Harry horse & Charlie adventures! Horse chat & much more! Everyone welcome!

[rebrascora]

Kim I knew you would get it out alive. Well done! It looks so cute but a bit sad being on it's own. Hope it has some friends soon.
I might be fluttering a little flag tonight. My young friend and I helped Ian put Zak and Archie into Tandem formation for the first time last night and walked with them whilst he took them up the road and got the hang of the reins.....it is a bit complicated! Anyway, after that we went to my yard and I put her on Reb and I just walked with her around the block to make sure she could handle him and he wasn't going to be too silly. Going to do the same again tonight but I will ride with her this time.... unless some major incident occurs to prevent it!
Hope the little one continues to flourish. How is Keeper doing? I'm assuming no news is good news and he continues to do well. Is Harry's knee still OK after his fall.

 

[TwoCrows]

Aww...what a cutie pie Kim!! Just cuteness overload!! I am glad he made it out ok. He looks good!

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Kim I knew you would get it out alive. Well done! It looks so cute but a bit sad being on it's own. Hope it has some friends soon.
I might be fluttering a little flag tonight. My young friend and I helped Ian put Zak and Archie into Tandem formation for the first time last night and walked with them whilst he took them up the road and got the hang of the reins.....it is a bit complicated! Anyway, after that we went to my yard and I put her on Reb and I just walked with her around the block to make sure she could handle him and he wasn't going to be too silly. Going to do the same again tonight but I will ride with her this time.... unless some major incident occurs to prevent it!
Hope the little one continues to flourish. How is Keeper doing? I'm assuming no news is good news and he continues to do well. Is Harry's knee still OK after his fall.

It sure is To be quite honest I was very concerned about having a lone gosling but it seems very settled in the brooder. That maybe just early days though with it only being 24 hours after hatch so it’s still quite sleepy. Overall I’m pleased with how it’s doing and when it is awake it’s now standing ok but still a tad wobbly when walking. Eating and drinking ok so all will be good.

Oh Barbara I do you hope you are able wave a flag tonight!
Sounds like a plan to get out with a friend! Hope all has gone/is going well and no major incidents have occurred!

The tandem and the reins sounds bad! I can just imagine how complicated it is! I could only just manage a double bridle so tandem driving would be no good to me I can even manage to get a bit of a tangle on with ride & lead, especially when I’m trying to get the electric gate zapper/clicker out of my pocket!

Keeper is fab thank you He’s a happy bunny this week as Charlie is on half term from school so he has his full attention. Lots of extra walks, going to the pond and out with the gun so he’s being a busy bee. His leg seems all ok (touch wood) and no more blips. I hope I have not cursed anything

Harry is also good thanks and no ill affects from his fall. Got a nice scab on his knee now so I’m leaving it be whilst it’s dry and clean. I’m still kicking myself for letting it happen in the first place but glad he’s turned out at the moment so any swelling has been kept at bay from walking it off. I could just well imagine it may have been a different story had it been winter with grotty weather and him being stabled for hours.

Aww...what a cutie pie Kim!! Just cuteness overload!! I am glad he made it out ok. He looks good!

Thank you Leyla I’m in love and it’s going to be hard letting it go! Peeper is my little pal already!

 

[TwoCrows]

Kim you need to keep the little guy. He's your buddy now!

 

[rebrascora]

Yes Kim my flag is flying.... whoo hoo!.... but unfortunately I don't have an emoticon to illustrate it. All went well. Rascal was a "dope on a rope" ( I actually had to use my legs and even nag a bit occasionally!) which worried me as my lot are pretty forward going, but it was very hot and humid even at 9pm. Thankfully he perked up a little on the way home and we had some more forward going trots and head tossing which is typical of Rasc and a sign he is feeling more himself. Reb was well behaved for Lauren but she said that the power was there waiting to be asked for . We just kept it steady and believe it or not, had an uneventful ride!!! Prior to that Ian and I took his boys out tandem again and Ian let me drive for about half a mile before my hand got tired. The length of reins for driving and the thickness of them makes them so much heavier than riding even though the horses were not pulling much and you hold them all in the left hand and the whip in the other, so it is a lot of strain on that hand. It is quite different to driving pairs where the reins are coupled together so you only have one set in your hand. I was quite pleased with how I managed but I'm a long way off cone driving! I can manage much better two handed (FEI style) like they do in marathon driving but Ian is a stickler for doing things the old traditional Coachman style. We will need to get one of those stress balls to build up the strength in our left hands!
I'm very impressed that you have ridden in a double bridle. I assume you must have been showing or something? Was that Harry or a previous horse? It is more the thing for show cobs isn't it? I have the absolute minimum tack on my horses for riding, so no nosebands or martingales. They just leave dirty, sweaty marks on the horses..... because of course my ggs are never clean.... and with having broad white blazes, a sweaty noseband mark looks horrid and just something else to irritate them, especially in this heat. And they are just extras to clean of course.... not that my tack gets cleaned very often..... my bum did a good job rubbing the dust and mould off my saddle yesterday though At least we got the horses out and Lauren is now back from Uni for the summer so hopefully we will be able to ride more often.

Good to hear Keeper is doing well and enjoying Charlie being home and that Harry is no worse the wear for his tumble. Hope the gosling is still content and thriving.

Forgot to answer your question re my worm count results. All came back negative..... no eggs seen. I am considering putting Rascal on Red Cell to see if that perks him up a bit though. I do feel that he is really flat still and I know the heat is draining but he just isn't keeping up with the others even in the field he is hanging back a bit. I know you have used it before on Harry. Do you think it is worth forking out for some blood samples to be checked first or just giving it a go? I've just had their teeth done and whilst his were ready to be done there wasn't anything unduly amiss, just normal sharp edges and he is no better since, so I am wondering if he is just needing a bit of a tonic. He does have 2 modes, "daft" and "donkey", but it is rare for him to have a prolonged spell of "donkey" especially when he and Reb were ridden out together.... that is normally a green flag for silliness. Do you use the liquid Red Cell or I think there is a dry feed supplement one? Is Harry a fussy eater and if so, does he take it OK?
Hope you don't mind me picking your brains. I'm not desperately worried about him, but just don't feel he is right. I always said he would be a juvenile delinquent until the day he dies but he is suddenly not acting like an adolescent anymore and much as that is appealing since I too have grown out of my daft days of enjoying the thrill of sitting on a bucking bronco, I want to be sure that he is just maturing at long last rather than ailing for something.

Best wishes

Barbara

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Kim you need to keep the little guy. He's your buddy now!

I know Leyla I’m smitten and even Scott is thinking of ways to keep Peeper but really we just can’t. I’m convinced it’s not fair to keep a single goose but Peeper sure does seem happy enough with the teddy & mirror in the brooder! I’m feeling pretty torn right now plus our farmer friend has also been unable to find Peeper some friends........

Yes Kim my flag is flying.... whoo hoo!.... but unfortunately I don't have an emoticon to illustrate it. All went well. Rascal was a "dope on a rope" ( I actually had to use my legs and even nag a bit occasionally!) which worried me as my lot are pretty forward going, but it was very hot and humid even at 9pm. Thankfully he perked up a little on the way home and we had some more forward going trots and head tossing which is typical of Rasc and a sign he is feeling more himself. Reb was well behaved for Lauren but she said that the power was there waiting to be asked for . We just kept it steady and believe it or not, had an uneventful ride!!! Prior to that Ian and I took his boys out tandem again and Ian let me drive for about half a mile before my hand got tired. The length of reins for driving and the thickness of them makes them so much heavier than riding even though the horses were not pulling much and you hold them all in the left hand and the whip in the other, so it is a lot of strain on that hand. It is quite different to driving pairs where the reins are coupled together so you only have one set in your hand. I was quite pleased with how I managed but I'm a long way off cone driving! I can manage much better two handed (FEI style) like they do in marathon driving but Ian is a stickler for doing things the old traditional Coachman style. We will need to get one of those stress balls to build up the strength in our left hands!
I'm very impressed that you have ridden in a double bridle. I assume you must have been showing or something? Was that Harry or a previous horse? It is more the thing for show cobs isn't it? I have the absolute minimum tack on my horses for riding, so no nosebands or martingales. They just leave dirty, sweaty marks on the horses..... because of course my ggs are never clean.... and with having broad white blazes, a sweaty noseband mark looks horrid and just something else to irritate them, especially in this heat. And they are just extras to clean of course.... not that my tack gets cleaned very often..... my bum did a good job rubbing the dust and mould off my saddle yesterday though At least we got the horses out and Lauren is now back from Uni for the summer so hopefully we will be able to ride more often.

Good to hear Keeper is doing well and enjoying Charlie being home and that Harry is no worse the wear for his tumble. Hope the gosling is still content and thriving.

Forgot to answer your question re my worm count results. All came back negative..... no eggs seen. I am considering putting Rascal on Red Cell to see if that perks him up a bit though. I do feel that he is really flat still and I know the heat is draining but he just isn't keeping up with the others even in the field he is hanging back a bit. I know you have used it before on Harry. Do you think it is worth forking out for some blood samples to be checked first or just giving it a go? I've just had their teeth done and whilst his were ready to be done there wasn't anything unduly amiss, just normal sharp edges and he is no better since, so I am wondering if he is just needing a bit of a tonic. He does have 2 modes, "daft" and "donkey", but it is rare for him to have a prolonged spell of "donkey" especially when he and Reb were ridden out together.... that is normally a green flag for silliness. Do you use the liquid Red Cell or I think there is a dry feed supplement one? Is Harry a fussy eater and if so, does he take it OK?
Hope you don't mind me picking your brains. I'm not desperately worried about him, but just don't feel he is right. I always said he would be a juvenile delinquent until the day he dies but he is suddenly not acting like an adolescent anymore and much as that is appealing since I too have grown out of my daft days of enjoying the thrill of sitting on a bucking bronco, I want to be sure that he is just maturing at long last rather than ailing for something.

Best wishes

Barbara

I will get a flag out for you Barbara!

If you click on the little flag flier you can save it as an image and you can get it out next time So Pleased to read your ride was uneventful and all went well As for the red cell and Rascal I would say it’s worth a try but the only way to know for sure is with the blood tests. I had them done on Harry as his unusually quiet spell lasted which was unlike him. I guess it was for my piece of mind too as well as the need to know what was going on. Would I shell out again if he was off it? For sure just to be on the safe side. They were also offering free Cushing’s test’s when H had his done. I’m thinking it was part of a study or similar and nation wide tests were being done. I’m not sure if that’s still ongoing though? The red cell really does work though as a great pick me up and is packed with lots of other vitamins & minerals. I used the liquid but yes there is the dried pellet formula too. Unfortunately Harry is a fussy feeder and I had to feed him only half of his feed (mainly mix & apple chop) with the red cell mixed in otherwise he would have picked through. With only half and when he was hungry he wolfed it down. It’s quite a thick gloopy liquid so should go in a syringe. You also don’t need to give them a lot. Approx 30ml per day I think. Not quite as thick as a wormer but all the same I think it would work.

The tandem driving sounds like very hard work! Everything in the left hand I’m not sure I would have even managed half a mile

When I was at college we had to learn to put together from scratch, fit and ride in a double bridle. As long as you didn’t get tangled up it was quite nice to ride with. Seemed to produce an instant outline and make them reasonably light in the hand. I’m afraid never on Harry and never showing! Showing really isn’t my thing far too many cliques for my liking!

I have gone a little less on the tack too, I took his flash off Otherwise I still have the full whack on. Scott bought me a new bridle a few years back and I thought if he was paying, he was paying! So I got a Stubben with bells & whistle’s. It’s very soft and extremely padded on the nose/brow band plus Harry only has a star & snip so not too much muck shows up.

No flag today for me as I’m suffering a little with a hangover Went to the races yesterday to watch a horse I looked after with the lady I used to work for. Had a fab time and I’ve not seen Pixie for a while so was quite emotional when I saw her walking round the parade ring It’s so weird to see them full racing fit when you can remember them coming home from the stud at 6 months!
She got 3rd and didn’t disgrace herself but the jockey could have done a better job of not getting her boxed in!

Hope you are having a good weekend Barbara xxxx

 

[rebrascora]

Hi Kim

Many thanks for the info on Red Cell. I think ill splash the cash on trying it rather than another vets bill just at the moment. He just looks a bit sad rather than his usual mischievous self but nothing I can put my finger on seems amiss. Those occasions usually end up costing lots of money with the vet because a full spectrum of tests are necessary, so more inclined to try the Red Cell and see. Rascal has always been a shaggy monster and is usually the last to lose his coat but I don't think he has Cushings. I had Cora tested a few years ago and she was low/ borderline but she shows no symptoms even now although her winter coat is also taking it's time to fully cast. She and Rasc do have fine summer coats coming in though, they are just struggling in this heat with the old and the new. Rascal stands and sweats at the best of times and last winter I didn't clip him, so maybe that is what is making him feel so sluggish..... goodness knows I'm struggling with this hot weather.
I lost another egg yesterday.... crushed with nearly full term chick inside. This morning one was just hatched and still wet and another was crushed in the shell but still alive and yolk fully absorbed, so I helped it out of the broken shell. Looks like she is just a very clumsy broody and being a Light Sussex, she has some weight to her. There was another egg pipping but she got off to have a broody break regardless and I had a difficult time getting her back onto the nest but once on she was clucking away to them. I don't think I will b letting her set eggs again, she just isn't careful and dedicated enough. I must have been really spoilt with my first few broody hens as they were all wonderful. I might let the next pekin that offers hatch some from my own flock. I think I will probably be lucky to get 3 or 4 from the 10 eggs I set with this one.
Good to hear your gosling is still doing well and coping with being alone. Do you have the option of keeping it or are you committed to handing it over? I'm sure you can integrate it into your flock somehow if necessary.

So pleased you had a good day at the races. You have worked so hard recently, a day of fun and frivolity was just what you needed (maybe not the hangover).... but every once in a while you need to let your hair down. Pixie looks very smart and I can understand you being proud of your connection. Did you get all dressed up and wear a hat etc? If so, we need to see a pic of you too??

Think that is all my news. Got to head out and do a bit more gardening (weed cutting) and potting up in my poly tunnel. Peas have flowers on so we will be picking pea pods soon!! I'm even trying to grow water melons this year, but don't hold out high hopes although if I don't manage in this weather I doubt it will ever be possible!
Hope your head has cleared and you have a lovely weekend.

Best wishes

Barbara

 

[TwoCrows]

Feel better soon Kim.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

So... I took Peeper out on the grass this afternoon for some fresh air. Had a fab time and followed me like a little dog.
Popped he/she back in to the guinea cage and panic broke out!! Peeping louder than ever, would not settle. I’d made a real rod for my own back by letting Peeper follow my boots round the garden! I’ve had to resort to this and all is quiet again

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Feel better soon Kim.

Thanks Leyla I’m feeling much better now thank you but I deserve no sympathy as it was self inflicted! Had a good day though