Hairy pony vs. sleek pony!

So, Callie is looking fab, and really feeling good in her new saddle – I want to go to a pony party! Any suggestions where we could go!?

Ellie is MEGA hairy, so hairy that she was itching like mad. To the point I had to get her in and check she didn’t have lice! No visitors were to be found, thankfully!

She has had a bath, and loads of hair came out. I was going to take a picture but she went super curly and looked embarassing! Instead I turned out out without a rug on, and she rolled yet more hair out.

She is due to foal on or around the 14th May, so thats getting sooner and exciting!

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Suprised myself

Callie is now the proud owner of her first ever saddle, courtesy of Bridlepath International. We tried quite a few, as shes a wide girl for her age, and settled on a saddle I thought I would hate, as I’ve never liked that brand before, but I suprised myself and liked it. Absolutely text book fit too. So Callie now owns an Albion Selecta saddle. I’ve previously had Barnsby saddles and Ideal saddles, however the Ideal we tried on Callie that was a text book fit, made her buck which shes never done before. Just goes to show, the saddler might be able to tell you lots, but the horse gives the final say.

The weather here has got much warmer, so Ellie is now wearing her fly rug underneath her thin turnout rug, as she was too hot and itchy in her thick rug.

Today has been lovely so far, and have taken Callie out onto the Quarry, where she was perfectly behaved, and trotted her little socks off in her new saddle. All that is left to do is a spot of jump schooling with Holly. Will try to get some pictures.

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Wet, cold, horrid day

Its been raining since about 5am, and its continued all day.

Popped the girls (Holly & Callie) out this morning, but brought them back in at lunchtime, which they were very grateful for. Think I’ll be riding in the indoor later – I much prefer riding outdoors.

Holly did another session of canter work yesterday – used the stopwatch, and did 1 min walk/2 min canter/1 min walk/2 min canter pattern. She is much fitter than I thought, as that was no effort at all.

Two hunter trials coming up – one at Prestwold Hall, a lovely local venue, that hosts several hunt meets, is a wedding and conference venue, and has a racetrack where you can go for sessions to drive supercars! The other is at Osberton Estate, which is again lovely – it is the venue for the Lycetts 6/7 yr old finals. Last time we went there it was axle deep mud!

A friend of mine, Chantal, has set up an online tack shop, and has spent an awful lot of time discovering good quality pony sized items, so we will be enlarging our wardrobes with some fantastic new cross country boots from her shortly. Take a look at EquiChoice

Also on the countdown to Ellie foaling with around 12 weeks left to go – very exciting!

Unfortunatly my hand seems to be getting worse, so its time for a human vet appointment – fingers crossed its not too serious.

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Time flys…

….when you are having fun!!

Had a very busy few weeks, both at work and cramming things in with the ponies now the weather is nice.

Bought a new breastplate from Evison Equine which is lovely soft leather, with elastic inserts.

Also busy preparing for this years show – I help organise Market Bosworth Show

Ponies have also been busy – Callie jumped under saddle for the first time, a couple of stills from the video, and the video below

First little pop under saddle – she’s really got the hang of it now!

Video

Next Holly went cross country schooling, and at 20, had an absolute whale of a time!

Then, it was time for up to date tummy shots of Ellie – She’s growing outwards well, and has just started moulting, so it will be bath time soon, if the weather continues to be just as lovely

 

 

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Fat F/Photos Finally (and a touch of alliteration!)

 

Not posed fantastically, but much rounder in the tum!

A spot of posing….!

 

 

 

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Deep freeze!!!

So we are frozen!! Hunting has been cancelled, lessons cancelled….and we are all very cold!!!

Went to see a fat, happy, blissed out Ellie pony – she is certainly at the stage of enjoying her pregnancy, but I think she’s getting the odd kick now! Must feel bizzarre for her as she has no idea, what with being AI-ed!!!

Photos to follow!!

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More hunting

Out yesterday the the Quorn again.

Pictures to come…!! Hopefully a couple of jumping ones!

Hounds!

I hear hounds!

 

A bit later in the day

Happy days

 

Happy days!

Great picure by Steve Wright

 

These last two pictures are courtesy of Steve Wright, many thanks.

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Boxing Day Meet

Despite my best intentions, I STILL haven’t got a more up to date ‘fat photo’ of Ellie, to compare how the tum is doing, but I can assure you from viewing her side and front on, she is expanding!!!

So today is Boxing Day, traditionally time for a days hunting to blow the cobwebs away!!! Certainly managed that!! I used the GPS tracker on my phone, and we covered 6.05 miles (Boxing Day with our hunt is just a jolly round really!) and reached a top speed of 25mph, with an average of 5.5mph. Will be interesting to set it on a normal day out hunting.

The sight that greeted me this morning, was a small, old enough to know better, grey bouncy ball, rearing at her stable door….think someone knew what was coming!

 

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Been busy….

Firstly clipped the worked ponies – Holly and Callie that is, so they are completely naked, with just legs and half face’s left on. They are wrapped up in their smart new Weatherbeeta rugs.

Ellie is getting rounder, and is seeming quite chilled at the moment. She is the ‘giant’ of her field, standing 14.1h, as the others are all 12.2h and below!!! She is loving being out with babies and youngsters. Fingers crossed that is a good sign for her impending motherhood!

Have also spent time clipping for other people this winter – I find it very theraputic, turning a scruffy, hairy beast into a smart, sleek animal.

Not long til Christmas now – all ready to go!!!

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More bloodhounding!

We do like to go fast!!!

Took Holly out with the Readyfield Bloodhounds on Rememberance Sunday. Absolutly gorgeous day for the meet, and in a lovely setting – Proper Leicestershire countryside.

Achieved a lifetime first – we jumped a 5 bar gate!

A few photos from the morning

 

 

 

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