HHO's "Bear" project pony...

Love him (and t'other one...) Not that I'm needy or anything (!!) but since I'm now horseless I have to get my fix from you :) Thanks as ever for posting.
 
Ooh something about his eye and the surrounds reminds me massively of the second time I rode (on a horse called Paddy in Ireland) in 1971! (I have a photo not a photographic memory)
 
It’s such hard work being Bear, he goes to bed when he comes in but of course has to still be eating! Need to think about getting back on him soon for a summer of hacking, His feet are coming along nicely but it’s been hard getting a heel first landing in fact we are only just flat now and it’s not 100% consistent. Still battling thrush in front feet, the frogs are really tatty though the deep clefts are much better. We are pretty A1 now with bikes, dogs, traffic, open field trotting (all on long reins) with tons of transitions), standing for indefinite periods of time, passing other horses, etc etc. He is no longer remotely jumpy or quivery in and around the yard. Looking forward to riding again!




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Michen said:
It’s such hard work being Bear, he goes to bed when he comes in but of course has to still be eating! Need to think about getting back on him soon for a summer of hacking, His feet are coming along nicely but it’s been hard getting a heel first landing in fact we are only just flat now and it’s not 100% consistent. Still battling thrush in front feet, the frogs are really tatty though the deep clefts are much better. We are pretty A1 now with bikes, dogs, traffic, open field trotting (all on long reins) with tons of transitions), standing for indefinite periods of time, passing other horses, etc etc. He is no longer remotely jumpy or quivery in and around the yard. Looking forward to riding again!




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He’s so friggin cute! Here’s to a summer/winter of hacking, mines doing the same thing :)
 
KEK said:
He’s so friggin cute! Here’s to a summer/winter of hacking, mines doing the same thing :)
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Isn’t he just! I’m really fond of him. But I’m also realistic and do think I’ll sell or loan him. The downside re selling is that he won’t have done as much as I’d have imagined, really I should have been getting him ready enough this summer to do some dressage/sj/HT at the end of it. But I am hopeful if I do sell him someone will appreciate a young horse that’s been bought on super carefully and slowly with every groundwork box ticked that you could imagine, good “rehabbed” feet, solid out hacking etc- rather than rushed around an SJ course for a video!

I would love to think I could keep and ride two horses which feels easy right now with lockdown but winter will be another matter. Have also bought a springer spaniel puppy and want to spend and invest plenty of time with correct training ?
 
Michen said:
Isn’t he just! I’m really fond of him. But I’m also realistic and do think I’ll sell or loan him. The downside re selling is that he won’t have done as much as I’d have imagined, really I should have been getting him ready enough this summer to do some dressage/sj/HT at the end of it. But I am hopeful if I do sell him someone will appreciate a young horse that’s been bought on super carefully and slowly with every groundwork box ticked that you could imagine, good “rehabbed” feet, solid out hacking etc- rather than rushed around an SJ course for a video!

I would love to think I could keep and ride two horses which feels easy right now with lockdown but winter will be another matter. Have also bought a springer spaniel puppy and want to spend and invest plenty of time with correct training ?
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Ooh goodness you will be busy ! Working or show line Springer?
 
RHM said:
He is adorable!! Working dogs are the best, I have two working cockers and I wouldn’t swap them for anything!
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Great to hear! I intend to work her, or at least train her to work, part of why I've always wanted a spaniel :)

Very, very excited. I think a springer spaniel won't be too dissimilar to Boggle's personality ;)
 
Michen said:
Great to hear! I intend to work her, or at least train her to work, part of why I've always wanted a spaniel :)

Very, very excited. I think a springer spaniel won't be too dissimilar to Boggle's personality ;)
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Haha they will probably be very similar! Just don’t make the same mistake I did and fuss the puppy too much in front of him. Mine is great with all dogs bar mine, dreams of riding with my dog running alongside, shattered!
 
RHM said:
Haha they will probably be very similar! Just don’t make the same mistake I did and fuss the puppy too much in front of him. Mine is great with all dogs bar mine, dreams of riding with my dog running alongside, shattered!
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No way!? Because horse is jealous?Bog is used to hacking with Labrador, he finds it very amusing!
 
Michen said:
No way!? Because horse is jealous?Bog is used to hacking with Labrador, he finds it very amusing!
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Yeah he really goes for him! Yet my mates German pointer and springer is perfectly acceptable. He is so annoying!
 
RHM said:
Yeah he really goes for him! Yet my mates German pointer and springer is perfectly acceptable. He is so annoying!
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That’s bizarre! I would hope given Bog is a hunter whose never flicked an ear back to a hound that he wouldn’t dare!!
 
Michen said:
That’s bizarre! I would hope given Bog is a hunter whose never flicked an ear back to a hound that he wouldn’t dare!!
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Hopefully you will be in luck! I really did rub it in that I had a cute new puppy, too busy making the dog safe around horses ?
 
Fantastic wee pup! You’ve made a fab choice with a springer (although I am bias as you can see in my thumbnail). I’ve got a 11 month old working cocker too - best decision we made! ?
 
Michen said:
Great to hear! I intend to work her, or at least train her to work, part of why I've always wanted a spaniel :)

Very, very excited. I think a springer spaniel won't be too dissimilar to Boggle's personality ;)
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My husband thoroughly recommends Gundogs, their learning chain’ by joe Irving. It’s a bit old now, but still available and gives calm sensible advice for everyone hoping to have a reasonably well behaved gun dog.
 
He's gorgeous! I wouldn't rule out having a wocker for agility one day.. no one breeds working springers here. The nose is the challenge I believe.. But of course you are going to use his nose for what he is bred for :)
 
Got back on Bear for a hack in company and he was great! Then today I drove him up to the farm, only a minute in lorry for his long rein route just to check how he feels about travelling and also make him know he’s coming home. He’s never got on a vehicle and gone back to the same place the poor fella. He got off and his entire body was trembling, my heart absolutely broke for him! Travelled and loaded like a pro though.

Excuse my roots.. ya know.. lockdown- a killer for us fake blondes.

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