HHO's "Bear" project pony...
- Thread starter Michen
- Start date
Michen
Well-Known Member
Well the shoes are off. Right decision I think though I felt a bit of a pang as people are planning lovely long hacks and I so enjoyed yesterday.
But hey ho, right decision for his feet and he might be comfortable enough quite quickly to lightly hack- who knows. It will do him no harm for sure and I'm lucky to even be able to be around my horses at all so giving up proper spring hacks shouldn't exactly be a hardship- perspective fgs!!!
And helps financially as I await the likely furloughing.
But hey ho, right decision for his feet and he might be comfortable enough quite quickly to lightly hack- who knows. It will do him no harm for sure and I'm lucky to even be able to be around my horses at all so giving up proper spring hacks shouldn't exactly be a hardship- perspective fgs!!!
And helps financially as I await the likely furloughing.
RHM
Well-Known Member
Haha I’m not going to lie I would happily take either of them! All pony shopping trips look cancelled for the foreseeable so I’m just planning on stealing yours now instead!
CanteringCarrot
Well-Known Member
Great update! Love the view from between Bear's ears!
Pinkvboots
Well-Known Member
If you are just hacking in a field surely he would be fine without shoes or do you have some hoof boots you could put on if he get a bit sensitive?
Michen
Well-Known Member
Just had a work call re job security and they have a (good!) plan, such a relief. So immediately have purchased Bog and Bear the matching Rambo stable sheets! Ha!
Michen
Well-Known Member
Probably will be but it's quite rutty and hard now atm. Should level out soon. Sold my scoot boots and not sure his feet would have been the right shape for them anyway!
DirectorFury
Well-Known Member
I know I've offered before but if you get desperate I've got a pair of Swiss Galoppers and a pair of Floating Boots here that you're welcome to borrow for as long as you need. We've given up on bf for the time being so they're just gathering dust in the spare room.
Michen
Well-Known Member
That is super kind, again, thank you!!! xxx
alexomahony
Well-Known Member
I'm really enjoying this thread - Bear is lovely and Bog is totally stunning too - give Bear a few months maturing and I expect they'll look like a mirror image is each other!
His walk looked great - really forward and bouncy - really looking forward to seeing further updates and seeing him progress once all this is over
x
His walk looked great - really forward and bouncy - really looking forward to seeing further updates and seeing him progress once all this is over
x
MuddyTB
Well-Known Member
You are definitely picking my next horse for me. Both your boys are stunning and hopefully he'll be even better in a few weeks/months with better feet and a bit more grown up.
Add me to the queue to steal him
Add me to the queue to steal him
Pinkvboots
Well-Known Member
It's so rutty here as well at the moment it's just gone from being underwater to completely dry in a few weeks crazy!
Pinkvboots
Well-Known Member
I was looking at the floating boots how did you find them? I have cavallo trec and find them clumpy so was looking at lighter options, I liked the gallopers as well as my friend has a pair for her warmblood and she has got on with them fine.
DirectorFury
Well-Known Member
My horse has awkward shaped feet so no boots were a perfect fit, she also has/had a weird flare on one front.
I couldn't get the Galoppers to stay on at anything faster than a walk but they were easy to put on! They're a little clumpy and weren't a great fit after her feet changed size/shape.
The Floating Boots were magic when I could get them on, they were a ridiculously tight fit and it could take me up to 30 mins a time *but* I never got round to heat forming them which should have helped. They were a nightmare when her feet were slightly muddy because you'd end up covered in mud! With hindsight I should have bought one size up - she was right on the boundary of 2 sizes and I didn't want to risk boots coming off. They were really really good apart from that, I'll use them again next time we try bf
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Pinkvboots
Well-Known Member
My horse has awkward shaped feet so no boots were a perfect fit, she also has/had a weird flare on one front.
I couldn't get the Galoppers to stay on at anything faster than a walk but they were easy to put on! They're a little clumpy and weren't a great fit after her feet changed size/shape.
The Floating Boots were magic when I could get them on, they were a ridiculously tight fit and it could take me up to 30 mins a time *but* I never got round to heat forming them which should have helped. They were a nightmare when her feet were slightly muddy because you'd end up covered in mud! With hindsight I should have bought one size up - she was right on the boundary of 2 sizes and I didn't want to risk boots coming off. They were really really good apart from that, I'll use them again next time we try bf
Thank you they looked tricky to get on I thought just from the pictures I saw, my friend said the gallopers sometimes come off with faster work.
I really like the scoot boots but my horse has a slightly smaller more upright hoof so I don't think they would work although since taking the shoes off it looks better and has spread out more so I might ring hoof boutique they are still open and see what they suggest. Thanks again
Michen
Well-Known Member
Bear would just like everyone to see how handsome he is.
Stomped out of shoes (for now) just went for a hack around the big field. Foot perfect again.
On another note it’s almost sad how Boggle is being when Bear is tied up and being engaged with etc. The pawing and flattening ears etc, snaking his head was mildly amusing at first but now I just feel bad, he’s still getting about 2 hours a day of one on one time with walking, grooming, hand grazing etc and he’s going to have to bloody get used to it especially if I have both long term.
I could tie Bear outside instead of in the barn next to my stuff etc but sort of feel that’s ridiculous just because of Bog annoyance. So I take it back, horses 100% get jealous, I really can’t believe how much it’s upsetting him!
Stomped out of shoes (for now) just went for a hack around the big field. Foot perfect again.
On another note it’s almost sad how Boggle is being when Bear is tied up and being engaged with etc. The pawing and flattening ears etc, snaking his head was mildly amusing at first but now I just feel bad, he’s still getting about 2 hours a day of one on one time with walking, grooming, hand grazing etc and he’s going to have to bloody get used to it especially if I have both long term.
I could tie Bear outside instead of in the barn next to my stuff etc but sort of feel that’s ridiculous just because of Bog annoyance. So I take it back, horses 100% get jealous, I really can’t believe how much it’s upsetting him!
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ycbm
Einstein would be proud of my Insanity...
Michen
Well-Known Member
Jeni the dragon
Well-Known Member
He's very handsome!
KEK
Well-Known Member
Think jealousy in animals is definitely a real thing. Multidog household here, for dog sports, and a always try and ration time fairly, have 1 dog (BCx) who will try to split me from any dog I am paying attention to by climbing in my lap, even if she was fast asleep ..!
ester
Not slacking multitasking
Cally absolutely fumes if she thinks Frank is getting more attention than she is.
She will also only ever try and bite him if there is a human around to back her up, otherwise she is far too scared of the consequences from him.
She will also only ever try and bite him if there is a human around to back her up, otherwise she is far too scared of the consequences from him.
Errin Paddywack
Well-Known Member
I think he is absolutely fabulous.
Michen
Well-Known Member
Me too. Really getting to know him now and liking what I’m finding. Cheeky, clever, willing little chap who does want to do the right thing but has his own spark. I think soon there will be zero nervousness whatsoever and in fact there isn’t any more with me. I think we got it bang on right with him going back to the very basics and building up from there carefully to make sure he has grown in confidence and not had a single set back.
He’s super quick to learn, now I am re doing hacking routes I am seeing it even more. Things he really needed to look at and assess and then decide was ok for example two days ago didn’t even get a pause at today. Mounting block learned in a session, hasn’t pulled away again leading in etc.
He does need squashing a bit, he tried to break into trot on the long reins and when I blocked him (gently!) suddenly a hoof was thrown with gusto in my direction. Took me by surprise as I’ve never seen that from him before and a good reminder (not that I needed it but, ya know!) as to keeping distance when long reining and wearing a hat however sweet natured the horse is. The positive thing now is that he can be reprimanded without needing to worry about a break down. I doubt he will ever do that again just because it’s a lesson he’s now learned as to what is and isn’t acceptable.
And he seems to really enjoy working which is lovely. So yes, so far so good and very pleased. And if I’m honest feeling quite relieved that he’s not really a nervous nelly and that I think a confident young horse can be made from here on out, albeit I still need to be mindful and remember he’s not Bog.
Plan for now will be hours and hours of long reining over the next couple of months for both feet (depending on how they go) and general education, with a bit of riding in the school occasionally or light hacking in company.
Michen
Well-Known Member
Tried to take a cute selfie, you know those posy nice ones so many girls seem to easily achieve where they look like they’ve stepped out of an advert but.. Bear had other ideas and just wanted to steal my cap.
splashgirl45
Lurcher lover
so nice to hear that all is going well. keep the updates coming please, i am getting a little horsey fix from your posts as i dont have a horse anymore and now cant really go to my old yard to help out, so am really feeling the loss of horse contact...
Michen
Well-Known Member
Oh Bog you are so damn cute... and such a good boy.
The least said about Bear today the better. Am reminding myself how many swear words I uttered about Boggle 3 years ago.. tomorrow is another day!
The least said about Bear today the better. Am reminding myself how many swear words I uttered about Boggle 3 years ago..
tomorrow is another day! 
ElleSkywalker
As excited as Kitty about to be a bridesmaid
Oh Bog you big labrador on a string! Messing up all your mums grooming ?? So cute!
And Bears obviously heard you have done a thread bodyshaminging the little tubber ?
And Bears obviously heard you have done a thread bodyshaminging the little tubber ?
KEK
Well-Known Member
Oh come on... What did he do ?? Warts and all lolOh Bog you are so damn cute... and such a good boy.
The least said about Bear today the better. Am reminding myself how many swear words I uttered about Boggle 3 years ago..
View attachment 43286
Bog is ridiculously gorgeous
Michen
Well-Known Member
Oh he just felt a horse coming towards him whilst out long reining was completely unacceptable, he would almost give Boggle a run for his money with sharpness but not quite. Needs some more squishing!
MyBoyChe
Well-Known Member
Loving this thread and just caught up with the last few days worth. On the jealousy thing, I wouldnt have believed it either but just before Coronagate we bought a little Sec b for our granddaughter to learn on. My gentle highland turned into a horror almost overnight when he realised the interloper on the edge of his field was actually his new little brother. He became almost dangerous to handle for a few days, refusing to lead nicely and proper full on tantrums on the end of the rope. Fortunately for me hes not as brave as he makes out and a bit of firm but gentle reprimanding put him back in his box. He still refuses to engage with the little one who is desperate to make friends, but is at least, behaving with me. I was a bit dubious that it was jealousy but it seems it was/is. Like you, the big one is just going to have to deal with it Im afraid, he still gets more of my time and is still my special boy but the little one is likely here to stay