A Stable Life for Me

The big day came! I was to have my own  tack room, hay barn, pasture and stable - and living with lots of new horses!

Debbie had put a deposit on a nice blue checked stable rug for me.

Sam had been busy preparing my stable.

A nice bank of dust-free shavings for me to sleep on, and a hay rack full of hay.

A bucket for my water, and an old tyre to stop me kicking it over!

A hay-net full of hay.

My tack-room was nicely stocked with things I would be needing for my first few days.

Including a box full of tasty treats - carrots and apples -  for me and my  new friends!

Once everything was ready, Sam had a rest in my tackroom, and a quick bite to eat before bringing me into my new home for the evening.

This was what I saw as Sam led me into the barn. 

How lovely, I would have friends to keep me company at night too!

I could see my tack-room from my stable door.

That evening I met my new best friend, Dylan.

I WAS A VERY HAPPY PONY!

Cheeky? Who? Me?

I enjoyed being in my field, and after Sam bought me a lovely new rug, I felt very posh indeed!

This is what happened one day in my field...

"Ah good, you're here. There is poo in the field. This field. Right here, see??? Come along, quickly woman! Yes, yes, bring that shovel!"

1, 2, 3, ... 11, 12, 13, ... yes, yes, I think you have them all!!!

'sniff', 'sniff' ... hmmm ... well it certainly smells better...

Hmmm ... nom ... nom ... nom nom nom!!

What do I think? ...

Now I can do THIS!!!

Without getting POO on my new rug!!!

Ooooooh! Thats better!

Oh yes! VERY satisfactory!

Don't forget, this needs doing REGULARLY!

I'll soon have her trained! Muahahahahaha!!!!

Cheeky? Me? Whatever gave you that idea?!

Red Letter Day

I had been at the riding school for a week, and my old owner returned to see if the school wanted to buy me.

Sam and Debbie had arrived early to wait for them.

The lady from the riding school explained that she didn't want to buy me, but that one of her volunteer grooms did.

My old owner agreed to sell me, and my passport was exchanged.

He was sorry to see me go - he told Debbie I was a 'cracking pony', - but he was happy I was going to a good home.

But not as happy as us! I don't know who was happiest - Debbie, Sam or me!

Sam was now officially my new 'Forever-Mummy'
I was VERY happy!

Field Day

Once the farrier had trimmed my hooves and advised on treating my split frogs, I was allowed to go into my temporary pasture at the riding school.

The lady from the riding school lent me a rug to keep me warm and dry, and said I could use a field near the pony stables.

After grooming me, Sam led me out to the field with my new head collar and leading rope.

I had the whole field to myself!
I was so excited I didn't notice my sore feet as I bucked and galloped and rolled in glee!

Then I noticed some other horses in a field nearby, so I went to say hello.

I didn't stay clean for very long, but it didn't matter - I was a VERY happy pony!

Hoof Care

When the farrier came, I was on my best behaviour.

Sam and Debbie stood with me, talking to me to reassure me, while the farrier trimmed my hooves and checked them over.

He said I had several problems, but these could be put right with a little care and attention, and gave Sam lots of advice.

HOOF CARE TOP TIPS

There were indications that I may be laminitic because of the prominent white line in my hoof, and he recommended that I see him again in 5 weeks for another trim, and so that he could monitor my progress.

One of my hooves had a split frog, and he recommended that Sam packed the split with sterile cotton wool drenched in Tea Tree and Eucalyptus oils, which would heal it and keep infection out.

He also noticed that my soles were bruised and suspected that these were concussion injuries caused by trotting on hard surfaces - roads - for long periods of time. He said that field rest would help the bruising.

Debbie bought me some liniment to help with my muscular aches and pains as well as my sore tendons. 

I was being spoilt!

No Hoof, No Horse

Before I could do anything else, I had to see the Farrier.
My hooves were long, and in poor condition.

After watching me being ridden briefly on the trial at the school, and watching me walk, the riding school owner put me on box rest.

Everyone was worried that I may have Laminitis

Laminitis (Founder) is a very serious condition, this video by World Horse Welfare, shows the early signs of Laminitis. (opens in new link)

Recognising the early signs of Laminitis

Luckily, the Farrier was due to come to the riding school just three days after my arrival, and he agreed to take a look at me.

Then came the next dilemma...

I had no shoes on. I was a 'barefoot' pony.

Nobody knew if I'd been farrier-trained - if I would be well-behaved and allow the farrier to pick up my feet without kicking him - but everyone knew I HAD to see the farrier.

Between Homes

Debbie and Sam had both fallen in love with me, and wanted to give me a forever home.
It wasn't just buying me, they wanted to be sure that they could keep me, and provide everything I needed too.
Debbie had made some savings, enough to buy me, (which wasn't very much) and Sam knew lots about horses so was more than able to look after me properly.

Sam had been 'loaning' a 5 year old, 18hh Irish Sports horse, Stilton, that she had trained so well while he was in her care, that his owners had decided to sell him to a competition stables where he could be trained to a much higher level, and fulfil his potential.  

With Stilton leaving, Sam could afford to cover what she called my 'running costs'.

Now it was just a question of where they could keep me.

Sam spoke to the lady who ran the riding school and livery, and was told a livery space would be available in two weeks - but that she could let us use a field and a rug until then. She had begun her career by rescuing a pony herself, and so was more than happy to help.

As soon as Sam knew that she could definitely keep me, she went out and bought me all these things.

My very own grooming kit, a water bucket, a head collar, a hay net, a leading rope and of course, some treats!

Everything was ready for me to move into my temporary pasture, but before I could go I had to see the Farrier to get my sore feet looked at, so that night I stayed in a riding school stable.