Spot the difference

Today is the day of 'Little Sam's departure. He has to go back to his home at 'Buttercup Farm' where riding duties await him.

But first I have to swap ponies without making 'Mr F' run around again. I noticed him being again in some discomfort in his hip and have put him on a course of bute for a few days. I don't want him to run around again, he now had to be calm for a few weeks, the last thing I want is a relapse.

'Jackie' is giving me a hand swapping the ponies. 'Polly' will become 'Mr F's new field companion.  To make this swap as smooth as possible, 'Jackie' is waiting with 'Polly' on the other side of the field gate so that 'Mr F' can see his new companion while I lead 'Little Sam' away. My thinking is that 'Mr F' will be pleased and distracted enough by his new fair maiden, allowing me to move 'Little Sam' unnoticed.

And as predicted, 'Mr F' is very interested in 'Polly'. As she entered the field, he greets her with great interest and then they meandered slowly into the middle of the field and begin grazing. Nothing stops 'Polly' from eating ... 

Meanwhile I 'hid' 'Little Sam' in the big barn, out of sight of 'Mr F'. Altough clearly pleased with his new field companion, 'Mr F' does look around and whinnies a couple of times. But luckily 'Little Sam' doesn't respond. Both 'Mr F' and 'Polly' are now behind the fencing of the pond and all the greenery bordering the water prevents direct line of sight onto the large yard. Perfect to sneak 'Little Sam' out! I try to do it quietly although it's difficult with a shod pony's clip clop of the hooves.

But we get out unnoticed. I walk 'Little Sam' back to his home and let him have some nibbles on the way. Had I had my way I had kept him permanently but he wasn't my pony. At his home is yet another white pony waiting for him, 'Molly'. 

'Little Sam'  looks at me a little lost when I let him go into his field. He looks around as though he is looking out for 'Mr F'. Afterall they have been in this field for months together, even prior to the accident.  Eventually 'Little Sam'  wanders off to join the other pony in the field.

Over the years I have come to observe that horses do form friendships and these bonds remain even if the horses are separated. But because of our wants from the horse we keep moving them to different fields, different places even. One of 'Mr F's best mates 'Luke' has left some time ago. 'Luke' is a 7 year old gelding and while he was with 'Mr F' I saw the play almost every day. But alas we force them to move away from their friends again and again. And yet an animals do cope and just get on with it. Still, its not ideal but just can't be helped due to circumstances.

At 'Hill Farm', 'Polly' too will eventually leave 'Mr F' and go back with her favourite horse 'Ester' the shire mare who's given birth to 'Zac' in beginning of May this year. Perhaps 'Zac' can go be in a field with 'Mr F' one day. Being around young blood keeps 'Mr F' in young spirits and in turn 'Mr F's firm but gentle ways can help 'Zac' growing up. 

I walk back to 'Hill Farm'. Upon arrival I find both 'Mr F' and his new 'maiden' already under the tree, 'Mr F' lazily munching haylage. Soon the sun will cast the shadow of the tree over gate entrance. A welcome the shade from the rather strong early summer. 

'Mr F' and 'Polly' - The injured hip is facing a the camera, you can just make out where he had been shaven for the ultra sound scan and he has a quite noticeable bump. But everything is working as intended.

I have a day off and spend much of it sitting with the horses in their field. It's so peaceful here and clearly all the animals here sense this too. 'Mr F' is lying down a lot, for quite long periods at a time now. At last he can rest his legs, after month of mostly standing up this must be much needed rest for his limbs.

A probably long anticipated rest - 'Mr F' flat out.

Getting up is still quite tricky but he manages every time a little better.

It will be a slow process for 'Mr F's body to re-adjust, especially the one muscle that became displaced during the fall.