I think I agree about not blocking them in. Years ago, we had a break‑in and car theft at our farm. The guys taking the car got themselves mixed up and ended up stuck in the yard, so my husband blocked their exit. They just drove straight at him — he had to handspring over our own car to avoid...
Think the OP was looking only north of Stirling and this isn't but it is a nice, quiet little backwater on the road to these houses, we deliver hay to a couple and I've seen kids out playing on their bikes.
The area around Inverness is fine for horses, rainfall is only about 750mm/year, the further west you go, the wetter it is, so an hour and a half drive would probably double/treble the rainfall. East/North of Inverness is also great for horses.
fwiw I think you've 100% done the right thing moving Atlas. How could you stay at the other yard after all that?
Hopefully, he will be fine, years ago a friend's horse was hit by a train, he lay for ages, everyone thought he was dying basically, he eventually got up, shook himself and walked...
I have a springer and we don't shoot but we do live on a farm and he runs everywhere. He hasn't had anything really nasty but does need steroid eyedrops every summer, I think the grass seeds irritate his eyes. I bought him a set of goggles last year, he just removed them. They were only cheap...
I've never had a problem with surfshark, I used to use other vpns, but I agree it can be tricky and a bit unpredictable. I have iplayer downloaded already in the uk on my phone and ipad, maybe that makes a difference?
Very sad news but as already said, you did your best for him always and put him first by letting him go when the time was right. Hope you can console yourself knowing that.
Ah, interesting, down at Polmaise? I don't live that near it but I hear the one at Grangemouth is a big improvement on the rubbish tip next door to it!!
I know the area really well (5 miles from Stirling), there are a lot of livery yards, some better than others obv. There are also quite a few smaller yards which might suit you if you do go down that route.
One thing about this area is that it is well served with motorways, esp. the M9 and M80...
I'll add my tiny bit of experience.
I had 2 mares foal at home, the vet said to me that I'd never manage to be present when it happened but I was.
I waited until they were looking like foaling (all the typical signs) and then tested the milk with the pH and calcium strips and it gave a strong...
I really rate Richard Maxwell's ideas on loading. Never known his method not work if done properly.
A friend's daughter was really struggling with her horse; he would rear and run back or just stand and she spent hours luring him in with food etc. I taught her the RM method in one session and...
I agree that if the vet thinks that these feet are well shod, I'd be looking for a)another vet and b)another farrier. Sorry.
I know you said that boots have been a pain but I'd be persevering with boots and pads somehow. Some boots need to be fitted really tightly, I have one in easy boot...