...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.

...log-in...

...the boredom-breaker issue...

With the weather unspeakable, the paddocks like a swamp and very little riding to be had, is it any wonder our horses might need some added amusement. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hay, of course plays a huge part of Tom & Henry's life, I make certain there's always enough fresh hay to last the whole day.  I don't weigh or measure it, just ad-lib.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Horses love to graze,  which means moving and eating.  so simply putting hay in a single place isn't good enough if your attempting a natural set-up.  Haynets - small holed and normal, hay racks, and 4 Haybars all play a part in my boys daytime feeding routine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More: added to these I have some Jimmy's Hanging balls situated under the eves of the stable.  Tom & Henry LOVE these.  We hung these up at Xmas, only replacing them recently, they last ages, and are a welcome addition to the 'graze' set up I have in the yard.  the boys can wander around the area and find all sort of things to do: eat, chew, lick, bite and play.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Logs:  we had trees down in the storm, so cut into pieces John has been leaving them in the yard for Tom & Henry to de-bark before they go in the splitter.

 

They LOVE them.  often spending 10 minutes at a time chewing the bark off, kicking them around the yard and playing with them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There's some grass too, and they really wander and graze all over the place, in and out of their fields and yard, to find something new or different to work on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I try to remember in the wild horses would move for many miles in one day, chewing on branches and lots of different grasses.  I am just trying to replicate this as much as I am able.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course, large green plastic bins are not part of this 'natural lifestyle'  but they amuse nonetheless!!!

 

 

 

...the Love Edition.....

Happy Valentines Day...
     from Tom & Henry x

...fun with the 'green bin'....

Trakehners!
...and how they're extra special.

At muck out time, I wheel my green bins into the yard, and this is when the hilarity begins.

It's been raining here since October, so every time we get a deluge, we flood, not indoors, but outside.  So the boys are looking for any distraction from sloshing about in the wet mud.  Hence, this 'bin sequence'.

...ponies in space.....

Tom & Henry: and the TARDIS episode.
...fed up with the weather, well the TARDIS has it all - grazing all year round, in all weathers,  a fresh water running stream, it has it own woodland and of course Henry is in there too, he was just to busy to come to the door!  He was looking for his organic carrot storage.

..back in the habit...

...let's get riding...

We've had a great break during the 'winter' which turned out to be mild, very very wet and windy - and not at all suitable for getting on board, especially if you have a Trakehner - you'll know what I mean x.  

But since spring seems to be coming, lets make an effort to reconnect with our seat, and get riding again.  No excuses!

Start slow, and short.  Nothing high energy or tricky, or that could unnerve you or your horse.  

Dribble feed, remember the scenery will have changed since you were last a team out there in the scary world, the trees are bare - he'll be able to see right through at grazing sheep for eg.  The farmer might have trimmed his boundary, there'll be people cycling and dog walking too if the day is nice.

Your horse will need time to adjust too, especially if he's been out of work for a few months, there's nothing wrong with that, but don't jump on and try and start where you left off, be cool and calm.  if you're in a rush - leave riding for another day, there's nothing wrong with that either.

If your worried at all, keep your ride short, don't overstretch yourself or your horse, end always on a positive note, come back safe and sound.  

Make your rides a little longer each time, and add some slow trotting.  I like transitionals on the road - walk - sitting trot - rising trot - and repeat, it keeps your horse engaged and starts building up both your fitness.  ...and oh, do my leg ache the next day x

If I feel my horse is a little sharp and energetic on a particular day, I take him on my 'safe' ride, we all have them. It's just around the block, a simple circuit where nothing too scary happens (until the day it does!).  Progress as you feel ready, don't let anyone push you beyond your comfort zone, ride alone if necessary - I do.

Have a great start to the season - be safe - wear hi-viz always.  Remember, recent studies showed drivers spot the horses legs first - so put hi-viz wraps around all 4 legs too.  ...and the yellow is 0.3seconds faster to spot than the pink!

keep your tack in excellent condition, make sure all the straps and leathers are safe, you don't want to be in a tricky situation and your stirrup leather come off!!