PERCY wormed 11/12 (should now be able to fit in with regular programme)
PENNY wormed 12/12

Percy is coping well without his mum and Penny has settled back down to life as an individual. She has made a firm friendship with her field companion, Rio. Percy is quiet when I bring him in, he gets straight down to the business of eating his dinner and doesn't bother to fret about where his friend is.

I lead both Percy and Ruby in together today and they were both very well behaved. They both lead from the 'wrong' side which is very useful when you are leading two horses together.

I have been picking Percy's feet out every morning, which has become accustomed to. i felt that this attention would be better than merely picking his feet out as it emulates what the farrier does a little more. It's also good to do to check for stones etc.

Because it has been so muddy, Percy has been having his pasterns and heels washed off when he comes in. Whilst he is not overjoyed by this, he is actually pretty amenable about it. Ruby on the other hand hates it and reverses round and round the yard when Kim tries to do her. Unfortunately for Ruby she has three white socks, which means she is in definite need of doing as she is much more prone to mud fever.

Mud fever affects the skin on the horses (normally)lower leg. The skin cracks, scabs and blisters as a result of bacteria getting under the skin, due to the legs being wet and muddy. The problem is worse when legs are changing from wet to dry often. It's like the skin on your hands getting chapped if you are constantly washing them. Some horses are more prone than others, especially those with white socks as they have pink skin underneath which is munch more sensitive. Fortunately Penny doesn't seem to get it and touch wood so far, neither has Percy.

It is so cold today, there was a really hard frost this morning. Because of this I changed Penny's rug to her medium weight one. I figure that if I am freezing when I step outside then she will be too. I'll change her back to her lightweight when the freezing weather abates.

The foals' paddock is completely frozen, which is terrible for young joints. However they are pretty sensible and tend to just stand and eat their hay. We place is well out of the really poached area, to try and give them a rest from the deep mud.