AlTRPD

Firstly, please may I thank all those who took part in the quiz and draw this evening, and also everyone who bought things from the current auctions. It all meant that we were able to give away 14 prizes for rescues, and those will be going out as soon as I have the results sheets printed and all the addresses etc. A couple who won draw prizes have still to say where they want them to go. I'm thinking it might be a good idea to do a free draw every Sunday, at this rate. (Mind you, I think it will get drawn later if I have to be the question master again! Manic wasn't the word - and I also had to update all the sales that ended tonight, too! For all that, it was fun, and good to see so many rescues being nominated for prizes. I now need to get sewing some prizes for next week, as well as more items for the auctions to get those topped up. HLGS - although I belong to Facebook, I rarely get the chance to post there. It's a great idea though to set up a 'Fan' thing for the quizzers... Could do with a volunteer who understands FB, and has time, to do that, though. Any offers? Thanks again, everyone.

Just to add that, so far, there are only four names in the hat for this draw. To make it more interesting, I will add an extra prize for each 10 names, so that everyone will have at least a 1 in 10 chance of winning a prize for a rescue.

Two of the 'I Need A Home' leads are on offer in a FREE draw tonight - held at 9pm to anyone logging-in and posting on the TRPD forum during the 24 hour period prior to the draw. Winners who are fostering dogs for a rescue or transporting them, may have the leads sent directly to them, other winners can nominate a rescue for them to be sent to. There's no entry fee or charge. Literally, all you need to do is log in and make a post in any of the forums. Perhaps something as simple as mentioning a show or event that's coming up, or perhaps having a go at one of the quiz questions that will be posted at 8.30pm, and that could win another prize for a rescue? It is up to you. Please spread the word, too. Thanks.

He's very impressive and athletic, Clare. You must be thrilled with his progress?

Yes, she's coming along nicely in harness, and has turned out much better than I anticipated when I bought her. I suspect that she'd be a good gymkhana pony, too, in the right hands. She has a very good mouth, is very agile in the field, and a turn of speed you'd not believe from her build, although she'd need a child rider with long legs to wrap around her, as she really is broad! I learned this morning that the neighbouring yard are planning to take a pony they have to the sales shortly, and think they are going to suggest to his owner that the colt goes along, too. If so, then I shall add to that suggestion. Also think I'll be getting a padlock for the field gate to enforce my point that the fields have to be rested. While Merlyn was being shod this morning, the colt and the gelding were charging around the fields cutting them up a lot. The one fence between paddocks has been flattened and will have to be replaced, as will the gate - although I think Merlyn and Bron might be responsible for that! She's now been teachng herself to jump... which is better, I guess, than copying Merlyn's habit of just leaning and trampling them down.

I don't know about dogs on Tramadol, but I am taking it, and because its effect decreases as the system gets used to it, I don't take it as prescribed, but only when I really need it. (That after discussion with my doctor, I add!) I also only take it at night and only when the pain makes it impossible to sleep, and I want it to knock me out of that for a few hours. The only trouble is that I'll then sleep for only a few hours so it can play havoc with my biological time clock, therefore my whole routine and including mealtimes. Not sure if it has the same efdect on dogs, including their digestive systems, but it could well do so.

Mmmm... Food for thought here. I wonder if it works for slugs as well as snails? Wonder if red nail varnish would stick to slugs? I also wonder how far away one could send one's snails for them NOT to return? The other side of the M4 bridge, perhaps?

A lightweight friend backed her and has ridden her away for me, and another small, but less experienced friend and her 10 yo daughter are going to share her with me, Clare, and are having some lessons first. Bron managed to throw a splint a few weeks ago - probably by banging her leg when climbing into the bath we were given recently as a water trough! She was a bit lame for a week or so, and needed the old Bone Radiol treatment, then a set of shoes, but she's fine now and regularly galloping around the field cutting it up again! Another friend has a 14.2hh Welsh cob mare that is the image of Bron - just bigger. Saw the woman who originally bred Bron a couple of weeks ago when at the feed merchants. It turns out that Holly, the little old Sec. A mare mentioned before that was looking for a home, is Bron's mother! They were in the same field together for a while and a couple of times were mistaken for one another from the rear and at a distance. Bron's father was, apparently, a 13.2hh gypsy cob called Thunder. Holly... Bron's dam. Her breeder had heard that I now owned her 'Flicka', as she'd called her, and said how pleased she was of that, because she'd always thought a lot of Bron as a foal. I can't help wondering, if that's the case, how come she'd had four or five owners by the time she was just a yearling and I bought her?

Clare, your wish is my command, although this pic was taken a few weeks ago and before I started driving her. Since then I have hogged her mane and she looks a lot smarter and less like a 13.2 Thelwell pony body on 11.2hh legs! For those who don't know what she was like when I bought her at a year old... here's a reminder... Quite a change, eh? I'll have to remember to take the camera with me next time I get the harness on her. Having to have the shafts on the cart widened now before I can use it, as she's so broad and compact they are too narrow for her!

I just found this photo of the colt so you can see how similar he is to Loki, although it was taken a while ago and he'e grown since.

Goodness, Loki really does look to have a powerful jump and lots of potential. There is a youngster (yearling colt), belonging to a friend, currently on my yard and who is very similar in looks to Loki. He should mature at about 15.2hh + and looks to be a cob cross something finer - possibly a TB x. His owner has had him on my yard for a year now, and failed to find anywhere else to keep him despite me saying that I just don't have the facilities for him this winter, and that he can't stay after the end of the month, when I need the stable to bring my old horse in. (She also has a gelding and a mare, the latter has a foal at foot and is yet to come in, when the foal will be weaned and go to its new owner.) Well, she has now decided to sell the colt, but has made no attempt to advertise him at all yet. (The reason being, I am told, that she is working long hours and often 7 days a week.) I can see things ending up with the colt going either to a market or a local dealer, which the owner, understandably, doesn't want. I gather that I upset her a few weeks ago by saying that my grazing really did need a total rest this winter, and a chance to recover over the winter, and that, although I was willing to compromise and put my little pony mare in with my old horse in the one large stable, and to allow her the use of my second stable for her mare, and for her to utilse the field shelter that is being built as a stable for her gelding, there simply was not room for her colt as well. Time is now ticking on, and I don't have a magic wand - just two stables and two and a half acres of overgrazed land! I'm ususally a fairly assertive person, but beginning to wonder if I am being taken seriously now, or just seen as a 'soft touch' as I have helped this owner out of her predicaments a few times now. This time I simply cannot, as I'm not prepared to compromise on resting the grazing land again. Any suggestions welcomed, as I'm beginning to feel like I'm being branded an ogre for insisting the colt is either sold or else relocated, and that if she does sell him, it will be all my fault if he makes less than she paid for him as a foal or ends up in tins! On a happier note, Bron, the little yearling waif I bought as a companion for Merlyn when his sister died, is now four years old and broken to ride and drive. She's turning out really well, and resembles a Sec. C type, sturdy little 12.2hh cob. A very bossy little one, too!

I am regularly asked if Scampi (Bedlington/whippet/collie/greyhound mixture of a lurcher) is an 'Alfred' or a 'Greengrass dog'? I usually just say 'Yes, he's a lurcher,' to which some then reply... 'What's a lurcher?' However, were there a £1 on offer, I'd want it for the number of times people passed on the street make the obsevation that 'it's raining again.' Yeah, like I'd not noticed and my specs weren't in need of yet another wipe?

There has been a change to the mini-auction format. These now all end at 9.00pm on the day they receive their first bid, which ususally means items sell at their maiden bid, and buyers get some great bargains. Our autumn coats and raincoats are starting to appear in the listings now and including some specials/one-off/exclusives, too. Link to Current TRPD Mini-Auctions

Glad to see this thread is still going, but it will take me ages to try to catch up with everyone's horsy news! I was actually wondering if there are any horsy members living near me in S. Wales, and who might know of either a small, lightweight adult or experienced, small teenager, who might like to ride Bron, my 12.2hh cobby youngster and help bring her on? (I'm far too heavy!) She's backed, and is also being broken to drive. I'd consider a shared loan to the right person, and with her remaining my own stables, because I originally bought her as a companion for my old horse and they are devoted to each other. Bron's 4 years old now, and built like a compact, Welsh Sec. C type, although only a PB Welsh. She is going well and is sensible, but is obviously still very green, so not suited to a novice. Thanks.

During the twenty years since Tailends began, in January, 1990, Angela dedicated herself to providing every care and comfort possible to older, sick or injured dogs, especially greyhounds, who have never known such love comfort and care during their lives. Although I knew Angela, and of her work prior to her cancer diagnosis, since that, we became closer friends, regularly exchanging emails and the occasional phone call, and until she entered her local hospice and the final stages of the disease. You can read about how it all began, and the wonderful work that Angela achieved with the many residents at Tailends over the years at this link: Tailends History Angela asked that, rather than sending flowers, anyone wishing to remember her do so with donations to Tailends and towards the continuing care of those wonderful, elderly dogs in its care, and that she loved so much, or donate to the hospice where she spent her final days. Details of how/where to send donations in memory of Angela will appear on their website shortly. ( www.Tailends.co.uk ) George, Suzie, and their helpers, will continue to run Tailends as Angela has done with such dedication. Once Suzie has full details of the funeral services she will add these to the Tailends website along with information regarding donations. There will be a service held locally, then Angela will be taken to Uckfield, where there will be another service with her son and family before she is buried in a family plot. My thoughts go out to George, and to Angela's son and other family members and friends.

If anyone is planning to organise dog walks in South Wales, and would like to use TRPD's small, private car park and other facilities as a meeting point, we are now able to take bookings from 28th March. The car park will take four or five cars comfortably, and is adjacent to a footpath that leads onto the hillside, and many paths and tracks, open areas of grassland and wooded areas with some lovely views and opportunities to see wildlife. For the energetic, there are much longer walks nearby and through forestry commission land, too. (A guide can often be arranged, if required, and from the membership of the local ramblers group.) We can also offer the use of a double-burner camping stove for tea/coffee making and even burgers/bacon butties, plus there is a chemical loo. (A bit primitive but... ) Adjacent, there is also a cycle trail, and the property is bordered by a river on the east side where brown trout lurk, should any family members wish to cycle or fish (in season) or even practice their photography or do some landscape painting, while others walk their dogs. We are in the process of creating a small bird garden that will border the car park to the east, and a wide range of birdlife has been visiting the feeders there during the winter months, plus the occasional appearence of a squirrel or two. We are always glad of volunteers who might like to help with that project, or any donations of suitable, unwanted plants. There is no charge for using the facility, although we do have a 'pot', where visitors can make a voluntary contribution towards the calor gas/tea/coffee used etc.

The mini-auctions are still going on, and we have about two forum pages of them at any one time. All without reserve, which is obvious from some of the prices items are selling for! We have now almost moved everything from the old workshop to the new, but all must be done before the end of the month. Lots more really has to go, though, as we just won't have room for all and to work. This means that there are still great bargains up for grabs for any who want them. Each mini-auction lasts for about 3 days, and those ending at the next 9.00pm are marked in the index with an exclamation mark. Many seem to be taking advantage of these sales to pick up stocking fillers and gifts for rescues.

You were very welcome, Phebe, and it was lovely to meet you and to put a face to the name 'Owl' on here. I shall look forward to seeing you again, and when you are able to visit the area. Now that we have the new building at Llys Trerobert, I am hoping many more forum members will visit, and take advantage of the off-road parking and chance to explore the lovely walks that are on the doorstep. BTW - I love the colour of those wellies. Never seen them in blue before.

Well, with so many having dropped out for various reasons, I wasn't sure if this would go ahead or not, although Peter's wife, Sarah, and daughter Amy arrived at the scheduled time. We enjoyed a cuppa and some sandwiches and biscuits before deciding to set out at about twenty past eleven, when it seemed as if we'd be the only ones to make it. Scampi seemed a little bemused, but then decided to catch up with the others. (I'm not sure if he realised the collie was not Moss, his usual walking companion. I'm not really sure if Scampi knew who he was out for a walk with, as he seems quite vacant at times, now. ;) He then decided to walk ahead with young Amy. However, by the time we were on the homeward stretch, Scampi was lagging well behind.He's slowed up a lot over recent months, but then, at 15, I guess he is entitle to take life at a slower pace. Once back at Llys Trerobert, he was more than ready to hop up into the car and sleep off his exertions, bless him. While we were out on the hillside, Phebe (Owl) - delayed by an accident on the M4 - had arrived, so after Sarah and Amy had left for home and their Sunday lunch, and Phebe and I had enjoyed another cuppa and a sandwich or two, we set out with Phebe's two dogs, Whispa and Polly. This time I decided to leave Scampi in the car, where he was sound asleep on a carpet, and enjoying the wintery sunshine coming in through the rear window. I did invite him out and along with us, but he'd other ideas, and went straight back to sleep! It was quite wet underfoot and I thought I'd got Whispa into this photo, but it seems not! She was having a great time, whilst dear little Polly also appeared to be enjoying herself, despite her 14 years and encroaching sight problem. She was certainly putting her nose into action, and not backwards at finding fox poop! ;) Phebe and I walked up to the oak tree where the buzzard often perches, but didn't catch sight of him today. We also paused on the high, open ground, hoping to be able to look over the Bristol Channel to Somerset, but it was a little cloudy, and it is hard to tell if we could see the Somerset coastline or just a darker bit of cloud in the far distance, and behind Phebe in this picture. I thought I'd taken more photos than this, and including some of Phoebe's dogs, but suspect I couldn't have pressed the button hard enough a few times. (My hands are not at their best at present. : ) Despite there not being many of us, it was an enjoyable, but tiring day, and by the time we returned in the afternoon, and had another cuppa, it was time for me to feed the horses for the night. ;) At least these pictures will give you all some idea of the countryside and its potential for walks for those of you who'd like to come along and explore this area in the future. ???

I hope those coming will be hungry, as a few have dropped out now, so we'll be left to munch our way through the food, and I am supposed to be on a diet!

Not to worry, Amy, you live close enough to come along anytime to suit you, really, just let me know, and I can unlock the car park gate and open the room up for you. I rode Merlyn up onto the open ground earlier today, and did a quick recce for sheep and things, and no sign of any there or in the adjacent fields, although there are ponies grazing in a field near the top. On the way back, I passed a tree where a buzzard often perches, and it was there! It rose when I was only about 30 feet away, then moved from telegraph post to telegraph post ahead of me. Beautiful sight, and what seems like a massive wingspan. Of course, Merlyn used that as an excuse to behave more like a 3 years old instead of a 23 years old horse, and got himself in a right sweat. I wish there was someone living near enough, and with enough experience, to help exercise that old reprobate! He hardly walked a step all the way home, and was, instead, jogging sideways and cavorting like some hairy clown. My back could have done without that, and I just hope I can walk okay tomorrow! Definitely need another date with Radox! Mind you, after mucking out and spreading the last of the bark chips over the car park, I'd have needed that anyway.

There should be enough space there, as several from a distance have had to drop out - or does your friend have a bus or lorry? There is some space outside the gates, though. Glad you remembered the tape measure! I can't seem to find mine. Metcheck seems to think it will be dry on Sunday morning still.

We now know we have to vacate the workshop/store room by the end of November. The move starts in ernest next Monday, and I'm trying to speed up the process of clearing stock via the TRPD forum's 'Auction Club'. Because the PCP will be sharing the new building with other TRPD groups, space will be at a premium.

Just a reminder that this is taking place on Sunday. At present, Metcheck is forcasting dry weather during the morning, but it will probably be wet and muddy underfoot on the tracks. We have almost finished spreading all the loads of bark chips on the car park, but those who want to have a wander over the fields will need their wellington boots, as the ponies have poached the gateways quite badly in places.