alcraw
Well-Known Member
So, I have had the delightful Tara on loan for 6 days now, and I thought I'd share how it's going, and let you all have a laugh.
Monday
Popped up to the field to see her mid-morning. She came over, had some treats and some fuss, and seemed please to see me. All good.
Monday night had a major panic as to whether I should have put her rug on (not too cold, no rain forecast). Went to the field in the dark, and saw that none of the others had their rugs on. Came home, still niggling that she might be cold, and I'm not looking after her properly. Texted T's owner and FO - both said she's fine, don't worry about it! I knew I was being daft but had suddenly felt the weight of responsibility!!
Tuesday
Heavy rain forecast. Went to field first thing to put rug on. Couldn't catch horse
There are 4 other horses in the field, some of whom are a little unpredictable. Anytime I went near T, she hid behind one of the grumpy ones. 20mins chasing her round the muddy field ended with "S** you then, you can get wet!".
Felt guilty all day (I should add here that she had plenty of natural shelter, plus a field shelter). Saw FO in evening who reassured me (again!) and offered to come with me to the field in the morning to ward off the others.
Wednesday
Go up to field with FO. T comes straight to me and lets me put her headcollar on with no problems at all. Other horses ignore us. Typical!
Thursday
T meant to be having her vaccinations, so I bring her down for a bit of a tidy up (don't actually want her looking like a bog-monster for the vet). Get her lovely and sparkly. Vaccinations are moved to Friday.
Friday
No time to groom properly again in the morning, so vet vaccinated bog-monster. Home from work late so trudge down to field with my torch in the pitch black. Open gate and squelch along... then hear thundering, galloping hooves heading towards me!! Panic and run back for gate, while shouting out "hello girls!" in the hope they realise it's me and don't run me down! I'd heard that one of the horses guards the field... clearly true! In the end, she slowed up and I made it to the gate before her! However, my lovely Tara, who normally hangs back, had come galloping over when she heard me, and was really pleased to see me. I was so pleased - I felt like she actually likes me!
So today it's looking like the first dry day all week, and I'm not working.... and I can't ride because T's resting after her vaccinations. My first week has involved a lot of rain, mud and worry, and no actual riding... and I've loved it! Roll on summer and the longer evenings!
Monday
Popped up to the field to see her mid-morning. She came over, had some treats and some fuss, and seemed please to see me. All good.
Monday night had a major panic as to whether I should have put her rug on (not too cold, no rain forecast). Went to the field in the dark, and saw that none of the others had their rugs on. Came home, still niggling that she might be cold, and I'm not looking after her properly. Texted T's owner and FO - both said she's fine, don't worry about it! I knew I was being daft but had suddenly felt the weight of responsibility!!
Tuesday
Heavy rain forecast. Went to field first thing to put rug on. Couldn't catch horse
There are 4 other horses in the field, some of whom are a little unpredictable. Anytime I went near T, she hid behind one of the grumpy ones. 20mins chasing her round the muddy field ended with "S** you then, you can get wet!".Felt guilty all day (I should add here that she had plenty of natural shelter, plus a field shelter). Saw FO in evening who reassured me (again!) and offered to come with me to the field in the morning to ward off the others.
Wednesday
Go up to field with FO. T comes straight to me and lets me put her headcollar on with no problems at all. Other horses ignore us. Typical!
Thursday
T meant to be having her vaccinations, so I bring her down for a bit of a tidy up (don't actually want her looking like a bog-monster for the vet). Get her lovely and sparkly. Vaccinations are moved to Friday.
Friday
No time to groom properly again in the morning, so vet vaccinated bog-monster. Home from work late so trudge down to field with my torch in the pitch black. Open gate and squelch along... then hear thundering, galloping hooves heading towards me!! Panic and run back for gate, while shouting out "hello girls!" in the hope they realise it's me and don't run me down! I'd heard that one of the horses guards the field... clearly true! In the end, she slowed up and I made it to the gate before her! However, my lovely Tara, who normally hangs back, had come galloping over when she heard me, and was really pleased to see me. I was so pleased - I felt like she actually likes me!
So today it's looking like the first dry day all week, and I'm not working.... and I can't ride because T's resting after her vaccinations. My first week has involved a lot of rain, mud and worry, and no actual riding... and I've loved it! Roll on summer and the longer evenings!
Things will get better! 