Well the deed has been done. Percy went to the vet on Monday and had his operation. He is now officially a gelding. The trip wasn't without incident....
As I anticipated, Mr Percy was not too keen to get on the lorry. It is a lot to ask a young horse to walk up a steep ramp and in to a dark lorry, added to this it kept hailing and peeing down with rain. After several attempts in vain I went to get a tea towel to use as a blind fold. We put this over his eyes and got him to the top of the ramp, when he reared up and charged back down the ramp. Kim and Ange were pushing and I was pulling or rather 'guiding' because pulling only makes them rear. Several more attempts proved fruitless, he refused to move.
Meanwhile the clock was ticking and we had asked the groom at the vets to come in early so we could drop them off at 8. We started loading at 7am. There was nothing else for it, we rang Tony and asked him to come up and help (Mark couldn't as he was on his way to London), we needed some brute force. We also enlisted the help of one of the farm guys. Our plan was to shove Percy in.
That didn't work, they didn't fare any better than us girls. Percy just dug his feet in and refused to move. I was thinking to myself, oh dear we might have to ring up and say we can't load him. I wasn't too keen on that idea.
We weer just standing next to the ramp having a breather when, still blindfolded, Percy took it upon himself to walk up the ramp. Nobody was touching him, I barely even held the lead rope! He walked straight up and in to the lorry! I shouted "Quick get Penny" and Ange ran and untied her from the side of the box (we'd had to unload her because she was going frantic when Percy wouldn't get on) and quickly put her on. I used all my strength to pin Percy in the box while ange grabbed Penny and we shut the ramp. None of us could believe it, he literally walked up by himself, blindfolded without so much as a shove!
Percy travelled really well. Penny is a very good traveller so she kept him calm. He just balanced himself and sniffed the floor. At the other end I expected him to take a great leap from the top of the ramp which is what youngsters normally do, but he trotted down sensibly.
Once at the vets (after apologising profusely for being late) we put them in a stable and did the paperwork and left them for the day. We decided that we would take the big lorry on the return leg as the vets had a loading bay which enables you to put the ramp out flat. The little lorry wasn't tall enough to use it.
We manhandled the partitions in the big lorry which truly is no mean feat! We rode out on Rupert and Babs (my 3rd last ride on Rupey doop) and whilst out, Debs rang to say that Percy had come through his operation ok and it had all gone well.
We collected Percy and prepared ourselves for round two of loading. We put the lights on in the lorry (it was dark outside) and had the ramp flat in the loading bay. Percy reared when his mum disappeared round the corner of the bay, but when she returned he followed right behind her. Ange asked penny to walk very slowly across the ramp, which she did obligingly, and Percy followed right behind her. He walked straight in. He travelled really well and once again he unloaded very sensibly.
I was very pleased with Percy's behaviour. After the initial drama it seemed almost as if he had thought about it and decided to give it a go. It even seemed that he had learnt from his first trip ready for loading the second time. Now whether he remembers this for the next time remains to be seen! I doubt it!
RECOVERY
Percy had a bit of swelling the morning after his op, but it had gone down again by the evening when I got him in from the field. He is having antibiotics once a day which he has eaten up in his feed. He looks really bright and well, so fingers crossed he has come through it ok. Watch this space....
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
Thursday, 15 November 2007
Percy was very naughty for the farrier. We had lots of rearing and frantic reversing around the stable. All three of us were sweating when we finally finished. I will not leave it so long next time, he will be due again in 6 weeks. That will be Christmas though so may have to make it the week before, around the 20th december.
I don't think percy's behaviour was entirley helped by the fact that the farrier was 40 mins late and I had given up on him (Scott) and had just got half way across the yard with them to turn them out when he appeared. Dragging them back in again did not please them!
However I am pleased to report that they have all been very good to lead and turnm out. I lead Penny and Percy together today and Percy was a very good boy. He even lead on the 'wrong' side which will be good when it comes to leading him and Ruby together. For some reason this often causes them great confusion, leading on the wrong side, they often just don't get it and try and walk on your right.
They are staying in now until they are weaned and Penny goes out. There was a hard frost this morning, it's dropping down to -3C at night so it was a good week to bring them in.
I don't think percy's behaviour was entirley helped by the fact that the farrier was 40 mins late and I had given up on him (Scott) and had just got half way across the yard with them to turn them out when he appeared. Dragging them back in again did not please them!
However I am pleased to report that they have all been very good to lead and turnm out. I lead Penny and Percy together today and Percy was a very good boy. He even lead on the 'wrong' side which will be good when it comes to leading him and Ruby together. For some reason this often causes them great confusion, leading on the wrong side, they often just don't get it and try and walk on your right.
They are staying in now until they are weaned and Penny goes out. There was a hard frost this morning, it's dropping down to -3C at night so it was a good week to bring them in.
Monday, 12 November 2007
Horses in for the winter
Percy wormed 08/11/07
Farrier on 14/11/07
Castration 19/11/07
The horses came in today, it was so cold this morning, they were freezing. It was nice to see them cosy in their stables. There was quite a lot of neighing initially but they'll get used to it soon enough. One of the women at the stables was peed because her horse was upset by the neighing and was concerned that she wouldn't be able to ride it tomorrow. Not sure we've got any influence on that....
Percy was good to lead in. He reared twice but nothing major. He is very strong however and took all my strength to lead him. Hopefully he'll get over being so keen! All in all, quite successful. Kim the star is meeting me at the stables at 0530 tomorrow morning so that we can turn them out. I owe her big time.
I think Percy will be a plum for the farrier. He's taken to kneeling down when I pick his feet up. Interesting..
Ice on the windscreen tonight and this morning. Brrr! Winter is on it's way!
Farrier on 14/11/07
Castration 19/11/07
The horses came in today, it was so cold this morning, they were freezing. It was nice to see them cosy in their stables. There was quite a lot of neighing initially but they'll get used to it soon enough. One of the women at the stables was peed because her horse was upset by the neighing and was concerned that she wouldn't be able to ride it tomorrow. Not sure we've got any influence on that....
Percy was good to lead in. He reared twice but nothing major. He is very strong however and took all my strength to lead him. Hopefully he'll get over being so keen! All in all, quite successful. Kim the star is meeting me at the stables at 0530 tomorrow morning so that we can turn them out. I owe her big time.
I think Percy will be a plum for the farrier. He's taken to kneeling down when I pick his feet up. Interesting..
Ice on the windscreen tonight and this morning. Brrr! Winter is on it's way!
Tuesday, 6 November 2007
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.
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.
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.
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