The Not-So-Secret Diary of Diva the Shetland Pony - Floof!
18/04/2024Diva (Melland Queen of Scots) usually gets her summer coat quite early compared to other horses and ponies, but this year she has been holding onto hers for a lot longer.
So I did it, a slight impulse buy, but i'm so pleased. I have had Travis for 3 years now and in 25 years of horses, he is honestly my horse of a lifetime, he makes me smile and proud to own him every single day HOWEVER/BUT he really is hard work!
I mean he spooks at everything, regularly colics, he doesn't travel too well, he doesn't stand tied up, he doesn't hack, he doesn't jump, has taken 3 solid years to do a comfortable canter, he is not a pick up put down horse, he definitely doesn't meet the criteria of "all rounder" and he most definitely HAS vices.
So here I am with a new horse, one that will jump, hack, travel, stand still, friends can hop on, I can pick up and put down.... I hope!.... So, actually I bought an ex-racer, who hasn't been sat on for a few months and not really done anything for 18 months! Luckily and so far, he travels well, stands well tied up, hasn't spooked at anything, and has let me have 3 quiet rides in a open field, so I would say, so far, so good!
Hopefully a winter of light work to up the weight and fitness and by spring, I will have the all rounder I wanted! And if he isn't quite all that, then at least he can't be harder than owner Travis, Right?!
Welcome to the family Beniamino aka Beanie, 8 yrs old, 16hh ex Point to Point Racer from Ireland!
Diva (Melland Queen of Scots) usually gets her summer coat quite early compared to other horses and ponies, but this year she has been holding onto hers for a lot longer.
Is it spring yet? It’s been teasing us the last few days, going from a few dry days when I could walk across most of the field and it felt like spring, to heavy downpours, including hail, which reverted the field back to a quagmire. I didn’t let it put me off too much, though, and I’ve now managed to get all three horses back into work! Eek!
I can’t believe it has only been just over two weeks since Freya arrived! She’s kept her calm temperament, although does have her cheeky moments with her being a baby, and now discovering what treats are (my own fault!).
Following on from the previous blog, Diva and I were taking part in a clinic held by Lisa Dixon of Freelance Equine – Trick Training and Horsemanship at Truesdale Equestrian Centre.