Meet Poppy.
my OH and I went to Beeston market last thursday to look (not buy anything) at Jersey cows in the pedigree sale and as I was wandereing around I saw a horse, in a pen, surrounded by cattle, so had to go and look.
She had such a sweet face and calm temperament I was impressed, especially as I don't normally like thoroughbred types (we have a friesian and a haflinger).
I went to the office to ask what the story was and was told she had been bought in the auction the previous day, but not paid for so was left behind. They were going to keep her there, on her own for a fortnight till the next sale. I didn't like the idea of that but was trying to be sensible about it until OH suggested I could buy her to bring on and sell.
So I checked my bank balance and bought her quick before he could change his mind ! She only cost £550
He is just as bad as he then started bidding on cows and got 3 VERY pregnant jersey cows ! We got them all delivered in the same transport and the horse was good as gold.
So I now have a 4 yr old bright bay mare with no name. I got her on remembrance day so called her POPPY. The only info I have is that she came from ireland, is calm in all situations, good in traffic and jumps.(to be taken with a large pinch of salt) I'm guessing she is about 15.2 and a bit thin.
A friend who's husband is a race horse trainer checked her legs and said there were no damaged tendons etc and that she was prob bred for flat racing, failed to make the grade, and was left in a field then sold in a lorry load over here.
I've put this in NH section as that is what I will be doing with her. I've given her a loose box, a thick turnout rug and non heating conditioning feed to try and get some weight on her before turning her out in the field with the other 2.(after careful introductions)
Well, what a sweetheart. I never thought I would fall for a thoroughbred but I am , and so is OH !!
she is so different from our hairy crew. so silky and dainty !
I've started taking in her food but asking her to move back and wait until I invite her in to my space, I have sat with her and let her come over to investigate me,(which she does very gently), I've given her a treat ball with pony nuts in. I've groomed her and can touch her all over, and picked out her feet (good with front but a bit nervy with the back).
There looks to be an old abscess growing out half way down her hoof but I'm getting her shoes taken off and my barefoot lady to see her in 3 weeks.
I don't know what I'm going to do with her in the end but will just spend next few months getting to know her, doing lots of gentle NH (I mix and match various techniques) to set up trust and communication, then take it from there.
Problem is, what if I can't bear to part with her ?? Oh well, time will tell
I will keep you all posted and will prob be asking for your advice along the way.
Oh and of course, here are the photos x
my OH and I went to Beeston market last thursday to look (not buy anything) at Jersey cows in the pedigree sale and as I was wandereing around I saw a horse, in a pen, surrounded by cattle, so had to go and look.
She had such a sweet face and calm temperament I was impressed, especially as I don't normally like thoroughbred types (we have a friesian and a haflinger).
I went to the office to ask what the story was and was told she had been bought in the auction the previous day, but not paid for so was left behind. They were going to keep her there, on her own for a fortnight till the next sale. I didn't like the idea of that but was trying to be sensible about it until OH suggested I could buy her to bring on and sell.
So I checked my bank balance and bought her quick before he could change his mind ! She only cost £550
He is just as bad as he then started bidding on cows and got 3 VERY pregnant jersey cows ! We got them all delivered in the same transport and the horse was good as gold.
So I now have a 4 yr old bright bay mare with no name. I got her on remembrance day so called her POPPY. The only info I have is that she came from ireland, is calm in all situations, good in traffic and jumps.(to be taken with a large pinch of salt) I'm guessing she is about 15.2 and a bit thin.
A friend who's husband is a race horse trainer checked her legs and said there were no damaged tendons etc and that she was prob bred for flat racing, failed to make the grade, and was left in a field then sold in a lorry load over here.
I've put this in NH section as that is what I will be doing with her. I've given her a loose box, a thick turnout rug and non heating conditioning feed to try and get some weight on her before turning her out in the field with the other 2.(after careful introductions)
Well, what a sweetheart. I never thought I would fall for a thoroughbred but I am , and so is OH !!
she is so different from our hairy crew. so silky and dainty !
I've started taking in her food but asking her to move back and wait until I invite her in to my space, I have sat with her and let her come over to investigate me,(which she does very gently), I've given her a treat ball with pony nuts in. I've groomed her and can touch her all over, and picked out her feet (good with front but a bit nervy with the back).
There looks to be an old abscess growing out half way down her hoof but I'm getting her shoes taken off and my barefoot lady to see her in 3 weeks.
I don't know what I'm going to do with her in the end but will just spend next few months getting to know her, doing lots of gentle NH (I mix and match various techniques) to set up trust and communication, then take it from there.
Problem is, what if I can't bear to part with her ?? Oh well, time will tell
I will keep you all posted and will prob be asking for your advice along the way.
Oh and of course, here are the photos x
