Percy moves fields

Percy has now moved back into the big field with his mum, Penny. He bucked and kicked when I let him go, he was very pleased to have some space to run in, having had just a small paddock for the past few months.

The others all came thundering over to see him, all were pretty civilised apart from Penny who chased him, so much for mother love! I took her out for a pick of grass which gave Percy time to pluck up the courage to talk to some of the others. I think he'll probably make friends with Paris, the other little foal or rather yearling, out in the field. As I left him earlier he had made friends with Rio and they were grazing together.

Ruby is now with her mum, Lily on the other side of the road. I decided to seperate Percy from Ruby as I want him to learn to be independant and get an education in a herd type environment with other young horses. Rio is three this year, Paris is the same age as Percy and then Penny is the top mare, with Fox as the old senior gent. It's a nice small herd for him to learn to socialise in.

That said I do envisage it not being easy. Percy was an absolute star to lead across the road this morning, he didn't stop once. But we have three gates to encounter and a road so I will have to have my wits about me. I purchased a hi vis jacket this morning so that I can lead him at dusk and be seen.

To the right are some pics taken this morning.

Difficult Decisions

I have decided that I can't afford to have another foal from Penny this year. Both the financial and time commitment is too much. I am gutted as I had chosen the stallion, Primitivie Proposal and was greatly looking forward to starting the process. Unfortunately there is no point in me keeping Penny if I am not going to use her, so I need to find her a new home. I am in the mean time playing the lottery, you never know....

We took her to the vet the other day to see if the damage to her cruciat ligament in her stifle has repaired sufficiently for her to be ridden. Sadly it has not and so she will be a brood mare forever. I don't think this is terrible, as she is such a good mother, a good doer and so well mannered and easy to do that I think she will have some fantastic foals if she goes to the right place. So the search is on to find her a good permanent new home where she can have lots of foals. Hopefully we will be able to keep track of her prodgeny as they go on to compete.

Watch this space......

Percy has been staying in his field since Mark mended the fence, so fingers crossed this appears to have worked. He is looking really well and getting quite strong and sure of himself. He's (touch wood) pretty well behaved so far and I am very pleased with him. I am hoping to take him to some shows in the spring. Cathy Mann, one of the girls up at the yard has a yearling bridle that she has offered to lend me, which is fantastic and saves me some money!