splashgirl45
Lurcher lover
i love this thread, and big ted is lovely!!!!!!! keep the pics and updates coming please
My next equine project horse
- Thread starter AdorableAlice
- Start date
i love this thread, and big ted is lovely!!!!!!! keep the pics and updates coming please
AdorableAlice
Well-Known Member
At long last Big Ted has real friends rather than friends on the other side of a fence. At the weekend he went out with another yearling and her dam. Big Ted's social skills were a little suspect but the old mare soon told him the facts of life and everything settled down.
His new regime only lasted 24 hours and the weather let loose so they all had to come in. Ted slept through the rain and gales just getting up for a snack whilst his new friends screamed and banged the doors. Thankfully we drain well so they all went back out yesterday evening and it was great to see Ted playing with the other yearling. She is quick and athletic, Ted is more baby orangoutang on alcopops.
Gormless Ted managed to frighten himself this morning with his hay. He was munching away when the wind caught the hay that is being eaten and whips it up around Ted's face. Off he goes in canter with the hay still in him mouth but of course, it's now flying out at the side of him. I just hope no one heard me shouting 'drop it Ted' followed by something not so polite when he nearly flattened me by running at me to save him from the monster that was chasing him !
His new regime only lasted 24 hours and the weather let loose so they all had to come in. Ted slept through the rain and gales just getting up for a snack whilst his new friends screamed and banged the doors. Thankfully we drain well so they all went back out yesterday evening and it was great to see Ted playing with the other yearling. She is quick and athletic, Ted is more baby orangoutang on alcopops.
Gormless Ted managed to frighten himself this morning with his hay. He was munching away when the wind caught the hay that is being eaten and whips it up around Ted's face. Off he goes in canter with the hay still in him mouth but of course, it's now flying out at the side of him. I just hope no one heard me shouting 'drop it Ted' followed by something not so polite when he nearly flattened me by running at me to save him from the monster that was chasing him !
aliby
Well-Known Member
I've just spent a lovely lunch time catching up with this thread - love, love, love it!
So pleased Ted is settling into nursery school and learning to play nicely with others.
please keep posting updates!
So pleased Ted is settling into nursery school and learning to play nicely with others.
please keep posting updates!
AdorableAlice
Well-Known Member
Poor Ted's day didn't end very well last night. The wind and rain had revved him up a bit and he was very nervy to be caught, running back as I put my hand behind his ears to do the halter up.
He ripped away and the halter was caught on his ears, of course he lost the plot and it took a few seconds before the halter dropped off. He stood in the middle of the field whilst his new friends came in, wanting nothing to do with me. Little I could do other than leave him whilst the rest of the jobs are done and try later.
Two of us went out for him, with carrots and a different halter. My dear friend who was helping me, has a hand injury and has been wearing a fetching pair of yellow marigolds. Ted was intrigued by the yellow hands clutching large carrots, 'great' I said, 'you distract him' and I will slip a rope around his neck.
Once a rope is round his neck he tends to relax, even though there is no halter on, with the carrots gone, Ted turned his attention to the marigolds, my comment of ' I am surprised he will touch them' was hardly out of my mouth when he grabbed the fingers and the glove came off with an loud twang. Off he goes again, this time with a marigold rubber glove in his mouth and flapping in the wind.
Thoroughly soaked, all my friend and I could do was laugh. Ted dropped the glove but then stood by it with a look of horror on his face, ears at right angles and snorting like a dragon. He was eventually tucked up in bed, and my OH's comment of ' you have been ages' was left unanswered as I stuffed the washing machine with yet another load of soaking farm clothes.
Ted will never make a police horse at this rate !
He ripped away and the halter was caught on his ears, of course he lost the plot and it took a few seconds before the halter dropped off. He stood in the middle of the field whilst his new friends came in, wanting nothing to do with me. Little I could do other than leave him whilst the rest of the jobs are done and try later.
Two of us went out for him, with carrots and a different halter. My dear friend who was helping me, has a hand injury and has been wearing a fetching pair of yellow marigolds. Ted was intrigued by the yellow hands clutching large carrots, 'great' I said, 'you distract him' and I will slip a rope around his neck.
Once a rope is round his neck he tends to relax, even though there is no halter on, with the carrots gone, Ted turned his attention to the marigolds, my comment of ' I am surprised he will touch them' was hardly out of my mouth when he grabbed the fingers and the glove came off with an loud twang. Off he goes again, this time with a marigold rubber glove in his mouth and flapping in the wind.
Thoroughly soaked, all my friend and I could do was laugh. Ted dropped the glove but then stood by it with a look of horror on his face, ears at right angles and snorting like a dragon. He was eventually tucked up in bed, and my OH's comment of ' you have been ages' was left unanswered as I stuffed the washing machine with yet another load of soaking farm clothes.
Ted will never make a police horse at this rate !
PandorasJar
Well-Known Member
Flummoxed
Well-Known Member
Great tale! But probably wasn't so great for you at the time...
Joeyjojo
Well-Known Member
I've loved reading this please keep us updated on Ted pregress!!
please keep us updated on Ted pregress!!
Perfect_Pirouette
Well-Known Member
AdorableAlice
Well-Known Member
Big Ted has had a career path change. He is heading for the circus rather than the Police now.
Somehow he has managed to limbo under the electric fencing. I found him this evening smugly munching knee high grass on the wrong side of the fence.
Not a mark on him, fence intact except for one corner that had hooked up on it's self leaving a 3' gap underneath. His two friends were on the right side of the fencing looking rather miffed.
There is no way he jumped, he has a job trotting without going splatt and his co-ordination is non existent.
He will have a shock if he tries again - tractor battery and box on mega zap. He is a clown at the best of times, but a clown on the loose is pushing his luck.
Somehow he has managed to limbo under the electric fencing. I found him this evening smugly munching knee high grass on the wrong side of the fence.
Not a mark on him, fence intact except for one corner that had hooked up on it's self leaving a 3' gap underneath. His two friends were on the right side of the fencing looking rather miffed.
There is no way he jumped, he has a job trotting without going splatt and his co-ordination is non existent.
He will have a shock if he tries again - tractor battery and box on mega zap. He is a clown at the best of times, but a clown on the loose is pushing his luck.
JenHunt
Well-Known Member
bless his little socks!
AdorableAlice
Well-Known Member
bless his little socks!
That is open to debate !
This morning he managed to lead the gallop to the gate, sadly his brakes failed as he executed a handbrake turn and he slid to my feet on his side.
One of us is going to need therapy soon.
sjp1
Well-Known Member
Ted sounding as lovely as ever - and don't forget big babies need an awful lot of sleep as they are doing an awful lot of growing, so of course they can't get up in the mornings - especially if it is for lessons!
AdorableAlice
Well-Known Member
Ted is in a crisis this evening. His girlfriend keeps wanting to snog him and insists on reversing into him. He is a clean living young man and really cannot understand what she wants and after all she is only one and a quarter, little hussy.
His girlfriend's mum lives with them and is in charge of field politics, so he asked her for advice and got kicked across the paddock for his trouble. He's off women for the time being and keeping his own counsel up the corner, but even that gives him the vapours because on the other side of the fence are two hormonal Witches of Eastwick.
He reckons he will leave home, I told him no one would want him, so he is sulking now and plotting his revenge.
His girlfriend's mum lives with them and is in charge of field politics, so he asked her for advice and got kicked across the paddock for his trouble. He's off women for the time being and keeping his own counsel up the corner, but even that gives him the vapours because on the other side of the fence are two hormonal Witches of Eastwick.
He reckons he will leave home, I told him no one would want him, so he is sulking now and plotting his revenge.
happyhacking:)
Well-Known Member
Have only just discovered this thread!!! Can't believe I missed it! Fab thread AA. I too have an unhandled youngster come good though he is a tad smaller at 12hh! You defo should do the book!
AdorableAlice
Well-Known Member
Thank you, that is kind.
It has been a BIG day for Little Ted. He did ask me to post pictures of his new feet, he is terribly proud of his neat, balanced and matching four new feet. I told him only girls do things like that and he might get laughed at.
At 4pm he took a deep breath and allowed my fabulously patient farrier to finally pick his hind feet up. I have been working with Ted and have been able to pick them up using a padded walking stick, but it has been a major problem and has taken 5 months to get this far. His fronts were easier and took about 8 weeks for total confidence, put them between and on farriers knees.
I was so proud of him, he did a few huge gulps and then started licking and chewing, so the farrier carried on and apart from one small panic, managed to trim, rasp and balance all four feet. A celebratory hug in the stable followed, do hope no one was looking !
For anyone with the same problem, my farrier showed me a little trick to help with picking hinds up without getting kicked, well thats the theory. If you stand at the hip, facing the rear of the horse, and put your hand on the back of the hock and gently press your fingers into the inside of the hock, the horse's reflex is to pick the leg up and forwards, with your other hand you can support the leg at the cannon bone, holding it up for a few seconds before allowing it to go down again. Gradually the leg can be held up for longer periods. This has worked for Ted, he simply could not cope with hands on his hind pasterns. No idea why it works, but for me and it is a useful tool. It means my head is not so near a back foot as it was when I was trying to handle his pasterns. Once the leg has come forward and the cannon is supported I can run the hand that was on the hock down and onto the pastern to get him used to the feeling.
I know most people would say what am I playing at taking that long, but this horse is frightened and getting his trust is paramount. He is 14 months and already 16hh half Shire, I need him on my side !
FairyLights
Well-Known Member
I LOVE TED
Valadictory
Well-Known Member
I luff ted! I think you're doing a cracking job in restoring his faith in humankind and getting him used to the trials of being a youngster in a world full of rampart mares
snowstormII
Well-Known Member
Pleeeaaassee do a book. I would read it. Especially as I am learning to live with an unhandled 4 month old weanling (bit cross they get taken from their mummas that early). I am sure if/when I get any problems with mine, just reading your posts will make me giggle again and lighten up, ready for the next session. Fun isn't it!!! http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/images/icons/icon7.gif
AdorableAlice
Well-Known Member
I don't think my writing skills are good enough for a book ! although as the time passes by and Ted teaches me more and more about how the equine mind works I am learning as I go along, so it might be worth thinking about a book when he is older.
Made a big mistake with him this morning, stupid me, I should have introduced him to a torch in the stables before rushing over to him this morning at 5am. Poor boy had a fit of the vapours, thankfully his little sister and her mom were not bothered and he eventually came back to me for a cuddle and a nibble of the monster torch. It was still darkish when I left and he was lay down, sleeping his trauma off, with his sister standing over him.
AdorableAlice
Well-Known Member
Ted has had a peaceful October being a youngster at grass , he would tell you he has been abandoned and ignored, despite the daily carrot and 'behave yourself' he gets every morning and evening.
So this morning it was very exciting to come over to the yard with his sister Alice. His other friends were all in too, something exciting must be happening.
He watched Alice go next door and over heard people saying - good heavens, look at the size of those, they have to come out. He was most alarmed to see Alice carried back to her box sometime later in a comatose state looking like she had drunk a few pints of Pims. Filly's really should not plait their feet like Alice was doing.
Over hearing, 'we best look at Ted' he was very brave and entered the room Alice had just come out of. 'Not so big, but they have to come out'. Poor Ted, he had plenty of happy juice and was away with the fairies quickly. Job done, he suffered the embarrassment of being held upright by his tail on the way back to his bedroom. Of course, Alice was awake by then and laughed at him for being a wuss.
Out in their paddock now, they are comparing cavities and potential income. Alice's wolf teeth were almost an inch long each, she is not interested in 50 pence pieces, she requires £5 from everyone who reads this. Ted is so upset he has put himself up for adoption and will give all his pocket money to whoever will adopt him, he will require jelly and ice cream for tea.
So this morning it was very exciting to come over to the yard with his sister Alice. His other friends were all in too, something exciting must be happening.
He watched Alice go next door and over heard people saying - good heavens, look at the size of those, they have to come out. He was most alarmed to see Alice carried back to her box sometime later in a comatose state looking like she had drunk a few pints of Pims. Filly's really should not plait their feet like Alice was doing.
Over hearing, 'we best look at Ted' he was very brave and entered the room Alice had just come out of. 'Not so big, but they have to come out'. Poor Ted, he had plenty of happy juice and was away with the fairies quickly. Job done, he suffered the embarrassment of being held upright by his tail on the way back to his bedroom. Of course, Alice was awake by then and laughed at him for being a wuss.
Out in their paddock now, they are comparing cavities and potential income. Alice's wolf teeth were almost an inch long each, she is not interested in 50 pence pieces, she requires £5 from everyone who reads this. Ted is so upset he has put himself up for adoption and will give all his pocket money to whoever will adopt him, he will require jelly and ice cream for tea.
JenHunt
Well-Known Member
oh bless him!! much easier to do them while they're young though!
haven't got jelly or icecream, but Ron is donating his tea (speedibeet and alfa oil in miniscule quantities) as he's been a very stroppy old man who clearly has too much energy and too much body fat, and doesn't need any feed! :rollseyes:
haven't got jelly or icecream, but Ron is donating his tea (speedibeet and alfa oil in miniscule quantities) as he's been a very stroppy old man who clearly has too much energy and too much body fat, and doesn't need any feed! :rollseyes:
AdorableAlice
Well-Known Member
Removing wolf teeth must be good for yearlings - Both Ted and Alice didn't so much as murmour this evening whilst having their feet trimmed.
I was so chuffed with Ted, he has had big issues with his hind feet, but today he allowed my farrier to handle his hinds without getting too worried at all.
He now has perfect teeth and feet, plus a glossy black coat. His confidence is much better and he has taken to tallking to me a lot, he is very vocal, thankfully he has not taken to banging the door - yet. He leads well, in front, behind or on his own, does gates. He has given up hiding in corners and steps back when asked.
It has taken 5 months to go from a frightened feral foal to the above, taught me a lot and I am rather proud of the little man, who isn't going to be that little come next spring. Can't see him going to the Police, he will be steady enough for me to enjoy.
I was so chuffed with Ted, he has had big issues with his hind feet, but today he allowed my farrier to handle his hinds without getting too worried at all.
He now has perfect teeth and feet, plus a glossy black coat. His confidence is much better and he has taken to tallking to me a lot, he is very vocal, thankfully he has not taken to banging the door - yet. He leads well, in front, behind or on his own, does gates. He has given up hiding in corners and steps back when asked.
It has taken 5 months to go from a frightened feral foal to the above, taught me a lot and I am rather proud of the little man, who isn't going to be that little come next spring. Can't see him going to the Police, he will be steady enough for me to enjoy.
JenHunt
Well-Known Member
he's come on such a long way, and is a different horse now! well done you!
well done you!
AdorableAlice
Well-Known Member
Not sure what has happened between June and November, but suffice to say I now can't see over the top of Little Ted.
Ted and Alice have moved into their winter accomodation. Ted is mightly relieved that Alice's mother has departed to another field, she was a right old battle axe and he got a bit fed up of being shoved through the electric fence.
Ted's new accomodation is semi detached, with a patio and a garden (water garden at present). The neighbours at the side are pesky cows who get on Ted's nerves as all they do is eat, sleep, burp, fart and do long distance squits. Now one of those long distance squits hit Ted through the gates the other day and he was not impressed. However, he has got it sussed now and makes sure he gives Alice a got shunt sideways so she cops the lot.
Of course that makes Alice cry, she does a lot of crying cos she's a girl. Ted is rather mean to Alice. Despite them having half of a large and deeply bedded barn Ted has terrible house keeping habits. He has noticed that Alice sleeps in the same cozy spot that she keeps spotless, so he poops in it, that makes Alice cry too.
Poor Ted is in need of male company, this is available just outside his barn on the patio where he can talk to the retired and injured show horse, sadly Ted gets very bored of being told stories about epic trips to Hickstead and some wierd trip to compete in a tent at the NEC, the old horse is evidently bonkers and needs putting in a home. Of course Alice thinks the old boy is rather handsome and wonderful, educated and travelled too, unlike Ted who plays rough, nicks her tea, puts his chewing gum in her mane and thumps her just to make her cry - again.
Ted is on his final warning, behave and be nice to Alice.....or he will be on dragon driving.
Ted and Alice have moved into their winter accomodation. Ted is mightly relieved that Alice's mother has departed to another field, she was a right old battle axe and he got a bit fed up of being shoved through the electric fence.
Ted's new accomodation is semi detached, with a patio and a garden (water garden at present). The neighbours at the side are pesky cows who get on Ted's nerves as all they do is eat, sleep, burp, fart and do long distance squits. Now one of those long distance squits hit Ted through the gates the other day and he was not impressed. However, he has got it sussed now and makes sure he gives Alice a got shunt sideways so she cops the lot.
Of course that makes Alice cry, she does a lot of crying cos she's a girl. Ted is rather mean to Alice. Despite them having half of a large and deeply bedded barn Ted has terrible house keeping habits. He has noticed that Alice sleeps in the same cozy spot that she keeps spotless, so he poops in it, that makes Alice cry too.
Poor Ted is in need of male company, this is available just outside his barn on the patio where he can talk to the retired and injured show horse, sadly Ted gets very bored of being told stories about epic trips to Hickstead and some wierd trip to compete in a tent at the NEC, the old horse is evidently bonkers and needs putting in a home. Of course Alice thinks the old boy is rather handsome and wonderful, educated and travelled too, unlike Ted who plays rough, nicks her tea, puts his chewing gum in her mane and thumps her just to make her cry - again.
Ted is on his final warning, behave and be nice to Alice.....or he will be on dragon driving.
Bigbenji
Well-Known Member
AdorableAlice
Well-Known Member
Ted had a brush and a foot trim before posing for his New Years Day photo.
The white patch on his bottom proves it is the same horse as the one pictured at the start of the thread. His head looks more coarse that it really is due to his magnificent beard. Seeing him everyday I tend not to notice him changing, but that is some change in 6 months.
He has decided he wants to be a drum horse instead of a police horse. I have told him to get a paper round to help pay for the next 10 round bales of haylage he needs !
The white patch on his bottom proves it is the same horse as the one pictured at the start of the thread. His head looks more coarse that it really is due to his magnificent beard. Seeing him everyday I tend not to notice him changing, but that is some change in 6 months.
He has decided he wants to be a drum horse instead of a police horse. I have told him to get a paper round to help pay for the next 10 round bales of haylage he needs !
Emilieu
Well-Known Member
My goodness that's some change! What a handsome boy
TheresaW
Well-Known Member
He is stunning, and what a fabulous job you are doing with him.
Pearlsasinger
Up in the clouds
He's lovely!
Bikerchickone
Well-Known Member
He's gorgeous! Exactly my kind of horse too. Love your stories about him, hilarious! How tall is he now? You may need a step ladder to back him