Hair Cut

I started clipping Wolfie today.  I say started, as it's always a 2 day job.  He doesn't have the concentration to stand to let me finish a clip in one day.  I usually do it the first or second week in October, but I had the weather and the time this weekend, so just decided to do it.  He is actually very good with the clippers (apart from on his belly as he is very ticklish), but he is such a fidgit.  I've pretty much given up on ever having straight lines.  I'm borrowing clippers as my own set met an untimely end last year.  I was going to replace them this year, but I still haven't decided on what kind to get.  I should have sent my blades away to get sharpened though.  I have washed and re-proofed all the turn outs though, sent a couple of no longer needed rugs to the shetland pony welfare society and one of Wolfie's old rugs to a sanctuary in Aberdeen.  I cleaned out the back of Wolfie's stable to find the mice had chewed through my grooming kit. Fabulous.  Wolfie looks so different with his hair tied back. At least I know what he will look like if I ever decide to chop off his mane.  We went for a little ride around the fields after I half clipped him and accidentally jumped a stone dyke wall. I really want to take him cross country schooling.  He's really bold across country, just a little strong and over enthusiastic at times.

True Friends

Wolfie and Zoe have grown up together.  They are the same age and have known each other since they were both just babies.  Wolfie is quite infatuated with Zoe and is always delighted to see her.  He seems to understand that she is only little and he has to be extra careful around her.  Wolfie is not reknown for being quiet, but he is exceptionally good with her.

Strike a pose!

I've written a review of the bespoke natural products I have been using on Wolfie, Buttons and Honey.

It is available at the following Blog page:

http://thatwayequined.blogspot.co.uk/

If it wisnae fur yer wellies where wid ye be.........

.....you'd be in the hospital or infirmary
cause you'd have a dose ae the flu or even plurisee
if ye didnae have your feet in your wellys.

wellys they are wonderful 
wellys they are swell cause they keep out the water 
and they keep in the smell.
and when yur sittin' in a room 
you can always tell when some bugger takes aff his wellys.

Billy Connelly 'The welly Boot Song'

I am having trouble finding wellies that don't leak.  I have worn the Hunter Original for over 15 years and I adore them.  Only within the last maybe 3 years every pair of Hunters that I have bought have leaked within a couple of months.  I used to wear Hunters when I worked on yards, they endured a lot and were really hard wearing.  Since they moved production from Dunfermline abroad, the quality really has suffered.  

3 pairs of Hunters with very little wear to the actual welly and sole, they just leak.  Every day I get to decide which foot I want to get soaked that day.  I used to be quite smug about the fact that my Hunters were work boots and I didn't wear them to the supermarket like many of the Hunter wearers today.  I think I have to now agree that the Hunter Original is no more than a fashion boot.  I do love them and find them so comfortable, I however, can't justify paying £70.00 for a welly to wear to the shops.  I have to make the sad decision to toss all of my Hunters in the bin, otherwise I am going to end up with trench foot.  I had a pair of Dublin Deluxe wellies which started leaking within a couple of days.  They were returned to Dublin.  I decided I was going to buy cheap wellies and just toss them when they burst.  I bought a pair of £9.00 wellies (which make me feel a bit like Captain Birdseye when I wear them).  I have worn them twice.....I think they are leaking.        

The sun was shining today.  It was a really beautiful day to be out riding and Wolfie was thoroughly enjoying himself.... a little too much on occasions!  His winter coat is coming through thick and fast, it will soon be time to clip him again.

Just a little catch up

Wolfie and I have managed to stay fairly busy in between the rain showers.  Weather and ground permitting we have been walking up a fair amount of fat busting hills and having short schooling sessions if there aren't too many puddles.  There is one thing that Wolfie finds particularly difficult in life and that is to stand still.  We have been working hard on this and play a game of statues where we are gradually increasing the length of time that he stands still, particularly whilst he is tied up.  This has been improving greatly whilst I am there with him and I can cue him with my voice to stand even loose in the stable and he is to 2 and a half minutes now, however if I go out of sight or leave him, he reverts back to, well doing his own thing, which doesn't involve standing still.  To be fair, we haven't even got anywhere near me taking steps away, so a lot of work to be done still.  The other day I was just about to get on him and go for a ride when I realised I had left my phone in the car.  He was tacked up so I just put his headcollar on and tied him up outside the stable whilst I quickly nipped to the car to get my phone.  I was gone probably less than a minute but on my return I found him just about to smash up my saddle holder and mounting stool.  Yep, one day I will learn not to leave anything within his reach.

We finished our 'tester pots' of the itch ointment and the hoof therapy balm.  We now have big pots of each as so far I have to say that I am really impressed with both.  Sorry the photographs aren't very clear, I will try and take some pictures of the feet after I have applied the balm outside in daylight.  I have been using the itch ointment as a sort of multi purpose cream and have used it on Wolfie's mud fever over the last couple of weeks with great results.  I will do an in depth review on both a little later on.  Proper update and post to follow.

  
  

Party Time

Zoe's Birthday bash with the boys.

Grandpa John made her a souped up Bogie using the battery from an electric golf trolley.  It goes really fast and you can drive up the hill before you come back down.  I wanted to test drive it, but no chance I was ever fitting on it.  

 At Scone Palace to see the theatre production of Black Beauty

Peacock at Scone Palace