Smally Furry Observations

And so little 'Bella' seems to get used to the new routines. She travels extremely well in the car, is totally calm and remains in one spot, mostly seated.

As I am typing this I am enjoying being indoors on my day(s) off. Haven't been able to do that peacefully and undisturbed in years. Sometimes I wonder how people can live with others ... 

Anyway, I am paying some forest sounds ... meditative sounds which immediately clear my thoughts with regards to typing, making my output very focused rather than all over the place.

It's a bit like playing darts after 2 pints ... that balance of drink and concentration worked best for me, stopping all the thoughts, ideas etc in my head leaving it calm and focused, to the point, hence improving my aiming ability. :)

'Bella' too seems to benefit from the music, she lies next to me on the sofa very relaxed, every now and then flinching her eyes depending on the sound my fingers make on the keyboard.  Every now and then she raises her head staring at the wall in a almost meditative stare.

How we ('Bella' and I) spend the evenings and days off when it rains, in between walks ...

This brings me back to my question: are animals (the non-human animals) spiritual? Do they meditate? I always had a feeling that 'Luke' (mentioned in this blog in the beginning years) was a very spiritual horse. He seemed to be mostly far away, often standing under the same tree, staring seemingly into nothing. 'Lillian' ('Luke' was her horse)
.

In any case, music/sound influenced or not, here a very chilled out 'Bella' ... 

we did get lost earlier on our walk and it turned out quite a bit longer than expected ...

'Bella' is an extremely observant and sensitive dog. More so than any other I have met / had. When walking, it is like walking a feather. She reacts to the slightest pull on the lead. The extendable lead she has got seems almost too powerful, I might go and see if I find one more light weight. She keeps getting confused at times, thinking I am pulling her on the lead when I don't. 'Bella' is very much one for closeness. If I am in the kitchen, she is there too. If I am on the sofa, she is right next to me. My guess is that she probably feels a little insecure, having to be in HER home with a more or less strange person. We had only met a couple of times before some time back in summer.

Today is the first day where she is more boisterous and uses her chew 'thing' (looks like a lump of bone but it isn't.) 'Bella' also is beginning to train me ... you know, the thing dogs do to whomever is 'their' human. She has figured that if she paws me long enough while I am typing, I will without a doubt stop as her keyboard input doesn't return the wanted results. Or she sits on the ottoman, like the sphinx, watching me intently.

 ... 'I will stare at you until you get up and come for a walk, human' ... 

In the morning first thing she comes with me to see to 'Mr F' . It's dark at 6am so I take her for a quick walk around grass verges near the yard so she can do her most important business. I then sort out 'Mr F', mucking out, feeding etc so he is set for the day. Meanwhile 'Bella' waits patiently in the car which I have parked so that she can see what goes on out there. After 'Mr F' is all set and turned out it is more or less daylight and I take 'Bella' for a long-ish walk. She then patiently waits in the car, parked so that she can see me and the horses. Once all done I drop her off back home and go to work. Although it's all perfectly timed: the festive days fall on weekdays so there is hardly any work on for a week. Again a first in years .... I feel so spoilt!

Reading the same book

Seems like 'Mr F' are back on the same page or at least back reading in the same book.

As I drive up to 'Farm hill' the next morning, I can see him grazing in the field with the others. In fact they are all quite evenly spread out in the field. On previous days he was hiding in the shelter. Mind you, on his first few days of being turned out it was hot  for April and already there were plenty of flies. 'Mr F' doesn't do flies ... at all.

He also could have a bit of a grass overdose although it's not a lush field. The downside of him currently not showing much interest in his food (he never did during the first week of full turnout) means I cannot feed him any help for his digestive system. I may have to resort to the syringe but am trying not to. It's going to be a cold week ahead. Let's see if that changes things.

Today 'Mr F' is certainly more upbeat about things.

I go get his feed in the hope he might at last eat it. It's not much, just a bit of a mash with his TB (Thunderbrook) base-mix. He comes willingly out of the field. I simply open the gate without even putting on his head-collar. It is highly unlikely for him  to go anywhere other than his food bucket. At last he eats it.

Once the morning routine is completed, all three go and lie down. 'Rookie' already flat out, 'Zac' joins at a bit of a distance. 'Zac' now very clearly 'above' 'Rookie' in terms of pecking order. 'Mr F' hovers around where I am for a while then goes and joins the others, picking a space very near 'Zac' to lie down.

I go and put the food bucket and other bits away (tackroom is on first level). As I come back after 15 minutes, 'Mr F' too is flat out on his side, sleeping. Not a care in the world.

'Zac' meanwhile looks grumpy a lot. I find that he is right now very desperately trying to find some kind of connection with something. He follows 'Mr F' a lot and stays near him. But he also watches me VERY closely and hovers around us at all times and studies everything we do. And I am only too aware of this. Very early on I realised that they learn something from us, desired or not, each time we are with them. 

I  need to leave for work.

As I return in the mid/late afternoon I again am pleased to see all three grazing the field at the very top.

There is no point in calling for 'Mr f' to come down. Why should he when he is having a simply wonderful time up there? 

I slowly walk up the field, examining the various heaps of poo on the way up, making note for tomorrow's poo picking exercise. Some poo is quite runny and right now it's hard to tell which who's horse's business it is. 

'Mr F' willingly lets me put on his head collar (no more running off) and follows me down the hill, 'Zac' close behind us, 'Rookie' galloping behind us with the odd stop for grass but never overtaking.

We spend some time out on the verge along the drive. Of course he now is not any longer desperate for grass and just picks some of the herbs that he hasn't got in the field. As we get halfway down the drive he begins to show more interest in his surroundings.  And as we approach the end of it, at the crossing onto a country lane, he wants to continue. He always does really. He also steps out much better now that his interest is up. OK. He may have some level of discomfort somewhere in his body / hinds but he wants to go and explore. He is BORED.

It's time to get a new pair of hoof boots, regardless of the size of my wallet. There was a pair of 2nd hand ones on eBay, exactly the size we needed. They shall be ours by the end of the day. The old set is too big now, but they are useful for turning out with a poultice. 

As we wander back, he looks at me quite often as we stand still. The expression in his eye becomes warm again, the muscles around the eyes are soft and wrinkly again rather than wide open or tense. His lower lip is floppy. It appears that he is satisfied that I got the message. In fact he can read me better than any other living being.

As we return I see 'Jake' is already in for the night so I take this as an opportune moment to begin with our solo stable training. 'Mr f' knows 'Jake', they spent the past weeks in the barn together, with 'Zac' in the middle.

'Mr f', seeing 'Jake' willingly follows into the stable. He looks intently at the middle stable where 'Zac' used to be, now empty.

He fidgets around a bit as I leave to make some tea and to get some feed and grooming mits.

I know he likes being in a stable, but he wants it done his way, with his mates next to him. Well I am afraid he cannot have that. His mates are not my horses. His mates are now going to be out till Autumn.

So 'Mr f' has to learn to be in the stable without mates. There are other horses around. Most are still coming in at night even now. Most others also are on restricted grazing. I groom 'Mr f' and every now and then leave the stable for a bit, chatting to other horse owners there. One has purchase a filly and it arrived today. 

A new voice to get used to (yet already loud), joining the others in their chorus of 'Where are you' - 'I'm here!'. 'Zac' is still shouting for 'Mr F' who now becomes fairly agitated upon not being with the others.

But he doesn't fidget about all that much. We do all our physio exercises including the carrot stretches. He is certainly more sore on one side. It all began with the first day turnout. He must have overdone it a little. I am glad they have a big shelter which also protects them from the wind to some extent (Yorkshire boarding).

 Although it being no longer hot like the past week, they all now spend time outside. It's going to be a very cold week ahead especially at night and I am aiming to be able to bring 'Mr f' in every now and then especially if there is a lot of rain.

We spend some 40 minutes in the stable, 'Jake' at the far side. 'Mr F' is becoming more relaxed and looks almost sleepy. This is a good moment to get him out. He has learnt he can be there without his mate and just one other horse. He also realises again that the stable even though also outside basically,  is yet still more comfortable than the field shelter. 

I didn't want to spoil the pleasant time we spent together. There was the possibility of  'Jake's owner coming and taking 'Jake' out work. 'Mr F' wouldn't cope well with that. As I have seen him fall inside the stable when he fractures his hip, it's just not something I want to happen again. I am wanting to keep him as calm as it's safe for him. I don't mind him circling for a little while or calling for the others but trying to beach himself on the partition as he had nearly done so is a no-no.

Communication breakdown - "All work and no play makes 'Mr F' a dull (and sore) boy"

For the past couple of days, 'Mr F' has been grumpy and somewhat dull. He clearly also was rather sore. At first I thought it might be his hooves, I have taken him out on short walks on the tarmac drive a fair amount. The barefoot trimmer had pointed out to me that there had been some abrasion to his hooves because of it. This was particularly encouraged by coming out of a wet field right before the walk without hoof boots. The hoof is still wet and therefore softer and more susceptible to abrasion.

I am in progress of getting a fresh set of hoof boots for 'Mr F'. We always used to go out with hoof boots. 

2 days ago 'Mr F' suddenly started playing his 'catch-me-if-you-can' game as soon as he sees me enter the field with the head-collar. He doesn't just run off, oh no.  He makes sure that the other horses come with him too by trying to group them up and herding them away from me because he doesn't want to 'escape' on his own. This in turn confuses the other horses, in this case the youngsters. They look at me puzzled and worried and clearly realise that it is my appearance that triggers this reaction from 'Mr F' yet they don't understand why he suddenly sees me as a 'disturbance'. I am always aware that whatever I do in the field affects all horses present. I am fond of them all and treat them as I would like mine to be treated if handled by another person. I am always trying to make things as clear and simple as possible so that they understand.

Seeing that 'Mr F' isn't having any of it and stomps around getting more frustrated I drop the head-collar with attached lead-rope. I do not want to confuse the youngsters any further, they wanted to come and say hello but 'Mr F' didn't let them as he wanted to herd them away from me. There have been a few occasions in the past where he displayed this behaviour and it is always a clear message aimed at me: "You are not fetching me because you are not listening to what I am telling you."

I have clearly overstretched it again. Too many repeat exercises making him not only sore (bearing in mind that the exercises are addressing muscles he hasn't been using properly) but also bored. Coming out with me was no longer fun for him and he was also not feeling comfortable with his body. That was his message and I had better listen!

Having dropped the head collar and lead rope I sit on the ground in the field and let things be. 'Mr F' comes to me eyeing me up and then walks off. The youngsters too come to say hello and are calm again. After a little while I get up and fetch 'Mr F's feed. He shows little interest in it but that is not unusual. It's a new field with plenty of grass (compared with their winter field the had just left a few days ago) and other food was no longer interesting.  This will change after a week when the grass becomes 'boring' and the best blades have been eaten.

The following day 'Mr F' lets me put on the head collar but I can't move him anywhere. We've been here before. (see here - catch me if you can!) I have learnt my lesson, it's best to leave him alone for a day or two.

The next morning 'Mr F' looks like standing death. I have seen that before too. He showed hardly any interest in his feed (I only made up a very small portion to test). Very clearly, he is bored and in discomfort. After months of being in at night from approx. 4pm till 7am (average 15 hours indoors) he is now out 24/7. That is an extra 15 hours of moving, even if it is just grazing. But it's on a slope. And on top of that he has had physio, I did the exercises and overdid them certainly by doing them every day. It is impossible to tell just how the fractured him has healed up but it clearly was still easily aggravated. Not going to put him on bute again, last time he went very dull and it didn't make a difference in his mobility. In fact he was too dull to be bothered to move.

I have to prove to 'Mr f' that I am listening to his message. If I get him to come down to the bottom level (we are on the third level) were the main yard is we can go for a stroll along the drive. He enjoys going out.

He let me put on his head collar this time and quite happily followed me out of the field. But he refused to go downhill. No chance to make 550kg of meat move by just pulling. Shouting at the horse is no use, especially not 'Mr F'. He cannot stand loud angry voices, he goes into distant mode and you might as well talk to a wall. To him, any kind of emotion is unpredictable behaviour and he doesn't see that as secure. That much I have learnt over the years.

At this moment 'Jackie' came to feed her boys ('Rookie' and 'Zac'). When they had finished I asked her if she could give 'Mr f's bottom a few smacks as soon as I ask him to move and he doesn't. I didn't have a wip or I would have used that for encouragement. Although I don't like doing it but sometimes, and its quite rare, I have to revert to this method of phases. I knew he wouldn't kick out, he is not that kind of horse. 

It took several smacks before he finally gave in and decided that it might be more pleasant for us all if he would get moving.

I wanted to get him to come with me to go and eat some grass along the drive, like we used to. I wanted him to understand that my appearance doesn't always mean work. Which of course it had over the past 3-4 days, especially when in discomfort. That's enough to 'Mr F' fed up even more so as he has now a nice field together with his young mates.

Eventually 'Mr F'  followed me willingly albeit with a concerned expression. I stayed out with him until he was in a better frame of mind.

There is no point doing anything with the horse if it isn't in a good frame of mind. It just won't work.

We walk along the drive for a while but 'Mr f' does a fair bit of neighing and replying to 'Zac's calls. 'Zac' doesn't like it at all when 'Mr F' leaves. It is rare that 'Mr f' calls out for any horses, very rare. It's always a sign that he isn't content / secure / comfortable. He either doesn't trust me right now (seeing me loose my temper, he cannot cope with that, and why should he) or he is in a fair amount of discomfort. Most likely both. We stay out long enough for 'Mr f' to settle down before we slowly make our way back. He is in no hurry to go back really. But more surprisingly:  he is not at all  keen to go back into his field, as I assumed he would be.

'What do you want?'  I wonder .... 

'Rookie' being gelded

Quick note:

'Rookie' was gelded today.  To help him recover calmly, 'Mr F' and 'Zac' were in the stabels next to him at daytime and in late afternoon 'Jake' will come in and take over while 'Mr f' and 'Zac' can go out.

'Mr F' still sore, too sore to do pole work. He will be getting used to moving around quite a bit more now they are turned out 24/7 in a bigger field than what they had for winter. And there is probably a fair bit of running around going on too.

Back to 24/7 Turnout - Back to field studies at last - a sore 'Mr F'

I have been waiting for the this time of the year; the days are longer again and the temperatures fairly pleasant already. Welcomed are the days of sitting in the field with the boys and observing, I enjoy doing this most. The boys have had time to get used to me over the winter months while I was hanging out in 'Mr F's stable doing whatever maintenance needed doing. The youngsters, especially 'Zac', watched us with great interest. The weather wasn't inviting to hang about with them in their field in winter, nor was the location 'private as it could be seen from the yard. Their new field however is at the very top of the hillside, beautiful far-reaching views and away from the 'hustle and bustle' in the yard. It will be months ahead of blissful field studies, including my insect photography.

The boys are going to be on full turnout from now on.  Their field also has a large field shelter. I know that 'Mr F' very much appreciates being able to go in and out of some form of shelter to get away from rain / heat / cold / flies / wind. 

We took the boys up to their new field in the early morning. The youngsters hadn't been up there before but 'Mr F' spent all of summer and beginning of autumn up there with 'Polly'. 

As usual, I was a fair bit apprehensive, hoping that they wouldn't charge about too much as I was still concerned about 'Mr F' injuring himself again. The youngsters did run around a little and 'Mr F' joined for a while but then the call off the grass is stronger than their urge to rid of energy. They have had access to grass every day during turnout so it won't be all that much of a shock to the system. 

The shelter of course has to be explored and is immediately accepted by all three ...

All three accepting the field shelter straight away, 'Mr F' already making use of the shadow ...

... which goes to proof that I was right when I said that it was 'Polly' that stopped 'Mr F' from accessing the field shelter in the other field last year. (see this post) She wouldn't go near it most days, especially when it was windy.   'Mr F' however went straight inside but as soon as she spooked and dashed off, he followed her in frustration because  he didn't want to be alone and he also was running short on patience for her being so flighty. 'Mr F' likes calm, peaceful field mates and doesn't settle well with the dizzyhead-types such as 'Rose' (the other TB ex-racer that arrived with him all those years back).  

Much of the calmness in the shelter is thanks to 'Zac', who takes most things in his stride. 'Rookie' is a little less sure but seeing that the other 'big' guys are in there, he deems it reasonably safe.

Having a field shelter and knowing that they will make use of it makes thinking about rugs simple. He does have a summer rug which I put on if temperatures are below 10 degrees at night IF there is also strong winds and rain. Dry nights are fine. .

'Zac' and in the background 'Mr F' with his summer rug as described above

Later in the afternoon I return from work and take 'Mr F' out for some body work. He is NOT happy about coming out. 'Zac' isn't happy either and does a lot of neighing and running around as he sees 'Mr F' leave the field. Meanwhile 'Jake' who had been used to the boys' company when they had come in at about 3-4pm  was neighing too as he sees me walk past with 'Mr F'.  The air was filled with their calls. I recognise them all by the sound of their neigh and it's a bit like a telegraph message starting with 'Zac', going to the girls and finally reaching 'Jake' in the stable all of which are replied to by 'Mr F'.

We do some work in the indoors school and despite not being pleased at all, 'Mr F' does what I ask him to do. 

I however notice that he seems rather sore and I can see in his eyes and facial expression that he is not comfortable at all. 

My guess is that 

a) They have been running around quite a bit in that new field after I had left for work. 'Mr F' most likely joined it for parts of it. It'll settle.
b) I have overdone the exercises prescribed by the physio. Not listening to the horse again, being too keen ... one day I will learn ... 

Well, the new 24//7 turnout will give his body plenty to do over the next week or two. The gentle slope will make him move up and downhill which will all be good exercise. Carrot and limb stretches will suffice for a bit until his is a little more comfortable.

'Anne' the ACPAT Vetenary Physio - Start of body work programme

'Anne' came today to assess 'Mr F's body fitness. She is an ACPAT registered Veterinary Physiotherapist and was mentioned to me by 'Jackie' who attended a speech held by her in the local Vet's practise. (mentioned in previous post). 'Anne' requested to have the Vet's consent prior to starting a physio programme. 'Suzie' (our vet) very helpfully supplied 'Anne' with all information about 'Mr F's condition / injury.

As I mentioned in the previous post; I would have preferred Neil to come and treat 'Mr F' but he is just too far away to fit in a single trip in a hurry.

However, I was very pleasantly surprised by 'Anne', she is a calm and caring lady and she listens to what the horse has to say while she treats it. I also appreciated her ability of explaining things in an easy to understand manner.

First off 'Anne' had to get an idea of 'Mr F' mobility. We went into the indoor school and after some warming up circle walking, we did some pole work in large circles.

I have never worked with a physio before so I was keen on learning which exercises will be good for us and how I can help 'Mr F' to tune his muscles in the needed places. 

What I aim to achieve with the physio treatment is to help 'Mr F' getting his body into shape so that he carries himself better. Which in turn should offer him more comfort as he grows older.

'Anne' was impressed by 'Mr F's ability to do the pole work without hitting them. 'Mr F' and I have done pole work for some months but not very often.

She said that if I was wanting to ride him again, we would have to very much work on his back muscles. He's always had a rather strong sway back, more so of course after the injury and following months of recovery in which he did very little exercise.

I have been given instructions for carrot stretches, limb exercises and pole work. 'Anne' said walking uphill would also be good for 'Mr F' (just what I thought in the previous year when he and 'Polly' went into the top fields).

Next appointment is arranged in a few weeks, giving me enough time to begin doing my part of 'Mr F's body rebuilding programme. And this time I have enough information to more or less know what I am doing (or supposed to do).

April: Spring is trying hard - Body Building

For the first time in months it is warm enough to put on the summer rug. 'Hill Farm' is very exposed and what feels warm in town, up here with the wind chill it's just still rather chilly. 'Mr F's summer rug is waterproof over his back and at the front. The rest is just a soft but robust mesh. It also helps to keep off the tiny flies which are already annoying the boys.

With not much grass in the field 'Mr F' usually already waits at the gait when I arrive or comes to the gate as soon as he sees my car.
Once the boys are in their spring/summer field with grass it will be a case again of: 'come get me if you want something, I'm here grazing.'

'Mr F' - "I've been waiting. Can we go where somewhere, do something? Ideally grazing, you know what I like ..." 

But hurrah - the grass is growing at last! Soon the boys will be changing into a different field. The winter field they have been using needs a well deserved rest and some serious maintenance.
Their new field has a big field shelter and I am glad about that as 'Jackie' will have her boys out 24/7 over spring/summer. As 'Mr F' is not yet safe enough (for his own good) to be in the stable on his own he too will soon be on 24/7 turnout. Knowing him he'll be most happy as he really appreciates the grass more than haylage. 

It'll be time to further progress with his stable training - learning to be on his own. I don't like doing it to him but it's important to know that he can cope, just in case of emergency. I wonder if I get him to accept it without him throwing himself over the stable doors. The first training (accepting the stable) took me 4 weeks - if there is time than 'Mr F' can have as much time as it takes him to accept something new. I much prefer him to get accustomed to changes in a way where he can cope. This way he knows he can trust me. If I just throw him into new situations which he doesn't understand he will stop trusting me. This was one of the first things I learnt. And it has applied to any other horse I have handled / looked after.  Be calm and wait ... if you can. It's the least we can do for our horses who so readily trust us if we let them. 

If I was a horse, I would be a nightmare. (in every meaning). I certainly wouldn't want to be close to humans. I sometimes struggle doing so as a human now ... 

And on our walk we find that the fields suddenly have turned back into a lush green colour.  

It is now almost a year since we arrived at 'Hill Farm'.

Over the past view weeks I have been looking at 'Mr F's body shape. He is rather out of shape, especially his back / top line. He's always had a saggy back. Below some comparison photographs:

'Mr F' in May 2013 (aged 20)- I had just started looking after him (and the other ex-racehorse 'Rose'). 

'Mr F' in August 2014 - Officially under my 'wings'. Back then I had no idea about working the horses' body. We hadn't been doing much riding as we had no tack and my budget was extremely limited. We did several short rides with different saddles until we finally got our own 2nd hand. I spent much walking  'Mr F' in the open fields, sometimes I rode him.

'Mr F' July 2015 - We have just started riding with the 'Barefoot' physio pad. I had enough of saddles that didn't fit (neither of us) and after much research and talks with professionals on the matter I decided to go for the 'Barefoot' Physio pad. It's described in posts back in 2015. At long last 'Mr f' didn't walk off anymore when I turned up with the pad, where as if I turned up with the saddle he'd walk off. I tested it several times. 

At this stage (at the time the photo was taken) we both are building up our muscles in the right places (for me mainly the inner thigh muscle as I spread my weight down his sides through my thighs so I don't touch or press on the spine) for this new to us new way of riding.  We had been on very short outings once or twice a week. The difference in freedom of movement however was phenomenal, most prominently noticeable because 'Mr F' was making longer strides, stumbling a lot less and also breathing more freely. Although the pad is quite heavily padded on each side of the spice, through the lower part of my thigh and of course the calves I can feel a lot of his movement which I before could not. It was much easier for me to be balanced with him, something I was not able to do well in the saddle, I found that the stirrups where in the way, either to far back or too far forward. While riding in the saddle I had to concentrate to be balanced in the saddle, never mind to be in balance with the horse. The saddle never fitted correctly, so it must have felt most awkward for 'Mr F'. I may be small and light but must have been a nuisance for him, rocking around in a saddle that seemed to stop me for sitting naturally all the time. At the time I put it down to my lack of riding experience /skill. 

'Mr F' in May 2016 (standing in background) - With his best mate and my 2nd favourite horse 'Luke'

'Mr F' in Sept 2017 (with 'Polly') - New home 'Hill Farm', 8 month after his hip fracture (January 2017)

The first 6 weeks of 24/7 turnout after initial recovery was in a flat field. Then they moved to a field up the hill with a gentle slope. It thought that it would be good for 'Mr F' having to move uphill to graze. After just a few weeks in there I could see quite noticeable changes in his hind, which had become more rounded and less 'pointy'.

'Mr F' April 2018 - clearly lost shape again. Especially over winter. Thinking about it: they have spent the nights in the stable. Out at 7am in the  morning, in at about 3pm. 8 hrs turnout, 16 hours indoors. And while turned out there wasn't much moving going on as grazing wasn't all that abundant and so one stands around the spot where the haylage is. All in all not much movement. And although the stables are 15 x 15 feet each, it only stops his legs from swelling up as he has freedom of movement but it's by no means exercise. It's an extremely fine balance to get the timing right during recovery. To me it right now seems clear that due to him being stabled every night his top line sank due to lack of stimulation. Right now I really am telling myself off for not doing a photo comparison sooner! 

He had 15 months of recovery, it's time for body building. We have already done pole work over the past months although not very regularly. But I am rather in the dark with regards to what his exact needs now are to rebuild his shape and it's time to call upon professional assistance in the matter.

'Jackie' went to a speech held by one of the local Vets. The lady that gave the speech is an ACPAT Chartered Physiotherapist. I was given a copy of her leaflet and those that went to the speech thought she was very pleasant and of course very knowledgeable. 

While I would like Neill Saunders (see posts in the past) to come and treat 'Mr F', it is a long trip for him to come up and he'll be unlikely to do it unless he can combine it with other clients which are nearby to make the trip worthwhile. Neill's work is very different to what a physiotherapist does, that I am quite sure about. He helped 'Mr F' in a great many ways. But I right now am after some bio-mechanical information of the entire body and it's muscles. While I am very sure that Neill could assist with that too, his work is reaching far deeper than muscles. He just has a gift. If my budget allows I will try once more and see if I can arrange for a visit of his at some point. 

'Anne' (the physio) is local and therefore much more readily available. She will only work on a horse if she has the consent of the responsible Vet. I shall be booking an appointment with her for 'Mr F' hopefully very soon.

Perhaps, if me and him get it right, we can go out hacking once more and go and explore the countryside. But I enjoy his company in so many ways that it doesn't matter much. Yet the riding does add an intimacy to being together, to feeling his body move under mine and to be part of it, more, to become one unit. In the past there have been a few occasions when this did happen and when it all was so simply natural, no words were needed. Often I only had to think about a gait change or stop and he would do it as though my thoughts went straight to his body, perhaps they did. The less my mind was distracted, the more we were together, simply, naturally, blissfully, peacefully.

'Mr F' with our bareback physio pad. It was my last resort solution after being very frustrated with unsuccessful saddle fitting. Only later came I to understand that his conformation would make it very difficult for fitting a tree. I have once tried a treeless saddle (borrowed) but it didn't work as it didn't offer enough clearance for his high withers and I didn't feel comfortable in it either.

Looking at the white hairs on 'Mr F's withers (pressure marks, hair goes white when it has experienced too much pressure) I can only guess that even his racing saddle must have put pressure on him. 'Mr F' already  had these marks when I took him on so it wasn't me.

'Mr F' didn't fuss about when he saw me come out with the pad the other day. He seemed almost expectant ... 'Are we going out?' - 'No not yet chicken ... all in good time.'

Although 'Suzie' (our equine VET) did say that I could ride him 'Just ride him to the local pub or something and see how it goes.' But I have decided to wait because I am not happy how his hind limbs work. There is a distinct lameness, not extreme but it is present and I don't think it is caused by pain as this didn't change even when he was on bute. 

My gut instinct tells me that there is a severe imbalance in his bio-mechanics ... muscle mass displacement and compensation and it all seems a kind of diagonal. 

To me this is not a body that is ready to be ridden. 

Meanwhile the April weather is true to its name: changeable. From warm spring weather we go back into cold rainy days. Rain brings mud, and 'Mr F' is straight in there as always. I haven't seen a horse roll this much indeed.

'Bleh ... can we go into the stable ... it's no fun out there."

'Mr F', 'Zac' (who is equally a stable 'potatoe') and 'Rookie' who generally prefers to be outside, but on this very foggy day even he had enough. 

Indoors school finished - Snow (again!)

The weather forecast did warn of snow but none of us wanted to believe it. It is April after all ... it is supposed to be spring. There was supposed to be warmish sunshine that would make the grass grow at last. Mind you, several here at 'Hill Farm' would be happy without much grass growth as all horses are on restricted grazing. The exception are the boys and the shire mare who can all eat as much as they want.

Easter Monday but I still get up at the usual time of about 4:30am. As I look outside while sipping my 1st cup of tea I find a layer of approximately 2 inches of snow that has been deposited over night. 'Well, perhaps I shouldn't buy winter tyres next year, since I bought them we had loads of snow ...'

This time however it is a heavy kind of snow, laying on a thick layer of slush, making it feel as though the car is a boat. There is hardly any grip at all. Still, I make it up to 'Hill Farm' OK. 'Jackie' and I have already agreed that we are going to leave the boys in for the day to protect the field most of all. The snowfall is going to turn into heavy rain any moment as it is warming up fast. There will be a lot of floods later this evening ...

Approaching the yard from the other end ... in the first wooden stable is 'Rookie', then 'Victor' and furthest away 'Slippers'. The boys are in the bigger building in the background. At least it was not windy so their stables are still dry.

I have my usual breakfast with 'Mr F' and set him up for his day in the stable. Before I leave for the day I take him for a quick leg stretch around the block. 

As I return later in the afternoon I spy on the boys through the Yorkshire Boarding. They haven't seen me arrive yet and are busy with their own little entertainment.

 'Mr F' is rather enjoying his grass block while 'Zac' is so very much hoping he'd share a little.

Sometimes 'Zac' tries and licks 'Mr F's tongue. I watch them for quite a while and am having a difficult time trying not to laugh out loud.

But there are noises, it must mean some humans are about to turn up, perhaps with food?

Are they coming from the left ... 

... or the right?

I cannot stop myself from giggling and 'Zac' of course hears me so they know I am here ... 

It is still raining and much of the snow has melted away, resulting in large pools of water on the roads. The fields will be a right muddy mess tomorrow .... 

But there are more news: The indoors school has been finished previous day!! Material for the floor had all been spread out and flattened. Time to go and introduce 'Mr F' to the School. 

Every time we walked past while they were working on emptying the barn, 'Mr F' wanted to go in a explore. Well he can now. 

He wasn't so sure at first but gingerly stepped (a large wooden 'doorstep' is preventing from the flooring to flood out into the yard) into the school. It is a fair size, it certainly has a good length. Main thing is: it is wind protected and allows us all to be in privacy, undisturbed and nobody watching on and in summer we can work with the horses away from the flies. The floor is lovely and soft. It is a sort of waxed sand mixed with new fibres. 

There are now 7 parties that will be wanting to use the school. Good thing is that we all have more or less different timings. Some will be evening only, others that no longer work will have time during the day and I am the mid afternoon 'crowd', usually on my own. So it naturally should work out well with spreading the use of the school equally. And we still have the menage, too.

Indoors school finished

The first time we entered the school 'Mr F' wasn't so sure about it. His heart-rate was up and he was quite fidgety for a while. We spent some time in there, exploring everything and sometimes just standing still until he was calm.

The 2nd time round he was much better and very quickly relaxed enough to pay attention.

'Mr F's and his 'I-am-not-quite-so-sure-about-this pose'

One excersise I often repeat with 'Mr F' is for him to stand still and wait while I walk around. This regardless of what is going on. 

Up at the menage at first there was some distraction in shape of other horses and green grass withing reach but he is mostly very willing to stand still and wait.

It took a little longer for him to stand still inside the school as he wasn't so sure yet about his surroundings. If 'Mr F' isn't sure about things he tends to stick to me like a shadow. 

'Mr F' is a fair sized horse, some 16+ hands (I think it's 16.2). Either way, his rear end / withers are taller than me (5 feet). This gives a fair idea of the width of the hall in comparison to the horse.

He can't quite contain himself and tries to follow me but I stop 'Mr F' with the usual hand signal.

It'll be most handy to have this indoors school. Mind you it will also be easy to get your horse to do things your way in here as it is not distracted. It is certainly safe as he can't away / jump out which leave room for further experimenting.

Peace of Mind - A Still Mind

Back in November we completed the main part of 'Mr F's stable training (see posts back in November). My next task is to find a way of convincing 'Mr F' that being all on his own in the stable is safe too. 
I have mentioned before the considerable size of his stable (15 x 15 feet). It allows for ample room to move around when he is stabled for a prolonged period of time. Yet it also allows room for acting very dramatically when things don't go as expected, if the routine gets changed. If 'Mr F' isn't content about something he'll let the world know, that's for sure. While most people nowadays experience him calm and friendly, his fiery side is always lurking in the background and is only too happy to show its face. It is a destructive side, in disregard of self preservation and if pushed too far I can see him having a go even at his human handler, he hasn't done this to me but we have been close a few times some time ago, when I didn't know better and nor did he. In fact it is more a case of I having hanged as a human. To stop living in the past and to stop fretting about the future. The past is just that, its no longer relevant it's gone. And I cannot possibly know even what happens in just 5 minutes. All I can do is guess. It's no use wasting energy on what was and what might be because I will miss all that is, NOW, this very moment.

Over the past weeks I have been spending at least an hour with 'Mr F' in the stable, without any other horses next to him. We do this several times per week and he is very slowly becoming more and more chilled about it. But I must not lure myself into a sense of false security; 'Mr F' has of course learnt that the other horses will come in at some point and he somewhat relies on this. He can also see the other horses in the field. Yet there will be a time very soon when the fields are being rotated and he may not be able to see any other horse from his stable. And I cannot stay with him 24/7.

Just to point out: 'Mr F' is absolutely not bothered about leaving his horsey companions behind if I take him out. We can walk for miles and miles and he is no longer in the slightest bothered about being on his own (with me). But that was something I worked on too, for quite some time, at the very beginning. Whatever I do with a horse (I have had to partially look after other horses in the past) I let take as long as it takes. My main aim is for the horse to feel secure, to understand and for it to have the time it needs to understand what we want from it. If the horse feels secure, than it will be safe for me and any other parties nearby. Of course some horses can be forced to do things but from observation I have learnt that this just creates a pressure cooker, with the lid blowing any time. This way of treating a horse does not seem fruitful to me. I prefer for the horse to follow me because it wants to, because it feels safe around me, at its free will. Not at any moment do I see myself as 'above' the horse. The ideal is to reach a balance. All of life is about balance. Anything that is out of balance, stops functioning, doesn't produce results.

There is an interesting observation I have made several times over the past weeks: if I have been in the menage with 'Mr F' to do some leading / liberty exercises, he is extremely calm afterwards alone in his stable. He has a content expression in his eyes, as though he is pleased that he has done a good job, he's done what I have asked him to do. The stable is rest after work. On each of these occasions he remained calm inside the stable even with me going out of sight. 

I tested this yesterday again with the same result, a calm 'Mr F'. He appears very pleased with himself when we come back from the menage. It's training for both of us, for me as I yet still learn to observe him and to concentrate on any of his movements and him doing just the same. Loads of little things like following at liberty, standing still and waiting, etc etc. 'Mr F' is an extremely fast learner but he is also very stubborn. He has to be 'wanting' to be with you, or else you may just as well try and work with a large stone. 

'Mr F' patiently waiting in the menage - 'What are we doing next?'

I must never take his (or any other horses') willingness to be with me and kindness towards me for granted as it can change at any moment. It is a wonderful gift from the horse. Again and again I ask myself: why are they willing to be with us? Why do they seek our company?

'Zac' & A New Arrival

Another new arrival was due and the boys' night quarters had to be re-arranged slightly to make room for this last resident at 'Hill Farm'. We are now full.

'Rookie' is back in the wooden stable where he spent the fist few days when he arrived at 'Hill Farm' back in Autumn last year. 'Rookie' wasn't too pleased to be separated from 'Zac' and 'Mr F' but quickly accepted that that is how it is. Mind you, the little guy does so much running around during day that he is asleep most of the time when he is in his stable. The wooden stables are much smaller but offer ample of room for a pony. 'Rookie' will have 'Victor' and 'Slippers' as companions. They can see each other if they stick their heads out of the stable doors.

'Zac' moved one place along and is back next to 'Mr F', leaving the first large stable free for the new horse, 'Jake'.

Just like last time when 'Zac' was 'Mr F's neighbour, he observes everything that goes in 'Mr F's stable. 'Zac' is a very fast learner and likes to be part of whatever is going on. When I go into their field, 'Zac' comes to greet me first, with 'Mr F' right behind with his years back: 'hey you, she is MY human, get your own.'

'Zac' - "What are you up to?"

Keeping one ear pointed towards the building work which is still going on outside their stables.

'Zac': "I'd like some of that stuff you got there ... " 

'Mr F': "Not until I am done, you wait boy."

One mustn't miss an opportunity ...

.. and 'Zac' quickly grabs some of 'Mr F's haylage while the space is free and the neck is just long enough ...

I enjoy 'Zac's company. We do have some play time across the stable partition. Our most recent one is to play 'catch the tongue'. 'Luke' used to like it when I gently massaged his tongue while he was standing still (or trying to) when 'Lillian' trained him to lift his feet. It relaxed him.

But there is much happening outdoors too. The old barn had been demolished and the new barn is currently being erected. Over the past months the boys have been exposed to all kinds of building work right outside their stables. Loads of small and large, moving machinery handled by lots of people producing all kind of sounds. At first it was a little much to take in but the boys quickly relaxed from within the safety of their stables. Now hardly anything bothers them.  It's good training.

'Zac' is observing the building work going on outside. 

It is interesting to observe that since 'Rookie' is on his own at night he is much less interested in chasing 'Zac' around the field. 'Zac' on the other hand is becoming more confident and they now seem to be equal in terms of hierarchy. 'Zac' is learning from 'Mr F' and they both seem rather fond of one another. 'Mr F' is a lot more gentle with 'Zac' nowadays. I can spend hours observing them and their body language. 'Zac' likes to test the boundaries with 'Mr F', who is very patient. But sometimes enough is enough and when 'Mr F' does get angry 'Zac' reverts right back to the for youngsters so typical 'air mouthing'. "Please be nice, I am still learning ..."

Different day, same scenario ... 'Zac's mission is to get a few bites from 'Mr F's haylage ... clearly it must be better than what he's got even though it's from the same bale ...  

But back to the new arrival:

To avoid any unnecessary charging around in their fields, we have the new horse join 'Zac' and 'Mr F' in their night quarters. Hopefully, after having spent the night next to each other, meeting in the field is less exciting. Jackie' doesn't want the horses to charge around turfing up her well kept fields and I don't want 'Mr F' to charge around as I aim to reduce risk of any further injuries. It is helpful that the ground has dried up nicely, it is not too soft and not too slippy.

I wanted to have some time to spend time with 'Mr F' in the morning and to observe all of them together and arrived at 'Hill Farm' earlier than usual. Judging by the way they behave in the stable, turnout should a mostly  calm affair. If anyone is going to be troublesome it will be 'Mr F' who probably will be wanting to put up a show for the new guy. We first turned out 'Zac' and 'Mr F'. On the out we go passed 'Jake' stable and I let them examine each other for a little while. They seem OK, 'Mr F' seems to be quite accepting of 'Jake'. 'Zac' is waiting in the field for us and as 'Mr F' joins him, they both wander off a little further up the field.

'Jake' had some time to examine his field the previous day so he'll know it. His field is right next to the boys, separated by new fencing with electric fencing on top. Once 'Jake' enters his field, he performs a little showing off run up the hill with his tail up high. 'Mr F' and 'Zac' follow somewhat halfheartedly at first. 'Zac' is not bothered at all and just tags along with 'Mr F' who of course feels that he has to run up the hill too.  They all met at top of field to say hello. 'Mr F' and 'Jake' spent some time head to head, having some kind of 'meeting'. It seemed there are no issues between the two.

Then 'Rookie' joined the boys in the field. He was torn between going for the pile of haylage in middle or chasing up the field to join the others. But 'Rookie' cannot resist nagging 'Zac' and so he gallops up the field to join the others. 'Rookie' has a beautiful, springy gait and very agile. It's easier for him to charge around with his short legs. The boys and 'Jake' do a few small circles at the top of their fields where it was fairly flat and dry. Then they all went settle and busy themselves with grazing.

'Jake' on his 2nd evening at 'Hill Farm'. He settled instantly, like most of them horses do.

There is always an air of peace about the place ... and all the people present are calm and go after their own business. All is spread out and one has space to just be.

 The boys club, 'Mr F', 'Zac', 'Jake'.

Goodbye snow - Hello new barn!

The boys (and the other horses) have been in for almost 48 hours to get out of the freezing and rough winter storm we had over the weekend. 

'Rookie' in particular was very keen on getting out. To lessen the risk of injury, we give the youngsters a head start while I stand outside the field, watching with 'Mr F'. 

'Jackie' moved some of the snow that was blocking the field entrance with the tractor and dropped it on a pile in their field.

'Zac' went out first. He wasn't bothered about being out and just lazily meandered over to the snow pile, clawing at it with his foot. The 'Rookie' was let into the field and he went off like a little rocket. Galloped around in circles and as usual annoyed 'Zac' who issued some well aimed kicks. Not hard enough to hurt but enough to rid of 'Rookie's unwanted attention.

It is always 'Rookie' that starts things off and I wait until he's had a mad few 10 minutes. Then the boys wait for 'Mr F' whom I have by now led into the field. It is likely that all three will gallop around but the ground isn't too hard so it should be OK. 

First things come first: it's time to roll!! 'Mr F' goes straight for the pile of snow. 

'Mr F' has had his first, long anticipated roll while 'Rookie' is needing a drink after all that crazy galloping around he did just on his own ... 

... with the snow pile free, 'Zac' is considering to copy 'Mr F' but he isn't quite finished yet ... 

... 'Zac' gets out of 'Mr F's way and with the usual moaning and groaning sounds ... 

... 'Mr F' goes down for round number 2 ... 

... while 'Zac' wonders off to go and find a spot in the drifts near the stone wall.

The youngsters have some more quibbles, especially over the rolling spots along the stone wall. Then all three have a short charge around the field and then it all settles down.

I'd love to watch them some more but it's time for me to go muck out his stable, it will be a lot of work after they had been in for this long. In addition, most of the straw is soaked, it all had been covered by the snow.

When I return in the let afternoon I find with surprise that the builders have started errecting the new barn / stable building. It'll be good to have a building in place again, it offers extra protection from the winds. It also means that perhaps next week, we can start sorting out the indoor school.

The new barn building is being put up ... 

'Mr F' has of course seen me arrive and slowly wanders to the gate where he patiently waits for me to get him. He waits because he hopes that I take him for a walk somewhere where there is grass. Alas that is not yet possible as all the verges are covered in piles of snow still. Instead we go over to the menage and have a little 'play'.