Fat, black and hairy skool!

[lucydales]

Only I'm not fat or black (just exceptionally handsome!) but anyway!

We did Dales Skool today and all had to go out except Auntie Choc (who is actually fat, black and hairy but toooo tall so she couldn't join our gang! Ha! She didn't seem to mind though, she just smiled when we all left) and Uncle Pants (cos he's brarn!). Celtie-Cobweb had to come too and she's not done Claire skool before or been anywhere or anything apart from France alledgely!

Off we go! I have the cutest bum and the bushyest tail! Ha!


I am doing good boy impressions to lull Claire into a false sense of security! Hee, hee!


Celtie_Cobweb was convinced we ride on the wrong side of the road!


I can do stand for at least four seconds! Do you like my new headcollar? It's a bit poncy but has nice padded bits so I don't hurt my head when I'm being a kn*b?!!


Wot we doing next, Claire??


Bonjour!


Life is sooo unfair! Celti-Cobweb got to go infront for ages! And she didn't do naughties or anything! I will have to teach her some!


Bums! I got Lucy as I was being too good with Claire! She was doing fending offs as I was trying to bite Mummy's rein and Lucy's leg! How mean is that?!!


Drat! I got Claire back as I was being too naughty! I'm bored!!! Is it home time?


I just love this pic! My whole Dales clan out on an adventure!


Helen, Celt was amazingly good for her first trip out with us. She wasn't too keen with me on her off side initially but I wanted to be between her and any traffic as I wasn't too sure how she'd be. It then dawned on me that you'd probably lead her out on the near side so you were near the traffic! We met "silent death" approaching from behind (a bicycle!) and she just planted and looked at it but didn't do anything silly. What a little star! We met a few cars and dogs and she wasn't phased by much at all. What a great start you and Martin have given her, thank you so much! She also had a good groom all over this morning and really enjoyed that. Claire has fallen for her big time ("she's just my kind of mare!") and thinks she's got a great temperament for a two year old. She is settling down with everyone much better too.

[cadeby]

Lovely pictures Lucy - you should be very proud of Tim. He is just brilliant for a baby, despite the occasional need for a fend-off

I am so glad that Celt behaved herself. I was starting to think that all the recent changes she has gone through might have altered her personality, but it sounds as if the more amenable, loveable and fun Celt is back!
It is nice of you to say that that we have given her a great start. That means a lot to me and Martin

The photo of your four dales all out together is lovely. All you need to add now is a foalie from Tim

[valerie n scout]

wot a smashing day out youve all had, Tim is doin really well and poor Celt drivin on the wrong side !

[dalesponyrider]

I love the one of Tim chatting to Claire! Claire looks very relaxed with him, she's not taking any notice of him in piccy 7. Her legs obviously aren't as tasty as yours Lucy! Well done to Celt for taking all that in her stride. Lovely piccy of you all out together. You can certainly all be very well seen!

[lucydales]

To be fair to him, Linda, his attention span isn't huge and we probably were out for over half an hour so bad behaviour kicks in when he is getting tired, also Claire is much more accomplished than me! I am really chuffed with him as he is taking loads in his little stride!

Celt was amazing too, for saying she doesn't know us really yet she was an angel!

Helen, she went into and out and back round into the trailer this evening, no problem! She did plant in the yard which required a rug being gently flapped on her bottom to get her moving (it was the softest thing to hand at that time!)

She then got knocked over by Vanty much to my alarm (she is fine!) he got chased out of the yard and had no tea, so we put her in the stable (out of harms way of the others so I could check her over) and she started climbing the walls again until I went in with her! Did Veronica stable her before she came to me? It's the only time I've see any flash of temper. She was rearing when tied up!! She was fine when I went in with her (if a bit stressed) so she had her token tea (chop and apples) outside and calmed down again.

She is such an amenable sweetie that it seems very odd when she has a moment! I suppose she's still a baby and it will take her time to get used to us all! I hope Timbles ends up as good!

[cadeby]

Nov 16, 2008 19:16:18 GMT -1 lucydales said:

... Did Veronica stable her before she came to me?

I hope not I did ask for her to be turned out 24/7 as she had to wait at the yard for three days, but now I'm starting to wonder
She is used to being stabled. As a foal she was stabled overnight for the first 3 months of her life as she was born in February. After weaning she was regularly brought in and sometimes left for several hours for grooming, handling, grass restriction etc... all without argument. Our stables have gates at the front rather than walls so they are very light and airy. I wonder if this could be the problem? She has also always had other horses in sight as our stables face the paddocks.
Do you think she is frightened, as you say that she calms down when you go in to her, or is she just throwing a strop? If it's the latter, I think you'll just have to persist and keep bringing her in until she admits defeat

I'm glad she's being a good girl with everything else, and that she isn't frightened of loading after falling off the lorry ramp

edited to add - just had another thought. Nine times out of ten she would have had hay in her stable, so perhaps she associates being stabled with food and therefore has a paddy if there isn't any

[lucydales]

[quote author=cadeby board=story thread=12802 post=139667 time=1226867753edited to add - just had another thought. Nine times out of ten she would have had hay in her stable, so perhaps she associates being stabled with food and therefore has a paddy if there isn't any
[/quote]

Ah ha! Dales logic kicks in!! It was tea time!!

Will try some enforced stabling with hay!!

How long does hay have to make before you use it?? Wiz had some today in the trailer that was about 6-7 weeks old (as i had no other) so if he's turned his toes up tomorrow I won't feed her any!

[harveydales]

Lovely pics! I do enjoy reading about your Dales adventures! Tim and Celt are very lucky ponies to be given such a good start with loads of new experiences.

You're hay should be fine and with it being such a late cut it shouldn't send any one loopy! I've often used hay at 4 weeks before (not hay that's still heating of course). I've never understood this waiting til after Christmas thing as sugars aren't going to disappear over time, just vitamins.

[cadeby]

I was taught to feed hay three months after baling, but that's for a Spring cut, and I have no idea of the science behnd it?

I have fed hay earlier and no-one colicked or seemed any worse for wear so I wouldn't think it's a problem?

Poor Isaac being nominated sacrificial tester - the others must be royalty and he a lowly serf

[leannwithconnie]

What lovely pictures and a great commentary too!

[sammy]

Tim, I love your bum!!

[PonyGirl]

I love your bumm too. Just want to pinch it!

I really enjoy these posts. They are helping me plan out what to do with Cowboy. So, Tim if you wouldn't mind please keep posting them. Maybe you could help Cowboy with pointers.

[lucydales]

Nov 17, 2008 17:56:05 GMT -1 PonyGirl said:

I love your bumm too. Just want to pinch it!

You can't pinch it!! It's mine and I would fall over without it!! - Tim xxxx

Anne, you can have it!! It'd stop him cow kicking!! LOL! - Luce

Isaac is a grumpy serf!! I think he is feeling his muscles after doing all that work yesterday!!