25. July 2011 by admin.

I am back at the farm and have been deeply embroiled in the court case all day and my shoulders ache from typing up my report.  The weekend in Wicklow was perfect as it always is and the little mare that we taught to load was brilliant. I used a clicker and she was wary at first but then starting loading herself bless her. The draft horse was pretty amazing too and I wish that I had videoed the lesson I gave to Sharon’s partner.  I showed him how to change his posture slightly although he has a naturally good seat and the horse moved beautifully with the subtle change in his position.  I use Peggy’s techniques and this horse was a perfect example of how powerful her techniques really are.  When the rider was in neutral pelvis the horse was on the vertical and moving in perfect balance.  When I asked the rider to return to his usual position the horse started tripping and could not even walk in a straight line.  It was a really clear example of how huge the improvements can be when the smallest of changes are made.

I have a radio interview to do tomorrow morning for BBC Bristol, more office work to do as Mags is now away, paperwork to sort, invoices to raise and pay, and the usual flood of emails to answer then I am off and away.  I leave for LA on Wednesday and I really need the break.  I haven’t been out there for years and I am so looking forward to sitting on the plane.  I shall spend the next two weeks writing and relaxing and enjoying my time with Tony.  It will be pure Heaven.   

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25. July 2011 by admin.

I am now in Ireland and am ready to fall over.  I am exhausted.  I left early this morning but had actually woken up at 2.50am and could not get back to sleep.  I did a behaviour assessment on a dog for an impending court case and then caught the train to Dublin.  The train was sooooo slow and I missed the connection to Wicklow which was really annoying. I did have a nice conversation about TTouch with the person who was serving tea and coffee and the scenery was stunning but the train was over half an hour late into Connolly station and didn’t arrive until 6.45pm. The last train for Wicklow had left at 6.30pm - how rubbish is that?  How is it possible to have the last train leave a capital city at such a ridiculous time?

I went an alternative route in the end and was picked up by Sharon in a different town.  I fell over her dog the moment I arrived and was so exhausted I could barely speak. I hope she doesn’t think that I made up the story about the stupid delay and missed the train because I was living it up in the pub.

It’s always good to be here and we are going to write, teach her youngster to load, visit the yard and help her partner improve the movement and balance of his delicious draught horse.  The assessment went well and despite my mind being on overload I know I will sleep well tonight.

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25. July 2011 by admin.

I didn’t think that this weekend could have got any better but it has.  Tony and I had a wonderful time on radio as guests of Mrs Irina Margareta Nistor.  The studio was in an extraordinary building near the centre of Budapest and we had great fun with our hostess.  She asks all her guests what was the first film they remember from their childhood because she says that in all the years that she has been asking this question their jobs are always linked to their first experience at the cinema.  Mine was Run Wild Run Free about a relationship between a boy and a horse.

We had gone to the radio studios with Raluca’s sister Carmen and met up with Maria, Elina, Delia and Raluca from GIA for lunch nearby after the show.  Then we headed out to Corbeanca to see the horses and met up with another volunteer called Ramona.  Raluca had told me she was still concerned about the weight of the mares but I couldn’t believe what I was seeing when I walked into the barn. They all looked amazing bar the two older mares in the group who are still a little poor.  The little emaciated dark grey mare that had been so frightened when I first saw them in May was almost plump and she was so confident and friendly.  I had had to start working with her whilst she was hiding behind a friend and although she had improved no end at the end of my second day back in May the change on this trip was just wonderful to see.  She is a different horse.  And so so sweet.  She was still without a name and because she is a perfect illustration of the work that GIA have done to save all these horses from malnutrition and a continual state of fear I asked if I could name her Gia.  I worked with two of the more nervous mares until we left at around six and although I did not have much time with them they had remembered everything from my first trip and improved even more.

We went out for a final celebration at a fantastic Sushi restaurant back in Bucharest and had a joyous evening in the company of our brilliant friends.  We ached from laughing and stayed far longer than we should but none of us wanted to say goodbye.  Ramona decided to adopt Gia as well so of course that called for even more celebrations!  We got back to the hotel a few minutes ago and I now have to pack before falling into bed for a couple of hours.  It has been an amazing and hugely successful trip and our support for GIA will definitely continue.  I am so proud to know such a dedicated and professional team of people.

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25. July 2011 by admin.

We have had an incredible morning.  When I was out in Romania eight weeks ago, Raluca and I sat in the newly built kennels talking about the best way forward for the horses at Corbeanca.  At that point we had no idea how we could resolve the issue as it looked as though the owner was going to take all the horses back.  The kennels were mere shells and we thought that the horses were all doomed.

Just two months on everything is so different.  The area in front of the kennels is grassed and planted with small trees. A new run has been installed as an area for play and enrichment and the dogs that were nervous of people back in May are now in their temporary newly painted homes looking relaxed and happy.  This little adoption centre has a wonderful feel and I cannot believe what has been achieved in just a few short weeks.

And of course all the horses are safe.  Some have been returned but the owner has repeatedly thanked GIA for all that they have done and communication remains open so that the horses that did go back can be monitored.   Some have been re-homed through GIA and the others will hopefully find new homes soon.

The press came out in force and stayed for ages, which is unheard of even in the UK. Tony, Raluca (GIA) and I gave interviews and the story made all the top news programmes on the television which is just incredible.   We celebrated with a lovely lunch in the shade (it is 40 degrees here today) and we went off to a see a collection of historic buildings this afternoon at the Village Museum this afternoon.

The excitement has lasted all day and I am so proud of my friends and all that they do.  We are back at the hotel trying to cool off and will all meet up for supper tonight.  We are tired but so very happy and it could not have gone better.  I am thrilled with the television coverage and the footage was great. I am glad that GIA have had the recognition that they deserve.

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25. July 2011 by admin.

Clever Lucas!  He has been fantastic all week.  I am so stupidly thrilled with him.  Tina and I worked him early this morning and although we had a few moments yesterday as we were ground driving him around the farm I knew we had turned a corner.  This morning he seemed so pleased with himself when we brought him in we decided to put him under saddle. He was a star.  He hasn’t been sat on for over eight months and last time he was here he had his wolf teeth removed so obviously couldn’t be ridden. He was so soft and flexible both in hand and then when ridden and I couldn’t wait for his owner to turn up.  We took him out again after a nice long break and this time his owner rode him in the indoor arena and around the yard and track.  Again he was perfect.  He is still a little stiff in the hock so there is certainly more to do and probably more to investigate but he could not have behaved any better.  I am so so pleased with his progress.

Tony and I are now in the lounge at Terminal 5 waiting for our flight to Bucharest.  We have a packed two day schedule but I can’t wait to see all my friends and I am so pleased that Tony has been able to come with me.  I am really looking forward to seeing the horses as well and although I am sure that some will still need my help am pleased and relieved that such a terrible situation seems to have worked out reasonably well.  I am also keen to find out more about the horses of Letea which is another distressing case that kicked off whilst I was out in Romania in May.

Animal welfare is a challenge in Romania and GIA are also involved with the horses that were captured on the Danube Delta. This story made International news. Many of the wild horses had been rounded up and news of the plight of these horses was coming in as I was teaching. Again this is a complex situation as it was with the horses of Corbeanca and there is an issue with Infectious Anaemia (swamp fever) in Romania to add to all the other problems that the welfare charities face.

As soon as the dog workshop was over my friends from GIA went straight out on the road to help these horses. Thanks to the power of the internet, GIA were able to muster troops of horse lovers and together with some other NGOs (Non Governmental Organisations) worked tirelessly over several days to save some of the horses that were on their way to a slaughter house. The transporter was followed by a convoy of animal welfare personnel and the horses were clearly distressed and agitated.  They had been on the road since the early morning and at 1.00am the following morning the truck was stopped.

The conditions in which these horses were travelling can be seen in this distressing photograph and supporters of GIA and the horses came to their aid bringing food and water for the poor animals on board. They had not been offered anything since they were loaded up nearly 24 hours before.  I cannot even begin to express my horror and my disgust that any animal is subjected to such an ordeal.  One of the horses had already died and I shall spare you the more upsetting pictures.  Thanks to all those people that worked around the clock to bring the plight of these horses to the public attention, the truck did not make it to the slaughter house.

Some of the horses were put to sleep having tested positive for Infectious Anaemia but the rest are currently held at a farm whilst GIA and the other NGOs work out a long term strategy to protect the native horses of Romania.

If you want to know more or if you feel that you can add your voice to support the work that GIA do to make the world a better place for these magnificent animals that we love, please read up about this rescue on the internet.

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25. July 2011 by admin.

Lucas is back for another few days and I do so enjoy spending time with him and his owner.  Two horses left yesterday and I am genuinely sad to see them go as they have been a joy to have around.  One was a brilliant character who made me laugh a lot and I will miss them both.  They also have delightful owners and I am lucky that my clients are all so nice.  It is always a pleasure when they come to visit their horses.

Our visiting mare is doing extremely well so all is good and actually quite peaceful here at the farm.  Busy, yes, but the dramas of last Friday are resolved.  Tony has managed to book flights to Bucharest on the Friday afternoon and we will fly back to London the following Monday.  Lindy, who organises the trainings in South Africa, will be in London with her lovely husband Rick so we are planning to meet up for lunch.  My flights to Ireland are confirmed and I will do the assessment then head down to Dublin to spend a couple of days with Sharon from the Irish Horse Welfare Trust.

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25. July 2011 by admin.

It is early and it is already turning into one of those days.  My vet is on his way to staple a cut on a horse’s leg, my truck needs new brakes and I have learned that the callipers have seized and I need to get a replacement car for Daisy as her car has gone in for repairs earlier than we had expected and she needs a car before Tony and I leave the UK.

Our old dog Ginny is under the weather but on the whole she has been amazing. She has not had a seizure for over two months but she is going to the vets to check her heart and kidney function as I came down to dog vomit this morning. I also have finally had dates sent through to do an assessment on a dog in Ireland and my head is spinning as I am booking flights to here there and everywhere.  I am looking forward to the end of the day!

Happily the hay is in which is such a relief as it is a nail biting time when we have had huge amounts of rain. My friend Janet came and helped but having warned her how hellish it can be stacking bales of hay in the barn in the heat it was effortless this year as the contractor loaded it all into the barn with the grab.  We all sat around and watched!

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25. July 2011 by admin.

Vicky is now on holiday so I am still covering the yard.  I am having a wonderful time working with our visiting horses that are doing very well.  We have a lovely young mare in and I know some of her half brothers and sisters so I am enjoying working with her as I feel as though I know her already.  She is beautifully sensitive but in an appropriate way and she will spend a few weeks with us learning some ground work exercises before she is fully backed next spring.  It is so important to teach horses how to move in balance before a rider is introduced.

The situation with the horses in Corbeanca, Romania rumbles on but I think we have reached a resolution.  I am trying to fit in a quick trip to Bucharest next weekend to open the adoption centre for dogs and to see what horses will be remaining in the care of GIA (the charity) so I can help them find new homes and do a little more work with the more sensitive mares.

Tony will be off to the USA soon as he is working on a new show in Los Angeles but I hope we can travel to Romania together. Then it’s off in different directions for a short while before I fly out to join him in California.

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1. July 2011 by admin.

I have had two more horses at the farm for the past week and another horse is coming to stay on Sunday so it is still all systems go here at the farm.  I had emailed yesterday saying that I had nearly finished this blog and did have every intention of sending it in last night but the heavenly evening sun was just too tempting and I went riding instead.

Lucinda and I took Skupla and Myrtle for a glorious hack through my fields and down a quiet country lane to the neighbouring village of Priston.  We stopped at the pub for a lime and soda and then re-mounted and turned for home.  One mare reared in excitement and skipped and zoomed her way down the lane and the other mare was impeccably behaved and walked and trotted in perfect balance all the way home.  It would be easy to think that the lively mare was my four year old Cob but no, it was Skupla that behaved like an over exuberant youngster even though she is now in her teens.  I need to read her the rules for Le Trec as control of paces is a rather integral part of this activity!  Have to say though I do love riding a forward going exuberant horse and my laughter was probably not helping matters that much.

Our hay has been cut as we are meant to have a few days of dry weather and I can hear the tractors turning the grass in the upper fields.  I shall go out onto the yard and work with the horses then walk all the dogs when the weather is cooler.  What a lovely start to another busy weekend.

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1. July 2011 by admin.

The weekend was a great success as we combined the Equine and Companion Animal Practitioners in a two day catch up clinic.  We had a party on the Saturday night celebrating our tenth anniversary at Tilley Farm and it is certainly something that I will do again next year as it was a very valuable experience for everyone on the course.  Myrtle was second in her showing class and third in her dressage test.  It was blisteringly hot and she was a little shut down in the ring due to the weather and perhaps being slight over whelmed by the experience.

Cobs can internalise anxieties which can be easily over looked so we will take her out again next week to build up her confidence although I am sure that being black the sudden, intense heat probably took the edge off her performance.  She was beautifully behaved though and I can’t ask any more than that from a young horse at their first outing.  I am thrilled with the results and looking forward to a summer of competitions.

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