This Time I'm Really Going To Do It

Karmacat

Fascinating - even as a non-horse-keeper

EatingTheElephant

Thanks Watty, will be taking a look at that book (watch the book sales go up now lol)

Watty1

Been to see two more people who use the same system. Came away totally enthusiastic. But sat and thought more about it yesterday. It is more work as one of mine has serious COPD so would need all hay soaked. I'm on a sand vein and so worry about sand colic if it is just a dust bowl plus having watched my boys they do travel a fair distance. I'm not totally convinced. I worry that one of mine might find it stressful not to have easy access to his food as he is easily bullied off food by the other one who eats very fast! I can manage the situation but I'm not sure how ideal it would be. I absolutely agree with the "enrich horses life" bit. And am going to incorporate some of the ideas I've seen. More on that to follow as I do it. I'm going to carry on reading the book. And thinking it over and I'll post to let interested folk know what I'm up too (and bore the non interested folk).

Watty1

So the first idea I came away with was that the ponies might benefit from free selection of herbs. The track people do this in various ways like just planting in some areas that are occasionally grazed or giving some loose in feed bowls around the track. Most handsome would trash the bowls in moments :rotfl:
But in the "great barn declutter" I found two large plastic plant pots (really large) and there is some peppermint in a garden pot that needs thinning out so I have planted up two tubs. Once it has grown up a bit I'm going to put them in the field for the boys to graze on. Going to get some chamomile to plant up in similar style.

Watty1

And on the great barn declutter I have finished. I love the barn. It feels so peaceful and happy in there. The remaining unwanted clutter is on the bay of e. Everything has watchers or bids except the old car seats which I suspect will go to tip. That just leaves appropriate barn stuff in there. Happy :j

Goldiegirl

Well done - it's so satisfying when something is decluttered to your satisfaction

Karmacat

Watty1 wrote: »

I absolutely agree with the "enrich horses life" bit. And am going to incorporate some of the ideas I've seen. More on that to follow as I do it. I'm going to carry on reading the book. And thinking it over and I'll post to let interested folk know what I'm up too (and bore the non interested folk).

Watty, I love it - I'm non-horse folk, but still interested :j I've read all of your posts today in one go, which is also fascinating - it sounds great :j

Watty1

Thanks KC.
Hit a rocky patch and not as in track for horses to graze on
Big argument with friend. Not sure if can be resolved. Feel very tearful. Not really sure what is going on but friend has been very odd over the last few months culminating in this.
Nice day out planned for yesterday with different friends ended up being cancelled because of rain. (Windsor Horse Show - we had splashed out on Members tickets and a posh lunch and were all dressed up and ready to leave when I saw on social media it was cancelled. We will get a refund but that on top of row was a bit much).
Have texted friend and suggested a coffee but I think I am being ignored as phone not answered either hence text

FloppyDisk

Hi Warty, what a shame that Windsor wasn't able to cheer you up.

I recently lost a friend through slow and subtle rowing. She seemed to have changed a lot and I just ended up not liking her anymore. I miss her and her friendship but life is a bit more peaceful. Hopefully for bith of us it is a temporary blip but perhaps it can just change your focus for a little while to other friends?

I have heard a lot about the track grazing idea,and saw one thr other day. Unfortunately with a skinny sport horse I can't bare the idea of wasted grazing, perhaps one day....

Watty1

With two native ponies floppy much grazing is wasted here
Three rugs that were being stored in the lovely decluttered barn sold on bay of e this evening and being picked up at w/end. :j