How many can you fit in? Answers on a postcard to....

We need another field shelter, it is just getting too crowded!

Rosie On the Mend

The old trout is now allowed out a bit - she is still a bit skinny but her liver problems seem to be improving, so hopefully she is off death row.

It's Goodbye to the Girls

Little Fern, Mimi and Sabrina's summer holiday ended today and they have gone home to their charity owners for the winter - they all loaded very well, apart from Sabrina leaving mum with a lasting tatoo on her foot by stamping on it and making a wonderful hoof print on her tootsie.

Leo, their friend, is staying put, and was very brave, standing in the field waving goodbye - actually he was too busy playing with Mr Tintin to notice.

We will miss them all - they waddled into the horse box as they have done very well over the summer - Fern looks as if she is carrying twins! Talk about a grass belly....

Red Letter Day for Rosie

She has finally been allowed out on a bit of grazing for the first time in more than 2 months. We had no idea what caused her liver problems, so she has been boxed rested and kept off the pasture as it may be something she has eaten there.

She then was allowed out on the yard but with a bucket muzzle on, so she couldn't munch anything. She is being fed lots of little meals, every two hours, but today she got to graze all day, she was so happy. She is still not out of the woods health wise but at least she is getting to have a bit more of a life, as she has been really restricted and very down.

Trailer Training

Tintin is off for a dental so we had to find out if he would load - tonight was the night and the big lamb sauntered into the trailer without hesitation. So proud of him as doubt he has ever been in one, but he followed up the ramp without a worry. It was particularly impressive as he was on his way in from the field for his dinner and detoured to walk through the trailer. Very obliging donkey.

We then thought we would see if Leo fancied exploring it, and with the aid of his bucket, he walked in, ate a bit, had a panic and shot down the front ramp. So we will have to do a bit of work on that, but he was so brave to have a go, as he has never been in a trailer. Again very proud of him to be so trusting.

Holby City Horse Style

September and October have been the month for keep the vets busy and in the money.

Rosie cob first of all has been attempting to die of liver failure since July - she has been to hospital at great expense for a liver biopsy - which showed that she was a very ill girl indeed. She was so scared at the hospital - all these glossy expensive horses, all neatly turned out, and a hot sweating cob who was in a tizz and worried about it all. She was so glad to be home and running on empty that she managed to fall and split her cheek open the day she got back. Fortunately her second test results are a bit better, so while her prognosis is that dreadful word - guarded - we are hoping that she will at least recover enough to potter about.

Molly cob, already on a permanent sick note, clearly gave Rosie instructions on how to get ill and no longer able to be ridden.....

Tintin, the amazingly large donkey has had a swollen gullet and neck, so he has been tubed to see if there was any obstruction, and now is on tablets to see if it will go away. He was a very brave boy to have a stomach tube put in without being sedated.

Aimee has also decided to get in on the act by being lame - she is being poulticed twice daily.....

Naturally none of this comes cheap - no xmas presents this year.