Tuesday 24 July 2007

Practise for Border Union Show


I had arranged with my sister to help me "train" Bazil to walk and trot with his Mum in preparation for Border Union Show this Friday. Sunday was a glorious day and in the afternoon, we took Ruthie and Bazil for a walk up the road, before going into the paddock to do some serious work. To be honest, I have no idea what is expected of Ruth or Bazil on Friday, but any training is better than no training.
After the awful behaviour Bazil displayed the last time we all did a training session together, my sister brought with her a packet of water pistols, to teach Bazil not to bite me and rear and lunge at me. I only had to use the pistols 3 times and he learned not to be so cheeky. (the water pistols is a dog training aid, and it worked with the foal - so far!)
What we learned on Sunday is the foals don't do training at that time of the day! He was lethargic and just wanted to have a feed and go to sleep. So we gave up, although Ruth is walking out and trotting with more enthusiasm than the other week.
Rachael decided she would groom Ruth, so the poor pony was plated up, tail as well and flowers put in her mane. She didn't mind, she really is a very decent pony. Meanwhile Bazil lay sound asleep at his Mum's feet, whilst Rachael stepped over him to brush Ruthie's tail. All this training is just too, too exhausting for young chaps!
We have another training session tonight. Tack & kit cleaning on Wednesday night. On Thursday night, I plan to give Ruth a warm water rinse to remove the dirt from her back, and wash her tail. (I'm not a great believer in washing horses, elbow grease does not give them chills or arthritis, but the foal keeps "gunking" her and the trees have dropped sticky stuff on her back, so I'm making an exception to my rule.) And finally load the lorry because it is an early start in the morning.