last. I thought so once before ... and then for some reason I just cannot remember, I took 'Mr F' off Thunderbrook base mix and now looking back and collected data (my notes) this is connected with feed changes.

I have also managed to keep the biting lice at bay ... with 'Coopers Fly Spray Plus'. Worked perfectly well. I have to re-apply it every 2 weeks or when signs of their return are manifesting.

'Mr F' also had a routine check up - I asked the vet to examine his sheath and clean it and remove the 'bean' if there was one. Although I can do it myself, I wanted the vet to check his sheath for possible tumors. But nothing to worry here, all was fine although there was a build up of smeg which we removed. Then I had a blood test done, as a general check up. Due to 'Mr F's advanced age I want to make sure that the basic things are in order. His blood test result according to the vet: "There is absolutely nothing to worry about!"  

Going back to food: there is a new chaff out by Thunderbrook, a 'Muesli'. It is herbal chaff but with specifically selected, seasonal herbes. Matter that they would graze for if they'd be out in the wild with access to any plant they fancy. It is rather pricey but his runny back end business has cleared up within 3 days! I must say that 'Muesli' does smell very very nice, very seasonal ... wintery. It's tempting to keep a bowl full in the house as I like the scent.

Talking about food:  'Little Sam' has got his very own food dispenser in shape of 'Luke' ... 

... 'Luke' is semi trying to pretend that he is boss over 'Little Sam' but it only works because 'Little Sam' just generally stays out of the way until an opportunity arrives ... 

One of the many reasons why I enjoy eating my breakfast with the crew are moments like this here above; 'Luke' - although somewhat unwilling - is sharing mouthfulls of haylage with 'Little Sam', who is pulling it out of 'Luke's mouth!

The funniest part was that 'Luke' seemed to tease him at times, moving his head away just as 'little Sam' is trying to grab some of the strands of haylage ... it was most amusing to observe.

And as I am working from home tomorrow ... I am planning to sneak away for a ride in the afternoon, perhaps even trying out the new treeless saddle.

Who is training whom?

Some more observations that I wish to quickly note down before they go out my head again.

I don't experience 'Mr F' as a horse any longer. This is a hard one to explain and I dare say that words will not ever come close to what I mean. He (and I come to the conclusion that this applies to all animals) knows infinitely more than I (we humans) do. By this I don't mean an academic knowledge. What I mean is that they have an infinitely deeper knowledge of life, of being, which we don't or no longer have. I am beginning to realise why, too, more and more. Our heads are so full with everyday 'garbage' stuffed into our heads via radio, TV, newspapers and of course conversations. We don't live ... we are being lived, like robots. We function, but we are not alive. We may think we are when we party or have a few drinks. I remember myself enjoying a bottle of Prosecco over a Sunday afternoon, or a few pints over some games of darts or pool. Becoming very cheerful and energetic, only to find a deep drop once the effect had worn off. We are being lived by what others think, by what we think, by what one is 'supposed' to do / by, by ones job, status, income, house, etc etc. On top of that we have another load of believes which we have created ourselves, that also stop us from being.  

Observe a 2 year old ... wonderfully innocent, direct, clear, and so much pureness in the eyes. 

A child at this age smiles lightheartedly and truthfully, it doesn't smile because it wants something or because it think it has to. It is very rarely sad, if it cries it is usually because it has needs (food, pain, discomfort). I don't recall ever any of my step brothers / sisters (I spent much of my childhood looking after them) crying because they were sad or angry until they reached about year 3. When they started to learn what is supposedly sad and what is supposedly something happy. As they grew older they lost their innocence.

For me, horses in particular, are otherworldly beings. Where do they get the tremendous love for us from? And they must have that because what is there to love about us from there point of view? Once more the world love is not really correct, as it implies romantic thoughts. That is not at all what I mean. Theirs is a unconditional form of love, a love of life and all that is alive (unless its a matter of life and death).  Where does it come from? We ride them and mostly cause them pain one way or another doing so (mostly unknowingly / unwillingly) ... Why do we think we have the right to ride them without asking first?

All the time I have spent with 'Mr F' I have struggled with the terms 'leadership' / 'dominance' / 'show who the boss is' / 'make it (the horse) respect you' ... From my observations, none of the above applies. The only thing that matters is total trust and openness from both sides. The less there is a 'me' and 'it', the less we have to communicate but instead we just 'know' and somehow it becomes balanced. I used to believe that I had to portrait to be 'the woman in charge'. But the problem of that is that ones ego gets swollen up and hurt so easily: "how does it dare to disobey! You are trying to test me aren't you, I'll show you!" .... and so on. Instantly our thinking becomes emotional (anger, frustration, embarrassment even if there are onlookers and know-it-alls) and therefore distorted. You know longer see what IS. Then we start overacting / over-reacting, we may turn panicky or hysterical, all of which the horse doesn't understand and has no interest in. It will however increase its distrust in you because you're no longer secure from its viewpoint; it doesn't understand you. When the boys are all in the stable together, there is no quarrelling required because they know that everything has its place, its balanced. (although 'Mr F' does think he holds ownership of my breakfast bowl with shreddies and seeds WHILE I am still eating them). So yes, there is a form of pecking order, survival of the fittest, its very matter of fact though and not fed by emotion (or hurt ego). Indeed they do put ears back and all but its not anger because they think they are the dominant one but because they know they are and if not they will be challenged. It's part of the life cycle where everything has its place, where everything is balanced. If something is out of balance it is most likely no longer working or not working properly.

 You may think I am crazy, it doesn't matter. Over the past year or so I have witnessed and observed so much not just about the horses but about being alive. Now there is less and less difference between dealing with horses or dealing with people. My way of being with people changed much more than my way of being with the horses. What I learn from the horses I apply in everyday relationships with humans (any form of relationship, business, friendship, workmates etc etc).

Of course much of my behaviour is still triggered by emotion thinking but at least I have learnt to witness when this happens. The less emotional I am, the simpler everything becomes, the easier it is to see what IS. I call it 'being' or 'being awake' and within lies sheer joy and biss and a very deep love for all that IS. Words are no good here as words means something different to each person. To me being with the horses is like a home coming, the same feeling as when we are just about to fall asleep, when thoughts have stopped, that moment when our head rests on the pillow, knowing we are going to 'go home' for a few hours, into a state of no thought. Bliss!

Talking of bliss: I wish to share this particular Youtube clip, not for you to watch but for you to listen to should you struggle settling your head.  Its an hours or so worth of nature sounds of crickets / wind in the tress and night owls.  

Boy Group

'Mr F' is indeed still very pleased with his settings and admittedly so am I as it is most pleasant to be able to care for 'Mr F' in an environment where all the hoof care (of which he requires a fair amount being barefoot) etc is in one place and in a well lit area. 

2 days ago 'Luke' also returned to 'Buttercup Farm' for a short term stay, he will be leaving again in 5 weeks time. 'Buttercup Farm' is a suitable place also for 'Lillian' where she has an enclosed environment that assists in dealing with matters concerning 'Luke' (such as learning to pick up his feet etc etc).

'Luke' of course is more than happy to be back here where he has juicy soaked hay to indulge in. And so all 3 - 'Mr F', 'Luke' and 'Little Sam' are sharing one field with adjoining stable (split into three compartments). 

As all the horses are very calm having them all in the same stable go in and out is simple. Especially since 'Mr F' is very calm indeed and although he is the one holding the cards, he does so very calmly and doesn't create any drama inside the stable. They all know their place and stick to the routine which they deem safe.

'Little Sam' usually goes and hides in the snog, and sometimes 'Luke' joins him. While it is easy for 'Little Sam' to manoeuvre in this small snug, I remain bemused seeing 'Luke' shifting around his big body. Sometimes both are in there! 'Little Sam' is a wise little pony as he always stays out the way and retreats into a corner, quietly waiting till a situation is resolved.  Even 'Luke's quite amusing attempts on being bossy leave 'little Sam' mostly unfazed. 

What food is concerned: what do you mean "Waiting, ME?"

'Mr F' .. or as I call him at the moment: 'Mr Smug'

'Luke' - 2 days after his temporary return to 'Buttercup Farm'. He is getting used to all this yard life again - he's been left in a field with other horses for most of the past year, doing not much else other than eating grass. But it is like picking up where we left last, he is well mannered, gets out the way when he's asked to and generally is calm but at the same time checking everything out as though almost looking for a problem ... he'll be fully settled very soon.

And 'shifty' ... the curent 'Buttercup Resident's Parsons Jack Russell dog.

I have to admit that this head collar just has me in tears with laughter. He can't quite sniff the ground so he moves around like a chicken trying to pick worms ... and he just forever gets stuck in strange places. I'm afraid it is a great source of entertainement for me.  Oh yes; he wears this collar to stop him from nibbling on his tail where he's had some kind of infection. New ideas for ball games ... ;) 

10 out of 10 on the smugness scale

'Mr F' is the master of smugness since his return to 'Buttercup Farm' and the cosy stable which he shares with his new best pal 'little Sam'. They have been together before but he was never very interested. However, one cannot have everything even if one tries, and 'Mr F' tries hard at having it all.

The clocks have gone back last night and this brings the short evenings. 

Yesterday young we arranged to go out for a ride, young 'Jem' on 'little Sam' and myself and Mr Smug. 

I realised while at work that not only was the light diminishing after 14:00, it also was a very murky autumnal day. Still unusually warm, although this is going to change now, according to the forecast.

Considering the quickly drawing in dark evenings I rushed at work so that I could be back at 'Buttercup Farm'  for 15:30-ish. We had a quick cup of tea while tacking up and gathering together anything hi-vis we could find and fit somewhere on our tack and ourselves.

I hadn't ridden 'Mr F' for pretty much 3 months, instead we have just been out on walks almost everyday. There wasn't enough time to test a the new saddle, I will do that when I am on my own and when I am not making anyone wait. 

Last time I had the hoof boots on they were twisting at the back a little so this time I wrapped a thing layer of vet wrap around 'Mr F's hooves to make the boots 'stick' rather than twist around his hoof. 

They had just been trimmed yesterday. Interestingly: I wasn't sure on the verdict of the state of his hooves but apparently there was nothing to be concerned off except the usual winter wet / damp mud matter. I was lucky that I caught those deep holes in the solar area of his fronts those 3 weeks ago and dealt with them.

We got tacked up fairly quickly and went on our way. Each time I ride after a break it feels fresh and each time it feels more natural, in a way. This time was perhaps the longest break. I was experimenting with minor seat adjustments, trying to listen to 'Mr F's body and how he reacts. We did some trotting, too, which I was surprised to find that my leg muscles were OK with the posting (without stirrups). 

'Mr F' was quite interested in it all and had a steady gait, not like before when he was like treacle. Overall he seemed pretty relaxed with being ridden, no angry tail swishing or head shaking. A few times he pointed out that I wasn't in a for him comfortable position or that I was reacting in a stiff manner. He was quite right too, of course. Often when I was talking to young 'jem' I wasn't with 'Mr F'. I generally prefer to ride silently and be with the horse (I.E. feel the horse rather than being just a passenger). But young 'Jem' is lovely and I don't mind a bit of chatting.

I was pleased to see that the boots didn't not twist this time and stayed nicely in position all the way. We were only out for perhaps a little more than an hour as it was getting dark so quickly. We managed to get back to 'Buttercup Farm' just in time before it was basically night time.

It is time to invest in some LED gear to be seen.

Back at the farm, 'Mr F' was peeking out of his stable with the smuggest face I have seen him have. All his requirements seem to be met. He had his feed and then both of them tucked into some tasty soaked hay served in the hay nets. 

I sometimes wonder if he is still growing ... each time I dismount (jump off as no stirrups) I come to realise just how tall he is. Inside the stable he looks even taller. His rear end is higher than me ... 

Once more I have to mention just how great this 'Barefoot' Physio ride-on pad is. I have bought it now over 18 months ago and it is still doing well. It's very good quality and well made, I can only recommend it. And not once has it slipped.

We shall see what tomorrow brings (appart from work) - I now have my breakfast at 'Buttercup Farm' together with 'Mr F', as usual.

Return to 'Buttercup Farm'

Today I moved 'Mr F' over to 'Buttercup Farm' where he'll be spending winter.

I had moved most of his stuff early in the morning prior to work so that I would not need to drive back and forth in the evening. All his rugs, liners, feed buckets etc etc was stuffed into the car. It's amazing how much room there is in a 5 door Ford Focus Hatchback. It has been well worth the £500 I paid for it! The loading space when the seats are down is quite impressive and has been fully utilised many times now also during moving my stuff.

As soon as I got back from work (and had a cup of tea of course!) I went to fetch 'Mr F' who was already waiting near the gate. It was time now for the field to be put to rest as all the grass had gone. 'Kitten' and 'Tolka' will be moved to another of 'Lillian's fields.

And so 'Mr F' and I got on our way over to 'Buttercup Farm'. I forgot to drop of the carrots and my tea-making things (very important of course: almond milk, honey and Yorkshire tea) and put it all in a big shopping bag which I slung over my shoulder. I guess we were once again an odd sight for passing cars but quite a few of them by now have gotten to know us and so they wave. There has even been a couple that would wait to meet 'Mr F' on our walk. Many of the people we met on our walks would tell us some parts of their lives, usually also animal related. It seems 'Mr F' just brings it out of people.

We munched some carrots on the way over while enjoying the beautiful autumnal colours of the leaves. It was a surprisingly warm day (16 degrees at the end of October) with an equally warm night. No rugs for 'Mr F' tonight. He is not clipped and has got a nice winter coat.

I was curious to see how he would react once he was back at 'Buttercup Farm' and would realise that he was going to be there with 'only' (I means from a horse point of view) 'Little Sam' and none of his big horse friends.

However, upon arrival 'PL' was wanting to greet him (she and 'Mr F' arrived together, both in equally bad shape - see beginning of this blog) but 'Mr F' showed no interest. Instead he looked at me: 'Where's my food?' - 'Sigh ... so matter of fact!'
'Little Sam' seemed very keen to join us, he was grazing outside at the back of the stable but when I went to say hello he came straight inside. It was mostly food orientated but he did come to rub his head for a while. Previously 'Mr F' would spends considerable time calling out for his big mates and would pace around in the stable but not this time. 'Mr F' was calm but did look at me somewhat quizzing ... 'So, whats this now? Am I going to stay here? What's the deal?' - 'Yes yes, all to please you.' - 'Hmm, OK. Took you a while didn't it!'.

'Helen' and young 'Jem' arrived too, the family that is currently looking after 'Little Sam'. And there was also 'Izzy' who also has her horse at 'Buttercup Farm'. I may get into troubles here but I think that the two girls may be of approximately the same age? Oh I am no good at age guessing because it doesn't matter to me. We all get on well and so the yard soon fills with the chatter and giggles and the noise of busy brushes, scraping of shovels and the boiling of the kettle. 'Mr F' observed it all, looking most up-beat. Once 'Little Sam' was prepared for the night we let them out. No fuss here, straight for the grass.
After a little while I went to see how they were doing and upon seeing 'Mr F's almost smug face as he turns his head towards me I smiled.

It was probably also a good experience for him to have moved and to see things from a different prospective. As I had noted in a blog post at the time, the day after we moved 'Mr F' was quite anxious to see me ... he seemed quite unnerved as though he thought I might 'abandon' him somewhere. I suppose he had a quite sheltered life since he arrived at 'Buttercup Farm'. This move may have just made him accept different circumstances with a little more calmness compared to what he was like before, pacing up and down and shaking his head. None of that this time.

It is favourable in every possible way to have a set up of stables with adjoining fields and 24/7 turnout. If needed, they can also be locked in of course.

Well, the fields are nowhere near as exciting as at 'Lillian's but at least here we have everything under one roof. Yes, I can't just walk out the door and go see him but a 10 minute drive is no ordeal at all and it's easier now that I have transport, which I didn't have in the previous years.

I am curious to see him in the morning before going to work. The barefoot trimmer lady is coming tomorrow latter part of the afternoon after I have finished work, a week overdue. I must not forget to measure his hooves, I might try out the new type of hoof boot called 'scoot boot'.

There has also been some interest in 'Mr F's new saddle ... we shall see how it works out. 'Rolling rolling rolling ... rawhide ...' (some of you may remember this tune ... seems to fit the saddle ...)

And then on Sunday we may go out for a ride ... in the new saddle or old pad, I don't know yet.



'

The Saddle Experiment

'Mr F' was in good fettle this morning and later this early evening when I went to see him. He appeared more content. 

Tomorrow we shall wander over to 'Buttercup Farm' where 'Mr F' will spend the winter months. That is as far as I plan ahead. Everything changes all the time, but my only concern is for 'Mr F' to be sound and well. 'Mr F' is to go and stay with 'Little Sammy' once more. It won't be the same as a big horse but it is company. The reason for moving 'Mr F' back to 'Buttercup Farm' is first and foremost so that he has access to a stable 24/7. He can wander in and out as he pleases and will have hay / haylage in there for food. For me it is only a 10 minutes drive away from where I currently reside.

He was somewhat making a point with his down attitude that things just weren't quite as he is used to. While I greatly enjoyed having him being able to be on the wonderfully natural fields here at 'Lillian's, the use of a stable in the winter months is more important.

And it will save me no end of time as I don't have to drag all maintenance gear (paste for his soles, brushes, hoof picks, rugs, etc etc) through damp fields in the dark. I can also go and see him when it is dark as the place is quite well lit.

Currently the stable door needs some repair done to it prior to arrival and there will be a few other things to sort out but it will be so much easier for me to attend his feet etc. He will miss his bigger pals but he can see 'Madame' and 'PL' in the other fields and there is only so much I can do to make things 'right' for 'Mr F'. 

And there, all being well, I shall be testing out 'Mr F's new saddle. Before we were riding in a 'Barefoot' Bareback Physio Pad. Basically a pad which is shaped especially to accommodate the protruding withers. The pad itself is padded with high density foam basically a big pad with a cloth (like suede) outer and non-slip (it really never slipped, neither up nor downhill even with loose girth). In fact it is like two pads, under the bigger main pad sits a smaller pad with velcro openings at both ends on both sides that allow to insert various layers of further foam or shims (pre-cut to shape and can be ordered online). The entire pad can be washed in the washing machine (if your machine is big enough!). Initially I rode with those little side pads but they kept getting in the way of my legs or more precice, my feet (I am short, as I said ... )

I remember the first time I tried this pad - 'Mr F' immediately accepted it and his gait was much freer. He stumbled less going downhill and overall was much more keen on going out. He certainly did no longer walk off when I turn up with it (he used to walk away if he saw me appear with the saddle).

Above 'Mr F' in May 2015, with the 'Barefoot' physio-ride-on pad, in May 2015. The pad is quite soft from a structural point of view and therefore there are no stirrup attachments. I felt instantly more comfortable riding with the pad because my body could find its 'natural' position on 'Mr F's back. No knee rolls in the way and no stirrups to struggle with.

The only downside are rides with a lot of trotting, something I am not able do for too long a time as my muscles will give in eventually. By this I mean posting ... not sitting trott. Sitting trott at a slow speed is OK but at a faster gait, on uneven terrain ... well I cannot do it without bouncing and on protruding withers this isn't very comfortable. Other than that: I feel more safe without stirrups than with for many reasons which I have explained somewhere else in this blog.

However, to give my bottom a bit of a rest on longer rides I have over the past 3-4 months been contemplating getting a treeless saddle. 'Mr F' and I haven't been out riding for basically as long as he has been here over at 'Lillians'. It's time to see if he still is willing to come out while being ridden. It would open up further options, we could travel a little further and see new things, something we both enjoy. 

All the treeless saddles that I saw online that looked as though they could work are in the price range of £650 upwards. I don't have that type of budget though. Then, the other week, I have come across a western-style treeless saddle. It was advertised as a 'possibly barefoot' saddle. It had the typical (like the physio rideo-on pad) velcro attachments underneath to add extra padding (shims?) for spinal clearance. So it could be ... it looked like a 'Barefoot' Arizona saddle. It was listed for very little money, a fraction of what it would have been new, yet it looked basically new. What I liked about it was that it would give me leg freedom. I will need to wear some chaps or long riding boots while using stirrups. It looked a very sturdy saddle yet flexible enough not to create pressure points. 

And so I bid for it and won it. It was promptly delivered withing 3 days and I was very surprised by its quality. Overall I liked it straight away but I have to find out how i get on with it. It will be quite different to the pad, and leather is going to be more slippery at least to start with. But all the shaped parts of the saddle can be exchanged for different sizes, width, etc 

Plenty of means to attach saddle bags ... which is another of my plans for further outings. I am fit so I can ride half way and walk half way ... as long as 'Mr F' carries the bags ... most of the weight are going to be his carrots anyway! 

Ignore the asymmetric placement of the padding, they are attached with velcro and I didn't make an effort of putting them into place for this photograph. The pommel can be swapped for different widths, with or without horn. 

The cantle too can be swapped, or fully removed.

The underneath ... with the two adjustable shims. This time I have placed them symmetrically ...although my concern here is that they will not be sufficient enough to give 'Mr F' enough spinal clearance with stirrups attached. Although I won't used them much, I still want to make sure that his spine and also shoulders are protected.

 I discussed the saddle with 'Lillian' fleetingly and she said; "doesn't the under pad of the physio pad fit this saddle?"  - "I don't know, didn't even think about it ..."

So I went to try and low and behold: it fits perfectly. The placement of the velcro on the underpad matches the placement of the velcro strips on the saddle perfectly. Perhaps it is indeed a 'Barefoot' treeless saddle.

Here the saddle with the physio under pad attached to the underside, We have to see how it fits with the pommel (may have to get different width) but it should offer plenty of spinal clearance. I am only 48kg of weight which should help make riding as comfortable as possible for 'Mr F'. He's not yet seen the saddle. I shall wait until he is settled back at 'Buttercup Farm'. 

The barefoot trimmer lady is coming on Saturday, I am quite sure that she is going to tell me off about the state of his feet. Having said that, recently when we had been going out, 'Mr F' preferred to walk on the tarmac rather than the softer ground ... he used to be the other way round.

Perhaps the past 2 months of going out mostly without hoof boots (although always routes where he could walk on the grass) did harden his hooves for the better. I will find out soon!

Keeping hooves dry without stableing and other ditties

Quick entry, this is after all a 'diary' to remind myself of events.

My experiment with the easy boot gloves is working well. To give 'Mr F's feet some relieve from the damp ground (it isn't muddy as such but just moist) I make a dressing in the evening before putting on the easy boots.

The dressing goes as follows:  two layers of cotton wool (off the roll) applied to the sole of his boot, Then a sandwich bag (it doesn't have to be thick plastic, it just needs to keep the wet out) is pulled over the hoof which is fastened into place with vet wrap, making sure not to wrap too tightly. I wrap it just above the coronary band before 'sticking' the entire hoof into the easy boot glove. All the while 'Mr F' is patiently resting his leg on my thigh, not moving an inch so I can calmly use both hands to fiddle with all the utentsils.
Once the hoof is properly inside the hoof boot, I ask 'Mr F' to put his foot down and stand with his weight on the leg I just dressed. Now I can check if it is all in place. If all is as required, I wrap a little more cotton around his pastern just to help regulating moisture coming from the skin before pulling up the sandwich bag. Here too I loosely wrap some vet wrap around the pastern, making really sure it is lose and then I just gently press it into place around his pastern with my hands. Now I can finish fastening the hoof boot, tuck away any surplus sandwich bag material and we are set for the night.

It works well and he doesn't appear to have troubles walking and there is no extra heat building up anywhere in his legs.

'Mr F' was a star this morning: after we both had breakfast, I was taking off his over night dressing. I had forgotten about the refuse collecting lorry that turns its vehicle at the crossing where the gate to the field is and where we usually hang around. The other two, 'Kitten' and 'Tolka' were standing near the gate (being fed up of me telling them to hop off while we have breakfast as I don't want 3 mouths in my cereal bowl!). There was some loud rattling sounds coming for the refuse lorry and both 'Kitten' and 'Tolka' made off down the field in an over dramatised manner. 'Mr F' was just wanting to follow but in the last second remembered where his leg was: resting on my thigh and that means : 'DO NOT MOVE'.  And he didn't move, not even while the others ran off. Although he did look at me kind of 'am I going to be alright? These guys are frightened of that loud noise, I trust you that I will be alright, OK?' I thanked him for not having moved as it would have meant me cleaning his entire hoof before applying the protective paste for the daytime hours.

His new saddle should arrive tomorrow ... although we don't yet have stirrups. I shall see if it fits and how he gets on with it. Will take him out for a test ride. It's no big deal if it doesn't fit as it looks like a great quality saddle which I won at a bargain price due to the seller not being able to state the manufacturer. Although we do think it is an old version of a Barefoot saddle, and the newer models go for over £600 (way out of my budget!)

And on the food side: 'Mr F' and I have found a new snack we both like -

Pumpkin seeds (I have recently developed a craving for these ):

"A good source of zinc which is vital in warding off osteoporosis. They contain L-tryptophan which is linked to lowering and combating depression as well as contains phosphorus, magnese, iron and copper. They are also a great source of plant based omega-3s"

Sunflower kernels

"rich in Vitamin E which has anti-inflammatory effects that may help combat the effects of osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis and may reduce the frequency of hot flushes"  Well the latter is no worry for 'Mr F' and I pay no attention to those 'womanly' things.

'Mr F' is very keen on both seeds and picks them over the carrots even.

Still, I yet have to make a decision as to where he is going to spend winter. In the end all that I am concerned with is to give him the setting he requires to keep being healthy. He can't do it himself.

Easyboots To Rescue

A couple of days ago I did mention about 'Mr F' hoof boots twisting and seemingly having become a tad too big. Well turns out just as well because they have been most handy in keeping 'Mr F's feet dry and clean so his heels can recover for a while.

And so, here we have two front feet. The sole and heels are covered with two layers of cotton wool (cut off a roll). Over that I placed a food bag to keep it all dry and then wrapped a thin layer of vet wrap over it, carefully leaving it loosely wrapped around the pastern. It only serves to keep the dirt out. So far this has worked well and the frog is starting to look a little better. Any moisture inside the food bag is held by the cotton wool. But although 'Mr F' very patiently stands still during the whole procedure and even though I can just let his leg rest on my knee while I fiddle around with scissors etc it is still time consuming and tricky in the half dark before getting off to work. 

It is clearly no long term solution. I have tried to go all the natural way with hoof treatments but I may have to revert back to using Keratex. The fields at 'Buttercup farm where much more muddy and sodden in wet weather but at least there 'Mr F' could get onto dry ground. He can't do that here, hopefully soon though. Meanwhile I have to find a different treatment method. I have last year used Keratex mud shield powder, as a last resort. And it worked amazingly well and has saved me a lot of time and 'Mr F' a lot of unnecessary discomfort. So now I shall go and try their Hoof Gel.

It's a challenge keeping a Thoroughbred who seems to have lost most of their natural resilience through breeding as natural as possible. 

We shall find out shortly how well the hoof gel works.

The rain is forecast to stop for the next few days so I look forward to photographing some of the beautiful tree colours.

Oh Warm Autumnal Sunshine!

As mentioned in the previous blog entry, here are some of the photographs that I took yesterday in the warm sunshine:

The trees are suddenly all changing colours and once more it seems that we have the joy of enjoying a golden Autumn. I wasn't sure as there hadn't been enough cold weather yet but seems that the trees are willing yet again to change costume for us before shedding it all before winter arrives.

Again, this was yesterday and I managed to get home early, just in good time to go into the field to take off 'Mr F's rug. I left it on as it had been torrential rain most of the morning with cold gusts. And as most of us have experienced, being wet in a cold and windy environment greatly adds to the chill factor.

I climbed the fence (short-cut), equipped with my thermos flask (filled with tea, almond milk and honey) and my trusty camera. It was such a lovely day and it was about time to take some more photographs of the surroundings and the mini crew.

As it is a very large field with so many 'hiding' places I wasn't sure where they might be but guessed that they would hang out at the other end with the cows and sheep. I was so keen on going to get 'Mr F's rug off that I didn't even make myself heard upon approach. 'Tolka' was resting on the ground while the other two where doing just the same standing up.

It so warm that even the flies made a re-appearance in great numbers. 

'Mr F' was glad to have his rug taken off!! They all by now have a decent winter coat and if he'd be younger, I wouldn't rug him just yet. But at the beginning of October he had lost a little weight which was a sign that the cold nights now made him use more energy. 

They still have plenty of grass, it has been growing and still is as it is so warm still.

I found them all gathered at the top end of the field, right next to the cows and sheep. There is a nice breeze here that keeps the flies off a little and of course its a lovely sun bathing spot. 

They all come to say hello and I quickly take 'Mr F's rug off so he can enjoy the warmth of the sun on his skin. All are very mellow and it appears that it is time for some 'grooming'. 'Mr F' instigates it but none of the others want to scratch his back. I have noticed this many times now but it is his own bad behaviour ... because he often quite roughly  mannered give them a nip. They leave it up to me to scratch his back ... "let her deal with 'Victor Meldrew'" ... 

And so I spend some time with all of them, each coming for some scratching and while I scratch one's back, the others rest their heads on each other's back and so we all take turns. 'Tolka' is often a little puzzled as to where he is supposed to scratch me so he wanders down with his mouth, along my back, starting at the neck (very soft as it is bare skin - and he is the third horse I trust with this) then going down the back (here he applies a little more force as he is trying to figure out what on earth I am wearing today - which is an old 100% wool jumper) and then he slowly goes with his nose under the jumper (or sometimes under the jacket) until he gets to the skin just where the waist is - then he continues to wander down and I have to stretch out one of my legs. This quite fun ritual usually ends with him nibbling my boot. I have to say 'Luke' was the best at this grooming matter, he would give you a real good back massage, which I enjoyed greatly. So blissfully peaceful!

We spend some 20 minues like this and then it is apparently time to go eat grass. I settle down to drink my tea at last.  However, to my very surprise 'Mr F' lies down right next to me ... to roll !!  It was just about save enough distance for me to remain without getting tangled up in his legs. He nearly manages a full roll too. Oh its nice without that rug!

And here he is, 'Mr F' making sure I have got more work when he is prepared for the night!

I remain seated for a little while, soaking up the sunbeams and drinking my tea. Without thoughts. This is a continuing effort of mine to observe my thinking habits. The more I think the more unsettled I become and the more I miss what is actually going on. This non-thinking (btw, thinking is not the same as planning. Planning is thinking but its based on facts. The thinking I refer to is the kind I wish to do less and less of. No more thoughts about things or events that have been or might be or could have been. It's all wasting time and pointless. I have learnt this from these beings and also my macro photography of insects, by observing them and how they are. I am tallking about  'being'. Being alive, aware, present. This became another big topic when I began my Aikido training, however, that I have stopped for the time being due to the teachings being confusing and missing what the message of Aikido really is. But I may write about that some other time.

 It is too windy to take macro shots of insects and I hadn't set up my camera properly anyway. I felt like relaxing a little for a change. Looking around me I noticed many little and larger mushrooms. 'Lillian's partner 'Tom' is a great mushroom expert, but I am not and so I leave them in the ground. I find mushrooms / Fungi fascinating and beautiful, such as this tiny pair that was peeking out of the ground right in front of my feet where I sat.

But I mostly don't get very far with my camera as there is always some being that is stalking, usually it is 'Mr F' or 'Luke'. Everytime I see them come twards me, with their heads low in a relaxed and so trusting manner, his eyes filled with wisdom but also a hint of tiredness. His front feet are a quite sore and meanwhile I am treating them. The easyboot gloves have stayed on during the day and this evening 'Mr F' came trotting up with a more relaxed stride, and a more relaxed expression. We went for a walk too and he was quite a bit more pleased with things. I have changed the dressing this evening and am repeating the same over night, hoping they will still be in place in the morning.

'Mr F' just knows ... and I am most thankful to be able to learn from him so much. Not just about horses, there isn't a 'they and me' ... there is 'us' ... we all are beings, made of the same stuff, atoms (and empty space) that is held together by energy of some sort. Its only because our minds are so full with garbage that we cannot communicate with one another. Let go of your thoughts, your preconceptions of what should and shouldn't be, of 'what one does and what one doesn't' - let go of wanting to control / over power / rule and you will be surprised what you discover! I was and I will talk about it in detail one day when I have more time.

This little chap here, 'Tolka' is a super little horse. Only 2 years of age and now that he got used to me he wants to know EXACTLY what I am doing and why I am doing it and whom to and with what. He keeps sticking his little nose into everything so you can imagine it is quite a palaver when I try and apply dressing to 'Mr F's feet - I reach out for the vet wrap ... "it was there, I know it was ... now just ... oh 'TOLKA!!'"  Whatever is in a bucket, next to a bucket, on the floor, anything that doesn't look like it is 'natural' has to be examined, has to be picked up, chewed and turned upside down. 

The other day I was in the field with a feed sack which I was in progress of filling with all the dead wood on the ground for kindling. Well, I left the bag out of sight for one minute only to return to the wood being taken out of the bag and with 'Tolka's head halfway inside the bag ... Well you don't need to do friendly games with him when he's a grown up. It will be old hat!

 Here he is again, same relaxed, warm and innocent expression, reminding me very much of 'Mr F' sometimes.

And of course 'Kitten' - although more distant then the boys but she does like to come for some affection now and then. She loves resting her chin on top of one's head and then gently nibbles on ones neck. All are relaxed and enjoying the warm sunshine.

As I type this I have just won an auction for another saddle ... a treeless Barefoot saddle (and a very lucky bargain so even if it doesn't work out it can be sold easily again) to swap with the Bareback physio pad ... I want to try just once more if 'Mr F' might just enjoy going out for a little longer and a little faster. We shall see! First his feet have to get better.

No Feet No Horse

It now been just over 2 month that 'Mr F' has been without access to dry ground. 

Luckily, the weather has been on our side and still is with an lovely somewhat late summer almost. Yesterday I was glad to have finished work early and dashed back 'home' to take off 'Mr F's rug. While the morning was very chilly with torrential rain, suddenly the sun came out at it must have been 15 degrees. The flies certainly were out in great numbers still ... I took some lovely photos of the 3 ('Tolka' 'Kitten' and 'Mr F') which I upload later.

Although the weather has been mostly dry, the ground still is saturated, albeit not muddy but it seems enough to make a mess out of 'Mr F's frogs, especially the front. And I am partly to blame for this too because I hadn't cleaned his hooves everyday as I thought I might interfere with a natural balance of good / bad bacteria. It appears though that I have, because of this, missed a key moment where I could have possibly prevented the quite big holes in his heels. In fact they have never been this bad. 

Surprisingly, 'Mr F' isn't sensitive while I dig around in them to clean all the muck out. I am fully stocked up with 'Hoof Stuff' 'Field Paste' 'Sole Paint' etc etc. The previous evening I used some field paste together with cotton wool and stuffed it into the cleaned holes. This morning, although the underneath of the hoof was coated in sticky albeit almost dry soil, the cotton will was still in place and kept the inside of the hole clean. I cleaned the entire hoofs (both fronts) once more and sprayed them with 'Silvastrol'. A spray I was recommended by the barefoot trimmer lady and it works really well. I have used it on my own cuts as well! After treating with said spray, I covered the sole with cotton wool, wrapped a little clingfilm over it and over all that some vet wrap although only a thin layer. Then I put the easyboot hoof boots on which appear to have become a little too big now; just as well!

I shall see how they stay on when I return from work. The good thing about the easyboot gloves is that they are solely attached to the hoof. They do have a gaiter that fastens around the pastern but that is designed in such a manner as not to put any pressure on it, i.e. no interruption of circulation etc. Hopefully it keeps his feet dry for a few hours so they can start healing rather than having to unsuccessfully fight bacteria.

I guess it is the nature of the Thoroughbred that they are just not as resilient as other types of horses. Having said that, 'Mr F' overall is a strong horse and has no other issues.

Oh, except for the biting lice infestation he seems to have every year come winter. While on previous years I applied various powders, none of them seems to have worked, nor did shampoos. So I just got hold of a 'Coopers Fly Spray Plus' bottle and applied that (after testing for allergic reaction first) and I couldn't find any new nests of the critters (little itchy bumps on the skin).

His rather fluid rear end business has also returned back to normal. Not entirely sure what was the cause of it ... perhaps adding Calendula flowers to his meals or the load of lush grass he ate on our walks. I cut down the lush grass eating and we have run out of the flowers. 

But he has a new favourite treat, and so do I: sunflower kernels and pumpkin seeds. It's our snack when we go out walking and adding some sunflower kernels to his feed makes him eat slowly, rather than gulping it all down. 

Here's hoping the boots stay on during the day.