2020 hasn't quite got off to the start anyone would want.
All Christmas I have been battling a really bad case of Uveitis with Beanie and unfortunately he never recovered.
His condition left too much irreversible damage to ever be ridden again, but then I noticed a huge change in his personality.
He was dropping weight very quickly, he started to stumble regularly, and would tentatively walk everywhere.
He wouldn't run or play with the others, he had completely lost his spark, his ears were always back, and he no longer wanted fuss or attention.
I knew in my heart what decision needed to be made, and I was reassured by my vets that I was absolutely making the right decision.
He has been a huge loss to the family, and summed up perfectly by my trainer "He has the heart of a lion".
After having a long wait and some lunch at the onsite café, it was time to get ready for the Joan Wolfe Overall Supreme Shetland Pony Championship. I got changed out of my usual showing outfit into black trousers and a maroon top with white spots, as you are expected to be a bit more “bling” in the evening.
We were all set to go for our next outing, and were super excited. That was until I heard the dreaded clunk of a loose shoe! I checked it over, praying it wasn’t too loose, but, nope, it was going to need a refit.
This show almost passed me by as I was unaware of the show organisation. Luckily, the schedule was posted on one of the Shetland pony Facebook groups that I am a member of. The show was being held at Onley Grounds Equestrian Complex, which is where I should have gone to a show a month or so earlier, but was ill and unable to take Diva (Melland Queen of Scots).
Since the show, Bob’s been enjoying a bit of a rest with a few lunge sessions and being lightly ridden, but I’m gearing him up hopefully for a show either this weekend or next. Wish us luck, and the poor arena pole pickers too, as he does like to send some sailing!