Charlot's Story

13th December 2011 (Charlot Update Dec 2011 - LONG get a cuppa!)

2011-12-13T07:16:00.000-08:00

Hi Frances

What a good surprise to get your message on fb - sorry for the delay - have had my head down getting my accounts FINALLY done for the year. I know Auntie H gave you an update so that took the pressure off!

How are you all after Hurricane Bawbag by the way? I went out in ski goggles at 1030pm to do a body count... couldn't see a bliddy thing in the 80mph snow but Likely found me in seconds. I huddled in the top corner of the park to let them have drink... 4 utterly bedraggled miserable faces looking at me sideways as if to say "DOOOOO SOMETHING!!" All I could say to them was.... "Dudes... have you SEEN the Shetland forecast???".

Charlot is... well he's just been such a life changing addition to the hill ever since he arrived. I pondered for a couple of days after getting your message and was trying to put it into one word... and it was trust. He is the most trusting pony I have ever met. If I am happy and tell him it's okay... he gives me a look, figures he'll be ok and does whatever it is we're doing.

I'm on my own most of the time - Favourite Human is normally here 3 weeks and 3 weeks away but has been away even more this last 6 months so we've hardly seen him. Charlot, like our dog, just perks up when he comes home.

Sometimes I take them out the field in pairs, sometimes it's safer to do it all 4 at once - and Charlot is my team leader. I have the 2 weans on a pair of endurance reins and the big 2 on long lead ropes. Mal still has a mind like a bull but Charlot on voice command will stop, go, turn or block as I get all four out, close the gate, get them up to the steading and in one by one. He is my right hand man. If one of the other 3 do something obtuse, I can rely on Charlot to help me sort it out - whether that means someone else's rope tight around his bum, me flicking the newbie's (nickname poptart!) rope over his back... if I'm happy... he just helps me sort it out. No... I'll never get any of my BHS stages but when you're on your own you have to get things done as best you can!

When FH is home I beg/cajole/steal a half hour of his time whenever I can and we take C & the newbie out for a yomp around the hill. Having Charlot here this last year rekindled my love of the Icelandic and my dream horse found me a day after the big horse went to his new home. He's Icelandic as you know, just 5 and just perfect for me... his name is Icelandic for Genius but methinks the naming was a tad tongue in cheek... Charlot is just SO bright that anything else seems a tad blonde! I'm trying to teach the newbie work is fun so we do a lot of in hand work in the forest as we did with Charlot. So Charlot and husband are tabbing the trails as Poptart and I bring up the rear... picture ginger pony cantering (STRAIGHT!) next to running man on the trail... and a wee buck and snort every now and again... just a happy happy boy!

I think the day we all cried was the day Auntie H's driving groom, J, came up and hacked out on Charlot while Auntie H drove Likely in the cart. I gave J a couple of my hip release cues so that she could stay relaxed in the saddle... any time there was a potential for tension, she would take a breath out, let her hips go soft which allowed him to stay soft in his back ... we met 2 runners, a cyclist, a family with kids and a dog... she rode Charlot away from Likely, he watched Likely do some moves down at the quarry. Honestly one of the best days of my life - and OH he was CHUFFED with himself afterwards!

The best time I've had with him myself was about a month ago. Charlot's never really invited me in so to speak... he works with me, helps me out even... but there's a connection that I have with the 2 wee ones that I never felt with him.... he was always Auntie H's pony or husband's pony... I was just the bringer of food and keeper of safety and boundaries.

A month ago I had a spare hour after exercising my boy and took Charlot out in hand. We set off down the forest trail, turned left up the canter track and then on a whim I turned down the dog track... I'd never taken a horse that way as there's a big tree across the trail - about 3 feet clearance underneath but still over 6 foot so we and the dug limbo under. A few more trees had come down since my last trip there but I thought I'd just see how far C & I could go.

He followed me thru tree branches, around trees, over a foot high trunk (he put his front left on it... looked at me... I said you're ok... he took his foot off, hopped over and we trotted on. I got to the big tree and tried to find a way round.... I'd totally forgotton about the 3 foot ditch... I crossed over, Charlot took a step back (I have a LONG rope!)... I said you're ok...he just looked at me. Honestly Dude, you're ok but you choose. I kept the rope loose all the time, then gave a click with my voice - and he bliddy jumped it! I gave him a huge good boy (ok and a herb treat - that was a BIG thing!) and off we went. LOVE THAT PONY!

I wish wish wish I was a foot smaller and several stones lighter as he would wipe the board at Le Trec! I have wee notion that he would make a fab cutting horse if bigger - just GOT that brain!

He's let my husband ride him in the round pen (novice rider!), and my next dream is that we can actually go for a hack out together in the New Year in the snow.
What I love about husband is that he listens to the mood of the pony and works with where they're at that day. Last time home he just popped on Likely and rode him from the field to the steading. When I asked if he wanted to ride Charlot, he looked at Charlot and said... Nah... todays not a riding day.

That echoes the way I work with Rolfing... you work with what's available for change right in that moment. If you try to force your agenda on someone or something... then it becomes all about you when it has HAS to be about them.

Sorry for the long epic... we've had such an appalling week of weather this week, this is the first time I've drawn breath and I am just thrilled that the weans and I got thru it.

The Shetlands? Oh that's ANOTHER long email but suffice to say the best fun I've had with my clothes on since giving up ice hockey. Picture 5 foot ten and a half wifie in hiviz jacket coming at you at speed over the brow of the hill with a hobbit either side trying to out trot each other (in hand pair training for next year?!).
Guess who's got the fastest trot??? Mal... he just WILL N-O-T let Likely get in front. Love them to bits. Rock 'ard!

I suppose the best thing I can say about Charlot is that if I have any non horsey people visit... the only pony I will trust with them... is Charlot.
My 11 yr old city nephew came to visit... I handed him a headcollar and said... go get the ginger pony. I stayed in the garden.
Charlot had never met him, nephew walked all the way down to the bottom of the park, fumbled the head collar on and walked all the way up to the gate with a smile the size of the moon.
"Are you crying Auntie P??" Fly in my eye, Dude, fly in my eye. Maybe this hill IS magic...

Aunty P

3rd July 2011

2011-07-03T10:15:00.000-07:00

From his Aunty P.....

"Hi Frances

I got this pic today and thought you might like to see - he's a wee bitty heavier than I'd like...

Charlot and Likely have both had really flaky scratchy tails since they arrived last October (even all through the minus temps and snow)... and it's not until I started my anti midge neem oil mix that I noticed any real improvement. I spent a good half hour today sectioning away bits of tail hair and massaging neem oil right into the flaky dock - Charlot had his neck stretch out and was doing a rather good camel lip.

By the time husband came back I'd started gently stretching through his tail which he leaned forward from to increase the stretch. Bit of a changed from Mr Clampy bum of old!

Hope all well up north,

Aunty P

ps Most of his mane is over the other side - honest!"

16th June 2011

2011-06-16T08:04:00.000-07:00

PONY UPDATE
I don't have your skills for photography and am generally working the ponies on my own and just grab the odd pic with the phone when I have a spare hand - I find Charlot the most difficult to photograph as he is always nuzzling too close for a picture.

Charlot has been out pulling the tyre up and down the hill and has been out for a couple of wee bareback hacks with my husband on board (me leading)... I would say my husband is his favourite human (as he is mine!) as the two of them are a tad inseperable when husband is home.

I finally got the round pen up and surface down - hillbilly style it's on a slope as with everything else up here.

At 70 foot across it's a lovely space for Charlot and the weans.

Charlot showed a lot of fear initially and it took the 3rd or 4th visit of he and I just mooching around doing nothing for him to relax and enjoy it as a learning place.

Mal on the other hand went in, peed, rolled, ran about with a buck and a fart and came over for a cuddle - what a joyeously keen open bright mind he has!

Likely free lunges happily in a lovely trot with fabulous balance up and down the slope - I just canna wait to get him out and about.

I moved the 3 of them from the winter field across to half of the summer field and strangely lost Charlot's trust for a few days.

It coincided with husband leaving so not sure if that or the shift in environment but Charlot went back to being fearful, almost not letting me catch him and just generally rattled.

I didn't force any agenda on him, let him come to me at his own will, and 3 days later I have the happy, confident, trusting ginger boy back.

Perhaps the spring grass, perhaps he thought he was moving again - who knows?

He continues to be an absolute joy on the hill and has a firm place in our hearts.

The hermit who lives lower down the hill has a lonely palomino section D stallion that roams the 30 acres below us... while the 2 shetlands run and play, I occasionally catch Charlot and the stallion gazing across the fences between them 500 yards apart... and I get the feeling Charlot wouldn't mind a bigger pony on the hill with him. He's not missing Spike who is off looking for a new home...
I am going back to my roots and hoping to bring an Icelandic on the hill for me to ride (reality check on my pelvis and height off the ground and where my heart belongs!)... which I think might just suit Charlot fine!

Hope all well up north,

peace from the hill,

P

8th May 2011

2011-06-01T13:01:00.000-07:00

Apparently he is doing very well. That is all I know.

20th February 2011

2011-02-20T07:03:00.000-08:00

...so after a sleepless night in 50mph winds ....

First priority is ponies after a wild night like like that... put down some towels, left tilly snoring on the bed and went out.

Fed Spike - was affa chuffed he was so calm in the gale - still 30mph at 8am - as wind freaks him out.

The farmer at the bottom of the hill has a weblink to his Davis weather station which said his highest gust was 44mph at 4am... and I'm at the TOP of the hill about 600 feet further up...

I put Spike back in field and went round to the field shelter to tie up the haylage net... expected 3 ponies... only saw the 2 littlies.
No ginger pony.

Looked around field... eyes had swept half the field and were confused by the ginger thing at the far side of the field beside the swamp...on the OTHER side of the fence.

EH?!

I tied up the haynet for the other 3 (who were totally unconcerned about their bud and hunkering down for themselves...) and walked over...

Yup he was on the other side of a fence that is BIGGER than him!
He was totally calm and unfazed...

Ok, so he has no wounds, cuts, seems ok, not shivering but eating a gorse bush TRYing to hide from 30mph winds.

I gave him a sweetie (which he only gets when he's been a REALLY good boy), went and got haylage, hay and warm water.

I spent a useless half hour trying to find my boltcutters that my husband had NOT put back in their place ( Oh SUCH a long story there...).

Auntie H finished tagging cattle and stopped by (what on earth is she doing tagging cattle at that time on a Saturday!... doesn't she EVER lie in??!!) ... my plan was to open the gate to the swamp, clear the gorse down to Charlot then cut the old fence just before the point the new fence joins it.

The old fence with barbed wire is on Charlots left shoulder in the pic, the strainer post is where it meets the new fence with no barb which is on his right shoulder. The horse in the rug in the background is Spike being an eejit...

So we cut through the old fence, star pony trustingly followed Auntie H over the gorse...

If you look on the right side of the fence... that's where we led the wee fella - from behind the tree at the back of the pic THROUGH the gorse at the front.

Wee soul just followed Auntie H calm as anything.

I kept the others busy while Auntie H got him out the field, trotted him up - totally sound - canna believe it.

Then took him into Steading 3 for a warm drink and a bite of haylage. The things a boy will do for a bite of Geordie's best...

I really don't care as long as the wee ginger pony is in one piece and ok.

That was one HELL of a day...

Auntie Px

3rd February 2011

2011-02-03T12:03:00.000-08:00

From his Auntie H....

"Hi Frances (please feel free to use the photo's I left you and the one's this weekend on FB)

It's been a FANTASTIC weekend......... the photo's say it all really. Charlot is totally settled, happy and relaxed at hobbit central, his auntie P's.

I'm not sure how yesterday happened, when I was up in Shetland the week before last I said to you that I was quite close to just putting my leg over him....... well that's just what I did.

He was calm and happy with me leaning over him, as usual (Auntie P's other half G has also been doing the same), so I got myself a bucket, stood up on it (still relaxed and happy), gently laid a hand on his wither and slid my leg over. He was a total star, promptly kicked over the bucket.....(I thought I was in trouble), but no, he just walked towards auntie P for his carrot.

Today, I've sat on him again, after leading him out in hand with me towing a tyre behind me. He was a little aprehensive of the tyre at first, but relaxed if I layed a hand on him as we walked. ( I was up helping P work Mal and Likely, we played with Chalot and Spike first).

He really is the best behaved of all of the boys - a genuinely NICE person.
I feel very privileged to be able to work with him, he gives so much to me (both in his confidence and his need to be "with" me), I honestly think I might end up with a proper wee ride and drive pony in the end. He is a joy to work with, and is assured a home here for life.

Like you, I didn't really think yesterday would happen, let alone 3-4 months after he first arrived, I read your articles in Carriage Driving mag and his blog, and sometimes wonder if I have the same pony!!!!

So thank you Frances for giving me the chance to help the bright ginger pony......I'm indebted to you for placing your trust in me. My smile says everything :-)

Going to sign off now, I have tears looming........!!!xx"

sniff, sniff and blow!

2nd February 2011 (Part 4) & videos!

2011-02-02T07:52:00.000-08:00

This was after the november snow BEFORE the field shelter was built - you can see the concrete pad for it that i've kept clear for them...

This was winter solstice - oh i WISH i'd had the good camera out as you canna bloody see the ponies!

This is me putting spike out with his haylage net after his breakfast - Charlot is normally where I am standing with the warm water bucket hence the LOOKS!
Mal does NOT have a white star as you know - he in the snow was always the last man foraging and the last to come to the gate...

First flat trot up after a month of ice - flappy jackets de rigeur bein sur!

and the unbelievable Auntie H backing Charlot moment...

and just to sell Thordale Shetlands worldwide... (OMG Frances these ponies are... well I just dinna have words!)

Hope that will make up for the last 2 months I have spent looking AFTER the ponies not doing emails!

Auntie P

2nd February 2011 (Part 3)

2011-02-02T07:29:00.000-08:00

When the worst of the snow had gone, Auntie H managed to get up for a vist and was thrilled to see a VERY ginger Charlot against the snow with no rug and a happy face. I haven't rugged him at all.

He gets 2 - 3 checks a day or 5 - 6 if sub zero, has hay a few times a day and a wee handfull of basic no sugary crap chaff with a digestive enhancer in a slurpy dinner. He's warm, hairy and I think happy!

He was telling me all through December and now even worse in January that - AHEM wifie! I am a BIG horse too like Spike and I need the same attention.

Spike gets taken in early in the morning for breakfast and a rug change and C stands at the gate 30 yards away giving me BIG eyes. At tea time the last 2 days, I have started taking Spike & Charlot in together, giving them their feeds then going out to get the weans. I swear Charlot looks at me saying ABOUT TIME WOMAN! Occasionally I take the weans in first and OH MY LORD you should see them strut in front of the big boys...

Auntie H came up a couple of weeks ago and we took Spike and Charlot out for a walk in hand for the 200 yards of ice clear track that I had... then back to the cattle court for a roll and munch with the weans. She stood beside him, leaned over, and he didn't bat an eye. She went round the other side, he not quite so sure, she didn't force but didn't back off and there she was leaning over his right side with her far hand scratching his flank. All he did was lean round to look. I confess I teared up.

She managed up a week later, did the same - but got herself far enough over to lift her feet off the ground - he didn't bat an eyelid!

During the week I was working on Spike's indoor training (he gets badly spooked at noises inside but fine outside) and had progressed to having him loose in the wee cattle court with the other 3 for 5 then 10 then 15 mins - now up to an hour while I muck out, do field water etc.

The first day, Spike was still tied up and eating from the haynet that a loose Charlot and Likely were sharing... sooo VERY non BHS, I leaned my full body weight over Charlot to get to Spikes rope to untie it, Likely then budged in to the space I'd made in front of the haynet - I giggled, all 3 kept munching, I untied Spike and off we went. So... adult bodyweight over C's back now a normal everyday occurance and not something to fret about. Oh GOD... I'm teachng to the BHS this year - I'll get barred...

Auntie H works full time, lives on a sheep and cattle farm, has her own sheep as well as the farm flock never mind her own horse... I work Sats and Suns in the winter to see all my equine clients and if there is bad weather both of us have our hands full just looking after basic chores at home...getting free time together in the winter is rare.

I saw the weather forecast for Saturday just past, called a couple of clients, juggled the diary, got up extra early (fed a bewildered spike) to get out to work early enough to get home for the last hour of daylight...Auntie H met me as I got home and we went over to get Spike and Charlot in. I noticed she was wearing jodhs...

Spike was tied yomping into the new delivery of Geordie's finest (best haylage in Aberdeenshire!).

Charlot in a headcollar and leadrope was standing beside Auntie H - ON A BUCKET! Charlot not bothered.

She leans over and onto Charlot and sits upright.
Charlot really not bothered!

Ears flicking back and forwards but back and rump soft and hind leg resting.
Charlot moves forward, knocks over the bucket... H looks at me and says uh-oh can you move the bucket...
Charlot moves forward to investigate the bucket - oblivious to H on his back.

I'd been working all week in the field on C's name recognition - he is now the only one of the 4 who will come to his name. (I tested it when H arrived... C was at the bottom of the 5 acre park and I asked her to call him - remember he's not seen her in weeks... - his was the one head of four that pinged up and he started walking up to the gate) (confess I teared up again - LORDY this boy makes me cry a lot - but always in a GOOD way!)

ALL it takes with Charlot is the basic cowboy tenet - REWARD THE TRY (was it Mark Rashid that said that?).

If you ask him to do something, as soon as he makes the slightest energetic shift of thought - even if he's not actually MOVED yet - if you REWARD THE TRY and say GOOD BOY... he knows he's on the right track and will continue with confidence and gusto.

Soooo... and this bit is on video... I stood about ten feet away from H sitting astride C... and called out his name... he started to take a step towards me, GOOD BOY... and I did it again - and he walked with helen towards me - confess I gave him a carrot and H and I hi fived (yes and we teared up a bit).

I managed home an hour early the next day and Auntie H escaped up to the hill too. She borrowed a tyre on ropes which she dragged from her shoulders whilst leading Charlot, me leading Spike behind her. C initially a wee bit worried but with H's hand on his withers he was fine. Spike had his nose on the tyre whilst behind but passaged at the noise whilst in front. These ponies will be the making of this big eejit yet.

(H then put Likely in full harness, I got Mal in a saddle pad and reins from the headcollar, H longreined Likely while she towed the tyre with Mal and I leading IN FRONT...oh these pirie ponies have SUCH spirit and a thirst for what is out there.)

These ponies are teaching me SO much... I have not laughed out loud so much in a long time... and I have certainly not laughed AT myself so much in a long time.

Spike and Charlot have become best Buds... they share haynets, a water bucket, come in and out the field together. Charlot thinks he is 17.1 and all that. Spike thinks he is 11 hands and one of the gang.

Me...? I cry almost every day I am so happy with my loons.

Pics and vids to follow.

Px

2nd February 2011 (Part 2)

2011-02-02T07:24:00.001-08:00

How can I try to sum up the last 2 months of Charlot?

He has never once put a foot wrong whilst on the hill... he's tested boundaries occasionally - butting the ponies away from me, pushing me for food or water etc... and my response is to shoo him away with voice and arms for an instant, then when he drops his head/licks/chews or yawns I soften my own body language and he comes over for a good scratch.

In the first 3 weeks of being here, he would occasionally go to shy away from the headcollar going on in the field... all I would do is grunt "AHEM" and he would stop, get the headcollar put on then lean in for a scratch. Funny pony! (I DON'T WANT to join in.... ah well ok I will then... very like one of my nephews!).

An invaluable line I heard from Dr Gerd Heuschmann last year whilst he was working on a rescued Spanish mare who's carers were struggling to make progress... "this horse has had horrific experiences... but it is STILL a horse". I treat horses the same way I do dogs and children - have as much fun as you can but hey there are some basic boundaries that just can't be broken.

They WILL try (THAT'S HOW THEY LEARN!), but it is our job to (quickly!) let them know they are wrong - and even more quickly to let them know they are forgiven... and recognised for learning the lesson. Try it with kids!

A line from my amazing puppy trainer, Billie Machell, was ... what is my dog (read horse, child, husband whatever!) learning from this moment/experience...?

My husband came home for Hogmanay and was a brilliant help with the horses.

A week or so of being home, I was filling water buckets while the ponies were loose in the wee cattle court.
I heard him say, "this is just the coolest pony I have ever met."
I turned around, expecting him to be with Malachy or Likely... and there he was leaning over CHARLOT'S back!

Charlot adores G... follows him around, lets him lean over him, trots out on the trail with him. Soul mates. Total Dude is G's expression for Charlot.

Charlot's doesn't mind me... looks to me for help or care or support... but he simply ADORES G. (confess I kinda feel the same way...)

G~ said that the description I have for our young tb Alfie, is the way he thinks of Charlot. (Alfie is VERY VERY special to me. I describe Alfie as quite simply the nicest, most likeable, grounded, trainable horse I have ever met.)

I confess I teared up when G said that about Charlot.

2nd February 2011 (Part 1)

2011-02-02T07:06:00.000-08:00

Hulloo!

Well I have to apologise for the 2 months its been since the last update.

2 feet of snow in November meant I had over 2 miles of road to plough myself, water to sledge 250 yards to the horses and a labour intensive - if beautiful and fun - long day.

Hellish difficult trying to capture how stunningly GINGER Charlot was in the snow - every time i got my phone out he would come up for a scratch - he LOVES facials!

The minus 18 weather had me hauling out buckets of warm water 5 or 6 times a day - the roll call was Spike, Mal, Likely then Charlot. I had to do C last as he would drink EVERYthing just because he could!

(After 5 winters in Alaska with a colicky horse I am the biggest fan of warm water - ie just off cold - for keeping the gut hydrated in sub zero temps).

I then badly injured an eye whilst hauling water (argument with a bungee cord) so couldn't see well enough to type for a few weeks and, well, January has just been chores and being able to get out to see the lost 6 weeks of horse clients...

20th November 2010

2010-11-20T08:00:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-14T06:23:00.000-08:00

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

2010-10-25T12:57:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-24T13:49:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-18T12:00:00.001-07:00

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

2010-10-10T06:05:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-10-08T07:01:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-06T12:19:00.001-07:00

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

2010-09-19T13:58:00.000-07:00

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).

8th September 2010

2010-09-08T13:51:00.000-07:00

Today a friend came round to meet the boy himself.

I caught Charlot no problem, and took him out of his field alone.

While I was shutting the gate, I let him go and he walked off to get some long grass. He decided in the meantime that he was not going to be caught by me and started to walk away. But.... his long rope got stuck under a hoof and so he stopped, swiveled around and looked at me to sort it! I went over and caught him, pleased that I am considered a port in his stormy mind and led him into the shed!

One attempt to eat en route, a sharp "ahem" from me and he led very nicely.

Our friend, Sheena, wanted to learn "animal body language" and its interpretation with sensitive horses - who better to teach her than Charlot!

I took off his head-collar and let him go, asking Sheena to go up and catch him. Charlot would have none of it. She approached, he left, she approached, he left..... until Jo walked up to him and he let Sheena catch him if Jo stood beside him.

Sheena remarked that he completely trusted Jo and me. So Jo asked Sheena to pick up Charlot's front feet, which he did beautifully. Jo then picked up his backs and he was a good boy. Sheena commented that she wondered if Charlot had perhaps been hobbled as a foal which might explain the scars and lumps and bumps on his back legs. Also, she thought he had been hit around the face as he hates it if anyone raises their arms.

Next, we showed Sheena how the slightest body movement can cause a reaction, either good or bad in Charlot's mind. I lifted my shoulders and Charlot reversed speedily up to Jo. I lowered my shoulders and averted my gaze and he would let me catch him again.

After a session, we let Charlot go and play. He headed around the school, comfortable in his own environment and went to play with the cones!

Funny old thing!

1st September 2010

2010-09-01T14:15:00.000-07:00

Did the same again today.

It was Daisy's last day at home - back to school in Scotland and not home until October.

Charlot and his friend, Floyd, came into the school. Charlot was harnessed up, did a spot of long-reining the log and then wore the cart, ie Jo supporting the shafts rather than putting them in the tugs.

After a few circuits, as things were looking good, they put to and Daisy led Charlot quietly round the school doing a 20m circle, figure of eight and change of rein. Jo deliberately kept everything to the minimum, hand movements, no whip and very quiet driving.

Charlot was a good boy again, never a flicker. So we unharnessed him, fed him an oatcake (run out of apples or carrots) and put him back into his field.

Job well done.

Onwards and maybe upwards?

31st August 2010

2010-08-31T09:58:00.000-07:00

A day of days!

Caught, harnessed up, long-reined and then "wore" the green cart with Jo supporting it.

Then...... we put the shafts through the tugs and Charlot pulled it around the school.

Then..... Jo stood on a bucket as if she was the same height when sitting in the driving seat and waved her arms about.

Then...... we put a lunge line on Charlot, and attached the breeching and traces and he pulled the cart around the school.

Then ...... Jo got in the cart very slowly and sat there.

Charlot did nothing.

So, then ...... Daisy walked Charlot a few steps forward and stopped.

Charlot did nothing.

So, then ...... Daisy walked Charlot around the school and stopped. Jo got out.

Charlot was unharnessed and given an apple for his efforts.

So, then ...... we all breathed out!

WHAT A DAY!

Wooooo hooooooo!

PS. I cried!

30th August 2010

2010-08-30T12:20:00.000-07:00

I give up! Well I don't.

I just don't understand.

Today, Charlot was his usual happy little self.

Is it me? Is it because I am ill and I give off vibes that I cannot trust him?

Is it because Daisy (eldest daughter) was in my place while I manned the camera?

What? What?

I dunno.

Jo caught him. He was harnessed up and Jo did some long-reining. Although a tad trotty, Charlot was much calmer and listening to instruction. He was far less bonkers and flighty.

So, Jo, with the help of Daisy, put the shafts of the little red cart (which we know doesn't fit) into the tugs and they led him around absolutely fine. No panic attacks and no bolting out of the shafts.

Then Charlot was led around the school with the green cart (slightly heavier and bigger and a better fit). The shafts were not put through the tugs but he could feel them against him and was pulling, with the help of Jo, if required.

The differences today:-

I was not handling him
We had a companion in the shape of a Shetland pony, Floyd in the school too
The radio was playing - Kylie and then Steps! Ugh!

I just don't know. Today was a completely new day and Charlot didn't put a hoof wrong, even lifting them up one at a time for Jo at the end.

She massaged his tense nervous bottom and we tied him up to work with Floyd.

So, Charlot knocked over the buckets to amuse himself without jumping 10 foot into the air.

Answers on a postcard.....

28th August 2010

2010-08-28T13:07:00.000-07:00

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.......

We had such high hopes now dashed down again.

Jo caught him (my broken ankle stops me walking on uneven ground like a field). Charlot was first up and enthusiastic about the prospect of work.

He led nicely into the shed where we put on his harness. A bit jumpy at first so Jo did some long-reining to calm him down. It became very obvious very quickly that Charlot was not in a calm frame of mind. In fact he was fast, on his toes and not very helpful.

With me at his head, Jo positioned the red cart and he pulled it for a few steps. It doesn't fit, we know that so Jo had brought the bigger green Hartland cart. Charlot jumped out of it, I let go, and he bronced off around the school with his harness on. We caught him again, and with the help of carrots tried to put the shafts in the tugs again. No deal. Back to square one.

Plan B. We put fencing posts on his sides to emulate the feel of shafts and he was long-reined with them around the school. Charlot didn't mind. He was happy enough.

To finish on a good note, we put the green cart back along his sides, without putting them in the tugs, and asked him to walk a few strides forwards (get a carrot piece) and turn the corner (another carrot) and then down the long side (another carrot) and then halt (final carrot).

We flung his straps over his back - he flinched and jumped every minute but we continued to de-sensitize him, massaging his tense little bottom and generally trying to get him out of this mood he had brought upon himself.

Today was not his best day. We struggled to finish on a good note.

1st August 2010

2010-08-01T12:29:00.000-07:00

"There was a little girl

Who had a little curl

Right in the middle of her forehead.

And when she was good

She was very, very good

But when she was bad

She was horrid!"

Ok, so he is a boy but this rhyme could really be written about Charlot.

So, off we go again.

I have a broken ankle. I know, I know, stupid, but I do. When the witches stop stirring their cauldrons widdershins, maybe we will have a chance at this training lark!

Charlot did not want to be caught. "No thank you" he said as I hobbled after him. So, I gave everyone a piece of carrot except him. Well, that caught his attention and he decided that having a head-collar put on was fair exchange for a piece of carrot.

I led him to the school - he seemed calm. Jo went to get some petrol for her car so I tied Charlot up to a haynet and he tucked into it enthusiastically. While we were waiting for Jo's return, I gave him a brush, concentrating on his mane and tail and getting the last of his winter fur out. He stopped eating to watch me brush him. His new winter coat is beginning to grow in now and we haven't even had summer. I even plaited his mane as an experiment. It looked smart if a bit odd!

So, Charlot was harnessed up and long-reined for a few circuits. As he remained calm and happy, Daisy took up her usual rickshaw business and followed him with the little red cart, banging about so he was used to the noise behind him. No reaction, so they attached the cart to the tugs, with Jo ready to pull it quickly away if required while Daisy led Charlot.

He pottered about the school, reacting to nothing, and happily walked a few circuits with the cart following him, being given constant reassurance from Jo and Daisy.

Mission accomplished, Charlot was unharnessed and tied up with his haynet at the door while we drove Floyd, his Shetland friend. Charlot watched with interest. He is a funny lad. He managed to get the rope around his head, chickens around his feet and he did nothing.

So Jo led him back to his field, picked up all four feet while he stood quietly and we seem to be back to normal.

I think this was a good day!

10th July 2010

2010-07-10T14:25:00.000-07:00

Well, Charlot finally got Jo! He nailed her with a good whack on her shin when she tried to pick up his back hoof to trim. Little bugger!

The session started off well. I caught Charlot no problems and he led nicely and calmly away from his friends and into the shed with me. I tied him up on the big door along with a Shetland friend for moral support and they played "bite yer rope", even remaining calm when disaster appeared in the shape of an out-of-control long-reined Shetland pony who crashed into them all.

The next game involved dismantling the coiled yellow water hosepipe, standing on it and picking it up to throw at each other. Nothing phased Charlot!

So, when it was finally his turn, we decided to trim his feet which seemed to have grown alot in the last few months. The fronts were fine. A spot of dancing about but nothing too difficult. So Jo, feeling quietly confidant, picked up his back leg and Charlot instantly lamped out, thwack. We didn't rant and rave at him, we just instantly twitched him and continued without any more fuss. I think he realised that we don't back down. Feet have to be done and that is the end of it - nicely or less nicely, but they are done. End of.

So then, I chatted for a while with him, leaning on his back and stroking him. He tried to bite some harness so I backed him up for that until he apologised. He doesn't bite people, just attention seeking really.

Anyway I will put up the photos tomorrow of today's exploits including a pathetic one of Charlot's nose in a twitch. His own silly fault.

30th June 2010

2010-06-30T12:56:00.000-07:00

Ok, where to start.

We put them all in the small field. I sat down on a rock and Charlot came up for a chat. He was nervous but steadier. I let him come to me rather than the other way around. The nosier Shetlands came up for a scratch so Charlot felt he could manage it a little too.

I got up and he rushed off and I thought "here we go again". I shouted to Jo and Daisy that we had to catch him today as he was not going to get away with this behaviour and we were not going to let it escalate either. I caught Spring, his Shetland friend, and tried circling Charlot to get him to follow but he would have none of it and cantered off to the other side of the paddock.

We decided to herd him behind Spring who was being led out of the field and Charlot turned around to face me. I lowered my gaze and shoulders and went up to him talking softly. He let me touch his face but walked backwards. So I stopped, and again put my hand out to touch his nose and cheeks. I moved closer and caught him by his chin hairs where he stood like old times perfectly happily. Daisy gave me her headcollar and I put it on him with no problems and led him out, with Spring following this time.

Once in the school, I brushed and combed Charlot's mane and tail while Jo drove Spring. He was a bit jumpy but remained cooperative and fairly calm. I stood by his back and brushed that. Jo finished with Spring and we let him go out. We then all looked at Charlot to decide what to do next with him.

So, Daisy and Jo stood on buckets and I asked Charlot to walk in between the wall and them. He was nervous, surprised and alarmed but based on trust and constant reassurance, he did it over and over again every which way. Jo and Daisy would touch his back stroking him and he would jump out of his skin at times. Silly boy!

Then Daisy lay on his back!

She stood on her bucket and laid over his back. She even managed to let go with her feet and he supported her weight looking a bit surprised but not reacting badly. So then Jo supported Daisy's leg and she laid over his back without the bucket and we walked a step forward. Although not totally happily, Charlot did it, looking to me for reassurance that this was normal behaviour!

Then back onto the buckets. I asked Charlot to walk through them each way without flinching or reacting. He had to do it because I would not let him go backwards or do anything else. His leadrope was loose and I would ask him to walk on and stand between Jo and Daisy while they patted him or stroked his back. He did look to both Daisy and Jo independently for reassurance. Eventually after a few attempts, Charlot could walk through, stand on request and not react. His reward was to walk through without stopping and he didn't rush and remained calm.

I took him back to his field and we will put yesterday down to a huge aberration and hope that tomorrow is another day!

29th June 2010

2010-06-29T12:29:00.000-07:00

Charlot, Charlot, Charlot.

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

The worst day ever.

"Day 1 in the Big Brother Diary Room" all over again.

I sent Daisy, my eldest, to catch him. She came back 10 minutes later empty handed so I dismissed her trivial efforts and went out to do the job myself muttering "if you want a job done properly". 10 minutes later I had lost a carrot and got no pony on a lead rope.

Charlot wouldn't let me near him. He was bonkers mad and gibbering all over the place. It was odd because 2 days before a friend had come to meet him and he let her pick his feet up in the field without any fuss. Today he was a wreck, running around us, nodding his head, avoiding any contact.

We tried for a while and we decided he could not win this game so we opened up the gate into the small paddock and he ran in. When he realised he was on his own he tried to kill the dogs, chasing them and stamping if he could. We quickly removed the dogs so he chased them up and down the fence, charging it and stopping just in time. Daisy quickly caught a Shetland pony and walked him through the small field and Charlot followed, galloping after him. We took both into the shed.

Charlot was a nervous wreck. He would not look at us, he would not be caught and he was so tense, to the point of hysterical. Jo and I got him in a corner and Jo eventually put a headcollar on him. His body was taut, ready for battle, pain, anything. He would not listen at all. So she walked him around, picked up his feet (he was compliant) and generally talked to him. With the help of the Shetland pony, Spring, who managed to get in everyone's way all the time, Charlot calmed down and realised it was the same old routine, nothing had changed and maybe we weren't going to kill him today.

We let him go again in the school and asked Daisy to catch him. He has taken to walking backwards rather than let you stand beside his head. Again, with some help, Daisy put his headcollar on. With Jo at his head, talking to him, Daisy stood on a bucket. Charlot was terrified. Spring helped and calmed Charlot down by generally taking his mind off things, trying to get any reward first. Charlot was boggly-eyed with fear. With repetition of getting off and on the bucket, Charlot soon got bored of being terrified of Daisy. She is smaller than Jo and so we decided she might be a better candidate for the bucket thing. She could lie on his back but he still was not happy. He accepted the situation but was not happy.

Again, we let him go and I tried to catch him with no food. This time, he walked backwards for a while with me in front of him. I walked around his side and stroked the side of his face talking all the time in a calm voice. He was so wary of me flinching at any touch. I put his headcollar on and off, on and off a few times, stroking his back, his chest, his neck and just keeping on talking. He eventually calmed down and was back to his usual self.

What is going on? We put his old mad friend back in the herd today - is it that? We are having the house picked and pointed so there is noisy drilling going on during the day - is it that? Is there a full moon? We have no idea and are none the wiser.

Whatever it is, we could not let him win or end anything on a bad note. We will see what he is like tomorrow.

19th June 2010

2010-06-19T12:30:00.000-07:00

We think Charlot has been ridden before.

He went mad when Jo stood on a bucket to lean over his back. It wasn't the leaning over Charlot minded, it wasn't the saddle, it was the fact that she stood on a bucket to be the right height to do this. He wouldn't let her near him despite happily letting her put a saddle on his back and lunge him.

Today started just the same as ever. I caught Charlot, did a spot of lungeing and then Jo put a small saddle and crupper on his back to see how he would react with the stirrups dangling. He didn't mind at all, walked and trotted around without a flicker.

Then Jo got a jump bucket to stand on and Charlot flew off in a blind panic. He wouldn't go near her because of her instant height. Eventually he let her lean over him but he was not relaxed at all. We tried this a few times, and he got worse and worse, winding himself up into a nervous wreck. We ended up against the wall so he couldn't evade the issue. I held Charlot's head, as usual, and Jo slowly stepped up onto the bucket, keeping her shoulders rounded and body bent. He let her lean across him and then two other Shetlands appeared for moral support. Charlot eventually tolerated Jo but he was not happy.

Perhaps he was ridden as a youngster, something happened and he remembers. This was not a happy reaction but one of panic. We will keep trying. Poor lad, we ended on a good, if nervous, note.

12th June 2010

2010-06-12T04:27:00.001-07:00

Wow, what a good Charlot day!

He was easy to catch and we also caught a little Shetland too. Jo walked off with her Shetland while I turned around to shut the gate. I thought I would see what would happen if.....I looped Charlot's rope over his neck and turned my back to him. Now Jo was walking away with her pony and Charlot had two choices, to follow Jo and her pony or to stay with me. He just turned around to face me and waiteduntil I was ready to go.

We walked happily to the shed together and, as Charlot was obviously in a trusting mood, we decided to trim his back feet. With me on the front end chatting to him, Jo picked up a back and trimmed it and then the other one. He was a good boy and got small bits of carrot for his efforts.

Then, we showed him the foot stand. Charlot was not sure about this and danced about, so Jo put a front hoof on and rasped that before she tried again with a back. He succeeded very quickly and was calm and trusting. Jo said that she felt she could trust him and was happy to put herself in a more vulnerable place to do a better job. Before he has to be trimmed almost at arm's length with a twitch on. I hope that makes sense - badly put really!

As a reward, I took Charlot to the house to get some more carrots from the fridge. He happily stood by the front door waiting!

Anyway, well done Charlot! What a huge change. He still has a thing about waving arms so I fed him a carrot doing a wavy arm dance. If he wanted the carrot pieces, he had to allow me to behave very oddly.

A very calm day. A very good day and one we will remember!

30th May 2010

2010-05-30T09:25:00.001-07:00

A busy day today.

Charlot is not lame. We left him alone for a few weeks to sort himself out and now he is fine and functioning well on all four legs.

He was easily caught and we did his feet (he minded a bit), harnessed him up and did some long-reining. We used the Shetland pony sized brollar for the first time and Charlot didn't mind in the slightest. It fitted fine! He was his usually bouncy self, if a little speedy and mad, having a fit at the slightest arm waving but putting up with things crashing around him.

We introduced Charlot to the cart too. Floss pulled it along behind him and he didn't care at all. So then we put it up to him, not attached, but so that he could feel the shafts along his sides. We walked about the indoor school like this with me leading and Jo holding the cart up so that it could be taken away quickly should Charlot react, which he didn't at all. He minds more about folk's body language. Such a sensitive soul.

We praised him for his good behaviour and told him to grow up or ignored the bad. When he reacted to someone moving their arm, we then flapped about like chickens so that he would stop bothering about it. To any onlooker, we would have looked completely mad!

Charlot was a good boy and tried his very best. We did not attach the cart as a) it is far too small for him and b) we have not reached that point yet.

As a reward and to try and calm him down abit, we did some free-schooling over a jump. Charlot loves to jump and had a great time trotting and cantering around the school, just jumping for fun.

So, we achieved alot today and he has gone out to join his friends!

Well done Charlot!

11th May 2010

2010-05-11T04:04:00.001-07:00

We moved the herd back to their spring/summer field today with the help of some useful visitors. Charlot led very well but his friend didn't so I was busy arguing with a Shetland pony whilst being dragged along. Charlot, bless him, was helper and not a hinderer. He just pottered alongside me while I was having my fight with his friend.

Once in the school, I tied him up and had words with the "friend".

Charlot stood nicely, thought about biting the wooden boards, so I threw a little stone at his bum - one throw was all it took and he stopped immediately and stood quietly from then on.

Jo tried to lunge him but he was lame on his back left leg. Nothing too drastic, just a bit stiff. He has probably taken a bad step. We will assess him in a few days. He let Jo pick up his feet with absolutely no argument.

So we put them all out to eat the small amount of spring grass that has deigned to arrive. It is nearly mid-May and it is now snowing!

Having said that, no one is thin!

27th March 2010

2010-03-27T12:00:00.001-07:00

Well I was still rather peeved about yesterday's behaviour so I went to catch Charlot.

Of course, he held his grudge for ages and was hopeless, running away telling everyone how vile I had been. Eventually, he let me catch him when I rounded my shoulders, avoided eye contact and kept him off his food and told him that I wasn't going to give up.

Charlot allowed himself to be led away to the school where I lunged him a bit and with the help of some horsey biccies, he found that life was not that difficult really.

We picked up his feet, did some nice lungeing where he cantered around listening to my every command fairly well. As he was in a speedy mood, we decided to put up a jump for him. We started with a pole on the ground and he trotted over that, jumping it and then the jump went up!

The first attempt was not brilliant but he soon got the hang and getting his timing and distance right. A few poles went down but this did not deter Charlot.

We lunged one of the Icelandics (Haakon) over the jump too and Charlot happily followed him around. After a few attempts, Charlot was going round at liberty on his own, popping over the jump from every direction, enjoying himself enormously.

Perhaps he is a jumping pony. I think we should saddle him up soon!

26th March 2010

2010-03-26T10:47:00.000-07:00

No photos, it was pouring with rain, sorry.

We moved the four lads (Charlot plus his 3 little Shetland friends) back to the big field where the Icelandics had been put the day before.

It was pouring with rain but the weather is due to get worse so it made sense really - more snow forecast. I can't bear it but life is much easier when the horses are all in one place where you can feed them quickly if the weather deteriorates further.

Anyway, I had just to lead Charlot while Jo negotiated the hill with her 3 little 'uns. Charlot waited for me to turn back around to close the gates while Jo charged forth across the hill waterskiing. We caught up and all went onto our track. I turned around again to shut the main gate while Jo was led to the main field gate.

It is funny how you think you are in control only to find that this is entirely due to the pony's decision to behave. So, Charlot decided that everyone has suddenly left him behind and he barged past me leaving me hanging onto his rope in an indignant rage. I hate bad manners, he wrenched my back and I hate bargeing.

So, in my fit of pique, I swung Charlot around and told him what I thought of that. I was not happy, I hurt and it was his fault.

I backed him up and made him walk nicely past the gate for five minutes, while all his friends hurtled off to annoy the Icelandics.

Charlot quickly realised that he had to do what I wanted or he would never get to join his mates so he did the bare minimum with grudging boredom. When I was satisfied that he had seen the error of his ways, I let him go to find his friends and he instantly went off sniggering at me.

I think we have reached the Kevin years now. I suppose the fun is about to start. The battle of wills against the unhelpful teenager. Ugh!

7th March 2010

2010-03-07T15:38:00.000-08:00

We started our day with the usual brushing, general feet cleaning and chat. Charlot was quite nervy this morning so we were careful not to make things worse.

He pulled his log again but started off getting his back foot over the trace. Jo went and calmly picked it up and put it within the trace and we both marveled at the fact that this time last year, he would not have allowed that, got in a state and made things much worse. So, on retrospect, we have come a long way! You just don't see it sometimes until something brings it smartly to your attention.

Anywho, as I said, he was a bit jumpy and rushing and spooky but Jo just kept control and brought him back quickly to working sense. It didn't take long and we remembered when we long-reined him a few years back while he reared and refused to listen. Taking things slowly and steadily is a good way of training with Charlot. He really cannot be rushed. It is very good that he doesn't mind the traces around his back legs considering he has had a "thing" about us touching them.

After now managing to trot happily around with his log, without batting an eyelid or napping to his friends, Charlot was unharnessed and stood waiting tied up for our next madcap idea. The basket saddle! Be-Anne, my dog, sat on his back for a short while and he didn't care so we put the Victorian basket saddle so he could get used to the feeling of something different on his back.

So he stood there, looking faintly embarrassed and turning back to examine the saddle. He was totally unperturbed so Jo lunged him in walk and trot on both reins with it - not a flicker!

He really does have a lovely trot. I know I keep saying this, but he does!

What a great day!

6th March 2010

2010-03-07T15:22:00.001-08:00

We attached the log! We attached the log!

......and Charlot pulled it perfectly happily, like a pro. He didn't spook, worry or anything, just kept plodding around and around listening to the whoosh of the sand being flattened by the wood. He was such a good boy, and listened to Jo all the time.

He started by napping towards his friends who were tied up but we reminded him that they are not his friends as when we took his rug off, they tried to bite his legs when he rolled! He soon got the plot and walked past with his job to do, working and listening beautifully.

We are very pleased with him. He lets us pick up each foot and now even forgets to kick out. He will pre-empt requests for the fronts, lifting them before you even ask.

So pleased and so proud!

3rd March 2010

2010-03-03T09:53:00.000-08:00

Well today was a good day. We brought everyone into the school to do some basic training in leading, wearing harness, etc. Charlot is with 3 others to be trained and so everyone was caught, tied up, brushed and their feet cleaned out.

He has been wearing a rug 24/7 and living out in the snow, but is looking in good shape and just right for coming into spring.

So, I brushed his mane and tail and various muddy bits and Jo did his feet. Absolutely no problem. He offered his fronts and there was no issue with the backs!

Jo put on his harness while I took photos and bless him, Charlot even picked up a front foot when she was looking for the girth to do up!

Jo did some long-reining in harness and Charlot settled quickly into his work, walking past his friends without napping and had a lovely trot too. We are training him with no blinkers as he likes to know what is going on before he is happy with what we do. He is trusting us more and more, which is lovely.

After the long-reining, Jo removed his harness and he remained tied-up while we started another. In the meantime, I decided it was time he was backed so I plonked Be-Anne, my terrier, on his back. Jo talked to him, while I picked up Be-Anne, introduced her and put her on his back. Charlot didn't mind at all. With one ear back, he stood calmly stood there wondering what mad scheme we would do next!

23rd February 2010

2010-02-23T13:31:00.001-08:00

Well, he finally did it!

Today, Charlot ran away.

Jo came round with Charlot's mended rug. It has been snowing a lot and we were both worrying that he would be suffering so we intended to catch him and put the rug on. He started by pratting about and refusing to be caught in his field, hiding behind friends. Jo opened the field gate and I herded him out through the gate into the enclosed yard where we intended to herd him into the indoor school. Well, we thought it was enclosed, the yard gate to the hill track had been left open by mistake and Charlot took one look, kicked up his heels, and ran away down the track into the distance bucking and farting feeling very pleased with himself.

Jo rushed after him in her car and apparently Charlot had turned right onto the road leading through the open hill and was happily going a fair pace with absolutely no intention of being caught or coming home.

This was until he met a large yellow snow-plough coming in the opposite direction. Jo reversed her car to block the cattle grid and Charlot took one look at the snow-plough monster and then Jo's car and decided his best option was to go home as fast as he could! I blocked off any thoughts of going past our gate and galloping into more hill.

After Charlot's little escapade, he allowed him self to be caught with a carrot and we put his rug back on and he was returned to his field, where no doubt he told everyone of his exploits. Little bastard!

21st Feburary 2010

2010-02-21T13:00:00.001-08:00

Well, today is Day 1 of Charlot's training (or is it re-training again!) and he got off to a good start.

Easy to catch, once in the school and Jo did his feet very matter-of-factly. He didn't mind and so we did some lungeing, where he sped around in his good trot not really listening to anyone. At one stage he had 5 little Shetland ponies following him at liberty but once taken out of the picture, Charlot started to concentrate and listen to commands.

Charlot is still very sensitive. He lunges looking at your body language to react to. The slightest movement and he will try and interpret it somehow, either changing direction, standing still or jumping 6 foot upwards. Silly boy.

He needs to work now and stop dining out on his nerves. We are bored of them. He is getting very appreciative of having his head scratched but when we touched his back, he jumped in alarm and we laughed at him. I think he needs a terrier to sit and go to sleep on his back. It will be arranged a bit later on!

Really with some de-sensitizing, Charlot will make a lovely little pony. He is much more relaxed in the field, enjoying the sun on his back with no rug and has fluffed up beautifully. When he is with nervous ponies, he tends to latch on to them and copy their behaviour. This herd are quietly confidant, each wanting attention so he watches them now!

Jo was pleased with him so she picked up all his feet one more time, one at a time, and he was very relaxed about it all.

20th Feburary 2010

2010-02-20T12:57:00.000-08:00

Well, we brought the lad back to the fields by the house to spend the rest of his winter with the Shetlands-in-training. He was fairly easy to catch, a bit wary but I caught him with the promise of silage.

I led him home, he still touches your hand with his nose and once home, we took off his rug to see what sort of state he was in. Not bad for the time of year. Spot on in fact, with no rubbing or sore bits. His rug was a bit ripped from playing - thank you Andy.

Anyway, he is out now with no rug and seems happy enough. I can always replace it if it gets wet and windy. The boys he is with are a happy little group and he fitted right in immediately, having met most of them before, I think.

This afternoon, I popped back to the field with my camera to take some nice close-up photos of him with my posh camera. He was very pleased to see me and was calmly coming up to be scratched, hugged and generally made a fuss of.

Dear boy seems alot more settled and alot more grown-up. So, here is the year ahead of us......

31 January 2010

2010-01-31T06:12:00.001-08:00

Well, it has snowed again with a vengeance over the past few days, rendering roads undriveable and fields inedible!

We are back to putting out silage for everyone. Charlot seems to have stopped being quite so mad and lets me adjust his rug and replace his straps. Today, I caught him and put a bungee strap around his neck while Richard put his belly strap back. He was happy enough and let us sort him out with minimal fuss and his face in some silage I was holding for him.

He even came up to have his photo taken!

30th December 2009

2010-01-02T06:53:00.000-08:00

Well Charlot is being a little bugger and won't be caught to have his rug straightened, though we did manage with the help of a Christmas carrot! I refuse to run around after him and he seems warm enough in his rug even if it is a bit wonky. There is no evidence of rubbing and he is always pleased to see us when we bring the silage in the morning.

The snow is not too bad, just sheet ice everywhere, which is terrifying and lethal. Any snow melts during the day only to freeze over at night. Despite that, everyone is managing fine and there is definite evidence of playing.

20th December 2009

2009-12-20T12:48:00.000-08:00

The fat boy had his rug put on because it is snowing. What was a rug that fitted very well last year is now rather a snug fit with a large expanse of belly showing now.

Yesterday we put the rug on and he was reasonable, letting me catch him and put the rug on, fiddling about with straps between his legs and under his belly. Today, he was wild and free! He kept looking at Ljosfaxi for inspiration. I managed to grab him as he went wittering past and rearranged his rug to be a bit more central on him. A strap is twisted under his belly but he wouldn't stay still long enough for me to correct it. He was being a pain.

On retrospect, I should've put a headcollar on him rather than expected manners. He was warm and happy so I gave up my idea of a cooperative pony.

26th November 2009

2009-11-27T13:22:00.001-08:00

Charlot and his friends were moved to another winter paddock having eaten that one down. They usually spend a month in each paddock until Spring. These fields have been left all spring and summer to grow so no one goes hungry. They will only be fed if it snows. There is running water in each field too.

We caught the ring-leader, Fakur, and the others all dutifully followed him into the new field with absolutely no deviation. This sort of thing lulls us into a sense of false security!

Charlot is rotund. He has not got a rug on yet, but it has not been cold, just very wet and he is keeping the weight on so far! He is definitely one of the boys and is looking well. We didn't do anything, just walked through with 5 dogs and no one batted an eyelid or chased the dogs. A nice relaxed time.

6th October 2009

2009-10-06T12:39:00.001-07:00

Haakon came in to be shod, so I caught Charlot to work with.

I put his bridle on and we started with some lungeing so he trotted happily over 4 poles, picking his little feet up. I am not sure about lungeing as I don't like to lug on Charlot's mouth trying to pull him in the direction I want, so I asked and released, asked and released giving him room to make decisions based on my requests. He was a good boy and got used to the bridle again and dropped his head beautifully to look at the poles to pop over.

After that I harnessed Charlot up and attached the reins to his bit so we could do a spot of long-reining. He liked that and was far more attentive, listening to my voice commands rather than me hauling again on his mouth to get what I wanted. He appreciated the ask/release method and it got to the point where I would just say "Charlot, and st...." and he would instantly halt! "Charlot, walk on" and off we went again. He is not keen on turning and tries to evade that option but we succeeded and I even managed to take some photos. When he stands though, he gets bored easily and starts pawing the ground (see photo below).

While Jo was finishing up, I sat on the physio ball with some pony-nuts and Charlot came to stand in front of me, nibbling the odd nut and generally chilling with me! It was lovely. What a different pony from this time last year. I felt totally safe.

On a roll, Jo trimmed Charlot's front feet with absolutely no bother at all. He even put them up on the stand to be rasped! The backs were the usual fight so we tried a couple of times and then twitched him before he got more and more in a state and he let us do them with no fuss at all.

I am pleased with him. We are getting there. I know we are now.

1st Oct 2009

2009-10-01T13:23:00.000-07:00

Easy to catch, easy to lead and very easy to handle, so we tacked Charlot up, in full harness but with an open bridle (no blinkers). I did some long-reining with him while Jo harnessed up the Muppets. When she had finished, I handed over the reins to her to take some photos. She is so much better at long-reining than me!

Anyway, Charlot went very well. Happy listening, getting used to the feel of the bit and the harness around him, with no issues at all. He went easily on both reins with a rogue chicken in the school and remained calm and happy.

On a roll, we added the wood to drag. I pulled it around with Charlot first so he could get used to the noise and we soon realised that he really was not bothered at all. The time came to hitch him up, running his traces through the breeching straps. He pulled it. He didn't flicker. He changed the rein and you could see, in his ancestry, that there is definitely a draught horse in his genetics.

A change of rein, and off he went, as calm as you like. When we unharnessed, we were perhaps more unrefined and careful than usual, making sure all he straps made a huge noise, as they landed on his back and he got used to the feel of the unpredictable.

We left him tied up while the Muppets were driven in pairs. Charlot watched and was bored so pulled the cart down around him, clattered the buckets and talked to the chicken. He wasn't scared at all with the all noise he made around himself!

Jo tried to pick up his back feet and felt a piece of lumpy scar tissue on his off-back which might explain a great deal. There were white hairs too so obvious evidence of some trauma, and we will never know what but it has left a huge scar in Charlot's head as well. He kicked out, almost like a reflex, and then let us pick his back foot up without the usual fight.

I am so proud of Charlot - 3 years old, we think and now 18 months from arriving, he is pulling the wood about, in full harness, like a trooper.

Dear boy!

27 Sept 2009

2009-09-27T12:59:00.000-07:00

Charlot was first up to the gateand easy to catch and interested to do something. We had the Muppets too so he had company and while Jo was harnessing them up (pairs), I put a bridle, with bit, on Charlot. He was rather shocked but relaxed with it in and we did a spot of lungeing, over a large material dust sheet, picked up feet (a mild whack from his backs) and I did some in hand work with him, all with the bit in.

It is all about trust. The minute the bit and bridle was on, Charlot came to me for support and courage. I told him he could do this and guided him around his obstacles while he tried to decide what he hated most, the groundsheet, the bit or the new contact on it! He picked up his fronts so I could pick them out, anticipating what I wanted and picking them up on a vocal command.

Next, I taught Charlot to reverse. The bit was fine in his mouth - I found I could be much lighter and give clearer instruction to him. Long-reining him with it, I got him going backwards on command and body language though he only stopped and stood when you get him watching your body language when lungeing.

He tensed himself up, expecting the worse all the time. His little bottom and all his muscles were hard and in a state, his heart a-beating double time but nothing much happened and we are continuously desensitizing his skin to touch whilst not letting his fears become ours'.

Jo pushed the cart around him, let the shafts touch his sides and he looked at it in a bemused fashion, even sniffing it and thinking all the time. He watched the Muppets pull it later on, when he was tied up to the big door, frightening himself by pulling over all the buckets onto himself. He hates the horse football (physio ball) so I sat on it, while he talked to me. It was lovely and very calming gaining his trust every second.

We looked at his teeth and also decided he turned 3 this year. My baby boy! The other 3 year olds haven't even left their field let alone done half the things he has!

24th Sept 2009

2009-09-24T14:02:00.001-07:00

Ok, totally mad day today.

We made Charlot wear a coat and a handbag off his ears! This was to prove a point to a friend who said she wanted him if he could live under her stairs to carry her coats and handbags, having seen his previous exploits!

Then..... Charot had to walk over trotting poles and my coat (of which he is not keen), plus a rustly polythene dust sheet. Well, first a hissy fit and after some encouragement, he did it!

So, then we picked up a front foot or two!

We were continuously working on Charlot's feet all the time. He now lifts his fronts up fine, anticipating what you want and the backs are getting there! He still thinks about kicking but he is far less violent. He happily stood on the rustly sheet or my coat!

Ok, so the mad day continues:-

After that, we draped the rustly dust sheet over Charlot. His eyes are on stalks but he took it, looking like an embarrassed bridesmaid!

We finished by putting all the toys away with Charlot following me around and then I made a huge fuss of him, touching him all over. He flinched for a while and then gave up. There was a very nasty smell about so Jo cleaned his sheath with some anticipation of getting her lights kicked out. A vile job at the best of times, but he just stood there for 15 minutes while she mucked his bits out! Not a flicker! Funny little pony.

So I tied him up in a rather enclosed place while he watched one of the Muppets being trained. He upset the buckets, jumped and watched everything with interest!

20th Sept 09

2009-09-20T08:16:00.001-07:00

Well, today I decided to do some long-reining. Don't know why really, it truly is not my forte but who cares, I had a go.

I found one long-rein, the other is broken, so I substituted with a lunge line which is twice the length of the long-rein! I put an old moth-eaten roller on Charlot and clipped his reins to the sides of the head-collar. A bit of a bodge job, but it all worked, apart from the roller sliding around the rotund belly and Charlot managed to get so tied up in all the string, he looked like a parcel at one stage. But, he took it all in his stride and let me untangle him without a fuss!

So we long-reined about the school while I tried to keep control giving him commands. He did the most well controlled turn on the forehand, swivelling beautifully on one front foot! As I said, I am not the most expert at this, but we muddled along together fairly well!

Then I decided we would work on "things Charlot is scared of", ie the great unknown. I put my coat on the floor and asked him to walk over it. He wouldn't, walking round and round, sometimes a hoof would touch a corner and he even cat-leaped it so as not to touch it. So. having put out some trotting poles earlier, I took out one to make him trot onto it. He knew exactly what I wanted and jumped it the first time, so I made it wider and soon he could trot over it! Success!

So then mean horrible me, drapes all the coats over Charlot plus some ropes and headcollars for good measure - things trailing about his back legs, the unexpected as well as rustly noises! I have to clear up my other toys, so I lead Charlot about on his lunge rope doing my chores while Daisy rides her horse in the school. Charlot is very good and obediently follows taking it all in but taking great exception when I kick a physio ball under his back legs - he sent that into orbit! I let the string dangle about, the coats fall off and he didn't bat an eyelid! It is all good training, teaching him to read my body language, to trust me and to go backwards when asked out of tight turning areas.

Well you know me, ever the optimist! I picked up both Charlot's front feet in turn over and over again. Just him and me and a lunge line wearing coats with trailing ropes about! He did it! I even took the photos as well! He thought about minding, but I suppose he had too much to mind about so he just gave up and did it!

After all that, I gave him a hug, kissed his nosey, tickled his ears and put him back out with his friends. He had a rather bemused look about him!

1st Sept 2009

2009-09-02T12:58:00.000-07:00

Today, we moved the four lads back to the main herd. Charlot had been living with the nutters for a few weeks while the Shetland Pony Breed Show shenanigans were taking place. He was happy enough being ignored so we left him to his own devices.

To be fair, Charlot has quite a following and I called him up on a few occasions to be introduced to his fanclub and he willingly cantered up to have a fuss made of him!

Today, he was first up, easy to catch whilst the other nutters quivered about, evading the head-collar issue so we felt he was a good boy, was growing up, maturing and we were definitely onto a winner. He walked nicely and considerately along the roads and tracks to our shed, letting me turn and shut gates, and then we tied him up far away from his friends.

Charlot has a new skill - he can undo knots and headcollars, releasing himself and his nearby friends for a laugh! We washed one pony, did its feet and then I thought I would brush his neighbour. Charlot watched me and rested his teeth on the wooden boards, so I threw a pebble at him to get him to stop. He was surprised and stopped, looked around but then did it again. Another pebble later, he realised that eating the boards was not a good idea. So he gave up while I brushed Charlie, his neighbour.

I then decided to brush Charlot who had knots in his mane, was greasy and needed some attention. He was not very keen and so bit the boards again. I told him to stop so he ignored me and did it again. I smacked him with the flat side of the brush on his neck. He exploded, in a rage if disbelief that I could be so cruel after all his "good" behaviour. He wouldn't let me near him and quivered about the brush, my hands on his neck, everything.

It is interesting to note that if Charlot doesn't know where the punishment comes from, it is not an issue, but if he does then he holds a grudge.

After a quick explanation of his behaviour, Charlot let me go on brushing looking resentfully at me and trying hard not to enjoy the grooming! Silly boy.

Jo wanted to do his feet. He let her pick up the first front one fine and then off we went with the hissy fit. Charlot would not pick up his other front foot. No reason, just wouldn't. He broke the string he was tied to, so we short-racked him with two ropes and Jo did not give up until he gave in first. She picked up both front feet again and again.

Then the backs.....and off we went again. She would rest her hand down his leg at different positions. He would react when her hand reached his foot, cow-kicking out at her.

Enough, so he got twitched. He let her pick them up. We untwitched him and he let her pick up both fronts and the backs. No issue, no discussion - he just knew he had to do it.

After that, we let him go out and join his friends.

Why, oh why? He knows we will win. It is as if he enjoys the fight. He is not scared anymore, he just doesn't want to let us do this work with him. His nerves are his and no ours'. This is a very long road we all have to travel.

Patience is a virtue, virtue is a grace. Grace is a little girl who wouldn't wash her face! That is what my granny used to say.

Charlot is sorely trying my patience.

10th July 2009

2009-07-11T06:31:00.001-07:00

Today was a "Charlot" day. I caught him easily and led him to the indoor school. We finished trimming and filing his feet. Every time Charlot refused to cooperate, we moved with him so that he could not evade us. He found it easier too if he was besides wall and we sang the Marseillaise loudly while he protested! Eventually, realising that his fighting was futile and our singing loud, Charlot gave in, though we had to resort to using a twitch on his nose to trim and file his back feet. I rewarded him with a piece of carrot after the feet battle. In his mind, it is a battle. He still has his "issues".

So, as the moment was there, we did a spot of lungeing and we put some coloured trotting poles down too in the colours of the French flag! To start with, Charlot had the predictable hissy fit at them refusing to go near but with the help of a bravery carrot, he was soon walking over them, standing in the middle and being fed! We needed someone behind him at the beginning to get him to move forwards. This is what we mostly have to resort to when he slams on his brakes when being led.

Once settled about the poles and their colour, he happily trotted over them again and again, easily picking up his feet and striding cleanly over them. He has a lovely even trot with a nice timing to it.

He, of course, objected to going around the other way because then it was different, but we soon put him right and he quickly got the plot.

Another piece of carrot and Charlot was let go as we had a lesson about to commence.

28th June 2009

2009-06-29T13:55:00.001-07:00

Well, it was a beautiful day and all the horses were down grazing around the house so I went and easily caught Charlot.

He is looking very well on the summer grass and his coat is sleak and shiny, though his mane is a little greasy but with some brushing, it came out looking great.

Firstly we had to do something about his back foot. It was disgustingly long and his heels would start to be damaged soon. Jo tried to pick up his backs but, of course, he would have none of it. As it was not a case of come back another day, we twitched him and I talked to the front end and Jo picked up his back leg and trimmed it as quickly as she could. She took off about an inch in hoof all the way round. It had desperately been needing doing and we had put it off for too long. Apparently he leaned on Jo the whole way through. He had an apple to himself as a reward and we had won! One foot down, three to go (though not in such a bad state!)

I did some leading work and he had forgotten nothing so I went on to lunge work. The lunge was taut for the first few laps and he trotted out beautifully with lovely rhythm and pace. Helped along with two of the muppets, Charlot managed to concentrate and even work sense on both reins.

It was fun. I haven't lunged for ages so have forgotten all the techniques like picking up the lunge rein so you don't fall over it so forgive the complete lack of health and safety!

31st May 2009

2009-05-31T13:30:00.000-07:00

We had some friends round for the day. They wanted to meet the horses so we went out to the field where everyone was milling around the gate. Charlot was not about so I called him and his little orange head popped up from behind a wall. He came over for a chat and was very relaxed with the new folk, happily chatting and making friends with them.

It was funny watching him. At first he didn't want to talk and stayed on the outside of the social group but you could see him desperate to chat and receive the same attention they were getting. So he sidled up and waited until Donal took notice of him and then contact was made. He got on very well with Dorothy and they quickly understood each other! It was lovely to see.

Everyone behaved well but Charlot is easily led into the idea of chasing the dogs with some of the more opportunistic Shetlands. The minute he thought it, I told him off and he backed down quickly and went back to being stroked, even initiating some mutual grooming too.

2009-04-18T13:27:00.000-07:00

Well, today we moved the last four horses from their winter grazing to their spring/summer grazing. All went well and Charlot led nicely along the road, reading my slow body language and walking with me while everyone else shot ahead at a brisk walk. While we ambled along the road, he would touch my hand with his nose as if to ask why we were going so slowly and everyone else was going so fast. I tried to grab his mane to get him to pull me up the hill but he always stopped refusing to pull! He was polite and did not barge, shove or push me, turning around for me to close the cattle grid gates as the last one through on the road.

We turned him out with the others in a field with little grass but a huge bale of silage (they will all be moved once the silage is finished). Charlot was not interested in the bale. He was more interested in new friends and instantly started to play with Floyd (a large black Shetland pony).

Lots of shenanigans, lots of squealing, lots of argy-bargy and the herd, after about an hour, re-established their pecking order. Charlot is at the bottom, and on the outside at the moment, though he managed to get to the silage bale, even though I gave him a pile to himself. He has, as usual made his peace with the Shetland fraternity and joined up with the mad Icelandic (Ljosfaxi) and Iacs who stay out of the fracas, wanting only a peaceful life.

They will settle down hopefully and once, all the politics has been sorted out, we will start working with Charlot again. Anyway, fingers crossed. He led well so that must be a start (again!). He seems alot calmer at the moment.

4th April 2009

2009-04-04T14:55:00.001-07:00

We took Charlot's winter rug off yesterday - he was easy to catch whilst calm and happy for one of us to undo the straps under his belly, legs and chest, whilst another held his head-collar. What a change!

Charlot is not looking too bad after a fairly harsh Shetland winter having lived out 24/7 on only grass and silage if it snowed. Settled in the herd with friends, I let them into a newer pasture, which everyone was very enthusiastic about. We removed 2 Icelandics and 2 Shetlands and he doesn't seem to miss them or look for them at all. It is nice to see him take things in his stride.

So what next? I suppose when the grass really starts to grow, we will move Charlot up to the fields nearer the indoor school and restart his training. That should be interesting. I wonder if he will remember how it all deteriorated last year. He has been with us a whole year now and I can see a difference in his attitude, his take on life and his whole demeanour - he is far less nervous and has adopted the curious calm attitude of the Icelandics, which is a good way to go. Long may it last!

So......here we go again!

18th February 2009

2009-02-18T13:06:00.000-08:00

Today, Jo and I went to change Charlot's rug. It has been trashed a little by his friends and some fairly rough games. One cross-strap was swinging down so Jo marched up to him, bunged on his headcollar with rope and took off the old rug. This involved her moving her hands around his back legs and under his belly to unclip various straps. I stood in the sidelines with my camera ready to help if required but, no, Jo managed to take off the rug and put on a new(er) one with absolutely no problems at all. He took it all in his stride as if he had rugs changed every day. What a pro! This time last year, he was still in a field in France so he has come along way since then.

We looked at his weight and he has a lovely thick coat and he is spot on for this time of year. Not too fat (like some Shetlands and Icelandics we know), appears calm and settled. We chatted with everyone, spending lots of time just relaxing with them. It was a lovely afternoon, peaceful, therapeutic and with absolutely no hassle from any of the lads.

I was interested to know how old Charlot is. We think he may be younger than we thought. He still has his baby teeth and so maybe we were asking too much of him last year as he was only a green youngster. I think he will be a slow to mature but his nature is changing, and that was very obvious today. He seemed completely unphased by the general rug flapping, straps moving and Jo resting on him!

I remain hopeful about this lad and his outcome. It will obviously take time but he is mellowing every day but having said that, we didn't try to pick up his back legs! Too muddy, was our excuse!

17th February 2009

2009-02-17T12:52:00.000-08:00

It has been quite a while for various reasons, the main one being my back operation and subsequently being confined to barracks.

Anyway, today we are heading towards my 6 week anniversary and so I decided to take the dogs for a walk down to Finnigert, where the horses are.

They have had a good winter, no one is thin and Charlot's rug is standing up well to the rigours of Shetland pony playing and general wear and tear. He managed to get stuck in one part of the field and ended up relying on a human being to sort out the problem, ie help him jump the burn. Winnie (Icelandic/Fjord mare) showed him, jumping to and fro endlessly in front of him but he could not get the plot at all. With the help of Jo, he managed this huge feat and had to have a good 30 minute rough game with Jackson afterwards, the Shetland, to make up for his "loneliness". Idiot! It was good though that he didn't panic and just waited for human help to arrive.

So, today, armed with my camcorder that can also take the world's worst photos too, I went and talked to my chaps. It was so good to see them and everyone looked well and pleased to see me too. They all came charging down for a good snog and general scratch. Charlot is definitely part of the gang, both Shetland and Icelandic which is nice to see. He let me kiss his nose and joined in like everyone else. He has lost his summer stand-offishness (is that a word?) and that can only be good.

He has the most amazing winter coat too - a regular fluff ball, like the Shetlands and has lost no weight this winter, despite some fairly hefty snow last week. No one has been short of rations, though, and the whole gang have been regularly moved about Finnigert into different long grassed fields all winter or had unlimited silage. Everyone was in a very good mood and appeared relaxed. I did not feel nervous or worried about my safety at all. Although, I am not very steady on my legs, there was always an Icelandic to hang onto if needs be.

It was so nice to get out and about. I have been stuck indoors for far too long.

1st December 2008

2008-12-01T13:13:00.000-08:00

Just to say that Charlot has been moved away from the house to his winter quarters, along with the big guys, 2 pregnant Shetland mares and his new best friend, Merkisayre Jackson (small, little black sweetie).

We have decided to give him some time off. We do this sometimes with our youngsters, ie work with them in the spring/summer/autumn, then turn them away for the winter and re-start them again in the spring. It is a training practice popular with Icelandic trainers and one that we sometimes use.

Charlot seems to be going backwards in his training. I was looking at photos of him happily having has his back feet trimmed in the school, with someone holding him. He was calm and co-operative then but now he uses for target practice and that is not fair on any of us.

Weather and back permitting, I will go up and take some photos to show everyone that he is happy in his huge field, with his friends and plenty of grass. He has a rug on and is maintaining his weight.

12th November 2008

2008-11-12T13:50:00.001-08:00

Well, another day - new strategy. To ignore Charlot and just work with his friends so that he can see they are not being killed by picking up their back feet!

We approached his back leg and he aimed as usual. Then we tried running a looped rope up and down the leg. We picked up the front leg using this rope and he was happy about that. We approached the back and he lamped out, bang! and we managed to get the rope around (you need a heavy rope) his back leg and ran it up and down like on this YouTube Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdfSQ_f0bA8

Surprisingly, we were quite successful. Just did the one back leg, gave him some food and left it at that. I think we need to look more into this back leg rope thing abit more - I wish that video had spent more time on the back legs rather than the fronts!

8th November 2008

2008-11-08T07:10:00.000-08:00

I caught Charlot easily, though he was hiding beside his new best mate (Jackson). Eggwub has been sold and moved south so Charlot has had to team up with another Shetland. Luckily Jackson loves me and believes every word I say so when Charlot was turning away from being caught, Jackson came up and I fed him the ponynut intended for Charlot instead. That caught Charlot's attention and he turned back to me, I popped on the headcollar and gave him the ponynut.

Leading into the school on a windy morning was achieved with no additional help. He walked in, was tied up next to others and we started the clicker training to pick up his feet. This time Jo had a hoof-pick so that we could actually achieve something. Charlot was not very helpful and while quite successful with the back, he actually lashed out with his back leg before we had even mentioned what we were going to do. We won eventually through patience, an infinite supply of pony-nuts and the clicker. Not our best day, by any means.

I think we might get Jackson in and line them all up, picking up everyone's feet and showing him that no one else is having this hissy fit about it and it is an everyday occurrence in their lives. He might catch on if he watches his friend.

Why can't this horse be easy? I am trying hard not to lose faith in him, to be honest. We have had him only 6 months, I know, but you would think he might have got the plot a bit more. No one has murdered him yet....... could someone tell him that? Picking feet up is a very basic skill and one we are failing at!

No photos coz and I can't click, feed and photo at the same time. Sorry.

5th November 2008

2008-11-05T08:43:00.000-08:00

Clicker training again.... and again..... and again...!

Got the herd up, caught Charlot and tied him up in the school with a few Shetlands for company.

With me on the front end with the clicker and a pocketful of pony nuts and Jo with the four potential missiles (ie legs), I clicked and fed merrily away for good results while Jo picked up all four feet and did a tiny bit more.

This time, she ran her hand down each leg about 6 inches at a time, said "click", I would click and feed Charlot 2 pony nuts, then she would keep going downwards, 6" at a time, with the appropriate click and feed 2 nuts if he stood still. Then, when Jo had got the whole hoof up in the air, I clicked repetitively and fed Charlot a whole handful of nuts. Jo handled the foot for as long as he would let her and then she put it down for him, not letting him grab it away, kick out or plant it down again. We were in control. It was a quiet, efficient working environment and Charlot behaved allowing us to pick up each foot in this way.

Success, big kiss and another handful of nuts, I led him outside, took off the head-collar, kissed a few more hairy noses and went back to working with the Muppets! (little dun 37" geldings who we have had since foals!).

Mission achieved.

2008-11-04T13:12:00.000-08:00

We started the day by calling everyone out of their grass-filled field and the whole world and his wife arrived except for Charlot and two mares. So I walked down and caught him very easily (by giving the food to the mares!) and then Charlot refused to walk up to the school from the field, where all his friends were milling about. Jo had to come down and walk behind him. We then took off his rug so he could roll and get some sun on his back as it was a nice day for a change.

So......here we are outside, like Jo's son recommended (see previous blog). You can guess how well we got on! We didn't!

To be honest, we were not holding our breath (Charlot was starting to hyperventilate) and he was at least consistent in his complete lack of co-operation. I actually think he has no balance on three legs, he just falls over when you pick up one of his front legs.

We tied him up outside and tried Robert's suggestion of "going near Charlot's back legs when he was outside - apparently he doesn't mind that in the slightest!!". He minded more than in the slightest.

So, new idea - CLICKER TRAINING!!! I had previously found the clicker and put it in a safe place (so spent 5 minutes trying to locate my safe place), filled my pockets with pony nuts and off we went. Jo placed her hands gently on each leg, told me when to click, I clicked and gave Charlot food. We did each foot with quite minimal violence from Charlot and left it at that. Perhaps clicker training is the way forwards. Charlot is not stupid and very quick to learn. He worked out the relationship between the required deed, the click and the food fairly swiftly so we will persevere with this method and see where it leads us.

NB - it is not easy to take photos, click and feed at the same time. But believe me, there was far less target practice from himself!

1st November 2008

2008-11-02T06:55:00.001-08:00

Well, they've managed to finish the grass in the hill park - a clean plate has been made and it is time to move them down to the other half of this field - the lower field.

Firstly, though, we noticed that Charlot's rug was squint. So Jo went up to him, put on a headcollar, which I held, while she put everything right. He just stood there, in the middle of the herd (with others offering to "help") while we tugged and pulled and shoved his rug back around his fat big tum-tum so that it was symmetrical again. Didn't mind in the slightest, wasn't bothered at all.

Then we went an opened the gate into 25 acres of ungrazed pasture. This field has been left all summer and autumn, the grass is fantastic and it is all theirs (13 ponies + 2 goats in total). The whole herd was very enthusiastic and galloped through the gate and stopped dead, with heads down to eat - not that anyone is looking thin or peaky.

So, Charlot, the only one with a rug on, seems to have re-integrated himself with his chums. The spring/summer girlie rivalries are forgotten and everyone is acting as one in this herd. Today was Charlot's turn to guard against the potential tigers while the rest had a snooze. So he ate, and they snoozed, either standing up or lying (blob on bottom right of photo is someone lying down). You can see the length of the grass too. Oh they are in for a nice winter. You can also see that Charlot is the with the Shetland pony contingency rather than the big 'uns that are the other side of the stream.

5th October 2008

2008-10-05T07:07:00.000-07:00

Well, I'll be ...........totally gobsmacked!

Sorry no ponio photos.

Yesterday was a day of shite, as we say - it rained, sleeted, snowed and blew a northerly gale (constant 8, gusting 10), wind chill factor minus several somethings. So it was very cold with blizzards all day. The snow couldn't settle much because of the rain and wet ground but it was disgustingly cold.

I felt so sorry for the ponies - they all live out and all I could do was hope that Charlot copied the others and used the available shelter - 5 foot high dry stone walls. I also remembered that he is quite fat so there are some reserves in there he could shiver off!

Today is much better. The wind has changed direction. It is warmer and everything has calmed down too (about a Force 5). Jo, the dogs and I went into the field to call the horses home as we wanted to put a medium-weight rug on Charlot. Of course when you want them, they just stand there and look at you refusing to budge. So we walked up the field (I slowly limped unable to keep up). Jo then announced that she actually hadn't got a head-collar with her, just a piece of rope. So, she went up to Charlot, put the rope round his neck and he followed her for about 1/4 mile home where we put him in the shed, found a "real" headcollar and put it on him.

I was amazed. I expect that sort of conduct from the majority of our long-term boys but from a rescue pony owned for 6 months, that kind of behaviour is amazing. When you can do stuff like that out of the blue, who cares about the feet drama - it will come together eventually. So, well done that lad!

Anyway, we put the new rug on. There were no kicky moments around the back end when Jo did up the leg-straps even though she nearly clipped Charlot's manly bits by mistake! I told him he had my full permission to kick her if she did that again!

With the new rug on, we put Charlot back with his friends hoping they would not start ribbing him and tearing the rug up like last time. I am watching!

24th September 2008

2008-09-24T09:37:00.000-07:00

Strike action at school so we had Robert (Jo's lad) to help today.

I caught Charlot, with no problem. Good start, I thought. He walked calmly into the indoor school and I then remembered that we had no "inspiration", ie food! Never mind, Jo said, he couldn't dine out on his fears forever.

So, front feet were done easily enough though Charlot does have a tendency to fall over if he has to stand on three legs. He just topples over!

Then "hello back feet" and off we went again. Round and round in circles with some fairly vicious kicks aimed at Jo. He really is vile about this issue (though, I am fairly sure there will be others but we only know about this one for the time being!)

Jo decided to use a Parelli method which involves touching the horse all over with a rustly bag on a stick. Being not up on Parelli and his methods, I am not very sure of the theory and benefits here but Charlot didn't seem to mind any of this, including when Jo touched his back legs with her weird "training aid".

So, we left it at that. Jo didn't go near Charlot's feet again with her hands and we put him out into his field again to rejoin his friends. Funnily enough, Robert announced that we should try going near Charlot's back legs when he was outside - apparently he doesn't mind that in the slightest!! Always open to suggestions, we will give it a go another day!

21 September 2008

2008-09-21T09:57:00.000-07:00

Well..... as we have the girls around to help us (they are usually away at school off the island), I went an caught Charlot very easily. The trick is to show him a piece of apple and then to put on the headcollar around his nose, give him the apple, and to do the headcollar up. Works a treat!

Mission accomplished, Daisy held him and Jo went for the feet. Fronts, again, were fine. He even anticipated and offered to pick them up. Then for the back ones.

.... well Jo did it and it took half the time but there was still the usual lashing out with target practice. With Daisy on the front end with a pocket full of apple and carrot, Jo would run her hand down Charlot's back leg. If he lashed out, no apple. If, on the other hand, he allowed her to stroke/scratch his back leg, then he would get some apple. This time we won because he decided to have a poo!

With Charlot, it doesn't take long for him to work things out and, note to self, we really must find that clicker (I know it must be somewhere!) as I think he would make a prime candidate for clicker training.

This is a pony that needs constant work and reinforcement on a daily basis. At this moment, it is not the time. Funny little lad, though. I was stroking Charlot's head and he was doing his best not to fall asleep! His motto is never trust anyone coz they might be a tiger!

He is also looks like a little porker! Well, winter will be harsh and he needs it since he will be living out 24/7. You could make quite a few sausages out of him now! Perhaps someone ought to tell him and then he might behave!

20th September 2008

2008-09-20T10:54:00.000-07:00

I bought Charlot a 4'9" heavy duty winter turnout rug. I know he will need it for the forthcoming winter or, failing that, we will have to put him in a stable. We don't have any spare stables at present. Jo's stables are already booked for this year's foals and Indie this winter and Charlot will not have a peaceful winter if he is stuck in a separate field gazing at them whilst waging war against Indie. Hence the rug purchase.

The last time we put a rug on Charlot (last spring), he nearly went into meltdown but this time, he was mellow and unphased by this, including having the fillet string passed through the back of his legs with straps done up underneath his belly. Charlot's behaviour cheered me up as we have done nothing with him this past month. He remained calm, interested in yet another mad scheme and co-operative. I am glad we tried it on him now rather than in an emergency situation (you know, Gale Force 10, rain lashing down and trying to get a rug onto him while he shook with cold, wet and misery).

Daisy calmly led him around the school (and btw, he was also fairly easy to catch too) and then, on a roll ,we decided to "do" feet, ie Jo picks up each hoof, cleans it out and puts it down with no fuss. Well, that is the theory anyway and the practice was actually completely different.

The front two hooves were no problem but the back two resulted in Charlot becoming more and more adept at target practice. He would not give in and lashed out the minute he felt Jo's hand on his back legs. Not good, not good at all.

Never one to give up, Jo persevered until Charlot became used to feeling her hand on his leg reaching as far down as his hoof. At times, he was dangerous and panicking. Jo said you could hear his heart beating very very fast. She kept going until she could run her hand down his back leg without him lashing out.

We know that we have to keep going but our luck has run out for the time being. I have wrecked my back and doctors orders are to rest with gentle mobilisation. Hanging onto a rope with nearly half a ton of horse trying to evade an issue is not "gentle mobilisation" in any language! We will do our best but it is probably more beneficial to let him learn to be in a herd environment rather than to try and train him occasionally without all our strength and concentration. We cannot help him if we are not firing on all cylinders.

23rd August 2008

2008-08-24T13:08:00.000-07:00

We haven't worked with Charlot in a while. Just let him enjoy the summer with his friends with little, if any, human pressure.

So, today I decided we would do a small something in the training department. I caught him with no bother (a piece of apple thrown did the trick) and led him into the indoor school. Whereupon Jo brushed his tail and plaited his mane, picked his feet out and that was it. Nothing too strenuous and he coped admirably. Everyone was calm.

We are busy with training other Shetland ponies who are already sold so there is much to do that doesn't involve Charlot. He is interested in our work and taking it all in, which is a good sign. We let him watch and I am sure that one day he knows it will be his turn!

30th July 2008

2008-07-31T08:48:00.000-07:00

Well, not our best day at all today. In fact, a disaster on all fronts. Charlot can't be caught, is jumpy and nervous around folk. So after failing to catch him the day before, I made the decision to work with him.

I followed him around the outside of the school a couple of times trying to catch him with a carrot but he would have none of it. Pony friends consistently offered their services which did not help and gave Charlot time to move away. In the end he sought refuge from being followed by me and went into the indoor arena.

The door was shut and the bars went across and I decided that he was not scared of me, just didn't want to be part of the team. Join-up was initiated and it did not take long for him to lick and chew. Although, he would not follow me, he would let me walk up to him and replace the head-collar. We did this head-collar on and off a few times.

Then Jo brushed him. He jumped at her every touch, trying to evade the situation. When she picked up his back feet, Charlot tried to kick her and I feel we have gone back very quickly to the bottom of our snake or ladder. However, we ended on a good note and I slipped him back into the herd group.

After lunch, I went back with a head-collar and after the initial wander, I caught Charlot fairly quickly. He appeared much calmer so we did a small amount of quiet lungeing, just small amounts of walk and trot on both reins, nothing stressful. I just wanted him to listen to me in a calm fashion. After that, I put him out with the others.

He has been moved to live around the house. This is where the fatties are and I can see him all the time. I popped out every few hours with a biscuit, baby carrots or a treat so that he could see there was no pressure to be talked to. Let's hope he gets back into the idea of people because at the moment, Charlot is taking the piss big time.

19th July 2008

2008-07-19T07:21:00.000-07:00

Well, an eventful day for Charlot. He has had a nice peaceful time in his field for the last month - we have been very busy planning our trip south for the Royal Highland Show and then recovering from the subsequent nightmare ferry journey back home.

So, today we decided to take-up where we left off. Charlot was happy to be harnessed up but this time the breeching was attached to the breast collar so he could actually feel the harness fitting around his body. He wasn't sure about this and after a circuit of broncing on the lunge, he soon settled down to work sense, although threatening to roll. This was discouraged and Jo decided to put on the blinkered bridle and attached the long-reins through the terrets onto his bit.

Charlot was definitely unsure about this too and panicked very quickly. So Hella and Jo walked either side of him constantly reassuring him that things were fine. Once Charlot believed them, he was long-reined successfully for a short time with just Hella walking by his head.

We finished on a good note with carrots and lots of praise. Charlot learns quickly once he trusts his handler. It all takes time and that is what we have lots of. There is no hurry.

June 7th 2008

2008-06-07T12:24:00.001-07:00

I went to catch a pony for shoeing and, in my absence, Jo harnessed up Charlot using the large Shetland pony harness. She said he was no trouble and let her do up buckles around his tail and girth. It suited him and so she led him about for a bit and then lunged him.

Charlot was chilled about the whole process and was working on listening to Jo's commands for various transitions whilst following her body language. Clever boy!

Meanwhile Eggwub arrived to "help" and generally get in the way. He tipped up buckets, made a huge noise investigating everything, while Charlot went round in his lungeing circles ignoring the clatter. I am including a photo of the Wub so you can see what a dear boy he is! Kiss that nosey!

5th June 2008

2008-06-06T04:00:00.001-07:00

Another training day.....

Jo was shoeing Charlie (Shetland pony going to Royal Highland Show this year) so I was at a loose end. Charlot is an escapee - he gets over fences and just potters around outside the house. Eggwub is usually in evidence too so I let them into the school, caught Eggwub and tied him up.

I decided that Mr Headcollar was the special skill to work on. I got a particularly "nice" purple one and a pocketful of carrot pieces. Charlot was in the school, wandering about but could not escape outside. With Eggwub already nodding off, standing quietly tied up, I approached Charlot, gave him a carrot and put on the headcollar. He stood there and let me do it with barely a flinch. So, I took off the headcollar and did it all over again.... and again..... and again until he stopped reacting. I had long since run out of carrots and the headcollar issue seemed solved.

Then, we worked on leading again. Charlot would like to walk behind you and bunt you if you halt. With my body language, I said that bunting was not the best thing and asked him to walk beside me. He was reluctant to do this, but eventually was walking calmly. We did try a trot, but he didn't understand what I wanted and ended up behind me again. I won't push him on this yet. More work is required obviously.

Feeling that this was a good time, I attached a lunge line to Charlot's headcollar and took him into the middle of the school to teach him to lunge.

He tried to evade the issue, standing still, changing direction or walking backwards. He wanted to be with Eggwub (now snoring!) and I wouldn't let him. Eventually I got him walking calmly in small circles preventing him from stopping. He worked better in one direction than the other but he learned quickly and clearly enjoyed it.

Jo took over so I could take photos and was much more successful. She is better at lungeing than me! Charlot worked very well and was listening and learning. She kept him in walk and taught him to stop and walk on. She then did a quick Mr Headcollar lesson and could see that he was now fine.

We gave him an apple, woke up Eggwub and put them back in their field! Jo took the headcollar on and off in the field just to see if Charlot would co-operate. He was 100%!

Good lad!

1st June 2008

2008-06-06T03:47:00.000-07:00

Today, we start work!

Charlot has been with us 2 months. He has settled in and has a place in the herd.

So, we bit the bullet. Everyone was herded into the indoor school, caught and tied up around the edge.

Charlot was the last to be caught (Ljosfaxi's influence) and was not easy about having a headcollar put on. We ignored this small hissy fit and he was tied up while we did a few chores around the place first.

I did some leading work with him and he appeared calm and attentive. He could see his friends and was happy to work with me at the other end of the school. Leading is getting better. He follows my body language, stopping immediately when I stop and walking at my pace.

Jo decided to have a better go at Charlot's back feet. He was stood in the middle of the school with one person holding him (and talking to him) while Jo picked up his back foot to trim. An initial kick-out, Charlot immediately got the message and co-operated. This is a huge improvement and his feet are now much nicer and he is putting up far less of a fight each time we suggest a trim. He was not bothered by his general surroundings as everyone else was calmly standing still while the dogs and hens milled about.

Floss, my daughter, had a conversation with Charlot and he stood quietly enjoying the attention. Pink does not suit him as a colour - they clashed horribly!

Then Jo brushed him. Charlot was not thrilled with this idea but tolerated it, even relaxing by the end. It is all new and he is realising that we treat him like everyone else and he is still alive!

30th May 2008

2008-06-06T03:23:00.000-07:00

Sorry, no photos of this event! No time to grab the camera.

Anyway, never ever trust your pony. It is not a good thing.

We decided, in our naive stupidity, to move the herd up to the fields surrounding my house. On paper, it is an easy enough task (about 1/2 mile away) and one that we have done many times. My house is next to open hill which is basically a 25 mile square field.

So, we positioned my neighbour by her garden with a pitchfork (78 years old and not afraid to use it!) and Robert (Jo's lad) on the cattle grid. My Landrover across the road to block it and Jo opened the gates and pushed the ponies up the road with her van.

They went at a steady speed and trotted happily up, ignoring my neighbour brandishing pitchfork, the cattlegrid and turned right down my track, breaking into a canter. I jumped into my Landrover and followed keeping the pressure up for them to go forwards and go home. The gate was open, two Shetlands in the home field calling them, and to a man, they all swerved right into the hill giggling, bucking and farting, leaving their two Shetland friends irate in their field.

We ran after them for miles while they ignored us and kept going, onwards and upwards. Eventually, about 30 minutes later, they saw their "friends" and headed for the field. So, we opened the gate and everyone piled into the field except FOR TWO PONIES (Ljosfaxi and Charlot) who thought it would be more fun to play together and keep going.

Try as we might, we could not get them into the field. They were wild, uncatchable and stupid, egging each other on. Deciding that they could never go through the gate, while we meanwhile tried to herd them through and stop the others coming out again, we let them canter back to the original gate (the one they had swerved past), whereupon they turned in and someone let them into the field.

Bloody, bloody ponies!!!! This whole debacle took 1 hour of running and swearing.

So, we are splitting up Ljosfaxi and Charlot (the two wanderers) as they are very bad for each other. Ljosfaxi is a known mad horse and he is difficult to catch and handle with many issues. His ideas are rubbing off on Charlot and doing him no favours. The decision has been made!

21 May 2008

2008-05-21T14:48:00.001-07:00

I took the dogs for walk down to the field where Charlot lives. We recently re-introduced the big boys from their hill park where they have been on a diet. I think there has been some trouble. Charlot has a cut below his left eye and seems to be always on the outside of things. Perhaps we will move him in with some Shetland geldings for a while. He doesn't particularly need people at the moment, just food and space I think.

I have introduced Charlot to Mr Potentially-Evil Plastic Curry Comb and he lets me brush his chest and mane but not behind him. He always likes to be face to face with you so he knows where you are all the time. The head-collar is lost regularly and we haven't bothered putting it back on again. All fingers are pointed at Edward!

Anyway, Charlot is looking good. The warm spring weather suits him and he is fairly relaxed though Haakon, my Icelandic, is not helping and goes miles to tell him how much he loathes him. Putting on weight and a bright healthy summer coat coming through are all contributing towards a better life.

2 May 2008

2008-05-02T15:05:00.000-07:00

Today Charlot met the cart up close. We had finished driving Fjord on the road and were just putting all the equipment back in the shed. Jo was pulling the cart and Charlot walked up to us. He has always been curious when we take out a Shetland for a spin and this was his chance to actually see everything close up. He wasn't phased at all and was genuinely interested.

Charlot is putting on weight and has a lovely shiny orange coat. Confidence is growing more and more every day and I think we might even start to brush him. He wouldn't let Jo get his claggy belly, though. Time to move to the next step - grooming!

27 April 2008

2008-04-29T09:42:00.000-07:00

Today, after a bit of an absence from Charlot, we wormed him with a nuclear wormer. In Shetland we find the usual ascarids and red worms, but it has been known for bots to appear in imported equines. They are not a frequent visitor or resident.

Charlot took it like a man and was very good about having 4 lots of worming solution shoved down him (we only had a small syringe!). A bit of mutual grooming later, he led perfectly like a pro back into his field. He seems relaxed and happy with the little 'uns. The big guys have been moved into the slimming field as they had got a bit too fat so Charlot is with 4 Shetland ponies and one old mad Icelandic!

He really is the most beautiful shade of red. Now we've wormed him, perhaps he'll grow up to be a Suffolk Punch - he's certainly got the knees!

19 April 2008

2008-04-29T09:41:00.001-07:00

We caught Charlot easily and took him, with Fjord (Shetland gelding in training), into our arena. Jo went through the routine of picking up his feet and apart from a small kicking session with one back one, Charlot co-operated nicely.

I did some leading training and Charlot was happy to walk alongside stopping and starting, reading and following my body language. He wanted to stop at the entrance as he had decided that he had enough and I asked him to walk on. He took a few steps and then bit my elbow.

The minute Charlot did it, I turned around so we were face to face and, outraged, I made him back up and keep backing up until I said enough (a couple of yards). His little face was one of amazement. He knew exactly what he had done and he then started to lick and chew his apology.

Apology accepted, we went back to the exercise once more just to prove that I say when it is enough and not him. Charlot was contrite and I had his full attention.

So, as we say, the cheque has cleared!

It is obvious that Charlot has not been handled. We stroke, touch and groom him with our hands all over his body so he gets desensitized as much as possible. He doesn’t jump anymore and Jo laid over his back to see what he would do - he was completely mystified and a bit jumpy!

Sorry, no photos.

16 April 2008

2008-04-29T09:39:00.001-07:00

Another go at feet today and working on our trust issues - Charlot with us and vice versa.

Charlot now lets us pick up all his feet without too much problem. It is getting easier though he is still not 100% yet on the back ones. He tends to object immediately and then remembers that he can do this fine. Charlot wanted to have a good look at what Jo was doing while I held the end of the rope and to try and take photos!

It was such a nice day, for a change, that while I was taking photos of everyone, Jo decided to lie on the ground to catch some sun. I don’t think Charlot has seen humans lie down and he was very interested. Perhaps not totally to be trusted (it was funny to watch the Icelandic herd leader (Hakon) - he was quite tense about the situation), Charlot wandered around Jo to investigate this new approach. It was a lesson for both of them in trust.

15 April 2008

2008-04-29T09:29:00.000-07:00

Over the past week, we’ve been doing very little with Charlot. Saying hello, trying to teach him to lead nicely but mostly letting him relax and graze with the herd.

Charlot is leading better and will walk alongside but he doesn’t like enclosed gaps, like a small gateway. Funnily enough, he had a complete hissy fit at going through a gateway and then walked calmly over our building site, drains and all, without blinking, just following me calmly.

He is nervous about us touching his legs. Back ones are still an issue but he will pick them up eventually and the kicking is getting less. Pony nuts are ok, but when something stressful is happening (in his head), then no amount of bribery will work. You can almost see the thought processes at work. He just has to decide to do it and trust us. In a way this must be better, because Charlot’s compliance to different situations will be based on trust rather than food. Edward, of course, is always there to help, offer advice and generally get in the way.

I had a reading done for Charlot by animal communicator Linda Desoer-Forster from Animal Communicare. Here are some extracts:-

“What a wonderful charming young man Charlot is. He comes across as being very sweet natured and very genuine, but very bewildered by everything that has happened to him of late......Charlot firstly wants to point out that he gets confused with words, much of what he hears he doesn’t understand, but he can understand the emotions and thoughts behind them......In his few years of life Charlot shows he has become a very well travelled young man, it feels like he his showing that his life didn’t start in the same place in France that he ultimately came from, cannot be sure it was even France, as a very young horse he was sold at market and moved across the country......On the whole Charlot has a bit of a dim view of humans, in his past life all the humans he has come in to contact with have been hard and aggressive, handling him and others like him like inanimate objects rather than something that has a heart and a soul, its only recently that he is starting to understand that humans can have a milder streak. This sometimes makes him slightly anxious, is something bad going to happen? Can he trust people?.....Charlot, whilst it is obvious he is only a young man, is so worldly wise in many ways, almost like a child who has grown up on the streets or in a war torn country.”

8 April 2008

2008-04-29T09:27:00.000-07:00

In the pouring rain, we decided to trim Charlot’s feet for the first time. The weather has been nothing but unhelpful in the last few days but his feet really do need trimming.

He was a very good boy and, with the help of Edward (of course), we managed to get the front ones done without any problems. He even let Jo put his hoof on the stand to have it rasped. Not bad for a pony who has been here a week.

Now the back feet were a totally different matter and we are going to have to work on this. Charlot tends to lash out rather than trust us and who can blame him. He had no idea what we were trying to achieve and was not co-operating.

Rather than force the issue, we will just continue at the speed we are going - little things every few days (more if the sun ever shines - the rain was dripping off us all).

Charlot is still very friendly and is learning to lead much better as long as “best friend Edward” comes too. He does not barge but reads your body language and walks alongside nicely. He has so much to learn and I am looking forwards to some nice weather so we can work with him properly. In this weather, you can only do the bare minimum.

5 April 2008

2008-04-29T09:22:00.000-07:00

It is a “curate’s egg” of a day - sun then snow then wind then snow, all in short bursts.... ugh! A baptism of fire for poor Charlot but he is learning what to do, ie copy everyone else. So backs into the wind and wait for a break and then back to grazing.

I was only down in their field for a short while as it was so cold. I had to take off my gloves so that I could stroke Charlot but that was all I could do today.

In between the snowy weather, Charlot was still eating and seemed happy and chilled (not literally, he has his lovely rug for protection and warmth).

I think this blog might go weekly now or if something out of the ordinary happens. Suffice it to say, Charlot is here and is happy.

4 April 2008

2008-04-29T09:19:00.000-07:00

Everyone got de-loused today and Charlot was happy to cooperate! He likes meeting new folk and has no problems with his rug, which is keeping him nice and warm.

Remember on Day 1 when I wrote that Charlot chased dogs. Jo was already in the field and had forgotten my warning. She had let her two collies out. Today Charlot didn’t care at all about dogs. He wasn’t chasing them and was totally unconcerned even when they were nearby. Such a huge change and so quickly.

So, we took the Icelandics out of the field to be ridden and Charlot watched at the edge of our arena utterly gob-smacked. He was bemused and just stood and stared in amazement that anyone would possibly want to do this, let alone enjoy it. Funny little boy! His learning curve must be vertical.

He is well and truly part of the herd. I think he sees himself more in the Shetland pony camp and is playing, both instigating and being part of the gang. He likes a good game with the lads. The Shetland mares are secretly quite impressed with him too!

The weather is deteriorating at the moment, so I hope Charlot copes with Shetland at its worst.

3 April 2008

2008-04-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

I went to see the ponies this morning and fed Charlot a carrot - he likes them and knows what they are! I took off his head-collar as he appeared very tame and helpful. Charlie is his best friend and they are nearly always together.

Later on, I decided that we ought to put a rug on him as snow is forecast over the weekend. Easier said than done.

Jo came over and we replaced the head-collar. This was a bit of a performance and I think it will have to stay on for the time being. Then we “led” him into a small planticrub.

Jo had hold of Charlot while I introduced the giant rustling red bat that was obviously going to eat him. Edward, another helpful Shetland pony, was with him and offering to wear it, do it up and generally get in the way. This calmed Charlot down and we eventually placed the rug on his back and did up all the numerous buckles and straps.

Once we had released Charlot back into the herd, everyone came and laughed at him but he seems at ease with them all and is playing and interacting far more.

There is no malice in the boy, just nervousness and trust issues. He genuinely likes folk and you can touch his ears and tickle his belly but everything is new and you can see how brave he is being by accepting us.

2 April 2008

2008-04-29T08:47:00.000-07:00

A small terrified chestnut pony was standing rigid in the trailer on the pier in Lerwick at 8am this morning. Jo went in and put a headcollar on Charlot. He wouldn’t lead and we ended up putting a rope around his bottom and unceremoniously shoving him into the animal shed to wait for our handsome, dashing, balding, stressed and caffeine dependent vet, Jim Tait from Lerwick Veterinary Practice. Refusing all food and jumping if we went near, Jim (handsome, dashing, balding, stressed and caffeine dependent) managed to give Charlot a check-up before we took him back to Thordale (a one hour drive).

Charlot has no manners, no concept of being led and has barely been handled but inside is a small pony desperate to be friends.

We threw him in at the deep end and put him in a large field with 12 other ponies - Icelandics and Shetlands - and then left him to it! There was the usual running around, the odd squeal and then everyone settled down to the usual job of eating.

Later in the afternoon, I took the dogs for a walk down to the field. Charlot doesn’t like dogs and will go from one end of the field to the other to tell them. We will keep the dogs away for a while.

Having initially thought Charlot would be difficult to catch again (we left his headcollar on), I was surprised when he was the first one up to say hello. He has made friends with the Shetlands and most of the Icelandics but his place in the herd is at the bottom at the moment. He instigates playing with his equine friends and likes people. I talked to him, coming and going between the others and he was easy and kind.

Early days, I know, but I hope this is going to work out. He has a lovely nature, movement and is strong. Once his feet are sorted out and he has put on some weight, I think there is a superb little pony who will show everyone what he can do.

Here is Charlot’s film on You Tube - Day 1 - it shows his arrival in Shetland just off the ferry and then meeting the gang. 7:25m long with beautiful traditional Shetland music - Enjoy.

Introduction

2008-04-29T08:37:00.000-07:00

1 April 2008
One night, I was going through the death-row photos on www.equinsection.com, a heart-wrenching website when suddenly two little black button eyes looked back at me. Well, that was it, I had to save Charlot.

I’d been watching www.equinsection.com for some weeks as I had always wanted a donkey or two at Thordale. Since the resident three goats live in my potential donkey shed, I came to the conclusion that I will have to wait a while for my donks!

So I contacted Debbie, the organiser, to find Charlot was still available and desperately needing a home. After a bit of to-ing and fro-ing with emails, I paid the transporter (Robert Wood of Euro Sports) to fetch him from France and bring him to Aberdeen harbour for the ferry to Lerwick, Shetland. He made the long journey in stages and was put on the passenger ferry in a horsebox with half a bale of hay and a bucket of water to himself.

I have been told that Charlot is very timid but getting braver. He is thin and been through a lot in the last few weeks. On his arrival, our handsome, dashing, balding, stressed and caffeine dependent vet, Jim Tait from Lerwick Veterinary Practice, will give him a check-up and then we’ll put him (the pony, not handsome, dashing, balding, stressed and caffeine dependent Jim!) into a field with last year’s Shetland colts to chill for a while and find his feet.

To date, all we know is:-

Charlot, 4 year old chestnut gelding
Height approximately 1.5m (43 inches)
Microchipped
Is friendly, but nervous

At worst he will be a very expensive lawn-mower. At best, he will drive our beautiful Barry Wheelwright Spindle Back gig at the Royal Highland Show some day!

Wish him luck (and us)!