But I would walk 500 miles ... for grass

I am finding it tricky to keep up with all the happenings at 'Hill Farm' and there is a huge back log of handwritten notes and photographs that I am hoping to add to this blog soon.

After the week gone by with all the heavy snow, temperatures this week have been rather mild in comparison. Hopefully the grass will be growing soon.

I did put out some haylage for the boys in the morning before I left but they probably would be waiting by the gate by the time I return from work.

And low and behold, as soon as my car is witnessed driving up the yard, all three boys slowly make their way towards the gate. The youngsters have by now figured out that if I don't call them, I am coming to get 'Mr F' only so they remain standing at a distance from the gate while 'Mr F' advances forward.  The gate opens outwards, making it very tricky to take one horse out of the field trying to stop the others from squeezing through behind. Therefore 'Mr F' must move fast and he has to pass me so that I can stand in the way just in case.

Today 'Mr F' didn't want to waste any time and even assisted me in making sure none of the youngsters tried to push through. He did that by simply giving them a very annoyed look, with ears back flat. This was enough for them to retreat several steps, watching us leave from a 'safe' distance.

'Mr F' likes to explore. Quit often when I take 'Mr F' out for a walk, people think that he escaped because they only see him, without saddle. It's amazing how people are programmed to thinking that a horse must be ridden. It appears to all of them most odd to see me take 'Mr f' for a walk, with BOTH of us walking.  

'Mr F's bay coat somewhat quite blends into his surroundings. It was time, for our safety, to invest into a hi-viz cover. The one I chose is light and partly made of a mesh fabric so he can wear it in summer too. Now we are instantly seen and he looks less likely like an escapee. 

And so we wander about, sometimes far, sometimes just along the drive to the farm. I usually let him choose. Lately 'Mr F' is very into exploring. 'What's around the next corner? Surely it must be more delicious grass ... lets go and look!'  

Some routes are quite steep and stony but it does not seem to bother his hip any longer. Sometimes his heartbeat picks up and he goes on high alert. But he never looses it and still trusts going out with me anywhere. This I am glad to learn. I have contacted Neill (see other posts here: body whisperer) for an appointment to see 'Mr F' and to advice on what excersises we can do specifically to build up strength in his insured limbs, especially where the muscle was displaced.