Completion of the new stables

Nearing end of September but we have had good news: the stable builders are expected this week! 

'Mr F' and 'Polly' are back up in the top field because little 'Rookie' is now using the small field to get used to the place and so that he can, from a safe distance, meet 'Zac'. It'll soon be time for 'Ester' to leave so that 'Zac' can be weaned.

We have had a few foul rainy days but 'Mr F' bravely stuck it out. It can be really wild up in these fields. If it's sunny it's beautiful but if the weather turns you know all about it. Generally the temperature is a good 3-5 degrees less than in the valley. And if it is stormy with heavy rain it's just not very pleasant. But luckily the heavy rain never lasted more than a day or a night.

'Mr F' and 'Dolly' back in the top field.

And then at last: the stable builders are here!  I arrived back at the farm after work and much of the structure was already up! For the first time we get an idea of the size of it all. It'll be such luxury! The compartments are approximately 15 x 15 feet. This will leave them enough space to stretch their legs, should they be in for pro-longed period in heavy snow or rainy weather. No need to ruin the fields. A few hours turnout and perhaps some work out in the menage are ample exercise when the weather is on the wet and damp side. At last his feet can dry out at night. Being barefoot this will make a big difference to the development of his hooves. The stable floor will be covered in straw so there won't be any abrasion as there used to be at the old place where they at will accessed the cow sheds to access their haylage, standing and turning on stone and concrete floor.

 View upon return from work, day one of stable build.

Day 2 ...

... and on day 3 the floor is being prepared for concreting.

The concreted floors.

The building (tack/storage room) on the side needs finishing but that's about it.

The stables are ready!

New Arrival - 'Rookie'

'Rookie' is the most recent new arrival at 'Hill Farm'.  He will be 'Zac's companion. They are both the same age, one born on the 1st and the other on the 3rd of May.

'Zac' is still with his mother 'Ester', the shire mare although very soon it is time for 'Zac' to be weaned. He has become a very unruly teenager, constantly mounting his mother and becoming quite a handful to handle when 'Jackie' has to lead him out or into the field. 'Zac' is due to be 'gelded' (castrated) some time in October, while he is still with his mother to keep him calm while he is healing.

Of course all here at the yard can resist sweet 'Rookie's face. He is a rather affectionate little fellow but still very shy. I don't know much about his background, 'Jackie' told me more than once but somehow it doesn't stick.

I will try and get some decent photos of him at some point.

Mr F meets Shaun the sheep

The nights are getting more and more chilly and I am very pleased that I found that change over rug. The added liner at the top keeps 'Mr F's back / hip snug and warm as the temperatures drop to about 8 degrees at night.  It'll help him keep his joints mobile.

'Mr F' and 'Polly'

They are pleased with the added haylage feed. I am glad we have access to haylage all year round. It is much better for 'Mr F's digestive system; rather than either just grass or just haylage. The way the fields are managed here at 'Hill Farm' they will probably have some grass all year round too. So it is always both, grass and haylage, just the balance will vary depending on season.

There are a few sheep in the field with 'Mr F' and 'Polly'. All the fields are looked after really well and there is mixed grazing. Thistles are cut regularly too and having different animals graze the pastures means that different grasses are eaten. I do pick poo btw, especially while its still warm. For many reasons really, such as keeping the pasture clean because they don't eat grass that has grown on or around horse droppings. The sheep however will. But removing poo also reduces the number of flies.

I mentioned sheep earlier: it turns out that one of these sheep is a pet sheep and used to feeding. I found out later. I always have my breakfast with 'Mr F' in the field, he has got his and I have a bowl of Weetabix with honey and Soya milk. I have been eating my breakfast with 'Mr F' for years now, again it's an opportunity for observation: does he chew alright, has he got appetite or is he just pushing it around in the bucket, etc etc. But most of all: it is a very peaceful way to start the day.

For a couple of mornings now I noticed that the small group of sheep in 'Mr F's and 'Polly's field was coming closer and closer in the mornings while we have breakfast. And today, much to my amusement, one sheep was brave enough to attempt to get some of 'Mr F's food. Little does it know that apart from 'Luke' (sometimes, see much earlier posts) no other horse was EVER allowed to eat out of his bowl until 'Mr F' deemed it  to be finished. 

This sheep was approaching us as though it had been doing this every day, leaving both me and 'Mr F' rather perplex at first. When 'Mr F' realised what the sheep was after he was having none of it. So the sheep then walks to the other side of him, right in front of his nose and tries again. 'Mr F' now not impressed and makes sure that 'Shaun' gets the message. For a moment it contemplates passing to the other side via shortcut under 'Mr F's belly but then reconsiders and goes the long way, only to give it yet another try. Looking at 'Mr F's body language, which was everything but inviting, 'Shaun' decided it be best to wait for an opportunity, much in the same way as 'Polly' does. There they were, both standing on either side of 'Mr F', waiting patiently until he had finished. I left it up to 'Polly' to sort out who gets the scraps out of 'Mr F's bowl.

It has been quite wet lately, luckily never for long but the ground is now getting muddy in those spots where they like to stand. I have to  where tc change where to hang up the hay nets with their feed so they don't turn up the ground too much. It's not use standing in deep mud for prolonged times. So far 'Mr F' is still content with his lot even though he's had to endure the odd stormy and wet night outside. He does of course have several rugs so he has protection against the elements. But its just not quite the same as a dry, sheltered stable. Soon ....

'Mr F' and 'Polly' enjoying warm-ish sunshine

Autumn Tidings

Some more stunning late summer sunshine to enjoy. 'Mr F' and 'Polly' are for a short time back in the small field. It's a great field really as it is right next to the yard where all the work happens, and on the other side of the stone wall is a walk/bridle path that is busy with walkers, joggers. mountain bikers and the odd rider. It leads up a stony path over the hills and back down again on the other side. It can be very muddy and slippery so it's not that often used on horseback. I had ridden that route a couple of times and it can be a little tricky.

'Polly' on the look out.

Everyone is once again soaking up the sunbeams. There is now a fairly chilly breeze in the air, it is September now and 'Mr F'  and the other horses are growing their winter coat.

A well fed and shiny 'Mr F' 

'Hello Polly ...' 

Over the past months she has grown used to my presence and always comes and says hello.

We are now all hopeful that the new stables arrive very soon. It's warm still and the grass is still growing and we haven't had too much rain, thankfully.

Beautiful autumnal sunrise

Yet the ever shortening days and rather chilly mornings now are very strongly hinting of approaching autumn. 

Once the stables are up I will have to get 'Mr F' accustomed to using his stable. 'Polly' is to be reunited with 'Ester' when 'Zac' has been weaned and neither of the girls are stabled over night. They will have a big field shelter. 

It will also be for the first time that 'Mr F' has to learn to be on his own in a field, at least while the youngsters are settling in.  It's not ideal yet I cannot continuously rely on someone else's horse as his companion, nor can I afford another horse. He will always be next to other horses in the field so he won't be cut off. 'Mr F' couldn't cope with that, it wold make him depressed.  He thrives of being the watcher over all that goes on. But I'm afraid he has to help me so I can help him. But this is yet another month or so from now.