So if you have been wondering why Alida and I have not been actively blogging lately, it may be because the animals have been keeping us rather busy!
Alida's friend, Lee-Anne, has started riding Peanut and Butter with regularity and we have been at her side all the way, looking on and cheering, which is what we do! I have to once again reiterate that we love everything that has to do with horses, and it's not just about riding one. We enjoy watching just as much as we enjoy being up there ourselves! And so, this is what has been happening.
On top of this, Peanut, the one gray mare, has had a bout of colic. She was not feeling well a couple of weeks ago and then again, started experiencing pain on Monday, just before Women's Day.
Alida sat up with her all night, she tried home remedies and kept her as comfortable as possible and as quiet as possible. I think Alida will report in more detail on the colic as she was right there, in the thick of things.
On Tuesday, Women's Day, we went out to Alida's riding school, where she gave Fernando some exercise and we watched and cheered as Blanche worked with Big Chester. Now, I feel it prudent to write a few notes on Big Chester, as Alida has written about him, loves him and worked with him extensively. Blanche is half-baiting Big Chester now and regularly joins in when Alida has her Saturday riding lessons. I have been privileged to ride with them on a number of Saturdays, thanks to the generosity of superb friends, allowing me to display my farmstyle riding antics (I have a sneaky suspicion that they enjoy laughing with me in the arena!) and so I have noticed that Big Chester reacted somewhat sluggishly on Saturday mornings.
When we went through on Tuesday however, we met up with a completely different horse. Alida has explained before that Big Chester dislikes sharing the arena with any other horse and this was wholly evident on Tuesday morning. Blanche put him into trot and canter and they made such a pretty picture that Alida and I could not help cheering along! It seemed as if he truly wanted to please her and he was also enjoying himself. Now, bear in mind, Big Chester is not a youngster anymore. Last we heard, he was 27 years old! In horse years, this means that he is more or less considered to be geriatric, however he is strong and gorgeous and so steadfast and impressive.
The bright winters morning at the arena with Fernando, Alida, Blanche and Big Chester put a smile in my heart!
The vet came out on Tuesday as well to treat Peanut and she has since improved a bit, however I suppose she will be taking things easy for a while. We consider Tuesday very successful all in all!
Khalief, my Wolf Hybrid, turned 14 on Sunday. He is another old-timer in dog's years and has been battling a bit lately. I got him some vitamins and supplements, however, for his birthday and I am happy and relieved to report that he, too, is showing a lot more spunk and improvement. Come Summer he will be swimming again to build his disappearing muscle tone.
At this rate and with the abundance of love that these animals in our lives are showered with, they will continue for many, many more golden years at our sides! We receive unconditional trust and love from them, which is why we do what we can for them to keep them healthy and happy and safe!
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