...spring is coming...

..the birds are singing, and the boys are happy x

The days are getting longer, and the grass is growing.  All change at WW.   I'm waiting for the land to dry out before I can keep Tom and Henry out 24/7, which is what they like. 

As you can see from the photos, my pasture is going to need a lot of work to get looking and growing beautifully again.

There's still lots of mud about for rolling fun, and the horses are enjoying every moment.  Tom is losing his winter coat now, and though I keep repeating a cautionary note to him and say it still might snow, he's having none of it!

Henry doesn't care either way, as you'd expect.

...mud...

...the snow has melted into a sloppy, slippy bath of mud...
...not to mention the heavens opening up for a great cosmic drenching shower that soaks everything including horses, and those of us with leaks in our wellies!

...the trick is to not be disheartened, I desperately want to harrow and reseed my top two fields, but it's far to mushy out there, and T&H have been using those fields that I would normally shut during winter, because they are the highest ground.  And to avoid them standing all day fetlock-deep in slush, I have had to allow the trashing of my best fields...BUT no mud fever!

another...SPECIAL EDITION

HOOF BOOTS:
...and how we can't live without them...

Like many things in the life of outdoorsy types, the weather can and does effect everyday comings and goings.

The immense amount of rain we've had during this spring and summer has meant the grass has grown, the mud has appeared , turned to dust and appeared again, and hooves have needed attention in ever decreasing time frames. 

So it is I find myself in a horse-related-common-predicament most horse owners will appreciate.  A week earlier than usual, T&H's hooves needed attention, they have just outgrown their shoes very fast.  Happily John had foreseen this and booked Steve early.

BUT, Steve had a 'shoe-and-show' at the East of England Show planned so he was coming Sunday instead of Saturday.  Saturday was nice, but Sunday it chucked it down and I had to concede Steve couldn't come.  By then I was forced myself to remove one of Tom's shoes.  I only do this if it's easy and the fear of damage to the horse is high, Steve would not approve of my technique, but I just can't seem to wield those heavy pliers in one hand, so kneeling down I rest their legs across my lap...and use 2 hands! (don't tell Steve).  Both Tom & Henry stand perfectly still, not tied up whilst I do this too, they are very good boys.

So, by Sunday Tom was hobbling about, his foot now sore, so I put a hoof boot on: size 5.  My favourite is the Easy Boot, I'm buying more once I've finished typing!

Then, and it's Tuesday night, of course drama can't happen here without Henry being involved, it just wouldn't be right, Henry has pulled one of his now loose shoes off somewhere, I still can't find it even with Coco's help, so the smaller hoof boot has gone on him too, size: 4.  One minute hobbling about, the next perfectly comfortable and happy. 

Tom and Henry are not put-off or slowed down by the attachment of hoof boots, so they go about their usual routine with them on.  We have mud here, but the height of the Easy boot covers the pastern and happily the mud isn't that deep...if John Craven is right though, it'll rain for another 3 weeks in all likelihood...note to self, stop watching Countryfile!

I recommend these hoof boots, they really allow the boys to get on with life and I don't worry about their feet getting sore...and of course it stops the horn wearing out more before Steve can get here...hopefully Friday...but who knows, it might still be raining.

UPDATE: 13July
I have ordered more Easyboot Hoofboots for Tom & Henry since they are so very handy, and whilst one pair are in the wash (not sure if you're supposed to put them in the washing machine, but I do), the new ones went on them this morning...I love next day delivery...their feet are all happy waiting for Steve to arrive later today.





I have also ordered some more insoles for them, and these I learn can be varied depending on the needs of your horse.  I simply wanted the common comfort ones replaced that came with the boot since my boys aren't suffering from any affliction, they just have missing shoes BUT after speaking to: URBAN HORSE, I learn there a few different types to suit recovering laminitics or those with hoof and sole damage.  In fact, the girls at URBAN HORSE specialise in all things barefoot & bitless, the natural way.  Give them a call they are very helpful.



...also, John found Henry's missing shoe!!!!!

TCJpart49 Thundery Skies

MUD:

We sometimes complain about bad weather, the rain for example.  But these skies are often a wonderful kaleidoscope of watercolours.  And the light gives a moody effect to photos of horses.  And of course, if you can imagine lovely bays underneath, photos of the horses are actually quite beautiful.

The skies above our village are swirling and churning with weather, clouds of vapour rolling and changing colours from dove white to dark gunmetal.  Thundering in a palette too interesting to leave unnoticed.  The consequence of extreme weathers in particular lots of rain as we have had recently is mud, and of course horses like few things better than rolling about in it.

I use a rubber tipped hairbrush to remove the worst, and a secession of gradually softening bristles of a variety of brushes to get them sparkling again...or, more likely, to make a clean spot to be filled with a more recent application of the wet stuff - I expect it's good for the skin.

I almost had a bit of a tail-trimming disaster too. Stupidly I began a job in the raging wind I was unable to satisfactorily complete in one go since they wandered off in mid-chop...yes, both of them!!  Their tails looked hacked and uneven, and pure-bred Trakehners can only have perfectly Vidal'd tails in my book.  Getting them perfect took a second attempt, and their tails are a little shorter than I usually trim them, but at least they look like dressage stars now, not rocking horses!!

Now, no photo diary of Tom & Henry would be complete without lots of shots of their amazing bums!!  Tom's  bum is all dapples at the moment as you can see, and Henry's, well of course you must recognise it... so rounded and perfect...even covered in mud!!

They love this weather, they both roll a lot.  They pick a perfect spot and take it in turns to smother themselves in earth.

In the opposite camp, the cats stay indoors when it's raining, they have us light the fire, put their snugly blanket out and they curl up with Fergal, their sharky!!

And left here is Fergal, Mum bought him back from her holiday in South Africa.   They love it!