Summer.

Today I opened an email to discover to my delight a picture of this stunning little mare. She is RBF Cholderton Summer, Merlin's full sister. I've kept in touch with the farm that bred Merlin and they've emailed me to say that she is currently for sale!




I would so desperately love to buy her, as she's a stunner and if Merlin's lovely nature is anything to go by, I'll bet she's a poppet too! She has a typical strong neck and low dock, with a generous rib cage. Her body is a little longer than Merlin's, which is perfect for breeding as the Stallion should be short backed and the mare needs the extra length to carry her young in comfort.

Obviously we couldn't have her, being so closely related to Merlin, and I wouldn't part with him now for anything in the World, and for people who know me, know I'm not saying this lightly, I wouldn't give him up for all the tea in China.

Bridles and bits.

Well, plaiting the mane worked to make it lay on the correct side and I think it looks rather nice, but can you see what Merlin has in his mouth? Yes, he is wearing his bit and bridle. I was sooo pleased with him. He took the bit with no trouble and stood so quietly as I adjusted the straps and checked the fit.



He turned the bit around in his mouth and had a good old chew,



then much yawning and thinking, before I gave him a rest and took it all off.



After five minutes, I popped it back in for a brief moment, just to see if he would take it again. No problem, and he deserved his little treat for a reward.

Mud!

The weather has been too mucky and yukky to take any pictures this last week, but I'm hoping to get some nice ones when the plaits come out! Merlin's Winter coat has come in thick and dark grey, and soft as cotton. He looks soooo much like a cuddly pyjama case at the moment, I want to snuffle him all up in my arms! It's a good thing he can't read, because he'd be soooo offended, what with being the man and all that! Anyhoo, there was noooo way I getting within arms length of him tonight as he'd found something nice and smelly to roll in! I ask you, is this normal behaviour for a stallion? because it seems more like puppy behaviour to me! :)

Merlin is looking soooo good at the moment, so I'm indulging myself with some lovely pictures.

This one and the next were from last week.



Now that his mane is getting to a decent length, I decided that I wanted on the right side, for when I break him in!



So I plaited it, and I think he looks lovely with little plaits. It also show off his gorgeous neck :)

He's not meant to be in this paddock with lovely grass, but he jumped through the tape this morning (naughty boy!)