lindsay1993
Well-Known Member
Haven't been able to post an update in a long time! Fluffy is still with us and my daughter still loves him. We aren't able to do as much work with him as the nights are darker and fitting in riding between work etc had been hard. Fluffy was previously in work most days and was pretty fit.
I have noticed some new behaviours from him since his work load had dropped. One being the fact that he kicked me and has tried to kick me and my daughter on multiple occasions. It has only happened when he's tied up in the barn being groomed. The second the tack goes on, he's as quiet as a mouse. I have been very careful with allowing my daughter near him when he's in a mood. It usually starts with face pulling and as long as I growl at him, it doesn't escalate. I am also grooming him in the yard now and he hasn't offered to kick again.
Secondly, he is a nightmare with food!! I mean he will floor you regardless of anything to get to food. This has simply meant that he gets a handful of feed, absolutely no hand fed treats and he must back up and be respectful to whoever is feeding him or he just doesn't get anything. He's even bad when eating his hay. The horses all have free all acess to the stables 24/7 and Fluffy is often guarding one and stopping the other boys getting in to eat 'his' hay. He is sporting some bite marks, so I'm guessing the horses are keeping him in check.
His owners also came to visit a few weeks ago. She brought her older son and younger daughter to visit Fluffy. I have never seen such a sudden change in his behaviour. They fed him 3 packets of polos, as apparently feeding him was the only way they can get him to behave. He immediately started biting them and pulling faces, he tried to kick several times, to the point where I was concerned for their safety so put him out in the field. This was when I noticed the naughty behaviour began. He has been so quiet and lovely up to then, it was quite a shock. He hasn't settled since they came. I am working on a strict routine with him, as he seems happier when he knows what's going on and is handled properly with clear rules. I think they gave him free rein to do as he pleased and boss them about and he's trying that with me. Unfortunately for Fluffy, he's not going to win that easily!
I also have noticed his feet don't grow! The farrier tidied him up when we got him in may, and since then he hasn't needed anything doing. His feet just look perfect, not even a crack or chip out of them. The farrier was even surprised at how little attention they have needed in almost 6 months. If anything he has worn his toes slightly. The farrier doesn't seem concerned and I haven't noticed any other issues.
All in all, he's a lovely little pony and my daughter is doing so well. We even dressed him up at halloween and he didn't bat an eyelid. He's a challenging, bossy, strong willed little chap, but I can't resist his warm little muzzle giving me a kiss when he comes cantering up the field to greet me! I will update again soon as he two boys on holiday with us are going home soon and we will have two broodmares coming to stay until they foal in the spring. Let's hope Fluffy behaves himself.
I have noticed some new behaviours from him since his work load had dropped. One being the fact that he kicked me and has tried to kick me and my daughter on multiple occasions. It has only happened when he's tied up in the barn being groomed. The second the tack goes on, he's as quiet as a mouse. I have been very careful with allowing my daughter near him when he's in a mood. It usually starts with face pulling and as long as I growl at him, it doesn't escalate. I am also grooming him in the yard now and he hasn't offered to kick again.
Secondly, he is a nightmare with food!! I mean he will floor you regardless of anything to get to food. This has simply meant that he gets a handful of feed, absolutely no hand fed treats and he must back up and be respectful to whoever is feeding him or he just doesn't get anything. He's even bad when eating his hay. The horses all have free all acess to the stables 24/7 and Fluffy is often guarding one and stopping the other boys getting in to eat 'his' hay. He is sporting some bite marks, so I'm guessing the horses are keeping him in check.
His owners also came to visit a few weeks ago. She brought her older son and younger daughter to visit Fluffy. I have never seen such a sudden change in his behaviour. They fed him 3 packets of polos, as apparently feeding him was the only way they can get him to behave. He immediately started biting them and pulling faces, he tried to kick several times, to the point where I was concerned for their safety so put him out in the field. This was when I noticed the naughty behaviour began. He has been so quiet and lovely up to then, it was quite a shock. He hasn't settled since they came. I am working on a strict routine with him, as he seems happier when he knows what's going on and is handled properly with clear rules. I think they gave him free rein to do as he pleased and boss them about and he's trying that with me. Unfortunately for Fluffy, he's not going to win that easily!
I also have noticed his feet don't grow! The farrier tidied him up when we got him in may, and since then he hasn't needed anything doing. His feet just look perfect, not even a crack or chip out of them. The farrier was even surprised at how little attention they have needed in almost 6 months. If anything he has worn his toes slightly. The farrier doesn't seem concerned and I haven't noticed any other issues.
All in all, he's a lovely little pony and my daughter is doing so well. We even dressed him up at halloween and he didn't bat an eyelid. He's a challenging, bossy, strong willed little chap, but I can't resist his warm little muzzle giving me a kiss when he comes cantering up the field to greet me! I will update again soon as he two boys on holiday with us are going home soon and we will have two broodmares coming to stay until they foal in the spring. Let's hope Fluffy behaves himself.
