Full of beans

Sunday. A day off and although cold it is a moderately sunny day and only little wind. 

After attending 'Mr F' in the morning I sort out some business in the  house where I live and then decide to pack my lap top and my camera and take myself for a brisk leg stretch.

As i return to 'Hill farm' mid afternoon I make a cup of tea and sit in the car with the intention to write. I finally got myself a mobile hotspot and can now be online pretty much anywhere as long as I have phone signal. And its very fast. This helps greatly in keeping up with this blog among other things, although I do keep getting distracted by nature when outdoors ... 

The sun has warmed up the car nicely and I watch the boys grazing while sipping my tea. Then I seem to have nodded off for a short moment.

As I open my eyes I see all three boys galloping around the field! I have not seen them do that together and was surprised and intrigued at the same time. Especially seeing 'Mr F' go for it. He seems to feel better!

It's quite a mad chase with 'Mr F' pushing them on from behind.  All three come charging down towards the gate. 'Slow down guys!' I say out loud while still sitting in the car. 'Mr F' generally is reluctant to go even near the gate if others are there because he realises the potential for injury as the gate is in the corner of the field. They all stand still and both 'Zac' and 'Mr F' blow their noses a lot, clearing their lungs. They stand around for a while, staring into the distance.

Then 'Mr F' gets bored / impatient and begins to nibble 'Zac's leg repeatedly. 'Zac' isn't quite sure what to do and just stands still, mouthing, as it is so typical for young horses in the presence of older ones.  'Mr F' gently nudges him and nibbles his leg again. 'Luke' used to start play time like this.

It does not take long and 'Rookie' wants to join in and all three go on a merry dash all the way up the field, down the field and  along the edges ... 'Mr F' 'pushing' them from behind if they stop.

Then they all make one more crazy dash towards the gate. For a moment I was concerned that 'Zac' may be crushed against it! They all came to a halt on the hardcore, stones flying all over. Some more panting and snorting and then something startles 'Rookie'. He must have seen or heard something on the walk path that goes by their field and so all three go off in a mad dash again.

"Well, I am quite sure his hoof boot is not going to survive this." I say to myself.

The boys come galloping back to the gate and then stand still, waiting once more. 'Zac' catching breath and 'Mr F' is now looking directly at me in the car as though to say: 'I know you're there. is there any chance that you could get up and let us go to the stable? We are hungry, can't you tell?!'

Admittedly, the temperature had suddenly dropped. While they weren't interested in coming in yesterday in the nice sun, today the weather does not seem to their liking.

As I was leading 'Mr F' out of the field, the shell of his hoof boot had gone, all that was left was the gaiter. Although these are by far my favourite hoof boots (and I have tried a few including the renegades) it's the gaiter that is the weak point with these hoof boots. I have had three fall apart because the stitching was not strong enough must commonly its the rubber that split at the back where the screw attaches the gaiter to the shell (one of three screws). 

And 'Mr F' also chipped off a smallish bit of his hoof.

Yet 'Mr F' seemed very content with himself once in the stable and one could describe his mannerism as being 'chipper'. This was a 100% change compared with the recent weeks when he was very dull, sullen and withdrawn. 

Today he was back to how he used to be. Cheeky, demanding (where is my food, what about me,  etc etc), fiery (a fair amount of heated discussions when I am grooming him) and he was generally very communicative. 

This is now the fourth day of 'Mr F' being turned out with his hoof boot on the suspected troublesome foot. Perhaps this has helped matters to begin healing naturally? 

And at some point, I will have to scan the turn up field for the shell of his black hoof boot. I should buy them in a different colour next time. Mind you, there is a new type of hoof boot out, this one is very close to how I would have designed it had I had the money.

'Let us out please ... '  

'Mr F', behind him is 'Zac' and in the background 'Rookie' is waiting.