Ahhhh, the joys of Spring!

Turning out this morning was very peaceful, mainly because the delinquent Haflinger went out first, and was occupied with grass nuts. Faith was calmer than yesterday, she let me put her headcollar on over the stable door, and didn’t get herself in a tiz when I led Tommy out. There was also a small further improvement on the snatching away when the headcollar came off.

Tilly and Tommy are totally comfortable now with letting Faith into their space. In fact, I was just thinking how wonderful those two have been. They seem to have really taken Faith under their wings, and are showing genuine affection for her.

As it is my day off on Thursdays I normally retreat to bed after turning the horses out at 6am, and John and I do the mucking out mid morning. So John and I were wheeling our barrows up the railway line to dispose of some old hay, mine full of hay, his little mini barrow full of a racing car and a plastic zebra. Faith was absolutely entranced by John. She floated to the fence in a beautiful trot, and followed us on her side of the fence up the railway line, never taking her eyes off John.

As she was trotting around with her tail in the air, I noticed that she was winking and dribbling a bit, so I guess that she is coming into season. Poor Tommy looks exhausted from following her around, and he has resorted to just standing and watching her while sighing deeply. Faith then galloped back to the other end of the field, putting in a few impressive fly bucks for good measure. She is eerily quiet when she gallops. My other two make a thundering noise when running, but with Faith, it is more of a whisper. She is just so inexpressibly beautiful, she just makes my heart sing!

While I was doing the mucking out, Faith would not leave us alone. She hung over the field gate for about half an hour watching what we were doing, and possibly hoping for a bit of carrot. Then she got fed up with that, and wandered off to join the other two.

I’m thinking that she might be a little bit bored, so am considering putting Tommy’s toy box in the field, or possibly getting a Jolly ball for her. Hmmmm, we shall see.

Everyone was as good as gold bringing in tonight, and I wanted to do a little bit of work on Faith’s feet. Now I know that Faith is fine to have her feet picked up, and has seen the farrier regularly, but as with everything, it is a case of new place and new people to get used to, so, I am taking the slowly slowly approach, and not making assumptions.

I wanted to work with her loose in the box so that she could move away if she wanted to, and not feel constrained in any way. So I started off as we always do, with a little chat, and find out which itchy groomy spot is particularly itchy and groomy. Once I was sure she was relaxed, I just ran my hand down her leg and asked for ‘up Faith’, which is the cue her breeder taught her. The first attempt was successful, if brief, and I gave her a piece of carrot and a scratch.

So we carried on like this until I was able to lift both feet, and rub my palm over the sole for a few seconds, with Faith getting a bit of carrot after each attempt. Once or twice she moved back from me, and I just took a step away from her and took a really passive stance. Each time she came to fetch me back, and we had a wither scratch before making another attempt at foot lift. I only did front feet tonight, and ended on a positive note.

Faith’s feet are a little long, so my farrier is coming on Wednesday evening to give them a trim. He is a lovely, lovely chap, and very patient, but I do so want it to be a positive experience for Faith. I am also hoping over the weekend to be able to work with her in the yard, so that that becomes familiar territory as well.