Our Gang 2013.........

Lemme

Lemme

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2008
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East Yorkshire
1st January - the Sun shone, cold - no rain and the land is drying out- about bl88dy time:smile:

The girls are out on the hill - much cleaner today - managed a couple of pics of them - they are happy enough - filthy - very hairy and well out of shape - its not all fat - honest !

I am going to make an effort to get a photo of each of them at least once a month so the change in shape and condition can be seen as the weather /seasons change (ever hopeful it will)
 

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so now to the boys -

Charlie's face swelling has gone down and hair growing back over scrape nicely
he had feet trimmed on Saturday and farrier is pleased with them - hes not had any work just turnout since mid November - really need to start getting him fit - lets hope the weather holds - hes to go out showing again this year - got his jabs mid Jan and we need to get him back in the trailer as hes havinh his Height certificate prob February and will have to travel for that

Acorn - very fluffy and as not getting work just turnout again is going to need fittening up ready for April - tried his new saddlepad today and its perfect fit - girth fits but won't once hes show fit it will be too big- so need to get a new one on order,had his feet trimmed Saturday and alls well:bounce:

here are their pics from tonight - so not best but will give something to compare February with.
 

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a fairley quite start to the new year for us - a break in the weather has meant the water has drained - the boys hill paddocks are still wet in places but we put them ot on Saturday morning and brought them back upto the yard tonight- they have had some quality time out to run around and where welcomed by the girls - this is first access to any real grass ( very little in paddocks) for 6 weeks so didn,t want them out on it any longer as its mild and what there is is very green for this time of year - they wher both very active and full of energy trotting all the way up to the field from the yard and just as active coming back in tonight - Acorn seemed very pleased to see his stable and the hay!
Its been foggy all day today and damp = they were not as muddy as I expected but what there is will clean off overnight in the shavings.

Girls are both okay, Nuts enjoyed a good skratch tonight at feed time not like her, although she tends to get affectionate if the boys are out.
thats all for this week - must finish getting the christmas trimmings down now - 12th night an all that!

Worming due this week so she might not be too keen on me after that!

Acorns new pad has arrived just waiting for a smaller girth for it - then we can start work.

Frost forcast later in week - just hope it stays dry so no ice rinks again, looks like winter may be coming in over next few weeks and maybe some of the white stuff- this current mild weather I suspect is just a tease!
 
well its cold but dry so not complaining - been able to get the boys out for a walk today - they loved it - Council have footpath up round the village so we have ramps,barriers and road signs all over so good for getting Charlie used to them - he was a good boy and was rater bemused when Acorn went through the cones an signs onto the foorpath then down the ramp and through the barrier footway and then back up another ramp and cones and signs - Acorn as usual just did as he was asked - nothing much phases the little man I was well pleased with him - we are going to see if Charlie will follow him through the obsticals tomorrow - we need him to be as bombproof as he can be so just have to get him on with it.

Girls are both fine - Nuts has her jabs on Tuesday subject to me catching her after 2 months on 3 acres so I have been getting her used to be handled whilst having her bucket - failing that carrot usually works - I cut them out of her diet as she had then wverday before I got her - they re only a treat now.

have field to muck out this afternoon whilst I have some daylight - still dark am & pm when I am up at moment but it is starting to get a bit lighter on a night now.

Worming this weekend.

boys are having theirs at same time.
 
Thanks T, we have had Jabs today - courtesy of Snow and Ice Nuts was done in the field, she was a good girl, Tess on the otherhand was a pain - shes not due her jabs but in true stressy mare form decided as soon as she saw the headcollar go on Nuts that her field buddy was not going anywhere, cue her trying to shoo her off on the lead - I managed to getNuts into the small paddock, leaving Tess in control of the larger paddock between us and the gate! the vet arrived and sat outside the field waiting for me as he didn't know I was there, so I had to leave Nuts in small paddock, leaving Tess to escort me out of the other paddock so I could get him, at this point its snowing heavens high - enter the Vet - Tess too one look and then escorted him to Nuts and stood guard - Nuts saw vet and walked off lucklily carrotts have desired effect - job done no problem - then I have to get Vet out of paddock - no problem there as Tess kindly escorted him - Nuts galloped off as soon as I let her back through - Vet at this point said he didn't think Shetlands moved that fast and was quite bemused at it all - she relaxed once we both went out of the gate.
I did explain that its the I am not being left on my own syndrome - Its not Nuts - she will quite happily let Nuts leave providing one of the boys is left with her - he then went upto the yard to jab the boys I think expecting the usual calmness- wrong ! daughter was dealing with the boys. When I got to the yard he had left evidently Charlie took one look and decided he wasn't having any - rearing and quite defensive, eventually he got it in the chest - he obviously remebered the vet and the neck but the vet quitely worked on his chest and then jabbed without Charlie realising - he spent some time with him and they where BF when he left. Not to be outdone Acorn decided he would give daughter a game of run around the stable - catch me if you can - she had premted this and had put headcollar on, of course once caught then no problems - he justs likes the chase - vet had a good laugh at him. So it was quite a visit for vet.
Parting shot is that Charlie is having his Height certicate hopefullu Feb - vet thinks he may have to be Micro chipped - if so he is leaving sedalin for us to pick up when we book in just in case he is having an off day! Last year Charlie was an angel and Acorn was def taking the Mick with daughter the little:poop:

The only one showing any manners today was Nuts bless her.

Its a good job we love em.
 
Well the Saga continued, Got upto the field this morning to feed the Girls,
called them, could see them in the dark on the hill but not coming down, very unusual as they likes there food -went up and on way it became evident there was a problem - no electric fence:poop::help: I could see Nuts hovering around and moving but Tess was stood stock still - went up to her and found she had 3 strands of rope wrapped round her tail and back leg- lucky the old girl has very thick feathers and it was rope and not tape- it took me 15 minutes to release her under torchlight, she stood calmly through this - I then picked up her breakfast and walked up the field then asked her to walk to me, she then did as she was told, no sign of any lameness and definately no cuts or abrasions - one very lucky Girl! it toook me another 15 minute to get all the poles up and ropes which where pulled over 1/2 length of field put the fencing back up around one end of the middle paddock so I could get all the posts and ropes behind it so they could not get to it.

Not sure how long she had been stood like this as it was overnight, Nuts had stayed with her - they both got an extra big pile of hay each which I left them heartily tucking into. They both came down to the hay fine which I was releived - I am hoping thats the end of it now.

couldn't feel any swelling but obviously stood in freezing snow she got immediate cold therapy if she needed it.

I will give her a check over tonight to make sure shes fine and secure the fencing again if needs be - a big fencing job for me at the weekend and snow forcast! I am just thankful all seems well.
 
No more problems relating to the Tess v Rope episode yesterday, shes moving fine, The weather is an ars* , we have no water at the field or in the yard, so ferrying from the house - the girls are white over with frost, had to take 2 large ice balls off the end of Nuts tail this morning, will have to rough trim some off tonight to stop it again - snow so deep that it just fans over it and collects and then freezes. other than that they are happy to get the feed and a few flaps of hay morning and night to keep them going, you can see odd places where they have tried digging for grass but the snow is frozen.

The boys are in today, they had full day out yesterday but its rock hard and rutty in places, trying to avoid bruising and associated problems , its to snow tomorrow so will put them out during the day , looks as though Saturday is going to be a challenge snow wise, but at least fresh snow is kinder on the feet.
 
am I glad to be indoors at last, its blowing a bitter icy wind and just awaiting the arrival of the snow we are supposed to get tonight - the boys are bedded down for the night, the wind blows straight in over Acorns door - he is not hapy - but he tends t0 snuggle down round the corner out of it - Charlie is a total wimp and now sports a stable sheet over night - the faces he pulls when the rugs are swapped are grumpy to say the least!
left the girls with their backs to the wind munching on their hay - they are in for a wild night - if they have any sense they will tuck under the hedge for the night. Tess now sports white feathers again - one benefit of being in knee high snow for last few days - Nuts tends to follow in her wake making the snow run easier - we had a frost free night last night which was a pleasant suprise but expect tonight is going to make up for it - got more hay in over the weekend and plenty of feed left so no worries on that score - water freezing has been a big issue but nothing new.
 
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What a weird week - weather wise - started off with the ice and freezing, overnight Friday into Saturday 12" of snow, all gone Sunday - in place we had floods - this morning Skating Rink! challenging to say the least. I have managed to get 3 barrow loads of :poop: out of the girls field on Sunday afternoon - took 3 times as long thanks to lakes, rivers and soggyness! tbh it has hardly made a dent in the ammount of :poop: there is! mortified I usually poo pick twice a day - just hate it stood around.

They were all due to have feet trimmed on Saturday, in the end only the boys got done as to try and do the girls on the hill in a foot of snow was never gonna happen, we will have to re arrange for them, had a look at feet yesterday and not too much growth so they will go another week or two no problem.

Boys are in today as they are shooting again, they beat up the side of their small paddock which makes them tear about - so its to save the paddock as much as anything - its trashed enough and full of water(ice this morning).

Girls are fine and Nuts has lower limbs again - seems strange have not seen much of them for last week. Both have been snow cleansed although I am sure that will change back to a mud pack by the end of this week, more rain to come.

Still not been able to do any work proper with the boys - hoping we can start next weekend, need to start getting them ready for show season.
 
Here we are beginning of February and the weather has really played havoc with our plans - we had frost this morning which was a pain - we have been working in torch light all week at the yard - but we have light tday!
The girls are back in the winter field and off the acres they where on due to the flooding - grass has grown little so no attempts from Tess yet to get back into the acres. Both girls are fine and are due there feet trimmed next week- having being rearranged due to the snow.

The boy6s are still up at the yard - Acorns half od the turnout is fine, Charlie has churched his up a bit so will have to sort that out once they goback on the hill grazing.

Emma came over yesterday and spent some time helping muck out and feeding the boys - she sat on Acorn in the fpaddock - no tack but holding onto his mane - despite prompting and gentle kick persuassion the little so and so was not for playing although she did get once small circle of walk when he turned round to see what Charlie was up to - she did some practising getting off with out tack - still needs a leg up as shes tiny and hasn't quoite got the bouce without the stirrup to help.

Charlie suprised us she spent some time with him (not in field but over fence)
he can be a little nippy at times but he was completely chilled out with her so got a lot of pats, strokes and kisses - rewarded with handfuls of extra hay - the boy is growing up.

Today we put the trailer on, cleaned it out and got a load of hay in - think we will need it with fresh cold spell forcast - we decided whilst out and empty we would try Charlie with loading - its 16 months since he was last in it due to being off since show season 2011 - he stepped on the ramp first time and stopped - so Daughter pushed him back down turned him round and back up and he went straight in - stood in the middle and then calmy walked out when asked - a good pat and a treat - took him in and out a further twice - no problems at all. took his boots off , at which point he turned round and loaded himself stood in the box and had a good sniff round - daughter collected him and led him out . He got an extra treat for being a little star.

so after spending best part of 2 years getting him loading for the 2011 season and nearly as long off - we shouldn't have worried - he has obviously decided its fine!

we are going to take him for a small trip out next weekend weather permitting
and then book his height cert appointment which we have to travel to.

Acorn is fast loosing his hair and Tess has now decided to start with hers- Nuts is still hanging onto hers and Charlie didn't have much to start with, Shedder for Acorn now - Tess will have to shed naturally until weather improves with living out -don't want to start stripping her out yet.
 
Up and down week with the weather but the white stuff has held off so a plus..the fields are still sodden and we have had sharp frosts but today we managed to get the boys out for a walk - both good as usual - Charlie is good now and we take the time to school whilst out in hand - plent of stops/stand to walk - trot and back - swapping leads etc - they are listening and ready for work - Acorn is getting the shedder every day now as the hair is coming out well - Charlie didn't have much and has not started yet - the girls are fine and full of it. they should have had trim yesterday but farrier couldn't make it so they are booked in with boys in 2 weeks now.

We finaly got round to weigh tape and worming -

Acorn 155 kg spot on
Charlie 265kg spot on

both boys just need work and muscle build up now for the season.

The girls on the otherhand -

Nuts - 220kg - needs to be down to about 18o kg --
Tess - 430kg -needs to be down to around 390/400kg

both have thick woolly coats so have taken that into account - Nuts looks good - Tess a bit of a belly - need some work and toning - they are out 24/7
only hay when frost or snow down - have restricted their access to ammount of grazing so we will see how they go, will measure again when feet done and see how doing - fat club is now open for these 2.
roll on better weather and lighter mornings and nights so we can get them all back into work proper.

Nuts is 2" smaller than Acorn but longer - a much heavier build all round - much more bone - I will ba happy if I can get her down to 180kg - still 25kg more than Acorn but she would look poor if I tried her down to his weight.
Hes kept a bit lighter due to having had lammi, being shorter backed helps with his look for showing- fortunately he has excellent confirmation despite his feet and leg issues over the years.

looking forward now to getting them show fit and Emma back out riding - just waiting for girth for Acorns new pad and then I might get on- bum will fit pad- in 12" saddle I am in wrong place and position to be effective or safe!
I don't bounce well now so even bigger incentive to make sure I am not dumped!
 
well after a funny start to the week we now have a fairly quiet spell - coldish nights (not too frosty) bright sunny days the flood we had mid week is slowly drying up and the boys have gone out 24/7 today for a few days - to give them some needed running space and to let the top paddock rest a little - its good yo see them out - not much grass growth but will put them some hay in am & pm to give them some balance as they have not been on grass to speak of since November - weight wise they are spot on - they will not get a rug to make sure they use what they get - walking out once a day to build up fitness now - I say walk - there were that excited when they realised they wergoing out we had a very energetic jog all the way.

The girls are both fine - not much else happened - they are all to be timmed next weekend - first show dates are now in the diary so we are now preparing fitness .

the girls badly in need of a tail wash - so will do that next weekend when they are up for trim. Tess could really do with a groom but as she is living out then shedding in rats tails in what we have until we can be sure it is safe to strip her out a bit - Nuts and Charlie no sign of shedding - Acorn its coming out in handfuls bless him!
 
Trewsers said:
Storm is shedding by the handful too - I've got little white balls of floof blowing all over the place every morning!
Click to expand...

the birds soon take it for nesting - but will be glad when we get through the shed can;t help but have hairs all over everything and bunging on the hoover
 
This week has been a good week for us - cold but sunny most of week - hardly any frost - the boys have been out 24/7 all week on the hill - Acorn managed to break into the girls field- but was quite happy to get back in his own - they tend to put him in his place:wink::wink:

Farrier has been this morning - all 4 done - Charlies got the 2 feet back to where he wants them - 1 more trim and 1 other will be and a couple of trims for what was the worst affected - he's back on daily walk outs now - feet strengthening and muscle toning - hes tracking up again , back o/s is not quite straight , farrier has worked on it today and it has straightened it - but he did say that will be one more trim so expected - front o/s is more cosmetic so its just grow out over a few more trims.

The really good news and music to my ears was Acorn - the farrier announced its good for us not to have to wory about his anymore - the backs are perfect the fronts are good and strong.:dance: The Thug is back!
Its been a long haul since his first lammi episode - I now have a fully functioning pony - no limits work wise now - mangement wise - he will stay on what is working as will Charlie - once a lammi always a lami!
Both boys will stay on 4 week trims - the girls on 8 weekly.
 
good weather all week and they are all out 24/7 now - have started dividing fields as the grass starts to grow - sunny and dare I say it warm today! took emma out with acorn today - charlie was out for his walk ans we enjoyed ourselves , fist time Emma has been on the new saddlepad - slipped a couple of times while I got the girth right but she has a better seat in it - not been pushed forward in trot - it took her a short while to get the feel but once she did she was able to keep her position straight - a bitmore practise and she will be fine - need to get stirrup lengths right - think I need an inbetween hole will have to find the hole punch for next time - she has gone up a hat size so have had to fork out for yet another show hat - 2 now for sale - so she had to wear an older one which was bit tight so she got a bit unhappy about it pinching -I gave her an untacking lesson when she got back - shes getting the hang of it just the buckles fiddly for little hands.

She asked for Nuts so she could do some handling, Acorn took the opportunity to escape into the girls field as I brought Nuts out so I left him in there for the sfternoon, he was pleased enough to go in his own at Tea time:giggle:

Emma is practising her figure of 8 In hand show - she fine on the walk away and trot back - is getting there with standing up - front feet she can get perfect - just the squaring up on back and standing in front - again just practise - she will have a little show cane to hold this year as well - will introduce that next week hopefully -

Acorn is shedding like mad - Tess is holding again and today noticed Nuts is just starting to lose some guard hairs - Charlie is already shedding - if the good weather keeps up then we can start helping it along a bit more.

Its nice not having to muck stables out twice a day - fields are much easier:biggrin:
 
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