Archie and me ... back on track

[Archiesmummy]

Well, on advice and to be honest my own instinct, my gorgeous little companion pony who kept Archie company went to a new home to be loved and fussed today.

Whilst she was a wonderful, beautiful, loving mare she did her job just a little too well and Archie and her were infatuated with each other. This caused the dynamics of my relationship with Archie to change, for the worse. I was his blankey, his grooming mate, the apple of his eye ... but then I became redundant.

I got him in today, as normal and groomed him. Tacked up and then set off for the most glorious ride. We had a lovely ride in the sunshine, it was the kind of ride you never want to end. Came home and Tia just wasn't there anymore. She had been picked up whilst we were out riding, to save him having to watch her leave.

I gave him a lovely rub down and then walked down to his field. He was looking out for her, calling her but no call came back. It was heart wrenching. I sat in the field with him and he searched every corner for her. He than came to settle and had a snooze, a nibble of grass and I finally left him settled and eating.

He is still surrounded by other horses, just not in his paddock (as most horses on the farm have a paddock to themselves).

Whilst today has been upsetting I think I did the right thing.

The pain of trying to do what you thinks right and then it all going horribly wrong is terrible but its a lesson learnt.

xxx

 

[JoBo]

It’s sad that his little girlfriend had to go, but I’m so pleased you not giving up on Archie. I know you are going to get right back into it now and have loads of fun!

 

[MyBoyChe]

Every day for the last 2 years I have debated whether to get a companion pony for Che. He has a fantastic 4 acre paddock to himself and has horses next to him all the time. He can touch them over the fence, but only when they choose to come over. There are 4 ponies who are paired up and spend ages grooming each other. The head mare will groom Che if she is feeling so inclined over the fence. I have agonised over this almost every day but have decided that it would cause more problems than not. Whenever I appear he comes to meet me and we have a good strong bond, he is the sort of horse who needs to trust his rider and I think because he respects and trusts me on the ground he is more confident when I am riding him. He hacks out alone happily, doesnt nap and never calls to them, even when we have to ride past them on the way out or back. Interestingly the mare will often be waiting by the gate next to his paddock for him to return and they will groom for a few minutes before wandering off. He is a perfectly relaxed horse, I know he sleeps in his field from his dirty knees and hocks so he cant be too unhappy. As you say it is so hard sometimes to do the right thing