Happy half term!
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| Miraculously, the weather has suddenly turned wonderful just in time for the school holiday! |
Here is a conversation I overheard between Spode and her new barn manager:
S: "Which halter do you want me to use?"
"What?"
"Which halter is Lucky's?"
"What?"
"... Um. Ah, which headcollar?"
"Oh! The purple one."
Spode is having a little trouble adjusting to the ever so subtle differences in language here. So am I to be honest. In fact, I shouldn't even say "barn manager." It's yard manager in this country. And Spode always says she's at the barn, when in fact she's at the stables. And my blanket? Well it's now my rug. And there's straw in the stall where she grooms me rather than shavings. I definitely thought it was just a stall full of hay when I first went in. What a disappointment!
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| Why did you trick me? |
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| I mean, I sleep in hay anyway. Might as well have a bed that I can sleep in and eat, no? |
Spode has been spending lots and lots of time up here since it's the holiday. I'm ever so slowly getting fit again, though we're taking it slow because Spode was very unimpressed with my manners on the ground. Apparently I need to go back to school (teachers probably always say that though, as I pointed out. Then she gave me a detention).
The problem is, language isn't the only cultural difference here. I'm finding it a little difficult to adjust to other things as well. Example a, hedges. I hate them. They're terrifying! Massive plants that I can't see through but I can hear horses and other animals behind them. I don't like them one bit, and England seems to have an obsession with them.
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| Always keep one ear on the hedge, that's my motto! |
This has led to some issues between me and Spode. Namely that I bolted three times when she led me to the hedge and even the shelter near it. Spode wasn't impressed. But then, neither was I. I got over it eventually, but I'm still very wary which is making hacking next to impossible at the moment. Spode has started taking me for walks to get me used to them, though we did have a little hack today.
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| Can we go back before we get to the hedges on both sides please? |
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| They're up there. I know they are. |
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| That's better, lots of open space! |
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| And I'm done. Stop with the photos, I want to go home! |
I suppose I'll get used to it eventually. Same with these stables they have here. Apparently the only stables I know are called "American style" here. Instead, what's more common here are courtyard stables that open to the air. Which is quite nice! I get tacked up in one and i like being able to look out and breathe freshness in.
I am already used to one big difference though: year round grass! Yes, I'm living almost entirely on grass alone in February! My wildest dreams have come true!
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| Delicious stuff! |
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| Even in the muddy field I was in before there was grass to eat! |
Alas, I hear that I'll be having slightly less grass in future as Spode has told me that I'll be moving at the end of next month to a yard closer to her house. And unfortunately I'll have to stay in a stable at night during the mud season (November to April/May, so I'm told). These will be my new digs:
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| A nice big stall in the new stable block to the left. |
Spode is sad to move me and I'm not thrilled to hear that I'll be in at night, but needs must. I suppose it will be fine once I get used to it. For now, I'll enjoy the full time grass while I still can. And as I learned today, Spode and I both enjoy sleeping in the sun.
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| It's 14 degrees and I have a coat meant for -30. It's a recipe for sleepiness! |
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Spode on the other hand just spent 2 hours mucking out my field, so that's also a recipe for sleepiness!
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So all in all I'm having a lovely time getting used to the new country and all the differences in horse keeping. Another example, the lack of cross ties.
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| Guess I'll just have to hold myself to be brushed then... |
And I'm happily getting used to having Spode feed me again and look after me. Just like old times! Proof that anywhere you have family is home.
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| Please, Spode, can I have some more? |
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| They even have "snow" here! |
So that's all for now, Old Sports. Until later.
