muckypony
Well-Known Member
Thought I'd post an update of my mini foals 
I am still awaiting arrival of yet more fencing so unfortunately they have been in since I had them. I don't think its been such a bad thing for them though because they were awfully nervous and I think being in has helped them to get used to me and now they are so much better! I can put both head collars on without them flinching (which is a big step as when I got them you had to pounce on them!) they now lead very well too and I can lead them out individually to graze which I do every day at the moment.
On the 5th day I had them, I took them out to graze together with my mum.. BIG MISTAKE
I had to hold them alone for about 30 seconds while my mum went back and shut the gate behind us... In that 30 seconds, Acer spooked at nothing, spun round knocking Calypso on the floor and pulling me off my feet, but determined not to let go, I hung on for dear life and got dragged across the field (very slowly, but fast enought that i couldn't get up!) until they both turned around a looked at me very confused and I got back to my feet! They chilled out for a few mins and my mum had to go and open the gate again... So again I was left with the two and once again Acer spooked at nothing, knocked Clypso over again and he just lay on the floor with a very shocked look on his little face! So I just let Acer go and focused on Calypso, go him in his stable and fussed him for being so good and Acer soon followed him! Decided then that I would only handle one at a time outside the stable.
Its since then that I've found handling them easier, its just too much to have two scared fluffies to hang on to! They still find going in to the field a bit too scary, but as soon as I can get them out I'm sure they will get used to it. They don't seem to mind being in, they haven't once barged out or even tried to, I think they're enjoying their routine and fuss at the moment!! Calypso loves his bed and everytime i put fresh shaving is he covers himself from head to toe and looks very proud! They have also learnt to tie up, which was far less excting than i thought it was going to be.. Acer did nothing but walk forwards, then backwards, then forwards again and realised he was tied up... Calypso stood in his stable too scared to come out, then jumped around a bit and then just stood still! Cleverd ponies!
They are so sweet and already have such big characters! I worry about over-handling them too much, but I think theyve needed the handling they have had the last two weeks as they already have much better manners and know a bit more about whats accepted and whats not... Last week we found out that kicking was NOT accepted and (touch wood) we haven't tried it since!! When they can go out (hopefully within the next week) they will be handled much less!
So.. After that essay, here are some pics
Acer tieing up for the first time:
And Calypso tieing up.. Just not leaving the safety of his house!
Brothers!
And Acer wouldn't leave my gloves alone... So he got to try them on!
I am still awaiting arrival of yet more fencing so unfortunately they have been in since I had them. I don't think its been such a bad thing for them though because they were awfully nervous and I think being in has helped them to get used to me and now they are so much better! I can put both head collars on without them flinching (which is a big step as when I got them you had to pounce on them!) they now lead very well too and I can lead them out individually to graze which I do every day at the moment.
On the 5th day I had them, I took them out to graze together with my mum.. BIG MISTAKE
I had to hold them alone for about 30 seconds while my mum went back and shut the gate behind us... In that 30 seconds, Acer spooked at nothing, spun round knocking Calypso on the floor and pulling me off my feet, but determined not to let go, I hung on for dear life and got dragged across the field (very slowly, but fast enought that i couldn't get up!) until they both turned around a looked at me very confused and I got back to my feet! They chilled out for a few mins and my mum had to go and open the gate again... So again I was left with the two and once again Acer spooked at nothing, knocked Clypso over again and he just lay on the floor with a very shocked look on his little face! So I just let Acer go and focused on Calypso, go him in his stable and fussed him for being so good and Acer soon followed him! Decided then that I would only handle one at a time outside the stable. Its since then that I've found handling them easier, its just too much to have two scared fluffies to hang on to! They still find going in to the field a bit too scary, but as soon as I can get them out I'm sure they will get used to it. They don't seem to mind being in, they haven't once barged out or even tried to, I think they're enjoying their routine and fuss at the moment!! Calypso loves his bed and everytime i put fresh shaving is he covers himself from head to toe and looks very proud!
They have also learnt to tie up, which was far less excting than i thought it was going to be.. Acer did nothing but walk forwards, then backwards, then forwards again and realised he was tied up... Calypso stood in his stable too scared to come out, then jumped around a bit and then just stood still! Cleverd ponies!They are so sweet and already have such big characters! I worry about over-handling them too much, but I think theyve needed the handling they have had the last two weeks as they already have much better manners and know a bit more about whats accepted and whats not... Last week we found out that kicking was NOT accepted
and (touch wood) we haven't tried it since!! When they can go out (hopefully within the next week) they will be handled much less!So.. After that essay, here are some pics
Acer tieing up for the first time:
And Calypso tieing up.. Just not leaving the safety of his house!
Brothers!
And Acer wouldn't leave my gloves alone... So he got to try them on!
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