|
Post by beksnjake on Jun 18, 2010 9:07:23 GMT
Excellent news
|
|
|
Post by Chloe on Jun 19, 2010 15:18:36 GMT
Took Dolly on a slightly longer hack today and did about 1 minute of trot - got back with plenty of fuel in the tank and she was lovely - really calm and loving every second of being out. Then I rasped her feet and practiced loading. She hates loading and has perfected the art of standing on the ramp and saying "I don't wanna!" Today I had the yard to myself so knew I wouldn't get any offers of "help" so waited her out. She really wasn't keen on getting on normally up the back ramp so I decided to alter the technique and let her come up the front ramp then exit out the back. Also moved the partition right across to give her maximum space. After an hour and a half she suddenly ran up the ramp, through the trailer and off the back ramp. Rewarded her with tons of cuddles and grass, then back to try again. This time I only had to wait 5 minutes before she did it again. On the third go she walked straight on Tomorrow I'll ask her to stand for a second before unloading and build the time up until she's happy to load the wrong way, then when she's relaxed about the box and willing to listen, we'll learn to do it properly.
|
|
|
Post by nicxf on Jun 19, 2010 15:23:31 GMT
hehehe...aww; go little Dolly!
Am I meeting you at the yard tomorrow (and if yes, what time would you like me there?)? Did you find out if the show is cancelled?
|
|
|
Post by Chloe on Jun 19, 2010 18:50:48 GMT
Yah, show's cancelled - no party for Kaiby I quite fancy a lazy morning tomorrow so shall we meet at 10:30? I'll lead Kai out with you on Dolly and we can do the same route as we did this morning
|
|
|
Post by nicxf on Jun 20, 2010 6:52:33 GMT
sounds good to me!
|
|
|
Post by Chloe on Jun 20, 2010 12:36:39 GMT
|
|
|
Post by nicxf on Jun 20, 2010 15:02:02 GMT
she was a great little pone, again. The look she turned and gave Kai, when he said that actually couldn't he be in front again now please, was classic. ;D And for a pony who doesn't like loading/travelling, I think the actual 'loading' part of that is looking pretty good.
|
|
|
Post by Chloe on Jun 20, 2010 15:59:00 GMT
lol Kaibers really hates being behind! He was cross and pulling faces the whole way home ;D
I'm absolutely thrilled with the loading - next step, staying in the trailer for longer than a nanosecond...
|
|
|
Post by Chloe on Jun 22, 2010 19:07:03 GMT
Suppose I ought to tell you something good before I have a grumble. Dolly no longer has a loading problem. She walked very calmly into the trailer twice tonight, stood quietly for 20 seconds and then walked out nicely. I don't think it will take much from here on out to introduce the partition, breastbars, ramps, etc, but I am debating whether to even bother as she's lame again!
Gave her the day off yesterday as it was so hot and I was drugged to the eyeballs on hayfever meds and feeling pretty drowsy.
Went to take her out tonight escorting two of the kids on a short hack and she felt quite pottery leaving the yard but she's only recently had her shoes off and the drive is hard going so I kept on, letting her walk on the verge but we'd been gone less than 10 minutes before I decided that actually, she was lame in front.
Got back and checked her over - no heat, no swelling, slight pulse in both front legs but nothing too alarming. Can't stable her in case the stress causes her to tie up again, clearly can't put her back with the herd in case it's laminitis so she's back in the penance paddock and thoroughly peed off. Can't say I blame her - her life sucks.
|
|
|
Post by nicxf on Jun 22, 2010 19:45:46 GMT
oh, no! Poor little Dolly. Hugs to both of you - it must equally frustrating to you both!
|
|
|
Post by Chloe on Jun 26, 2010 20:27:49 GMT
Dolly is now officially retired.
She had a bath today and stood like an absolute angel for me to scrub her all over while the farmer shifted hay bales off the trailer 3 feet away from her into the hay barn. She really is a wonderful, fabulous pony.
Totally gutting that I'll never get to ride her again, but at least she's paddock sound, happy just mooching about with her friends, and we managed two wonderful firsts this year - first jumping competition and first birthday pub ride.
|
|
|
Post by nicxf on Jun 26, 2010 20:46:37 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Chloe on Jan 15, 2012 8:44:40 GMT
Final update - after a difficult summer, Dolly went to sleep for the last time on 7 November 2011.
|
|
|
Post by quest on Jan 15, 2012 18:49:52 GMT
What a beautiful and lovely pony she was. You were so lucky to have her and she was so lucky to have you. My thoughts are with you
|
|
|
Post by kas on Jan 15, 2012 19:14:15 GMT
Oh Chloe, so sorry to read this sad news. She was a wonderful pony and you had such happy times together. xx
|
|