NEWS
PAGE
Winter News 05/06
We have been lucky with the weather this winter, long cold but dry spells
has meant the horses were still able to have some degree of turn out,
but this in turn has meant the paddocks are more mud than grass and
will need David and Clive to do some serious ground maintenance in the
spring.
In December we attended the Devon and Cornwall Equine Fair, a two day
affair.
Sarah, Clive and Tessa set up the stand (beautifully made by Clive)
with lots of pictures gratefully printed and laminated by a good friend
Graeme.
Two turnout rugs kindly donated by Shires Equestrian were our raffle
prizes, one for each day, this generating some funds, easing the cost
of the trade show.
We were lucky in our pitch, we had a good view of the main arena which
became invaluable when the Devon Farriers, naked to the waist appeared
on a dray, being auctioned for charity.
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New arrival French Tune (Frank), yet again a chestnut, has settled in
very well. Frank suffered a tendon injury at the end of the summer 05
and had been rested by his owner until he was able to come in. He is
a big lad, bordering on 16.3 with a very laid back nature. Sarah immediately
fell for this big gentle giant and has taken him on as her project.
It seams a forgone conclusion that she is the only one who is going
to ride him. He and Korakor are great mates and look out for each other
and are quite often seen sharing the same pile of haylage.
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Loop the Loup not chestnut this time but bay, came in before Christmas
and has taken to his new career very well. Tessa has taken him hunting
(trailing) once so far and although a little fidgety was very well behaved.
We have called him Len as we think Loopy is a name that was just asking
for trouble. Give a horse a bad name and quite often it rings true.
So Len it is.
Len can be a little grumpy in the stable when food is involved and he
is the boss over the others but in general he's a nice guy.
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Prize has been returned again, but is happy to have been reunited with
his old mates Sky and Space and little Impy (one year older, now 42).
Since his return he has not put a foot wrong, his problems were lack
of turn out, despite having been used to long periods of stable time,
and horse walkers whilst in training, Prize had no desire to return
to that lifestyle, and not surprisingly showed his disdain in the only
way he knew.
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Indy will soon be resuming work as will Korakor. Both have had all the winter to do their own thing, kora's injury has had nearly 1 year to repair and coupled with physio for a pelvis problem we hope he will be suitable as a pleasure hack for a deserving partner, he is a super sweet horse and is very much a person horse, although we do think that he may have a spark about him, We will soon see. Indy is now a budding 4 year old, and has considerably matured, also his character is developing nicely.
State Performance has been rehomed with our very good friend Jo. Jo has been a good friend of the centre and was a willing volunteer until she moved away some 3 years ago. Waiting for the right time to be able to have a friend for her children's pony. An excited phone call at the end of January saying now is the time and who was available, Shrek left on the 21st Feb. As soon as we have pictures of him in his new home we will put them on the site.
Dodger is being very pampered with Janet and her wonderful family, Nicola, Des and darling Malcolm. Despite Janet's ideas of grandeur of what she wanted to do with a perspective fourlegged friend, it became apparent very quickly that she needed to get her confidence back and yet again Dodge was the man to do it. Dodge's feet are not his forte, but luckily Janet's son is a farrier, can't get better than that.
This is just one part of one email that Janet sent to us.
Rode Dodger on Saturday with Nicola on Summer, it was wonderful to be riding together again. Dodger was lovely. Everyone was watching on the yard and I did feel a little bit (well a lot, to be honest) self conscious. I think they where all expecting me to be galloped away with and deposited somewhere ……but they were wrong ……we got on lovely together, it was brilliant. So brilliant, that I rode yesterday with Nicola and then on my own. We must have looked alright because several people came up and asked me for one of your leaflets when we ended our ride. He has certainly made a few admirers up here. Dodgy and Summer get on well together exchanging words over the stable door and riding nicely together.Thank you Tessa for all the help and encouragement you and everyone down in Somerset gave me and I know that you will always be there with sensible, kind advice. As noble creatures go, Dodger is a prince. I can’t say thank you enough. Without you and Racehorse Re-homing, Dodger and I wouldn’t have met and I wouldn’t have started riding again, which would have been a real shame. Wait for it, another thank you is on its way……… Thank you for allowing me to share in the life of Dodger, loved by so many people for so many reasons.Thank you for my best friend. Just keep on doing everything you are doing – for the sake of all the Dodgers and Janet's out there.
It is us who Thank you Janet, for giving an Ex-racehorse a Future. xxx
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Loop the Loup (Len)
Sarah and Kate give Len a cuddle.
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Surprise Encounter
Prizie had returned for a mere 3 weeks when Lynda rang and came to see
him. A local lady only 13 miles from us, she and her entourage of friends
and family came regularly to ride him and got to know him and within
a very short time she became the very proud owner of our beloved Prizie.
We knew that Lynda would not be fazed by this chestnuts mini tantrums,
but were amazed to witness first hand the confidence she had in him
when, Lynda took him on the schooling day, at Aldon and the pictures
below are the results. Bearing in mind this is only 14 days into the
partnership........
We always knew he had talent he just needed the right person to take
him forward. We feel great things are in store for this partnership.
Have Fun Lynda.
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French Tune goes Hunting (trailing)
Frank had his first taste of trailing with Sarah, Kate and Tessa and
was a near perfect gentleman, as his fitness is not 100% he only stayed
out for about an hour which was enough especially as it was FREEZING
cold and lunch at the Cotley Inn beckoned.
