In the field alone - calm!

This week 'Ester' (the mother of 'Zac') is returning to 'Hill Farm'. She had been away for nearly a month while 'Zac' was being weaned. 'Ester' will be joined by 'Polly', who will be glad to be reunited with her favourite pasture mate. 'Polly' had been with 'Mr F' for the past months and they have become quite used to each other but 'Polly' prefers 'Ester'.

It is now time to accustom 'Mr F' to be in a field on his own. He will have other horses very near in the neighbouring fields and within sight most of times unless they venture too far into their own fields. I have three days of getting him used to being on his own. This isn't much time and I am pondering how to do this best. The good thing is that the field where 'Mr F' is going to go is known to him, he was in it when he first arrived at 'Hill Farm', together with 'little Sam'.

I am not at all comfortable with the thought of doing this to 'Mr F' but there was no other pasture mate. He can't go with the girls ('Ester' and 'Polly') as it would make it difficult for 'Jackie' to feed her girls; 'Mr F' would go for their food and nothing would stop him. I know that because I used to feed sometimes up to 6 horses in one field, including 'Mr F'. I knew the other horses well and was aware of their pecking order and their behaviour. Other horses never were a problem, they quickly accepted the 'rules' but I have had some serious discussions with fiery 'Mr F'. We eventually managed to come to the agreement that if I am in the field feeding, I set the rules at that moment. It's for safety. 

From a horse owner's point of view there are benefits having a horse that can be in the field on its own: you don't have to worry about injuries or other illnesses or yours being left behind in wild panic etc etc.

But it is not natural. They are herd animals. Especially 'Mr F' wants to have a crowd around him, or even just one although the more the better. He doesn't want to have too much to do with them but he likes them near. Every now and then he will decide to 'move' them around the pasture, or even join in with the odd play. For him I have come to the conclusion, it is primarily a matter of having other living beings around him that he can 'control' or oversee. No other horse so far  has ever questioned his authority. He is a leader from the back (quite like a stallion's role even though he isn't one) and wants to know where everyone is and what they do. So he mostly watches from a little distance. He never bullies though although he sure had gotten the better of me in those first 2 years!

I am not enjoying doing what I will have to do today.

This morning I was driving up to the farm to be greeted by a very content 'Mr F', having spent his 2nd  night in the stable. He has been a little unruly when 'Jackie' went to check up on boys early yesterday evening but by the time she went to check for the second time he was standing calmly in the middle of his stable. 

As usual I first of all prepare our breakfast. I always eat with 'Mr F', in winter inside the stable, rest of the year outside in the field which now has such great views. What more blissful way to start the day than listening to all the animals chew their feed and the birds sing their song?

I then prepare him for his turnout.

'Jackie' meanwhile also joins and is feeding her youngsters, 'Zac' and 'Rookie'. We have the same timing in the mornings and winter evenings, which is certainly most helpful seeing that 'Mr F's sanity will depend on the youngsters. 

It's time now for turnout. I grab my heart to stop it from falling out my bottom. It's the thought that something I do to or with 'Mr F' could potentially harm him that bothers me. Another lesson not to think ... not to think emotionally. I cannot possibly predict the future. Calm down woman. We have made sure that there is nothing that can hurt him in there. The ground is as dry as it can be this time of the year and it is a small, flat field. The fencing and walls are all perfectly intact and high enough to discourage any ideas of trying to jump out. I doubt that he will but then again he can get really fired up if he doesn't get his way.

I lead 'Mr F' into his field while 'Jackie' is right behind me with one of her youngsters. Both 'Zac' and 'Rookie' will be in the field right next to him. 'Mr F' is calm until I take off his head collar - this is to him the sign that he is now 'free'. He looks around, realising that the other horses are NOT joining him in his field. He begins to worry and trots and gallops around the field for a good 30 minutes, calling for any other horses out there - most of which are within easy sight - none of which reply at first. All I can do now is to leave the field.

Having learnt that 'Mr F' is quite often making more of a drama if I am around, I deliberately walk away and start mucking out. 'Jackie' watches him for a while. 

I peek out into the field every now and then while mucking out and can see that 'Mr F' sometimes glances into my direction. 'Come on! Get me out of here! Or bring me a mate!' Seeing that I wasn't interested (of course I was but 'Mr F' wasn't to know) and nobody else seemed to 'give a damn' (also just as show) he eventually settled down and began eating grass like he's been on his own all his life.

This I didn't expect and was quite taken aback. How simple was this? In my head I went over the past days. Perhaps the fact that he now has become accustomed to spending the night on his own without 'Polly' has helped this separation. It is rather astounding how quickly non-human animals deal with stressful situations. The grass probably was also tempting as there wasn't much in the field where he had been.  

'Polly' meanwhile was in a field away from all so that she couldn't reply to 'Mr F's calls as that would encourage more wild chase around the field. 'Ester' will return today so 'Polly' will have her favourite field companion back.

I have a busy day ahead and once I was satisfied that 'Mr F' was calm enough I departed for work. Luckily I can more or less pick my hours. And just in case I leave my phone number for all to see at the yard,should something unexpected happen while I am not there. All day I try not to spend any thought on what 'Mr F' might get up to. As long as the phone doesn't ring, it'll be fine.

As I return at about 3pm I find a at least outwardly calm 'Mr F' in his field. He knows my car so by the time park and walk down to the yard he is already waiting at the gate. I am very proud of him and how he coped, considering his character. It was warm, 10 degrees, so I had left him out without his rug. One thing less to cause injury should he panic. 

Although he appeared calm outwardly, inwardly he was trying hard to keep it together. The horses' eyes tell us so much. They give away everything although I can not possibly describe how I see it. Seems to be more of a sensation in my gut as soon as I have eye contact. Realising just how hard he is trying I wish I wouldn't have to have him alone. Alas right now, there is no other option as I right now just cannot afford a companion for him.

I lead 'Mr F' out of his field and we go for a stroll. He enjoys that grass and the attention he gets from (dog)walkers that we meet along the way. 

Meanwhile 'Jackie' is bringing in her youngsters. 'Mr F' has not yet been in the stable all on his own, this is something I will have to work on once he truly trusts his stable to be comfortable, secure and even fun.

Before you wander why I don't just 'throw' him into the deep end: firstly he is now 25 years of age. I prefer to reduce any stress primarily for his digestive system. There is also no point in getting him to a stage where he injures himself by either slipping during a crazed gallop or by trying to jump out of the stable (in theory, he could try as he has enough room to get a run up). Also I prefer the horse to understand why it has to be exposed to certain circumstances. Indeed I may not always have the time if it is an emergency but while I have the choice I don't see any point in upsetting the horse. It gives us its all, and it's only balanced if we do the same in return.

As we return to the stables both 'Zac' and 'Rookie' greet 'Mr F' with their chewing motions. 'Mr F' is not yet very keen on them (yet) but from his view its better than being alone. I give 'Mr F' his evening feed and make myself comfortable on the heap of straw, sipping my tea and watching him eat. As soon as 'Mr F' has finished his food, he takes up position near me at the back of the stable and falls into a snooze. He is clearly exhausted! He coped with all the new things in his life as good as he can but it is tiring. At least he has accepted the stable as a place of safety and relaxation. 'Rookie' too falls asleep, usually first thing as soon as he comes back into the stable. The little guy spends all day playing and winding up 'Zac'.

And as if the weather has been holding back on our behalf all these weeks before completion of the stable training, it now suddenly is turning very cold and rainy at night, with strong winds. The first truly wintry nights. I sit there on my heap of straw, layering some more straw on top of my legs as it now really has turned bitterly cold! While sipping my tea I listen to the raindrops hitting the roof of the stable barn, the regular chewing sound of the youngsters and the sheep in the adjacent barn and I too nod off for a few minutes.

But eventually it is time for me to retreat and eat and rest for the night. I can now return to my room knowing that 'Mr F' isn't having to spend the night in some field in the wet and icy cold conditions. Instead he is indoors where he is dry, warm and safe and his hooves can dry.

On this 3rd night of being inside, 'Mr F' already behaves as though he's been in this stable all  his life. By now I have swapped the hay net with a small bulk bag. I prefer him to have a natural feeding posture, just like grazing. He takes smaller mouths-fulls this way as he can relax and pick what he wants. It must be like us: if we chew slowly food will be better prepared before it enters the digestive tract.

And so I leave for the night, relieved knowing that 'Mr F' will be warm, dry and relaxed.

Early mornign at 'Hill Farm' ...  It's only me that turns up early, followed by 'Jackie'. 

'Hello! Have you made breakfast yet?' 

And so a week goes by, with 'Mr F' being very content in his stable. All boys are turned out and brought in at the same time. If the littlens aren't in I take 'Mr F' for a walk or for some work in the menage (although neither of us are keen on that). I changed my working hours around a little so that I am finished at 3pm the latest.

I still have to get him used to being in the stable all on his own but I will give him time first to really settle in. He has accepted all the new arrangements very well.

Stable training complete!

This week 'Ester' (the shire mare and mother of 'Zac', one of 'Mr F's stable mates) is returning from being away while 'Zac' was being weaned. 'Polly' will again be her field mate, just like it was before 'Ester' had her foal.

This means that it now was time to accustom 'Mr F' to be in a field on his own. He will have other horses in the neighbouring fields and within sight most of times unless they venture to far into their own fields. I have just couple of days to accomplish getting him used to being on his own.  This isn't much time and I am pondering how to do this best. The good thing is that the field where he is going to go is known to him, 'Mr F' was in it when he first arrived at 'Hill Farm', together with 'little Sam' back in May 2017.

I felt very much at unease with doing this to 'Mr F' but there was no other pasture mate. And if he was to go in with the girls ('Ester' and 'Polly') it would make it difficult for 'Jackie' to feed her girls as 'Mr F' would go for their food and nothing would stop him, apart from me. 

It was something that had to be done, there was no way around it. Maybe one day I can afford him a field mate.

But first there is more stable training to be done.

After the previous rather successful training session with 'Mr F' being calm inside for nearly an hour (albeit on lead rein still) it was now time to take it a step further: taking the head collar off signals to 'Mr F' that he is free to go and that I know longer am asking for his attention.

I took him for a walk first, to get some of the grass on the verges of the drive leading up to the farm. He doesn't have a lot of grass in his field and really enjoys sniffing around picking out grasses, herbs and other vegetation, something I enjoy observing and we can easily spend hours out there. 'Mr F' also seems to lap up the attention he receives from (dog) walkers. He is a noble creature and when he stands to full attention, his head towering high over mine, people do comment on how stunning he looks. While he may not understand the wording, he sure understands their admiration towards him and he is lapping it up.

Once we were back at the yard I lead him into the smallish field where he spent his first 6 weeks. It's this field where he will be staying on his own. I lead him all around it and then stopped with in the middle field. 'Mr F' was a little restless as the girls in the field next to his started galloping along the stonewall. He has  met them before when they where up in the bigger field in late summer (see 'girls girls girls'). One of the mares really fancies 'Mr F' and he is rather taken by her. He'll be quite happily ogling at her all day if she is in sight. At least something of interest in his new field.

Time to retreat to the stable. I lead him to it with great purpose. I observed that it makes a great difference in what manner I lead him. If I am idly wandering about he too will do so and if I pick up speed and am attentive, he too follows in a similar manner. Even the manner I enter the field will make an impact as they are masters of body observation. As I lead him to the stable I don't leave him time to hesitate although he does try to stop.

Both 'Rookie' and 'Zac' are already in their stables, ready for the night. I open 'Mr F's stable door, lead him straight in and close the gate behind us. Then I take off his head collar. 'Now hang on! Do you mean I have to stay in here now?' That's more or less the look I got from 'Mr F'. I didn't react and made myself busy with something at the back of his stable. At first he followed me around and wouldn't leave my side. So I sat down on a heap of straw and started drinking my cup of tea I had made earlier, avoiding any eye contact with him. The tea was still warm in the thermos flask and most welcomed by my cold fingers. 'Mr F' made a few rounds in the stable with much sniffing of everything. His old poo was still here, I left it deliberately. He stood there for a while and looked at me - I saw it from the corner of my eye - but I have by now taken out my notebook and am making notes. 'Dang, she doesn't pay attention. Oh look, that tasty thing is hanging off the wall again.' He makes his way over to the corner where all his food is while every now and then eyeing me up. I don't pay him any attention.

'Mr F' begins chewing away on his grass block, he is relaxed now. A call of nature, which i should have answered some time ago, was requiring urgent attention! I get up to leave the stable and try to do it calmly but realise that well, it's rather urgent! At seeing me leave the stable in a bit of a hurry 'Mr F' starts pacing around in his stable. 'I cannot react to this now. He's got to deal with it, I have done all I can to help him accepting the stable.'

As I walk away out of his sight I can  hear his foot steps, kind of gingerly on the mats and then more nosily and faster on the rustling straw. I do what I have to do, feeling better for it, too much tea in winter! As I return I do so sneakily, trying to avoid the rough gravel so as not to make a noise. It's quite windy so that helps to hide the sound of my steps. I stand behind the Yorkshire boarding (wooden slats with small gaps between them) where 'Mr F' cannot see me and watch him as he stands there in his stable, at high attention, looking out for my return. I wait another 5 minutes before I return back to the stable where I take up my seat again on the straw. My notebook is still there and continue writing, acting as all is normal (which it is really). 'Mr F' comes to check me out and then goes back to his food while I am making notes. Time flies and it's time for me to leave as I have an appointment in the evening.  I am tempted to leave him for the first time, seeing that he is pretty relaxed but decide to turn him out one more, on a good note.

I won't be home tonight so not in reach if something should go array. Tomorrow will be the night. I lead 'Mr F' back out into the field. It's quite a windy night but dry still. However, for the first time I notice some hesitance from 'Mr F' as we go back into the field where 'Polly' is waiting. Good, he has figured out that the stable means 'comfort' at last. Not yet 'security' but 'comfort', that's a good sign.

I do the same exercise again the following evening; leading him through his small field - he is very calm about it now. Next we go straight off to the stable. Head collar comes off. Not much of a reaction. Good! Next step: rug comes off. Still no reaction. Food is more interesting. 'Great! At last he realised that this place is secure, comfortable and interesting.'  Both 'Zac' and 'Rookie' are already in too. I leave the stable to get his feed. Before returning I spy on him again through the boarding. He is calmly eating haylage. Oh what a relief! I inform 'Jackie' that I will be leaving 'Mr F' in for the first time tonight. Could she let me know if she notices anything odd during her late evening check. 'Of course. I go and check on them twice this evening, just to make sure.' - 'Great! Thank you.'

As I leave some time later, 'Mr F' looks very smug! 'Oh yes, I like this very much. Why didn't you show me earlier?' - 'Gee thanks ... you stubborn fool!'

'A smug 'Mr F', finally accepting and enjoying his stable for the first time in over 3 weeks of working up to this moment. But it was all worth it, allowing him to settle in as calmly as possible, given the nature of his character. 

All relaxed now as though he's been using this stable for months. 

I however leave with mixed feelings because tomorrow morning he will have to go into his field on his own. Once more I concentrate on not letting emotions run my thinking. And that is what fear is, an emotion. I cannot possibly know what will happen tomorrow, so I must not think about it. There is no fear, it’s all in our head. There is danger yes, but we have done everything to eliminate any possible 'weak' points, 'Jackie' has double checked all the fencing and added some electric current to parts of the fencing, as a preventative. I still have vivid memories in my head from years back when I saw 'Mr F' charge around like mad in a field back at 'Buttercup Farm' when he was separated from 'Rose' for a short while. 'Stop thinking about the past! You don't normally hang around in the past, why now!

Focus on the moment!' In situations like this I tend to concentrate on my senses, sight, hearing, smell, touch. The ground under my feet, the cold air on my face, the sounds of the animals chewing ... and voila, all thoughts gone! I get better at being in this mode and it helps greatly freeing myself from worldly matters which in turn makes me more able to be with other life forms rather than seeing us separated. And it offers great freedom and bliss. 

The next morning I am greeted by a very content 'Mr F'. He had been a little unruly when 'Jackie' went to check up on them the previous evening but was calmly standing still when she went to do her final check of the night. 

I went to make our breakfast - I always eat with 'Mr F' in the mornings - and then prepare him for his turnout, on his own. 'Jackie' and I have the same timings which is perfect at the moment. While she is leading her youngsters out one by one I lead 'Mr F' into his field. He is calm until I take off his head collar - the sign that he is now 'free'. He begins to worry and trots and gallops around the field for a good 30 minutes, calling out. 'Jackie' watches while I deliberately walk away and start mucking out. If I stay near the field 'Mr F' will create even more to get my attention. Seeing that I wasn't interested (of course I was but he wasn't to know) and nobody else seemed to 'give a damn' (also just show) he eventually settled down and began eating grass like he's been on his own all his life. I was totally taken aback. How simple was this? I think the fact that he spent his night on his own without 'Polly' and the fact that he now had a field that hadn't been grazed on for a little while made him somewhat forget about 'Polly'. She in the meantime had been moved to another field away from all and 'Ester' was to arrive sometime during the morning.

I spent a good hour sorting out his stable for the night before I had to depart for work at 7:45am. There would be people around the yard throughout the day and I had left notes with my phone number, asking people to ring me should there be any problem and that they shouldn't worry about him neighing a lot.

It was a busy day and I concentrated on what I was doing, in as much as I concentrated on the sensation, on the action. This would stop me from accumulating silly thoughts about 'Mr F' trying to jump out of his field or such like.

Upon my return at about 3pm I found a quite calm 'Mr F' in his field. He knows my car so by the time I got to him he was waiting at the gate. I was very proud of him and how he coped, considering his character. Luckily it was warm, 10 degrees, so I had left him out without his rug. One thing less to cause injury should he panic. I could see in his eyes that he was unsettled about things, but he held it together remarkably well. We spend some time wandering along the drive to have some grass. Meanwhile 'Jackie was bringing in her youngsters. 'Mr F' has not yet been in the stable all on his own, this is something I work on once he truly trusts his stable to be comfortable, security and even fun.

As we withdrew to 'Mr F's stable he had his feed and I sat down with my flask of tea and notebook (the paper version). After he had his food he took up position near me at the back of the stable and fell into a snooze. 'Mr F' was exhausted! He coped with all the new things in his life as good as he could, but it was tiring, clearly. 

And as if the weather had been holding back on our behalf all these weeks before, it now suddenly has gone very cold and rainy at night, with strong winds. The first truly wintry nights. I cannot repeat often enough how relieved I am that 'Mr F' spends his night indoors now. I can go home knowing that he isn't having to stand in some field in the wet and icy conditions. Instead he is sheltered, dry and safe. All the boys pretty much immediately fall into a snooze when they come in, especially 'Rookie' who usually lies down flat out within 30 minutes of coming back in. The two youngsters do play and chase each other most of the day. I spend almost an hour sitting in the stable, enjoying the sound of the rain drops hitting the roof while the wind breaks on the gaps in the boarding. I could happily fall asleep in here, so peaceful.

The stable for the horses (once they get accustomed to it) is clearly a safe zone, allowing them to let their guard down. No predators to watch out for and dry and soft ground to lie on with lots of food and water.

I prepare 'Mr F' for the night, this time he gets his 'pyjamas'. He isn't clipped but the stable, although mostly wind protected and dry, is still outdoors and not heated. I want to keep his joints warm.

On his third evening of being in the stable ‘Mr F’ behaves like he's been in this stable all his life and as though there never had been any troubles with getting used to it. By now I have swapped the hay net with a small bulk bag. I prefer him to have his head in a down position, like grazing, when he eats. And having the haylage in the bag allows him to rummage around picking what he likes without having to pull it all out spreading it across the stable floor.

In the early morning

'Hello! Have you made breakfast yet?' 

A week goes by, with 'Mr F' being very content in his stable. All boys are turned out and brought in at the same time. If the youngsters aren't in I take 'Mr F' for a walk, I do that most days anyway. I changed my work around a little so that I can finish at 3pm the latest, starting at 8am. ‘Mr F’ has accepted all the new arrangements very well and I am rather relieved.

A relaxed 'Mr F', finally accepting his stable as safe and even entertaining place.

Stable training week 3 - Meeting the youngsters

Part 3 of our training, being inside with the stable gate shut.

It is time to get 'Mr F' used to being inside with the  stable gate shut. At first he was not happy about it at all and panicked quite a bit, pacing up and down, with much snorting and puffing. At some point he even slipped a little and that right away made alarm bells ring in my head!! Oh no, not that again. It's when he gets to the front of the stable, where he knows the gate opens. He paces left and right throwing his neck in frustration. That is when he slipped, just a little. It's no good.

I had to get some rubber mats to put down at the front and so spent all evening looking online for mats. However, due to the weight of these mats, postage costs understandably where very steep, making it all too much for my budget. The next day I asked some of the local agricultural and pet stores but they all were expensive too. Then I remembered a place near where I used to live some years ago, only about half an hours drive. I rang and yes they said they had rubber mats and it was the best price by far, even cheaper than any of the online shops (excluding postage).  Off I went to look at the mats. They where prefect. And heavy! Two guys had to lift the mats one by one into my car. The weight was very noticable when I drove back. Unloading was a little tricky as they were quite cumbersome. 'Mandy' came to give me a hand. 

I was very pleased with the quality of the mats. Now I had removed any possible danger from the stable, non-slip mats, thick layer of straw, boarded gates. The only way now that 'Mr F' could hurt himself is if he tries to jump out! While he sure has the physic and agility to do so, even he, with what little self preservation he has, will know that it is NOT a good move. For some things he has to take responsibility. 

Newly added rubber mats, which had to be very carefully examined by 'Mr F'

I went to fetch him and as it was late I took him straight into the stable. 'WHAT is that on the floor\!?' Much snorting and most careful examination. I think if those mats would have moved at any moment, he would have leapt into my arms in fright! 'Mr F' continued to walk around on the mats, in a kind of 'silly walk' way, lifting his feet up high as though he was walking on hot coal. I can only guess the many small 'bobble's on the surface must feel a little weird under his frogs. Then he saw another horse being lead to one of the other stable buildings and he began pacing around again.

The key lesson here for me is to NOT react to whatever he is doing. I used to get furious when he was acting up because I couldn't get through to him. I didn't understand his language in the past, nor did I understand or realise that he actually was training me because he had learnt that I would react to his tantrums, usually in a way that favoured him.

It's no good landing up with two angry beings, one 10 times the weight of the other, it's not going to end well and it never going to provide a solid solution to a tricky situation. Furthermore, when in anger I don't see what IS and miss important details.

Over the nearly 5 years with 'Mr F' I learnt that the most effective answer to his tantrums is to do the opposite of what he expects. One of the most irritating habits he had and still a little bit displays at times is to push into me. To nudge me with his head, to push me like he does with his pasture mates when he wants them to move. 

As he approaches me again trying to nudge me I turn right at him and start rubbing his nose. 'WHAT?! You can't do that ... now hang on ... hmmm ... quite nice ...' Puzzled by this unexpected move of mine he froze in  his step and looked at me perplexed. Of course he isn't one for giving in so I had to repeat this several times until he got tired of it and stopped fidgeting. Bare in mind I do trust him implicitly and have learnt to read his body language like a book. For me this was a perfectly safe thing to do. He was now acceptably calm, at least enough to end today's session on a positive note.  Don't push it too far even if things go well at first. I have done this in the past and learnt the hard way. (see the posts 'communication breakdown' some years back).

The back of the stable, I am in progress of spreading out more straw to make the layer thicker, just in case 'Mr F' is ready to stay in.

Also note the board mounted to the gate to stop him getting his legs stuck.

Well it seems that the stable visits weren't that positive in 'Mr F's opinion. He is now pulling his trump card: the 'catch me if you can' game!

The following evening I enter the field as usual, holding out the head collar with attached rope to signal 'Mr F' that I wish for him to join me. While he usually would leisurely make his way towards me, today he takes one look at me, then shakes his head in anger at 'Dolly'. 'Mr F' wants her to move because he doesn't want to escape on his own.  I have witnessed this behaviour many times in the past and only now do I realise why he shoos the others first. He will do that to all if there are more in one field with him. 

They both race to the hill top, 'Mr F' pushing 'Dolly' ahead making sure she doesn't turn around. I have no other choice than to walk all the way up to fetch him. 'Great! You fool! I am in a good mind to leave you out here all bloody freezing winter!' I mutter under my breath

'Dolly' is trying to make her way back downhill but 'Mr F' isn't letting her past; he is keeping her trapped up on the top! Once I get to the both of them, 'Mr F' looks pretty smug: 'Oh hello, you look a little angry. What's the matter?' - 'I tell you whats the matter in a minute! (Never mind, keep calm!)'.

But I have a few tricks up my sleeve too: rather than walking towards him, which is what he expects me to do, I walk away from him over  to the side and busy myself with something on the floor near the stone wall. I can almost hear him think ... 'What is she up to now?' And so he can't help but come and check out what I am up to, forgetting all about that I am  here to fetch him. As he is right next to me, I get up, stroke his neck and put his head collar on. At that moment he realises what's going to happen. I calmly talk to him (not that he understands the words but the sound of the voice matters). As I step out he follows willingly but with a sigh, all on loose lead rope. Secretly I hope that 'Dolly' doesn't make a dash past us down the hill now that she knows 'Mr F' can't stop her. I didn't fancy a dancing 'Mr F' at the end of the rope. 'Dolly' didn't dash past us, instead she followed a few steps behind at the same pace as us.

We make our way all the way back down the field and continue with our stable training.

The two youngsters are now also inside when I and 'Mr F' turn up. The little ones are comfortable by now in their compartments. It's time to see what 'Mr F' does when he sees them. I lead him into his compartment and 'Rookie', who is in the compartment next to 'Mr F', comes straight up to greet 'Mr F'. 'Rookie' does what I have seen another foal do before when it met 'Mr F'; it does a kind of open mouth chewing. It is as though it is asking 'Mr F' to not be aggressive. I don't see it as submissive, rather as a 'who are you and please be nice'. They touch noses a few times and after a few seconds 'Mr F' stretches his neck and passes on a 'warning' bite. It looks mean but it's just what he does with all horses he meets first. He doesn't draw blood, its just a somewhat gentle nip. In response 'Rookie' immediately presents his rear end to 'Mr F' and 'Mr F' proceeds to have a good sniff all over, including the young foals genitals; 'Mr F's long neck just about allows him to stretch this far over the stable dividers. 'Rookie' very willingly stands still while this takes part. This happens a few times over the next couple of days.

The other scenario that repeats itself is his rather annoying 'catch me if you can' game. 'Mr F' proceeds to run off me entering with the head collar. If I entered the field without it, he as usual comes to say hello. He very clearly was letting me know he wasn't going to partake in any further stable training at free will. 'Well, tough, you ARE coming. You will be glad once the weather turns harsh.' 

Towards the end of the week we have been able to extend our staying time in the stable to nearly an hour, with 'Mr F' being now calm and enjoying some of his favourite treat: a meadow blend grass block - simply compressed forage, without added sugar or additives.

Info: https://justfeeds.co.uk/products/just-fi-block/

These blocks where his best friends during his recovery time after his injury. You can see it in the above pictures; it's the 'thing' hanging next to the haylage net in one of the above photographs. It's basically a boredom breaker, something interesting in the stable. His face has such a satisfied expression when he chews his way through one of these. I have attached it with a string at the bottom so it stays on his side of the stable. Young 'Rookie' only too keenly hoovers up the crumbs that make it to his side of the stable floor and he had figured out how to get hold of it before I double tied it.

'Mr F' is still not very accommodating with 'Rookie' but every now and then looks at him rather kindly. My guess is that he is just telling a youngster 'Look, I am the boss here.' 'Rookie' also does the open mouth chewing when I turn up. He didn't do that back when he arrived here though. It must have something to do with being in here with 'Mr F'.

And today was the best result so far: 'Mr F' stood calm and didn't make things awkward when I went about with attending to his hooves / frogs for the first time inside his stable. I was most relieved! For a moment I considered leaving him in over night but a gut feeling told me to just continue with this training a little longer to make sure.

Stable Training Week 2

'Mr F' now is relaxed standing outside the stables and the tack room without me holding on to his rein.

He willingly stands there, at liberty, (usually lead rein flung over his shoulders) and waits for me to get done what I have to get done. I learnt early on that he is much calmer if he is free. Basically to do something or to wait at his free will because I ask him to do so by dropping the lead rein on the floor in front of him. 

When tacking up or when attending his hooves, he is never tied up. If he starts fidgeting, something's up and its my job to find out what. It's another way of communication between the two of us. The only time I do tie him up is if there are other horses near him in a small yard. But at the new place this is no longer an issue as we have so much space, it's wonderful!

I prepared the stable by picking some of his poo from the field and spreading it on the straw. This may seem odd but there is a reason and it goes back to when he was stabled after his injury (double hip fracture). For certainly 2 months 'Mr F' wasn't allowed to roll or lie down but I also didn't want to cross tie him as that would have made him very unruly. Left to his own devises, with stable companion, he was very calm but I recall one morning when swapped all his soiled shavings with a thick layer of new shavings, while he was eating. As soon as he had done with his food, he began the examine the floor and made all the motions of going down to roll! I rang the 'Suzie' (the vet) in panic, what should I do? Apparently, I was to put some of his soiled shavings back so he would have his own scent in the stable. This would stop him from rolling. And it did! 

Using this information now I put some of his droppings from the field on top of the layer of straw in his new stable. Hopefully it would help him accepting it a little quicker.

The floor of the stables is concrete with added texture. This is covered with a thick layer of straw. I hung up a haynet full with fresh tasty haylage and next to it I hung up his favourite treat, a grass block - compacted forage without any sugar or additives. It was his main 'friend' during recovery time and it kept him busy at day and night. Each compartment also had a self-refilling water trough at the back.

Surprisingly, 'Mr F' followed me inside the first time, albeit walking very gingerly, breathing heavily and being quite on edge, his nose on the ground examining everything, especially his poo! I left his head collar with lead rope on so that I had some control in case he started pacing around dangerously (for himself, not me).

When 'Mr F' is not quite sure about something he wants to make eye contact with me. 'Hey, I am not coping with this, can we leave?' If I don't react he will start nudging me. 'Come on, lets get outta here!' If I don't make eye contact however, he leaves me alone and tries to come to terms with things. It took me this long to realise that me directly looking at him often stopped us from progressing because he learnt that I would react to his behaviour, usually in his favour. 

Honestly, I learn everyday with 'Mr F', or any other horse for that matter. Their communication is so subtle and they are masters at observation and reading our body language. It fascinates me again and again and I am truly grateful for being able to spend time among these beings.

While 'Mr F' was having a look around in the stable I busied myself with something so as to make him think that we are in this stable for a reason and I deliberately didn't look at him. All the while leaving the stable gate open so that he realised it wasn't going to lock  him in.

We did this for several days. Remaining inside a little longer each time. Sometimes I would brush him, sometimes I would towel his feet dry. He had to understand that there is a purpose for being in the stable and that it wasn't some form of torture. The aim was to reach a point where i could attend to his hooves without him fidgeting and walking away. I made one attempt the fourth time we were inside the stable but he wasn't relaxed enough and yanked his front leg out of my grip, lifting it high and right over the middle bar of the stable gate! 'Oh no!! Stay calm, stay calm.' I thought. Meanwhile 'Mr F' realised he was stuck and tried to pull his leg off the gate but there was no way he could without lifting it and he couldn't do that either as it was already as high as he could possible lift it. 'It's OK chick, let me sort it.' I said calmly. He faced me with a worried look but calmed immediately as I held on to his front leg, beginning to lift it up (I am glad that I am strong despite my small build) and slowly freeing it. 'Phew!!' No injuries, no tendon damaged. Gosh how stupid! I should have thought of this straight away. The bottom two gaps of the metal gates separating the compartments are covered with a grid, but the top two gaps are not. I needed to fit some board so that no matter what he did, he could not get his foot / leg stuck. 

The following morning I explained to 'Mandy' what happened and asked if I could fit some board to the gate later this week as soon as I had gotten hold of some. To my surprise, I found the stable gates fitted with boards when I returned in the evening! Wonderful!

Appart from the 'getting the leg stuck' incident, 'Mr F' has been progressing well.

Next phase: shutting the stable gate, locking us in.

Stable training week 1

It is mid November and I have been working to get 'Mr F' accustomed to his stable for just over a week now.

Both 'Rookie' and 'Zac' are used to it by now so it will be safe to introduce a third party to the stable building.

'Mr F' is a very strong willed horse. There is no other non-human being that tells him what to do and I truly had to get my act together to gain the position of his trust and acceptance. To become something else rather than just the food servant.

Unless 'Mr F' wants something, there is no way you can just make him do something until he realises  that it might be good to follow you. You can try force him but you will be at the receiving end eventually, I have learnt that myself. The way to deal with him is to 'explain' things to him. To convince him that whatever it is you want him to do needs to be done. If he trusts the human he is quite willing to have these discussions, of which there are many between myself and him.

'Mr F' had never been good at being in the stable, at least not since I have known him. And certainly not alone, it usually ends in pacing about and shouting. Pacing about in a dangerous manner, dangerous because he can injure himself. At the old place he was fine entering the open cowsheds at free will to get access to the haylage. But he could always leave if he wanted to. And of course his field mates where always with him, quite often all together in the shed eating. The only way to have him in there was with a stable mate. Also, those sheds where much smaller.

Considering he is an ex-racehorse one would have thought he would be used to being in a stable.

His new stable is huge. 15ft x 15ft approximately, enough room for him to move around especially when staying in for longer periods of time when the weather is bad. 

In addition, here at 'Hill Farm', the stables are part of the main building groups and away from their grazing fields. This means leaving his field and field mate to go into the stable. There are other horses in the other stables so it's not that he is on his own.

My job now is to make him realise that being in the stable  will be secure and comfortable and even entertaining. It appears that most people's method is to just 'put them in and let them 'ride' it out. It is not a method that suits 'Mr F'. He would go absolutely bonkers. And I have seen what he is like when that happens, at the very start when he arrived at 'Buttercup Farm', now nearly 5 years ago. From my viewpoint, it is not a kind thing to do and probably will not help the trust level between horse and owner. 

Everything new that  'Mr F' has to get accustomed to, I introduce slowly. This is partly how I earned his trust over the years. He realised that he can communicate to me if he is anxious, or in pain, or needs an scratch ... anything. The result of this is that I nowadays quite often can ask him to do something he doesn't want to do, without much discussion. He mostly follows willingly. 

As start of our stable training I have been leading 'Mr F' past his new stable and the new barn so he could view it from the outside and get used to the changes from old barn to new building. I have done this several times, casually on they way back from a stroll (there are two different routes out of the yard). I deliberately timed it so that the youngsters weren't in. I didn't want him to expect them to be there every time. 

I continue with this until he walks past the building and stands still next to it with a relaxed head position, no longer being bothered by the new surroundings. That is when I know I can proceed to the next step.  This sometimes can be a very quick progression, sometimes it takes a long time. 

'Mr F's 5* accommodation - newly built. His is the one to the far left.

The smaller wooden stables can just be seen in the background to the left.

The next step is for him to get used to the inside of his stable.

First time in the menage

Today, being now in the field right next to the menage, it was time for 'Mr F' to come and try it out.

He had become a little distant over the past 2 weeks as I have not had as much time as I'd like to spend with him, especially now with the dark mornings.

I wondered what he would be like in the menage, if he was still connected or whether we would have to start all over.

Upon entering the field with his head collar he willingly wandered towards me, looking quite interested in what we might be doing this time. 

With the menage right adjacent to their field, 'Polly' won't have to panic. The girls have now moved into their winter field which is opposite the small field where 'Mr F' was placed upon his arrival in May. 

I lead 'Mr F' out of the field and we made our way over to the entrance of the mange. A wooden frame was surrounding the menage, keeping all the chippings in place. This meant he had to step over that border. Well, after some very good donkey imitations ('try make me move!') 'Mr F' eventually gave in, lifted his feet and followed me inside the menage. If 'Mr F' doesn't want to do something he just doesn't, he has many means of making things awkward but I am very patient. Every time I take hims somewhere new I make sure I have as much time as it takes to complete what we started. He knows that really there isn't much point in arguing and he gets bored of it eventually because I don't give in. I am happy to stand at a place for ages while he refuses to move. The trick is the timing here, (it's ALWAYS about timing, it just took me 2 years to notice this!) I won't release the gentle pressure on the lead rope, making sure I don't land up repeatedly tugging. As soon as he moves a step forward, however slight, I release straight away and reward him (a gentle stroke, or by tone of voice), rinse repeat. Because he knows that I won't give in he nowadays get's bored of this game quite quickly. 

And so we enter the menage. 'Oh gosh what is that on the floor!??' With much snorting it all had to be thoroughly examined. I walked him round and round, stopping in between so he could take it all in. I learnt by now that he is quite a bit of an adrenaline freak and any kind of reason to have a little fit is quite eagerly made use of. Even though things actually don't scare him, they are different, not in his 'control'.

Once he deems the place safe enough and realises that there are no nasty things jumping out from under all the shavings, I proceed with some very basic type of groundwork routine. I don't follow any school, I just aim for us to work as a team. If I walk slowly, does he walk slowly? If I run and suddenly stop, will he? All on loose rein and also without me physically leading him. Basically: is he with me? This isn't because I want to control him; to me it is a basic safety routine. Should ever anything happen to me, does he acknowledge my 'personal' space or will he be all over my toes? We used to be a great team in the past, when the bridle paths would be too steep and too stony I would get off and lead him. He would take grate care not to walk into me (a long lead rein is very handy in these situations). If I place my leading hand (yes, I have a leading hand with which I give him various signals as we walk)  behind my back it means 'Walk behind me, follow in my footsteps'. This is most helpful if we get surprised by ice or go trough deep mud. He HATES walking into deep mud and will automatically follow behind me, knowing that I will choose a better path. This of course means that I have to consider a route that is passable for him too. He used to be very responsive and attentive before the accident at the beginning of the year. Lets see where we pick up from.

To my very great surprise, he was even more attentive and responsive than before. But most of all it was his expression in his eyes that suddenly got under my skin: such openness, warmth and honesty. So pure. 'What do you want me to do? Yes I am 'listening'. Here right in front of me was this beautiful, at times very fiery being, so willingly trusting and following me. Why? I wonder every time. This pureness and honesty is such a great gift offered to us human beings and it will always touch me deep down.

Winter tidings

We are now in the beginning of November and have had the first frosty nights. Luckily it is still mostly dry albeit very windy. 

I am waiting to start 'Mr F's stable training. For the past weeks, 'Ester' with son 'Zac' and 'Rookie' were getting used to the new stable. 'Ester' has just recently left and 'Zac' is being weaned. Both mother and son are very calm about it, 'Ester' is probably quite relieved as 'Zac' had been harassing her quite a bit. 

I wait for the youngsters to comfortably settle into their stable so that they will be calm when I start turning up with 'Mr F', who undoubtedly will NOT make this easy for me.

It took him nearly 3 years before he could accept being in the stable at the old place (but never on his own) and that only because they were used to it as they had their haylage inside the cowshed and would be able to access / leave it 24/7.

We shall see how he reacts when I show it to him for the first time. Meanwhile I continue talking him into the menage and for walks around the countryside and around the yard and barn buildings. Anywhere he isn't quite so sure about I take him repeatedly until he no longer cares.

The first frosty mornings ... tidings of winter. 

'Polly' doesn't get a rug to wear yet, but 'Mr F' is wearing his by now.

'Mr F' snoozing in the warming sunshine. Even though the temperatures are close to freezing, up here it is very sheltered and considerably warmer. I too often join them up here. It is very peaceful with stunning views all around.

The weather has been very much on our side so far and I am very grateful for that. 'Mr F' isn't a horse to spend winter outside 24/7.  I remember the years before his accidents and how miserable they all  looked in the mornings after a windy, wet and freezing night. 

I have to come up with a strategy for the stable training so that we can start as soon as possible.

That scary field shelter ...

As I spend much time with them I observe that they prefer to graze at the top of the field.

The views up there are far reaching and despite being at the top, it is the most sheltered spot of the field, partly because of the tall stone walls and also because of the general direction of the wind.

'Mr F' and 'Polly' wandering off into the distance ... 

This will be the field where 'Ester' and 'Polly' will spend the winter and a extra huge field shelter has been built with some remains of the old now demolished barn. I knew that 'Mr F' would be very pleased with having some shelter. However, 'Polly' wasn't very keen. I have seen 'Mr F' standing inside several times but each time there is windy weather, 'Polly' can't cope and spooks. 

You can see the fir trees (old Christmas trees) right behind the shelter. When there is a breeze, they do make quite a noise as the wind brushes through the needles. 'Polly' doesn't like that sound and so she runs off, making 'Mr F' to follow her, sometimes in anger almost because he doesn't want her to run off, he wants to stay inside the shelter but he also doesn't want to stay back on his own.

At first I had their haylage inside the shelter, but seeing just how much 'Polly' spooks I felt it more safe to have their feed outside. At least there they won't feel trapped.

'Mr F' relaxing inside the huge shelter - built for 'Ester', the shire mare.

'Mr F' coming out to check on 'Polly' who will only come near the shelter if it is near wind still.

The noise produced by the wind forcing its way through the pine needles covers up any other possible noise. I am quite sure that this is the reason why they don't go near the shelter when its windy; they cannot hear prospective predators (even though in all reality, there aren't any) approach. Instead they run off to the very top of the field, where there is a flat section right at the top, protected by tall stonewalls. It is even in windy weather fairly calm up there, although that depends on the wind direction.

Note to self: if I ever have my own farm and have to build a field shelter, don't build it anywhere near trees and check out the main wind direction.

'Mr F's silhouette

And so, on a windy but clear evening, they have wondered back up the hill where they probably spend most of the night.