Got back from France yesterday, my 10 days just seemed to fly past! It was great to be back, a bit weird, a lot of small things had changed, yet it kind of felt more or less the way I left it, and like I had never been away. As well as seeing the horses I had a chance to catch up with lots of people, make them jealous with my photos and stories from New Zealand and find out what they'd been up to with their horses... fortunately (and surprisingly!) I hadn't lost any of my French! The only sad thing was the absence of Vegas the golden retriever, who some of you may remember as he has featured so heavily in my photos over the years. Sadly about a month ago he was run over at the yard by the postman's van and died within minutes 
He was the most loveable of dogs and had such a wonderful character and zest for life. It was so strange him not being there.
But on a happier note - I got to see my babies for the first time since December 2015! Went to see Mouse first, who since the end of last year has been on loan to a riding school owned by a friend. Basically the owner says he is AMAZING Apparently he's a rider favourite, and the parents love him, and the instructors think he's the bee's knees because they can use him for everyone. When I went to see him he was out in the field with the other small ponies on a short end-of-summer break, and as I expected there was no excitement on his part, he was just like "oh hi mum, yeah I missed you too, but I've got some eating to do" He humoured me briefly for a few selfies and did let me have cuddles if I sat on the hay so he could eat at the same time It was just lovely to see him so happy and hear how popular he is with everybody. Plus he's lost weight from the regular work, his feet have toughened up and been able to stay unshod, and his sweet itch has improved so much he is actually able to go out without his rug in the middle of the day. They are happy to keep him for as long as I want, so although I'd love him with me he's going to stay put for now, it's doing him good to have a job!
Annie is still in her original loan home and also doing well. Again there was not much of a "reunion" at our reunion as she has never been one to show affection in the field, though she did at least lift her head and walk towards me which is more than can be said for Mouse Her loaner was using her for hacking and lessons and having a great time, but she's been unable to ride for most of this year after major surgery so Annie has just been hanging out with her buddies and babysitting the occasional foal. She was so relaxed and settled, which made me feel great because she used to be such a stress head!
He was the most loveable of dogs and had such a wonderful character and zest for life. It was so strange him not being there.But on a happier note - I got to see my babies for the first time since December 2015!
Went to see Mouse first, who since the end of last year has been on loan to a riding school owned by a friend. Basically the owner says he is AMAZING Apparently he's a rider favourite, and the parents love him, and the instructors think he's the bee's knees because they can use him for everyone. When I went to see him he was out in the field with the other small ponies on a short end-of-summer break, and as I expected there was no excitement on his part, he was just like "oh hi mum, yeah I missed you too, but I've got some eating to do" He humoured me briefly for a few selfies and did let me have cuddles if I sat on the hay so he could eat at the same time It was just lovely to see him so happy and hear how popular he is with everybody. Plus he's lost weight from the regular work, his feet have toughened up and been able to stay unshod, and his sweet itch has improved so much he is actually able to go out without his rug in the middle of the day. They are happy to keep him for as long as I want, so although I'd love him with me he's going to stay put for now, it's doing him good to have a job! Annie is still in her original loan home and also doing well. Again there was not much of a "reunion" at our reunion as she has never been one to show affection in the field, though she did at least lift her head and walk towards me which is more than can be said for Mouse
Her loaner was using her for hacking and lessons and having a great time, but she's been unable to ride for most of this year after major surgery so Annie has just been hanging out with her buddies and babysitting the occasional foal. She was so relaxed and settled, which made me feel great because she used to be such a stress head! 
