MilliesMum

Not been about in ages, I've started a new job, between that and helpng out on the PAT dog stands and the dogs and horses, all the weeks are rolling into one! Just been busy reading lots of your posts and looking at some seriously cute horses and foals!! Kimbas_Mum Fab, well done, you must be chuffed Off to look at your other post!! Bobbys Mum - I'm sure every one when they start looking after horses get nervous and are not sure what to do. Try your best to relax and enjoy it, you'll find his a lot easier to deal with, just take a deep breath, take a pause if things are starting to get a bit stressy. There is no point rushing things, just take you time. You'll soon be an old pro at all this!! If you can't get him to walk, instead of tring to lead him forwards, try to get him to turn, this will unbalance him which should get him moving again. It is probably worth you doing some ground work with him. Just start taking him for walks asking him to walk when you want to, stop when you want to. When he is tied up make sure he stands and moves over and backwards when he is asked. If you carry on having problems at the mounting block and stable, do the same, some ground work to get him really lsitening to you. Either that or just bribe him with a camera!! Good luck!! Was supposed to be taking Kai to cross country course for a play yesterday, but it was cancelled cos of the weather, surprise, surprise. But found some hunter trials at the place I'm taking Kai training to on Wednesday, so will be taking her there. They start at 1ft and 3 refusals and you just go onto the next fence. They even have a one day event the same size. So hoping to take her there. Also found a new centre set up who are doing unaffiliated dressage and show jumping so going to head over there as it looks like they'll be on over the winter as well. Kai has never seen in outdoor school, never mind an indoor one, so should be fun. Tried to box her a couple of weeks ago ready for yesterday. I hour, 4 people and a black eye later, we had just about managed to get her in 3 times. She we being a moo. Tried again the week after and she walked in like a pro, even turned her bum so I could shut the partition, mares Been also having problems with 5 kids, 4 at primary school who have been chasing the horses round and round the field. They have even taken Minski's muzzel and fly mask off. The one that is at secondary school and is big for her age was riding Trigger, hes only 37 ins. So now I can't ride Minski because she is so sore from her arthristis. Couldn't catch her fo a week, so couldnt get the muzzel on for her laminitis and couldn't get the bute down her to try to sort out the arthritis. Got my instructor to catch her on Firday and I've been giving her polos and treats so she will be caught and left her head collar on. So I can know get near her, which is a relief. We know who they are, the mother of 2 of the girls has been told, she went through them lke a ton of bricks then grounded them. Just trying to get hold of the other parents. Kids

Ouch your going to be sore in the morning Phoenix I had another lesson on Kai today. She was really good in walk but as soon as we trotted she went into witch mode and started cantering and bucking and squeeling. After trying to work in trot we gave up and had a jump instead. She loves jumping and was so exited, guess what, bucking!! Anyway managed to get a picture of her jumping, excuse my riding but apart from the few times I've jamped Kai I haven't jumped in over 10 years!! I also got a picture of Trigger today so I have included him before and after shots, what do you think. Not only can he now walk comfortably but has been seen cantering round with Kai! You can see in the second photo how rocked back his hooves were from the laminitis. First day he arrive After cutting out all the matts and a good brush And today

Oohhhh babies!!!!! Misty how cute, I must not look at foal pictures I already have 3 horses I don't need any more!! I hope the assesment goes well, you'll have to keep us up dated!! Clare, it soulds like the stimulator lesson went well. May be they will let me sway Kai for one!!! I rode her on Wednesday and I couldn't do aything with her, something had obviously happened to spook her earlier in the day and she was completely uncontrolable, couldn't get her to go any where near the bottom of the field. It took my 20m minutes just to get there. So I got off and lunged her, for a horse who is a doddle to lunge she kept spinning in the other direction, wouldn't go forward then cantered for nearly half an hour before she calmed down. I rode her in the same corner on Friday at least I could get her to move, she kept trying to run off up the field, but we did have some nice moments!! I took her out Saturday and today. I took her on the roads which is where we have the worse napping. I haven't been able to get her out there without getting off and walking her for about 3 months. TShe had a strop both times, but she is sussing out much quicker that I am going to keep her facing away from home until she goes and she went on fine. This morning, apart from a pony club kicking moment she went really well. We have been having lots of fun in the fields on the way back doing lots oftrot and cantering and had out first gallop!!

She has already been checked over and just had some mild bruising which will have well cleared, so I know its she's fit and well, but evidently being in season can make a mare sore across their back etc, so may be this. I going to get a suppliment for her to try to hope this helps. If not I'll have a word with the vets and see what they say, I know there are a few things we can try with her.

So much to catch up on and so many fab pictures!! Kane certainly looks like he is enjoying himself!!! Clare well done with the jumping, he is coming along so well with it, very impresive, will be watching on telly in no time!! I've been having fun with Kai this weekend. I had a lesson on her on Friday, she is in season at the moment and was on top form. First she tried to buck me off, then she just started throwing her back end around. The riding instructor said she was amazed I has stayed on top. Took her out for a hack Saturday, she has been napping again since she had her back problem so I was expecting her to have a strop, but she was throwing herself all over the road and spinning for home. We sat it out and eventually she carried on. This morning I schooled her again. Luckily she decided that trying to send me into orbit hadn't worked so she just refused to do anything, wouldn't bend, acept the bit, chucked her head all over the place. Took me half an hour to do one nice circle of trot in both directions, as so as she did we stopped. Remind me again why I like mares!!

Babieeeesssss!!!!!! Me wants. She's lovely, what fab markings!! Had a disaster of a ride on Kai Friday, stopped all the rush hour traffic on the main road, even then she was spinning in the middle of the road. This is nappng, she wasn't frightened, she just refused point blank to go forwards. Did eventually get her moving and off the road. Luckly all the drivers were fine non were stroppy. Was chatting to a bloke who has a couple of foals locally, he told me that some of the local fields he know the owners of. One of the owners land is set aside and the other has a crop on it. Evidently the owners have said we can ride any where on the set aside and they have made wide tracks for riders on the crop field, this gives us an extra 80 acres or so of off road riding. So of course I had to go and try it out on both the horses this morning. It means I can do the heading away from home where Kai can be nappy on the fields and hack her back on the roads, as she is fine on the way back. Had lots of canters on Kai and a good gallop on Minski, had a great time!! I also met some one at the dog show last week that knows Trigger. I was telling my friend what a state he was in and this lady was listening in. Evidently she keep her horses opposite Triggers old field. She had reported him to the RSPCA on 4 different occasions, mainly for the state of his feet. Evidently they hid the pony every time the RSPCA came out!

Jacky, your not the only one. I went down on Sunday to feed the horses and put Minski's muzzle on. I wasn't quite quick enough and she had finished her feed and was off, took one look and the muzzle and wouldn't come near. I cleaned the field while she calmed down. Managed to get hold of her with an arm round each side of her neck. She hit me in the leg, whacked me round the head with her head and the spun round and whacked me in the chest so hard I actually went flying and landed on my back in the middle of the field

Minski had a simlar reaction with her flu jab as well. I ended up holding her bucket to get her to eat and her whole chest came up in teh same swelling as Mist's pony. She only had a bad reaction because she was so poorly and run down at the time. I was going to wait until I got her home and she was better before I got her done and she wasn't due till then anyway, but the college got her vaccinated without me knowing. She has continued with her vaccinations since, but she has never been ill with they are due.

How did it go Clare? Did you get any pictures? Gook luck Pendlewitch for tonmorrow!! I took Kai to hunter trials training day today. The plan was mainly get her out and about and seeing stuff rather than taking her round. The last show she went to was the only one she has ever been to. She spent the whole time verticle, ever time I tried to get her away from Minski. So this time she went on her own. She was a star, it was very busy, loads of boxes and horses and ponies zooming arround. She was very tense when I got on her, she wasn't the only one, the look on my face on the picture is priceless!, but there was loads of space so I just road her in a quiet corner. She went into the busy area by the stands and had ponies and horses all over. She stood while we waited for her turn the the clear round, she did threaten to go up so I just kept spinning her when she did. I'm still feeling dizzy now We had the fences tiny and explained that she has never jumped coloureds or a course. She got a big chear over every fence, had a great time. She did refuse at 1 but that was my fault. The smallest of the x country fences were tiny and would have been perfect for her but she had to go over a wooden bridge with running water under it, she didn't want to go over, and she had been so good we brought her home. One very proud Mum! So next thing is to find some water to go and play in it.

Clare I'm sure you'll do great, we want pickies of course!!! Very impressed wth Rolo, he's starting to go from strengh to strength. I've had my usual quiet week, after being a total star for the farrier last week trigger has just had his teeth done today, I was late getting there as I gto back ended by another car ona round about, luckily no damage done. He was a compete get, rearing full height. He did settle down eventually, but needs more work doing in 6 months. Kai has still been out of work with her sore back and leg. My riding instructor came out with her deep masage machine, what a difference, she is so flexible and working well on the bit. Trigger was also bathed at the weekend and again was rearing up and trying to kick us, little charmer!! Hopefully Kai and I are off to a hunter trials training day on saturday. I have to go and sort out a photographer for the wedding in the morning, so I'll be dashing back to get her there for the afternoon. The box is broke at the moment, the partitions that are right next to the door were painted at the weekend, caught the wind and ripped the wood and bent the hinges so that needs fixing first. But we will make it!!

You need to be carefull if your mare is foaling, there are murderous badgers about!!! Someone in the village bought a new mare. She though the was in foal (doesn't know one end of a horse from the other!). Confirmed by the vets, so was told to move from her field to la ivery yard where it was quieter, the yard built them a foaling box. As they didn't know when she was covered they guessed the date. They waited and waited, still no foal. So the vet is called out again. His conclusion, that the foal must have been born in the field and eaten by a badger, I kid you not!!!! Your poor boy doesn't sound like he's having much luck bless him. Minski had a bad bout of lami about 4 years ago. It took her 3 years to get over it bless her. I swear by her muzzle. She hasn't got it on yet, cos we don't have much grass yet, but it will be on at night shortly. We had the farrier out to sort out Triggers feet today. He has laminitis., so is now muzzled until we can get it under control. The bald patched have all grown back since his de lousing. He is mat free. Next job is the teeth. Dentist comming on 9th May. He has never had tehm done so that will be fun, hope she doesn't find any horrors. Once thats done I'll be washing him with medicated shampoo to get id of the terrible dandruff. I can now walk up to hm when ever I want without any treats so a masive improvement. I'm picking up all his tack at the weekend, so as soon as his feet are a bit better I can start taking him out with the dogs when the OH is up at the weekends.

I have not had that reaction in the dogs. But I did with one of the horses about 10 years ago. She had been very run down as had no end of problems both mental and physical at the time and was at college. I arranged to take her back home and was going to get her vaccination done when she got home and was feeling a bit better, as it wasnt due for nearly a month. But the college arranged her to be vaccianted without me knowing. she came up with a massive fluid filled swelling on her chest, but I just left it until it went down. It didn't seem to bother her, but I think it was the least of her problems at the time.

Lovely foal!!! Good luck with the Dressage, I'm sure you'll do great! Hope Loki picks up now he settling back in at home. Very busy here just started new job yippie!! Its much more fun not working. Kai started bucking very badly a week or so ago. The first time was on one rein. Gave her a few days off and then she was doing it on both reins as soon as I asked for trot. My instructor came out at the weekend to have a look and thought the same as me. Something definately wrong, but can't put her finger on what it is. So we put her on the lung as she had a fit every time I tried to trot on her. Her leg on her bad side is dropping from somewhere above the stfile when she trots. So we have the chiropracter comming out tomorrow to try to find out what the problem is and fix it. Minski was on top form last night and managed to stop the traffic on the main road twice. She didn't see why she should wait behind the parked car while the cars came past so she swung her bum in the middle of the and went backwards!! Will she ever grow up?

Thats fantastic, how exciting We want picies once he home. I'm sure he'll feel a lot better once hes home.

Sound like Lola is doing really well and Geronimo is so cute We we don't have any picture from the fun ride unfortunately. To cut a very long story short. The person I was going with refused to travel her pony with Kai because Kai was squeling a bit and stamping her feet, she has never been agressive to another horse she was just excited. So ended up boxing Kai first, Kai didnt want to go in bcuase her fiend wasn't int the box. It should have taken 20mins to get pony, but it took an hour to load her pony. Mean time Kai had a awfle drive over because she just left her new friend. While wanting she stood on my foot 3 times, bashed me in the head a few times (I had my hat on!) and was having a fit. Got rescued by lovely chap whos horse was out on the ride. Survived until the river, Kai has an issue with people standing there where they shouldn't be saw the people there and the water did a 180 and bolted across the field with me handing on for dear life!! We then asked for a lead from the pony but instead of going slowly through the water she walked stright through, Kai didn't get a chance to look at the water or deicded if she was or wasn't going in, so now she is other side from pony and has a complete fit. They tried to lead her through but she bucked, as she was stood down hill on the bank I went into orbit and end up sat on her neck. So we went a different way round. All remained calm until it came to the trip home. She refused to put her pony in with Kai again. So my suggestion that my OH and I take Kai home and they he brings the box back to pick her up, while I walk Kai back to the field, thinking this would save her from standing around waiting even longer and that there were plenty of people there to help and that I was 5 mins in the car up the road if they needed me, went down like a lead ballon, insisted I came back too. I had also said that if for some reason we could get one of the horses in the box it was hackable back if neccessary, I then get accuse of dumping her and her pony there in the woods and refusing to help to get them home. Needless to say we will be going on our own next time!! It has put Kai's boxing way back so we are going to have to redo alot of the work we have done inthe past couple of weeks. Once we'd done dogs and horses got home 4.30, we hadn't eaten all day so had dinner, just as we finised and got phone call to say friends drain is blocked, I went to pick up rods for her and ended up down there until 8.30 you should have seen or rather smelt the state of me. Her whole yard was under several inches of sewage water. It was worth every second however when the my friend forgot about the drain and fell straight down it, waste deep in sewer water!!

He sounds just like Minski used to be. I'm sure she used to fancy the vet because so had everything under the sun and everything she got she had to have all the worst complcations possible!! She claimed off the insurance so many times in the first 3 years the refused to insure her! We've got everything crossed the antibiotics work. We took Kai out for a test drive round the woods today. Just a short walk, we took one of the dogs who loves all the mud up there. Anyway here are a couple of picies, I'll try and get a few on Sunday if I stay on long enough!! I didn't find out about the ride till Monday night, so lunckily we haven't had time to stress over it too long. Anyway, here is me trying to look like I know what I'm doing on Kai!!

Yes it is the one near Newcastle, we live in Greenside just up the road. Where does your sister live? Small world!!!! I think the OH is comming as well to give us a hand so I'll get him to take some pictures if he comes, if not I'll get a few before we set off. Mind you I'll be hiding behind Kai when he takes them LOL. I just hope she manages to keep all 4 feet on the ground, otherwise you might be getting pictures of her belly dancing routine!!! I am taking her in her Market Harborough, I just have it on lose but it stops her head going so far up that she can rear, so hopng she should be OK. Clare I'm sure you'll be out with him in no time. Have you heard anything from the vets yet? We have also had a lice day today, I managed to get hold of Trigger again, he is getting a bit better, so we've been do lousing him, ah what fun. Not sure if he has lice or not but as his coat is such a mess I decided to cover all bases, next step will be giving him a medicated shampoo. He is never going to speak to me again!!!!

Oh Clare, poor Loki, he's not having much luck at the moment is he bless him. to Loki from me and the gang. We'll have everything crossed that the results are OK tomorrow. And Phoenix21, sounds like yours aren't fairing much better poor thing, another on the way. As you may know I has been working with Kai and the horse box now that the ramp is fixed, we were gradually getting better then took a step back. She has been in the box every day this week and gradually building her up. She went for a 15min trip in it yesterday, she did rock the box a bit to start with but was fine once moving. We took her out again today and took her out the box at Chopwell Woods. You should have seen her face it was hilarious. Every time we opened before she was in the same place now she's in a carpark in the woods, eyes on stalks!!! We took her out the box and had a bit of grass and a wander round the car park, saw people, dogs and ponies, behaved like an old pro, one very proud Mummy!!! The whole point of this intensive boxing course for Kai is that I have stupidly agreed to go on a fun ride there with the local riding club Sunday morning, what was I thinking!! One of the girls from the next door yard is going to come with us with her pony so we have some company. I can't wait. It will be Kai's first trip out to something since her only time out anywhere to a show last summer where she reared up full height every time we tried to split her and Minski up. As Minski will be at home keeping Trigger in check we dont have this problem.

Looking forward to seeing the pictures!! Took Minski out for her second ride since her fall. She is obviously still suffering as she did her usual spin sidways up the bridle way and the field. I ended up with my leg almost on her bum trying to keep her stright, she is such a money!! Took Kai out with my friend and her son on their horses yesterday. She wasn't happy about leaving her new man and we had a few moments on the ride but she did a lovely canter up the bridle path behind the other two. Then I schooled her this morning, she is a bit of a tank when you first get on but once she is working correctly she is very light. I even managed to totally give her the reign and she stayed balanced all on her own in the same shape, cleaver pony. For the first time I have measured Kai on the road instead of in the field, 17hh, opse and she no longer fits a full size head collar so we have been shopping!! I am heading off to had a go at getting her in the horse box. She had her first drive out in it last weekend with Minski. She was a bit stressed and sweaty when she get out but she was fine. She even put herself back in the box once we had got her out. The only problem is actully getting her out the box, she shot out and landed on the ramp once which gave her a fright. So this will be her first time in it without Minski. Got everything crossed!

Shhhh. You might give Kai some ideas with her new man!! Had a lesson this morning, which went well once I managed to calm Kai down. She did her first double of fences at the end as well!!! I also got my instructor to have a quick nose at Trigger. He has rubbed himself raw in places - before I got him, and I thought his feet were in poor condition, but wasn't sure if it was me being paranoid. They look like they have been recently been trimed, which fits in with their explaination of 2 weeks before we got him. His toes are a perfect shape from the front, but they are far too long and his causing feet to look like he is wearng slippers and rocking right back on them. I'm glad its not just me over reacting, but going to take a lot of work to get them right. Poor old pony, its is so frustrating when people don't bother learning about the animals and they end up like him. He is happier now I've cut the mats from his coat, bless him. I have managed to catch him a few times and he s only getting feed adn treats from my hand. He has had one quick brush, but only the dry bits!!

Yes, its just as good if not better than ordinary fly spay and now they have banned citronella oil I stick to that. My friend has tried all sorts of fly sprays on her horse but non worked, having told her loads of times abot she eventually made it up and swears by it not. It's a very complicated recipite so here goes, get some citronella oil, mix it with baby oil!!!!! I know complicated or what!! Lots of people mix in tea and vinegar, but mine works fine without so I dont bother. You only what a small amout of citronella oil about 10ml with a bottle of baby oil. Try it and see, its load cheaper that shop stuff. Do be careful however, I have never had a problem with it, but my friend put far too much citonella oil in her's the first time she made it up and ended up buring the horse slightly.

When Kai was a foal she jumped out the field and I had to walk her all the way through the village and a council estate. We went past a building site, 2 busses, a few lorries a huge builders lorry with a forklift on the back, no problem, then had a compete fit at the slow painted on the road!! Horses hey. As for fly spray we make our own out of cittranella and baby oil, which can be slightly embarrasing when going to the supper market. Can't think why we get funny looks buying 3 bottles of baby oil and a bag of carrots. When I try to explain they are for the horse it just seems to make matters worse!!!

Poor old Loki, its seems to be one thing after another for the poor chap at the moment. Can't wait to read a message from you to say he is fit and well and back out being ridden. Has anyone got a hackamore you can use on him before you put him back in a bit. It might just allow you to ride him slighly earlier and give his mouth a long rest before he has a bit in it. Rolo obviously wants to make sure your on your toes, I mean you'd be bored if he behaved himself all the time!! I have had a good week riding Kai, the schooling is going well. She has a favourite trick on the left rein of cantering on the wrong leg. My instructor said I am giving all the right signals as she goes to strike off on the correct leg, but swaps onto the wrong one as she goes into canter!! Today she cantered on the correct lead every time, including on the long side. As for Trigger, I couldn't get anywhere near him the first couple of days, but we have gradually built it up over the week and today he had a brush and a cuddle and ate his feed from my hand. Which is a big improvement for a pony who has learned to stay far enough away that you can't catch him but close enough for you to throw him carrots and bread! He skin is not in great condition so we'll have to keep a close eye on it and he had some mats in his coat which I have cut out. He'll soon look smart.

We had a group if older teenagers turned up at our Christmas dog show. With a couple of staffies in all their studded harnesses and a couple of working lurchers, not quite our usual crowed. But they were all lovely lads. The dogs were so friendly and you could tell how much they thought of their dogs. I had a chat with them after them show as they recognised Gizmo my jack russel from me having in the field with the horses. And they were asking all about the dogs and saying hello to them. Definately made me think, which is a shame we make these judgements about people, but I guess its just natural. I take my dogs the the Metro Centre collecting for Pets as Therapy and it seem to be the people you least expect to love the dogs who are the most enthusiastic. There was a lad who was a typical charva, making a load of noise and came across as quite threatening, he took one look and Gizmo and went all soppy, had to have a cuddle and take a picture with his phone!!

I'm sorry Poppy is not doing well. From me and my 2. Does the vet know what is causing her heart to be enlarged? My Jack Russell Gizmo has 2 congenital heart defects and is on medication twice daily. I rescued him at 6 months and he was in an auwfl state when we got him. He was xrayed, scanned and ECGd when we got him because of a heart murmor. I am very lucky to not only have a fab vet, but one who is a heart specialist. Gizmo copes well most of the time now he is on his beta blockers, we have the odd crisis every now and then where he is on total rest, so I totally understand that one, having to try and rest a year old Jack Russell. The plan was to get him to 3 and then worry about him, he is still going at 3 and goes to his dog training classes and is a pets as theray dog and out for 3 walks a day, he has a great quailty of life and I'm absolutly sure that Poppy does too. Again we are hoping whatever time we have with him he really enjoys. Good luck with her, she's a very luck dog to be so well loved and cared for.