A further 2 horse residents have arrived here at 'Hill Farm' a week ago. They are tucked away in a field further down the hill. I hadn't even noticed them being there nor had I noticed someone new at the yard. I only know of her because 'Jackie' mentioned it earlier this morning.
And we had another new arrival 'Slippers', one more white pony, it arrived a week ago. It is an addition to 'Genie's' group of horses. 'Slippers' will be ridden by her grand daughter.
And we had another new arrival 'Slippers', one more white pony, it arrived a week ago. It is an addition to 'Genie's' group of horses. 'Slippers' will be ridden by her grand daughter.
Little miss 'Slippers' - Her shetland sized legs only just let her peek above her stable door ...
.... no matter from which angle, 'Slippers' always appears to be smiling ...
... it seems to be a very comfortable head rest, all that moves are her eyes as she watches all that is going on in the early morning. 'Surely at some point it must be food for me ... '
But there has also been a departure. One of 'Genie's older horses, a 20 year old Dale's Pony, 'Flower' has become ill and her condition deteriorated extremely quickly. 'Flower's stable was right next to my tack room and I spent all of winter greeting her in the morning. She was always pleased seeing people and she used to greet me with her deep, rolling nickers. 'Flower' was of a quite sort, at least in the short time I have known her. She was difficult to read, not being one to interact much, unlike 'Mr F'.
The worsening of her condition began with 'Flower' developing lumps under her belly. At first it seemed as though it was a build up of fluid. She didn't seem to be bothered by it. It didn't take long for further lumps to develop and although a Vet had been consulted, nobody knew exactly what the matter was. At some point there was the though that 'Flowers' may have mastitis. She was put on a course of antibiotics but after a week there was no change. In fact she developed further lumps above her eyes (although those were very soft) and many other places on her body. With the temperatures up the past week, 'Flowers' was put back on 24/7 turnout, perhaps the standing in the small stable wasn't doing her any good either. So I hadn't seen 'Flowers' for over a week and when we all went to look at her in the field just 2 days ago, I was quite shocked. She had lost a lot of weight, her flanks and back where almost bony. Her respiration rate was very high, somewhere around 40 per minute. Further consultation with 'Genie's Vet resulted in her being diagnosed with a very aggressive tumour.
As I saw her standing there in her field shelter she was grumpy, breathing heavily. Looking into her eyes, she was in great discomfort and just wanted it to end. Her whole expression was that of great discomfort. It was very evident that her body wasn't going to cope much longer. It happened all so very very fast.
It was decided to not let her suffer any longer. The Vet had been arranged for the next morning (it was too late in the day to arrange for the Vet and for a pick up of the body).
'Genie' stayed with 'Flower' while she was being injected with the fluids that would put her to rest.
And so one body departs while another arrives. Little miss 'Slippers' is now expecting much of 'Genie's time. 'Slippers' is now in the stable next to my tack room. As all the small ponies that I have met so far, she too is full of character. 'Slippers' is very inquisitive and wants to know everything that is going on. Every morning her little head pokes over the stable door; she can just about reach. 'Slippers' has a funny shape, somewhat very short legs supporting a fair sized body (well, there is some winter fat, too .... ). 'Jackie' thinks that she may be a result of having a Shetland mate with a pony ...
Another arrival is due soon, probably in about 3 weeks time. It'll get busy here at 'Hill Farm'. But so far we all get along well. It of course helps that we are all spread out and don't have to step on each other's toes when coming to feed our horses.
'Mr F' will enjoy all the going on ....
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