Fingers Crossed ...

Grace had her third and final Strangles swab yesterday. If its a third clear then we can breathe a sigh of relief!

Its about a 96% chance then that she didn't have Strangles but some other form of respiratory virus.

I really hope its negative. I don't want to put Grace through any more swabs, she hated them :(

Happy Birthday Grace!!!

My girl is 5 today!!!

She has had new G2 boots and a big bag of carrots!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRACIE!!!

Feeling Better!

Feeling very happy today! :)

I found a lovely isolated field for Grace to live in for the next month or two (thanks to my bosses sister!)

We took her down there last night, poor girl, first time out of her stable in nearly two weeks and she goes straight onto a trailer!!! It was only a ten minute journey though.

Grace was chuffed to bits to have her freedom. She didn't know whether to eat grass, roll, run or buck - so she did all four in very quick succession!!!

Yay!!!

One Week Later

Well, Gracie is feeling much better. He temperature is back to normal and she is eating well.

But the poor thing has stood in her stable since last Tuesday. She is dealing with it very well but I just want her to be able to go out and play again.

I am trying my best to find her an isolated place to go and live until the Strangles is gone and she has three free swabs - but its not easy. The farm are being so good but my option of putting Grace in the back field, although generous, is just too risky to the other horses.

Hopefully this will all sort itself out soon and Grace can go back out in the sunshine.

Poorly Girl

Grace was diagnosed with Strangles last night.

She is not a well girl but better today than last night.

It looks like she will have to live in an isolated field for a few months now.

Poor thing, I'm really upset.

One Week On ..

And I think we are doing Ok!!

I have been working with Grace nearly every day;

Monday - Rode Bareback
Tuesday - Long Reining
Wednesday - Day Off!
Thursday - Rode Bareback
Friday - Day Off
Saturday - Long Reining
Sunday - Bareback

She is going very well. I've noticed a real change in her attitude in the stable. She is so confident and relaxed - a far cry from the nervy and flighty mare that went away!

Her new saddle is due tomorrow and I'm also awaiting her new Old Mac boots.

My next challenge is to 'Make Grace Brave'! I am going to do some spook busting with a tarpaulin sheet on the floor and some flags and bags on some jump wings. I really want her to be confident in herself and also in me.

Watch this space!