Meet "Just William"

Just William, the latest addition to our horsepower workforce, arrived at around 3pm today, well marked by the red Devon soil near Paignton.
Marmite, Jerry and Elfin created quite a spectacle as they cantered across the field to meet the newcomer who gave them a good run-around before introductions were allowed.
Jerry was first while Marmite hung back. They then settled down to graze for a while.
 Jerry went back to grazing and William was intent on catching up on some grazing after his long journey in the lorry, Marmite saw his chance to get William on his own so that he could let him know from the start just who was boss, and where William would stand in the pecking order. He set off at a brisk trot, making a bee-line for William,  and when William looked up Marrmite's ears went back as he galloped towards him, chasing hard on his heels, teeth bared to inflict one or two harsh bites to William's rump!  That done he turned away and sauntered back towards Jerry to continue grazing.
It was exactly the same treatment Marmite meted out to Jerry when he first arrived.
I'm sure they will become one happy family in no time.

Maggie - RIP

Maggie

On Wednesday 19th February, around 8.00 am I received a phonecall from John to say that Maggie was not well; it looked as though she might have colic ( a serious digestive condition not uncommon in horses).

The vet was summoned immediately and Mel, our regular vet arrived very quickly, confirmed John's diagnosis and administered appropriate medication with instructions to watch her carefully as the first two hours are critical and to report her condition to the surgery at the end of those two hours which Jane duly did. She appeared to be improving. We were to call if there was any change.

Marmite, her closest friend, meanwhile was quite distraught and rushing up down the fence in the field calling to her, so he was brought down to the paddock by the Maggie's stable.

 Jane stayed with Maggie all day, but around mid-afternoon Maggie took a turn for the worse and the vet was summoned. He arrived very quickly, but it was all but over for Maggie when he did and he helped her to die very peacefully.

Dear Maggie will be sorely missed by so many, especially by us volunteers that have had a wonderful close relationship with her all these years. She was around 26 or 27 years old and had a very good life with us at Holton Lee.

Valentine Night Storm

What a relief to see our three horses and Elfin unscathed in the morning after the stormy Valentine night that brought down one of the mighty oak trees in the horses's field. That particular tree was always a favourite for the horses to stand under to break the wind from the SW. We can be thankful that a load of cow manure was tipped in that corner and sheeted over for use in the gardens!
Jane, who lives in the cottage nearby, was woken by thunder and, perhaps, the crashing down of the tree, looked out and her son Mike ventured out to check on the horses. She told us in the morning that they were tearing about in fright, but safe above all, so there was little one could do. They would soon settle down after the initial fright, since they were quite used to the stormy weather that has plagued the country for so long.

New Shoes For Season of 2014

 Jerry waits his turn with his best mate Elfin watching

Keith shaping shoes for fitting

Mid February, and no sign of the stormy wet weather abating; but, with shoes on, we can start working our three horses as soon as the weather improves. The pictures don't capture the fact that Keith is working in rain being driven in from the south west at 45 degrees by strong gusty winds, cold rain at that!! Actually the top picture does show the angle of the rain!

Elfin enjoyed a pedicure to keep her feet in good shape. 

Their hooves are very soft due to the soaking pastures, but they are all in very good shape.

So, all we need now is a prolonged spell of dry weather and we can start giving them some light work ready to start the new season in March

Jerry One Week On

Elfin has a good friend in Jerry

On Saturday while Jane and I were taking Jerry for a walk round the fields he decided that the open fields were just too inviting and took off at a fine old gallop back up the field, through a gap in the hedge and into the field to talk to Maggie, Marmite and Elfin from the other side of the electric fence!

Once we caught up with him we took him back the way he had come, but as the steam had been taken out of him on that unscheduled gallop (he does move beautifully!), he behaved and we decided to put him in wth the others straight away and not wait any longer.

Marmite had no hesitation in letting him know in no uncertain terms who was boss in this field and, ears back, he chased him quite a way across the field trying to nip his rump! That done, he returned to Maggie with a smug smile of satisfaction and then settled down to graze; with Jerry keeping a good distance away.

However, little Elfin obviously has a sympathetic heart of gold and is now a close and loyal companion to Jerry and she sticks by him the whole time.
Feeding them with their buckets on Sunday morning was no problem at all as Jerry took his place on the end of the line next to Elfin.

Walking out with Jerry showing him some of the woodland tracks.

(Very amateur photo with shadows from the afternoon sun!)

We have been putting a bridle on over a driving headcollar and taking him for walks around Holton Lee so that he can get used to us and some of the tracks that he will be driving round later when he is shod and the weather improves.

Not the Somerset Levels!