Guest Blogger: River Big Bear

Hello, my name is River, and firstly I would like to say thank you to Pilgrim for allowing me this opportunity to introduce myself via his blog. I must confess that when young Pilgrim suggested blogging I thought it sounded a little rude! but apparently it’s all the rage these days. 

Let it not be said that us more mature ladies are not in touch with the modern world!

River in Action (2003)

My full name is ‘River Big Bear’, and to answer Pilgrim’s un-asked question I shall be 18 this year. I am a brown leopard spot Appaloosa, 16 hands high.

Although I was born in Great Britain, my ancestors come from the United States of America, you might have seen some of my distant relations in western films,  the most famous being Zip Cochise, who stared alongside John Wayne  in the film “El Dorado”. 

I came to Calvert Trust Exmoor in January as I wasn’t being ridden very much, I’m still a very active lady and I want to remain so!

I had a minor incident this week, me and one of the other horses here failed to see eye to eye, and I ended up with a small cut on my leg. This resulted in me having a few days off, to give me a chance to heal; Not ideal in your first few months in a new home, I hope to be back in work next week.

Introducing River

You’ve heard a lot about me over the last few weeks, and there’s plenty more to come, but I thought I might let some of my friends have a go too, as long as they remember who is the star of the show! 

My first guest is going to be the ‘new kid on the block’, River. You may remember I mentioned her a few weeks ago. 

Mind you I think she’s a bit older that me, by how much I don’t know, I didn’t like to ask! 

Driving Miss Daisy

Another busy week, I was able to shine again doing my agility work. As usual each group I work with sets up the ‘tools of my trade’ differently, so I never do them in the same order. Even I would get bored doing them the same way all the time!

I did some driving with the boss this week, it makes a change from my agility work, which I am brilliant at of course! I’ve heard that once I’m ready I may get the chance to show off my driving skills to some of our guests, how cool is that! Won’t take me long to get up to speed, I can’t wait to show off another talent.

rolling rolling rolling...

I've had lots on this week, I was able to show of my agility skills to lots of smaller people, they seemed to really enjoy going round my course with me, each group set up a different track so I didn’t get boring. (As if working with me could get boring)!

The weathers been a bit funny, my rugs been on an off quite a few times! 

I just love it when I ‘m allowed to go native (that’s no rug to you guys!), so I can get down & dirty in the field, I love that mud!

I’ve been asked to explain why rolling is such fun, & important to us horses and ponies. 

We roll to get rid of itches and remove our winter coats, and it helps to build up the waterproofing in our coats too.

I’m one of the best at rolling, I can go right over from one side to the other, easy peasy!

It's all about the girls!

Well its been a quiet week for me this week, no agility sessions, which is a shame because I love showing folks what I can do!

My Friend Pixie

But I have had a blast playing in the outdoor school with my mates, especially Pixie, I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for her. As all us horses know, not many humans get where we are coming from, so watching us chatting & playing gives them a few clues.

I met a rather cool looking lady mare today, she’s tall, spotty (that’s her colour not a skin condition!), and rather aloof. I soon won her over with my boyish charm & good looks though! She’s called River, and she told me that her ancestors live in the wild west, that’s cowboy country, I really liked her & I’m sure she liked me, I hope to meet her again real soon.

Horsing Around

One of my favourite things is when I get to play with my friends in the arena.

Its called ‘Horse Behaviour’, (whatever that means), really its just me trying to get the other horses to play a game; I don’t mind who joins in, as long as they are game for a laugh & don’t mind horsing around!

A strange thing happened earlier this week, this man I have only seen a few times put a contraption on my head, then started poking about my teeth; what a cheek! To be honest it didn’t hurt, and funnily enough I’m now finding it easier to eat my hay. 

He obviously likes me (but then who doesn’t?!), because I heard him say to Nicky he wants to see me again in 6 months time.

As it’s been sunny my rug has been taken off (whoopee!), I just love rolling in the field and it’s not nearly as much fun with a rug on!