20th November 2010

We've had a wee storm blow thru this week which tore up the hill from the south for 3 days. The winter field has lots of shelter from the north east and west but not much from the south. Luckily the fencer had left 2 big bonfire sized piles of gorse which all 4 used for shelter. Spike would stand in the lee of one, and Likely stood in the lee of spike with Charlot and Mal sheltering behind the other. Charlot and Mal have been really going at each other this week - quite the world dominance game.

Matthew, the farrier, came yesterday and met the weans for the first time. He has a wonderful grounded calmness and lets a horse meet him and suss him out before starting to work.

I took Spike in first who wouldn't settle then calmed down as soon as Charlot came in too. The wind was still blowing a bit and rain pouring down so I took the wee ones in as well.

The cattle court is floored with rubber mats and Likely drops and rolls as soon as he comes in every time - flips over at least once either side then has a good shake.

I had Charlot next to Spike and the Hobbits together at the end. Spike is hot shoed and Charlot watched it all with big eyes.

Auntie H arrived to keep an eye on Charlot and gave his feet a pick and rubbed the worst of the weather off his legs with a towel.
She started to warn Matthew off C's previous issues/ habits... I can normally feel what animals are feeling and didn't get any worry from C at all. I said to Matthew that he hadn't put a foot wrong the entire time he had been here and hadn't seen any of these issues at all so just treat him as he found him.

So Matthew said hullo and Charlot let him do all four feet without a peep. I felt a bit emotional at the end - Charlot really hasn't given me any cause for concern at all.

On Monday before the storm broke we had the most perfect day of weather all year. Blue skies, wall to wall sun, the first really hard frost so no mud - (and no midges!)- I took Charlot out for a walk by himself and we were finally at the stage of trotting together out on the track. The colour of his coat against the larch needles was just stunning in the sunshine.

Your boy is doing wonderfully up here Frances, I haven't forced any agenda upon him, let him unwind in his own time and just taken what he gives me when he comes to me.

He finally allowed me to do some Rolfing on him a few weeks ago - back, quarters and down the hind legs... after I had finished he snuffled my hair for quite a while and then gave a big sigh. I personally believe that when someone allows a physical release, it it when they are ready for the corresponding emotional release... that they are ready to move on.

You can't force change, you can only invite it... one of the principles we work with is "working with what is available for change TODAY".... and Charlot is a lovely example.

He's a fine loon.

Auntie P

14th November 2010

From their Auntie P....

"All is well atop the hill. All 3 boys getting along fine ... either Mal or Likely first to run up the hill, with Charlot hesitantly behind.

My husband was able to put Charlot's headcollar on in the field too and lead him out. Auntie H has been long reining him out by herself as well as in company with us.

The first time all three of us went down to the bottom of the forestry road gave many giggles. Husband had Likely and I got towed down by Mal who was determined to be in front (or catch the dog)... he is quite the brightest wee spark I have met in a long time.

We've acquired some shetland harness and the week or so of play in the cattle court with a blanket or roller being draped over the wee ones made trying on the harness a normal piece of fun.

I love these pirie ponies - such enthusiasm for new things!

I finally got my big horse home on Friday. He's been down at the horsey Hilton for a couple of months while I found company for him as our youngster is away at boot camp.

When they first spied him across the hill there was much singing and when they met across the gate an hour later their eyes were on stalks - I am guessing they've never seen anything quite that big.

I put them in adjacent fields for the next hour and the 3 wee ones were riveted. Poor Spike is such a social beastie he kept singing out for his buddies.

I put him in the new winter field and then brought the 3 amigos in too. They cantered off down to see him with much amazement at the big flappy thing around this huge beast. Much sniffing and a few squeals and a few gallopy gallopies all afternoon.

When refilling their water later I had a giggle at Mal standing broadside in front and spike nonchalantly leaning over him to get a drink.

Charlot seemed initially a tad miffed that he was no longer the biggest - he's been giving Mal a rough time of it these last 2 weeks but they all seem to be giving what they're getting and finding their peace.

Mal and Spike seem to be pairing up... Likely more aloof and independent as he has been for the last few weeks.

It was my birthday yesterday and I had the loveliest present... I looked down the field and saw Charlot lying in the long grass. I couldn't see Likely so got out the binoculars and saw his wee grey ears just beyond Charlot's chest. Mal was standing guard and Spike standing dozing about 30 yards away.

Then Mal joined the other two and also lay down - all three in a wee huddle snoozing for about an hour as Spike stood dozing. Happy, happy days.

The other side of the hill had a massive shoot yesterday and happily husbands gun proofing paid off. All 4 with heads down munching while the noise battered the hillside.

All well!

Auntie P"

25th October 2010

From his Auntie H:-

"I had a day off today so I went up to see Charlot. (I worked with him on Saturday too - we long reined, eventually by ourselves, but with Auntie P on a leadrope for a start).

Today we took each of them out of the field individually, so that they learn that being by themselves is not going to kill them. Malachy first, then Likely, then Charlot. When Charlot was out on the track, the other two had a shetland hoolie round the field together. Charlot and I went a wee walk along the track and he decided he would like to go further, and so we re caught the other two and off we went. I kept Charlot, Auntie P had the other guys. We got as far as the quarry, Charlot and I usually behind the others and we kept stopping to pick up feet, back up, turn and walk away from them.

He's such a sweetie, was obliging with everything I asked of him, even walking with me on the way back with no rope. I just had my arm over his withers, walking with my hip bumping gently at his shoulder. I also walked behind him, on the end of his rope, swapping from left to right so he could see me moving about.

We got back to the shed, Likely and Charlot both rolled on the mats, and we let them explore while Auntie P and I made sudden noises so the Hobbits could get used to "imitated" bangs. Charlot was always first back to us, usually with me his first port of call.

Anyhow, hope you are well, here are a few pictures taken today of us out in the forestry."

Boy doing good!

23rd October 2010

From their Auntie P :-

"They all galloped down to meet my husband and say hulloo... then we took them for a walk - him with his broken hand leading Charlot... I call husband, Dr Doolittle... I've never met an animal that doesn't like him or feels threatened by him (much to his chagrin where cats are concerned...).

Charlot offering to groom me back for the first time...

Charlot supervised me doing a little hobbit Rolfing...(they did dry out by the end of the day... has been a tad wet here...)"

Sounds perfect. Dear boys.

18 October 2010

From their Auntie P.....

"Hulloo!

How are you doing without your boys? .....

Anyhoo... the loons are doing fine. Malachy and Likely follow me around like a pair of big dogs and are just eager beavers to look and learn... I confess I have not laughed out loud so much for a long time.

Charlot is... well I feel he is not quite sure what he is doing here but is giving it a go. I almost get the feeling that he wants company other than the Hobbits (sorry but my big lad Spike is grey and 17.1 and is about to be renamed Gandalf...), I digress, ... he is ok but either missing what he knows up at yours or not quite sure what to make of me. It'll be interesting to see how he and Spike get on when they meet.

I feel Charlot needs a confident leader to follow - if he sniffs so much as a thought of uncertainty then he loses all faith and goes into panic mode... very like my Spike...

I do truly believe our horses find us to teach us the lessons we need to learn at that moment of our lives (if we choose to listen!!!) ... Spike and Charlot make me step up to the plate and be worth trusting and following... which is making me believe more in myself ... at the moment I do it as that is what THEY need... but hopefully soon as that is WHO I AM!!! Horses are mirrors of our souls eh?

Auntie H came up today for a bit of Hobbit therapy... the weather was foul so we took them into steading 3 and had a play with picking up feet, being tied up at the wall and then walking around with something over your back, flapping at your legs etc. None of the 3 batted an eyelid when the folded rug was on them but the looks on their faces when they saw it on another was priceless!

If we are happy and secure - THEY are happy and secure.

Charlot I think feels he has to step up and show the little'uns how brave he can be and not to be scared at new things - but they in turn show him that people are actually not at all half bad.

I took a couple of bits of video today when taking down an electric fence... (See below)

Some pics of the play in the steading (I SWEAR I will never rug them - I just want them used to things moving and flapping around them and it was all I had to hand -honest Frances!)

Auntie P"

I couldn't want for better, could I? Damn, crying again.... Look at his happy little face!

10th October 2010

From his Auntie P:-

"All is going really well... the weather has been pretty kind for their first few days - we WERE the cloud for friday night but fairly gentle weather compared to Shetland I'm sure.

Auntie H came up yesterday and we took all 3 out for a walk on the forestry trails that back onto our land. I love his brave curiosity - we have some road gutters which Malachy just puts his nose down to, figures it's not life threatening and goes over without breaking stride... the second one was a bit bigger and he did a wee bunny hop over it. I love his bright wee mind - he is as sharp as a tack - I don't think there is much that will phase him at all!

I went out this morning to day the dog for her morning constitutional... this is the boys 3rd morning here and at my first whistle they are coming up the hill - yesterday Charlot leading and this morning Malachy leading and soon taken over by Charlot. Today I was offered my first Charlot scratches - big progress! I let him come to me of his choosing and redirect my scratches to one of the other two if he backs off... he did that twice and then quickly pushed forward for a scratch again. Big smiles all round!

I think my work ethic will fly out the window and I will want to play with pirie ponies all day and not earn any money to keep them!"

It sounds like their Auntie P knows exactly how to handle Charlot. Happy, happy, happy.

On a me note, I wonder if, when I am sent south for my surgery, whether I can pop up and see them all during my pre-op weekend. If you are operated on a Monday, you go in on the Friday, so what do I do on my Saturday and Sunday in between? Go and see Charlot, I think! We will see what happens.

From their Auntie P

"...are safe, well and firmly embedded in my heart!

They have been utterly brilliant... a bit wild eyed when they got off the boat but the hour trailer ride with the haynets seemed to pour out happy ponies at the other end.

We got them off the trailer, Auntie H led Charlot and I had L & M and we walked across the wee garden bridge (I take my 17.1 over that!) to the front garden to meet my 3 Alaskan friends.

We let them have 5 mins there - they all had a pee - Charlot must have been holding on for AGES... I was so thrilled to see them pee - good sign of relaxation eh?!

After ten mins we walked them back to the steading and left them in my cattle court for an hour or so with hay and water while we checked the field (you wait a year for a fencer and he turns up just as ponies are arriving...).

I had an insight while talking to ma on the phone just now - I think Charlot has taken over the caretaker role for the other two... and being in charge means showing he is no longer scared... just a thought!

Anyhoo... he is being an absolute angel - and a happy one at that...

We all (5!) went back to the cattle court and Charlot came up to see everyone - we were all a bit gobsmacked but delighted!

Auntie H gave them all a bit of a brush - lifted up all of Charlot's feet and all fine and happy.

Auntie H took Charlot, friend took Likely (she is in LOVE...!) and I took Mal - it's about 150 yards to the field... and that's all it took to teach Mal to WHOA on a soft voice with no tug on the rope - yon is bright wee spark! (Auntie H very excited about our driving future!).

We turned them out... bit of walk, a bit of trot down the hill and then WHEEE... then a wander.

Oh - and they all now know what an electric fence is - Likely took the zap - I wanted to stay to see how it went to know they were ok!

We left them for the afternoon and then went back out around 5... Charlot walked towards us (well Auntie H) from about 50 yards - who'd a thunk it???

Earlier Likely was braver and Mal more shy but the reverse by the evening ... we had a bit of a scratch and a carrot and then left them in peace.

They're out on my hilly field which has a decent 12 foot hedge north west and a bit of the south and the east boundary has a tall line of gorse - so tons of shelter.

I can't tell you how happy I am...... must be hard for you letting them go - I will do my very best to give them a fab life,"

I couldn't ask for better. Crying now. Hopeless, me!

6th October 2010

Charlot's last day in Shetland!

A few month's back a friend offered to take Charlot, so that I could concentrate on getting better.

Realistically, it is the best option and Jo and I have talked endlessly about what would happen this winter.

Charlot is the only one who wears a rug and I often find it undone with straps swinging. To ask Richard, my partner, to try and catch Charlot to put his rug right, is impossible. If Charlot doesn't want to be caught, he won't and he pisses around the field with straps everywhere being difficult. I would be told and could do nothing, lying in bed with my enforced post-op bedrest for 2 months. I would then worry about the cold getting in, Charlot being miserable and the rug getting more damaged. Not a very good plan imho.

So, when this offer was made, I casually thanked my friend but as the reality of back surgery arrived, my surgeon (and mother) made it very clear that they expected me to have no more dealings with my horses and ponies for a very long time. Grudgingly, this does make sense. How can I get better, how can the bones re-grow and the healing process happen if I am worrying, taking risks and trying to catch Charlot? I want to get better and get him back. I am no use to him like this.

So, I after seeing my surgeon and having the no-horse lecture, I rang my friend and said "you know this offer you made to have Charlot ....?" in a hopeful tone, and she sweetly said "send him when you want!"

Luckily a friend of hers has bought 2 of our ponies as well so Charlot will to start to live with them. She is a certified equine Sportsmassage Therapist and Rolfer (?) and I think Charlot will have landed on his hooves with someone who can understand his needs to trust and work totally with body language.

The more I think about this, the better I think it will be for Charlot to broaden his horizons. He tolerates other people but he trusts Jo, Daisy and me 100% which is all very well but he has to learn to talk to other people too and to work with them sensibly. He needs to see the world and to stop dining out on his "poor-me" life story.

So we loaded them all up (he marched straight in), and we drove slowly to the ferry terminal. We unloaded them and led them through into the byre. Charlot was very relaxed, didn't remember this place from when he arrived a few years back and happily munched on the hay provided, making friends with a very distressed foal next door.

I was happily surprised. It will be a smooth crossing. His new keepers are under strict instructions to photograph and tell me of his every movement. Let's see what this brings.

I have done this for Charlot first and foremost. Shetland can be harsh in winter. I cannot be there for him. Jo has the stallion and bebbies and lives 4 miles from me. The roads can be blocked for weeks. If I can't help Charlot, it is not good. We have cut back on our number of horses, selling many of our training stock. Those we have kept are all self-sufficient (read fat!) in the winter and hopefully will be fine in fields full of this year's ungrazed grass, with hay for emergencies.

It is hard not to feel that I have failed him now, just as we are beginning to see a light at the end of his tunnel (or is it through his ears?) but needs must when the Devil vomits in your kettle and there is no one to hold your hair back!

Make me proud, Charlot!

17th September 2010

A friend came to visit The Boy.

She knows him well and his "little ways".

So we went forth into the wind-blown field to have a chat. Charlot thought he might be able to manage to talk to this friend and was inquisitive but a bit stand-offish. He gave in after a few minutes and had a nice chat.

Then he decided enough was enough and ran off to join his friends declaring that he had never really met humans! Stupid boy (in the words of Captain Mainwaring).