Stable choice

Back in March 2017 I went to view 'Hill Farm' for the first time, following e-mail conversations with 'Jackie'. I was desperate to get away from 'Buttercup Farm'. Yet what was more important was that any new location will provide all that is required for the well being of 'Mr F'. 

At the time, work on the wooden stable structures had been in progress, the concrete floor had been prepared and was ready for the wooden structure to be built. 'Jackie' showed me the dimension of the stables on the ground. It appeared to be approximately the same as the stable he'd been using during recovery, a little smaller but seemingly not much. It was to be one long wood construction, eventually offering 3 stables. 2 tack rooms (to be shared) and an open but roofed shelter to store buckets, brooms etc.

When we arrived at the end of May, the wooden stables where ready and one horse, a 26 year old gelding ('Victor') was already using one of them.

However, as I viewed them fully built, I somewhat had my doubts that they would be big enough for 'Mr F' especially if he was to be in there for prolonged periods during bad weather. 'Hill Farm' is very exposed to the elements and it can get rather rough in winter.

I also realised that that the wooden stables are quite tucked away and it became clear that 'Mr F' would go mental, being on his own (the other horse has very different turn-out / turn-in hours) without being able to see any other living thing. The stables also warm up a lot if there was full sunshine, a bit too stuffy to use on a hot summers day to get away from the flies.

There was a medium sized steel barn that had already been set up specifically for horses. It was divided into three big compartments. At the time it was for 'Ester' and another older horse (it had died in the meantime). The compartments were very large and separated by metal field gates. The roof was high and the entire building was airy and offered clear view on everything that was going on. The horses could also easily see it other and reach each other over the stable partitions.  They had straw at the back and rubber mats at the front (where the horses would feed etc). I thought of these compartments much more suitable, it would give 'Mr F' space to roll, to walk around and to make a nest to lie down. He would also be able to see his surroundings and not be shut away.

I hadn't yet made use of any stable at 'Hill Farm'. This was something I had to get 'Mr F' used to slowly. First of all I needed him to get used to his new home, the new surroundings and generally just stay calm so his body could continue to recover.

We had been at 'Hill Farm' for just about 3 weeks when 'Jackie' mentioned that she was planning on converting another barn building into outdoors stables, just like the one that is now already in use for all the girls. My ears pricked up: 'Oh! Would it be possible for me to have one of the bigger compartments instead of the wooden stable?' I am a little embarrassed asking this as originally I was OK with the wooden stable - but that was before I had seen in finished and realised it's exact size. I explain myself to 'Jackie': "It would be much better suited to 'Mr F's' requirements. He will see everything that goes on, he will have much more room to manoeuvre should he be in for night and day if winter weather was awful. And it would be much more airy also in summer, when they have to get away from the flies.' - 'Yes, sure. Perhaps one of the others wants to use your stable. But it will be some time yet before the stables are ready, probably August or so.' - 'That's fine, the weather doesn't get rough until October.' Great!! It will be easier to train 'Mr F' getting used to the stables if he can see what is going on. After 4 years at the old place he never got used to being in the stable alone.

In the past week preparations of the old barn have started. It was so far used to house sheep. We are all very excitedly watching the progress. You can see below the dimensions.

The old barn who is to be converted into stables.

However, there are problems with the old barn building: it is no longer safe. There are cracks in the walls and the builders said it will not be safe to use it for stabling horses. Very luckily the owner of the farm has agreed to invest into a brand new outdoor stable barn!

This of course means it all will be delayed but that is OK. It is July now, we still have August and September before the weather is likely to turn cold and wet.

The builders are very busy (as well as polite and tidy) - and every day there is some progress ...

 ... the roof is coming off ...

 ... roof almost off ... 

.. some of the wood will be used for a shelter in one of the fields.

In the background are the much smaller, wooden stables.

And in no time at all, the old barn building disappears! It's like it never had been there and after a few days I already find it hard to remember what it looked like. The metal gates are temporarily put into position so we get an idea of the dimensions.

An idea of the size of the new stable barn  ... 

 ... offering 3 compartments of approximately 15 x 15 feet square each ... 

... here a better view of the dimensions ... showing the first two compartments ...

 ... holes for the steel pillars ... 

... much of the concrete flooring has to be ripped up and is to be levelled out ...

The ducklings are exploring the building site, accompanied by a very protective mother.

We have to watch out for them as they like wandering about oblivious of machinery.

Now we have to wait for the stable contractors to deliver and errect the stable building. They are due in a couple of weeks, sometime in August.

Finally relaxed - a home

I spend much of my free time in the field with 'Mr F' and 'Polly', where I make notes, photograph  insects or just observe, without much thought. Just like 'Mr F', I too have by now become more relaxed. Here at 'Hill Farm' we can just be, it is bliss.

An idle 'Mr F'

Their new field is giving 'Mr F' plenty of exercise as they go up and down the slope while grazing or to get water. He did find it quite uncomfortable in the first week and I decided to put him once more on a short course of bute, the last one hopefully. But apart from the hip playing up now and then, 'Mr F' appears very content with his lot.

'Mr F' gazing into the distance ... at the very top of their large field.

For the time being I hold back with the excersising of 'Mr F'. The field will keep him busy, going up and down. And seeing that he is still suffering a little now and then I prefer to give him all the time he needs to get his body back into normal function.

I may not ever ride him again as we also discovered (when using ultrasound) the beginning of arthritis in his lumbar section. It would explain why he always found it difficult going downhill. To me it makes no difference. Long before the accident I used to take 'Mr F' out for long strolls in the countryside, by this I mean both of us on foot. And sometimes I would take my camera with me and while he browses for grasses and herbs in the verges, I browse for insects.

As soon as I finish work at around 3pm I go and join them in their field. I sit there for hours, sometimes just observing, sometimes I make notes or at other times go for a wander with my camera. It's not just equines that interest me, it's all of nature. You are never alone, especially not as soon as you step outside. We are surrounded and by far (still) outnumbered by our little yet so important friends: the insects.

Two capsid bugs eating the nectar of a heather blossom.

Golden bloomed grey long horn beetle.

Soldier beetle about to take off

It has been nearly 2 months since we have moved to 'Hill Farm' yet every day anew I am so grateful for the peace here. Even if it is raining I go and sit in the field. There is a tremendous air of peace on this hill. The whole place is well looked after, the other horse owners here are all responsible and keep themselves to themselves. Sometimes we have a quick chat as we pass each other either on the way to the muck heap or when fetching haylage. 

 'Polly'

 'Mr F' - how can such a big animal curl up like a cat ... 

Being on the top of the hillside has also it's challenges. It is rather exposed to the elements, may this be hot sun or strong winds and rain.

Suddenly the weather has turned rather cold for summer is hovering around 13 degrees. Add to that the wet from the rain and the windchill, this will feel rather cold for 'Mr F' in his summer coat.  It's important that I can keep his joints warm, especially the hip and back. His ordinary turnout rug is too heavy in case the sun does pop out suddenly.

Because of his build, the Rambo rugs fit 'Mr F's body shape best. I find out that they do a summer series; a rug which is waterproof at the top, a kind of stretchy material. It can be fitted with a 100gr liner covering just the top section, making it a useful rug for when the nights turn chilly in spring / autumn. The sides of the rug are a soft yet strong mesh material. It comes with a hood too but I didn't want to use it as he will get the mesh tangled up in the barb wire that sits on top of all the fencing. He has the habit of always finding the grass on the other side greener and he can quite easily reach it with his long neck. 

 'Mr F' in his new summer rug. 

The top and front are waterproof. 

It's very light yet keeps his back dry and warm, which is the main thing.

Nature - in all her beauty, always.

We found 'Hill Farm' thanks to 'Lillian's mum who suggested it to me when I was so very desperately trying to find a place for me and 'Mr F'. A place of sanity, a place with normal people who keep themselves to themselves, a place where the buildings and fencing is looked after and where the well being of the animals comes first. And we have found it, at last. 

Where sheep will safely graze - a new field

And so the weeks slowly pass. I make every effort to keep 'Mr F' in a calm environment. His mobility is improving weekly and he spends much of his time idling in the sunshine. So far we have had mostly dry and rather warm weather, thankfully.

The small field where 'Mr F' and 'Polly' have spent the last 6 weeks needs a rest now. Both are moving to a field further up, away from the yard. It is a huge field! Sheep had been grazing it so far, it's now the horses' turn. There is, at first glance, a huge amount of grass. But in actual fact there are many grasses in there that the horses don't fancy and won't touch. It's on a gentle slope which will be good exercise for 'Mr F's hind quarters.

I wanted to  move them on a day where I didn't have much work on just to be sure all went OK. 

As always when they go into a new field they haven't been in, they will be checking it out, usually not at walking speed. Since the last excited episode upon arrival here at 'Hill Farm', 'Mr F' has had 6 weeks of total calmness. All he had to do was graze and sleep in the sunshine. With any luck, his body and bones will have recovered and healed further.

We lead the horses into their new field and let them go. I am expecting some trotting around but they can't be bothered and go straight back to grazing. Great! 

I hang around for a little while before going about my daily duties. It was yet again another beautiful sunny day and after I am done with my work duties I will return for some sunbathing. But first I made myself a flask of tea and joined them in their  new field where I observe them and the tranquil views.

Although they are now no longer in view of the yard, there is still plenty for them to see and the fields around them are full with sheep. While the sheep where used to the horses, they did take a while to get used to my presence in these fields.

'Are you friend or foe?' - What great faces!

It's good having the sheep in the fields next to the horses and sometimes even in the same field. It's extra company and I have observed the horses watching the sheep. If the sheep suddenly moved, the horses will be alarmed. If the sheep are idly grazing and lying in the grass, the horses too are relaxed. 'Mr F' is quite interested in these 'small white beings' and I have seen him with his neck stretched over the fence to greet one of the more curious sheep.