Kennedy: Catch up

Good eveneigh,

Apologies for the gaps, my ghost writer is being a bit rubbish at the moment keeping up with blogging about our adventures.  Despite this, I've decided that she's alright enough that when she comes to see me, I race Syd to the gate...  The other day he won on his nippy little legs so I had to chase him around a bit.  

I've got another new friend too, Prince (my next door field buddy).  He's been popping his head bravely over the electric fence to say 'hi' and I've been giving him a little groom just to be friendly back - he's not too bad after all - even for a young one!

Sian and I have been on a lovely woodland ride over the past few days as well as having a little wander around the estate again with Zara walking alongside.  I'm finding my way about now and I know which way to go on different rides.  Sian says sometimes she thinks if she fell asleep, I'd get us safely around the ride and back again.  Thanks...I think?  

Damien is still enjoying coming up to see me on an evening and I like seeing him too as he usually gives me a fuss and sometimes one of my treats!  

Today I've had a bit of a bath as I was feeling pretty itchy in the heat.  Sian went out and bought some tea tree shampoo and gave me a good wash and a groom.  I quite enjoyed it and stood really still while she cleaned my feathers and paid special attention to the itchy bit at the top of my tail and on my mane.  She said she might have to have a go at hogging my mane again when she comes back as it's looking a little toilet brushy just like mummy Caroline said it would when it started to grow - I think I'm rocking a bit of a mohawk but apparently Sian doesn't agree.  Oh well...

Here's some pictures of me before my bath.  Sian said I looked very handsome!

Then, tonight, Sian's friend Leah visited.  She did lots of talking to me and helped Sian while she put my Silverfoot hoof balm on.  Sian said it was much easier with Leah passing her the stuff she needed one at a time!  

Kennedy: A new adventure and a new friend...

Good Morneigh,
It's been fairly sunny here at the moment and I've really enjoyed being out in the sunshine with all my friends - I'm one popular neddy among the other horses (and I'm pretty sure the humans too).  Sian has been a little bit obsessive about brushing my feathers recently.  It's fine (I suppose) but she's getting a little irritating brushing them with various brushes all the time.  And making noises like "hmmm..." "grrrr..." "argh..." and "aha!"  Of course, I've been using it as a good excuse to stand and have a nose about at what's going on in the yard.  I'm afraid to say that one of my doggy friends, Tess, has taken very ill.  She spends most of her time lying near the stables at the moment.  Everyone who walks past gives her a little pat or a cuddle but she doesn't move much - poor old girl.

Yesterday was quite a fun day.  First of all, don't worry this isn't the fun part, Sian brought me in on the morning and we spent lots of time just the two of us.  She brushed my tail and my legs and, guess what, my feathers (would you believe)!  She sprayed on some fly spray, then we stood and talked for a bit and she let Betsy (my other doggy friend) out of her kennel to have a little run about.

After a while, she suddenly made a 'hmmm...' noise and then went and grabbed my saddle.  "This is odd..." I thought as she still tends to like to have someone around if she's riding (don't ask me why) and there was no one at the farm at all.  Anyway, she popped my saddle and bridle on and after a little struggle negotiating the mounting block (it's a lot wobbly), she managed to jump on and we set off into the farm.  We just stayed on the car park tarmac and did some circles and walk and halt for about 2 minutes and then I heard the sound of hooves.  I looked round to see my old friend Rocky walking down the road towards me and with him a beautiful grey mare with stawberry roan flecks in her coat being led by Holly.

This mare is Jess.  She's 19 and is owned by Holly's boyfriend who Sian said hasn't ridden before but it looks like he wants to spend more time with Holly so he got a horse.  He was riding her - Debbie said he'd done "nothing but sit there and enjoy the ride!" all the way back from the vets but he seemed to be smiling so I guess Jess is well behaved too.

Sian says 'look at the beautiful feathers!'  Honestly
woman, get a grip!

After that, Debbie suggested that we walked Jess, Holly and Jordan back to their farm which is just down the road from us.  Handily, Sian had walked this way the night before looking for new places to ride so she knew what was down here.  Jess likes to be in front so we wandered along behind - well actually it was more of a power walk as Jess and Holly don't do 'wandering' as such.  When we got back to the farm, Debbie said she would like a coffee before we went back as it was quite sunny and she'd already walked to the vets and back and then to the farm.  Holly suggested we had a little go in the riding school if it was empty so we wandered round (my pace this time) and went in.  Sian said it was a little embarrassing as there were benches down the side where everyone sat and had a watch.  We had some walks and trots and even managed a few strides of canter - though Sian said the school was a bit small to expect much more than that from me.  I actually had quite good fun as there were some bits on the floor that we pracrised walking round.  But what impressed everyone the most, they said, was how calm and cool I was...particularly as someone had started a fire in the next field that was crackling a bit.  One funny moment was when I had my back to it and it did a crack and I thought it was a whip cracking so did an excellent unexpected transition from trot to canter.  Sian must be really starting to trust me as, instead of freaking out, she just laughed a lot and told me to keep it going.

We rode back with Debbie and I took it easy after the excitement of meeting Jess and having a go in the school.  It was warm and we were pretty tired (Sian had to drink Holly's coke before we set back off and spilled it all down her front - how embarrassing!)  When we got back up onto the road, we had a little trot and I decided to power on back towards the farm.  We left Debbie in the dust (sorry Debbie).  When we got back, Sian gave me a nice cool spongebath as it was warm, she said.  Then she told me she wished someone would give her a cold spongebath.  "Not me!" I said.

After that, I got one of my treats for being a 'good boy'.  Aren't I always?  And had a wander around the courtyard to cool off.  Sian popped me back out with Syd where I could watch the farmer filling his barn with hay and straw.  Sian said it was pretty funny when he came on his tractor with lots of bales of hay...  Rocky, Prince and Syd went wild and ran off and apparently, I just started walking, wide-eyed towards the gate as if all of my Christmases had come at once.  How rude - I was only being curious.  You'd think she'd be happy that I wasn't spooked by the tractor.  In fact, I was so unspooked by it, I didn't even flinch when yesterday, as Sian was bringing me out of the paddock, I reversed into the parked trailer whilst trying to get at some particularly scrumptious looking grass - well a boy's got to eat you know!

Anyhow, love and sloppy kisses to all my friends and neigh-bours.
xxx

Kennedy: A visit from Aunty Lynne

I haven't seen that much of Aunty Lynne just recently so it was nice when I heard her voice on Monday morning.  Debbie has been ill so Rocky was busy teaching Holly to ride on the drive.  I quite wanted to join in as I'm pretty close with Rocky now so I wasn't too keen on having my feet picked out in the courtyard too much.  Anyway, I endured it and then I got a surprise when Rocky popped round to see me!  Apparently, Holly's boyfriend (who isn't a rider) had hopped on to Rocky to have a little go and Rocky had decided to take him on a visit to the stables to see me in the courtyard.  I gave him a little whinny of approval - "Well done Rocky!" I could hear Debbie's voice saying "just bring him back this way" from the drive.  Then, I heard another voice; Aunty Lynne!  She gave Rocky and I a big fuss and helped put my fly veil on.  She says it looks a bit silly and 'not very country' with it's little diamantes.  Sian agreed that she hadn't realised that it had these until it arrived in the post...  Hang on a minute everyone, what happened to "he looks really handsome in his matching fly veil and saddle cloth"?  Have you been riding me round looking like a fool?!  Sian agreed that something should be done and said that she was looking into getting me a matching 'Le Mieux' set except that Damien can't cope with them because he says it translates to rubbish in French, the best he could do to translate was 'The Bestest'.

Anyhow, despite agreeing that diamantes weren't really my style, the fly veil went on anyway.  And Sian said I'd be happier about it when it kept the flies off my ears.  I suppose she's right but do you think I could have something a little more manly?  Like a skull and cross bones?

So up to the woods we went again today.  We had a 'rest' the day before and just did the estate opposite the farm.  Except it wasn't really a rest because Sian decided to do transitions between lamposts and kept making me trot and walk and trot and stop.  Honestly, I didn't know if I was coming or going!  She did say I was a very good lad though and that I listened very carefully so I even gave me one of my special treats when I got back.

Back to the woods though.  So we had a nice quiet walk through there today.  I'm still not too keen on the footpath but OK if I walk on the mud down the side though Sian keeps worrying it's slippy!  So far I've managed to negotiate it if a little awkwardly because I keep having to cross the path for better mud patches.  On the way back, we met some nice people with a labrador that said I was a very sweet boy and liked watching me walking out of the forest as I have to step over a wooden pole.  I'm very good at it now!

Honestly, Sian had been busy telling Aunty Lynne how she had decided to give me her undivided attention at all times when riding so that we could 'focus' and 'work as a team' - I think she's been reading again (this is dangerous).  Anyway, I needn't have worried because she ended up looking at houses for sale the whole way back - there was one point where I feered she might walk me onto the drive to peer through the window (it's OK though - she didn't).  She has decided, having ridden round it quite a lot, that I live in a nicer place than she does and is all for moving (she found a nice 3 bed detatched for £150,000 - even I know that's a bargain and I'm a horse!)  Anyway, she says she wishes she hadn't looked because now she wants all the houses!  Meanwhile, I'm just being a sensible boy and walking us home the way I know to go.  I'm getting the hang of the route back from the woods now.  It's quite easy once you know...  And now I know where all the drains are so I can practise drain avoidance wherever possible.


When we got back to the farm I was kind of hoping that might be it but then Aunty Lynne decided to have a little ride up and down the drive.  Sian had to tell her about the stony part as the first thing she did was steer me onto the stones and then I stopped because I don't like walking on them too much!  At least it made a good photo opportunity before Sian redirected Aunty Lynne onto the concrete.  In the meantime the lady who lives at the farm turned up with a lawnmower and frowned at me.  Sian said I was fine if she wanted to mow the grass down the side of the drive and that it would take more than that to frighten me - she's right.  This made the lady smile.  I've heard she isn't very sure about horses and she does tend to keep her distance.





After she'd finished mowing, she said 'he's very mild mannered isn't he?' I assumed she meant me as I was the only boy there at the time.  Let's say we can be sure she wasn't talking about Syd who was in the field behind me...  Sian agreed and told her I was very calm.  She smiled and went off in the direction of the house.  When I got back to the courtyard with Aunty Lynne still on board, the lady and man who own the farm were sitting on a bench and watched me come past.  The man said "Woah - calm down a little bit there.  He's a bit excitable isn't he!" which I think must have been his idea of a joke because the lady said "if you could get me near a horse, I'd want to go on one like that!' So it looks like I'm starting to win them over!  I was even more sure when Jean (the lady who lives at the farm) turned up with some apples from her orchard and said I could have one.  Sian, the meanie, said that was very kind but unfortunately I wasn't allowed apples but that she would put them aside for Rocky and Prince if they were allowed them.  That is so mean!  Anyway, she did go and get me one of my special treats.  She must have felt bad about me missing out on the apples - so she should!  I must remind myself of that rhyme...."An apple a day...."  I'm sure I can convince her somehow...

Happy Tuesneigh everyone!
I'll write soon.
Mr K



Ps.  Syd says "Hi!" - being my new bestest mate, I promised him a spot on my blog...

As you can see, he shares my fondness of food...

Kennedy: It's already Saturneigh!!

Good eveneigh everyone,
This blog post comes with an apology on Sian's behalf for being too busy having fun with me in the woods to right a blog post.  I've had a stern neigh and a snort at her and she's agreed to apologise!

Anyway, I must say we have been going on some much more interesting rides these last few days and getting out for over an hour at a time!  The first day, Damien came with us.  I shouldn't really say this but Sian and him spent a lot of time having stern words with each other and I heard Sian saying it was because she was feeling a little worried.  Goodness me, how hard do I have to try to prove to her she has nothing to worry about!  First of all, she was worried about crossing a busy junction to get to the bridle path, no problem for me, I just stood there and nibbled on her foot to reassure her I wasn't even looking forward so I wouldn't go without her telling me.  Damien came up next to me just in case (as if!) I went anywhere.  Then we got to the bridle path and Sian had forgotten that it was next to some fields of horses.  So then she decided Damien (who I heard her tell to walk behind) should walk along beside us (I don't think Damien was very pleased because he kept doing big sighs like I do when I'm feeling a bit fed up...)  Anyway, I wasn't even bothered about the horses (I'm a one man band and all that - I don't have the time for getting stressed about these things).  You'd think wouldn't you, that this would reassure her?  Well, it did, temporarily...   Because it was at this point she decided to try something new: a canter!!  Well, we did a few strides and then she let me slow down again as we had ran out of nice soft ground and gone onto some harder mud and, I'm not going to lie, I was heading to some grass that may or may not have thorny bushes next to it...  The point is though, we did it.  She seemed that excited about it that when we got to the next bit she was off again wanting a canter - 'my goodness woman, calm yourself down!' I said but there was no stopping her.  Even poor Damien was jogging to keep up at this point.

So, she was all happy and smiley and singing my praises and so forth until she saw these horses coming down the hill.  I heard her saying to Damien to come up alongside again (which you can imagine he was thrilled about) and then to 'be ready' in case I tried to follow them...  Seriously?  If horses could roll their eyes...  Down the rather narrow path came a man with a rather bouncy looking bay horse, followed by a woman on another.  He said something about my fly veil being a good idea and Sian sort of squeaked in reply... 'Get a grip Sian!' I said, but I don't think she could hear as she was doing her breathing "In 1,2,3....out 1,2,3...." she thinks I don't know she's doing it...

Well, I turned around and belted down the bridle path after the horses and threw a few bucks in for good measure...

Only joking - I was just checking you were still awake!  In fact, I did a half ditch attempt to turn my head to look at them going past and Sian straightened me up again and talked jibberish to me for a while and then they were miles in the distance and we were wandering along all happy again.

In the woods, there were some interesting noises, I guess someone was having a party because there were lots of echoing laughs and squeals...not that I was bothered and by this point, even Sian was chilling out a bit.  I heard Damien say he was feeling a bit stressed by it all but I'm pretty sure that was to do with Sian making demands of him to "go behind," "get alongside," "go in front!" at various points (she did say she was sorry when we got into the woods and that it was "Kennedy's first time on his own up here" - that's right Sian, blame the horse for you being a baby).  The woods were fab, we just walked as the floor is quite stony so Sian likes to let me pick my own path a bit.  I find this quite fun as sometimes I like to take her on a walk through a tree...sometimes a little leg through a hedge....sometimes a few nettles.... whatever tickles my fancy really.  Meanwhile, Sian's sat on board telling Damien that I'm such the nicest horse in the world and so gentle and so kind and calm (I'm quite enjoying this!) and that any other horse having seen those other horses would have gone after them or at least done something and good old Kennedy...  I am though aren't I?

So next, the ultimate test.  First, a dog who was quite excited to see me (luckily on a lead).  That was fine.  Then...wait for it....a group of men (I'll repeat MEN) on BMX bikes flying uncontrollably down the side of a hill towards us and then skidding sideways onto a path about 3 metres ahead of wear I was standing now stock still waiting for them to get control.  A couple added in a bit of a 'whoop!' just for extra good scaring measure.  Damien looked at me and I looked at Damien and for a moment I think a thought passed between us.  A bit of an 'pfffffffffff....' moment.  These plonkers then stopped on the path right in front of us for a good few minutes congratulating each other on managing to make said dangerous, ridiculous drop onto unseen forest path and make it down in one piece...Don't mind us, will you?  Then, they all skidded round on their bikes and disappeared down another dirt track as quickly as they came.  Sian was somewhere between fuming and glowing - one mintue she was slating these 'clowns' and another she was singing my praises again.  I didn't bat an eyelid (of course) and even Damien has now begun acknowledging what a 'good boy' I am.  I do try you know...

Sian jumped off and led me down the steep bit at the end again, which she was quite glad of because I tried to eat a bush at one point and tripped over my own foot - well I can't always be perfect you know...  When she got to the bottom, I stood on Damien's toe a bit (his fault) which went down like a lead balloon.  And then Sian jumped back on.  We then contended with a very loud sit on lawnmower behind a hedge right next to us.  By this point, I could feel Sian relaxing.  I know what she was thinking.  "You ride your sit on lawnmower right next to Kennedy if you want - he's unshakable!" else she was thinking "I'd rather you didn't but I'm getting pretty confident Kenners won't do anything..."  I can't quite decide at the moment...

We walked back through the estate and round to the farm without further drama (well with the exception of a few drains - I just like to watch them in case anything jumps out and chases me up the road - so far nothing*).  Sian was absolutely beaming when we got back.  She was telling Damien 'sorry for stressing him out' and that 'we did amazing' (we did) and that she felt 'great!'  I felt great when she put me a little hay net up!

The next evening, she turned up with a girl called 'Zara' and a 'present'.  By the way, someone needs to tell her what a 'present' is because I'd say that a new smaller girth is not my idea of a 'present'.  She said I was on '6 and 6' now, more or less on my current girth and that it was getting hard to put up from where she was sitting up there.  So she tried the other girth mummy Caroline had given her to try but it was still a bit on the short side (she said 48 inches compared to my current 54 inch girth) so she popped out to the shop and bought me a 52 inch one which was exactly the same as my 54 inch one just 2 inches smaller.  She says, in hindsight, that maybe we could have got a 50 inch because this one has already gone up quite far.  It must be all these walks in the woods and this lesser grass field.  So, feeling a bit sorry for me, she popped a little hay out in my field after our second long woodland walk.  I was munching away happily with 2 pairs of greedy eyes looking over the fence at me!  Oops, Sian had to go and get them a handful each while I ate mine!

Zara hasn't really had anything to do with horses before but she loves to walk so I think Sian had coerced her into walking with us into the woods.  She was pretty good company (except she kept complaining about the hills) and she gave me a great big fuss when we got back to the farm - she says she likes stroking my soft nose.  Sian said she thinks I liked it because I followed her around the courtyard but actually, I thought she might have some food!

Anyway, I've probably given you enough to read about tonight.  I'll be back with more adventures!

For now, I will say good eveneigh to you all and hope you have a good weekend.




*On a side note, is this place actually made of drains?  We must pass at least 20 on our estate hacks!  It's like aversion therapy!  I'm actually beginning to trust some of them now so I think it's working...well except for the noisy one of Carnoustie Road...I'm never going to befriend that gluggy thing!

Kennedy: Wednesneigh fun

Good Wednesneigh Eveneigh to my lovely blog readers...

I quite enjoyed my wet and windy night in last night with my neigh-bour Rocky!  We had a lads night in - and got to know each other better over a hay net.  Then, this morning, Sian and Debbie turned up and a new person - Holly!  Holly is Debbie's daughter and she sometimes comes to ride Prince.  Sian said she thought she would like riding with her as Holly isn't too confident either so we could all take it nice and steady.


I do have a bit of a complaint to make today I'm afraid.  You see, when I was told about coming to live with Sian, I thought 'aha - this is alright this because she's a bit dozy and sometimes I can grab a little bit to munch while she's not thinking properly.'  And, to be fair, I managed once...or twice - the woods were quite good for sudden things to grab.  Anyway....today we were going quite steady - even Rocky was taking it east with Holly.  So I decided to have a go at having a little munch on the pavement grass (you know those random little bits that aren't attached to the garden and are sort of on the pavement).  Well, she was obviously on her A-Game today because she managed to stop me right in my tracks.  What followed was a bit of a struggle in which I decided to pretend to be a dressage horse and drop my head into a beautiful outline.  Sian says she's pretty sure I was just trying to look at the pavement grass but Debbie said I looked very handsome so she took some photos!  In all this we had got a bit left behind Rocky so we decided to have a little trot to catch up.  I kept my head in and Sian said we could pretend to be Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro trotting down the road in New Marske.  I don't know why but everyone found this very funny until I did a really beautiful trot and Debbie said I looked amazing!



I spent the rest of the day in my field.  Syd went in a little while after I got out because everyone had decided to let the field dry out a bit today.  I stayed out until just after 4 and then Rocky and I came back in for another lads night in.   The people who own the farm came back today too.  I heard them asking Sian how I'd settled in.  She told them I'd been just fine and I was quite pleased to hear her telling them what a lovely boy I'd been too.  The sun was really shining tonight so it was a shame we came in really, Sian said but I don't mind, I'm pretty content with my stable.  I absolutely love playing with my treat ball - even though Sian has taught Damien to be stingy and break the treats into loads of pieces.  Even so, I get all excited when she appears with it!

Anyhow, I must get back to my night in with Rocky.  Have a good night everyone!

Kennedy: Lots to report!

There have been so many great things over the last few days that I'm not sure where to start!  I'll begin with my hack out with Rocky.

So, I was surprised when instead of going straight across the road on Sunday morning, Rocky and his owner turned to walk up the road.  We walked a short way and then joined a bridle path up the side of a faster road.  I liked this path - it looked a lot like a buffet to me with trees and plants growing on either side but Sian said I showed good restraint because I didn't even try to eat any!  We had a good trot up this path - even though I could hear Sian doing her breathing behind me!  I think the reason for this was that Rocky kept scaring hundreds of pheasants in the field next to us and they were flying out all over.  Sian said I was a good boy because I was busy just watching them as they flew up.  She got used to it eventually and so did I and we were off!

Then, we crossed back over into the woods again.  There was a steep hill going up this way and I was trying to find the best way to go up because there are some rocks on the ground so it's a bit awkward but I found my way and Sian even let me take her head first through a load of branches to avoid a stony bit - she's daft as a brush!  Once we got to a softer bit we had a little trot again and Sian said she was starting to enjoy herself now which is good as she was driving me a bit mad worrying about everything - she said she hadn't slept very well worrying about trying the woods - I don't know why, I've never not looked after her since she met me!  Anyway, after a while, we came to a fairly steep decent.  Rocky was doing a lifty up leg trotty dance to get down but there were stones on the ground so Sian decided it was best to get off and lead me down here.  That was a lot easier for me and then I stood like a good boy for her to get back on from a bench at the bottom - OK....I may have helped myself to a little grass but I did stand still...   Then, we walked back through the estate to get home.  We bypassed the road with the noisy drain which both me and Sian were quite pleased about and headed back to the farm.

When we got back, Sian gave my hooves a good pick out and a paint with some silver stuff and then I got to go back in my field.  I must say I'm pretty happy out there at the moment and celebrated by having a good old roll!  Then, a few minutes later, my mate Syd turned up and we had a little run round together.  After that, Sian disappeared for a while, I suspect she went for a cup of tea after our woodland ordeal that wasn't an ordeal at all because there was nothing to worry about as always - I hope she gets the hang of this!  A little while later, a new person turned up.  Sian said he was her friend 'Paul' and he was here to fix the fence.  Everyone came over to say 'hi' to him and Syd ran around a bit to celebrate his arrival.  I gave him a nod from where I was eating and then sort of wandered in his general direction for a couple of steps and then started eating again - just to let him know I was grateful for his trying to fix my fence...

About ten minutes later there was a bit of a cracking noise and Paul jumped backwards and yelled - Sian and Debbie cheered while he nursed his hand so I'm guessing he fixed the fence.  The following half an hour was filled with other people electrocuting themselves on the fence and everyone laughing.  These humans are pretty weird - is this their idea of entertainment?!  After that, Debbie said she would wait and watch if the fence got any of the horses to make sure it was working...I'm sorry to say, Debbie, that us horses aren't as daft as you lot.  I couldn't believe Paul managed to shock himself 3 more times after that and even Sian got a shock when she was opening the fence.  Honestly, I thought these peoples were supposed to be clever!

That night, I had another surprise.  Sian came over with 'Mark', Aunty Lynne's son.  I've met him once but he said he was a little bit frightened of horses so he didn't come over.  I was cool with that and I didn't bother him either - I know eventually my charms will win him over.  Anyhow, I thought they were going to take me in so I started wandering over to the fence where I normally meet Sian but she gave me a pat and told me I was allowed to stay out tonight.  I was next door to my buddies, Rocky and Prince, who like to come over and see me anyway so it was pretty cool - like a sleepover!

What was even funnier was seeing the look on Sian's face the next morning.  She must have slept near by because she rocked up in her pyjamas and boots just after 8am!  Well the look on her face was a picture.  I'd found myself a nice corner of the field to mouth mow and Rocky and Prince had joined me on the other side of the fence.  We were all eating away when Sian came sprinting down the path in pj bottoms, a Harry Potter nighty and a pair of boots.  Apparently, I was hiding behind the other two horses!  I lifted my head and gave her the eye then kept eating - she's a bit embarrassing so I didn't really want anyone to know she was here to check on me...

Anyway, she disappeared off after that and I didn't see her until just after lunch time.  Thankfully she came back dressed in something normal!  And brought her mum with her.  Her mum had to do a pretty good job of distracting Syd so that he didn't try to come with me - he does like me a lot and when I got out he shouted out to me.  Then, Prince and Rocky had come over to see what was going on and they were standing between us and the gate.  Prince is only a young lad and was very keen to see what Sian and I were up to.  But Sian's mum saved the day again by leaving Syd who was now safely behind the electric fence again and running up the outside of the field fence calling Rocky and Prince.  Luckily, they went running after her which left us free to escape!  Sian said it's a bit of a mission but she's getting used to it!

Then we were off out on another adventure.  Sian put fly spray on and said we were going to go for the woods again.  But when we got out on the road, it seemed pretty busy so we went a different way again around the houses - we shouted 'hi' to Aunty Lynne and Mark who were busy doing the gardening.  Then we carried on.  Sian's mum really started to like me then and kept telling Sian what a lovely boy I am - I do try!  We had great fun and showed Sian's mum around.  She said she'd like to do this again as she'd had a really good time!  I gave her an extra special fuss when we got back and she gave me a big stroke and told me I was a very good boy and she liked me very much.

Sian apologises that she hasn't been better at taking pictures these last couple of days - she's been so busy with fences and riding but she promised I can have another photo shoot tomorrow so we can update with some pictures then!

For now, good eveneigh.  I'll blog again tomorrow!

Kennedy: a quick update

Today Sian broke the electric fence and stood all day in the rain trying to fix it only to conclude that it is in fact 'broken' and that it doesn't matter how many people she rings to come and look at it, it is broken and if they can't fix it, slapping the box will not work. I did try to pop over and lend a bit of a hand but then I had to pop off to enjoy my new bit of grazing. Positives were that Syd got taken in incase he realised the fence wasn't working (Sian knew I'd probably never notice due to the exciting new grass that had appeared) so I got the run of the new field to myself and I had a roll and a little jog around in celebration.  

Then, as they say round these parts, it 'tanked it down' and we both got drenched! 

Sian said she was going out for tea with aunty Lynne and the other girls of the family tonight and they surprised me by turning up at 10pm, just as I was drifting off, to check on me. Aunty Lynne was wearing a long dress and heels - not exactly suitable farm attire I must say!  I came and gave them a fuss though and got lots of kisses and cuddles! 

Oh and this is my buddy Prince! He's only 2 and a half but he's ok really though Sian says he bent the gate itching his big botty on it! I'd never break anything by itching my bottom on it...honestly! 

Kennedy: We are getting brave!

Good eveneigh everyone,

So today, Sian came up early, popped me out in the field and disappeared off again.  She told me later that her mum and dad were back from their three week holiday to France and that she wanted to pop and see them.  She's told me that her mum is going to come up and visit tomorrow and that we are going to go out for a ride with her walking alongside.  She decided to do a trial run with Damien so that she didn't worry her mum if she felt a bit of a scaredy cat but then she got really brave while we were out and we wandered all the way up to Aunty Lynne's house.  When we got there, she was busy mowing the lawn when we got there but came running out as soon as she saw me in front of the house.  She smothered me with kisses and gave me lots of cuddles and fuss which was quite nice!  I also got to meet her son, Mark, who said he wouldn't come near as he wasn't too keen on horses but eventually he succumbed to my charms and came and gave me a pat too!

Sian said we could put this on as I have a cute smiley face - but it's not too flattering of her!

...but she prefers this one of her and Aunty Lynne.  Did you catch my good side??

Sorry it's a short one tonight everyone.  Sian said she was not going to be home until late so I didn't give her too much to type up!

Kennedy: Getting the hang of this now!

Today, just as I was getting the hang of it all, Sian didn't do as expected.  Firstly, she didn't come at the same time as usual - apparently when she went to the doctors - she ended up getting talking to the doctor about horses and showing photos of me to the doc (who apparently had 4 of her own).  So Debbie came and checked I was OK.  By the time Sian arrived, Debbie and I were stood having a good chat whilst Debbie made herself and Sian a nice warm drink - no one offered me one!  It was quite nice really because it was raining outside so when Sian came, we were standing indoors having a good old fuss.

Then, Sian spent some time talking about something called the 'weather forecast' - I'm not sure what it is but I think I like it because then she popped my nice light rug on to keep the rain off and put me in the field.  Syd wasn't out today so I had lots of space to myself and Sian said it was nice to watch me happily wandering about munching away.  Anyway, just to prove what a ray of sunshine I am, as soon as I went out, the sun came out too.  Sian said perhaps we should have gone for a ride this morning after all but had decided that the weather was going to be better this afternoon - she's threatening a morning and afternoon ride tomorrow!

At about 4pm, a small army of people turned up.  Sian, Debbie and Damien and got me in from the field.  I heard Debbie telling Sian off for 'being in a tizz' but I can't understand why - she knows I always am a good boy and look after her.  The next thing, Debbie and Damien were walking out of the farm with Sian and I behind.  Debbie had promised Sian we didn't need to go too far and she only needed to walk this time.  After a few minutes though, I felt her relax - she must have remembered it was me she was riding after all!  Then we went for a trot and left Damien and Debbie behind!  Debbie said my mum had been right about my back legs brushing together and now she was on the ground she could see.  But she said I was picking them up nicely when I was trotting.  And Sian said at least I was nice and relaxed which I was - I'm just still not sure about those stupid 'drain' things - why must they be in so many places?  I think I'm getting used to the things now but they're still not my favourite thing to see.  It was a pretty nice ride and I had my photo taken my Damien too.  We didn't go too far but by the end, I could feel Sian relaxing (well as much as she could in that big blue padded thing she insists on wearing - what a lemon).

 Damien's camera skills leave a little to be desired!

When we got back, there was another surprise in store.  Damien - one of my new favourite people and who I always behave impeccably for - said he would quite like to hop on.  I must have really impressed him because it was the first time he'd ever seen me out and about with a rider.  Even more, he must have wanted to because he put Sian's pink hat on!  He sat on my back as I walked around the farm to my stable and Sian said I must have been listening to him because he only had to use his voice to get me to walk which was nice for me.  We practised a bit of stopping and going and then Sian gave me a kiss on the nose and a treat and said I was a lovely boy who always looked after everyone (I am and I do)!  Then Aunty Lynne sent Sian a message saying that Damien looked good - she must have driven past and looked into the farm to make sure I was OK!  I think Damien was a little embarrassed about being caught in the pink hat but I didn't mind as he gave me a big cuddle afterwards and said thank you for letting him have a little walk around the yard.

Excuse me...you're not actually supposed to ride in those!

See you tomorrow!

xxx

Kennedy: A special visit

Hay again!

So today Sian decided to give me a well deserved day off - she said it had nothing to do with her double sized manky finger or the fact that she spent 2 hours moving all my bedding from one stable to another last night - however I noticed both her and Debbie leaning on things a lot today and drinking a lot of tea.  They didn't offer me any despite my doing my best smile and kissy face!  She spent lots of time grooming me and we had a good natter about why I had mud on me and where it could possibly have come from and how my hooves got so full when I'd only been in my stable.  I found it quite enjoyable.  

Then, it was time to meet my mates in the field.  Syd, as usual, was happy to see me and we arrived at the field at the same time so we got to go in together which Syd seemed very happy about - I was just pretty chilled out as always.  Then I got to laugh at Sian as she attempted to get a bucket of water down to the field for us to drink.  By the time she got it here it was only half full and I'm pretty sure there was more water on her than in the bowl and she said she'd have to have a think about a better way of getting water to us.  

Sian and Debbie disappeared just before lunchtime but as always she was back again not much later with another person for me to meet!  I'm getting quite used to people coming to see me in the field now and sometimes do a big sigh when Sian turns up AGAIN to come over for a fuss.  Today was an older person, I heard Sian calling her 'Grandma' so I guess that must be her name!

She seemed pretty sweet even though she wasn't quite sure about horses and she even gave me a little pat on the nose.  I heard her telling Sian that I was a gentle boy and Sian agreed.  

This 'Grandma' person isn't too bad after all...

Anyhow, I've heard Sian is off to the doctors early in the morning with her mutant finger but she's told me Debbie will come and see I'm OK early and after that we are hoping to go for a ride out on our own with Debbie walking alongside.  Sian always asks me to look after her when we go out for a ride - but really she knows I always do!

On another note, Damien didn't come again tonight - I think Sian might be afraid that I steal her boyfriend away from her!  

I'll update you all again tomorrow.

Lots of snuffly kisses,

K

Kennedy: If horses could Google...

Sian seems to spend a lot of time Googling things:

- What to do if horse eating bed...

- Best fly spray horse...

- What to do if straw stuck in finger...

You know the sort of thing.

Well, if there was a search engine for horses, I'd be typing:

- What to do if person won't stop watching...

- What to do if trying to eat and person calling name...

- Grooming...how much normal?

- How to stop human bringing everyone to meet you...?

Today, we've been on a longer walk.  Sian told me she'd been brave and told her friend who lives on the road up to the woods to look out for us in the morning.  That meant she had to add an extra bit onto our hack - the final bit before we go into the woods!  Sian said once we get into there, they'll never get us out again as the woods will be some of the best rides - until we venture to the beach.  I don't know what this beach thing is but it all sounds pretty exciting!

I came across a few scary things on my travels this morning.  A very colourful place with lots of things that spin and sway!  I wasn't really sure what it was but Debbie said Rocky doesn't like parks either...   Sian said we will walk past again another day and told me there really isn't anything to be frightened of.  Then we found a funny drain!  I'd been pretty confident around the rest of them but this one was making a funny noise.  I tried to stare it out but it carried on whooshing and then I made myself jump!  Sian said I'd given her a fright and then got the giggles!  I'm sure we will meet again and this time, drain, I will get the upper hand!

Yesterday, I decided to make a squeaking sound when I walked.  Debbie said it was my legs rubbing together so Sian decided to buy me some boots.  She thought they might help me going down hill sometimes too.  I tried them on today.  If I had horse google, I think I'd type "how to tell human to stop buying matching items..."  

Boots and flares are in aren't they?

I think Debbie likes my style!

I was pretty impressed with Sian and Aunty Lynne tonight as between them they managed to brave getting me in without waiting for Debbie to amuse the other horses with hay as she plays 'run the risk' across the field with a hay net.  Syd was having a day in his stable today so I was pretty happy to come in but then Sian let me spend some time in the courtyard while she moved me back to my original stable by walking backwards and forwards with wheelbarrows and forks and such like.  I think I made her jump because when she came back round she couldn't see me but I was hiding around the corner sleeping!

Hi! Can I go to my stable yet?

Finally, about 7:30, after putting me in my stable and watching me like a hawk, clearly worrying like mad that I might eat my bed, she finally closed the stable door and left with Debbie.  I didn't really notice that much as I'd just found my salt lick that was hanging in my stable and was having a good old lick of that.  

Then, just as I was chowing down on my net which was rather soggy (I guess she's decided to start soaking everything), you'll never guess what happened.  She came back again!  This time she brought Damien back with her.  He came striding over saying "hiya mate!" but I was a bit too busy.  I couldn't help noticing the fact that he looked a little disappointed then but he asked Sian if it was a good thing that I didn't keep coming over.  Did it mean I was 'settled'?  Sian said 'yes' but I wasn't so sure if she wasn't just trying to make him feel better.  

Damien was very keen to help out and kept asking if there was anything he could do.  But, actually, I'm pretty sure Sian was spying on me to make sure I wasn't eating my bed.  I wasn't - I've realised these hay nets aren't half bad!  So she watched me with her hawk like eyes as I ate my net and then played with my treat ball - is there a reason she seems to be breaking the treats up into millions of tiny pieces?  I bet she's skimping on those crunchy treaties!