My next equine project horse

They did me proud. Having letters in chalk on their bottoms caused concern though. Martha was unimpressed with X as her bottom is ample without a big cross on it. Alice liked A and wants a tattoo, Ted was B for barsteward and Leo sulked with Y because he is so beautiful he does not need identifying.

Martha is seething after being called a Shire. Ted was called a carthorse and Alice was called a pony. Alice wants everyone to know she is a small horse not a pony. They all trotted up nicely, Ted with the aid of a well aimed pebble at the backside.


Well if D was trotted up it would have been gypsy cob, poor Martha bet she was not impressed! Tell Alice she can have a brand on her bum... Trendy! Teds not a cart horse either..... I would be seriously worried if they called Leo a pony...
 
Last edited:
I was one of the young farmers taking part on judging them today! I have to commend you on all of their behaviours, Ted was impeccably behaved considering how many people were around! Alice was also very well behaved and is absolutely lovely! I really really liked her!!
 
I was one of the young farmers taking part on judging them today! I have to commend you on all of their behaviours, Ted was impeccably behaved considering how many people were around! Alice was also very well behaved and is absolutely lovely! I really really liked her!!

Thank you so much and I hope you enjoyed your day with us. It was an honour to have you and your colleagues looking at the horses. If you are passing do call in again.
 
It doesn't improve when they get older!

1795659_10152279992750730_312800074_n.jpg

Can you check Alf's emails please, he must be sending Ted instructions ! If I want to bounce I will buy a space hopper.
 
Can you check Alf's emails please, he must be sending Ted instructions ! If I want to bounce I will buy a space hopper.

I'll have a word. Hopefully he hasn't taught Ted the advanced manoeuvre. it is seamlessly integrated into the basic manoeuvre, without feet touching the floor in between.
7540_10152279992705730_424625299_n.jpg

He performed it yesterday, which resulted in this
1911904_10152385035720730_4139931158346158686_n.jpg
 
All bets off. The four of them behaved like absolute saints and I was so proud of Ted and Alice.

P1011048_zps7cef8fb1.jpg


The morning exhausted Ted and he is now fast asleep on his side with Alice standing guard.

These young farmers are the future for the countryside and it was so nice to be involved this morning, and the lunch was rather special too !
What a good boy! Sorry but you can no longer refer to him as "the ferral carthorse". Standing up beautifully......that's good training that is. No wonder you were proud of him......bless "Ted Superstar in Training" ;)
 
Er sorry to point this out, where is alice's pic from the YFC day???!!!

In fact where are the rest of the herd that were on display to be fair??? :)
 
i asked Alf about Skype, and he whistled nonchalantly and shuffled his feet a bit. Houston, I think we have a problem...
Those moves are awfully similar.....

Time for a midnight raid on Alf's bedside locker, perhaps? He may have a few tips up his sleeve re long lining that I'm sure AA would rather Ted didn't copy, too :D!
 
Those moves are awfully similar.....

Time for a midnight raid on Alf's bedside locker, perhaps? He may have a few tips up his sleeve re long lining that I'm sure AA would rather Ted didn't copy, too :D!

God - I hadn't thought about that. AA, please tell Ted that Alfs view on long reining is not to be copied, no matter what he hears about how much fun it is!
 
God - I hadn't thought about that. AA, please tell Ted that Alfs view on long reining is not to be copied, no matter what he hears about how much fun it is!

Oh no, Alf will be sausages if he tells Ted how to be naughty on the long line. I haven't built up the bravery to try yet, well certainly not outside the barn. My short fat hairy legs have no chance of keep up with his long and very hairy legs. Measured his bone at the weekend 10".

Here is Alice being her normal non photogenic self.

P1011049_zps0f2954dd.jpg
 
So after having a presentation to deliver on Monday, another to deliver on tuesday, an essay to hand in wednesday, and a 4000 word report to hand in today, I've decided to give myself the afternoon off and finally have time to update from Wednesday (sorry its late again)!

AA invited me along for a lovely evening ride with her on wednesday. It was a glorious day and warm enough to be out in just our t-shirts. When we arrived I went to fetch the lovely Martha who AA was riding and then together we went and fetched the lovely Daisy who I was going to be riding.

Both horses were good as gold as always and the Worcestershire countryside really is beautiful - similar to Yorkshire but with more hills! The views from the top of the hills really were breathtaking (as were the size of the hedges AA pointed out to me, after telling me she's jumped them all when out hunting)!

We stopped off at AA's good friend's house on the way home for a very well received glass of lemonade and a natter.

And this time... I remembered to get a photo of the very handsome Ted!

41123d90-4806-4c08-a604-d6fad2e26a53_zps8db3f69e.jpg
 
So after having a presentation to deliver on Monday, another to deliver on tuesday, an essay to hand in wednesday, and a 4000 word report to hand in today, I've decided to give myself the afternoon off and finally have time to update from Wednesday (sorry its late again)!

AA invited me along for a lovely evening ride with her on wednesday. It was a glorious day and warm enough to be out in just our t-shirts. When we arrived I went to fetch the lovely Martha who AA was riding and then together we went and fetched the lovely Daisy who I was going to be riding.

Both horses were good as gold as always and the Worcestershire countryside really is beautiful - similar to Yorkshire but with more hills! The views from the top of the hills really were breathtaking (as were the size of the hedges AA pointed out to me, after telling me she's jumped them all when out hunting)!

We stopped off at AA's good friend's house on the way home for a very well received glass of lemonade and a natter.

And this time... I remembered to get a photo of the very handsome Ted!

41123d90-4806-4c08-a604-d6fad2e26a53_zps8db3f69e.jpg

Edit to this post, I jumped those hedges 25 years ago ! when I was daft as a brush and didn't need Tenna Ladies !
 
Bank holiday Monday afternoon and Ted is advised his training is to continue. I want to introduce the long line but have a feeling it could all go horribly wrong.......it did, he stayed in bed all afternoon.

P1011064_zps9596eaa5.jpg


he redeemed himself this evening by flying solo with the farrier. All grown up and tied to the wall, no fuss, no panic kicking. I have had him two years this week, admittedly he was abandoned all through last year but I wish he was more advanced than he is.

P1011067_zpsa36aae0c.jpg
 
Bank holiday Monday afternoon and Ted is advised his training is to continue. I want to introduce the long line but have a feeling it could all go horribly wrong.......it did, he stayed in bed all afternoon.

P1011064_zps9596eaa5.jpg


he redeemed himself this evening by flying solo with the farrier. All grown up and tied to the wall, no fuss, no panic kicking. I have had him two years this week, admittedly he was abandoned all through last year but I wish he was more advanced than he is.

P1011067_zpsa36aae0c.jpg

Hey! You've achieved a lot! You took on a real project with Ted, and he's come so far, it'll just be a case of it taking a little longer with him than you would with others. Let's remember for a minute what you've been through in the last year, a hell of a lot. So cut yourself some slack, there are plenty of people out there with horses that 'could' be further along in their training, Ted will get there. Just remember what good you've done giving him a home where he's loved and wants for nothing. Reality check done, Ted is looking grand! 👍
 
Hey! You've achieved a lot! You took on a real project with Ted, and he's come so far, it'll just be a case of it taking a little longer with him than you would with others. Let's remember for a minute what you've been through in the last year, a hell of a lot. So cut yourself some slack, there are plenty of people out there with horses that 'could' be further along in their training, Ted will get there. Just remember what good you've done giving him a home where he's loved and wants for nothing. Reality check done, Ted is looking grand! 👍

This! He's a credit to you x
 
Thank you, that has cheered me up.

Bit fed up at the moment, back at work full time and really tired in the evening. Frustrating when there is so much I want to do.
 
Mine's 18, I've had him 10 years and I wish he was more advanced than he is. The worst I've had health wise in this time is the odd tummy bug and an in-growing toe nail.
 
After the year you have been though I think you have done very well to make any progress with Ted, he seems to have responded really well to you. I have not done anything yet with my two three year olds, but they are bum high again so still growing.

It is frustrating when there are nice summer evenings and work leaves you too exhausted to take advantage of them, but you have made so much progress already you will hopefully feel better with every month that passes.
 
Hey! You've achieved a lot! You took on a real project with Ted, and he's come so far, it'll just be a case of it taking a little longer with him than you would with others. Let's remember for a minute what you've been through in the last year, a hell of a lot. So cut yourself some slack, there are plenty of people out there with horses that 'could' be further along in their training, Ted will get there. Just remember what good you've done giving him a home where he's loved and wants for nothing. Reality check done, Ted is looking grand! 👍

Definitely this ^^^^^^. Ted has come a long way. I always say it is the ones who are the hardest that you can win over the most....in the end. I am forever thinking my 8 (!) year old should have come further, but he ho life gets in the way and this morning the dentist commented on how much easier he is now to do........6 years later!......;) Seriously he only growled at her a couple of times :p

Ted is a credit! A much loved, very happy horse.......oh and still very young.......lots of time yet x
 
Update...

Ted tripped over a pigeon (obviously a suicidal pigeon being brave enough to remain earthbound in front of a trotting Ted), it flew up in his face and, wait for it, he did NOT have a seizure ! progress or what.
 
Update...

Ted tripped over a pigeon (obviously a suicidal pigeon being brave enough to remain earthbound in front of a trotting Ted), it flew up in his face and, wait for it, he did NOT have a seizure ! progress or what.

Bless him! His older "brother from another mother" would have had a meltdown. A crow landed on his back this morning - and got bucked off, much to its surprise!
 
Top