Petplan Equine
Sponsored Rider - Rachael

October to December Update

With the changing of the seasons the boys have now all come in at night, which the two thoroughbreds are very happy about, Tristan on the other hand couldn’t care less as long as he gets fed!

Sleet

October and November have been good for Sleet, we made a quick decision as he was feeling great to enter an Intro dressage test in early October, and we came second with 63.69%! I then took advantage of the school and the fact that there were fences up in the warm up and had a little play over some tiny fences as a treat for him!

His ears pricked and he got all excited, and I think I laughed and smiled whist riding for the first time in a while!

While we were on a roll I entered our next competition, but it wasn’t to be… the Land Rover decided to die, and we never made it.

Sleet’s had his first haircut of the year and has also been seen by over 2,200 people on Facebook with our ‘Be seen not squished’ video! I’ve always been a fan of high viz and when out on a trundle with him I decided to demonstrate just how much! Poor Sleet!

In early November we went back to dressage and even though the weather was miserable and rainy, we managed to win our Intro and get 4th in the prelim!

Tristan

October 18th was Tristan’s third birthday! I cannot believe I’ve had this little ‘market monster’ for 3 years! From the horrid little 9.3hh worm and lice infested, coughing, runny eyes and nose squirt, to the stocky 12hh stunning boy he now is! It really has been a rough road, and with the loss his eye this year due to uveitis and glaucoma, he really has shown his determination to survive!

Towards the end of the year I will hopefully get him out to some indoor shows, and see what a few judges think to his ‘Pirate Pete’ look. As he’s now three, I hope to start working him gently too, with some long line and walking out in hand. When it comes to starting his ridden career I am in no rush, he’s a young boy still and with his sight being impaired I want him completely comfortable with everything before moving onto the next stage.

In the meantime he is happy, and loves to scratch! Here is a video of him enjoying ‘naked time’!

Lordie

October didn’t start too well for the big ginger boy; he came in one day with a slightly warm hind leg, so I automatically went for cold hosing as my first port of call, and box rest to risk any possible damage. After we got this under control I then turned him back out and he came in with a fat knee from fighting over the fence with the neighbours ponies! Typical! So back to cold hosing, a few phone calls to the vets and another round of rest for the big lad.

Strangely he never really seemed to cheer up; he was very quiet and not really very interested in anything. At first we assumed it was because he was out of work, and was also like this the same time last year (almost like SAD), so left him a few days. He didn’t seem to improve and began urinating more frequently but of little volume, we called the vet. After a general check over it was decided to do bloods and urine tests, which came back positive showing an infection and secondary anaemia.

Treatment consisted of antibiotics and blood tonic for the anaemia. After two weeks of this we had another set of tests and he was still suffering. The vets thought it could be something related to his liver and kidneys so had him in for scans. Thankfully there was nothing untoward and he was upped onto a stronger antibiotic. Although he’s now sporting the most bizarre winter clip around, he is back to health. We don’t know what caused it, or why, but after a few months off following his string of ‘events’ Lordie can now come back into work and try and rebuild ready for the spring!

Marcus

As the side saddle season is over, Marcus has not been ridden by myself. He has however been super busy at all the dressage championships he has qualified for over the year! With several wins under his belt he even made it into Horse and Hound! Well done Amanda and Marcus!

We hope to get started again in the New Year, and aim again for National qualification as well as equitation championships!

Festive tip

If like me you don’t have the luxury of a school/flood lights, try and make the most of what you do have, you may be better working your horse first while its light and then muck out after if you have lights in your stable.

A lightweight turnout over your heavy in bad weather means you’re only lifting a light rug off to dry if it gets soaked! It’s also easier to hang to dry than something than weighs more than you when it is wet!

Stable bandages or leg wraps can be a great bonus in winter. Yes, they may take a few minutes in the evening, but they keep your horse’s legs from filling and are a great extra for keeping them warm on cold nights. The best bonus is also the extra protection they provide on nights such as bonfire and new years, where fireworks can upset your horse and injuries may occur!