HHO's "Bear" project pony...

[Michen]

Im so pleased to see them happy together. Moving J so he had a friend was the best move I have done, he is so much happier and confident

Yes Bog has been on his own through total fault of his own... but for some reason “seems” to be ok with Bear touch wood.

Or he’s mellowing with age! Still screams at every horse that dares to get too near to his stable though!

And here’s the difference between the two this am. Bog sees me and is immediately active, engaging. Bear can’t even be arsed to move from his patch of grass and just wants an easy life ?. Nice to know Bog hasn’t replaced me with Bear though

 

[tatty_v]

Bog gets whatever he needs and if he needs a pet...

Totally agree with this. My boy has a pet Shetland - he deserves it! (And the Shetland’s pretty cute too ?) Really pleased to see things are looking up for you, you’ve been through the mill a bit with these two recently!

 

[Michen]

Totally agree with this. My boy has a pet Shetland - he deserves it! (And the Shetland’s pretty cute too ?) Really pleased to see things are looking up for you, you’ve been through the mill a bit with these two recently!

I think Bog would murder a Shetland LOL!! A pet Shetland for me would be ideal though.

I’m not sure how it’s all gone so wrong, the whole point was for Bog to go off on retirement livery until next year and Bear to have his stable and then be sold. Now I have two horses which need work (Bog more important than ever re spavin), both on livery, the exact situation I wanted to avoid!

But- I love it! And it’s made manageable by a pro rider for Bear a couple of times a week and a fantastic sharer who is completely invested in them both despite them both being a bit useless on the fun/competing front!

 

[Asha]

just read your updates, what fantastic news all round. He certainly looks very perky !

a friend of mine had the same issue. Her horse had been in a fair amount of work, but it dropped right back over lockdown, she noticed he was a little off behind. Took him to the vets and they advised to up the work load as xrays showed a touch of arthritis. Hes now back to normal and sound as a pound.

 

[Michen]

just read your updates, what fantastic news all round. He certainly looks very perky !

a friend of mine had the same issue. Her horse had been in a fair amount of work, but it dropped right back over lockdown, she noticed he was a little off behind. Took him to the vets and they advised to up the work load as xrays showed a touch of arthritis. Hes now back to normal and sound as a pound.

That’s really good to hear thanks! Bog even pre injury has a lameness check every 6 months and has never been positive to flexion. With his confo etc it’s not entirely surprising he has hock changes, I guess it’ll just be a case of managing.

Am not sure what I’ll do in winter though as with the soft tissue injury I don’t really want him in the school until next year, but will need to keep him moving and fit for the hocks...

 

[milliepops]

Kira has a pet too, as I have to pay for a livery stable I prefer a pet that I can ride but I think she'd love a mini that was allllll hers

 

[Michen]

Kira has a pet too, as I have to pay for a livery stable I prefer a pet that I can ride but I think she'd love a mini that was allllll hers

I didn’t realise D was Kira’s pet!! ?

 

[milliepops]

I didn’t realise D was Kira’s pet!! ?

yeah she's fairly impossible to keep happy without a friend that is under my control she gets terrible FOMO but having a pet keeps her happy for the 23 hours of the day that he stays with her! when I want to ride she just has a big sulk.

 

[Michen]

yeah she's fairly impossible to keep happy without a friend that is under my control she gets terrible FOMO but having a pet keeps her happy for the 23 hours of the day that he stays with her! when I want to ride she just has a big sulk.

Natives.. the most high maintenance of them all. ESPECIALLY the emotional ones that don’t believe they are natives.

 

[tatty_v]

yeah she's fairly impossible to keep happy without a friend that is under my control she gets terrible FOMO but having a pet keeps her happy for the 23 hours of the day that he stays with her! when I want to ride she just has a big sulk.

This is exactly why Spooky has a pet. After 5 years of desperately trying to keep him happy (and in a paddock!), my husband and I decided that the answer was something under my control. Cue a yearling Shetland colt ? honestly the best £450 we’ve ever spent! Maybe Bog would love one....!

 

[Michen]

This is exactly why Spooky has a pet. After 5 years of desperately trying to keep him happy (and in a paddock!), my husband and I decided that the answer was something under my control. Cue a yearling Shetland colt ? honestly the best £450 we’ve ever spent! Maybe Bog would love one....!

Well I hope Bog is very grateful for his 3k plus pet then ha!

I hope they don't become to dependent on each other is all.

 

[SEL]

Natives.. the most high maintenance of them all. ESPECIALLY the emotional ones that don’t believe they are natives.

Oh yes.... I got mine a pet Ardennes. Just a bigger Shetland really. Easier to manage IMO

 

[Michen]

Friend sent me this this eve. Bog the Friday evening he arrived From Ireland in torrential rain at the M4 services. He was caked in mud, so skinny but so bold.

I remember being disappointed with how ugly he was, hence the name Boggle... who’d have known what he’d turn in to!!

 

[ElleSkywalker]

Oh just look at the scruffy baby Bog ? and now, so sleek, so handsome, so totally trained you to be his slave ?

 

[Michen]

This is how Boggle tells Bear he would like this tail itched... Came around the corner to find them up to no good.

These two crack me up, when Bear didn’t do as asked Bog would spin around, squeak and then shove his bottom back into Bear whilst moving it around to try and get that itch satisfied ?? Poor Bear. No ponies were harmed as the result of Boggles weirdness! They are the best of friends Albiet Bog will have to go on a different tie ring for being so demanding!

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

They look a proper picture together ❤ ?

 

[Michen]

They look a proper picture together ❤ ?

it’s a shame the shade of bay doesn’t quite match though ?

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Lovely picture, much easier to tell them apart there. Boggle has really come on from his baby picture. Looking superb at the moment, Bear too.

 

[Laurac13]

Bog looks like he’s enjoying his outings just as much as you ? great to hear the positive news ?

 

[Pinkvboots]

it’s a shame the shade of bay doesn’t quite match though ?

My bays don't match either Arabi is lighter and has a finer coat than Louis, you can't have it all I suppose lol!

My 2 have very similar attributes to yours Arabi is very dominant his not keen on many horses at all, I worried for Louis when he came hence why I put them in separate fields, he was used as a nanny to the foals so the total opposite to Arabi, on the first day of them going out Louis got in with Arabi and they were fine they just got on from the start, Arabi will use Louis as a scratching post and herds him around the field and he just puts up with it bless him.

 

[Tiddlypom]

it’s a shame the shade of bay doesn’t quite match though ?

Garnier brown hair dye colour chart. You’d need quite a few bottles to colour a whole horse, though .

 

[Michen]

A cuddle for Bear first time attempting to ride and lead them both. He also went around the block in the new trailer (sold my lorry) and didn’t bat an eyelid, unlike his brother who had to do 10 reps of just being led through it to get him to chill out and stop jumping the ramp!

Such different horses! Bog is doing really well, just started a 45 min loop and will do that for a week and then start “normal” hacking.

 

[be positive]

Please check your stirrups are the same length, you are either sitting to one side or Bog is pushing you over, I know it is only 2 photos but it was the first thing I noticed in both.

Pleased they behaved well

 

[Michen]

Please check your stirrups are the same length, you are either sitting to one side or Bog is pushing you over, I know it is only 2 photos but it was the first thing I noticed in both.

Pleased they behaved well

It’s defo Bog, the leathers are brand new. I can feel it too and discussed it with vet, we are going to see how the next few weeks go but may be we need to jab his hocks to get him back moving straight and build up some strength.

 

[be positive]

It’s defo Bog, the leathers are brand new. I can feel it too and discussed it with vet, we are going to see how the next few weeks go but may be we need to jab his hocks to get him back moving straight and build up some strength.

If he is pushing you over that much something needs doing as he will build up unevenly and it will get worse, the hock may be worse than expected so maybe the injections could be done sooner than planned.

 

[DabDab]

Late to the party, but good news on Bog, must be nice to be able to have a slightly easier management routine for him now. I did feel for you a few weeks back - having a horse myself who starts causing herself injuries as soon as not in regular work, I was feeling vicarious stress reading your updates

 

[Michen]

If he is pushing you over that much something needs doing as he will build up unevenly and it will get worse, the hock may be worse than expected so maybe the injections could be done sooner than planned.

If I had to call it I’d say it’s actually getting better rather than worse but I do agree- it’s being monitored
I wouldn’t hesitate to jab if needed but I want to give it another week or so before starting that process.. the hock has become an issue quickly as he was not positive to flexion when he got signed off Mid May. It’s not helped by the fact I naturally put more weight onto my left anyway, hence the frequent physio checks!

 

[Michen]

Late to the party, but good news on Bog, must be nice to be able to have a slightly easier management routine for him now. I did feel for you a few weeks back - having a horse myself who starts causing herself injuries as soon as not in regular work, I was feeling vicarious stress reading your updates

Ahh thanks DD. It’s been a really awful time tbh, and obviously still a way to go with Bog but I’m confident he will have some form of working life and we will just do whatever he wants to do! He is so so much happier now he’s being ridden and turned out.

 

[DabDab]

Busy horses eh, a blessing and a curse in equal measure!

I'll trade you some of my right leg weights for your left leg weights. Instructor yesterday had cause to declare "I'm going to shove your hip over in a minute"

 

[Roxylola]

I too can offer you crooked right to level out your crooked left - although I'm hopeful I'll resolve that this thursday for me at least as I've booked a lesson with Andy Thomas. My problem is I had wonky hips my whole life - had them mostly straightened with bowen, but now I'm so used to compensating my default is wonk!
Gorgeous boys though and so pleased they were good for you.