Penny and Percy both had a bit of TLC today and had a groom. I have purchased a new rug for Penny which I tried on her, it looks to fit perfectly. Percy and Ruby thought that the rug was very spooky, before trying to eat it. It is a medium to heavy weight rug to keep Peepsie snug when it gets really cold. She probably won't wear it till after Christmas when it gets really cold. Neither of them are wearing a rug until they are weaned. I plan to put Penny's lightweight one on her then.
I was going to bring them in today - I keep saying this - but the weather looks to hold out for another week at least, so I am going to leave them. I now hope to bring them in the night before Percy's operation and have them in from then. Whilst it is dry and sunny they are best off out.
I think I will have an 'untouched by human hand' foal. I anticipate that he will be rather difficult to lead for a while, having been out for months. Oh well, that was the trade off I made to save a bit of money over the summer. It is also better to have them out while you can, so that they can learn about herd etiquette etc.
Penny is desperate to see the farrier and Percy also needs doing. I was trying to wait until I bring them in, but as I have kept putting it off, I think I will need to sort it out soon.
I have pretty much decided on Primitive Proposal for next year. I knew his sire and dam, having worked at the Louella Stud. Primitive Rising and With Love both had lovely temperaments and I have heard that Proposal is the same. I have seen some very nice photos of him. I hope to go and see him in the spring. I'll put some info about him on the right hand side.
Tuesday, 6 November 2007
Monday, 22 October 2007
Percy's operation date changed
Percy's op has now been moved to Monday 19th November. Cinder Hill have a vet away on the original date so they are unable to do it then. It's cutting it a bit fine as he having his passport done at the same time - he has to be registered with the Sports Horse Board GB within his first 6 months, so I hope they don't move it again! Also I hope this will give him enough time to recover ready for weaning at the beginning of December.
The weather has got a lot colder, it's getting down to about 3 degrees at night. The foals seem to be coping fine, but I am getting twitchy! I have decided that as soon as I need to put the central heating on (which is looking more likely) then I will bring them in. They will definitely come in for November in any case. I am looking to buy Penny a medium weight rug for when she is weaned, to go on when it gets really cold. She has her light weight waterproof to start her off.
I'm a bit concerned as to how they will get along in the stable. Penny is an old bag when she has her food, she quite often kicks Percy. I will play it by ear, but it may mean that I have to separate them for eating. There is a stable next to theirs available, so I may be able to rent that for a month if Bev hasn't got someone for it. That way I could see if I can put them next to each other, which would also be a way of gradually weaning them, as well as making sure that no one gets kicked at tea time!
Watch this space....
The weather has got a lot colder, it's getting down to about 3 degrees at night. The foals seem to be coping fine, but I am getting twitchy! I have decided that as soon as I need to put the central heating on (which is looking more likely) then I will bring them in. They will definitely come in for November in any case. I am looking to buy Penny a medium weight rug for when she is weaned, to go on when it gets really cold. She has her light weight waterproof to start her off.
I'm a bit concerned as to how they will get along in the stable. Penny is an old bag when she has her food, she quite often kicks Percy. I will play it by ear, but it may mean that I have to separate them for eating. There is a stable next to theirs available, so I may be able to rent that for a month if Bev hasn't got someone for it. That way I could see if I can put them next to each other, which would also be a way of gradually weaning them, as well as making sure that no one gets kicked at tea time!
Watch this space....
Monday, 15 October 2007
Lily and Ruby weaned
Lily and Ruby were weaned today. Lily is back out in the field with Penny and Percy, Ruby is in a stable. They were calling to each other which is heart breaking :( It's got to be done though. Lily was quite stressed when I visited them tonight, she was pacing and constantly grinding her teeth. Penny wasn't being very comforting, though Percy gave her a snuffle.
It will be Penny and Percy's turn at the end of November. Then it will be just Percy and Ruby to keep each other company and maybe an older quiet horse.
Weather is still holding up - very mild for this time of year, in fact quite warm. It hasn't dropped below 7.5C at night and is about 14C in the day time. They are all quite wooly now though.
Penny is moving over to pasture nuts, she'll be on that alone by the weekend that is along with some speedi beet and alfa a. Percy is now eating half a bowl of mix plus two handfulls of Alfa oil and speedi beet per feed. I'm thinking that he will end up haveing haylage this winter as I think the hay will be poor after our rubbish summer. With him being so yound I can't risk him having to battle with dust spores and mould spores in his lungs.
It will be Penny and Percy's turn at the end of November. Then it will be just Percy and Ruby to keep each other company and maybe an older quiet horse.
Weather is still holding up - very mild for this time of year, in fact quite warm. It hasn't dropped below 7.5C at night and is about 14C in the day time. They are all quite wooly now though.
Penny is moving over to pasture nuts, she'll be on that alone by the weekend that is along with some speedi beet and alfa a. Percy is now eating half a bowl of mix plus two handfulls of Alfa oil and speedi beet per feed. I'm thinking that he will end up haveing haylage this winter as I think the hay will be poor after our rubbish summer. With him being so yound I can't risk him having to battle with dust spores and mould spores in his lungs.
Friday, 12 October 2007
Castration booked!
PERCY WORMED: 07/10/07
Percy's operation has been booked for 6th of November. He will have a general anaesthetic for his operation which should only last a short amount of time, less than an hour. He will then be able to come round in the company of his mum and will hopefully nurse soon after.
I will be looking to wean them at the end of November. Percy will be about 6 months old then. This would be a good time for me as I can get Penny turned away with a rug on and then I will only have the one horse to lead in and out each day. I foresee problems with leading the two of them when I start bringing them in again. I think it is going to be a two man job!
I am hoping to keep them out until the end of October. The weather forecast is mild until the 20th so fingers crossed. Whilst there are still plenty of leaves in the trees then they do have shelter form the rain. I think when they go they will definitely have to come in. I hope to be able to keep them out until I return from America, which is the 29th. That way Kim will be able to feed them.
I spoke to Bev who said that she would do them for me if they are in when I am away, which is a relief. I do think it will be a two man job though as I think Percy will be a pain. He hasn't been lead anywhere for about three months so I think he might have 'forgotten'. Nothing a rope behind his bum won't cure!
Bev has said that I can use her lorry to take the horses to the vet so I am very pleased to have that sorted as well. I have also rung the NFU and I have Percy covered for his operation. I think for once I am organised but I'm sure I will have forgotten something. Percy will be having his flu and tet while he is at the vet's and also will have his passport done. I've got his passport ready, I just need to remember to take it!
New pic on the right was taken the other day when Percy was playing. It's a bit grainy because it was dark, but you can see how much he has grown since the last photo's..
Percy's operation has been booked for 6th of November. He will have a general anaesthetic for his operation which should only last a short amount of time, less than an hour. He will then be able to come round in the company of his mum and will hopefully nurse soon after.
I will be looking to wean them at the end of November. Percy will be about 6 months old then. This would be a good time for me as I can get Penny turned away with a rug on and then I will only have the one horse to lead in and out each day. I foresee problems with leading the two of them when I start bringing them in again. I think it is going to be a two man job!
I am hoping to keep them out until the end of October. The weather forecast is mild until the 20th so fingers crossed. Whilst there are still plenty of leaves in the trees then they do have shelter form the rain. I think when they go they will definitely have to come in. I hope to be able to keep them out until I return from America, which is the 29th. That way Kim will be able to feed them.
I spoke to Bev who said that she would do them for me if they are in when I am away, which is a relief. I do think it will be a two man job though as I think Percy will be a pain. He hasn't been lead anywhere for about three months so I think he might have 'forgotten'. Nothing a rope behind his bum won't cure!
Bev has said that I can use her lorry to take the horses to the vet so I am very pleased to have that sorted as well. I have also rung the NFU and I have Percy covered for his operation. I think for once I am organised but I'm sure I will have forgotten something. Percy will be having his flu and tet while he is at the vet's and also will have his passport done. I've got his passport ready, I just need to remember to take it!
New pic on the right was taken the other day when Percy was playing. It's a bit grainy because it was dark, but you can see how much he has grown since the last photo's..
Sunday, 30 September 2007
Autumn is here
Percy is booked in for his castration on 5th November. He will stay overnight with Penny and then I'll pick them up. I was off on that day, but now they are wanting me to work so I will have to try and figure something out.
I'm starting to get twitchy about the weather. Percy has grown a good thick coat over his bum and shoulders. It went really cold last week but is ok again this week. However they seem to be coping fine. The main thing is the rain. If it cold and rainy then they will be coming in at night. At the moment it is dry.
Ruby is due to be weaned next Sunday, so Kim was hoping that I leave mine out till then, which I am going to try and do. I've asked Bev whether she might have a paddock on farm side for us to put Penny, Percy and Ruby in so that we don't have to take them across the road in the dark. I hope to be able to put Penny back over the road when she and Percy are weaned, so hopefully two weanlings won't make too much mess of Bev's paddocks over winter. Bev has so many horses to suss out, with so many people having different requirements it's a nightmare for her. If I have to bring them over the road in the dark then I will just have to grin and bear it. Though we will need a separate field for the weanlings anyway, so we will have to wait and see!
Percy is growing all nicely in proportion so I am pleased with his progress. He looks small next to Ruby, but I think her height is all in her legs. It's probably a good job she is bigger, that way she won't be pushed around by him.
Percy is due for his wormer, I haven't bought any yet eek! Must do it ASAP.
I'm starting to get twitchy about the weather. Percy has grown a good thick coat over his bum and shoulders. It went really cold last week but is ok again this week. However they seem to be coping fine. The main thing is the rain. If it cold and rainy then they will be coming in at night. At the moment it is dry.
Ruby is due to be weaned next Sunday, so Kim was hoping that I leave mine out till then, which I am going to try and do. I've asked Bev whether she might have a paddock on farm side for us to put Penny, Percy and Ruby in so that we don't have to take them across the road in the dark. I hope to be able to put Penny back over the road when she and Percy are weaned, so hopefully two weanlings won't make too much mess of Bev's paddocks over winter. Bev has so many horses to suss out, with so many people having different requirements it's a nightmare for her. If I have to bring them over the road in the dark then I will just have to grin and bear it. Though we will need a separate field for the weanlings anyway, so we will have to wait and see!
Percy is growing all nicely in proportion so I am pleased with his progress. He looks small next to Ruby, but I think her height is all in her legs. It's probably a good job she is bigger, that way she won't be pushed around by him.
Percy is due for his wormer, I haven't bought any yet eek! Must do it ASAP.
Sunday, 16 September 2007
Farrier again
Percy saw the farrier again on the 13th. He chipped a piece of his near hind so it needed doing. I suppose it all helps to teach him what's what!
The nights are getting a bit chilly now, Percy is starting to grow a thicker coat. I'm hoping to be able to leave them out as long as possible, because as soon as I start bringing them in at night I will have to stick with it and I want to avoid bringing them across the road in the dark for as long as possible. Once they are weaned, then Penny will live across the road and live out (with her rug on) and Percy will be in at night out in the day, but on the farm side of the road.
I don't know whether I will wean them before or after Christmas. They will be ready at the beginning of December so I could do them then. Percy will be going to the vet at the beginning of next month for his castration. I'll see how he copes with that and play it by ear.
The nights are getting a bit chilly now, Percy is starting to grow a thicker coat. I'm hoping to be able to leave them out as long as possible, because as soon as I start bringing them in at night I will have to stick with it and I want to avoid bringing them across the road in the dark for as long as possible. Once they are weaned, then Penny will live across the road and live out (with her rug on) and Percy will be in at night out in the day, but on the farm side of the road.
I don't know whether I will wean them before or after Christmas. They will be ready at the beginning of December so I could do them then. Percy will be going to the vet at the beginning of next month for his castration. I'll see how he copes with that and play it by ear.
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