Henry's the New Guy!

I said in my last post (Who's the New Guy?) I would try and get you a photo of our new stable-mate, Henry, well here he is!

Henry in his stable

He seems like a nice guy from a distance, but I haven't had a chance to chat with him yet. I've got my hooves crossed for him that he settles in well and we get to make friends soon!

Who's the new Guy?

We’ve got a new horse at the stables!

He’s been here a few days now & is keeping a low profile at the moment.   I have found out that his name is Henry; I like that name.

Mind you we all did the same when we first can to the stables at Calvert Trust Exmoor.   Moving to a new stable can be quite scary so the staff let all new horses settle in before they get to meet the rest of the ‘gang’.

Just as Bailey & Brin before, Henry will be on a month’s trial to see if he can become a member of the gang; he might find it’s not the job for him…

...I’ll keep my hooves crossed for him, and hopefully get a photo of him to share with you soon!

Still Longing for the Green Green Grass!

I’m sure I’ve heard folks saying something about it being springtime; it certainly doesn’t feel like it!

To me spring is about warmer days & nights plus my favourite snack (indeed my food of choice) starts to appear as if by magic…

...I’m talking about GRASS of course!   

I mean it’s great that I’m no longer trying to wade through mud but a guy can get a bit too much hay!

I’d rather have the fresh stuff straight off the field!

The Grass is always greener on the other side of the fence!

Driving me crazy...

The Centre has been getting really busy, and we’ve had loads of lovely people coming to the stables.

Hendrix was telling me that he’s been busy with his carriage driving & loving it! He does look very good in the carriage...

...almost as good as me!

Handsome fellow aren't I!

Bailey's been meeting guests

Bailey’s been meeting some of our guests this week – he’s been telling me all about it when I’m trying to eat my hay!

He also said that he’s started doing some training with the staff; I think the plan is that he will help me out by doing some of the agility work.   

I wonder if he will also learn to drive as well? Not sure if he will fit in my carriage though, he's quite a little fella!

Bailey & Me out for a lovely walk!

Longing for the Green Green Grass!

Hi guys it’s your favourite blogger here again, with all the news from the stables here at Calvert Trust Exmoor!

It’s been really cold here but at least it’s not been raining!

The trouble is the grass isn’t growing because it’s so cold; which means we’re all still having haylage in the field rather than being able to pick at the new grass! :-(

I’ve heard talk that it’s going to get warmer…

...but often that means it gets wetter!

Guest Blogger Brin 4: Rugs

Hi there, it’s me, Brin with another instalment of my time here at Calvert Trust Exmoor.

Pilgrim & I were chatting the other day – our stables are next door to each other so we can keep in touch.    We were talking about our rugs & how they keep us nice & warm when he said something like ‘do you remember when you kept breaking you rugs?’ 

Well, I’m not going to point my hoof at anyone in particular…

….but I will simply say that since I’ve been in the field with Duke (& nobody else) my rug has stayed in one piece. In fact there’s hardly a mark on it!

I think it’s enough for me to say that some horses tend to get a little carried away when they are playing!   It’s not my fault that their teeth & hooves are sharper than mine, is it?

Guest Blogger Brin 3: Its all in the eyes

Pilgrim said I could do the blog again, so here I am! (It’s Brin, in case you’ve forgotten!)

I’ve had another good week at the stables, I’ve met lots of different people & worked with them in the school and we’ve been outside.

I’ve heard a few people comment on my eyes; I’m quite unusual as both of my eyes are blue. One of the other horses, Hendrix, has just one blue eye which is more common.  I haven’t said this to him though as he’s one of my best friends; after Pilgrim of course!

Handsome chap aren't I!

Pilgrm & Bailey on a min-holiday

Hi guys, it’s me again, your mini reporter!

Brin did OK for a first go at a blog, didn’t he? He was a bit nervous to start but by his second go I could tell he was getting into it!  He told me he’d like to do another one soon – that’s fine by me!

A bit of news: Bailey & me have moved to a different field, it’s the one we were in when we had our holiday. It’s got a great view of the reservoir, but what’s better than that is the big wall that shelters us from the wind!

At least it’s stopped raining……

……for now, anyway!

Guest Blogger Brin 2: Getting Busier

Hi, it’s me again, Brin.

Pilgrim said I did OK for my first blog, but I should tell you a bit more about what’s going on.

Well I can tell you that we are getting busier and I’m enjoying meeting lots of new people.  I like working with my friends & love going in the outdoor school; a big space for a big horse!

Me in the Outdoor School

Sometimes we go along the track by the reservoir; I get the feeling that this is something everyone enjoys, people and horses.

I love this view from the reservoir track

Overall life here at the Calvert Trust Exmoor is good and certainly never boring!

Guest Blogger Brin 1: Ready to do my bit

Hello everybody, its Brin here, ready to do my bit on Pilgrim’s blog.

Me in the Menage

I’m sure Pilgrim’s told you a lot about me – I remember seeing that photo of me & him in the field; talk about little & large!

Well, what more can I tell you?   I’m doing well here at Calvert Trust Exmoor, working with the rest of the team to give our guests a fun time at the stables.    

I get lots of good food & as well as Pilgrim, I’ve made some good friends.   At the moment I’m sharing a field with Duke; have you met him?  Well, let me tell you he knows everything there is to know about this job – he’s been here at Calvert Trust Exmoor longer than anyone!  

In fact, I think he should do the blog; the stories he could tell!    

Got to go but I’ll write again soon, bye for now.

Back in Full Swing

Hi there everyone! You’ve probably noticed I’ve been a bit quiet these last few weeks – that’s not like me at all!

Anyway I’m in full swing now & want to tell you that Brin is going to do some of the blog for me.

He said he didn’t want to take it over for a whole week as he wasn’t sure he’d have enough to tell you! 

I’m sure he’ll be great!

It will be Brin, honest!

Hello everyone, its still me, the Mighty Atom!

You were probably expecting that the next blog post would be the big guy Brin, but its still me. He will be blogging soon, but he's almost as popular as me, so he's been a bit too busy to do any writing!

I’ve been very busy too so far this week,not only have I done my agility but I’ve also done some driving! maybe I'll be ready to challenge the big guys sometime soon...

Its going to be Brin!

I’ve made my choice for the next blogger: I’ll ask Brin.

I think he will be good at it, plus as he’s fairly new to the stables he’ll be able to give another horse’s thoughts on what we do.

Brin & me playing together - he's a big fella!

I will have to make sure he doesn’t write too much though!

….maybe I should tell him that there’s a limit on the number of words per blog!

Do you think that would work?    I’ll give it a try!

Who to Choose?

I’ve been thinking who I could ask to do the blog for me, and although Bruno said he’d 'love a go' again & I’m sure Hendrix would do it if I asked, I’d like to ask someone new.

I could ask Duke, he’s been here at Calvert Trust longer than any of us & is very experienced in just about everything. Or I could ask Brin, I’m sure he’s got lots to tell you as he’s always got plenty to say when we catch up!

Of course there is one other I could ask…

...my little mate Bailey.  But is he quite ready for the responsibility that comes with being a ‘blogger’?   

Is there such a thing as too much choice?

I'm Back!

Wow I've just realised its been ages since I've blogged, sorry about that folks, its all been a bit hectic in the stables in the last couple of weeks!

I have got some good news though, do you remember me telling you about my friend Nicky leaving the stables (Bye Bye Nicky) back in July?

Well she's coming back again! yay! We are all looking forward to seeing her again, and I'm looking forward to introducing her to my Bailey!

I’ve also got a bit of news for you about Bailey, he’s done his first ‘show’ to some of our guests – he’s talked about nothing else since!!!

He went into the indoor arena with Teddy to show folks how us horses talk to each other; I’ve heard the staff say we are the ‘masters of body language’…

…whatever that means!

Anyway Bailey had a great time, as he really likes Teddy & thought it was great having him all to himself!   Oh, I forgot to mention that I wasn’t in the arena: I reckon it’s good for Bailey to do stuff without me.

Keeping my hooves crossed for Max...

I’ve got some more good news!...

...Do you remember me telling you about Maxwell & his bad leg? Well, he now much better & being ridden by the staff after quite a long break. Max is really pleased as he was getting rather bored not working!

It’s going to take a bit of time for him to get fit again; He’s got to take it easy and not do too much too soon. 

I’ll keep my hooves crossed that all goes to plan!

Fielding Bailey's questions

Good news…

...Bailey & I are out in the field with Teddy!!    

Although he’s kind of met Maxwell, he was in the field next to us which isn’t the same as sharing.  Bailey thinks Teddy is really cool…

...He’s also realised that he likes his own space & should be treated with respect!   

It’s nice for me to catch up with Teddy and it’s got me thinking; I wonder if he would like do the blog again sometime?

Mind you, maybe I should ask one of the others if they’d like to have a go, I’ll ask around when I get a chance.

Now who hasn’t done the blog yet……?  

Back with a vengence!

Hi everyone, it’s been a while since my last blog…

…but I’ve got a good excuse!

We’ve had our first centre Groups since our holiday, so all of us have been working hard to make sure that everyone had a great time! I didn’t do any driving but showed the groups my agility skills; it was great to be working again.  

It was also Bailey’s first experience of meeting our guests & he found it all rather exciting!  As it was wet outside I did my agility in the yard…

...I’m not sure that Bailey was taking much notice of what I was doing, but then he’s got plenty of time to learn!

Agility in the Yard

Back in the Carriage

Big News everyone……

…I’ve worked in my carriage today!!!!

It was great; I didn’t do too much, mainly walking & getting my turns etc up to scratch. But it did feel good!

Me in my carriage

Long to rein over us....

I’ve been doing some long reining today; it’s a good way of getting back into driving my carriage!

It means that I wear most of my driving gear, but don’t pull that carriage.  Instead one of the staff works with me by walking behind & giving me instructions.
This way I can work on my turns & paces without the weight of my carriage. I’m looking forward to getting back into my carriage soon, watch this space!

Our holiday was great, if you forget about the rain, but it’s good to be back at work! Bailey is quite excited about what he’s going to be doing this coming season. I told him it wouldn’t be much as he’s still young…

….he needs to watch a master at work (that’s me!)

The White Stuff arrived!

I think I’ve told you how clever Teddy is, he seems to know EXACTLY what’s going on & who’s doing it!

Do you remember me telling you that Teddy told me to watch out for the ‘white stuff’?    Well he obviously knew more than we did as guess what…

…the ‘white stuff’ arrived a few days ago!!!

The White Stuff in our Ménage!

Everywhere looks really pretty, BUT it does make moving about a bit more difficult, even more so when your legs aren’t that long!

Anyway, we are all having plenty of hay & keeping nice & warm with our with our rugs on. Have you got any ‘white stuff’ where you are?  Hope you are being well fed & keeping warm same as me & the gang!

I’ve got new shoes!

I’ve got new shoes!!!

My plastic ones don’t last me that long so the farrier comes and puts a new pair on every couple of months or so (not exactly sure how long to be honest!).

This time Bailey had his feet trimmed – he did really well and behaved himself, flying the flag for us. Mini Shetlands Rule!    

He’s in his new stable (which he loves) and I was able to watch out for him as his stable is opposite mine; cool huh?   

The good news is that Duke had his shoe put back on so all well…

...I bet he’s pleased as I think he was getting a bit bored!

Fun with Maxwell

Did I tell you that Bailey & I had a neighbour in the field next to us?    It was Maxwell; remember he did the blog for me a while back?  He talked a lot about carriage driving and eating!

Anyway, he was next to us, in a fenced off bit of the big field & on his own (except for me & Bailey of course!).

I asked him way he wasn’t with the others, apparently he’s been off work with a sore leg, so he wasn’t allowed to run about with the others. 

 It makes sense I suppose, he’s a cheeky chap & loves to muck about quite a bit!  He & I have played a few good games; only trouble is he forgets he’s much bigger than me!!

He said he’s feeling better & itching to get back to work…

….I’ll keep my hooves crossed for him that his leg’s all better!

Duke's foot

Caught up with more news; Bruno told me that Duke’s had a bad foot & been in his stable rather than out in the field.
It turns out he had an abscess in his foot……

…it’s not too serious, but rather painful! Anyway, he needed the farrier to take his shoe off, then the staff put poultices on to make it better, and when it’s OK the shoe can go back on. What a palaver!

It’s a good thing that Duke is a pretty chilled out character & takes everything in his stride. In fact I bet he’s enjoyed the extra attention!  

The White Stuff

Been catching up with the other guys – they are as fed up with the rain as me! I was chatting with Teddy; he reckoned we were lucky as it was fairly warm even if a bit wet (a bit?!?).   

He reckoned we should watch out as he says it can often get colder after our break: he said something about ‘the white stuff’ might suddenly appear one day. 

It's action stations when that happens as us horses can’t get to any grass so we’re given hay twice a day.   Our water also gets frozen so the staff come & clear it for us, but if it gets really bad then we all come into the stables…
...that’s if we can get to them!

Now I love playing about with this white stuff, trouble is it can get stuck in my feet; making walking a bit tricky!   It feels like I’ve got high heels on; not something you’d do by choice, surely?

We shall have to wait & see what the weather brings us. I’d just like the rain to go away for its holiday; hopefully a for really long one!

Back to Work for Pilgrim

Hi everyone, it’s me again, your trusty mini reporter from the stables here at Calvert Trust Exmoor.

Well, our holiday is now over; it was good to have a break BUT it would have been better if it hadn’t rained so much!   Me & Bailey got a bit tired of all the mud; though it didn’t stop us having the odd ‘burn-up’ round the field to keep us warm!!  (Bailey’s pretty fast, but I won… ...mostly!)

Anyway, it’s back to work for me, and that includes doing the blog, so watch this space!!!

PS - Just a quick note, do you remember me talking about all the sparkly bits & bobs that appeared in the stables?

Well, whoever put them out has come along & taken them away again!  That seems a bit strange to me; I thought they were cool as they brightened the place up, I just would have liked some by my stable!

I Wonder if (or when) they might appear again…

…I’ll keep a close look out!

lovely aspect

I’m with Bruno, Bailey & I are having a lovely time.  We’re also in a different field & ours also has a ‘lovely aspect’…

...it’s got nice views as well!

We can see the reservoir and the big wall at the end (not quite sure what it’s for but it looks nice). We can also see some hills in the distance on a clear day. Not  sure what they are, but I bet it would be a long way to walk!

The view from our field

Just as Bruno said, I hope you are having a great time. I’m going to have a short break from the blog but will be back with you soon.

Bye for now!!!

Guest Blogger Bruno 3: Pesky Sheep

Hello everyone, Bruno here with a brief update on what I’ve been doing.

Myself and a few friends have moved to a different field; one that we tend to use over our holidays.   It has a lovely aspect, with a quiet lane on one side and sheep on the other.   

Mind you those sheep can be a problem – they try to sneak into our field given half the chance.   In fact the staff make sure they have shut the field gate AND locked it otherwise those pesky sheep would be straight in and munching all of our grass!

Otherwise we are all having a great time; relaxing, eating, looking out for the odd stray sheep, eating, watching the world go by and eating!  

I Hope that you are having as much fun!

Growing up?

As you might of guessed, Bailey is so pleased about his new stable!
He said it made him feel a proper member of the gang now & really grown up; how nice is that?

I remember how I felt when I first came to Calvert Trust Exmoor; It was a mixture of being excited & a little bit scared.   Of course I had my friend Pixie to help me settle in & now it’s my turn to do the same for Bailey.

Just had a thought…

...does this mean I’m growing up all of a sudden?!? I’m not the youngest anymore, so I must be!   
   
Well, I will be seven this year! Happy New Year everyone!