Foot troubles

'Mr F' has been off lately, more so over the past 5 days.

At first I thought it might be his early stages of arthritis in his lumbar section giving him grief. But watching him walk in the menage it seems that it might be his hip that is playing up as he was hesitant putting weight on that leg. 

I text 'Suzie' (our equine Vet) and ask if it will be OK for me to put him on a small course of bute. "Yes fine but please do make sure that you don't miss an abscess in his foot, while assuming it is the old injury. There is more attached to that leg ..."

With that in mind I go about fetching in the boys for the night and while preparing feed etc I recall an incident just over week ago:

I went to fetch the boys to come in for the night. 'Mr F' didn't want to leave the field, or more: he didn't want to walk through the (deep) muddy patch where the gate is. I found us a route that was less deep. Although most of the gateway is covered with hardcore, the area leading up to it is at the moment rather muddy, some heavy, almost clay like mud.

As 'Mr F' pulled his left hind leg out of the mud (the one that appears to cause him discomfort), he refused to put it back onto the ground. 'Aha ... something really is not right here' - "Come on chicken, lets get you into the stable. I'll check it out." He needed rater a lot of convincing to get going and displayed considerable lameness for the first couple of strides. It's only a short walk to the stables and with each step he moved a little better. If the discomfort was higher up in his leg he surely would have remained 'equally' lame all the way to the stable. The fact that he seemed more comfortable on flat ground made me now look at this from a different view: something must be up with his foot. It was time to have another good look.

I lead 'Mr F' into his stable and went to fetch the youngsters. He behaves more panicky than usual today at being left behind. Another pointer at his discomfort. Past observations when dealing with other horses have shown me that a horse in pain does seek comfort and security within the herd. 

Once all the boys where in their stables I begin with examining  'Mr f's hooves. At first I can not find anything obvious. There was that cleft in the center of the frog on his left hind foot that I noticed a few days ago. Wet conditions and hooves are always a sore point especially so with a barefoot thoroughbred. I have been keeping a close eye on this cleft and cleaned it every evening.  I also mentioned this to the barefoot trimmer who had visited a couple of days ago. She did say to keep a very close eye on that cleft because he could loose stability in that hoof if it festers inside.

I had already been cleaning his feet regularly and especially this one hoof by flushing it out with a water spray and then applying an anti-fungal and antibacterial hoof pack (Red Horse).

Further recent observations were pointing towards a hoof issue:

When I took 'Mr F' for walks, he was enjoying the grass but was also rather keen on turning  back home where as normally he wants to keep going and explore. Yesterday he didn't even want to go for a walk. Well, he wanted to go somewhere, but he realised that he wasn't comfortable. As we were wandering along the lane I noticed that he was very determined to walk on the grass verges, trying to avoid concrete wherever he could.

I had been concerned about 'Mr F's general well being for a while now. He seemed quite down and dull although he ate as usual, his poo was normal, he didn't have a temperature. More and more did he begin to look like 'Victor', the other veteran horse here at the age of 26. 'Victor' looks quite miserable most the time and when stabled he often just stands in a corner, head hanging. Although I understand that 'Victor' apparently suffers from all kind of things so he is probably in pain most of the time. 

That one day when I lead him out of the field he hadn't shown any further signs of lameness but was certainly very stiff in his hinds.

All this went through my head while I began very thoroughly examining his hoof. It is then when I noticed that 'Mr F's right back hoof was rather 'flexible'. By this I mean that when I held the hoof in my hands as though I was about to hoof pick, I was actually able to slightly move each half of the hoof by pressing on the frogs. I had never noticed anything like this. In comparison his other hind hoof was completely stable. It seems that this is where the problem lies. Just how deep a problem, literally, I had yet to find out.

I very thoroughly cleaned his hoof and the cleft in the centre of the frog. 'Mr F' didn't react to my pressing and digging around in the cleft. Tomorrow he was to go out with a dry wrap and a hoof boot to keep the hoof dry and clean. With any luck it might improve over the next few days. If not, I will ring 'Suzie'.

Over the years 'Mr F' has become accustomed to being very patient when I 'fiddle' around with his hooves, which I have done now so many times, including all the times when I was trying to get different hoof boots to fit.

To be able to work with both hands I let him rest his foot on the bridge of my foot while my foot rests on my heel only. This if comfortable for him and myself (plus I have both hands free) and allows us to work with as much time as needed to apply poultices or wraps or to fill in gaps with hoof paste etc.

The following morning - dry poultice-style wrap: Cotton wool on base of hoof, food freezer bag on top. This then is wrapped tightly around the hoof. It then is cut open at the front so that there is no pressure at all on the actual 'flesh'. Hoof is then inserted into 'Mr F's by now slightly oversized (flares have grown out) hoof boot (easyboot glove). More cotton wool inserted around the pastern to soak up any moisture that may accumulate. Food freezer bag pulled over fetlock. All gets loosely wrapped into place. The good thing about vet wrap is that applied loosely it can be 'mouled' into shape, securing the inner layers without applying pressure to the leg. To make sure the vet wrap doesn't come loose in the mud, it is secured with duct tape, also loosely wrapped around. 

And this is how 'Mr F's foot looked upon return from a day's turnout in rather muddy conditions. All is still in place and his hoof was perfectly dry.

This was the inner layer of the wrap ... all still dry.

I shall do this now for a week or more and see how matters develop.

Worming

Oh this topic keeps coming back every few weeks / months.

There are so many different types of worms that can infest a horses' insides. From lung worm to tape worm to any other kind of worm you can imagine.

I have been using  equest pramox so far and never had any troubles with worms. However, this year I am slightly behind due to all the other things that have been taking place.

'Mr F' has been slightly off lately. Somewhat sullen, not much interested in what is going on. Quite often standing at the back of his stable and remaining there when I arrive. I am not entirely sure if it is his hip injury playing up or if there is something else going on.

Whatever it is, the discomfort seems to be in his back end. It could be anything at this rate, abscess, old hip injury, minor arthritis in lumbar section, or perhaps he's been charging around with the boys and overdone it. Or perhaps he slipped on the wet ground when getting up after rolling (which his something he's always enjoyed doing a lot).

The barefoot trimmer had just been and she hadn't noticed anything when pressure testing 'Mr f's hooves. 

I don't want to resort to giving bute at any sign of discomfort. It may cover up what is really going on. 'Suzie' let me have a spare lot of sachets but I have not used any of it for months.

Perhaps he has a worm burden? There are more horses here than at 'Buttercup Farm'. And there are the foals, which will first have to build up their immune system. The pastures are well managed here, but we don't all poo pick, especially not in winter. 

I had spoken to 'Jackie' prior and explained that I am about to worm 'Mr F'. It is important that we worm the boys at the same time. 

Then there is also the matter of 'Mr F's reaction to the mild sedation he had a week ago when he suffered a mild colic, most likely due to the intestines 'slowing down'.

Since I had 'Mr F' he has had mild sedatives twice, once to clean his sheath in 2016 and then again to ultrasound the healing progress of his double hip fracture. In neither of those cases did he show an averse reaction.

So it seems odd that this time he did react. I had discussed it with 'Suzie' (our equine Vet) at the time but she was unable to say what exactly triggered his reaction.

In either case, it had been a week since the sedation and it was time to give 'Mr f' the wormer. Needless to say, I am always very wary of giving 'Mr F' any kind of medication. 

'Mr F' trustingly let me shove the syringe into his mouth, but you could tell that he had enough of seeing syringes, having had to give him medication for weeks when he was recovering. It is his trust in me that I always find so hard to digest as within this lies a huge responsibility. He will always be innocent, willing, trusting that I might to the 'right' thing.

And so the boys have been wormed. 'Jackie' suggested that we should all agree on a common worming plan and stick to it. It would make sense seeing as we are rotating the pastures. 

Alert! Adverse reaction to sedative

As mentioned in a previous post: it was time to check up on 'Mr F's teeth. It has been just over a year since the last check up, well over due. I didn't want anything that might even mildly upset 'Mr F' and therefore I decided to skip one 6-monthly checkup. This decision was also based on the fact that his teeth have been very good so far.

'Suzie' (our equine Vet) was due at 15:30. At 14:30 I gave 'Mr F' a small bite to eat; half his evening feed. It had been a cold, windy and wet day out there and the boys were all hungry. I made myself a cup of tea to warm myself up.

She was pretty much on time.

Upon seeing her get out the car 'Mr F' already makes a few steps backwards. He knows someone is going to so something to him.

While 'Suzie' was getting her gear out the car and into the stable, 'Mr F' stood absolutely still and just stared, giving me the odd 'Do we really have to' - glance. He knew what was coming. "Do you just want to do the teeth?" she asked. Initially I had wanted her to do teeth, sheath check and another routine blood test. Looking at my budget earlier I was now dithering for a moment. "No, could you please check out his sheath, clean it and his penis and check for the bean." I have done this myself in the past but I find that considering his age I want to make sure all is OK and a VET knows more than I do.

"OK, I will have to sedate him a little to check his sheath - it needs to drop." And of course it will be safer for 'Suzie' to work on 'Mr F's private area with a little sedation. "Fine. But he has had some feed about 40 minutes ago." - "That'll be fine."

I always worry when giving sedative to horses; it seems although they are such huge animals, everything inside them is highly sensitive and I keep saying to 'Suzie' "He will wake up won't he?" "He won't fall over, will he?" By now she knows me and my doubtful questions. "We have done this many times now, have you ever seen him fall over?" - "No, but you know me, over cautions. Nothing personal." Both smile.

Teeth are fine. No complications there, I am relieved. Whatever it was that bothered him for a few days, it's gone. No cracked teeth, nothing except one front molar being almost worn away. But that's one, he's got many more. He is keeping his weight nicely so from that point of view his mouth works well and chewing ability is sufficient to allow him to get all that he needs from what he eats.

Next up was the sheath ... it had dropped now and was ready to be cleaned and examined. It did need a good clean indeed.  A tiny bean also was removed. "Everything is fine 'down there', no growths, all fine." 

'Suzie' repeatedly comments on 'Mr F's good condition and how beautiful his coat is. She is also amazed at how his fracture has healed.  The bone is solid again and altough out of place, the displaced muscle mass also adapted.  While she is packing up her tools we have some chit chat about who well 'Mr F' has been recovering etc.

"Don't let him eat anything until he is awake. Give it a good 30-40 minutes from now." - "OK. I remember from the previous times."

All tools loaded back in the car, 'Suzie' leaves.

I cover up 'Mr F's haylage bag and the grass block with his rug so that he cannot pull it off. Just a precaution while I quickly leave the stable to put the kettle on and to answer a call of nature. I keep checking on 'Mr F' every minute while making tea. Eventually he moves a little, now standing at the front of the stable but still all groggy. 

I join him in his stable and sip my tea while waiting for him to wake up. A good while later 'Mr F' begins to take part in this world again and tries to get some food but I stop him. 'Not yet, another 10 minutes chicken.' 'Mr F' gets  irritated because I won't let him have food.  He walks about in the stable but still a little wobbly. It's been now at least an hour since he has had that little dose of sedative and he looks still quite groggy. I let him have a tiny handful of haylage. He is chewing OK and swallowing is fine too.

But instead of wanting more, 'Mr F' wonders off to stand in the far corner of his stable where he often stands when he is chilling. Meanwhile I make myself busy by fluffing up his bed.
According to the imprints of 'Mr F's body in the straw when I muck out in the morning it is appears that he likes to sleep with his back against the wall, but with considerable padding. I stack up some straw against the wall, forming an oversized and long stretched pillow.

'Mr F' is moving again, he comes over to check out what I am doing but he is still quite wobbly and is giving me an odd look. He is still not quite awake and somewhat uncomfortable. Perhaps he needs a wee after the sedation. I move to give him room, he has his preferred position for urinating.
But now he starts digging the ground just like he does when lying down to roll. I have not seen him lie down in his stable this early. It's usually around 4am when he lies down. He lowers his body veeery slowly to the ground. I was surprised at how well he was able to control his body's slow descent into the straw, almost like yoga. He is normally much less subtle.

'Odd, well perhaps he is just taking longer to wake up'. I wonder. But 'Mr F' gets back up after just a few seconds, only to then lay down again on his other side. I am beginning to hear mild alarm bells in my head. He lays there, looking quite out of sorts, curled up like a cat. Nothing unusual about being curled up, he does that in the field all the time. However, I am not liking the look of his eyes. It is now that I notice his whole body is shivering - this may be because of it being only 2 degrees together with a chilly and quite strong wind. He has been sweating up because of the sedative which he always does hence why I removed the rug. But then 'Mr F' looks at his belly, then back at me, then back at his belly. He always 'points; at what bothered him. In fact it is as though he is trying to bite his belly.  

Oh no, is that a colic?! But aren't colics usually when horses groan and stamp at the ground and go crazy? Are there different types of colics? There must be.

He clearly was tired too. But if he was having a colic there was only one thing to do so I had been told in the past, he had to move around. "Get up, come one, get up!"  I grab 'Mr F's head-collar and lead-rope and put it on. "Come on! Up you get! NOW!" Trying to say this as calmly as possible.

While trying to get him up without success I call 'Suzie'. Eventually I get hold of her and explain what I am faced with. "Breathe. Get him up and move him for the next 30-40 minutes. Take him up to the menage and trot him for 10 minutes at a time if you can. Ring me after that or anytime you have a problem. I can come up now if you do think it is serious. It is difficult for me to judge the situation purely from your description. Do you want me to come back?" - "No not just yet. He's is standing now, but very sleepy." - "OK. Do ring me any time please. Let me know how he does in about 30 minutes."

It is now 5pm and there is just a little daylight left.  It takes me a while to coax 'Mr F' to follow me up to the menage as he isn't interested at all in leaving his stable.
"No discussions here - get moving!" Of course tug of war between 50kg and 550kg ends only with one result but have my ways of getting him to move and finally we get to the menage.
We are exposed to the elements up here, a biting wind greets us; quickly my fingers loose all feeling. I get us walking around at an acceptable speed. After about 10 minutes I make him trot altough there is no way we can keep this going for 10 minutes. It's now no longer light enough to lounge so I run along with him (luckily I am fit!). We do that for some time, he quite willingly follows. Despite the exercise I am still freezing in the icy wind and 'Mr F' is without his rug. If fish around in my jacket pocket looking for my phone to check the time. Blinded by the strong light of the screen I can just make out that 30 minutes have gone by since I checked last. Time to return to the stables to put on his rug and to grab my gloves. Having stared at the bright screen I of course can now see nothing in the pitch black dark. I wait a few seconds for my eyes to adjust. 'Mr F' gives me a nudge. 'Yes OK, we are going.' Once we get back down to our stable the youngsters are greeting us and 'Mr F' goes straight for their haynets that hang at the front of the stable.. "NO!' No food for you yet, wait." 

I put on his rug and give 'Suzie' another call. "He still looks pretty much out of it but he wants to eat again. He no longer looks at his belly nor is he trying to lie down." - "Take him for another walk, see if he wakes up a little more." - "OK. I shall text you later with an update or ring if I am concerned."

Meanwhile 'Mr F' manages to 'steal' a few mouth fulls of haylage from 'Rookie's haynet, I sometimes misjudge just how long 'Mr F's neck is, especially if he wants something! "That's enough, lets go."
After yet another tug of war 'Mr F' and I are once again off to the menage. We now mostly walk, in circles around the menage. I do that with him for another 30 minutes. As we are wandering in circles I notice how beautifully bright the stars shine above us! And the age old question comes back up "where does it end? Where did it begin? We are 'floating' in infinite matter. All that exists is made up of atoms, everything. Hold together by energy. Are we really 'real'? Or is it all in our heads? Does 'Mr F' see stars? If everything is just made up of energy basically, nothing can really die either. The shape will go, the energy will still be here?' I get distracted by my wandering mind by 'Mr F' blowing his nostrils, followed by a what sounds like a big sigh of relief. He is definitely paying more attention now and has his usual 'I am bored in this square pen, can we do something else please?' - look which I can just about make out now that the eyes have adjusted to the dark.

The boys greet us again, this time with an almost cheery neigh. I lead 'Mr F' into his stable, although he at first  hesitated and looked towards the drive. "What, you want to go for a walk down the drive in the dark now?" He turns his head back to the stable and I gladly take this as a No, making steps towards the stable. 'Mr F' follows me quite willingly.

Everything about him is now a little more awake. I take of his head-collar and rope and watch him for another 20 minutes. He makes no further attempt to lie down nor does he show any other colic like signs, instead he slowly munches away on his haylage while getting used to his 'new' teeth. He also drinks some water. While standing there watching 'Mr F' I realise that I have to get a bite to eat as I am getting dizzy. I don't tend to eat during the day except for the steady supply of carrots in my pockets. Yet my work is very physical. 'Mr F' is now fairly relaxed. I send 'Jackie' a text, roughly explaining the situation and that I would come back again in an hour. I suddenly remember that I also have to prepare for tomorrow's move, moving into a different room in a house nearer to the stables. Not really wanting to leave but also realizing that right now there is not much else I can do I get on my way. 'Mr F' was now quite contently munching his haylage.

After having fed myself I return to 'Mr F'.

I park the car outside the gates so that I can sneak up on the boys. All is fine. 'Mr F' seems quite content but his eyes are still a little groggy. 'Jackie' comes out and joins me for a little while. I tell her that I will stay for an hour, just to make sure. "But its freezing out here, why don't you come to ours". - "That's kind but I don't want to mix up your family time. I'll be just fine out here and want check on 'Mr F' every now and then without disturbing him. The tack room is out of the wind and I wear warm clothes."
An hour passes where I regularly check on 'Mr F'. I try to do it without him noticing so I have to dodge all the trigger points for the flood light. In between getting up to check I nod off for short moments. The sound of the wind accompanied by the steady rhythm of the horses and sheep chewing their haylage is extremely relaxing and homely. I know 'Jackie' does her evening check later in the night and she will text me if there is anything odd about 'Mr F'. I trust 'Jackie's animal health knowledge as she has owned horses, cattle and sheep for decades. For the time being 'Mr F' looks much more content, still a little sleepy but otherwise almost his normal self. It's 20:30 and I decide to return to my room for the night. 

Later that evening I do get a update text from 'Jackie': 'All are chewing happily and are relaxed.'  OK, time for me to sleep.

The following morning I first off all I fill my car with the first load of belongings as I am moving rooms in between work. I try to do this very quietly as it is only 5am. I then go to attend 'Mr F' for 6:15am as usual. He is back to normal. And there is lots of poo in the stable. Funny to get so excited about poo ... but it means his interior is working as intended. Perhaps he had some form of constipation? Sedation will slow down his guts. Perhaps there is something else going on in there that triggered this reaction?

It is a very windy day again with the odd rain/sleet showers. 'Jackie' and I agree to bring them in early, just after lunch. They are turned out around 7:40 or as soon as there is some light. This way the boys get to stretch their legs and the youngsters can let off some steam. Although they are very well behaved in the stable, even when in 24/7. Our stables are approx. 15 x 15 feet so that is plenty room to stretch legs. 

At 1pm I quickly go to 'Hill Farm' - I drive past it most days in between jobs - to give 'Jackie' a hand bringing them in but she is already ahead of me. And how well we have timed this; 15 minutes later the skies open with some torrential downpours. No point leaving the horses getting all wet out there, seeing that they are always happy to come in. And it prevents the wet fields from getting too messed up.

'Mr F' now truly back to normal and in control of things. I dash off to load move and unload the rest of my stuff.

I will return again later in the afternoon to feed them all as 'Jackie' won't be here.

As I return later in the afternoon to feed them all, 'Mr F' is definitely back to normal and eagerly anticipating his food. 

Note to self foremost: 'Mr F' appears to be allergic to sedative now. I also let 'Jackie' know just in case she has to call out 'Suzie' when I am not in reach if there is an emergency.

First day for boys out together

Today is the day where the boys are going to be put together for the first time. We turn them first out separately as usual. 'Jackie' thought it might be a good idea if the boys have a few minutes where they can do their usual mad charging about, just in case it might encourage 'Mr F' to charge around too. I still try to avoid uncontrolled charging around if possible due to his weakened hips.

Once the youngsters are done with their mad play I go and get 'Mr F' who is, as usual, longingly looking up to the boys. 'Yes young man, you shall have company now.' 

I lead him into the fields with the boys. 'Zac' and 'Rookie' come to greet him immediately, doing loads and loads of mouthing. I remove 'Mr F's headcollar and step back out the way, watching. I should have photographed it but the moment was so precious that a camera was the last thing on my mind.

'Mr F's face lit up, he looked so very content with his mini herd and the fact that he had something to be responsible off. They spent much time checking each other out, 'Mr F' even distributing the odd nib just because he can. Then 'Mr F' isn't quite sure what to do. Eat grass or ? Seems the mud was too inviting and I guess some more messages had to be put across to the youngsters ... he proceeded to do his usual rolling in the mud, for several minutes. Then he decided to walk up the hill for some grass. The youngsters following him, in single line. 

This all took longer than planned but that was OK, although it was now time for me to get on with my work. They all seem fine with one another.

On my way to work there are a few spots from which I can see the hillside where the boys' field is. I can see from a distance that all three are galloping along the fence. 'Oh well, up to you now mate. I can't stop you now. Just don't slip.' And I drive off to work. 

Everyone at the yard  had my number just in case something would happen.

But apparently they were calm all day long.

As I return late afternoon I take 'Mr F; for our walk and then continue with a bit of solo stable training. He is getting better at accepting it without all the drama but it all depends on his mood and comfort level. And as I was expecting, today he was not at all happy being put in his stable without his field mates and made extra fuzz. It'll improve in time. Some things cannot be rushed unless forced to do so.

'Mr F' is certainly much more content with his lot today.

And I am relieved as now he won't have to charge around in the fog when he can't see the other horses. And it will be helpful for the youngsters as they have not had any adult horse to be with apart from their mothers.

Zac and Mr F

Today is the first night where 'Zac' is going to be 'Mr F's neighbour in the stables. For me this is great material for observation.

'Rookie' is 'Mr F's main 'neighbour' and has been since 'Mr F' has accepted the stable as a safe and comfortable place to be. At first 'Mr F' was very grumpy with 'Rookie' who was bursting with curiosity. "Hello adult horse! I am friendly, are you friendly too?" He stretched his little neck as far as he could to say hello in the foals typical manner of the mouthing motion. 'Rookie' is a cheeky, friendly little character and quite shy with humans as he hadn't been handled at all prior to arriving at 'Hill Farm'.  He has by now got used to 'Jackie' and myself. I spend much time in 'Mr F's stable sitting on a heap of straw while I make notes. They spent much time examining each other or as much as the partition would allow. Over time 'Mr F' has become accustomed to 'Rookie' and now looks out for him when we bring them in, 'Rookie' is always the last to be lead in.

It's time to bring the boys in. We place them into their stables as normal and let them have their feed. When they have finished eating, we swap 'Zac' and 'Rookie' so that 'Zac' is now directly next to 'Mr F'. 

'Zac' can't take his eyes off 'Mr F' once they are next to each other! He watches everything we do with such curiosity. I too am under close observation, everything I do to or with 'Mr F' is studied. I am sure  'Zac' would make notes if he could! He watches me attend to 'Mr F's hooves and he watches me clean his behind (minor scouring troubles at times). 'Zac' also watches with great interest all the many moderately heated discussions I have with 'Mr F' during grooming time. Especially so when 'Mr F' lifts his hind leg as warning NOT to go near the tickle spot, or when he swishes his tail. Each time 'Mr F' reacts annoyed,  'Zac' moves a couple of steps backwards and looks at me in surprise. Perhaps he is wondering why I am not moving away seeing that 'Mr F' is clearly expressing irritation. He doesn't know yet that this is our normal routine ... it's just how it is between the two of us during grooming time.

Meanwhile 'Rookie' looks a little put off in his temporary new quarters ... he is being ignored by 'Zac' and is not next to 'Mr F'.

I didn't take into account that 'Zac' is quite a bit taller than 'Rookie' and therefore can reach further across the stable partition. The first thing I had to move was 'Mr F's grass block. 'Zac' had a good go at it while 'Mr F' was more interested in his haylage for a moment.

'Zac'

8 months old

Yes, he doesn't doesn't always look grumpy. 

He is in fact he a rather handsome young chap.

They seem to be getting on fine, although 'Zac' hasn't yet learnt that NO means NO. His shire mother 'Ester' hardly ever told him off, not even when he tried to mount her, which he did endlessly at some point. She would simply make a few steps forward, that's all she had to do to rid of him. 'Zac' did  harrass her quite a lot especially prior to his castration. 'Ester' seemed glad when she was away from 'Zac' while he was weaned. From her point of view she has done her bit and she was glad to be back with 'Polly', the little white pony that was for a while with 'Mr F'.

As I return in the morning I as usual prepare 'Mr F' for being turned out. All is once more closely watched by 'Zac' who was already hovering near 'Mr F' as I pulled up with the car. 'Zac' still hasn't quite learnt that 'No' means 'No' ... 

'Mr F' is rummaging in his haylage bag, picking out the best pieces. 

Meanwhile 'Zac' leans over: 'Hey you, can I have some of your food?' 

'NO! Go away!

'But why not? Come on ... let me have some food.'

'I said NO!'  -  'Alright alright!'

The little ones have much to learn ...

Becoming a Manny (Male Nanny)

It has been very wet lately and 'Mr F's field is rather waterlogged. 'Jackie' is concerned that it may take too much of a hammering. It is their front field, a small and special field that all the walkers will see and where new horses are introduced to the yard. Therefore it has to be kept in good shape.

There is now hardly any grass left in it anyway. 'Jackie' has asked me if I would be OK if 'Mr F' would go in with her boys. Some months ago I already thought that would be the ideal solution, for 3 reasons:

1. 'Mr F' will be a good adult horse to be with for a foal as he will not accept bad behaviour. Yet at the same time he is very patient and kind.
2. It will be good for 'Mr F' to be around young horses.
3. Having the tree together will later also make it easier for 'Jackie' if she wants to take one of hers out of the field for training because there will always be a companion for the one left behind. Although 'Rookie' is already fine on his own.

I know that there won't be any troubles with 'Rookie', the smaller one of the foals - both of which are 8 months old. But I am not so sure about 'Zac'. Right now he seems to be stuck in a 'punk' zone, or a typical teenager zone. Everything is not right, ears back most of the time. However, 'Rookie' even though quite a bit smaller, is telling 'Zac' what to do so 'Zac' isn't a bossy kind of horse. He does have the temperament of his Shire mother 'Ester'. He isn't keen on running around, compared to 'Rookie' who finds it ever so easy to buzz around like a mini rocket on his short legs. 'Zac' on the other hand is already almost the size of 'Mr F' and he finds running around cumbersome. Why rush when things can be done slowly?

'Rookie' has been right next to 'Mr F' in the stable and they have had weeks of getting to know each other closely.

Contemplating what 'Jackie' just asked me I answer: "OK. I did some months ago wonder if they could go together eventually. To make this as smooth a change as possible, could 'Zac' spend the next few nights next to 'Mr F' in the stables? This way they do get a chance to get to know each other close up as well."

Putting all three together will mean the end of being independent with regards to field companion. 'Mr F' has just learnt to be on his own in a field without going completely crazy. Yet he began looking very bored and sullen. It wasn't something I wanted to keep doing, I was only too happy for him to have some field mates again. He simply thrives when being 'in charge', in control of things, when he has a herd to move around. From a timing point of view things will be easy as 'Jackie' and I basically have the same turn out turn in times. "You won't be able to leave him behind on his won once he is with the youngsters. Will you mind bringing 'Mr F' in together with yours should I not be able to get here in time? And I will do the same of course."  'Jackie' was fine with that.

As I leave for the night I look at his small field again and it is beginning to look rather bad. It'll be better for 'Mr F's frame of mind to be with other horses. Even if they are foals.