I love my job!

Good news!

I did some driving today & I was great! I had a person in my carriage plus one of the staff by my head helping them out.   I could sense that the lady in the carriage was new to driving so I was on my best behaviour.

As we went on I could feel her gain confidence, and we finished off doing a figure of eight round some cones, partly in trot.  I got lots of praise from both of them for being a little ‘superstar’ - their words, not mine - & afterwards a nice groom before I was taken out to my field. I love my job…

...but then who wouldn't!

Embarrassed Teddy

Do you remember the breakout a few weeks ago? 

Well, I had a chat with Teddy about it over a lush bit of grass last night. I could tell he didn’t really want to talk about it; I reckon he’s a bit embarrassed about leaving me behind (& so he should be!).

He muttered something about this field having more grass and a better view of the reservoir; but I think it’s more to do with it being harder for him & the others to push the fence!   

Brin told me later that he’d seen one of the staff walking round the field they broke out of with a roll of string,  banging metal bits into the fence. He thinks that they’re putting the same buzzing stuff on the fence that we’ve got in this field.  At least that means I won’t be left behind again!

I wonder if this was Teddy!?

I noticed last night that someone has attacked our sign, I wonder if that was Teddy too? He does have a good appetite, so maybe it was; don't think I'm gonna ask him though!

Shall we race?

It’s been quiet for me the past couple of days: I’ve done some agility and taken a few of our guests along the track, but no driving so far this week.    

The good thing about having a bit more time is that I can chat with some of the others here at Calvert Trust Exmoor & catch up on all the latest news. Of course any interesting bits I will pass on to you – but as a good reporter should, I will keep a confidence if asked to!

I've been chatting with Hendrix; we both love driving so we had lots to talk about! His main job is driving with the guests, he can pull both carriages but says he mainly works with the 4 wheeler.

Hendrix doing Carriage Driving

Hendrix told me that he’s been doing a few driving demos recently to show folks what driving is all about. He reckons the best bit is going round a course of cones as quickly as possible!

I told him about the demo I did a while ago and he said that maybe we could have a race sometime to see who’s the fastest!! I’d love that but I think I need to do a bit more practice first – it sounds to me that Hendrix is a bit of an expert!  

Welcome to the family Brin!

Me & a few friends showed some of the guests how we ‘talk’ to each other this week.   We are allowed to roam freely in the arena, just being ourselves with folks watching from above.
Having an audience doesn’t bother any of us……we’ve too busy catching up with each other or enjoying rolling (one of my favourite activities).   

Me having a lovely roll!

Good news; It sounds like Brin is here to stay, YAY!!!!!!

I know that all the new horses have what is called a trial period – which means that they are allowed time to settle & to see if being here will suit them. I must say I was a bit worried after the ‘breakout’, I hoped that it wouldn’t mess up his chances of becoming a proper member of our team.

It looks like his hard work & great personality has won them over at the Stables & I will have my new friend around to stay! whoopee!!

A little bit of rain..

Remember the ‘Great Escape’ from my field by Brin, Teddy & Bruno?  I am pleased to report that so far ‘the boys’ have stayed with me & not gone off on another adventure.  I made Brin promise that if they do it again they will take me with them!

It’s been raining again – surprise, surprise! I Didn’t have my rug on though; It’s when it’s raining & windy at the same time that I get a bit chilly.

Bruno made a comment about how some horses couldn’t stand ‘a little bit of rain’.  BUT I’m not the only one to have a bit of help to stay warm…….Pixie, Duke & Wizard also have a rug on when the weather turns wet & cold. 

I bet he wouldn’t dream of saying this to Duke (or Pixie for that matter!)

___________________

Apparently lots of you lovely people like reading my blog, so they sent out a photographer to get a picture of me writing - I've decided to use it as the new background for the blog! Here it is - a great shot of me in action!

Me hard at work, talking to you!

no more escaping?

Good news! All of us are now in a different field and not being kept in our stable overnight as I thought might happen. It almost seems like a reward for breaking out last night: is this too good to be true?

The answer of course is yes! Teddy told me that the top rail of this fence is making a buzzing sound – he say's this means it will sting if we touch it.  

Not a problem for me as I can’t reach it, but I think it will make the others think twice about making a bid for freedom again! - Perhaps Teddy will have to start work on digging a tunnel instead...

The Great Escape

I’ve just got to tell you this! Teddy was put in my field last night, the first night out for him since his injury. He was so pleased to be out again and got busy with eating as much grass as he could.

Next thing I know he, Bruno & my new friend Brin have all disappeared from the field!!!! I waited for them to come back, but instead one of the staff appeared and took me in to the stables.  And guess who was already there? Yes, you’re right, Teddy, Bruno & Brin!!!   

I think Teddy may be guilty of leading the other two into trouble, I remember he’s done this before!  Not quite sure what’s going to happen now as I think they’ve done quite a bit of damage to the fencing.    I’ll keep you posted!

Man I'm good looking!

I’ve got some good news for you today: Teddy is better!!
I saw him being tacked up & go into the indoor school.  He told me later that he’s being brought back to fitness by the staff so that in a week or so he will be able to work in sessions with our guests.

Teddy

Teddy was also allowed to go in the field for a few hours – he told me that he didn’t know what to do first, eat or jump for joy!   He then confessed that the lush grass won first place, but he did do both!   He’s still staying in his stable at night-time for the mo….but hopes to be joining me & the guys out in the field very soon.

As usual your mini reporter (that’s me) will keep you posted!


I overheard the staff talking today about how good I look this year in my summer coat! Of course I look good in my winter coat too, but due to my Scottish pedigree it can take me a long time to lose it.   Having a bit of both is not a good look….even for me!

I think it’s due to the extra attention I had earlier on in the year; my coat gleams in the sun & I feel good!   Grooming is very important to us horses, and something that the staff do for us every time we come in from the field.   Have you done any grooming lately?

Get well soon Teddy

Hi there! We are being kept busy at the moment here in the stables at Calvert Trust Exmoor, I heard the staff saying something about schools have broken up: I guess they mean that the children aren’t at school for a bit rather than the buildings have fallen apart!

Everyone here is working a bit harder as one of my friends, Teddy, has injured his leg and can’t ‘do his bit’ for our guests. He’s been off for a couple of weeks and told me the other day that he really misses working & eating in the field!   Teddy did add that he’s feeling better & hopes to get back to work very soon; I’ll keep my hooves crossed for him!

I’ve had a good week, showing folks just how friendly horses are and doing my agility course with them, but so far I’ve not done any driving this week.

I had a chat with Bruno, one of the horses that pulls the big carriage, and asked him how much driving he does. He said that it varies from week to week, and some weeks he might not be asked to drive at all!  He shares the job with Maxwell and Hendrix, so I suppose they all have to do their bit.   

The big Carriage

Bruno reckoned that I was very lucky to have my own carriage; he has to share the 4 wheeler with the others!   The stables also has a 2 wheeler (like mine but bigger), that Maxwell & Hendrix can drive – I think Bruno is a bit big for it, but I didn’t like to ask!

Whoopee!!!

Whoopee!!!  


Just as I hoped, I’ve done some more driving this week.    I’ve had a few people in my carriage; some sitting beside a member of staff and some on their own.

My Carriage

When I told Pixie all about it she was really pleased – she said something about me growing up at last…not quite sure what she means by that!! 


Anyway, I hope I get to do this again & soon!

...with these Rocher, you're really spoiling us

It’s another busy week. We’ve got quite a few smaller people with us and I have the job of ‘Ambassador’ for us horses.  Being closer to their size, I think it’s helpful to meet me first before they get to ride or drive with one of the others.


This has got me wondering, with smaller people around I might just get a chance to do some driving, keep your fingers crossed for me!


PS – I'm not quite sure what an ‘Ambassador’ is but it sounds important - & that’s got to be me, don’t you think?

Guest Blogger Pixie: 3 job well done

Hello everyone – it’s me, Pixie, talking to you from the stables here at Calvert Trust Exmoor. I promised Pilgrim to do at least one more blog, and an Exmoor pony always keeps her promise!


I’ve been demand this week as some of the guests are just the right size for me to work with, and being so experienced I am the ideal horse to take on this responsible role. 


I enjoy taking them round the arena, doing all kinds of exercises and especially hearing them chuckle when I move a bit faster.   Overall, as Pilgrim might say, ‘a job well done!’