Petplan Equine
Sponsored Rider - Amy

July to September Update

July was a busy month for me in terms of foaling, we had two left to be born in July and they didn't disappoint. We had six foals in total born on the yard, and two outside foals as well. Unfortunately we had one still born. The vets said they think he had died about 2/3 weeks prior to being delivered, and had a deformity condition which caused all his limbs to fuse together, which can happen in about 0.01% of foalings. This mare was on foaling livery and an outside stallion used. Her owner was absolutely devastated as you can imagine, but every cloud, the mare has made a fantastic recovery after a pretty traumatic, distressing labour. We have now got all the mares back in foal that we planned to for next season, our young stallion has his first foals due so that is ever so exciting too.

Ghost has had an easier time, whilst his last run at BE100 was absolutely brilliant, I sadly withdrew before the cross country at Bicton Horse Trails as he wasn't 100% right. He gained a super dressage as per, in the low 20's, but he wasn't his usual self. I know him inside out and he wasn't happy. He stopped in the warm up for show jumping; he has been training and jumping so well, I wasn't happy with how he was as he didn’t have any spark so I took him back home again. He means everything to me and his happiness is one of my main concerns in life.

Ghost had some blisters spring up on his lips, and within two days his entire lips and mouth where covered. I had to keep him in out the sun for three weeks until they went down. My vet mentioned it could be caused by Hogsweed, and sure enough he had the smallest amount in his paddock which I removed immediately. So that was three weeks off but never fear! We got ready for Treborough Horse Trials next - tacked up, walked down to the dressage arena, started trotting and he was incredibly lame. I couldn't believe it. The BE stewards were lovely and called the vet, who couldn't see anything noticeably wrong. So back home we went and no sooner as I got off the lorry a huge abscess burst in his frog! I poulticed it and gave him a month off. Ghost is now back in work and being aimed at the BRC winter dressage qualifiers at Elementary and Medium, so that's something to look forward too. I miss going to competitions with my best friend!

Otis, my four year old sired by Ghost, had been an absolute superstar. He has been cross country training which was exciting as he was bold over every jump! I cannot wait until next year to get him out eventing. He is just touching 17hh so we are taking it easy with him over the winter, he is so willing and I don't want to sour him. He has been to a dressage competition and again excelled himself. He won his intro test and came 3rd in his prelim test, so he is a very exciting pony for me.

Lastly, I have had a new stallion arrive for stud next season. A beautiful KWPN X Kinsky rising six year old. He has sired some lovely correct stock already so the plan is to now get him under saddle and licensed in the spring.

As usual I have lots planned for the coming months as we now look forward (or not) to weaning, and then lots of fun handling and playing with foals and getting them ready for their new homes which is always a bittersweet time, I love seeing them go on but it breaks my heart for them to leave.