We made a start to the search for a new addition to sadly fill Aria’s stable and help the other two settle again. It was strange looking for another horse, as I haven’t bought one for 11 years, so I felt like a complete novice at it.
The only good thing is I was being more structured when whittling down the ones to view. When we did attend the viewings, I was strict with myself, sticking to my own checklist of what I wanted, and if they didn’t meet the requirements it would be a straight no. However, that didn’t quite go to plan (does it ever?), as out of the horses I viewed the first and second ones, who were both mares with perfect temperaments, ticked all my boxes. I did try a gelding, but sadly he was not as described, and we really did not gel.
Back to the two mares I went. My partner liked the first one and I liked the other – argh! Weighing the two up against each other was so hard as they both had great potential – one was jumping and the other was flat schooled but brave, so it was difficult. In the end, as always, I went with my gut as something inside screamed at me to view the second one again. We did that and then ended up buying her. She arrived six days later on a horrid, wet morning, yet settled straight away.
Welcome to the family, Freya (my partner got to name her), a four-year-old ex-racehorse. I’ve not had a thoroughbred before, so this will be a new learning curve for me. Hopefully, she will retain her calm temperament. Luckily, she is lightly backed, so once I build a bit more condition on her I will proceed with some more ridden flat work alongside the lunge work. She’s already showing promise, as I’ve walked and lunged her over poles and she didn’t bat an eyelid, despite me being told she’s not seen poles before.
The other two seemed elated when she arrived, and Bob was obsessed, even getting zapped twice by the fence when he tried to lean over to say hello. He seems to have settled more since her arrival, as on riding him he’s no longer running round in a panic as he did the last week or so. Autumn showed interest at first, but now seems to have just accepted her into the group, and I think she is happy to have another mare around again.
Although the reason for getting Freya wasn’t planned, I hope she will continue to help the others settle and help me and my partner heal from our loss of Aria. She is an incredibly sweet mare who just wants to please, so I’m looking forward to the future we shall have.
Next stop getting the farrier and saddle fitter out, as I want her to be comfortable before starting full work. Then I want to plan some outings for her, so she gets used to going out and about and doesn’t get too reliant on staying with the others. I’m also going to hopefully arrange a nutritionist to come out as, to be honest, I’m a bit lost as to what feed is best for her, with her being young and still potentially growing slightly, so want to make sure she gets everything she needs. It also doesn’t help that she’s a bit fussy with food . Well, aside from treats and carrots now she knows what they are – I’ve created a monster!
Once again I threw Arlo in at the deep end, affiliating him purely for the Arena UK second round show, and once again he pulled it out the bag. How lucky am I to have such a wonderful little horse? We haven’t really competed this year. I don’t really compete over the winter, and also my horsebox was away for repairs up until the beginning of June, so I had no transport even if I’d wanted to.
With the dry ground we don’t seem to be having much luck with shoes, as little madam managed to pull both her front shoes off within 12 hours the other day! We entered the arena with two shoes on for a schooling session and left it with one missing (took about an hour to find it). Then that afternoon, as I went to put some hoof ointment on, I looked down and had to double take, thinking I was looking at the wrong hoof. But, no, the other shoe was missing too.
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.