A month late, I know, but after a very rocky January (explained in my previous blog) I was ready to set some goals. It is all change around here. Although a lot of it is really positive, some of it really hasn’t been, and it has all been quite mentally taxing.
As the title suggests, it’s been a quiet few weeks for me and the ponios. The weather has scuppered all plans of going hunting, much to my dismay, but it’s just far too deep and muddy for me to risk Arlo’s legs. When will it stop raining?! Please?!
We have some very sad news to share from our yard: sadly, on 7 February I got up to the yard to find Aria unusually not calling or waiting for her breakfast.
Valentine’s Day is said to be when the birds find their mates and secret admirers declare their love to the object of their desire. It is also traditionally the date that marks the breeding season for horses.
Sorry if you now have the early Nineties track stuck in your head! For most people, Januarys are for “new year, new you” quotes, resolutions and goals for the year. Sadly, for me, it has been more about surviving the month.
I think the physio was relieved when she arrived and was told it was just Autumn and Bob she was treating! I’m sure I saw a flicker of fear when she saw Aria was on the yard too, but she was safe from having to treat her this time.
Back in 2022 during a routine tooth inspection, Lord Ben, my veteran ex-racer, was diagnosed with EOTRH, and I knew it was a time bomb on Ben being able to keep eating. With regular dental and pain management, Ben spent nearly two years living life to the full and retired in April 2023 due to his increasing blindness.
It seemed rather odd this year to be celebrating the official birthday for just one pony. Diva (Melland Queen of Scots) is now seven years old, though her actual birthday is not until July. Seven years old! How did that happen? It seems like a blink of an eye since she arrived as a little yearling. She has grown into a beautiful mature mare and her character has also developed along the way.
It’s easy to forget how important it is to manage our fields. We often see them as just turnout but grass isn’t just grass, fertiliser isn’t just fertiliser and winters seems to last six months of the year. What is important to remember is that, no matter how good your planning, the Great British weather will try its hardest to ruin all and any plans.