That's how it feels, like I'm hurtling towards Sunday and nothing can save me now :) It's been less than a week since I found out that Merlin can go to the Eriskay Southern show in Cholderton and I've been rushing around trying to get everything ready in time. Having given up on doing any shows this year I find myself woefully ill prepared, but then it would seem that I thrive on adrenaline and it doesn't give me too much time to worry. Merlin has certainly stepped up to the plate and is lungeing and moving like he's had intensive training for months. He has a peramanent smile I think :)
He performed so well for the vet last night, that he was disappointed when the vet drove off and neighed at his car to come back and see more. He's a shocking show off! If he keeps his mind on his work and off all the lovely totty then we'll be fine on Sunday, so please keep your fingers crossed for us.
Today we are tackling obstacles to prepare for the trailer arriving on Saturday. I want Merlin to load like he's always done it, and then we'll take him for a little drive in the evening. I'm a little worried about Toffee being left on his own for a whole day, but I've asked a neighbour to pop in and check him and give him a cuddle. So hopefully he won't feel too alone.
Other than that, we're just about ready to go!!!! I'll be back with lots of photos in a day or two :)
Wednesday, 8 July 2009
Friday, 3 July 2009
News!
Hokay! So I don't want to say too much and jinx things, but I've made contact with some wonderful people in the South that also keep Eriskay ponies. One lovely man has been breeding them for over 35years! He is hilarious, slightly irreverent, and a font of all knowledge. He is the man that has bred Mish, featured on Oakmoon, and I'll call him Mr.F. He assures me that he's in his 90's but I find that hard to believe but wouldn't dream of arguing with him! Meeting his ponies was such a joy.
This is Nonnie, the mare and Mish her daughter. Mish is short for a gaelic word that means 'Water of Life' or Whiskey :)
There is also someone else that I've spoken to who is incredibly passionate about keeping the Eriskay breed alive. I think she is a crusader, but is funny and interesting with it. We have children of a similar age and many more things in common, so it could be interesting when we get to meet in person.
I suppose the most important thing though is that Merlin has been offered the chance to be inspected for his stallion licence. This is HOOOGE and I'm so very happy that he has this chance. If he fails, nothing changes. He will always be my special stallion and he will carry those important genes with him wherever he goes.
Here he is in his new gift from me. It's a lightweight fly sheet and an attempt at keeping off the flies and Toffee's teeth! It would be awful if he turned up for his inspection looking like a scabby dog! The neck piece is held together with baler twine though, as his stallion crest is too big to fit in it and I didn't want him to strangle just for the desire of a smooth coat!
He is so unhappy and asking nicely if Andrew would 'just get this bloody embarrasing thing off me!'
I think he looks ready to go jousting, personally, and always loved 'My Little Pony' (actually that last bit's a lie. I hated my little pony because I'd never, ever seen a blue one in real life!)
This is Nonnie, the mare and Mish her daughter. Mish is short for a gaelic word that means 'Water of Life' or Whiskey :)
There is also someone else that I've spoken to who is incredibly passionate about keeping the Eriskay breed alive. I think she is a crusader, but is funny and interesting with it. We have children of a similar age and many more things in common, so it could be interesting when we get to meet in person.
I suppose the most important thing though is that Merlin has been offered the chance to be inspected for his stallion licence. This is HOOOGE and I'm so very happy that he has this chance. If he fails, nothing changes. He will always be my special stallion and he will carry those important genes with him wherever he goes.
Here he is in his new gift from me. It's a lightweight fly sheet and an attempt at keeping off the flies and Toffee's teeth! It would be awful if he turned up for his inspection looking like a scabby dog! The neck piece is held together with baler twine though, as his stallion crest is too big to fit in it and I didn't want him to strangle just for the desire of a smooth coat!
He is so unhappy and asking nicely if Andrew would 'just get this bloody embarrasing thing off me!'
I think he looks ready to go jousting, personally, and always loved 'My Little Pony' (actually that last bit's a lie. I hated my little pony because I'd never, ever seen a blue one in real life!)
Thursday, 21 May 2009
Exciting!
Something very exciting is going to happen this weekend, I can't say more, but hopefully there will be photos and good news, fingers crossed for us :)
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
Relaxing.
After all the hard work he's been doing lately, it's good to let Merlin have some time off and a little grass. We have far too much this year, after hardly any in previous years, and so both ponies have to be severely rationed.
The bare paddock in the background is where Toffee and Merlin spend the majority of their time. I'm terrified of laminitis and so it's a case of being cruel to be kind. As their workload increases though, it's good to let them have a treat.
The bare paddock in the background is where Toffee and Merlin spend the majority of their time. I'm terrified of laminitis and so it's a case of being cruel to be kind. As their workload increases though, it's good to let them have a treat.
Saturday, 2 May 2009
Lungeing.
Merlin's schooling has been going really well, and his lungeing lessons have been a huge success, with him going over trotting poles and doing a little jump too.
Here he is learning to stand quietly and not be such a speedy boy :)
I love the shape of his bottome here, as he's beginning to muscle up nicely.
He is loving this soooo much.
My instructor is really taken by him and was 'ooing' over his lovely paces.
Here he is learning to stand quietly and not be such a speedy boy :)
I love the shape of his bottome here, as he's beginning to muscle up nicely.
He is loving this soooo much.
My instructor is really taken by him and was 'ooing' over his lovely paces.
Saturday, 18 April 2009
The Merlinator
At last we managed to get some film of Merlin playing football. Although it's mostly me running around, fetching the ball and him hogging it and cuddling it! He does love his new ball now that he's no longer afraid of it. I hope the link below works. Sorry for the quality, I'll try for some more footage tomorrow.
Merlin's freestyle
Merlin's freestyle
Monday, 13 April 2009
Football.
Well, we tried to take the film of the football game, but Merlin didn't like the new ball, Poppy shook the camera soooo much that it would have induced a migraine and then Merlin gave up and just watched me run around. It was a dissaster. Better luck next time! :)
I did do a bit more backing with Merlin, which was fun, and he was shocked and then pleased to see that he could see me from both sides at once as I lay across his back. It was sooo sweet. He sniffed my boot and then turned his head for a cheek rub and closed his eyes. Not really bothered then! I'll be sitting on him by the weekend, hopefully :)
I did do a bit more backing with Merlin, which was fun, and he was shocked and then pleased to see that he could see me from both sides at once as I lay across his back. It was sooo sweet. He sniffed my boot and then turned his head for a cheek rub and closed his eyes. Not really bothered then! I'll be sitting on him by the weekend, hopefully :)
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