Recovery update 6 - first time out

It was time for 'Mr F' to get used to being turned out again. Very slowly and calmly. No silly behaviour. I was given the OK for this by 'Suzie' our equine Vet. His first time out would be limited to a very short time, perhaps half an hour or so, while I muck out. 

At the back of his stable was a tiny orchard that could be blocked off so 'Mr F' couldn't get into the main field. 'Little Sam' and 'Molly' would be on the other side, waiting for him. He would not be alone and therefore it should be a calm turnout in a tiny paddock space, for 30 minutes or so. As I wasn't sure how he'd react being out after 2 months I didn't want to endanger another horse, no matter how small it was.

I prepared everything; the two ponies in the main field at the back were waiting for him behind the gate. His last nights stable companion was still in the stable so he wouldn't have a fit when I brought him back in.

It was now time to hold on to my stomach which was about on the way out ... I opened the back door to 'Mr F's stable and asked him to come out.  Well, he sure was everything but calm!
A tirade of rolling, bucking, snorting and head shaking ensued. It was like watching a ship that was about to keel over. 'Mr F's movements where very wobbly but sure effective. "Why am I in here on my own?! ON MY OWN???". He looked at me and then at the two ponies who both were watching the spectacle from the other side of the gate.

'Mr F' went off in blind anger for yet another round of most unhelpful behaviour.  As he stopped to get some breath I called him very calmly and he came dashing towards the back entrance. I stood my ground and of course he stopped. I wouldn't let him charge into the stable just so he could slip again! He stood there with me, huffing and puffing ... but eventually calmed down enough and I let him back indoors. Once he was safely inside I shut the stable door behind us. His body movements were too loop-sided to let is crazy behaviour continue. That was enough exercise for a while! This  needed a different approach. Next time I shall require the kindness and calmness of 'little Sam' and put him in small paddock with 'Mr F'.

I let things settle for a few days. Then, one calm and sunny morning I called 'little Sam' in the small orchard bit so he would be there waiting for 'Mr F'. 'Little Sam' is a smart little pony and is not interested in any fights. He just wants food. 'Little Sam' is 'Mr F's little pal, they have been in the field together for months. And although 'Mr F' some years back didn't like 'little Sam', they since our return to 'Buttercup Farm' have accepted each other. I opened the back stable door and stepped outside, inviting 'Mr F' to follow me.  He wasn't so sure about things this time and was peeking through the stable door, watching 'little Sam' out there. 

When 'Mr F' saw 'Little Sam' out there  he finally felt 'safe' enough to come outside. Of course he straight away proceeded to boss 'little Sam' around. The two trotted around the tiny orchard for a little while, with 'Mr F' doing some little bucks and head shaking while pushing 'little Sam' on. The little pony however is smart enough to just walk out of 'Mr F's way. I knew he would but just in case I stayed with them. 

'Little Sam' doesn't resist 'Mr F' , he just moves out the way a little and 'Mr F' soon looses interest. Eventually they settle and begin grazing. 'Mr F' hasn't had any grass for the past 3 months except on our short walks along the drive. Although there isn't much grass in this tiny spot and I also put out some haylage which I purchased.

'Mr F' a little wonky on his feet but getting better. 

'Little Sam' is a great companion, he is calm, clever and kind. 'Mr F' in the middle and in the back is 'Molly'.

I repeated this a few times over the course of a week until it was clear that the two of them would be fine out there unattended.

So far so good. 

The first full day out they were locked out of the stable just to avoid any quibbles inside. The next day I let them go in and out as they pleased. The stable is quite big and leaves enough room for 'Little Sam' to move out of 'Mr F's way if he has to. All was clam. I brought them back inside for the night.

On the third day 'Mr F' seemed to have overdone it. I am quite sure he was being too full of it during the day. As I arrived in the late afternoon after work, he came running into the stable and made a big point of presenting me his injured leg / hip. 'Ok, I get it. You have been silly again I bet.' I took him for a very short leg stretch to see what's the matter and he sure enough was rather hesitant putting weight onto that leg. 'Well young man, it's time for some more stable rest.'

I updated 'Suzie' with the happenings and she confirmed that it was best to keep him indoors for a few more days until he was OK again.

After 3 days and nights in he seemed quite sound again and I let him back out with 'Little Sam'. This time it was all calm straight away but he does do an awful lot of rolling accompanied by lots of groaning - he's always made a lot of noise when rolling.

Well, so far so good. Let's see how we progress.