I currently have the charge of two Shetland ponies, not just one, as I have mentioned previously. However, Jackson is currently enduring the consequences of repeatedly running through my electric fencing as if it isn’t there, and his turnout is only in the pen. I do feel slightly guilty about this, but given his small size he can still have a good canter around, buck and roll.
Electric fencing – while being a useful tool in keeping the main part of my field from being churned up during the winter – does concern me regarding its ability to inflict injury on those who do not respect it. The problem is, it just doesn’t ever seem to break and if it wraps around a limb, the consequences can be devastating. Hence, Jackson being confined to the pen for now.
Jackson is not alone in his naughtiness, as Diva is certainly living up to her name at the moment. She is very vocal in all she does and whenever is being led about she keeps squeaking, which makes me chuckle.
I am doing a little training with her and she is proving a quick learner, especially if carrots are involved. She will walk backwards away from me and then stand still before walking towards me. This is a useful tool and I am hoping the start of some trick or liberty training. I will keep you informed of how we get on.
The easing of lockdown restrictions means that it looks like some shows will go ahead, although a lot of the large county shows have already cancelled for 2021. Most horsey people I know also have a dog or two, and these are usually found accompanying them at shows. In fact, some competitions have classes for “lorry dogs”. I had my own little lorry dog, Norman, who went with me every time I stayed over at a show with Mabel and then with Florence. Unfortunately, he was a little too old by the time I was showing Diva and so stayed behind with friends when I took her out.
Norman, or The Norm, absolutely loved going out in the horsebox and so even came with me on trips for horse feed. He was such a big part of my life that I had to mention him in the blog. At almost eighteen years old, he recently crossed the rainbow bridge and leaves a huge hole behind. I would love you to share tales, no pun intended, and photos of your lorry dogs.
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.