Never got to Puddleston Show. Still getting over the Flu and exhausted after yesterday. The carriage driving lesson.
Had booked for an hour but it lasted for 3. Got Ben going nicely in the carriage though and learnt alot. Poor old Steve (my other half) has to stand in the pouring rain for the entire duration. He was cheerful though and I was really pleased that Ben is a good driving pony. The instructor Sarah Wildy really liked him.
Driving back up the hill from Weobley, Rusty the lorry started 'cutting out'. Kept having to dip the clutch and pump up the engine and change down gear all at the same time to prevent us rolling down the hill backwards....Steve announced it was time for him to be dropped at the pub to liase with Bob the Landlord - and ex-lorry engineer regarding the latest problem with Rusty. I hastened to agree as Steve had been very good putting up with the rain and the wait. He is not horsey really. Dropped him off accordingly. Keep him sweet!
Picked him up and three others at closing time. He was talking rubbish and after dropping off the others to their respective wives, I left Steve to spent the night on the sofa as he wasn't capable of getting up the stairs without a Stana stair lift. Woke up in the night with the TV on full blast and alcoholic fumes from Steve who was snoring loudly next to me....poked him till he switched off TV...
This morning the flu was threatening to come back. Eventually made it to the field and sorted out the animals. Later on I took Ben out for a ride. He was brilliant most of the time but then we met a two stroke Harley on the main road heading back which frightened him immenseley. Then the very next thing was a car and horse trailer which didnt slow down and he reared up narrowly missing the trailer. Frightened me utterly and he was really unsettled in traffic until we got back, at which he went back into cart horse mode. So much for being a dope on a rope. He is certainly not traffic proof. I am gutted. My new horse needs sending away to be traffic trained.
The more I get to know this pony the more I truly think that 4 months ago he was unhandled and running with a herd in Ireland. Compared with Bryony he is just to nervous of people and everyday life albeit he is becomming much more friendly as each day goes by. Called a lady who had sent her pony to an Irish bloke over at Reddich for traffic training. He came highly recommended so I got his number and called him up. He has no space for a couple of weeks. Full up. Everyone wants their horse traffic trained it seems....
Bit gutted as that means either riding round the field or putting him in Rusty to hack out for the next few weeks. Must take Rusty to be fixed this week. Needs a new fuel pump I think?
Icing on the cake. Got a letter off the planning authority regading my application. They need another £215 to process the matter. Seems Wind turbines down fall within agricultural use even if they are for agricultural use...... Bryony more lame than ever too even toough she is off the grass completely. She either has an abcess brewing or something very bad has happened inside her hoof.
Sometimes I just feel like giving up. Next door neighbour has announced his new wife is expecting.
Comments