Rain Rain...

Rain rain go away,
Come again another day.
Little Johnny wants to play;
Rain, rain, go to Spain,
Never show your face again!

Well I wish it would go away! We seem to have had week after week of rain now and everything is constantly wet, the dogs, the ponies and especially the paddocks. Even the wood chip is too wet for Mr C to be turned out on at the moment so the poor boy is having to stay in.  He doesn't seem to mind but the movement and blood flow is great for healing, a few hours pottering around a paddock would be ideal but we just can't risk him slipping and hurting himself again.

He is behaving very well being led out in hand each day, bar trying to drag me over to every green clump of grass to stuff his face! His feet are toughening up more each walk and he loves standing at the edge of the fields looking out at everything going on.

His clicker training is ongoing and I will try to get some more videos soon, in the meantime here is a photo of him enjoying a rare spot of sunshine- what a handsome ponio he is! 

Naughty moments

My lovely boy decided to be a total monkey last week. He has been going out in the big wood chip paddock and happily pottering with Rambo or munching hay. Last week he decided he was feeling a little fresh and went out there and had a hooley with Rambo! Running around and bucking was NOT helpful to his healing and rehab grrr!

Luckily he was easy to catch and followed me back in the stable, meanwhile Ram wanted the game to continue so cantered circles around Carats bucking and head shaking, it was quite funny but worried me with Mr C.

Since then I have not turned him out there much, only when I can watch him carefully in case he is feeling fresh but each time he has popped out there so far he has just pottered with Rambo or had a roll, so far so good!

He has also been a bit footsore, the farrier is coming next week but I have started trying to walk him out on harder surfaces but not pushing him for too much pace at the moment as it huts his feet. Instead we have been playing shadowing games on the flat concrete and he has been really enjoying that. The idea is that he has to pay total attention to me while leading and match my pace. I walk really slowly and he has to copy me then I might stop and he does too, then we speed up, slow down etc etc. He definitely had fun with this today.

My boy is doing really well and is still totally chilled about the box rest, just a mega dude- I hope it continues!

Farewell 2013: Eyes Forwards!

So I have bid goodbye to 2013 and looking back over the year its been an interesting one for me. Of course Carats came into my life and I had the most wonderful few months riding him, arriving in May was wonderful timing as we had day after day of good weather. We did dressage, SJ a little xc and even a fun ride. We walked, trotted, cantered, galloped and jumped. I started to get to know my boy. Of course I then got the news about his PSD but far from this being the end it was just the beginning of our new adventure.

Since moving yards I have been able to be much more involved in his care, I adore seeing his naughty, nosey face every morning. I love learning more about my lad and being in a situation that allows me to do so. He is a huge character, he is cheeky and pushy sometimes but has an incredibly sweet side and when he grants me with one of his nuzzles I can't help but smile.

We have now finished the shockwave therapy and start the long rehab road. Who knows what 2014 holds, he may never be sound enough to gallop through the countryside again but I have hope for him yet. My ginger boy is a fighter and I pray I can help him on his way.

Although I no longer sit on your back, we ride out with our souls. Love you my ginger boy x