Finally, the long awaited day has come and I've ridden Barnaby to his new yard. I've been so excited it's been like waiting for Christmas. John and I have spent the preceding days collecting all Barnaby's stuff together and bringing it home and sorting through everything. I've chucked loads of stuff out actually.
I had to cycle to the new yard and leave my bike there. I thought I was going to have to walk to the old yard, but John, who owns the farm, offered to give me a lift, which was an absolute godsend. It gave me time to put a bed down in Barnaby's stable and do his haynets and waters, which was perfect.
I got to the yard about 10am. Natalie was totally avoiding me, which is really starting to get on my nerves. All the horses were in and have been for 3 days because of the bad weather. I do agree it was bad, but you can't keep on keeping horses in like that, it's ridiculous.
I decided to take Barnaby on a proper hack rather than just ride straight to the new yard, so I rode all the way through the village and came to the yard round the back way. I've been riding past the new yard for the past few weeks to get Barnaby used to going that way and when we got to the entrance he went straight in. I got off at the gate and led him through and he was fine. I put him in his new (vast) stable and untacked him and he went straight down for a roll, which I take as a good sign!
I popped his turn-out on and led him down to the field. I knew it would be tricky as we have to go through two grass fields before we get to his paddock and I knew he'd be desperate for the grass, having been kept in for so long. I just kept his leadrope short, especially when I turned him to shut the gate, as there are sheep in the field and I didn't want them to be able to escape.
He was looking around, taking it all in, new horses to look at and grass as far as the eye can see! Eventually I got him to his paddock and put him in. I just unclipped the leadrope so he could go off and explore. Two other horses came down to meet him and there was a bit of squealing, but nothing major, then Barnaby decided to get on with what he does best and started eating. Next he had another roll, one of pure pleasure I think, then went back to eating. I think it was around then that I started crying. It wasn't with relief that I'd got him there safely, it's just with joy that I am doing the right thing for my boy. It's been killing me watching him in a stable all day, going mad when he sees me because he wants me to do something and knowing that I am the only person that can make a difference to his life.
I could see Barnaby was perfectly happy, so I walked back up to the stables, got on my bike and cycled home, thoroughly pleased and content. I'm so glad you're happy, Barnaby.
Jane x
Friday, 23 November 2012
Wednesday, 26 September 2012
Last Day
So we did it today, we said goodbye to our wonderful boy.
It was the worst of days.
It was raining. We arrived at the yard and Barnaby was also in, which I hadn't expected. I put his rainsheet on and took him out of his stable to say goodbye to Zak. It was surreal. They sniffed each other. I don't know if they knew. I turned him out and came back and John was giving Zak his last groom. He said he wanted to put hoof oil on him. I suddenly understood what the whole of my End of Life Care Course had been about.
We took him slowly out onto the grass. He was pleased to be outside and munched away on the wet grass. I just stroked him and stroked him and told him how much I loved him.
Tears were pouring down our faces. We took his leg bandages off and he continued to munch, with the rain gently falling on his back. Soon the vet arrived. He looked as sad as we did. He explained to us what would happen, how Zak would fall and so on, I'll spare you the details.
And so, the fatal needle went in and we said our goodbyes, to this most precious and gentle of boys. He fell to the floor and I hugged him, then looked along his body and knew he wasn't there any more. I said, "I'm done here," and went to see Barnaby for a cuddle. John stayed with Zak and the vet.
I walked along in the rain and my body was racked with sobs. To be honest I could have sunk to my knees in the mud and just bawled. Then I saw the thing I really didn't want to see. The collection truck was pulling onto the drive. The driver looked really sad, but I knew he wouldn't know where to go unless I directed him. I asked if he'd come to collect a horse and he said yes, so I directed him along the track to where Zak lay.
I turned and continued on my mission to comfort Barnaby. He was standing eating, curious about the lorry, but calm. I gave him an apple and buried my face in his neck and sobbed.
After a while and a final hug, I left him and went back to the stables, but realised the lorry was still there and that I must not see, I must NOT see what he was doing, so I ducked through the barn and waited in the stables. Soon John came as the vet had said to him not to watch, and we just stood and hugged and cried.
Goodbye, my velvet boy. You were the sweetest thing, and such a good friend to Barnaby. I am so sad that I will never stroke you again. You were such a character and my heart aches that I will never see you again. Goodnight, my love.
No more now.
Jane x
It was the worst of days.
It was raining. We arrived at the yard and Barnaby was also in, which I hadn't expected. I put his rainsheet on and took him out of his stable to say goodbye to Zak. It was surreal. They sniffed each other. I don't know if they knew. I turned him out and came back and John was giving Zak his last groom. He said he wanted to put hoof oil on him. I suddenly understood what the whole of my End of Life Care Course had been about.
And so, the fatal needle went in and we said our goodbyes, to this most precious and gentle of boys. He fell to the floor and I hugged him, then looked along his body and knew he wasn't there any more. I said, "I'm done here," and went to see Barnaby for a cuddle. John stayed with Zak and the vet.
I walked along in the rain and my body was racked with sobs. To be honest I could have sunk to my knees in the mud and just bawled. Then I saw the thing I really didn't want to see. The collection truck was pulling onto the drive. The driver looked really sad, but I knew he wouldn't know where to go unless I directed him. I asked if he'd come to collect a horse and he said yes, so I directed him along the track to where Zak lay.
I turned and continued on my mission to comfort Barnaby. He was standing eating, curious about the lorry, but calm. I gave him an apple and buried my face in his neck and sobbed.
After a while and a final hug, I left him and went back to the stables, but realised the lorry was still there and that I must not see, I must NOT see what he was doing, so I ducked through the barn and waited in the stables. Soon John came as the vet had said to him not to watch, and we just stood and hugged and cried.
Goodbye, my velvet boy. You were the sweetest thing, and such a good friend to Barnaby. I am so sad that I will never stroke you again. You were such a character and my heart aches that I will never see you again. Goodnight, my love.
No more now.
Jane x
Monday, 24 September 2012
Poor Zak
So we've been having big discussions all weekend about what to do with Zak. I've been waiting for John to accept how bad the situation is. He's been saying maybe Zak could go as a field companion, but how could he?
1. He won't travel in a lorry, so where would you take him?
2. He eats so much food he isn't really suitable as a field companion. Field ornaments are supposed to be cheap to keep.
Then John's been saying we could get on with it and keep Zak on box rest for a year, but the vet says there is no guarantee he would be rideable at the end of it. I know we did this before but this was four years ago and Zak was a lot younger then. By the time he came sound this time he'd be 17.
He isn't the sort of horse that would be content with plodding round a field time after time.
The vet said his good leg is diseased. This has come as a total shock. We honestly had no idea. There is just no guarantee that he'd ever be sound, just a guarantee that at some stage his leg will pack in altogether. I can't bear to think about it.
God give me strength and give John the ability to face reality.
Jane x
1. He won't travel in a lorry, so where would you take him?
2. He eats so much food he isn't really suitable as a field companion. Field ornaments are supposed to be cheap to keep.
Then John's been saying we could get on with it and keep Zak on box rest for a year, but the vet says there is no guarantee he would be rideable at the end of it. I know we did this before but this was four years ago and Zak was a lot younger then. By the time he came sound this time he'd be 17.
He isn't the sort of horse that would be content with plodding round a field time after time.
The vet said his good leg is diseased. This has come as a total shock. We honestly had no idea. There is just no guarantee that he'd ever be sound, just a guarantee that at some stage his leg will pack in altogether. I can't bear to think about it.
God give me strength and give John the ability to face reality.
Jane x
Saturday, 22 September 2012
Sad Day
I hacked Barnaby out this morning and we've been back down for John to ride Zak. I'd been waffling with Jane and didn't realise John was back, quicker than expected, when Jane nudged me to look. It took a while to sink in, but looking at Zak I could see that he was horribly lame. He was as lame as when he originally damaged his tendon four years ago.
John said he'd been fine, he was cantering along when Zak suddenly went horrendously lame. He'd jumped off instantly and walked him back. Luckily he'd only gone round the farm, so he didn't have far to come home.
We put him in his stable for a while and could see his leg had really swollen up so took him out to hose his leg for a while. I knew we had to call a vet out. Jenny came to have a look and she soon agreed. We phoned Chine House and the vet came in about an hour. He said basically the tendon had gone. You could see it was bad. He put a bandage on it called a Robert Jones, basically, layer upon layer of gamgee and bandages, and Zak hobbled back into his stable. The vet said he will come on Monday and scan him, so we'll see. I think it's going to be bad.
John said he'd been fine, he was cantering along when Zak suddenly went horrendously lame. He'd jumped off instantly and walked him back. Luckily he'd only gone round the farm, so he didn't have far to come home.
We put him in his stable for a while and could see his leg had really swollen up so took him out to hose his leg for a while. I knew we had to call a vet out. Jenny came to have a look and she soon agreed. We phoned Chine House and the vet came in about an hour. He said basically the tendon had gone. You could see it was bad. He put a bandage on it called a Robert Jones, basically, layer upon layer of gamgee and bandages, and Zak hobbled back into his stable. The vet said he will come on Monday and scan him, so we'll see. I think it's going to be bad.
Thursday, 23 August 2012
Frustrations
It's like this: when we first moved here it was on the understanding that our horses would go out 24/7 in the summer, but for some reason this has never actually happened. I suppose it's partly our fault for not asking why, but also partly the YO's for not offering.
I was awake for ages on Monday night as it suddenly hit me that I was really frustrated that the horses were still coming in at night, especially Barnaby as it's been way too hot for him to be in a stable. He stands there dripping with sweat, and I feel so sorry for him. Being a good mummy, of course I want to look after him to the best of my ability.
So I prayed about it, then went to see the YM in the morning. I just said it had always been our intention for them to be out and it was offered but nothing has materialised. One horse came here for an operation and as soon as he got better he was turned out, which is what I think annoyed me the most, so I mentioned it and asked if ours could please go out. The YM was fine about it and said she would talk to the YO, and now, glory allelujah, ours are out!
What I had completely forgotten, though, is that Zak needs to be fed, so we've arranged it so that both boys will be brought in in the morning, so Zak can eat (Barnaby doesn't have anything at this time of year) and turned back out, then they'll be brought in with all the other horses at tea time, again so Zak can eat, then we'll come up and ride them and turn them back out when we've finished.
I think this will work really well, because:
Either me or the staff will take Zak's rug off in the morning.
I will ride Barnaby while Zak eats breakfast.
I can put suncream on Barnaby (but the staff will do this on days when I'm at work or asleep (when I've been on nights).
Then I'll turn both horses back out.
We'll probably both come up in the evenings to feed/ride/turn back out.
This will work at weekends when we do the mucking out, too, we'll bring them in for Zak's breakfast, then turn them back out, then muck out and go home/shopping.
In the afternoons we'll come up and ride, feed and turn back out.
Perfect.
I am a very happy bunny now, it's such a relief. The boys have never been kept in during the summer, unless they've been bathed to go to a show the next morning.
Also, Zak is clearly no longer lame, judgeing from the bucking and leaping that went on yesterday when I turned him out. John and I went for a quiet walk round and Zak was fine.
This morning, Barnaby and I did the slightly speeded up version! I was going to hack out round the village but didn't feel very well when I got there, but felt so much better after I'd ridden. We had a few good gallops. I love how fit Barnaby is now, I was grinning like an idiot when I got back.
Jane x
I was awake for ages on Monday night as it suddenly hit me that I was really frustrated that the horses were still coming in at night, especially Barnaby as it's been way too hot for him to be in a stable. He stands there dripping with sweat, and I feel so sorry for him. Being a good mummy, of course I want to look after him to the best of my ability.
So I prayed about it, then went to see the YM in the morning. I just said it had always been our intention for them to be out and it was offered but nothing has materialised. One horse came here for an operation and as soon as he got better he was turned out, which is what I think annoyed me the most, so I mentioned it and asked if ours could please go out. The YM was fine about it and said she would talk to the YO, and now, glory allelujah, ours are out!
What I had completely forgotten, though, is that Zak needs to be fed, so we've arranged it so that both boys will be brought in in the morning, so Zak can eat (Barnaby doesn't have anything at this time of year) and turned back out, then they'll be brought in with all the other horses at tea time, again so Zak can eat, then we'll come up and ride them and turn them back out when we've finished.
I think this will work really well, because:
Either me or the staff will take Zak's rug off in the morning.
I will ride Barnaby while Zak eats breakfast.
I can put suncream on Barnaby (but the staff will do this on days when I'm at work or asleep (when I've been on nights).
Then I'll turn both horses back out.
We'll probably both come up in the evenings to feed/ride/turn back out.
This will work at weekends when we do the mucking out, too, we'll bring them in for Zak's breakfast, then turn them back out, then muck out and go home/shopping.
In the afternoons we'll come up and ride, feed and turn back out.
Perfect.
I am a very happy bunny now, it's such a relief. The boys have never been kept in during the summer, unless they've been bathed to go to a show the next morning.
Also, Zak is clearly no longer lame, judgeing from the bucking and leaping that went on yesterday when I turned him out. John and I went for a quiet walk round and Zak was fine.
This morning, Barnaby and I did the slightly speeded up version! I was going to hack out round the village but didn't feel very well when I got there, but felt so much better after I'd ridden. We had a few good gallops. I love how fit Barnaby is now, I was grinning like an idiot when I got back.
Jane x
Saturday, 18 August 2012
Good Hack, Bad Hack
I've had a bit of a stomach bug, probably from the prawn sandwich I had in Loughborough on Thursday. I nearly didn't ride, but felt well enough to go.
John wanted to take Zak on a long ride, so he got him in, tacked up and away he went. I knew I had plenty of time, as he'd be out for at least an hour and a half.
Hannah got Marley and Q in, so she said she'd go for a quick hack on Q, then come back and we'd get Gypsy and Barnaby in, which was fine.
Barnaby became a bit stressed when he realised Zak wasn't there, but I decided to go ahead and get him ready anyway. I can't believe the amount of hair that's coming off him, it looks like snow on his stable floor! I thought I'd do 20 brush strokes in one place, but kept going and going and there was still tonnes of it coming off, so I gave up and tacked him up instead.
I wondered what he'd be like as he was annoyed that Zak still wasn't back, but I got on him and he was fine, so we set off down the drive and turned left and went up the road. He was quite pleased when we got on the bridleway and went down to the brook very nicely, giving the odd really deep whinny as we went along. I think he'd decided it was better to go out and look for Zak rather than wait at home for him to come back.
The last time I asked Barn to go through the brook going away from home he absolutely refused, but it was very deep, so I let him off. I've been making him go through it coming towards home and he's had no problem with it whatsoever. So before he realised what had happened, he was through the water, then suddenly decided he wasn't going any further. Anyone with a cob knows how stubborn they can be! There was a man there walking his dog who'd stopped to have a gawp, so I felt I couldn't smack Barnaby and I certainly couldn't swear. I kept pulling the left rain, cos I know he's weaker on that side, so he turned, but then he reared and ran backwards into the bushes. After a few goes I realised I was getting nowhere, so I got off and walked him up the track towards the school. I was hoping for a bench or a stone where I could get back on, but there was nothing, so I had to mount him from the ground. But I knew there was no way I could let him win, otherwise he'd never go that way again.
He did try to turn for home, but I legged him on and he carried on down the track. I decided to risk having a little canter on the grass, and he was fine, so we kept going. After that he was very good, so I went along the track, past the two fields of cows, then turned left and followed the field track down. After that the grass got way too long and I turned and came back up the hill. I asked him to trot as I didn't know how strong he'd be, but he was really well behaved. I want to be able to come here on my own regularly, so I need him to be good. I decided if I could cope with him in a foul mood, he'll be fine on other days.
Once we got onto the main track, Barnaby was desperate for a canter, but there are some quite serious holes in the ground, so we did a sedate canter so I could steer him round, and then I let him open up and it was fab, to be honest. I am doing much more galloping with him now, it's almost as if he knows I'm confident enough to do it with him, quite strange! Don't forget, at the old place there were hardly any places to canter, let alone gallop, so this is quite a big step forward for us both!
We got back and John spent ages cold hosing Zak and I washed Barnaby down as it was actually very warm on the hack.
Then Rachel turned up and said if we weren't in any hurry to go, Pimm's was being served, so we sat and had a few glasses with everyone. It was quite a giggle talking about our hunting experiences etc. Much nicer than being on your own all the time.
So a nice end to a very nice day. Let's see what tomorrow brings. I so hope Zak isn't going to be lame for too long.
Back soon
Jane x
John wanted to take Zak on a long ride, so he got him in, tacked up and away he went. I knew I had plenty of time, as he'd be out for at least an hour and a half.
Hannah got Marley and Q in, so she said she'd go for a quick hack on Q, then come back and we'd get Gypsy and Barnaby in, which was fine.
Barnaby became a bit stressed when he realised Zak wasn't there, but I decided to go ahead and get him ready anyway. I can't believe the amount of hair that's coming off him, it looks like snow on his stable floor! I thought I'd do 20 brush strokes in one place, but kept going and going and there was still tonnes of it coming off, so I gave up and tacked him up instead.
I wondered what he'd be like as he was annoyed that Zak still wasn't back, but I got on him and he was fine, so we set off down the drive and turned left and went up the road. He was quite pleased when we got on the bridleway and went down to the brook very nicely, giving the odd really deep whinny as we went along. I think he'd decided it was better to go out and look for Zak rather than wait at home for him to come back.
The last time I asked Barn to go through the brook going away from home he absolutely refused, but it was very deep, so I let him off. I've been making him go through it coming towards home and he's had no problem with it whatsoever. So before he realised what had happened, he was through the water, then suddenly decided he wasn't going any further. Anyone with a cob knows how stubborn they can be! There was a man there walking his dog who'd stopped to have a gawp, so I felt I couldn't smack Barnaby and I certainly couldn't swear. I kept pulling the left rain, cos I know he's weaker on that side, so he turned, but then he reared and ran backwards into the bushes. After a few goes I realised I was getting nowhere, so I got off and walked him up the track towards the school. I was hoping for a bench or a stone where I could get back on, but there was nothing, so I had to mount him from the ground. But I knew there was no way I could let him win, otherwise he'd never go that way again.
He did try to turn for home, but I legged him on and he carried on down the track. I decided to risk having a little canter on the grass, and he was fine, so we kept going. After that he was very good, so I went along the track, past the two fields of cows, then turned left and followed the field track down. After that the grass got way too long and I turned and came back up the hill. I asked him to trot as I didn't know how strong he'd be, but he was really well behaved. I want to be able to come here on my own regularly, so I need him to be good. I decided if I could cope with him in a foul mood, he'll be fine on other days.
Once we got onto the main track, Barnaby was desperate for a canter, but there are some quite serious holes in the ground, so we did a sedate canter so I could steer him round, and then I let him open up and it was fab, to be honest. I am doing much more galloping with him now, it's almost as if he knows I'm confident enough to do it with him, quite strange! Don't forget, at the old place there were hardly any places to canter, let alone gallop, so this is quite a big step forward for us both!
We rode back down to the brook. Obviously Barnaby was marching home and had no problems going through it this time, cheeky so-and-so! We got onto the road and trotted along a bit, then in the distance I could see what looked like someone riding on the pavement on the opposite side of the road. As I got closer it looked like someone leading a horse with someone riding it. Then we got even closer and I realised it was John leading Zak, so we trotted up to them.
It turned out Zak had gone lame a long time ago and John had got off and walked him home. It sounds like the same thing he did when John did the major ride where he got lost, but he said Zak hadn't stumbled or anything and had been absolutely fine for ages, then suddenly went lame. I don't know what's up with him, poor boy. Barnaby was very pleased to see him anyway, and walked the rest of the way very calmly, but had that, "Told you I'd find him!" look on his face.We got back and John spent ages cold hosing Zak and I washed Barnaby down as it was actually very warm on the hack.
Then Rachel turned up and said if we weren't in any hurry to go, Pimm's was being served, so we sat and had a few glasses with everyone. It was quite a giggle talking about our hunting experiences etc. Much nicer than being on your own all the time.
So a nice end to a very nice day. Let's see what tomorrow brings. I so hope Zak isn't going to be lame for too long.
Back soon
Jane x
Monday, 4 June 2012
Bucket List 1
Then John passed me the umbrella. I was ready to drop it in a split second if need be, but held it down by Barnaby's side and he was fine, so I slowly raised it up above my head and he couldn't have cared less. It was so exciting. I rode round the manege and John filmed me, it was so cool. I always knew he could do it, my brave boy, he is totally unflappable.
So proud of him.
Some of the ponies in the paddocks next to the school were quite astonished, though, they couldn't understand why there was a levitating umbrella floating past!
Can't wait to scrapbook these pics.
Jane x
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)