24 December 2012

Whatever the Weather...


I don’t know about you guys, but us horses here at the Calvert Trust Exmoor are a bit confused about what’s happening with the weather this year!

After the ‘summer of rain’ we hoped it might get ‘back to normal’ during the winter - it can’t possibly rain all winter too. Can it?  

We did have some bright frosty days, it got a bit chilly but Bailey & I were warm and toasty with our thick Shetland coats.

BUT then it started to rain again; ahh!!!!!!!!!!!  

At least I’ve got my rug to keep me dry, but spare a thought for Bailey as he’s not wearing one yet.  (I think he might be a bit young for a rug; maybe he’ll have one for next winter?)

22 December 2012

What do you think of Bruno then?


Well, what do you think of Bruno then?    He’s quite ‘proper’ if you know what I mean – but can be a lot of fun when he lets his hair down!!! 
  
I’ve been having a quiet few days as the Centre doesn’t seem to have many guests at the moment; I’ve heard the staff talking about how Christmas and New Year are coming up soon.

That means it will soon be time for us horses to put our feet up & have our annual holiday, fantastic! We’ve been busy this year & this break lets us fully relax and charge us up for all the folks who will be staying with us next year.
   
I’m off to go and to tell Bailey all about this…

...catch up with you soon!

21 December 2012

Guest Blogger Bruno


Hello everyone.  My name is Bruno.    Pilgrim asked me to contribute to his blog and as he asked me so nicely I said yes.   Let me tell you a little about myself.

I’m a black cob, standing a little over 15 hands tall and have a white star on my forehead plus white socks on each hind leg.   I’ve heard people comment that I look like ‘Black Beauty’: now I’m not aware of this horse, but I’m sure he is a dashing fellow whoever he is.


Me in my field

I’ve been at Calvert Trust Exmoor for seven years, so I am very experienced in helping our guests learn a little more about us horses. I’ve heard it said that I’m a comfortable horse to ride; but my skills don’t end there as I also work in the four wheeled carriage.

I started carriage driving somewhat later in my career, but this hasn’t stopped me becoming a useful member of the Calvert Driving Team.

I must end there today as duty calls, but I will ‘drop you a line or two’ again soon.

19 December 2012

Sparkly Ropes & Shiny Things


As you might guess, I like to know what’s happening and who’s doing it, after all it’s my duty as Calvert Trust Stables Reporter!

Well, I have a mystery on my hooves; someone has put up lots of sparkly ropes & other shiny things around the yard. They’ve even put some in the indoor arena! It happened overnight…

Sparkly Ropes & Shiny Things (and Maxwell!)

….we went out in our fields for the night and when we came back into our stables the place had been changed – as if by magic!

Now I do like what’s been done, it’s bright & cheerful, but maybe I could have given them a bit of advice.  For a start I’ve not got any shiny things round my stable…

…surely that’s a mistake?

18 December 2012

My Next Guest Blogger: Bruno


I’ve asked Bruno if he’ll do the blog for me – after a bit of thought he said yes BUT on the understanding that he only does one or two!

Apparently he’s very busy & ‘just won’t have the time to write the blog for a whole week’!! I didn’t like to ask him what else he had to do that’s so important…

... what can be MORE important than chatting to you guys & keeping you up to date on all the gossip?!?!

I hope he does a good job!

17 December 2012

The Little Man is staying! yay!


Hi everyone!

I’ve got some fantastic news for you; the Little Man (aka Bailey) is staying!!  How great is that?!!

The Little Man (& Me!)

I knew he would be OK as he’s settled in so well, plus he & I get on really well.  He’s so pleased to be passed as OK for the Calvert Trust: it’s quite a thing for such a young man as he is.  But don’t worry; I’ll make sure he doesn’t get too full of himself!!

I can’t wait to tell the others; I think they are a bit jealous of me as I’ll the only one who’s  got to know Bailey…

…Now he’s ‘one of the Gang’ it won’t be long before the Little Man gets to say hi to everyone else.

3 December 2012

foot perfect!


Just a quick update……..

Did some more driving again and I was just about foot perfect!! We worked in the indoor arena – too wet to go outside I reckon - I went through my warm up and then worked on my turns and trotting.   It felt like I’ve been doing it forever!!

Our Indoor Arena

I Told Bailey all about it later on…

…he’s quite keen to have ago himself!!! I did tell him that he’s a bit too young to drive a carriage yet; but I’m sure he’d have a chance when he’s older (& a bit stronger).