I have decided to try to make some items for this Christmas that I would usually buy. The first things I opted to make were wreaths. Living in a rural area, there is an abundance of materials to forage from hedgerows and my garden.
I thought Diva might like to accompany me on a foraging expedition near the yard. Ever had an idea and then wished you hadn’t?
It all started out quite promisingly, though Diva was not impressed that the bucket I carried was empty! Little did I realise that filling it up was not going to cheer her up.
She was quite happy having a little graze on the verge as I collected some pine cones, though she checked out the bucket with every rattle the cones made. I collected some beech leaves and twigs for their lovely autumnal colours. Again, she had a good sniff and this time a nibble or two of the leaves. They are safe for ponies to eat but obviously not that appetising as Diva soon returned her attention to the grass.
A little further along the hedgerow and we spotted a holly bush with some berries. I am sure Diva chuckled as I swore each time I was prickled by the sharp leaves. Perhaps that is why she pointed the bush out to me? Holly is poisonous to ponies, but I need not have worried as she paid my cuttings no heed at all.
Note to self: wear gardening gloves when foraging!
Lots of the things we bring into our homes and gardens during the festive season are poisonous to pets, so please take care and ensure that they are out of reach.
I have promised Diva a pony-friendly wreath, so keep an eye out on the Equesure Facebook, Instagram and website to see how I get on. Will Diva be impressed?
Once again I threw Arlo in at the deep end, affiliating him purely for the Arena UK second round show, and once again he pulled it out the bag. How lucky am I to have such a wonderful little horse? We haven’t really competed this year. I don’t really compete over the winter, and also my horsebox was away for repairs up until the beginning of June, so I had no transport even if I’d wanted to.
With the dry ground we don’t seem to be having much luck with shoes, as little madam managed to pull both her front shoes off within 12 hours the other day! We entered the arena with two shoes on for a schooling session and left it with one missing (took about an hour to find it). Then that afternoon, as I went to put some hoof ointment on, I looked down and had to double take, thinking I was looking at the wrong hoof. But, no, the other shoe was missing too.
After having a long wait and some lunch at the onsite café, it was time to get ready for the Joan Wolfe Overall Supreme Shetland Pony Championship. I got changed out of my usual showing outfit into black trousers and a maroon top with white spots, as you are expected to be a bit more “bling” in the evening.
We were all set to go for our next outing, and were super excited. That was until I heard the dreaded clunk of a loose shoe! I checked it over, praying it wasn’t too loose, but, nope, it was going to need a refit.